>>22056396
"Did you do this? You can't get the sword in real life, much less my dreams."

>>22056396
"Look, Gabriel, I know what happens if you get the sword. So, we need to work something out between us. What do you actually want to sword *for*?"

"I'm sure I'm just as thrilled with this as you are."

Rolled 18

>>22056396
Rolling to strangle him

"Did you do this?" You ask in response. "You can't get the sword in real life, much less my dreams."
"Hmph, trying to get your sword hasn't worked the past several times, so I gave up." Gabriel responded. "I didn't do this."
"I'm sure I'm just as thrilled with this as you are. Look, Gabriel-"
"... That's *not* my name." He snarled, suddenly, with a vehemence so great it startled you. "While we're here, without our shells, without identities you call me One Over Forty-Two. I don't *care* how cumbersome that is."
"Look, One-Over-Forty-two." You say. "I know what happens if you get the sword. So, we need to work something out between us. What do you actually want the sword *for*?"
His mouth opened for a moment, then closed. He licked his lips, as if hesitant.
"... I want to gain control." He said. "I want my name back. I want to hide. To not be part of the story. I want to get out of this... this... whatever this is. I want to sit in silence, instead of being trapped in this... this..."
He shook his head.
"You wouldn't understand. You're still Abel. I'm not talking to Abel. I'm talking to *you*. The thousand of minds hiding beneath Abel's eyes."

>>22056506
>Whoops, forgot to fix my name. Hah.

>>22056506
"Sure. Whatever."

Wake up.

>>22056506
"You talkin' to me?"

>>22056506
"Right. Unless I'm missing something, nothing's forcing you to 'participate in the story,' as it were."

>>22056506
Protip bro: You won't appear if you don't come after us. That ok?

I'm thinking this is the point where we're supposed to realize that Gabriel is only a "bad guy" because he's not a viewpoint character.

>>22056620
Dude tried to kill us a few times without talking shit out. He's a bad guy.

>>22056515
>mfw i didn't even notice the name change

"Right." You say. "Unless I'm missing something, nothing's forcing you to 'participate in the story,' as it were."
He paused, and then chuckled, bitterly. "I don't have a choice." He said. "I see... hints. Everywhere I walk, of what I'm missing. Every name that's important is hiding in this world, every name that matters, except for mine! Mine, and... and *his*."
He shook his head, and you opened your mough to speak again, but he interrupted you.
"Listen, Abel. Listen, the one hiding behind his eyes. This... this is my name."
The eyes stopped glowing and closed, and he took in a deep breath, before his lips parted. The sound was screeching, so loud that it tore at your ears, painful, painful. Your vision blurred, and great blue scars scratched across the surfaces of the eternal darkness around you, and you fell to your knees. When you look up again, he was on his own knees, scratches covering his body, some strange, ethereal energy seeping from them.
He was... sobbing.
"Look." He said, his voice thick. "Look at what just a single name does to me. And this is my name. If I said... if I said his, I would be gone."
He took a deep, rattling breath.
>Field too long!

"Names are what we are. And I don't have mine. I'm nobody. I'm *Gabriel*, and old madman who spent too long in the Skiitaran army. A thin character, one that was never meant to be played... until *you* decided things were too boring. *you* forced me here."
He snarled, and got to his feet, trying to take a step forward.
"And the things I'm going to do to you... To do to this world because of it... I can't lose anything, now."
He took a struggling step forward, trying to step through the strange pressing force. A drifting, enormous translucent squid, with blazing red eyes, staring at you. The eyes of a stranger.
<... I think it's time you woke up.> Ares said, as the tentacles wrapped around you.

---

You snap awake, coiled in Cass's tail. Kale and Ariana were nowhere to be found, and Tannis was sleeping. Astora was sitting at the fire, facing the wall- and her shadow was moving around, in the shape of Ariana.

>>22056803
>I accidentally a few words. Whoops!
>An enormous, drifting squid arrived from the side, tentacles spread, as if from nowhere. It bore blazing red eyes, and stared only at you.

>>22056803
Go back to sleep, enjoy Cass's company.

>>22056803
Man, this dude has problems.

>>22056803
Oh. I suppose that's where the space squids went... Say, Abel, don't you happen to have the strange urge to brew some Tea?

