"That should be all, your majesty." Gehenna said, examining his papers. On one side of you was Raziel acting as Vizier, and on the other was Marigold acting as crown princess, the four of you sitting in the courtyard, given enough space to think, focusing on poaching craftsmen from across the world. "Carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, jewelers..." Gehenna said, rambling on, marking each on the scroll. "It seems that we sent for all the craftsmen we'd need. For now, at least. And I got your message, earlier. we're preparing land for vineapples and striplisk as we speak, alongside the ogres' pluvash. Farmspace shouldn't be an issue, and neither should water."

>>20746311
"Very well, thank you Gehenna. How are the ogres and orcs getting along, so far?"

>>20746311
"Good. What else is on today's agenda?"

"Very well, thank you, Gehenna. How are the ogres and orcs getting along, so far?"
"Things have been going much better than expected, your majesty. The ogres have been particularly careful as to not upset the orcs, and in response, the orcs have been using as much discipline as possible to remain tamed. None of them have gone wild quite yet, but I believe it will only be a matter of time. It's only been a few days since the ogres arrived."
"Good. What else is on today's agenda?"
"We still need to start producing our own metals, and you may want to examine the nervghaul, and appointing a few magistrates shouldn't go wrong..." He said. "None of the ambassadors have made appointments to see you..."
He quickly checked through his papers.
"I can't think of anything I need you for, your majesty. Most of it is simply bookkeeping."

>>20746420
"Metals? Do we know where the best place to mine ores would be?"

>>20746420
"How are you doing yourself, Gehenna?"

"Metals? Do we know where the best place to mine ores would be?" You ask.
"I'm not sure." Gehenna said. "Divination could probably find some for us. I'd suppose the mountain to the north would have at least something."
"And my skeletons could mine." Raziel said. "At least, while I'm wearing this pendant."

"And.. how are you doing yourself, Gehenna?"
"There's no need to worry yourself over me, your majesty." Gehenna said. "Other than the Fell, I've been doing quite alright."

"I'll look into a diving focus specifically for that. Thank you."

>>20746502
"Oh, but it's pretty much my job to worry about everybody. If anything troubles you, feel free to speak with me. And why has the Fell been giving you trouble?"

"I'll look into a divining focus specifically for that." You say. "Thank you. And it's pretty much my job to worry about everybody. If anything troubles you, feel free to speak with me. And why has the Fell been giving you trouble?"
"I get urges." He said. "Urges to use the Fell. They haven't been getting any stronger, but it's just a bit worrisome."

>>20746637
"Just use it? Is there anything specific you want to use it for?"

>>20746637
"Hmm, indeed. Have you spoken to Zeke or Raz about it?"

"Just use it? Is there anything specific you want to use it for?"
"Not at all." He said. "It's rather.. unnerving." He said, pulling out the ring from around his neck. The once golden ring looked much more... ill, with small black lines tracing across the ring's surface, sapping it of all color. "But I don't want to get rid of it, because what if I need it someday?"

>>20746690
>The Fell works like a sacrifice right? Only it takes something off the user. Blood, bone, etc. The question is if you ask for something small would the payment be small or does it simply take whatever it wishes to fuel the magic?
>Or do I have totally wrong.

>>20746690
"The ring looks really strange. Any clue what might be happening to it, Raz?"

"The ring looks really strange." You say, and turn to Raziel. "Any clue what might be happening to it, Raz?"
"I don't know." She said, looking closely at it. "I don't know much about the Fell. I don't even know where it came from.
Gehenna sighed.
"My brother pointed me to when it was, in some other world." Gehenna said. "He opened the portal to the world, I opened the portal to the past, and we tore it out of there."

>>20746803
"Oh. I think I shouldn't have expected an easy answer. It looks a bit like Rikar, when I woke up after the ritual. Anyway, do you get the urges only when you are incontact with it, or is simply being around the artifact enough?"

"Oh. I think I shouldn't have expected an easy answer." you say. "It looks a bit like Rikar, when I woke up after the ritual."
"...After you ran out of energy." Raziel said.
"Anyway, do you get the urges only when you are in contact with it, or is simply being around the artifact enough?"
"It's not as clear cut, your majesty. I'd simply be working and think about the Fell, every few days." Gehenna responded. "I don't know if it was just being close, or having it around my neck, or what.

>>20746906
"Just tell me when it becomes too much to bear, although I guess we should do some more research on the Fell rather sooner than later. And please, call me Ishelda when we're amongst friends."

>>20746803
"Well, for now I'd suggest keeping it in a box or somesuch if you don't want to be tempted. Sanctuary is one of the safest places in the world to keep it."

Also, on a more personal note, maybe with a hand on his shoulder or even a hug.
"I know you feel that you owe me, Gehenna, but I honestly think of you as an invaluable person. This city wouldn't be half as well off as it is right now if it wasn't for your work, I want you to know."

>>20746906
"Perhaps the Fell is trying to get you to use it because it is running out of energy itself? It works on an exchange, right? Perhaps the inequivalent nature of the exchange is the Fell taking power to sustain itself, as well as working the desired magic?"

"I know you feel you owe me, Gehenna," You say, putting your hand on his shoulder. "But I honestly think of you as an invaluble person. This city wouldn't be half as well off as it is right now if it wasn't for your work, I want you to know. And please, call me Ishelda when we're amongst friends."
"And I still haven't made it up to you." He responded. "It's probably rather silly, but... you made the choice not to kill me, when anyone else would have. The only way I can pay that back is spend most of my time for you. I still gain, in the end, and I've taken to enjoying all of the bookkeeping."

"Perhaps the Fell is trying to get you to use it because it is running out of energy itself?" You ask. "It works on an exchange, right? Perhaps the inequivalent nature of the exchange is the Fell taking power to sustain itself."
"So it's... hungry?" Marigold asked. "Why don't we just ... feed it?"

rolled 74 = 74

>>20747053
...try doing a small magic transfer into the Fell?

>>20747053
Which artifact was the fell again? Was it that one artifact that attracted the mutants living in the wastelands before it was purified?
Because if so, why are we keeping it around.

>>20747053
"I can understand that, but please, add an assistant for yourself on that list. You should really spend some more time on yourself. It would make me happy."

>>20747129
It can do absolutely anything but then it takes an appropriate sacrifice as payment. It was indeed used to attract mutants into the tower that one time.

>>20747129
It did that yeah, but that's not all it does. It does a nebulously defined task for a nebulously defined cost, but the cost is always greater than what it does for you.

"I can understand that, but please, add an assistant for yourself on that list. You should really spend some more time on yourself. It would make me happy."
"I already have a few assistants who carry messages around the city for me." He said. "But I'll get myself an aide, if you request."

You reach out toward the Fell, and you get a strange temptation to.. keep it, to augment your power. Shoving that away, you reach forth with your magic, and cast the magic transfer spell, using your wizardry, keeping a tight control of your power. Slowly, the small black cracks faded...
And then the entire ring turned pure, utter black, as if it were absorbing light. Gehenna dropped the ring and took a step back, where it sat, still, on the table.

