The drow: Lowest (1). The drow's required reclamation of the Rosenkraft castle would expend far more than the divided houses would be willing. The demon infested castle is far more dangerous on its own. The small group of feudalists near you is more vulnerable than offensive.

The dwarves: low (2). While the dwarves hate you, they are cordoned off by the lich to the north. Unless they came in through the mining areas, they would be practically incapable of moving their troops safely.

The lich: Average (3). While the undead neighbor has been quiet for quite some time, he may well wish to reclaim some of the area that was fought over in the past. He is highly unpredictable. However, it would be noticeable if he was amassing an army.

Golgremet Empire: high, possibly highest (4). These trogs have made it obvious that they are aiming to take us over, and you've discovered evidence of that. They have some things that we don't, and likely more men than us. Diplomacy seems to be ruled out.

(Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/16534647/ )

>>16607401
Ah yeah. :D

Open the door and step outside.

"Ah visitors; how may I help you, comrades?"

>>16607527

You are already outside.

"Ah visitors; how may I help you, comrades?" You ask them, projecting an aura of calmness.

The kobolds stare at you for a few moments, your words hanging empty in the air. You feel electricity run along the crystal muscles in your right hand in anticipation. The way they're built, the way they're standing... Each man here is definitely ex-military.

One of the larger kobolds, the top of his chest that's visible past the shirt covered in scars, walks out from the crowd. "You sayin' you don't know? Doesn't surprise me. Word is you been spending all your time in Brotherhood Territory." He cranes his neck towards the kobolds behind you, and they walk over to you, holding a bloody strip of cloth.

"We just had the third cave in this month. Lost only six men. Maimed thirty." He looks over at you, angrily. "That, I can call bad luck or worse, but the main thing is the prosthetics plans don't allow for some of them to return to work. Meaning they can't meet requirements to work anywhere but the religious facilities." He points over at you. "I may never have been injured as badly as them, but this happened in the military too. And it needs to stop."

>>16607844
"Yes, I was away in the Alloyed Brotherhood ironing out an alliance.
"But, wait. The prosthetics plans aren't covering it? Who refused you service?
"This is completely unacceptable; I know those plans are supposed to cover injuries like that. By the Hells, I was going to get a regular prosthetic through those plans before I signed up for the experimental program.
"Give me names, I want to know who's been rewriting the prosthetics plans behind my back."

The miners on either side of you edge in a bit closer, keeping their picks firmly on their shoulders.

"Yes, I was away in the Alloyed Brotherhood ironing out an alliance." You say to the leader of the men.

"I had to have one man bite down on that cloth while they cut parts of him away from the cave-in. Not much of him left from below the waist." The leader of the miners says. "The government reps told me that he'd only be able to go to work in the religious quarter, if that. Our people are coughing up blood, and you're bandaging up Brotherhood soldiers, and trogs from what I hear." He grins at you, no joy in the expression.

You push down the air with the palm of your hand. "Wait, the prosthetics plans aren't covering it? Who refused you service?"

"Resources division. Said we all need to keep a stiff upper lip." The kobold's fist clenches as he talks. "It was all I could do not to give that glasses-eyed scrollpusher a stiff upper lip and a few missing teeth."

"This is completely unacceptable; I know those plans are supposed to cover injuries like that. By the Hells, I was going to get a regular prosthetic through those plans before I signed up for the experimental program." You say to him.

One of the other miners unfolds a scroll, handing it to you. It displays the normal law for prosthetic replacements as ti stands now in the caverns. Military have a slight amount of favor in that if they lose a body part on an official exercise, they will be provided a new one and be given the option to go to trade school and transfer careers. Most other guilds only facilitate replacements if the job requires it or it severely impacts the individual's performance. You feel your rage build as you see a clause that excludes anyone not employed for at least 1 year's time.

"I want to know who's been rewriting the prosthetics plans behind my back." You say to them.

>>16608112
Question: is the law significantly, or even somewhat, changed from what we remember the prosthetic replacement laws being?
I sure as hell don't remember authorizing anything like this; how far before the Quest began did this change get written into law?

"If we knew, we might have paid them a visit." The leader says, his aggression seeming to be focused on the far off meeting hall. "We thought a fellow vet like you would understand. I've seen a lot of good men get their bodies shredded by gnomish traps and ambushes. And now that my company's here, we had five of our own injured, one killed." He glares into you, his eyes red-hot embers. "Why are our injured piling up in hospital beds instead of getting back up again? Can't our damned technology help them?"

>>16608197
"It appears that our technology isn't the problem here. Rest assured; I'll get to the bottom of this." Begin making mental notes for this civil disturbance.

"Can you tell me who your contractor is?"

>>16608156

This is how the law has been, from the date on the scroll, for about eight years.

"It appears that our technology isn't the problem here. Rest assured; I'll get to the bottom of this." You say to them. "Can you tell me who your contractor is?"

"The mining guild, far as we all know." He responds.

>>16608197
"Yes, it can. And I'll find out who's been making the changes, and it WILL be fixed.
"Now, 3 cave-ins in a month you said. You're ex-military, you've had trap training. Was there anything wrong with the equipment, or the mine braces?"

>>16608282
"I see..."

Let's start by limiting any specific persons we may know to complain to.

"I'll look into it immediately."

"...well, I've heard your grievances. Would you care to join me for breakfast? I don't have much lying around the house, but I can mix something up for you bolds."

And then we cook breakfast.

>>16608282
Has Mynthar been Magistrate for 8 years? He would remember making such a drastic change to the prosthetics laws.
Actually, isn't 8 years before we were captured by the Rosenkraft's?

>>16608323
No. We're not inviting them in for breakfast.
It's not morning, and we likely don't have enough food for all of them, and if we're to be seen as actually caring about this problem, we need to go RIGHT NOW to the Archives and see who proposed this law change and when it was implemented.

>>16608346
You seem to forget what we are. We can conjure up food if need be. Plus, the easiest way to the mind of your people is through their stomach. I'm sure they'll love our mushroom pancakes; just like great grandwyrm used to make.

>>16608296

"Our damned technology can help these people." You say to him, pointing square at his chest. "And I'll find out who's been making the changes, and it WILL be fixed." He seems to pause at this, letting you have your say.

"Now, 3 cave-ins in a month you said. You're ex-military, you've had trap training. Was there anything wrong with the equipment, or the mine braces?" You ask him.

"I wasn't in the cave ins. None of 'em." He looks over at you, quizzically. "None of the men I've talked to have seen anything odd either."

>>16608323

You have just come from dropping off Torvash in his cell.

>>16608331

You've been magistrate for about that long, yes. However, they don't have to put laws through you to get them passed. You were captured by Rosenkraft 15 years ago, spent about 5 years behind a desk and helping with magical research, and then after 2 years as a magistrate you were handed the title by the last head magistrate.

>>16608382
I wasn't saying that it had to be breakfast. Whatever appropriate meal-time will do. Plus, I'm fairly certain that our day with Torvash and company have left us famished. But, before we invite them inside for some food, business first.

"No rumors? No hearsay? Interesting..."

"Where are you comrades currently residing?" We'll have to visit them for some knowledge searching if need be.

>>16608365
No, you lazy good-for-nothing buffoon!
In the same breath as saying that we'll take immediate steps to correct the situation, you tell them to take it easy while we serve them food?
And Create Food isn't a sorceror's spell! Get your damn spell list right!

>>16608382
"Alright. The number of mining accidents has been on the rise, and I've set investigation teams to find out why.
"Now, I'll see to when the laws were changed, and get to work on having them changed back.
"Is there anything else you need to talk with me about?"

If he doesn't have anything, go to the archives and look to see who proposed the law changes and who approved them.

>>16608417
Then we'll get something on the go when we fix the problem. For gods sake, they are hungry, and they must be satiated! For the people!

>>16608449
They're not hungry, they're fucking furious.
And you're not helping the situation any.
We already have the Mining Guild investigating the mining accidents; we need to be looking into this prosthetics law problem.

>>16608447
>>16608416

"No rumors? No hearsay? Interesting..." You say to him.

"We've seen a lot of shit. And people would be pointing left and right if they found any safety violations." He narrows his eyes at you. "Maintenance people have been taking apart and putting everything back together for the third time this week, then hitting the bar and getting into fights. Even the overwatch. That only happens when they're working their asses off."

"Where are you comrades currently residing?" You ask him.

"Hospital, in a below-ground ward." He shakes his head. "Families have been told to hush until they have someone to blame."

"Alright. The number of accidents has been on the rise, and I've already set investigation teams to find out why." You say to them.

They look at each other, whispering. "You think it's some kind of sabotage?" "What other accidents?"

"Now, I'll see to when the laws were changed, and get to work on having them changed back." You say to them. "Is there anything else you need to talk with me about?"