>>22056786
So Gabriel is evil because of all the bitching in the first thread?

Disturbed mildly by your dream, you closed your eyes again, and went back to sleep.

When you came to again, you were suddenly very cold- apparently Cass had gotten up. You open your eyes, and Kale was sitting there, staring down at you.

"... Good morning!" He said, grinning as always. "They have food, and asked me to awaken you. So awaken, mister adventurer!"
You get to your feet, and see that once again Ariana was making more soup, filled with strips of last night's rabbit and the rest of your rations, making it a large pot with whatever anyone could add. Tannis frowned, and decided not to have any soup, preferring to gnaw on smoked rabbit.
"Morning!" Ariana said, serving up your soup.
"Hey, Abel." Cass said, and gave you a small smile- one that seemed rather cold, compared to her normal smiles.
Astora didn't seem to notice you, too focused on her soup- and holding the elbow of her flaming side, biting her lip for a moment, before going back to eating.
You eye the small pile of the cooking gear you'd used to try making black powder, suddenly remembering it.

>>22056961
"Morning everyone!"

Go extract those potassium nitrate crystals, grind them up and mix with the charcoal dust.

>>22056961
"Something wrong, Cass?"

"Morning everyone!" you say, and slurp up the rest of your soup.
"Something wrong, Cass?"
"Not really." She said, giving you a more geniuine smile. "Sorry if I woke you up this morning- my tail got all bigger and more trollish for a bit."
Your meal done, you make your way over to the cooking gear. Ariana and Tannis quietly watch you, Tannis wrinkling her nose at the smell. You quickly get what you can, eventually grinding down the constituent components, and mixing them into a small pile of black powder, which you pour into a simple herb pouch.
>Gunpowder (half full) acquired!
"That smells like that one loud weapon Argent used, back in that one village." Tannis said, then shrugged.

>>22057080
"That's because it is, Tannis."

>>22057080
"I know."

>>22057080
"It is a vital part of the weapon. When he used it, i remembered a bit about how to build firearms. I don't think i can make a advanced one such as Gabriel had, but it could still come in useful."

>>22057118
As an addendum/modification to this...

"It'll come in handy if we need to make a distraction."

>>22057080
"It's only part of it. What I've made is probably the simplest component."

"That's because it is, Tannis." You say.
"... That's interesting." She said.
"When he used it, I remembered a bit about how to build firearms. I don't think I can make an advanced one like the one Gabriel had, but it could still come in useful or come in handy if we need to make a distraction."
"That's a good idea." Ariana said.

"... When will we set out?" Astora asked, picking up camp already. You notice that she wasn't wearing her armor- apparently she'd given up trying to wear it while walking.
"When we're all ready." Cass responded, and the two of them glared at one another, instantly hostile.

>>22057155
"Okay, what's got you two at each others' throats?"

"Okay, what's got you two at eachother's throats?"
"... Nothing." Astora said, suddenly smiling pleasantly- or at least, trying to.
"Nothing at all." Cass responded, refusing to look away from Astora.
The two of them 'hmphed' and continued picking up camp, while you rinsed out and cleaned the cooking gear you'd used for your alchemy, while Kale went back to juggling, waiting patiently.
"You were twitching and murmuring in your sleep." Ariana said, quietly, once everyone's attention was elsewhere. "Did my Gift... well, bother you?"

>>22057264
>Welp, my trip fell off.
>Also, I'm losing my internet intermittently, so I'm sorry if there's a longer than normal delay between posts.

>>22057264
"No, no. I'm pretty sure it was entirely unrelated to your Gift."

>>22057264
"Not your gift, no."

>>22057264
Oh, don't worry Ariana. It was something else, I think.

"No, not your gift. I'm pretty sure it was entirely unrelated to your gift." You say.
"Well, if you ever want to talk about it, I'll be here." She said, and patted your shoulder.
Ariana and Astora pulled on their traveling cloaks, almost identically, and Tannis continually threw more and more rocks into Kale's hands until he couldn't juggle all of them, and Cass heaved up her spear, and everyone was ready.
"I'll lead all of you back to the road." Kale said, grinning. "I have a rather good memory, after all."