It twitched, completely of it's own volition, darker than midnight, and softly, very softly, started hissing.

>>20747157
>>20747155
Ah, alright, so I guess it might be useful? But the undefined cost is a bit concerning.
I say we give it a little bit of magic and keep it in a box somewhere we can check up on it.

>>20747197
Oh shit.
I'm thinking it's going to start eating magic, so no one with magic talents touch it.

>>20747197
"Well I see now what you meant about the urge to use it. I just felt the same thing.
Now I'm considering it might be better off locked in a safe though."

>>20747197
"Well...that's not good. I need to stop just doing 'things' on a whim like that."

>>20747197
kristoph get in here

>>20747197
Uh...
It's so used to people taking from it that our kindness and generosity shocked it and now it's having a bit of a mental breakdown. But once it recovers it will see the error of its ways and become a nice artifact. Yep, that's clearly what's happening.

"Well... that's not good." You say. You turn to one of the lizardman guards, and have him go get Kristoph, and quickly. The guard nods, and starts Running.
Another lizardman takes a step closer to the ring, staring down at it. He starts to reach out a hand-
And two of his partners cross their glaives in front of him.
"No one touch it." You say.
"It's making me want to." Marigold said, and got out of her chair, stepping away. "It's like the Ankh, isn't it?"

>>20747288
"It's making EVERYONE want to touch it, Mar."

>>20747288
"To be honest, your guess is as good as mine. Just don't do anything rash, Mar."

>>20747288
Make sure no one touches it, and maybe look for a container or some cloth so that no one touches while they carry it.

"It's making *everyone* want to touch it, Mar. To be honest, your guess is as good as mine. Just don't do anything rash."
"I won't; I've learned from my mistakes." She said. "This thing is obviously evil."

Kristoph walked back, in full armor, the orcish claymore on his back. "What do you need me to do, milady?" He asked, all business.

>>20747361
Point at the Fell.

>>20747334
"Artifact is acting up, twitching like a thing possessed, trying to tempt everyone into using it, could you please take it for the time being?"

>>20747361
"Good, you're here. Carefully pick up that black ring, and if you hear whispering or urges to use the ring drop it and step away from it.

>>20747361
"Take that ring and make sure nobody else touches it."

>>20747361
"Thank you for coming so quickly. Could you block this ring from sending out any magic further than a hand away?"

>>20747361
Don't let him touch it either. just see if he can do something about it.

"Thank you for coming so quickly." You say."Could you block this ring from sending out any magic further than a hand away?" Halfway through your first sentence, the ring went golden once again.
"Right." He said, and focused. "Let me just... There. It's blocked off, now. Do you want me to put it in the second vault?"
"The vaults are where we put the Ankh, wasn't it?" Marigold asked.
You nod.

>>20747459
"I am not sure about that, to be honest. I don't feel comfortable having these two artifacts so close to each other. It also seems like the Ring has returned to its original state."

>>20747459
"Let's go swap them, the Ankh's purified now so it could be more use than sitting in a dusty vault."

>Now Kaliel has no excuse for not coming back.

>>20747484
Vaults plural, implies separate vaults. Probably individually warded. Should be safe.

How bout making an anti magic box to keep it in and carried by the admin kalak?

"I am not so sure about that, to be honest." You say. "I don't feel comfortable having these two artifacts so close to each other." You say.
"We do have three vaults, and we built them with sealing artifacts in mind." Raziel said. "Plus, the wards I had Azariel do should prevent any cruxes from forming. We have the space to fit all three safely."
"Well, the Ankh's purified now, so we could swap them. It'll be more use than sitting in a dusty vault."
"Are you sure?" Marigold asked. "We don't even know what the ankh does, now that it's been purified. It could not even be magical anymore."

>>20747538
>space to fit all three safely."
>By which I mean 'space to fit artifacts in all three safely'

>>20747538
Let's swap the two artifacts, and experiment with the hopefully purified Ankh.

>>20747538
"All the more reason to find out."

>>20747538
"Can the effects of an artifact be only determined by trial and error? Albeit, I think we should let Gehenna decide. He's resisted the Fell for 2 years now, so I'm sure he knows what's best for everybody in regard to that thing."

"Can the effects of an artifact be only determined by trial and error?" You ask. Raziel lies her head on the table for a moment, rubbing at her eyes. "Albeit, I think we should let Gehenna decide. He's resisted the Fell for two years now, so I'm sure he knows what's best for everybody in regard to that thing."
"Before, the urges it gave me were weak... but just then, it was strong, almost impossible to resist." He said. "It isn't doing that now, but... there's more magic in the world. I think it's too dangerous."

>>20747606
"Of course, that would explain why the black lines have started to appear. Kristoph, please be so kind and place the ring in one of the vaults."
Put a hand on Raziel's shoulder. "You alrigh, Raz?"

"Of course, that would explain why the black lines have started to appear." You say, and put your hand on Raz's shoulder "You alright, Raz?"
She sat back up, yawning. "Yeah, I'm... I'm fine. Just stayed up late last night. So, let's go put this ring in the vaults, shall we, your highness?"

>>20747657
"Of course, my trusted vizier. What kept you up? Still working on the second mirror?"

>>20747657
"Yes, let's. And I'm a Majesty, Mar's the Highness."

obviously something's wrong, she never uses honorifics with ishelda

>>20747723
I agree, even when she has been tired she never used a honorific with Ishy, at least as far as I remember.

"Of course, my trusted Vizier. And I'm a Majesty. Mar's the highness. What kept you up? Still working on the second mirror?"
"Yep." She said. "Sorry, I'm *really* tired."
"I'll, um, leave you guys to it." Marigold said. "I don't like those vaults."

You, Raziel, and Kristoph make your way down to the deepest, darkest dungon cell, almost hidden around the corner.
"Which one was it again?" Kristoph asked, running his hands along the bricks just outside of the cell.
"I don't remember." Raziel said.
"Was it... this one?" He asked, and pushed on a particular brick. It clicked, and a group of bricks slid aside, revealing armed skeletons, their bones embossed in steel, glimmering glyphs on their heads, and longswords in each skeleton's hand.
"Stand down." Raziel said, raising her staff and putting an authoritive tone into her voice. The skeletons paused for a moment, and then stepped to the sides. You finished going down the hall, and in front of you was a single, enormous door. One that you needed to touch with magic to open- or Kris could break the entire spell and walk in, in case of an emergency, though that would alert the entire castle.

>>20747766
"I guess I'll have to make sure you get enough sleep tonight personally, then."
Open the door, we don't really need to break the spell.

>>20747766
"I know, Raz, I was just teasing."

Just 'cause I think it should be said.

"I guess I'll have to make sure you get enough sleep tonight personally, then."
"But I have to finish my second mirror." She said, frowning.

You reach up to the door, and touch it, locking into the spell. The door slides aside, and you feel the ward open for you.
"Vault one has the ankh, vaults two and three are empty." Kristoph said. "I'll go put the ring in two. You going to grab the ankh?"

>>20747831
Please put it in vault three.

take the ankh.

>>20747854
But carefully. Without actually touching it yet.