The leader of the mob shakes his head. "No. But, rest assured, we won't forget what the requisition group's been doing." He gives you a short salute, his fist across his chest. "Thank you sir."

You sigh, as the group leaves from the front of your house. Always bad news. You stow in quickly to grab something to eat, and munch away as you head to the archives.

>>16608557
Let's get cracking. Ask a nearby book-keep for anything relating to the prosthetic laws within the last decade. Then, get to cracking. To speed the process, use some magic to either increase our reading rate and/or comprehension (increase our Intelligence).

>>16608557
Pull the council records and search for alterations to the prosthetics laws. Find out when they were changed, and by who. Compare the old laws to the newer one; the old ones guaranteed prosthetics for all employed, correct?

I'm going to bed, OP. I have class and a test in the morning. :P

I'll be down for keeping it going tomorrow, though.

Night gents.

>>16608578

You stride into the door of the squat archives building just before the caretaker closes the door.

"Ah! Damn, thought I could rest tonight." The old kobold says, folding his arms behind his back.

"Sorry, but I'm in for a long night too, Rafask." You say to the kobold as he chuckles to himself. "I need the information on the laws regarding prosthetics."

"Would've thought you were real familiar with it." The scrollmaster says, heading over to a drawer that has already been removed from the shelf. "Medical coverage. A very angry looking youngster was in here looking for the same thing. I make him a copy using this spell a young kobold by the name of Turen showed me. I wish I'd known it earlier!" He smiles.

"I'd like some copies as well. I never had a chance to look at the laws after I signed up for the experimental program." You say to him, flipping through the drawer and taking what you need out of it.

"Bother. It takes about ten minutes." Rafask sighs.

You look at the oldest laws, noting that very badly injured kobolds were anesthetized if they had no one to care for them. The law when you were hurt was for a functional prosthetic to be provided if it would assist the individual, specifically a peg leg, hook or false hand at minimum. You had no shoulder to use such a contraption, so you would have been exempt, and you can't say that you blame them. The old wooden arms were good for hanging something off, and more trouble putting on with one arm than they were worth.

The change occurred about two years after Dalak's prosthetics were being produced. The law was approved by the old, and current, requisition head.

(Actually, I have my dates wrong: You were injured at 12 years ago.)

>>16609136
Hmm...so that means that the law has been like that for the past 8 years, and no one noticed that it ran counter to the 'everyone works' socialist worker's paradise that the Crystal Caverns was supposed to be?

We need to change the law, then, to eliminate the on-the-job requirement, and make sure that anyone injured on the job gets a replacement prosthetic.

>>16609239

The head of the small but vastly important Guild of Resources is Jaran, as he has been for 10 years.

>>16608711

You notice after checking through a sub-section that the reason cited for the denial of replacements is "the amount of funding required for replacements and maintenance thereof is protracted to be a debt from which the working citizen can never recover, each maintenance session requiring at least 1 hour of the mechanic's time. The overall requirement for kobolds with over 800 gold worth of replacements is enough that most should be placed in an alternative career. The requirement for caring for a kobold who is rendered unable to work for 60 years is far less than this value at 300 gold."

>>16609319
This doesn't bode well.

We need to pull up the current pricing of prosthetics and maintenance, and see if the figures have changed in the workers' favor.
Also, we're going to have to talk with Jaran, it seems.

>>16609419

You know the prices off the top of your head, as you were just making note of them for negotiations with the H'runten:

Hand: 250 gp
Arm: 450 gp
Foot: 350 gp
Leg: 600 gp
Tail: 150 gp

Specialized Organs:
Jaw 100 gp
Ear 300 gp
Eye 550 gp
Nose 350 gp
Tongue 450 gp

Artificial veins and whatnot are roughly around 100 gp or so.

Maintenance is free now for a certain period of times per month. However the cost for extra maintenance can range from 25 to 50 gp.

>>16609473
So they calculated that 300 gold is enough to care for a kobold for 60 years? Sounds like pretty minimal care.

>>16609492

Well, your food costs are 1/9th of other races. I suppose you'd have to ask about the specifics.

>>16609546
Still, I think that the law should rewritten so that all injured workers are given the prosthetics they need to do their jobs. Not just simple hooks and peg legs, but actual arms, hands, and legs.
We must speak with Jaron about this.

>>16609586

You find your way to Jaron's home rather quickly. It's a rather dreary looking place, a tall apartment you can tell is big enough for at least ten people. It is made from old, brown stone, and the top is jagged like that of a stalactite, a feature you sometimes see on very old homes. You come up to the door, knocking several times. There is some silence as you wait for someone to come to the door, then hear the latch click before a hidden slide on the door comes away, and you can see Jeren's eyes glimmering in the sparse light on the other side.

"Mynthar? What are you doing here?" He asks, his usual crackly tone punctuated with a brief cough.

>>16609621

Should be

>Jaran

>>16609621
"We need to talk. About the changes to the prosthetics laws you put in 8 years ago.
"We need to change them. More and more kobolds are getting injured, and we'll have even more once open war breaks out. And they'll need prosthetics. We need to be ready to give them what they need."

>>16609678

"We need to talk. About the changes to the prosthetics laws you put in 8 years ago." You tell him.

"Hmm, yes, I think I remember that one. Still in effect now. Why change it?" He asks.

"More and more kobolds are getting injured, and we'll have even more once open war breaks out. And they'll need prosthetics. We need to be ready to give them what they need." You say to him.

"I suppose I'll need to show you the numbers." He says, closing the latch on his door. You hear the sliding of a bar, and the door opens. Jaran's eyes seem to have large bags beneath them, and his clothing is a simple green robe that looks worn with age. He beckons you inside, towards a room that you suspect is a kitchen.

The kitchen's interior has a few piles of dirty and worn dishes over by a basin, and an icebox that appears to be an artifact of an earlier age. The table is a flat stone one with four chairs on each side, though only one plate set at the head of the table. The cupboards look void of any non-dried goods. Jaran withdraws a bit of water from the icebox, pouring each of you a cup and placing it on his table. "Make yourself comfortable, I'll go and retrieve my notes." He says.

>>16609810
Wait for him to bring the accounts. Don't drink the water.
We know all about the costs, but we also have to consider the usable workforce and the upcoming requirements of the war.
Then there's the civil unrest that the laws are causing. It was fine when our safety protocols worked and people weren't injured; why care about laws that don't affect you? But now that more and more citizens are requiring replacements, it's becoming more and more of a sticking point.

>>16609874

He comes back down his stairs after about 2 minutes with a small roll of papers and a lit crystal.

"Now, here are the prospective costs for the replacements, and a projected annual cost in time converted to money." He points to a few figures that have been added and scratched out, as well as a paragraph below it. "I remembered the additional maintenance costs after this, and factored in a 19% rate of one additional per month, as well as a few others." He passes the note over to you. "Please tell me if there a problem with my calculations."

>>16609967
Go over the calculations; is anything wrong with them?
What about factoring in losses to the workforce and productivity?

>>16609979

it strictly includes loss from the side of how much the government would have to pay.

>>16610010
Alright.
Then create a side-by-side comparison with projected productivity losses due to a shrinking workforce. Also include the reduced military due to soldiers being unable to be fielded again.

>>16610068

You work with him for a few hours, factoring in a reduced workforce, military, and various other things. Despite this, Jaran seems to have factored it all in.

"It doesn't become efficient until our injured to non-injured is a 3:7 ratio." He explains. "Yes, I remember this now. And relocating about 95% of them to alternate positions keeps the workforce afloat where it needs it."

"What about the military?" You ask him.

"The military turnover rate for amputees to other departments is actually quite high at around 40%, and they all receive prosthetics." Jaran says. "In other words, a number of those men could not receive their replacements and the result would be the same, but less costly."

>>16610144
"But has this factored in projected losses due to open warfare?
"And while this may be the cheaper option, is it the better one? With our culture's emphasis on each citizen striving to be the best at their role that they can be, this will only lead to widespread dissatisfaction. I've already heard rumblings of it from the military, mining guild, and farmers, the three branches most likely to suffer an injury which requires prosthetics."

>>16610190

"But has this factored in projected losses due to open warfare?" You ask him.

"I estimate the turnover rate will be lessened as far as the military goes." Jaran pauses. "Out of those who survive their injuries, of course. Especially if we face total annihilation."

You put your hand down on the figures. "While this may be the cheaper option, is it the better one? With our culture's emphasis on each citizen striving to be the best at their role that they can be, this will only lead to widespread dissatisfaction. I've already heard rumblings of it from the military, mining guild, and farmers, the three branches most likely to suffer an injury which requires prosthetics."

"People will complain over anything." Jaran says, taking a sip of his water. "This is but one thing that can get much more expensive than we can afford. If accidents are happening at an increased rate, we may have to reduce the number further to avoid having a great effect on our overall worth."