Taking you up the winding caves, and letting the fire in the cavern die down, the group made their way out of the cave, through the bushes and trees, eventually back to the road itself.
"To Amberway." Ariana said, with another glance to the map, and the six of you continued walking.

Eventually, however, there was bustling ahead of you, and the unmistakable clink of plate.
"Shh." Astora said, and covered her eye with her human hand. She focused, and and then nodded.
"There's a group of Order Knights on the road." She said, quietly. "Three of them."
Ariana stepped back, Cass tightened her grip on her spear, and Kale tilted his head.
"What are order knights?" Kale asked.

>>22057408
"They're the ones that tried to hang you, Kale."

"Do you think you could use your Glamour to make us all invisible?"

>>22057408
"A militant order that forgot their purpose. They're...less than fond of magic. And by extension, magical beings. Like elves. Or changelings. Or witches."

Be QUIET about our infodump and try to impress on Kale to be so, too.

"They're the ones that tried to hang you, Kale." You say. "They're... less than fond of magic. And by extension, magical beings. Like elves. Or changelings. Or witches."
"... That's troubling." He said, but it didn't effect his constant smile. "I'll make certain not to try to befriend them, then."
"Do you think you could use your Glamour to make us all invisible?"
"Invisible? That'd be quite tiring for me, and it would need to be perfect." He said. "Even for us fey, hiding doesn't come easy. It's much easier to distract them, and with this many people..."
He shrugged, and then looked around, still grinning brilliantly. "Might be easier just to go around. I haven't been in this part of the forest for quite some time, so things could have changed, but I won't lose my bearings."

>>22057466
"Lead the way."

>>22057476
May as attempt it.

>>22057466
Sounds like our best option. "Lead on, Kale, and let's hope they aren't tracking us."

"Lead the way, Kale." You say. "And let's hope they aren't tracking us."
"It will be the end of the moon itself the day a mortal tracks an elf." He said, grinning.

Kale steps off of the road, and the rest of you follow, as the group creeps through the wood. Once or twice, he shushes Astora for stepping on the wrong branch, but continues creeping along, through bushes, until you were long past the knights.
"Now we'll try to make our way back to the road, right?" Kale asked, and continued on.

It wasn't long before you trip over something covered in vines, collapsing in the bush.
He shushed you, and pulled you to your feet, before glancing at what you tripped over.

He promptly stopped smiling.

He started scrambling backward, refusing to take his eye off of the object you tripped over, and then *stumbled* against a tree, taking a deep breath. You look down to the object you'd tripped over, and it looked like a large mass of rusted steel, halfway buried underground, and vines crawled over it, making it almost impossible to see unless you tripped over it- which you did. It'd obviously been here for a long, long time- maybe centuries.
"What's this?" Ariana asked whispering, putting her hand over it, brushing aside some of the leaves, and you can see the words 'Lellvoc' inscribed in the back.
"... One of the Forged." Kale whispered in response. "Do not wake it up."

>>22057548
>inscribed in the back
>'inscribed in the rusted metal,' even.

Rolled 42

>>22057548
but they don't need to track you kale, they just need to track us, or at least Astora or little Ari.

(going on the assumption of abel having forestwalk due to hunting, cass having it due to wild living, and tannis due to her distinctively cat-like personality)

Rolled 37

>>22057548
>>22057570
shit, disregard that post, I made it before reading the rest of the exa-post...

>>22057548
"the forged?, do you care to explain what that means kale"

(question, kale the elf is a mockery of kaleanon from looking for group yes?)

>>22057548
"The Forged? What is that?"

>>22057593
>No, elves in this setting are vastly more feylike than standard D&D elves, and I haven't read Looking for Group. The name's just a coincidence.

"The Forged?" You ask. "What is that, Kale?"
He gulped.
"Mortals once built great machines to fight one another." He said, his voice low and shaking. "Burned down our forests, created deserts, shook an entire island below the sea. The mortals were long dead and gone from their war, but their... machines remain. The Forged remain, and they're not fooled by glamour or trickery."
"... Should we smash it?" Astora asked. "Or burn it?"
"They... they don't burn, and we would need immense power to smash one." Kale said, wiping his brow.

>>22057641
"What? How long ago was this?"

"How are they controlled?"