>>20747831
"Yes."

>>20747854
What? Why 3?

>>20747831
"I'm sure the mirror will still be there for you after a good night of sleep. I'd rather have you not working on anything important in your current state."
Bring the Ankh, let's see if any of our wizards can figure out what it does now.

We need to beef up the security. Maybe put a nice puzzle somewhere? Oh, and traps, pitfalls and such.

"Yes. Take it to vault three." You say. He nods, and makes his way through the right hallway.
"I'm sure the mirror will still be there for you after a good night of sleep." You say. "I'd rather have you not working on anything important in your current state."
"Well... alright, if you say so." Raziel said, giving you a smile. "I'll stay here."

You take the left hallway, and open the door there, where the ankh sits. You take out a cloth, and gently wrap it, careful not to touch it with your bare hands.

By the time you come back, Raziel and Kristoph are kissing eachother, deeply, Raziel leaning into the knight.
Kristoph pulls away, taking a deep breath when he saw you. "Uh, well, milady, the ring's completely put away. And. Yeah."

>>20747881
I don't think we really need to. Though looking into Cassiel further refining the wards might not be a bad idea.

>>20747925
"R-Raz..." Leave.

>>20747925
"Oh. OH!"

>>20747925
Blushing
"Well then. I suppose you both have the rest of the day off."

>>20747925
"Make sure she gets some sleep." Blush. Leave.

>>20747957
It should sound more embarrassed, but this is good.

>>20747925
Grab Raziel's hand.
"You should really get some sleep. You're acting weird."

>>20747925
"The two of you are stil..."
"I guess I should be happy for you, then."

"The two of you are still..." You say.
"Uhm... Not still." Raziel said. "This is a decision I've been thinking about for... some time." She said.
"Oh. Oh!" You say, blushing. "Well, then, I suppose you both have the day off. Make sure she gets some sleep."
"Um. I will."

As you make your way past the skeletons and close the secret entrance, leaving the secret room open for them to close on their way out, you hear Raziel say something seductively about obeying the queen's orders. Your ears bright red, you make your way out of the dungeons. It's just past noon, by your reckoning, and you have what seems like a full day ahead of you.

>>20748002
So, I guess as a Raziel supported I am now free to torpedo the Kaliel romance?

>>20748002
>Oh, right, forgot to mention. WAT DO?

>>20748002
Let's go ask if Marigold wants to try being a kalak.

>>20748002
Let's find what wizzads are free, and inspect the Ankh. I'm particularly thinking of Cassiel and Kali.

>>20748026
Let's take the Ankh up. If I remember correctly the Heart was good at identifying Artifacts and their effects so we should find Kell and see if any of that power remains. Maybe have him take a look at the Soul as well.

>>20748002
Check the Ankh. Then play with wizardry.

>>20748026
Let Kal, Zeke, and Cassiel have a look at the Ankh. Wonder briefly why we aren't as happy for Raz as we should be, put quickly try to forget about it.

You take the tight bundle of cloth up and out of the dungeons. You run into Cassiel, and the everpresent smell of cookies from the kitchen. Strange... Kaliel isn't nearby. You call for her on the ring.
<I'm.. a bit busy, Ishelda. I'm working on reproduction still. But I can drop it if you want me to.>
"Here, Ishelda." Cassie said, handing you a few cookies. "What would you like?" He asked.

>>20748106
"No no, it's nothing important. Just checking on you."

>>20748125
To clarify, that statement was meant for Kal and should have been in brackets.

>>20748106
<It's not a big deal, keep on working on the reproduction, if I really need you for this I'll let you know. Take care honey.>

Eat a cookie.

"I'm trying to see how the Ankh is working lately, I was wondering if you wanted to help out.

It used to be corrupted but after the Heart sacrificed itself to become the Rose and became part of Kell it wasn't and we just locked it up. Any thoughts?"

>>20748106
<That will probably not be necessary. Sorry for disturbing you.>

"I could use some help figuring out what this artifact does."

>>20748106
I have to help Kali with reproduction.

Then go do that.

<It's not a big deal.> You say. <I'm just checking up on you. Take care, honey.>
<I will. I might need Mar's help for this, actually... You take care too, Ishelda. Love you.>

"I'm trying to see how the Ankh is working lately." You say. "I was wondering if you wanted to help out."
"The, uh, immortality one, that Marigold tried cutting out of herself?" He asked. "I can try my best..."

You unwrap it, and set it on the table. He takes a close look at it, and chants a short spell.
"... It was purified, wasn't it?" He asked. "This thing is... strange looking. You should probably ask Azariel about it, but it looks like it's an artifact that... does nothing. Just sitting there. It's still an artifact, but it doesn't seem to know what to do."

>>20748190
"Can we tell it what to do? I can create artifacts, but how they actually work is mystery to me."

>>20748190
Do we need Raziel to contact Azariel, or can we do it ourselves?
If the later, bring him into the conversation.

>>20748190
"Poor thing, it just wants something to do. Well since it was purified by the Heart we ought to find it a new purpose.

In case you didn't catch it Azariel is dead but we can still talk to him."

If we can contact him without Raz just head somewhere dark and underground to make it easier and have a chat.

"Can we tell it what to do?" You ask. "I can create artifacts, but how they actually work is a mystery to me."
"It's a mystery to everybody." Cassiel responded. "Nobody knows quite why artifacts work the way they do. They're all... arbitrary. An artifact could show a wonderous, world-shattering power when you don't need it, and only give you tiny sparks of light when you do. They do have their own aspects and such, but they don't always stick to that."

"Let's go contact Azariel." You say, and wrap it up again. You make your way down to the cistern, Cassiel following you, and when you get down to the necromantic circle, you see Azariel there, hunched over a book, scribbling wildly.
"My son." He said, smiling widely as a kalak could, toward Cassiel. "I wrote you a book on abjuration. Don't ask me where I got the knowledge in there." He said, closing the book. The spectre stood in the circle.
"Good day, Ishelda." He said, bowing. "Today is quite easy for me to manifest. Ever since the Doors were opened, when Cassiel was revived, it became easier for things to move, on... my side."

>>20748273
Ask him how much easier, and also to look at the Ankh.

>>20748273
What?

>>20748273
>>The vale has grown thin. ZOMBIES!!

>>20748307
Clarifying: what Doors?

>>20748273
"Az, is the Doors being opened and the veil being weakened likely to have negative consequences? Is it likely to return to its original state in time? How much easier to move and are others moving as well?

Also could you take a look at the Ankh? I figure since its been purified I may as well find something for it to do."

Also don't forget to go into our Kalak form and ask about about the significance, if any. We've been meaning to do that for forever now.

>>20748316
Veil. A vale is a valley.

"How much easier?" You ask.
"It's difficult to quantify, as with all things on my side." He said. "But I could manifest within this circle without being summoned. It should in a single moon, but I'm doing as much as I can before it does. It should be all but impossible for something to pass through completely, though, like you and Cassiel did. I wish I could've manifested back then, because I could have come through as well."
"How much easier is it to move, and are others moving as well?"
"Everything stirred, the moment you did that ritual. But since then, things have been quiet. Peaceful."
"Can you look at this ankh?" You ask, and unwrap it.
"I can indeed." He said, examining it closely. "This is the ankh, from before. But it's no longer corrupted. In fact, it's no longer anything. It is an artifact due to it's great history, but it has no memory."