>>16610264
"And reducing the number of prosthetic operations will increase dissatisfaction even further, possibly leading to outright public civil unrest if it continues.
"Also, kobolds will then start to migrate away from jobs that could put them in situations where they might lose a limb. We need to consider how that will affect the workforce and our economy."

As good as his accounting is, I still think we need to change the law, and bring it up before the Council if we have to.

>>16610325

"And reducing the number of prosthetic operations will increase dissatisfaction even further, possibly leading to outright public civil unrest if it continues." You say to him.

"Such a thing would be against the teachings." Jaran responds.

"The teachings also tell us to help and support each other." You retort. "Also, kobolds will then start to migrate away from jobs that could put them in situations where they might lose a limb. We need to consider how that will affect the workforce and our economy."

"I suppose." He begrudgingly says. "We will need fresh enlistments in the army." He shakes his head. "Still, this is less than 5% of the workforce. We must think about the whole, not the few. Those who need that much assistance can certainly work in a role not requiring much movement, like a vendor or a religious worker."

>>16610382
"Yes, they could, but honestly, how many such positions actually are there? In comparison to the number of positions that a kobold with prosthetics could fill.
"They are not modular, emotion-less constructs that can be moved from one job to another after suffering damage or mechanical failure. Each citizen is a social creature, affecting those around him. Such things must be taken into account."

>>16610430

"Yes, they could, but honestly, how many such positions actually are there? In comparison to the number of positions that a kobold with prosthetics could fill?" You ask him.

"Kobolds retire every year. the amount of positions left open are minimal due to normal job migration and new recruits." Jaran says. "Some of those jobs are filled by the injured, particularly in the less hazardous positions. I'd say that it's an important part of our culture to have such options available."

"They are not modular, emotion-less constructs that can be moved from one job to another after suffering damage or mechanical failure. Each citizen is a social creature, affecting those around him. Such things must be taken into account." You glare across the table at him.

"Money won't get them what they need." Jaran's voice is crisp, with little uncertainty. "We as a people lasted without all of these things. If I should give them limbs to make their fellows feel better for them, then why not reincarnate them? Regenerate their bodies? It would save a great deal of trouble." Jaran bridges his fingers. "We simply cannot pick up every piece of their broken lives for them. Some who we give these new limbs to may still never return to work. Even if it's only a few, we'll never recoup that loss, and we can't be throwing away that much money on the infirm simply because we have a bit in our pockets."

bump?

>>16610490
"Yes, we survived as a people without prosthetics before, because prosthetics were not available. But now prosthetics ARE available. The difference is that no one complains if all are hungry, and there is no food. But there will be problems if food has either been promised to them, or worse, is in front of them, and they are then told they cannot eat because it is not economical for the State."
Mynthar stays calm, and shakes his head.
"You should have more publically announced the changes in the laws 8 years ago, when prosthetics were new and expensive, citing the increased costs of the more advanced technology. We are now 8 years in to a society that not only expects, but demands that the injured be repaired to work again."

Bumping for the people!

>>16611166

"Yes, we survived as a people without prosthetics before, because prosthetics were not available. But now prosthetics ARE available. The difference is that no one complains if all are hungry, and there is no food. But there will be problems if food has either been promised to them, or worse, is in front of them, and they are then told they cannot eat because it is not economical for the State." You explain to him, "You should have more publically announced the changes in the laws 8 years ago, when prosthetics were new and expensive, citing the increased costs of the more advanced technology. We are now 8 years in to a society that not only expects, but demands that the injured be repaired to work again."

"It isn't my department's job to relay everything we do to the people. It was your predecessor's duty." Jaran growls, but the fire goes out from his eyes, and he sighs. "But, that's neither here nor there. The numbers don't lie, Mynthar. While it may seem that I'm being cruel, it is my job to ensure that we keep enough funding left over in case of an absolute disaster. If that means I must look like a cold-hearted bastard for leaving some of our men crippled in beds to save the whole, then that is my job."

>>16612980
People really do keep and use my work.

>>16613784

Yessir, they sure do.

>>16613769
"What of the increased profits from selling our prosthetics? Has all of that money already been budgeted?
"And hasn't the economy of scale kicked in yet? With our increased production of prosthetics for sale, hasn't the price of them gone down?"

Regardless of whether it's a good economic move or not, this problem will only get worse if we don't get more people prosthetics.
We may have to call a session of the Council to adjust the budget.

>>16614149

"What of the increased profits from selling our prosthetics? Has all of that money already been budgeted?" You ask him.

"We haven't gotten a report on the scale of the sales from the mercantile guild yet." He says. "But I don't see what this has to do with that problem."

"Hasn't the economy of scale kicked in yet? With our increased production of prosthetics for sale, hasn't the price of them gone down?" You elaborate.

The older kobold shakes his head. "The materials being used cost about the same. If Dalak- pardon me, if the prosthetic manufacturer got less per part manufactured, then we would cut down costs. They're a rough 50% of the prosthetic's price, if I remember properly." He nods to himself. "Yes, so if we paid them on salary it would extend the margin to more like 1600 or 1500 gold." He suddenly stops talking, looking up into the air as if he has heard something.

>>16614543
"What is it?"

Uh oh, did we hear anything? Have the workers decided to rise up and execute the accountants keeping them down?

>>16614685

"What is it?" You ask him, turning towards the door.

"I'm sorry." Jaran shakes his head. "Old ghosts, probably." He looks down at the plan. "Yes, by salary, we can assume they work on 1 part a day, and drop it to high craftsman's pay, we'll save a great deal." He looks over at you, shaking his head. "But, still, at 1500, that's only a select few combinations. The men who were injured today may go well over that margin. One was injured trying to dig the others out. I can justify guns costing that much, but the prosthetics only fit to one person. Can't be reused. And the guns came first." He squints a bit. "I take it that you don't want to leave anyone in the cold."

>>16614746
"As little as possible. No kobold left behind, after all."
Look around again.
"What if you cut down the maintenance costs by 50%? With the number of apprentices we've been throwing at the prosthetics field, they'll need practical training and we can probably have them doing basic maintenance for far cheaper than an actual manufacturer-engineer."

We can also talk to Dalek later, and see if he can't produce a cheaper, easier to build and maintain model of prosthetics. Refine the designs so that they require less materials and parts.

>>16614746
"You can only draw your circle so small before it becomes weak...and I don't plan on leaving them."

How much do we have as magistrate? If need be, we can start a sort of charity fund, should the need arise. We may be without that weekly masseuse, but it'll be worth it.

>>16614825
>>16614831

"As little as possible. No kobold left behind, after all." You say to him, looking around the room. You see nothing unusual. "You can only draw your circle so small before it becomes weak... And I don't plan on leaving them."

"Very well. But the costs don't lie." Jaran says. "What do you want to do to mitigate this?"

"What if you cut down the maintenance costs by 50%? With the number of apprentices we've been throwing at the prosthetics field, they'll need practical training and we can probably have them doing basic maintenance for far cheaper than an actual manufacturer-engineer." You say to him.

"Hmm, while that could have a negative effect on the morale of some, with new folks doing maintenance there's bound to be some screw-ups, that might help a bit." He nods.

>>16614831

You have a fairly nice monthly salary of 500 gold. Some merchants earn far more, but your main advantage is that you can allocate some state funds to any problem. In the past, it was said that Jaran and your predecessor clashed a few times because of this. The state has millions of gold in funding, but it must be split five ways.

>>16615036
Wave away the concerns of morale.
"Any concerns people have about the quality of standard maintenance can be mitigated upfront by publishing the number of new prosthetics manufactured and that the more skilled manufacturers are all busy with actually making and installing the things. The important point is to publicly show that things are improving but that there are certain trade-offs that must be accepted. As long as people see it as an unavoidable consequence of getting what they want, they'll be more willing to forgive it.
"Now, what about drawing a portion of the prosthetic replacement funds from the budgets of the three affected guilds? With the war on the horizon, it's time to go over the budgets and consider adjustments anyway."

>>16615169

"Any concerns people have about the quality of standard maintenance can be mitigated upfront by publishing the number of new prosthetics manufactured and that the more skilled manufacturers are all busy with actually making and installing the things. The important point is to publicly show that things are improving but that there are certain trade-offs that must be accepted. As long as people see it as an unavoidable consequence of getting what they want, they'll be more willing to forgive it." You say to Jaran. He appears to accept this explanation. "Now, what about drawing a portion of the prosthetic replacement funds from the budgets of the three affected guilds? With the war on the horizon, it's time to go over the budgets and consider adjustments anyway."

"I like the way you think." He says. "We can even have the funding come from the guild's profits, having the guilds support them."

After a while, you come up with a split for all of the three guild's funding to have 5% diverted from them for the purposes of paying for prosthetics. 2% will be diverted from profits for the same amount. Any overage will be placed back in that guild's funding. This raises the effective roof to 2000 gold worth of coverage.