"What? How long ago was this?"
"... I was newly born when the war between the mortals began." He said. "They struck deep into the mountains to find more copper, always copper."
"How are they controlled?"
"... They aren't." He says. "They don't. They just... just kill. The trees remember men with great copper staves controlling them, but those mortals died long ago."
"If we found one of these staves, could we control them?" Tannis asked. "Eldin would certainly be interested in that."
"... These things are soulless, maenad." Kale said, shivering.

>>22057729
"Right. Let's leave well enough alone and move on, then."

>>22057729
"Another time, perhaps. Let's get back on the road."

"Right." You say. "Let's leave well enough alone and move on, then."
"Yes." Cass said, with a wary look to the vine-covered, rusted object.
"Reminds me of a scorpion." Astora said, then sighed.
Warily, Kale made his way back to the road, everybody following him, and then you continued along the road.

As time passed, the trees thinned, until you were walking along a flat area with shrubs and the occasional tree here or there, Amberway far in the distance. You eventually reach a split in the road, with a sign that showed that one way was to Kroyton and Dalruan, and the other way was the road to Amberway.
You continued walking for quite some time, as Astora panting and exhausted. Noon passed, and you stopped for lunch at the side of the road, before continuing on, reaching the large, closed city gates a few hours before sundown.
The guard at the front of the gate stood there silently, appraising the group.

Astora's flaming hand was hidden behind her back, shimmering and humanlike, while Kale was still smiling brilliantly, his ears rounded like a human's, and his hair a more normal shade. As you glance at him, his ears and hair blur a bit as you peer through the glamour.

The guard raises an eyebrow. "Welcome to the city of Amberway, ruled by Queen Ursae. What would be your purpose here, travelers?"

>>22057865
"Nothing much good sir, just road weary and looking for somewhere to take a few days off from all the walking."

>>22057865
"We're just passing through. We missed a boat at Garamon and were told here would be the best place to possibly pick it up".

Rolled 89

>>22057865
make a point of marking our approximate location on the map; we might in the fullness of times find a lightning rod to control it with...or Ari might get the gift of the lightnings...

>>22057865
"our purpose is both to carry a message, and as visitors to the city.

consequently do you know of anyplace to find some short term local jobs? Our funds aren't nearly as well off as I'd like"

>>22057641
I figured abiut the feylike stuff, but the first meeting with kale reminded me of the first couple of panels of that web-comic is all

>>22057991
Telling him we're carrying a message is the worst thing we could say in this situation.

"We're just passing through." You say. "We missed a boat at Garamon and we were told that here would be the best place to possibly pick it up."
"Well, the Silver Serpent was planned to go to Atlask in a few days... I'll need your names."
"Abel Byrne." You say.
"Ariana and Astora Catastra." Astora said.
"Tannis, Kale, and Cassandra Sandborne." Tannis said.
"Sandborne? Going home, then?" The guard asked, and Tannis nodded. He scribbled down the names, and hollered to the gatekeeper, who rung the bell, and the gates opened for you.

You were used to Sardin, and to Garamon- Both prosperous, rich cities. Amberway was... different. Piles of logs made up small buildings, and the alleyways were dark and wandering. Urchins chased stray cats with wooden knives, and stray cats chased rats, with the guards on patrol. At least once you see two guards start whaling on a man in rags, pulling him aside and away from the 'civilized' part of the city.
Tannis sniffed, and started walking. "I smell something." She said.

>>22058012
"Lead the way, Tannis, I'm guessing you know how we can find the Maenad group here?"

>>22058012
"What kind of smell are we talking here?"

Rolled 72

>>22058012
"is it something we should worry about? or something for other people to worry about?"

"What kind of smell are we talking here?"
"A territory smell." She said. "Like Anakata's smell."
"Lead the way, Tannis." you say, and she continued walking, eventually turning off of the main street to go down a long, dirt-floored alleyway. Her eyes darted over to two stray cats, and the cats quickly scrambled up a few protruding logs and away, as Tannis led you closer into the alleyway.