>>20748384
>"It should return to normal in a single moon"

>>20748384
"....so?"

>>20748384
"Your return to life might have opened the portal again, though."

>>20748384
"Would it be possible to give it a new purpose?"

>>20748384
Does the Ankh still have any power, or is it just an interesting trinket?

"Your return to life might have opened the portal again, though."
"... You're right." He said, frowning. "Nevermind. I could have, but it would have opened the portal to the demons again. That's not acceptable, for someone as old as I."

"Would it be possible to give it a new purpose?" You ask, eying the ankh. "Does it still have any power, or is it just an interesting trinket?"
"It still has power, but you cannot give it a new purpose. You can, however, give it an old one, from before a fey corrupted it to try to give himself immortality."
"What was it's old purpose?" Cassiel asked.
"Protection. Warding. A shield." He said. "I don't know it's history- it's further than I can reach- but if you hold it long enough, Cassiel, your specialty will remind it."

"Thank you, Azariel. I had one more question for you, if you're willing to indulge me."
Turn into a Kalak, hopefully we've done it often enough now that we don't have to actually roll for it.
"I was hoping you could tell me what significance, if any, this form would have had in Kalak society?"

>>20748516
"I guess you'll be holding soon. Let me know what's up when you are."

>>20748516
"Oh, well that's easy."

>>20748516
"Hey Cass, the Ankh's yours now. Treat it kindly, remind it of what it once was, all of that."

>>20748560
Don't just give it to him, it's a powerful valuable artifact. And shielding is his speciality anyway, he doesn't need it.

>>20748560
Oh come now, we're a queen. We can use so much more pomp than that.

"Well then, Cassiel. New Arcturus hereby officially bequeaths one of its most valuable possessions to your keeping."

>>20748592
What, you'd rather it just lay around being useless? Its power is unusable to anyone but him right now.

>>20748516
"Would you be okay with carrying the Ankh around for a bit, Cassiel?"

>>20748605
It's power is unusable to anyone including him right now. He can look after it for a bit to awaken it, but it's not his.

>>20748623
Sharing is caring, Anon. Don't be a dick about it.

"Thank you, Azariel." You say, and turn to Cass. "Well then, Cassiel." You say, the tone of Authority in your voice. "New Arcturus hereby officially bequeaths one of it's most valuable possessions to your keeping."
"As you say, Ishelda." Cassiel says, chuckling. He clapped a hand on your shoulder, and quickly strung the ankh around his throat.
"Don't forget your book." Azariel said. "I met a titan here, who had a few things to say about abjuration. It's in the back."
"Thank you." Cassiel said, and gave Azariel a handshake, before taking the book and ankh out of the cistern. "I'd best get to reading."
"I had one more question for you, if you're willing to indulge me."
"Oh, I have my own things to speak to you about, as well." Azariel responded.

>Sorry, but I do still need a roll for shapeshifting.
>Roll 1d100.

rolled 77 = 77

>>20748646
Rollan' for shapeshiftan'

rolled 73 = 73

>>20748646
Well, let's see how that goes.

>>20748646
"Feel free to ask them. It's been remarked a number of times that my Kalak form is different, I was wondering if you knew what variety I was."

rolled 1 = 1

>>20748646
Here goes

rolled 72 = 72

>>20748646
LETS DO EET.

rolled 21 = 21

>>20748646

Alrighty then

>>20748674
Oh fuck.

rolled 16 = 16

>>20748674
Well then, so much for that.

>>20748674
And then we turned into a little yellow fluffy chick.

>>20748674
And that's why I stopped rolling after the 77 and 73. God damn it.

>>20748698
nah
permanently into a chocobo chick

Genderbent.

After our transformation goes horribly wrong some how, vocally damn the unpredictability of sorcery.

rolled 20 = 20

>>20748674
Oh boy time for HUEHUEHUE!

You close your eyes, and focus your magic inwards, where it wells up inside of you, and your form twists, and bends, your beak sprouting out from your teeth, and your sense of balance shifting.
"I was hoping you could tell me what significance, if any, this form would have had in kalak society?"
"Well." He said. "Your form is nothing in particular. You appear to have some marble, and some onyx in your heritage."

He examined you more closely. "But you claws are too different, and you're much too short..."

>>20748728
I'm thinking something along the lines of "The universe just loves to toy with me, doesn't it?"

>>20748728
I made an Artifact earlier today, AN ARTIFACT FORGED OUT OF A PIECE OF THE FIRE OF MY SOUL! AND NOW I CAN'T EVEN TURN INTO A BIRD!

>>20748738
"I know I'm short and that my crest is tiny, I don't need all of the Kalaks to make note of that.

Spread our wings, do a small spin to make sure he doesn't miss any details.

"So, if I'm not a marble what am I?"

>>20748738
"Kristoph and I turn into pretty strange Kalak. I had hoped you could tell me if this kinda was extinct, perhaps."

"I know I'm short and that my crest is tiny, I don't need all of the kalak to make note of that." You say, and spread your wings. You do a little spin to make sure he doesn't miss anything.
"So, if I'm not a marble, what am I?"
"You're very cute." He said, after a moment.
"Kristoph and I turn into pretty strange Kalak. I had hoped you could tell me if this kinda was extinct, perhaps."
"There are a lot of breeds that are extinct, but I don't recognize yours." He said. "Obsidian, Opal, Garnet, and a dozen nameless breeds. What does Kristoph look like?"

>>20748792
"Massive, black, warlike."

"Massive, black plumage, warlike, with hooked talons and a serrated beak."
"Obsidian." He responded. "Without a doubt, your knight is obsidian. They were unable to use magic in any form, and unable to fly, but they were implacable terrors. It's said that they couldn't feel pain, and could tear their way through spells. It took the marbles' abjuration to finally stop and execute them."

>>20748792
"Really tall, like as tall as Grayson standing up, taller than you were. Jet black, long arms for his size, serrated talons and beak, thorned talons, scary as hell."

>>20748792
"Very large and tall, even moreso than you. Plumage as dark if not darker than an Onyx, an equilateral serrated beak and serrated talons."

rolled 41 = 41

>>20748844
"Interesting, because Kristoph's ability is magical nullification.

>>20748844
"That fits rather well, almost too well.

Any chance that their bloodline survived through breeding with humans and manged to make its way to this world?"

>>20748844
"So he has an excuse for not managing to fly. That description fits Kristoph amazingly well though."

"That fits rather well. Almost *too* well." You say. "Any chance that their bloodline surived through breeding with humans, and managed to make it's way into this world?"
"Not likely." He said. "First thing I did when I came to this world was use the Throne to do a ritual, to check for any other kalak. I found none. Open your beak."
You open your beak, and he examines the edges for a moment.
"Turn around again."
You turn around, and spread your wings again. You feel a pinch as he plucks out one of your tailfeathers.
"Don't worry, they grow back." He said, examining the feather. Finally, he started chuckling. "You carry within your blood. . . Marble and Opal. Marble, you know about. They were the ruling party of kalak society. Long after the clan wars, when they came out on top. More magically powerful than all but the onyx, but breed more quickly. The opal... were known as seductresses and incubi. They were killed off during the clan war."