"Say someone requires extensive replacements." Jaran says. "If they go over that amount, we still don't have any way of covering them." He fishes out a small note. "Two of the men injured today would require around 2200 gold or more worth of prosthetics. These- pardon my term- 'basket cases' remain outside of the plan." He looks over at you. "So what should the framework be for approval? And to prevent abuse of the rules, say by getting a replacement, then 'losing' it to sell it for money?"

>>16615296
"Having a portion of the costs come out of their budget should help to alleviate the costs. They won't like it, but it's better than no prosthetics at all. Just don't force them to pay more than half, and they probably won't kill you.
"Now, do we have the liquid assets to cover the most recent prosthetic cases and work backwards, or will this require and emergency Council meeting to adjust the budget?"

>>16615535
"We could cover up to the limit, and have the remainder come out of the coffers of the respective department, requiring approval of their Councilor.
"As for preventing fraud, we could force their respective guild to pay the full amount of any replacement prosthetic out of their budget. Probably require investigators to look into each case. I can't imagine there being a large underground market in bootleg prosthetics; as you said, they're customized for individuals."

>>16615605
>>16615536

"Having a portion of the remaining costs come out of the guild's budget should help to alleviate the costs. They won't like it, but it's better than no prosthetics at all. Just don't force them to pay more than half, and they probably won't kill you." You say to him.

"I'm used to veiled and not so veiled threats from those I have to reappropriate funds from." Jaran says. "It would not be anything worse than usual, I suspect."

"Now, do we have the liquid assets to cover the most recent prosthetic cases and work backwards, or will this require and emergency Council meeting to adjust the budget?" You ask.

"We can work backwards, I suppose. Though any deficit is undesirable, in the short term I suppose I can deal with it." He grumbles.

"As for preventing fraud, we could force their respective guild to pay the full amount of any replacement prosthetic out of their budget. Probably require investigators to look into each case. I can't imagine there being a large underground market in bootleg prosthetics; as you said, they're customized for individuals." You say to him.

"Not right now, but the internal parts I'm sure can be modified in some ways." Jaran says. "We had something like that with guns a few years back."

>>16615670
"Do I have your support when I bring this issue up in the senate? Our workers need the protection, and if we cannot defend them, who can we defend?"

>>16615790

"Do I have your support when I bring this issue up in the senate? Our workers need the protection, and if we cannot defend them, who can we defend?" You say to him.

"Mynthar, this is my duty. I don't even need to bring it up in the senate except as a formality." He drinks deeply from his cup. "Though I doubt it will make me more popular, I have ceased caring for that long ago."

You hear something thunk against the stone door. Jaran jumps, looking over at the door from his seat at the kitchen table with eyes wide with fear.

You hear a gentle rapping at the door. Slow, methodical, but just enough to cut through the uncomfortable silence of the room.

>>16615853
>>16616026
Hold up a hand to calm him. Then, creep towards the source of the noise, casting invisibility on both him and ourselves. Just as we fade out, put a hand to our lips and point towards the source of the sound.

Then, let's stalk our way to the door.

>>16616075

You make him invisible, then yourself, putting a finger to your lips. You creep over to the door, the methodical knocking stopping the instant you put your foot next to the door.

You hear then, a quiet scratching at the door, like claws across stone.

Do we have anything that can permit us to see the other side? Like some sort of short-range scrying spell?

>>16616610

You do.

A moment later, you can see out to he other side of the door, and you see no one there. Instead, on the doorstep, is a severed kobold hand and forearm, crushed most of the way towards the end. The hand lies open, palm up, a good 2 feet away from the door.

>>16616631
...what the hell?

Dismiss the invisibility spell, hide Jaran behind us, prepare some sort of holding spell. Then, open the door and keep our distance from the arm.

>>16616680

You drop the invisibility spell, unlocking the door and opening it. The severed limb lies motionless on the doorstep. When Jaran catches sight of it, he cringes, and backs away from it, inhaling sharply, his eyes wide.

>>16616788
"Is this some kind of sick joke?..."

Mage Hand the dismembered limb up and away from the door. Then, take a peak outside for any signs of trouble-makers.

"It appears I got here just in time."

>>16616889

"Is this some kind of sick joke?..." You lift up the severed hand with mage hand, and note that it appears to have already mostly dried out. "It appears I got here just in time."

"Ancestors..." Jaran looks over at the hand. "That dust on the skin... Is it from the cave-in?"

>>16617230
Examine the arm closely. Chances are that it's someones political statement, but we need to check to see if there's anything darker lingering on the arm.

"Was this the first time this happened?"

>>16617267

"Was this the first time this happened?" You ask Jaran.

He shakes his head. "No... It's been happening more and more frequently." He puts his hand to his head. "Sometimes it was just a finger, a toe, but slowly and surely it's been bigger. More frequent." He grabs a small cloth from by his table, walking outside and grabbing the floating hand, wrapping it in the cloth. "And always that infernal knocking!" He shouts out into the night, slamming the door closed.

He places the wrapped limb down on the table, then sits at it, his hands on either side of his head. "Ancestors... Why, Yashana?" He groans.

>>16617404
"Jaran, if this has been happening, why haven't you elicited a guard or at least a ward?" Sit level with him. "This is very serious; who knows when they might start dumping bodies on your doorstep?"

"Listen, I'll announce the coming changes, and hopefully, this whole thing will stop." Poke the air with two heavy fingers. "If this doesn't stop afterward, I want you to tell me, I want you to tell the guard, I want you to tell SOMEONE. Can you do that for me?"

>>16617508

"Jaran, if this has been happening, why haven't you elicited a guard or at least a ward?" You sit down at the table opposite him. "This is very serious; who knows when they might start dumping bodies on your doorstep?"

"It's not a them." He shakes his head.

"Listen, I'll announce the coming changes, and hopefully, this whole thing will stop." You poke at the air over the arm with two heavy fingers. "If this doesn't stop afterward, I want you to tell me, I want you to tell the guard, I want you to tell SOMEONE. Can you do that for me?"

"I..." Jaran says, quietly. "I think... I think it may be my wife..."

>>16617593
"....I'm sorry?"

This guy must have some major marital problems.

"Your....your wife?"

>>16617613

"....I'm sorry?" You say, trying to stifle your shock. "Your....your wife?"

Jaran nods slowly. "It has been a long time since I last spoke to her. I wasn't even on the council then." He lets his hand fall down his face. "We married young, father's orders. Our family was small for my former clan, four kids." Jaran's eyes look over at the grim bundle on the table. "It was fifteen years back. She came down with a sudden illness, and slowly but surely started to drift away. I poured money into healing magic to cure it, keep her alive, but it was something in her body that it wouldn't cure." The older kobold's body is curled forwards, like a beaten dog. "Even after she fell into a coma, I kept her alive, hoping she might wake up. But, after two years, I knew that any chance, if it ever existed, had gone away." Jaran's gaze drops to his hand. "I knew her well. She'd never want to live as a burden on society. I told them to stop feeding her, to let her pass on naturally." He sobs, rubbing at his eyes for a moment. "It was that act that convinced a superior I'd be right for the position of head of resources. My kids- our kids, never forgave me for it, so they all left."

>>16617759
"...I'm sorry to hear that...that was a difficult decision you had to make." Console him.

"However, I'm still curious. How is it your wife?" Hush our voice. "...Has her spirit returned, or are you spouting some of that karma nonsense?"

Jaran points over to the stairs in his main hall, his hand shaking a bit. "It was three months after she'd passed on. I saw her at the top of the stairs, and then again and again! Sometimes, I would call out, and I'd hear things being moved in the kitchen." He clenches his hands. "I'd missed her so, in this huge, empty house. I thought perhaps her spirit had at last come back to me. So, it went on." He pauses. "And then, suddenly, I felt her become angry! She hit me once, just in the same place she had once before," Jaran taps on his right cheek, just below the eye. "I tried to ask her what it was, but she didn't answer. And now... Now this!" He thrusts his hand out at the severed hand, standing up. "Do you hear me Yashana?" He shrieks, his whole body quaking. "Why do you do this? Why do you torment me?" He throws up his arms at the ceiling, his hands clenched in fists, shaking. Then, like a dying fire, he falls back into his chair, quiet, and spent.

>>16617801
We may be magic, the affairs of the dead seem beyond us.

"Jaran, when did she become angry?"

"Have you considered seeing a cleric or a shaman? Not to exercise, per say, but to communicate with her."

>>16617784

"...I'm sorry to hear that... That was a difficult decision you had to make." You say to him.

He sighs. "Some days, I wonder what she would have said, if she was there." He looks around the house. "Or if I'm just crazy, or cursed. Every night, I come home dreading the quiet."

"However, I'm still curious. How do you know it's your wife?" You ask him.