"... Well, well, well." You hear someone say behind you. Turning around to the exit of the alleyway, you see three half-human maenads, claws sticking out of their fingertips, and at the front was a black-haired maenad, scars covering her face. "It's Tannis."
"Anakata." Tannis responded. "We've a message from Eldin."
"Oh? What is it, then?" The black-haired maenad asked, raising an eyebrow. You hear footsteps behind you, and some more maenads walk up behind you- you were surrounded, with maenads on both sides of you, trapping you in the alleyway. Cass tightened her grip on her spear, and Astora simply raised her flaming arm, covering her eye with her other hand.
"... I, um, forgot." Tannis responded. "But Abel knows."
"... A man?" Anakata asked, stepping closer to the group. "Very well, what is this message from our illustrious leader, Abel?"

>>22058153
"Eldin told me to tell you 'Garamon was a success, he'll be here in two weeks'. I think that was it, unless I forgot something."

>>22058153
"This place is a dump, why would you want to take over here?"

"Eldin told me to tell you that 'Garamon was a success, he'll be here in two weeks.'" You say. "I think that was it, unless I forgot something."
"That's all the information we needed." Anakata said and the corner of her mouth quivered. "We will prepare immediately."
She nodded to the maenad behind you, and they suddenly turned into cats, leaping up and out of the alleyway, climbing up the protruding logs from the buildings to either side of you. As quickly as the cat-shapeshifters had arrived, they were gone, save for Anakata. She walked right by the group, further into the alleyway, and Cass lowered her spear, Astora lowering her hand.
"Follow." Anakata said. It wasn't a request- it was some kind of order, by the sound of it. Ariana and Cass's eyes met.

>>22058262
"Any idea what she wants, Tannis?"

>>22058262
Follow her, but cautiously. I'd prefer it with we had enough distance to plant an arrow in her if needed, but that's not likely to happen, so keep a tight grip on our sword.

>>22058262
"here we go again, another advenutre."
Follow

"Any idea what she wants, Tannis?"
Tannis frowned.
"I've an idea, yes." She said, quietly. "This isn't fair. They won't let us leave if we don't obey her."
"... Here we go again, another adventure." You say, and keep a tight grip on your sword, following Anakata. The alleyway got lower and lower, the dirt sinking downward, until it was less of an alleyway, and more of a tunnel, going steadily downward. The further down you got, the more perplexed you were- the walls were all always wood, though mostly rotted, but who would put wooden walls in this far underground? Dozens of pairs of feline eyes watch you enter, until you reach a large, underground chamber, in the near dark, the only light coming from Ariana's hand, the eyes following you.
"Eldin is coming in two weeks." Anakata called out. "We need to be ready by then."
There was a chorus of meows, and Anakata hissed, as they all went silent.
"... If you do this properly," She said. "You will be rewarded."
"... You're not thinking of-" Tannis said, but Anakata silenced her with another hiss.
"Eldin sent us a human." Anakata said. "The first prowl to finish digging gets to hunt him."
"But Eldin told me that Abel wasn't-"
"Eldin's not here right now." Anakata said, her tail puffing up.

>>22058478
>the only light coming from Ariana's hand
>ASTORA, not ariana. Damnit.

>>22058478
"I'll have you know that they call me an Angel in some circles, thank you very much."

>>22058478
I'm sorry but I already am travelling with five lovely ladies. I'll be taking my leave, and I wouldn't follow, unless you really want to get hurt.

>>22058478
"Eldin's not here now, but he will be. Regardless, my message is delivered. We'll be leaving now."

Execute subtle threat with hand on sword.

>>22058478
Try and tap into your Angelic memories to see if there's anything you can do to distract a horde of Maeneds.
Failing that ask your sword for advice.

>>22058478
"Eldin needs to take more care choosing his help."

Rolled 50

>>22058478
tannis, tell me what the hell is going on right now.

(if/when anakata silences or tries to silence her) "you can shut the hell up right now!";(back to tannis) "I asked you a question tannis, would you kindly answer it"

if we get no answer then we turn the hell around and walk back out with astora to leave a wall of flames behind us to gaurd our back; fight our way throuh any who would stop us but leave them otherwise alone

"I never offered to be hunted good digging little kitties"

>>22058544
This plus loosening the sword in its scabbard.

>>22058478
"No, no and no."

>>22058478
We're in a confined space.
I know what we should do.

"Astora, you remember that thing I made earlier? I'm going to throw it. When it touches the ground, please light it on fire."

>>22058623
>... I seriously recommend not calling them kitties.