>>20748937
"I never figured Kalak to be that genocidal."

>>20748937
Well if that doesn't call for a serious amount of blushing I don't know what does.

>>20748937
>seductresses and incubi
I don't know how to feel about that.

>>20748937
"S-seductress?
I understand the magically powerful ruler bit, but..
I'm not like that am I?"

Wow. That speaks volumes about Elizabeth.

>>20748937
Do the Kalak equivalent of blushing furiously.

"But my crest is tiny, I didn't expect that. I suppose it's good to know, I never thought of myself that way.

Moving on to less embarrassing topics what can you tell me about a certain mysterious shopkeep that sold you a knife?"

>>20748953
"I never figured Kalak to be that genocidal." You say.
"It was a long war. The obsidian clan started it, with slaying the Garnet and Opal. They started upon the Clay, when the Onyx and Marble fought against them. That started the Clan wars."
"S-seductress? I understand the magically powerful ruler bit, but... I'm not like that, am I?"
"That segues nicely into my question." He said, smiling pleasantly, the spectre's eyes a brilliant green. "What are your plans with Kaliel?"

>>20749014
"To be honest, I don't have any. And it seems she's not really intent on staying here with me, either. She's been kinda avoiding the subject... I really don't know."

>>20749014
"Wh- I didn't seduce her, she seduced me!"

>>20749014
"Uhhhhhhh...."

>>20749014
While blushing, looking at our feet and maybe a bit of stammering.

"Holding hands, hugs and kisses, lots of kisses. That's all I've thought of so far.

If you're expecting grandchildren I should inform you that we're both women. Though we do have easy shapeshifting magic."

"Sh-she was the one who seduced *me*!"

>>20749014
"I'm not sure. We're both young, and I've never had a relationship like this before. I love her, but I have the feeling there might be complications in the future."

rolled 93 = 93

>>20749014
"I don't have time to write a thesis."

>>20749055
>>20749040
no.

>>20749079
And then Ishelda had a pair of sunglasses descend from nowhere onto her face without her moving a muscle.
"Deal with it." she said, an icy nonchalance in her voice.

>>20749116
>VoidBoss
I'm okay with this
I'm okay with a lot of things

"Sh-she was the one who seduced *me*!"
"I know, I'm not accusing you." He said. "It was a bad segue, I admit, but before I give any more history lessons I had to ask."
"I'm not sure." You say, looking at your feet. "We're both young, and I've never had a relationship like this before. I love her, but I have the feeling there might be complications in the future."
You gulp. "I-if you're expecting grandchildren, I should inform you that we're both women." You say, blushing furiously. "Though we do have easy shapeshifting magic."
"... I don't particularly mind if you two have grandchildren." He said. "Or not, really. Just felt I had to ask. I know her father would have."
He shrugged, and his wings twitched. "So anyway, now that that awkward moment is done we can continue with the history lessons. Or anything else you have to ask."

>>20749183
"Wait, you know who her father is? I thought you didn't know any of their parents."

>>20749183
"I happened to meet a certain mysterious shopkeep who went by the name 'the Scholar', apparently he sold you a dagger way back when. I was wondering if you knew any more about him."

>>20749183
"Why did the Obsidian start the clan wars? And why were entire clans executed? Is there any significance to these parallel bloodlines while shapeshifted?"

>>20749183
"Kaliel's going away for a bit. Keep an eye on her would you?"

"Wait, you know who her father is?" You ask. "I thought you didn't know any of their parents."
"I've spent quite some time here, and thanks to the totem, I've taken my chances to find out things about the past." He said. "After I learned about Raziel and Zeke, I examined everyone else's parents. He was a caretaker of animals, and nothing special. I spoke with him for some time."
He shrugged.
"I happened to meet a certain mysterious shopkeep who went by the name 'The Scholar', apparently he sold you a dagger way back when. I was wondering if you knew any more about him."
"I cannot say what I know." He said. "It is one of the many things forbidden to me. It is why I cannot tell you the nature of my side, or much about the way the open veil works. He is similar to the lord, on my side, but I cannot anything more."
"Why did the Obsidian start the clan wars? And why were entire clans executed? Is there any significance to these parallel bloodlines while shapeshifted?"
"I'll start with your last question, because it's easier to answer. I don't know. It could be the essence of transmutation doing as it will, it could be the spell trying to change you into something most like yourself, it could be the ever-mysterious essence that every living being has, that Kaliel is working on understanding.. But I don't know, for certain."
>Field too long!

>>20749183
"Would you like to become a teacher?"

He sighed, and closed his eyes for a moment.
"Our history tells us that the clan wars started with a single incident. A garnet, hot-headed as always, insulted an obsidian noble for his inability to use magic. All of the obsidian clan acted that day. Opal tried to protect them, and when they were killed, Clay started to refuse to trade with the obsidian, protecting all the remaining opals and garnets they could. Ruby and Sapphire ended up siding with the Obsidian, while the Clay and Onyx sided with Marble. It was quite a long and bloody history." He said.

"... Kaliel's going away for a bit." You say. "Keep an eye on her, would you?"
Azariel laughed, rolling his head back. "Bring forth your serpent, Ishelda, and I'll show you why I don't need to."

>>20749347
[x] Bring forth serpent

>>20749347
Do so.

>>20749347
"I... can't do that on command. Sorry."

>>20749347
"I did accidentally make an Artifact out of part of my soulfire. Don't ask me exactly how it works, I just don't know."

Summon up the serpent, see how it's doing, pet its head.

After we discuss these matters we should see if he wants to teach, pass his knowledge on to the curious and talented youth of today.

>>20749347

"Exactly how close have you been spying on me? I only made that ring yesterday..."

>>20749375
We can use it whenever we want. We've used it to heat water for tea, and to close doors.

Your soulflame serpent uncoils from your arm, growing warm as the tattoo peels away from your flesh. The wisp of dark flame drifting through the air.
"It's no less powerful than before... but you did something." He said. "Look at it."

You peer at the snake, and it stares back at you- with only one eye.
He started laughing. "Clever choice of words, queen of new arcturus. You already are keeping an eye on her. Quite literally."

"Exactly how close have you been spying on me? I only made that ring yesterday."
"Earlier this morning, Kaliel came to speak with me." He said. "I'm not spying on you at all."

You stand there for a moment, and then tilt your head. "Would you like to become a teacher?"
"What do you mean, teacher?" He asked. "As in, teaching more than my children? I'm sorry, but when the veil seals completely again, I will be unable to reach here reliably."

>>20749438
Focus on the ring. Let's find our if we can see things through it.

>>20749438
"I was trying to set up a magic school, to attract more people to New Arcturus."

Explain the general idea to him.

"Even if you could only attend occasionally, your insight would be most appreciated."