"Who else could it be?" He looks over at you. "I saw her, with my own eyes, heard her walking around the house. She has to be the one bringing these things to me, trying to say something."

>>16617940

"Jaran, when did she become angry?" You ask him.

"The first time was around ten years ago." He shakes his head. "But it was just sometimes."

"Have you considered seeing a cleric or a shaman? Not to exercise, per say, but to communicate with her." You ask him.

"I don't want anyone else to be inconvenienced by this." Jaran shakes his head. "Something like that requires a lot of time and money. We can't have anything like that." He puts a hand on his forehead. "This... is my fault, isn't it? I shouldn't have let you go. I should have done something else."

>>16617942
>>16618048
"...Jalan, how much sleep have you gotten recently?"

>>16618146

"...Jaran, how much sleep have you gotten recently?" You ask him.

He looks over at you, his eyes wide open as he thinks. "No, no I haven't. I've been worried about what she'll bring me next. Working so I don't have to think about it."

>>16618212
Put our head in our hand.

"Jaran, you have to sleep. If you don't, you'll only serve as a detriment to the people during a time where we need to be our strongest."

Take a deep sigh.

"I'm not going to lecture you on your duty to our people or how you should deal with this skeleton in your closet, but..." Turn to him. "...if you need me, or anything; please, Jaran, PLEASE." Lock eyes with him. "Ask. I'd be happy to help, but only after you decide what you want to do with your life. I'm not going to tell you to forget your wife, but she's gone; you can't let her rule your life."

>>16618257

"Jaran, you have to sleep. If you don't, you'll only serve as a detriment to the people during a time where we need to be our strongest." You say to him. He looks up at you, seeming angry.

"I'm fine! I'm older. I don't need as much sleep." He looks over at the severed hand on his table.

You sigh, standing up from the table. "I'm not going to lecture you on your duty to our people or how you should deal with this skeleton in your closet, but..." You look him square in the eyes. "...if you need me, or anything; please, Jaran, PLEASE. Ask. I'd be happy to help, but only after you decide what you want to do with your life. I'm not going to tell you to forget your wife, but she's gone; you can't let her rule your life."

"She's all I have! My sons, my daughters, they can't stand the sight of me." Jaran shakes his head. "And I don't know why she's doing this! I've been paying attention, I don't think she... Takes them from people. She must be picking up parts that have already been removed." He looks over at you. "This has to have something to do with what you're talking about. Could... Could it have been going on that long?" He shakes his head. "No... There's no way."

>>16618711
Look around his house from where we're standing. Maybe her ghost will echo some sort of recognition now that he's set on his path towards reforming the prosthetic insurance policy for the miners.

"Jaran, maybe..." Stop ourselves. "No...I wish you the best Jaran. But please, if not for yourself then for your wife...get some rest." Shrug; we're definitely making assumptions about their marriage, but hopefully it works. "I'm sure that Yashana wanted to alert you about the miners...hopefully she'll bless your dreams, Jaran. And I'm sure she'll be happy to see you rest a little."

>>16618711
"No, it can't be. You said that it start 10 years ago; the new prosthetics laws only came into effect 8 years ago.
"Look, the undead aren't my area of expertise. I really think you should talk with some priests about this. Because if the ghost of your wife is taking body parts out of the morgue, especially right now when we're conducting investigations into the recent accidents, then she is making herself my problem. I want you and Yashana to work it out between yourselves, Jaran, but if she keeps doing this, she's going to force my hand in the matter."

>>16618832

"No, it can't be. You said that it started 10 years ago; the new prosthetics laws only came into effect 8 years ago." You reiterate.

"That's true. Maybe it's not about that, then." He rubs his hands together. "She was a smart woman. She wouldn't do this unless there was a reason."

You feel frustrated, and gesture over at him. "Look, the undead aren't my area of expertise. I really think you should talk with some priests about this. Because if the ghost of your wife is taking body parts out of the morgue, especially right now when we're conducting investigations into the recent accidents, then she is making herself my problem. I want you and Yashana to work it out between yourselves, Jaran, but if she keeps doing this, she's going to force my hand in the matter."

Jaran shakes his head. "To be honest, I'm afraid to leave my house for long. What if one of the... parts show up and I'm not here to bring it inside? I'd be ruined." He looks over at you. "And it's well known I'm anti-theist. I can't have it getting around that I sent a message to one of those damned miracle workers." He points over at you. "Listen, I'll get the numbers worked out if you talk to someone from there for me. I just... I can't do this anymore."

>>16618943
"Alright, Jaran. Bah, times like these, I wish we had more necromancers in our Mages Guild.
"Actually, let me check in with them first. I'd feel more comfortable with a first opinion from a secular source.
"As for public scrutiny, I wouldn't worry about it too much. The undead aren't all divinely or infernally sourced; some just happen to be the result of magical accidents or natural thaumaturgic anomalies. I'll get this taken care of; you just try to get some rest."

I hate to bother Yuune so late at night. Let's go over to the Mage Guild and requisition a scroll of Detect Undead. That should be easy enough to do, and help get to the bottom of this.

>>16619001
This.

Necromancers might be a tad more willing to keep things underwraps for Jaran.

"Jaran, I'll be back soon with some things; if your wife visits you again, let me know when I return." Roll up our sleeves. "We're going to get to the bottom of this..."

>>16619001
>>16619038

"Alright, Jaran. Bah, times like these, I wish we had more necromancers in our Mages Guild." You think to yourself for a moment. "Actually, let me check in with them first. I'd feel more comfortable with a first opinion from a secular source."

The older kobold simply nods.

"As for public scrutiny, I wouldn't worry about it too much. The undead aren't all divinely or infernally sourced; some just happen to be the result of magical accidents or natural thaumaturgic anomalies. I'll get this taken care of; you just try to get some rest." You say to him.

"It's not my house being haunted." Jaran says. "It's the..." He points over to the limb on his table.

You head for the door. "Jaran, I'll be back soon with some things; if your wife visits you again, let me know when I return." You look over at him. "We're going to get to the bottom of this..."

"Gods, I hope so." He says, picking up the bundle on the table and heading towards the back of his house.

The necromancer you bring from the mage's school is a late-nighter, and he scans around the area. He squints through the pale blue glow that appears to blind him as the spell goes through the area. "Hmm, nothing yet. But, ghosts are tricky, magistrate. They move around any variety of places. An old house like this? No surprise there'd be-" He pauses, looking up at the top of the stairs. "Oh, hello. Looks like a cold spot. Ghosts love cold spots."

>>16619144
"Yes, that. Which means that the ghost isn't limited to just your house. Now, I'm off to the Mage's Guild, and I'll be back shortly."

Go and see if any necromancers are on duty, put in a message to Yuune that we've got an undead situation so he sees it first thing in the morning, and get a scroll of Detect Undead and see if the ghost is still hanging around Jaran's apartment, or if it's wandering about.
The Crystal Caverns have very strict 'No Loitering' laws, and just because you're undead doesn't mean that mortal laws don't apply.

>>16619213
Alright then. Let's check that cold spot out.

>>16619252

You motion up to the stairs, and the necromancer heads up with you.

"Hmm, I'd say this is a place the spirit comes often." The necromancer says, running his hand throughout the area. "Oh yes, there's a scent here." He inhales sharply. "Definitely a woman."

You feel something cold rush past you, and you see the edge of the necromancer's robe move. He jumps back, turning towards the stairway. "Oh, here she is! Shapely waif, I expect." He steps down, his head turning off to one side suddenly as you hear a clap-like sound. "OW! She hit me!"

>>16619378
"Alright, this is starting to get into the farcical.
"You, ghost. Cease your activities and breaches of the law. Did you really believe that just because you're dead, that you were immune to the laws of the State? We don't care about your status as living-impaired, but we will not tolerate you compromising an ongoing occupational safety investigation.
"Now, are you going to cooperate, or are we going to have to get forceful?"

>>16619478

"Alright, this is starting to get into the farcical." You put your hands on your hips as you look out at the empty air. "You, ghost. Cease your activities and breaches of the law. Did you really believe that just because you're dead, that you were immune to the laws of the State? We don't care about your status as living-impaired, but we will not tolerate you compromising an ongoing occupational safety investigation."

The stairway is quiet for a moment. "Now, are you going to cooperate, or are we going to have to get forceful?" You ask it.

"Oh! She'd coming towards you, sir!" The necromancer says.

You hear a tapping sound, and sigh. Looking at your forearm, you can see the plates barely move.

>>16619530
"Miss, I understand your predicament, but it's not excuse to go invading others personal space." Yank our arm away. "Now, if you would please reveal yourself and state your demands, it would help both us and your husband greatly."

Assuming the spirit either manifests or gives its agreement to stop and listen, then we'll continue with:

"You probably heard my talk with Jaran. Is that the reason why you've been haunting him? Is that the reason for your displeasure?"