"Eldin's not here now, but he will be." You say. "Regardless, my message is delivered. We'll be leaving now."
You put your hand on your sword loosening it out of your scabbard, and make to leave, but there were two humanoid maenads standing there, claws unsheathed.
"No worries." Anakata said. "All of you can go, save for the human. Abel needs to stay. I promised a Hunt, and so that is what I must give my subjects."
Tannis's catlike ears poked out of her head, and her claws unsheathed, her tail spurting from her back, already puffed up. A strange sort of tension entered the chamber, and all of the maenads, save for Anakata and Tannis, backed up toward the walls of the chamber, giving them space.
"Tannis, tell me what the hell is going on right now." You say.
"... Anakata here intends to set you loose in this underground city, and set a prowl on you. There they will hunt you down, capture you, have their fun, and strip the meat off of your bones." Tannis said- her teeth were fangs. "As is her right as the empress of this pack."

>>22058679
Seconding >>22058675
Throw that gunpowder pouch right at Anakata's feet.

>>22058679
"How about two weeks head start? Make it interesting."

>>22058692
Adding on to this, say
"Cover your ears and eyes."

>>22058692
Blow her to smithereens.
Although I'm not sure if we have enough gunpowder for much of an explosion...

Rolled 20

>>22058679
"is that so?"

"how about not."

and when she doesn't let us leave, well then we personally kick her sorry ass, solo if nobody will help or if they're occupied b the other meanads...

>>22058744
I'm thinking it'll be a better distraction more than anything. We're in a dark, confined space, the noise and light should disorient the cats enough for us to escape.

Rolled 97

>>22058744
we might, if we had it in a rigid container.

loose in a pouch like we have it it'll just burn hot and fast and with great big billowing clouds of smoke

>>22058679
"She wants to give them a hunt, they can hunt her. I'll not be playing."

The gunpowder would be a great idea...except that it doesn't have an ignition source, so we'd have to use flint or Astora's Gift of Fire to set it off.

>>22058679
"I can see why the Order repressed species such as you."

Rolled 87

>>22058788
>>22058785
as a distraction certainly.
and the bright light will blind the kitties for a little while while we run...

"Astora, you remember that thing I made earlier?" You ask. Silently, she nods. "I'm going to throw it. When it touches the ground, please light it on fire. Cover your eyes and ears."
In a single movement, you throw it, and it bursts into flame. Instantly, at the same time, your group made to bolt out the way you got in, pushing through the distracted maenads.

Each of the shapeshifters' ears followed the small, flaming pouch... and when the bang went off, they all started yowling, covering their ears, while you push your way past incapacitated maenads and rush out of there, running as quickly as possible.

Panting, you rush out of the underground tunnels, Cass in the lead, her spear in hand. A maenad guard in the way suddenly shifted human, and Cass barreled her over, striking her with the blunt end of her spear. Soon enough, the group was out in the main street, protected by the patrolling guards, panting.

"Wait." Ariana said, looking around. "Where's Tannis?"
You, Kale, Cass, Astora, and Ariana were there, panting.
Tannis was nowhere to be seen.

>>22058826
"Can you Gift of Sight her, Astora?"

>>22058826
"We should find her. She sounded genuinely concerned for us."

Rolled 2

>>22058826
"Oh pants. I guess we'll have to go back and find her, before she gets into too much trouble with Anakata."

"Can you Gift of Sight her, Astora?"
Silently, the witch nodded, and started trying to calm herself.
"Once... once I can... can breathe..." Astora said. She covered her eye with her hand, and focused, and then shook her head. "Can't... Can't see her. Too dark. Things are moving down there, though. Like... like a fight."
She took her hand away from her eye, and sat down on the street, breathing heavily. A guard raised his eyebrow, but patrolled despite that.
A few moments passed, and you got to your feet again.
"We should find her." You say. "She sounded genuinely concerned for us."
"No... need." Tannis said, leaning in the alleyway. She was bleeding badly, incredibly scratched, and one of her catlike ears was ragged, most of it torn off, her hair matted with blood. "Can't... shift... though."
Her leg collapsed underneath her, and she fell.

However, she raised her hand. In it was a black-furred tail, and she gave you a small grin.

>>22058999
Is... Is that a murder present?