As an aside to my fellow players, we should also look through the human lands for human mages, i'm sure there are a few.

>>20749438
"That's a shame. I did kind of want the oldest and most experienced magic user I know to teach children at the wizardry school I was planning on setting up. It's obvious you're a skilled teacher if you just look at your children. You taught them the basics and led them down the paths to their various specialties.

If it isn't reliable maybe you could be a guest lecturer when you could come by, if you wanted to of course."

>>20749438
"That's unfortunate. I think people could really learn a lot from you."

>>20749438
Can we see through the eye on the ring?

"I'm going to open an academy. Zeke thought you might be a good teacher. We could move the Throne I suppose, or set up some sort of focus here..."

"Can you tell me about blood magic?"

>>20749438
"Well, we were thinking of starting up a magical academy of sorts. Someone suggested you might like teaching there from time to time, to say nothing of how popular learning from an old and powerful spirit such as yourself in a darkened classroom would be."

"When we brought back Cassiel, I believe I may have unintentionally used what Raziel called 'blood magic', she said you might be able to tell me more."

>>20749552
This is important.

"That's a shame." You say. "I did kind of want the oldest and most experienced magic user I know to teach children at the wizardry school I was planning on setting up. It's obvious you're a skilled teacher if you just look at your children. You taught them the basics and led them down the paths to their various specialties. If it isn't reliable, maybe you could be a guest lecturer when you could come by, if you wanted."
"Oh, when I can manifest, I'll teach gladly." He said. "Moreso if it's wizardry. I just will be unable to manifest very often. When I can manifest, feel free to make a space for me."

"When we brought back Cassiel, I believe I may have unintentionally used what Raziel called... Blood magic." You say. "She said you might be able to tell me more."

Azariel nodded, and then took a deep breath.
"Blood magic, at it's most basic nature, is the ability to turn your own life force- or the life force of others- into raw magical force. I will not tell you how to use it. I will not tell anyone how to use it. I will not instruct anyone, for any reason, about Blood Magic. I sincerely hope the art is dead. There were too many in the prison who used Blood Magic to steal the lives of others and gain tremendous power."

>>20749588
"I don't intend on teaching it! I just did it by accident! I just put... More... into the spell then I had. It wasn't even very hard to do."

>>20749588
"I'm not planning on using it intentionally, ever. I like my life force where it is and I find it rather abhorrent to use someone else's life. It was used unintentionally, I didn't want Cassiel to get stuck in a false life so I pulled deeper on my reserves that I had magic, and had to cover the rest with some other source. It was distinctly unpleasant.

I doubt the art will ever truly die if it's that powerful. There will always be someone in pursuit of power with a serious lack of morals who will look for the easy road, maybe they'll find some lost text, but given how simple of a concept it is they might rediscover it independently.

I wouldn't dream of asking you to teach it and when I set up the academy I'll make sure that it's watched for."

"I'm not planning on using it intentionally, ever." You say. "I like my life force where it is, and I find it abhorrent to use someone else's life. It was used unintentionally. I just put... more into the spell than I had. It wasn't even very hard to do."
"For a wizard, there are certain charms and incantations I know- and will never speak- and so I don't think a wizard could use it like you did." He said.
"I doubt the art will ever truly die, if it's that powerful." you say. "There will always be someone in pusuit of power with a serious lack of morals who will look for the easy road. Maybe they'll find some lost text, but given how simple of a concept it is, they might rediscover it independently."
"Perhaps." He said, his beak gritted. "I have, in my thousand year life, only used blood magic a single time. The victims were willing. I still have nightmares, even in death."

>>20749716
"I am sorry it had to be that way."

>>20749716
"You still need to sleep?"

>>20749716
"If...if you don't mind my asking? What was it for?"

>>20749716
"Just a guess, but, was that the reason you were in prison. Is it okay to ask about? If is't a sensitive subject I understand."

>>20749716
"I'm sorry, it must have been terrible for you."

>>20749716
"But weren't you able to reconcile with them, in the end? Once you were past the veil?"

"I, ah... I recall Kaliel cryptically mentioning that 'you weren't the worst criminal in the prison,' when we spoke on the subject. What, or rather who, did she mean?"

>>20749750
>>20749743
He sacrificed the mothers of the eggs he brought with him to get to this planet.

"You still need to sleep?"
"No." He responded.
"But weren't you able to reconcile with them, in the end? Once you were past the veil?"
"No." He responded again. "They don't exist anymore. At all. That is why blood magic is abhorrent."
"If... If you don't mind my asking? What was it for?"
"Escaping from my homeworld. Finding safety for the victims' young. I was the only one who knew blood magic that they trusted." He said, his voice flat, and emotionless.

>>20749787
"So does it always kill? You can't just take a bit of life force?"

>>20749787
"I'm so sorry." Hug Raziel. Fuck Kalak etiquette, he needs a big hug.

>>20749762
>The victims
>victim(s)
Plural. This seems like a separate incident. There was no mention of multiple sacrifices in getting here. (that I can remember)

>>20749787
"Oh, I thought you were escaping for yourself."

"Oh."

Give the spectre a hug!

>>20749787
"I never really understood how much it cost to send me here. The court wizard sacrificed himself to cast the spell while my father died holding the line against the demons.

We have far too much in common."

>>20749801
Ignore what I said here. >>20749762 Clearly remember it wrong.

>>20749787
"So if blood magic fundamentally erodes not just the body, but the spirit, does that mean when I gave up part of myself for Cassiel, I risked my very soul for the safety of his?"

>>20749787
"If you met Kaliels farther on the other side I guess that means it was her mother that.. er..

She must have loved her very much. Could you tell me anything about her?"

"I'm so sorry." you say, and give Azariel a big hug, despite the way that you're only half his size- you end up hugging his torso, instead.
"It burns away the soul." He murmured- mostly to himself.
"So.. if blood magic erodes not just the body, but the spirit, does that mean when I gave up part of myself for Cassiel, I risked my very soul for the safety of his?"
"You did." He said. "And it was a very kind gesture. Risking your soul on someone you don't know.."
He knelt, and hugged you back, rather suddenly.
"I never really understood how much it cost to send me here." You say. "The court wizard sacrificed himself to cast the spell, while my father died holding the line against the demons. We have far too much in common."
"We do." He responded. "... What I am going to say is likely going to be breaking the rules on my side of the veil."
He closed his eyes.
"I can... find your parents. And the wizard, if they still exist."

>>20749876
Don't let him break the rules. It would be unfair to him and the rest of the Kalak.

>>20749876
"It's okay, I don't want to risk yourself for me. If they're still there, I'll meet them sooner or later myself."

>>20749876
"But... Wouldn't breaking the rules of the veil endanger you? The metaphysical boundaries between physicality and spirituality aren't to be taken lightly. The Arakatoa Compact taught me that much."

>>20749876
Raziel said that people killed by demons turn out... wrong on the other side. That's why I haven't tried it before.

>>20749876
Tear up a bit.

"I want to tell you to tell them that I miss that, that I love them and that I'm making them proud. I miss him so much, he was always so strong and confident and he just disappeared from my life.