If the ghost doesn't respond, then have our necromancer friend get to work with a ritual to draw her out.

Also, where is Jaran during all of this?

>>16619530
"Communication, ghost. Write on the wall or something. I have neither the time, patience, or inclination to try to interpret what you want to say.
"The necromancer here may be on the clock, but I am salaried and don't receive overtime pay."

What, does the ghost really expect Mynthar to respect it or something? When it doesn't pay taxes? Silly ghost, respect is for tax-paying citizens, not freeloading incorporeal entities.

"Miss, I understand your predicament, but it's not excuse to go invading others personal space." You yank your arm away from the tapping. "Now, if you would please reveal yourself and state your demands, it would help both us and your husband greatly."

"Magistrate, a ghost manifesting is a pure expression of their will. Common theory suggest it's highly stressful to the ghost's-" The necromancer stops, as a feminine kobold of old age in a white and black dress appears, in an instant, between the two of you. She slowly raises a transparent hand, pointing at your at about shoulder level, and wears a stern, almost schoolteacher-like expression.

You are unmoved by this fantastic event. "Communicate, ghost. Write on the wall or something. I have neither the time, patience, or inclination to try to interpret what you want to say."

The necromancer is beside himself. "Oh! Don't make such demands of her, sir! Some methods of communicating may be tied to negative emotions, such as clawing into the wall and whatnot."

You glare at him."The necromancer here may be on the clock, but I am salaried and don't receive overtime pay." You shrug at her. "You probably heard my talk with Jaran. Is that the reason why you've been haunting him? Is that the reason for your displeasure?"

She drifts forward, as though buoyed by an underground breeze, and her left hand reaches out to prod you with her finger. Her finger passes through your metal shoulder, and you feel a rough claw as cold as ice run across the place where your shoulder once was. The sensation makes you jump back, but the ghost simply sits in the same place, glaring at you.

>>16619689
Look at our arm, then back to her.

"You-...you want to know how I got this?"

If she agrees, then we'll give our little story.

"Well, it all started with some Drow not too far from here..."

>>16619689
I'm probably being too impatient, because I'm just tempted to Disrupt Undead this ghost until it's dispersed completely.
"Can you communicate with it, necromancer? My patience is wearing thin."

"Can you communicate with it, necromancer? My patience is wearing thin." You say, glaring back at the ghostly woman.

"Um, maybe best do that with a priest and some remains of hers." The necromancer says. "Though she can hear us, understand us. Yes or no's wouldn't be out of the question."

The female kobold's ethereal head tilts slowly upwards, and then downwards.

>>16619962
"Ah, well..." Clear our throat. "Would you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

Yes/no.

"Are you the one responsible for haunt-....constantly visiting your husband?"

"And the arm?"

"Is it about the miner incidents?"

"Will you leave him be now that our plan is set in motion?"

"Then...you're not responsible for the arm?"

"...does it pain you to see your husband the way he is now? Tired, beaten, and depressed?"

"Do you still love him?"

"Necromancer, do you know of any priests or clerics at this late an hour? Even a shaman would suffice for this."

Take and choose what you will based on what happens, OP; these are just some possible yes/no scenarios.. Also, I'm heading to bed. See you tomorrow for both the continuation of Kobold Sorcerer and Gargoyle Quest. :3

>>16620147

"Ah, well..." You clear your throat. "Would you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

The ghost shakes her head.

"Are you the one responsible for haunt-....constantly visiting your husband?"

She slowly nods.

"And the arm?"

Yes.

"Is it about the miner incidents?"

She pauses, and then nods.

"Will you leave him be now that our plan is set in motion?"

She gives you a chilling stare, and then shakes her head.

"...does it pain you to see your husband the way he is now? Tired, beaten, and depressed?"

She nods.

"Do you still love him?"

Yes.

"Then will you stop haunting him?"

No.

You sigh. "Necromancer, do you know of any priests or clerics at this late an hour? Even a shaman would suffice for this."

"I know of a few." He says. "Some priests who wouldn't be bothered by a late visit."

The ghost drifts forwards, pointing at your prosthetic insistently.

>>16620566
Clutch our arm, then look back to her.

"You want to know about my prosthetic?"

"If I do, you have to agree to leave your husband alone for at least a week." Shake our finger. "Deal?"

"Well, it all begin with some Drow just outside of the Crystal Caverns..."

>>16620566
"What? Is there something wrong with my prosthesis?
"Is there something you want to talk to me about my prosthesis?
"Fine, ghost. We will get a priest and get this damn mess sorted out.
"Bah, I'd rather be dealing with Ghurken and his family of skeletons. At they can speak their mind."

>>16622183
I very much doubt she wants to know about how we got it.
Do you honestly think that's what she wants? Are you trying to make Mynthar look like a simpleton, or is that just you?

>>16622229
>brings arms to her husband in protest to the miners
>completely amputated arms
>pointing to our arm constantly
>not our good arm, our prosthetic

Why yes, I do believe she's interested in where the hell our arm went and how.

For the people!

>>16622183

"You want to know about my prosthetic?"

She shakes her head, and appears frustrated.

"What? Is there something wrong with my prosthesis?"

She shakes her head.

"Is there something you want to talk to me about my prosthesis?"

She nods.

You grit your teeth. "Fine, ghost. We will get a priest and get this damn mess sorted out." You throw up your hands as you walk away from the apparition. "Bah, I'd rather be dealing with Ghurken and his family of skeletons. At they can speak their mind."

"Wait, family of WHAT?" The necromancer says in surprise.

One teleport later, you and the necromancer arrive in the temple quarter. The buildings all seem eerily quiet, as though no one has lived in them in a very long time.

"Um, let's see, he should be in there." The necromancer points over towards the temple of Kurtulmak. The temple is a thing steeped in tradition, with iconographic images of traps, and the symbol indicating that the All Watcher watches this place quite closely. In particular, the eleven pointed star is a prominent symbol here, though you have no idea what it means. You do know, however, that priests of Kurtulmak always keep their heads covered, and wear a small necklace of beads during their waking hours embedded with prayers to the Gnomescourge.

"How did these traditions get started?" You once asked a priest. He said "I'll tell you."

"I don't know."

>>16624130
Well, hopefully they're in the mood to assist us.

As a representative of the people, we may have had to perform some pseudo-religious ceremonies or honors in the past as part of our position; it was probably nominal, of course, but anything to help our case.

Pay our mini-homage to the Great Watcher (clap our hands or something small), then follow the necromancer since he may have someone specific in mind.

>>16624130
"Alright. Lead the way."

We will make no signs or any action that shows our submission to gods that refuse to listen to prayers. The gods never helped us, so we won't do them any favors.

>>16624479
>>16624529

"Alright, lead the way." You say to the necromancer.

"Um, alright then." He says, knocking on the front door.

You look up at the eye on the front of the temple, and hear a few scuffs inside of it as someone comes over and unlocks the front door.

A kobold not much older than you forces the heavy stone door open, his expression a subtle grin, and his voice cracked with joy. He wears a black skullcap, and layers of red and orange robes fall over his body, hiding most of it save his outstretched right hand and his feet. A modest set of granite prayer beads adorns his neck, and "Oh, visitors? Well, even at this late hour, the watcher welcomes you to his house." He steps back, beckoning inside.

>>16624716
"Thank you for accepting visitors at such an hour."

Then, step inside. Once inside, get down to business, assuming this is the priest our necromancer is referring to.

"I'm not going to beat around the mushroom with you; I am in need of someone who can communicate with a spirit. No summoning is necessary, as the spirit has already manifested itself. However, the dead are...less than concise, making communication difficult. My dark arts friend here said that you might be able to help us."

>>16624894

"Thank you for accepting visitors at such an hour." You hesitate, but then step inside, not wishing to be rude to this man, at least. The interior is festooned with a number of hanging crystal lights, the marble walls carved in relief to depict a number of marked periods from kobold history: Kurtulmak's falling from grace, his ascension, and the great Gnome-killing of a kingdom long faded from memory, that of Hiraz the Metal-Skinned. It was that action that sealed the relationship between dwarves and kobolds for many long years.

The floor is a set of clean gray and black tiles, and you can see a number of small, padded mats on the ground where the faithful would come to worship. Most are untouched. Towards the back of the room is an altar made from jade depicting a sort of pyramid-like structure, enclosed in a stone cage made from interlocking diagonal bars.

"Low father Malmar, we're here to ask you for some help with a... Spirit." The necromancer says to him, seeming to recoil at the entrance to the temple a bit.

"Hmm, not one you summoned up from beyond the Watcher's gaze, I hope?" He looks back at the necromancer, irritated. "I'm afraid my faith is not strong enough to dismiss creatures from another world. I would simply have to destroy it." He sits in front of the altar cross-legged, his hand grasping out for his prayer beads.