"That's fantastic. You're awesome Tannis."

Give her a pat on the head.

>>22058999
"You did good Tannis, just rest, we'll take care of you."

Okay, let's wrap her up in a cloak to keep the ears hidden, give her a pet or two to reassure her, and then find an inn to rest for the night so we have somewhere to sleep and bandage Tannis up.

>>22058999
"Oh my. Well done, Tannis."

Stroke her.

"You did good, Tannis." You say. "Just rest, we'll take care of you."
You pat her on the head, and she winces, while Ariana steals the medical pack from your bag, wrapping up the worst scratches and Tannis's ear.
"Okay." She said, her eyes drifting closed. "Don't... don't worry about Anakata. They're probably... probably tearing out her fur now. To lose your tail in a duel... shameful."
"Well done, Tannis." You say, and gently pat her again. Quietly, she starts purring, and falls asleep.

"Fifteen copper." The innkeeper said, and the coins already on his counter, as the six of you slowly made your way up the stairs to your room for the night, the cloak-wrapped Tannis leaning on you. The room was small, and there was only a single bed- If by bed, you mean mattress on several wooden planks, with the squeaking of mice somewhere in the tavern, and there was a draft, but it was large enough for all of you, not to mention more comfortable than outside.
Tannis's eyes were half-lidded as you and Ariana bandaged her up the rest of the way, Anakata's severed tail gripped tightly in the maenad's claws. Even in sleep, she'd refused to let go. Finally, her eyes opened.
"You did good, Tannis." Ariana said.
"I know." Tannis responded, and stretched.

>>22058999
>>22059133
>I should stop dropping my trip.

>>22059133
"Thank you Tannis, you risked yourself for us and I won't forget this. You should take it easy and rest, you got scratched up pretty bad."

>>22059133
See if we can block some of the holes letting in the draft with our cloak or bags or something.

What time is it? is there still enough time to look around town?

"I don't suppose Maenids heal particularly quickly?

>>22059133
"I'll go out and bring us back something to eat. What do you want, Tannis?"

"Thank you, Tannis." You say. "You risked yourself for us, and I won't forget this."
"'S what Eldin would have wanted." Tannis said. "An' I always wanted my own pride, anyway."
"You should take it easy and rest. You got scratched up pretty bad." You say. "I don't suppose maenads heal particularly quickly?"
"... New moons." She said, eyes half lidded. "If it was a new moon, my ear would be back. But it's not... so it's gone forever. if I rest, my strength will be back in a few days."
"I'll go out and bring us back something to eat." You say. "What do you want, Tannis?"
"...Fish." She said, smiling. "I like fish. Reminds me of Lys."

>>22059238
"Alright. I'll go find a market or somewhere to get some food. Anyone want to come with?"

>>22059238
"Come on Astora: To the fishmonger!"

"Cass, take care of her please."

>>22059238
"Eldin had that gift that let him heal people right? When we get back to Garamon, he might be able to get your ear back."

"Alright, I'll go find a market or somewhere to get some food." You say. "Anyone want to come with?"
"I will." Astora said, absentmindedly holding her Gift of Flame's wrist, nodding. She focused, and tried to use the Gift of Sight on her arm, but it blurred, and returned to a simple flaming hand.

"Ah, you're no expert in the nature of glamors, miss." Kale said, grinning. "Let me show you."
He focused, and the glamour weaved around Astora's hand, making it look very human.
Astora nodded, and got to her feet, still holding it.
"Come on, Astora. To the fishmonger!" You say. "Cass, take care of her, please."
"I will." Cass responded.
Together, you and Astora left the inn, wandering closer to the harbor, keeping an eye out for a fishmonger.
"... That was very clever." Astora said, finally, an eye out to the sea. "With that alchemic bang. Good use of teamwork."

>>22059326
"If I had more time, I could make a version that would have mauled all of them. Gunpowder is dangerous stuff."

>>22059326
"Thank you. It wasn't really a bang or alchemy though, more of a explosive conflagration."

>>22059326
It was a bit of fun, wasn't it?

>>22059326
"Thank you. I figured that if I know things I have no business knowing I may as well make use of them. Gunpowder is dangerous stuff, if you make a gun you can send a hunk of metal at someone faster than sound with it."