But what price is this going to cost you? Could you just find if they're there or not without paying the price?"

>victims of Blood Magic cease to exist
>Ragnarok disappeared without apparent reason
>coinsidence?

>>20749935
Yes. Grayson killed him and Grayson can't use blood magic. You can't drain the life force of somebody who's already dead.

>>20749876
If you can Tell them I love them and I am safe
don't risk your self too much

"Please don't do anything on my behalf that would get you in trouble, but if hypothetically speaking you could find and speak to my parents...just tell them that I love them, and miss them, and that I'm doing everything I can to make them proud, and that - that I'm rebuilding Arcturus."

"Raziel said that people killed by demons turn out... wrong on the other side." You say. "That's why I haven't tried it before."
"I lied to her." He said. "I didn't want her to seek her mother and find nothing."
You tear up. "I want to tell you to tell them that I miss them, that I love them and that I'm making them proud. I miss him so much, he was always so strong and confident and he just disappeared from my life."
"But... what price is this going to cost you? Could you just find if they're there or not, without paying the price?"
"The rules here.. they're complex. I don't understand all of them, but... You died, a little bit, for my son. That's the price you paid, no matter what the lord here says. I'll get that message to them. And hopefully, I'll bring one back."

And then he was gone, and you were hugging thin air.
You sniffled, and crawled into the corner, where one of raziel's forgotten pillows sat, and you spent a few minutes there, thinking- or perhaps waiting for him to return.

But as the minutes went by... you figured he wasn't returning.

With a burst of light, Azariel's spectre appeared, his wings shorn off at the shoulders, bleeding spectral ichor.

He fell to a knee, and hissed.

>>20749953

You have a good point there Sir. Though I still find it hard to believe that some random necromancer stole his soul...

rolled 69 = 69

>>20750002
Heal him.

>>20750002
"Azariel, are you okay? What happened? Is there anything I can do to help? Were they there?"

>>20750002
"Azariel!"

Then do >>20750025

>>20750025
I agree with one caveat. Ask if healing him is going to break any rules, and then use that roll to heal him up some.

>>20750002
"Azariel! You're hurt..."

We can't heal him, he's dead. We need a necromancer!

<Raz, Azariel's hurt. Come down to the cistern quickly.>

>>20750002
"Azariel! Oh no, what happened?"

>>20750004
>Ragnarok says the Void Queen will erase him
>Suddenly he's not there any more
>I wonder what happened

>>20750059
We're a sorceress. We can do anything with magic, even if we have no idea how it works.

rolled 15 = 15

>>20750059
Sorcery includes necromancy, even if we've never used it before.

Rollan for necro-healing a ghost!

>>20750089
You're an absolute idiot.

"Azariel, are you okay? What happened? Is there anything I can do to help? Were they there?" You ask. "Can I heal you?"
You raise your magic to heal him.
"No." He said. "Save your magic. I'll... live, in a way, and life magic does not work on me. Time will help me."
"Your parents... were not there." He said. "They could not exist, or they could be bound to a totem, or ... something." He said, hissing again. "But the wizard did. Save your magic for ... this."

Out from under his robe, he pulled out... a spectral book.
"Give me a blank book from that bookcase. I have spells to copy."

>>20750072
Oh yeah. Good point.
Fuck you logic and reality. We're healing a ghost!
Use this >>20750025

>>20750089
We already had a perfectly good 69, good job averaging it down into a failure.

>>20750109
Get him a book for it then.

>>20750109
"Thank you Azariel, thank you for doing this for me. I hope my parents are okay."

Get him a blank book, if he needs help transcribing it help him.

>>20750109
"Of course. If my mother was why I think, could you ask your lord if he'd show some leniency to you? Just tell him it would make me and probably my mother very happy."

>>20750109
Get the book for him quickly.

>>20750134
I don't think that will help us. Or Azariel for that matter.

>>20750109
*Hand him a book*

"Are you sure you'll be okay? You're here now but what happens when you go back to the other side?

Will the 'lord' be waiting for you? Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Thank you, Azariel, thank you for doing this for me. I hope my parents are okay." You say, giving him a book and making to hug him again- but you go right through him. He flips open the book in front of him, and the spectral book in his hand. "I do not understand the arcturian tongue. Nor what spells are contained within."

He took up a quill, and started writing.

"He had this to say." He said, copying from one book to the other. "He said that your father would be proud, proud beyond reason. That he was glad you were learning magic, and that he hopes, in his heart of hearts, that New Arcturus is as prosperous as it deserves to be. He is glad he opened that portal."

"Are you sure you'll be okay? You're here now, but what happens when you go back to the other side? Will the 'lord' be waiting for you? Is there anything I can do to help?"

He met your eyes, and chuckled. "He won't be waiting. He's busy fighting a god."

He went down to the book and continued writing.

>>20750176
"Still, anything I can do for you?... please?"

>>20750176
"So there really are gods? N-no, wait, don't answer that."

>>20750176
"I suppose that's one of those things you can't talk about?"

>>20750176
"I'm guessing this is another of those things you're not allowed to talk about.

I do want to help you, in any way I can. You just got yourself hurt to send a message to someone I though I lost forever. Thank you."

"So there really are gods?" You ask. "N-no, wait, don't answer that."
"As you wish."
"I suppose that's one of those things you can't talk about?"
"Correct."
"I do want to help you, in any way I can. You just got yourself hurt to send a message to someone I thought I lost forever. Thank you."
"I didn't get hurt for that." He said. "I got hurt for getting this book to you. This... is not a book made of leather, or of paper. It is a book made of the *soul*. It is one's ability for magic itself. I'm copying it, yes, but I'm... keeping it, too."

Suddenly, he set down the quill, and slid the arcturan spellbook toward you.
Then, he shoved the spectral book inside of himself. His fingers twitched, and his shorn wings stopped bleeding strange, ectoplasmic ichor.
"All in all, a fair trade." He said. A small sphere of fire appeared above his palm. "My evocation is back."

>>20750176
"A god?"

>>20750263
"Oh? It did that, even though you couldn't read it?"

>>20750263
"You took that from him by force?"

>>20750263
"Sacrificing one's wings seems to be a staple for Kalak wizards. I'm not sure if I can approve of that."

>>20750263
"So... I hold in my hands the last remaining font of knowledge of old Arcturian wizardry. This is impossibly precious. I just... Thank you."

>>20750263
"I'm happy for you. Try to be nice with your unsealed magic, don't go hurting anyone I care about.

Did the Wizard give this up willingly without coercion?"

"Sacrificing one's wings seems to be a staple for kalak wizards." You say. "I'm not sure if I can approve of that."
"Oh, I didn't sacrifice them." He said. "They were torn off."
"So... I hold in my hands the last remaining font of knowledge of old Arcturian wizardry." You say. "This is impossibly precious. I just... thank you."
"It's also... made of memories. Examine the back." He said. "But I had best go. I think... I've accidentally riled up my side of the veil, and I'd best to my job to put it back to normal, before wraiths and ghasts start coming here."

He vanished, once again.

>>20750347
Examine the shit out of that book. Starting with the back, then the first page.