You hold a hand up to the necromancer, then walk over next to the priest. "I'm not going to beat around the mushroom with you; I am in need of someone who can communicate with a spirit. No summoning is necessary, as the spirit has already manifested itself. However, the dead are... Less than concise, making communication difficult. My dark arts friend here said that you might be able to help us."

Malmar releases the beads for a moment, stroking his chin. "Hm, are there any remains of the deceased?"

"They would have been burnt, as is proper." The necromancer says, sounding a bit annoyed.

"The one thing a soul loses most when it passes beyond is its ability to communicate." Malmar says. "We have a few things here that might help to work around that problem. If the deceased wishes to talk to strangers at all." He puts his right hand on one knee, turning over to you. "Oddly, their memory of their life is shoddy, but time they've spent as a spirit is very much intact."

>>16625066
"Oh yes. I made it quite clear to the spirit that if it didn't communicate, then more drastic steps would be taken. It wants to talk, I believe, it just can't seem to get its point across beyond slapping people and leaving body parts around."

>>16625154

"Oh yes. I made it quite clear to the spirit that if it didn't communicate, then more drastic steps would be taken. It wants to talk, I believe, it just can't seem to get its point across beyond slapping people and leaving body parts around." You say to him.

"Body parts?" Malmar says in surprise. "Well, I've never heard of that sort of thing before." He stands up, his arm disappearing back into his robes. "Has it been especially violent?"

"Nah, not really." The necromancer says. "Just slapping people, knocking on stuff."

"Not a poltergeist then." The priest reaches down below the altar with his right hand, apparently through solid stone, pulling up a few scrolls and a set of sticks. "Well, we'll try this as best we can. Maybe just hearing what the spirit has to say will be enough to calm it down."

>>16625154
..perhaps we shouldn't mention the body parts unless necessary. The necromancer would keep his mouth shut, but maybe this priest won't.

Maybe we should say something to the effect of: "This ghost is a loved one for one of my acquaintances, but has been robbing him of rest and peace of mind. The spirit has been non-stop in its pestering, leaving behind some rather startling evidence of its presence. Needless to say, it has roused my attention in the matter."

>>16625214
"If you won't mind, I'd like to address this issue immediately. This ghost is my...friend's wife. And, from what I've seen, he's been a wreck. And, as an official, he needs to be in top form, especially during these dark times."

>>16625255

"This ghost is a loved one for one of my acquaintances, but has been robbing him of rest and peace of mind. The spirit has been non-stop in its pestering, leaving behind some rather startling evidence of its presence. Needless to say, it has roused my attention in the matter." You explain to him.

"Well, lead on then." Malmar points towards the door. "We'll deal with this restless spirit when we've made our way there."

And make your way there, you do. You see Jaran sitting at the table in his kitchen, working on a new piece of parchment with the old one sitting next to it.

"Ah! It's your home, is it, Master Jaran?" Malmar puts his hand up on his chest and inclines his head downwards. "Such a thing must be most distressing."

"Please, priest. Just do what you're here to do." Jaran says to him.

Malmar nods, walking inside. "Hmm, not an overly strong presence." He muses, casting a spell much like the one the necromancer had cast earlier. He looks up the top of the stairs, and his eyes widen. "Ah, there it is! Oh, it's coming down."

The specter of Yashana appears partway down the stairs, floating silently down to the ground. Jaran looks over in shock, dropping his charcoal pencil on the table. "Dear? I... I knew it was you."

She looks over to him, and appears to mouth something.

Malmar gestures out to her. "Madam, I am low father Malmar, brought here to serve as your interpreter." He reaches into his robes, and pulls out a number of long, thin stone rods. "If you can move things, which I have heard you can, perhaps you might use these to write what you wish to communicate."

The ghost looks over at Jaran, then bends down and picks up the rods, one by one. He seems frozen where he sits, watching with great intensity. Slowly but surely, letter by letter, she arranges the stone sticks.

THE CRYSTAL CAVERNS

"Yes?" Malmar asks her. "What about them?"

The sticks begin to form into new words.

ARE FALLING AROUND YOU

>>16625388
Purse our lips; are our affairs so blatant to even the dead? Clear our throat.

"Our problems our numerous, but we shall persevere...we must."

>>16625415

"Our problems our numerous, but we shall persevere... We must." You say to her.

She looks over to the priest, rearranging the sticks.

A CURSE HANGS HEAVY

"What can we do to alleviate this curse?" The priest asks her.

She pauses.

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING

"Yashana, why have you been bringing me..." Jaran starts. The ghost quickly rearranges the sticks.

BECAUSE IT IS GETTING WORSE

>>16625573
"Yashana...what do you see happening in our nation?"

One day I am going to catch up with this quest and participate in it.

Untill then, good luck VKO! You do some good work, man.

>>16625573
"Do you know the source of this curse? Is it the Golgremet Empire and Magnerass?"

>>16625721
Isn't it obvious? It's the accidents, things that shouldn't be happening despite all of our safety protocols and quality control.

What's more important is that we find the source of the curse and deal with it.

>>16625734

Well, thank you! I hope you can catch up soon.

>>16625721


"Yashana... What do you see happening in our nation?" You ask her.

CURSE BRINGS PAIN

>>16625761

"Do you know the source of this curse? Is it the Golgremet Empire and Magnerass?" You ask her.

NO

SOMETHING FAR OLDER

>>16625843
"Just to get it out of the way; is it the lich which resides on our border? I doubt it, but it must be asked.
"You've said it's older, but what is it? Where is it? In order to break a curse we must have details.
"Is it something in the ioun mines? Something that we excavated?"

>>16625874

"Just to get it out of the way; is it the lich which resides on our border? I doubt it, but it must be asked."

NO

EVEN OLDER

"You've said it's older, but what is it? Where is it? In order to break a curse we must have details."

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING

The pieces of stone rearrange themselves

IT STARTED WHEN I BEGAN BRINGING PIECES WITH THE CURSE ON IT

"Ten years ago." Jaran whispers.

"Is it something in the ioun mines? Something that we excavated?" You ask her.

EXCAVATED PERHAPS

She shakes her head.

I CANNOT SEE IT SAVE THE PIECES ON THE SEVERED BODIES

IT IS EVERYWHERE

SHATTERING LIMBS AND SEVERING DIGITS

"Ten years, hm." Malmar says to her. "Well, that may be all she can tell us. Sounds like she's just as confused as we are about the cause."

>>16626204
This is a highly volatile domestic affair. Dare I say that it ranks above the rising Trog Invasion. Note to self; Put "unknown threat" at level 5 risk; we cannot fight when we are destroyed from within.

"What pieces do you have?"

"Is this necrotic? Arcane? Astral? Beyond?"

Have Jaran fetch the severed arm and present it to the priest and the necromancer. Perhaps they will see something that we don't.

>>16626204
"Bringing pieces...is it the dust? Jaran, bring that arm back here.
"Yashana, can you indicate where on the limb the curse is strongest? Can either of you two see any necromantic or some other kind of energy trace on the limb?"

>>16626254
>>16626256

"What pieces do you have?" You ask Jaran.

"I-" He starts to say, clearly not wanting to admit how many.

"Bringing pieces...is it the dust? Jaran, bring that arm back here." You say to him, insistently. The older kobold frowns, but goes off towards the back of his home. No more than a minute later, he comes back with the severed hand, wrapped in cloth. Malmar looks at the severed body part critically.

"Yashana, can you indicate where on the limb the curse is strongest? Can either of you two see any necromantic or some other kind of energy trace on the limb?" You ask to the various people present. "Is this necrotic? Arcane? Astral? Beyond?"

"I... I'm sorry, I don't see anything." The necromancer says. "Though it is fresh."

Malmar shakes his head. "My apologies. If there is any curse, it is preventing me from detecting it."

Yashana points to the severed end of the hand.

LIKE A SWORD CUT ACROSS HEALTHY FLESH

STOPS BLEEDING

PREVENTS DEATH

>>16626476
Examine the wound that severed the limb. Do we notice any arcane magic present? Perhaps we could use some sort of revealing spell, if we know one.

We may have to bring this in to the hospital for an autopsy.

>>16626512

There is no sort of magic present on the wound.

IT IS EVERYWHERE

WAITING TO STRIKE

>>16626602
"If the very air wishes to strike against us, we must get to the bottom this quickly."

>>16626602
"Well...yes, the cut would be clean, cutting across and cauterizing the wound to prevent bleedout and death; it was amputated from an accident victim afterall, so it would be done with surgical precision.
"You'll need to be a little less vague, Yashana. Is the cut itself the problem? Or the fact the cut was needed in the first place? Do you have anything that can help us track down the cause of the curse? And just to be sure, the curse is causing the accidents, which leads to amputations; is that right?"

Bump for OP to return.

>>16627122

I have, just getting dinner then starting up GQ.

>>16627193
Sweet.

"Well... Yes, the cut would be clean, cutting across and cauterizing the wound to prevent bleedout and death; it was amputated from an accident victim afterall, so it would be done with surgical precision." You shake your head at her. "You'll need to be a little less vague, Yashana. Is the cut itself the problem? Or the fact the cut was needed in the first place? Do you have anything that can help us track down the cause of the curse? And just to be sure, the curse is causing the accidents, which leads to amputations; is that right?"

YES

THAT MARK WAS THERE BEFORE THE LIMB WAS AMPUTATED

She pauses for a moment.

THAT SAME SENSATION

I CAN FEEL IT NOW

>>16627623
"Mark? What mark?"

"What do you mean it was there before hand? You mean as if it was a planned...-"

"How long before the amputation?"

>>16627678

"Mark? What mark?" You ask Yashana.

She seems to quake where she sits in the air.

IT IS NOT SO MUCH AN IMAGE AS A FEELING

MALEVOLENCE FORMED INTO A LINE

"What do you mean it was there before hand? You mean as if it was a planned...-"

She looks at you, and slowly nods.

THOSE WHO ARE MARKED MUST NOT NOTICE

"How long before the amputation?"

She shakes her head.

I DO NOT KNOW

HOWEVER

THE MARK TAKES A LONG TIME TO FADE

She points at you as the stone pieces rearrange themselves.

I LOOKED FOR IT ON YOU

YOU DON'T HAVE IT

NOT A TRACE

YET I STILL FEEL IT

>>16627767
We're getting in way over our head.

We'll need to pool our resources before we start to do anything hasty. Turn to Jaran, the necromancer, and the priest.

"...this doesn't leave this room to the ears of the public. I'll raise the necessary torches in the senate and begin researching, but you need to swear not to say a word. If the people find out, they could go into a full-swept panic."

Turn to Yashana.

"We have been informed, and will begin investigating. You did a great service for your country, even in death." Show our appreciation with a small bow. "However, our work is still cut out for us. Do you have the strength to manifest outside of your husband's home?"

>>16627890

You look at the others in the room. "...This doesn't leave this room to the ears of the public. I'll raise the necessary torches in the senate and begin researching, but you need to swear not to say a word. If the people find out, they could go into a full-swept panic."

The lot of the room nods.

You look over at Yashana. "We have been informed, and will begin investigating. You did a great service for your country, even in death." You give her a small bow. "However, our work is still cut out for us. Do you have the strength to manifest outside of your husband's home?"

YES

She looks over the lot of you.

BUT I STILL SENSE IT

She turns her gaze over the lot of you.

"Dear, it's... Not on me, is it?" Jaran asks hesitantly.

She drifts over to him, reaching out to caress his cheek. She slowly shakes her head. Jaran reaches out to touch her, but his hand passes straight through her face.

Yashana turns back to your group, then slowly raises her hand to point at Malmar, who looks at her in surprise.

"What? On me?" He asks.

>>16628055
"How do you sense this mark, Yashana?"

"Malmar, has anything strange happened to you recently? A lapse in memory, a strange dream, anything at all?"

>>16628090

"How do you sense this mark, Yashana?" You ask her.

She drifts back over to the stone sticks.

LIKE IT WAS HEAT OR COLD

CAN DO IT EASIER BY TOUCH

"Malmar, has anything strange happened to you recently? A lapse in memory, a strange dream, anything at all?" You ask him.

Malmar shakes his head. "Not a thing. My life's been very calm and uneventful up until this night."

Yashana levels her hand at him.

NO

NOT THE SAME

LIKE A FRESH WOUND

"What? I have no such thing." Malmar says calmly, his right hand coming forth from his robes to plant on his chest.

>>16627767
"When did you start to notice all of this? We must establish a timeline so we can accurately pinpoint the problem.
"Have you anything more to add? Where such marks are most concentrated? And does it only affect people, or are such marks on structures and machines as well?"

>>16628230

"When did you start to notice all of this? We must establish a timeline so we can accurately pinpoint the problem." You ask Yashana.

WHEN I SENSED IT, I BROUGHT PARTS I COULD FIND WITH THE MARK STILL ON THEM

"Ten years, Mynthar." Jaran says, seeming to have gotten his determination back. "That's when she started bringing them to me."

Yashana looks over at him in confusion.

HAS IT BEEN SO LONG?

"Spirits often also have little sense of time." The necromancer volunteers.

"Have you anything more to add? Where such marks are most concentrated? And does it only affect people, or are such marks on structures and machines as well?" You ask her.

FEELS STRONGEST ON PEOPLE

Yashana's spirit drifts slowly towards your group.

THE MINERS WHO WERE IN ACCIDENTS

ALL CARRIED THE MARK

She points at Malmar, and you see her form start to waver. A powerful gust of wind blows past him, and his robes flap like a number of flags in the wind. You see the top layer of his robes blow away on his left side, and see something curious. A metal shoulder on his left side, looking somewhat primitive, and a metal cylinder vaguely resembling part of an upper arm. The end of it appears to have some kind of primitive socket.

Malmar turns away from the gust. "Spirit, I know not why you do this, but cease it!"

>>16628456
"Malmar, why didn't you say that you have a prosthetic? When did you receive it, and under what circumstances?"

>>16628530

"Malmar, why didn't you say that you have a prosthetic? When did you receive it, and under what circumstances?" You ask him.

He looks over at you, and you can see his calm broken by anger. "Because, High Magistrate." He pulls back his robe. You can see that the shoulder and arm end not a few inches past the shoulder. "I do not have a prosthetic. I never have. It was not given to me for my job because I proved I could function without one."

The ghost drifts closer, reaching out for the end of his arm. Malmar slaps her away, and despite passing through her, the violent motion has its effect.

"I believe I need none. And worshipers, few that there are, of my god have more important prayers than those for a one-armed priest." Malmar clenches his hand into a fist. "I am no wretch to be pitied, like the others in the religious quarter. And I resent being looked at like one or inconveniencing the Caverns with a replacement when I need none for worship or care of the temple."

"Then... Why that artificial shoulder?" Jaran asks hesitantly.

>>16628681
Be truly apologetic.

"Malmar, I'm sorry; I didn't know..."

However, we need to serious the hell up.

"...but as you said, this isn't about pitying you; this is about the people! And we need to know, Malmar, why you kept it from us. Why the artificial shoulder?"

>>16628715

"Malmar, I'm sorry; I didn't know..." You say to him, and he glares at you. "...but as you said, this isn't about pitying you; this is about the people! And we need to know, Malmar, why you kept it from us. Why the artificial shoulder?"

He looks at it, irritated. "I was sworn not to say. I'm sorry, but ti's just that simple." He looks over at you. "I can tell you how I lost it. A dwarven axe, eighteen years past bore down on me as I tried to flee."

>>16628822
Shake our head.

"Malmar, we need to know why you have that artificial cap around the shoulder."

If he persists in keeping his secret, then we can't very well force one of our fellow countrymen...yet.

"Alright Malmar; I just hope the promise is worth the lives of the miners you're wagering."

>>16628861

"Malmar, we need to know why you have that artificial cap around the shoulder." You say to him.

He shakes his head. "I... I'm sorry." He looks over at the specter. "The good news is that if it's there, no one will be harmed by this 'mark' anyway." He scratches at his head. "If I were to tell you, then my ability to keep secrets as a priest would be compromised. I can only tell you that Dalak made it for me."

"Alright Malmar; I just hope the promise is worth the lives of the miners you're wagering." You say to him, crossing your arms.

"It is simply not my place to say." Malmar tucks his robes back over the shoulder. "I will do what I can for the miners. But don't ask me to break my word on this, Mynthar. It is a matter very grave that I am afraid I cannot divulge information on." He looks over at the door. "If he wishes it, he will tell you."

>>16629194
Well, it looks like we're going to have to turn in for the night and go ask Dalak in the morning.

"Well, it is most late, and we require rested minds to piece together this mystery." Make for the door, thank the necromancer and Malmar for their time, and say our goodbyes to Jaram and Yashana.

"Remember." Then, put our finger to our lips.

>>16629303

"Well, it is most late, and we require rested minds to piece together this mystery." You say, looking over to the others in the room. "Remember." You put your finger to your lips.

The congregation disperses, and Jaran closes the door behind you.

You dream nothing that night, and somehow you feel grateful for it. After all, what horrors the night might bring cannot compare to the ones that wakefulness has.

>>16629403
I'm not sure if you feel like keeping it up, OP, or if you want to go to bed as much as I do.

If you are, that's fine; I'm just banking on Gargoyle Quest before I go to sleep. However, if you're still up for it, get up, eat some fruit, then go see Dalak; he's the best lead we have right now.

>>16629448

Yeah, I think we're good for now.

Last post on GQ on its way.