>>20750347
Well, examine the back of the book, you queen.

>>20750347
Well, time to call up Team Girl Squad to tell them all about what just happened.

Kaliel, Raziel, and Marigold. And maybe also Zeke if he wants, because it was his dad who was involved.

>>20750347
Read it from back to front.

>>20750369
Kaliel is busy, Raziel is "busy", Marigold is free.

We should first read the book, front to back, before we do anything else.

>>20750427
Agreed. Somewhere that people wouldn't think to search for Ishy also.

>>20750427
I assume it's been a few hours, or at least long enough for Raziel to have finished up. Kaliel said we can pull her off of her project if it's important, which this is.
I do however agree to reading the book first.

Shouldn't we be showing the magic book to Zeke? Not the rest of them?

>>20750474
He wouldn't be able to read it.

>>20750474
Marigold's the only other one who can read Arcturan, and she hasn't learnt magic yet.

>>20750465
It hasn't been all that long and you're severely underestimating both Raz and Kris. I'd just give them the rest of the day off, maybe courier them some cookies and dinner so they can have a snack.

>>20750482
>>20750487
But Zeke's our wizarding teacher. He's the one who should know that we've got a book of wizardry. I didn't even think Marigold wanted to learn magic.

>>20750482
The only people who can read it are Ishy and Mar.
Marigold is trying to learn wizardry, so we should consider letting her use it.

Raziel should be told about it (eventually) because it's her father who just made a sacrifice on our behalf, and she's the Necromancer, and Azariel just stirred up his side of the veil.
Zeke should be told about it because it's his father who just made a sacrifice on our behalf, and he's our Wizardry teacher.
Kaliel should be told because she's our girlfriend and we tell her everything, but also because Azariel is a father figure to her.
Marigold should be told because she's our best friend and we tell her everything, and also because it's an Arcturian legacy.

That being said, we don't need to tell anyone right the fuck now. We can wait awhile.

You curl up in the corner, and flip open the book. The first few pages are how to channel your magic, and the next few are basic spells, similar to the ones Zeke had taught you. From what it reads like, they're exactly similar, albeit with different words of power and somatic components. as you read on further, you get to more complicated spells and runes, and even further, you get long treatises and essays on how to cast without using components- though your skill isn't powerful enough for that, yet, so you skip on, simply skimming the book; you can read it in more detail later, you reason. Finally, you get to the last page, and there's a letter there.
>Field too long!

>>20750551
Anything I would normally say here would not be enough. I have too much to say, and too little time to write, and so I will keep it short.
Arcturus is your home. Even with the demons, even with the end of the world, I have no doubt in my mind that you have the same power as your father, and his father before him, all the way up to the line of Dave. But also, know this.
There has never been a female heir to the crown. No sorcerer-king of arcturus has ever had a daughter in the history of the world. Your power is special.
You are unique. And I have a firm belief that, in whatever world you ended up in, you will amass a greater power than Arcturus has ever known.
Your ally, Azariel, told me you were learning magic the way wizards do, to supplement your power. For this reason, I give you this spell.
It will, when you're ready, when you are powerful enough to cast it without sa... it will open a portal to Arcturus. I give you this for one reason, and one reason only.
Your father isn't here.
Because he's alive.

Your dearest servant,
The 62nd Archwizard of Arcturus,
Merlin.

>End of thread!

>>20750561
>without sa...
>without sacrifice...

>>20750561
Why hello there, long-term goal, how are you today?

>>20750561
A few threads ago, you said we weren't locked into a Kaliel route and could still, well, pursue alternative paths. Since then, whenever a post suggested Ishelda shows some interest in Raziel, however small the display of potentially romantic interest was, you've either not used these for your replies, or simply ignored the part where Ishelda showed the tiniest hint of interest in Raz.

When Raziel was kissed by the ogre before the battle to close the portal, we reacted with jealousy. This thread, you had Ishelda more or less encourage her to get back together with Kristoph, instead of reacting hurt, upset, or jealous in any way.

I'm not really sure what to make of that.

I can't speak for the other anons who wrote posts with Raz in mind, but if you don't want us to do that, just say so. I'll stop writing them. I'm just unsure because you said it would still be possible to pursue her, and then you go on and ignore the relevant parts of the posts concerning Raziel. Because that kinda sucks.

Also, I won't be able to reply to answers to this today, but I'd be grateful if you could reply. I just stayed (half)awake to wait for the end of the quest to post this.

>>20750561
That's cool and all, but we already opened a portal to Arcturus without sacrifice. It's easy, you just have to roll a 100.

Didn't we see VQ kill daddy?

>>20750588
Although I did see that post, most of the replies were based around saying 'well, okay go ahead' and leaving. That's what consensus was on. If consensus completely switches to pursuing Raziel, I'll go with it, just as I would if consensus was on perusing Marigold or, hell, reviving Eidolon and romancing him. The few threads ago, when Sker kissed Raziel, consensus was on being jealous. That's what I pay attention to.

>>20750588
I just dislike Kaliel route in general, seems to be moving ridiculously fast. Which, I hope, is foreshadowing for some serious troubles if not a crash. Though in general the relationship seems pretty kiddy and more "My First Love" than something super srs that lasts forever.

>reviving Eidolon and romancing him

That's an option?

I know what I'm pushing for now.

>>20750636
He's already happily married, he probably isn't going to be at all receptive to us romancing him.

>>20750636
It's a non-sanctioned, shitty option, but I'd be a horrible runner if I railroaded you guys away from horrible ideas that would likely end up with people dead and Eidolon's wife *incredibly* unhappy.

>>20750627
>Ishelda: Spent life in a castle, introverted, scared off anyone who dared talk to her except for Marigold and Henrietta.
>Kaliel: Creepy kalak chick, spent life in a tower talking to only Cassiel, avoided the rest of her family for the most part.
>Kiddy and more 'My First Love'

Yep.

>>20750623
You replied much faster than I thought you would, so I guess I can hold on another 10-15 minutes and still write coherent stuff.

It's not just this thread. Whenever we did something for Raziel, and a few posts wanted to do something that could convey our interest in Raziel to her, you didn't include it.

This time we had people who wanted Ishelda to flee the scene, 1 post respectively supporting being disappointed or jealous, and 1 guy who wanted to give them the day off.
You went with the guy who wanted to support them.

That's not exactly consensus.

Lack of sleep is probably making a bit more annoyed by this than I should be. It just feels like the direction I want to influence this in is just ignored not only in this thread, but for the last 4-6.

>>20750668
Yeah, I don't think people realize or remember just how creepy Ishelda was.

I mean, she was freaky enough that Fellwind called her a monster. Even though he was wrong, it speaks to how she little she thought about how she presented herself to others. That Ishelda didn't have any real friends outside of her family to mourn speaks volumes.

Kaliel and Ishelda are probably more alike than any other two characters in the quest, excepting maybe Ragnarok and Gehenna.

What happened in the post with raziel kissing kris?

I thought she didnt like him anymore? Also, thay decision she was talking about. Did she mean getting pregnant and wanting him as a father?