>>22059326
"to be honest, I was planning on saving that stuff. oh well, i can always make more. maybe make of it next time."

>>22059326
"Is everything between you and Cass ok?"

>>22059326
We should buy the biggest fish possible when we find an appropriate shop."

>>22059326
"Thanks, I'd have preferred to escape with none of us losing our ears, but I'll take what I can get."

>>22059326
"It's simple enough to make. I could show you how, if you want. It compliments your fire-skill quite nicely."

>>22059326
"Thanks. We're lucky that turned out as well as it did."

>>22059407
We should probably hang onto our gunpowder monopoly for now.

>>22059431
I'm sure she'd agree not to tell anyone else if we asked her.

>>22059452
she also might have trouble making it, you know, with the flaming hand n' all...

"Thank you." You say. "If I had more time, I could make a version that would have mauled all of them. Gunpowder is dangerous stuff."
She eyed you, and then gave you a genuine smile. "Good to know. Having many of those in entire satchels would be useful, especially with my familiar. Just... drop them on the Order. No more Order."
"It's simple enough to make. I could show you how, if you want. It compliments your fire skill quite nicely."
She glanced at her arm, and then nodded.
"I'd like that." She said, and continued walking. "A lot. I... have problems with my Gift, sometimes, if I use it too much. But that's not important."
"We should buy the biggest fish possible when we find an appropriate shop."
"I agree. I'll pay for half of it." She said, and continued looking for a fishmonger.
"Is everything between you and Cass ok?" You ask.
"We'll never be friends." Astora said, her voice flat. "That's all that needs to be said. We're too different."

>>22059326
Another thing we should look out for is a blacksmith, to get the initial parts for our gun.

>>22059452
The more people who know it, the greater chance of it becoming widespread.
I'm not saying we shouldn't trust our companions, but we should be really, really careful with that knowledge.
Imagine if the Order managed to get muskets.

>>22059473
"Does she not like witches?"

Astora's mad Cass got us before we did.

>>22059473
"Really? I think you're both rather nice people. I can't make you get along but it would be nice if everyone did."

>>22059473
"Can you overuse the gift of sight?"

"Please don't be too mad at Cass. She did lose everything because of Arianna and me passing through."

>>22059542
It wasn't because we were passing through.
In fact, if we weren't late, she'd probably be dead with the other changelings.

"Does she not like witches?"
"She doesn't like me, that's for certain." Astora said. "But she seems to like Ari, and that's all that's important."
She raised a hand, and pointed toward a rather large fishmongery, and the two of you set off toward it.
"Really? I think you're both rather nice people." You say. "I can't make you get along, but it would be nice if everyone did.
"We got into a rather heated argument last night." Astora said, finally. "But that's our issue."
"Can you overuse the Gift of Sight?"
"Yes, but all it does is makes me unable to use that specific Gift. The Gift of Flame has no such limit. If I overuse Flame, though..." She trailed off, and the two of you reached the fishmonger.
You entered the shop, and saw fish everywhere. Smoked fish, fresh fish, red fish, blue fish.
"What do you think of this one?" Astora asked, eying a rather enormous one.
"Ah, one of our finest catches today." The shopkeeper said, smiling widely. "Two silver for it. With this much, you could feed a family of six!"

>>22059602
"That's a good one."

>>22059602
"Or someone who hasn't eaten for six days! We'll take it."

"Or someone who hasn't eaten for six days!" You say, and chuckle. Boisterously, the salesman laughs along. "We'll take it.
"Glad to hear it!" He said, and you and Astora gave him a silver coin each. He wraps up the fish, and you sling it over your shoulder, and start to make your way back to the inn. When you get back there, Kale was humming, petting some of Ariana's rats, and murmuring to himself, while Ariana slept on Cass's lap, while Cass was also asleep. Tannis was sitting up, waiting patiently- and when she saw the fish, her eyes lit up.
"This is the best day *ever*!" She said.

>>22059686
"You've earned this many times over. Do you want cooked fish or raw fish?"

>>22059686
"Even though you lost an ear?"

>>22059686
"Hah, I'm glad to hear it, you've earned this."

>>22059686
I hope you'll deign to share a little with the rest of us.

"Even though you lost an ear?"
"It's just an ear." She said.
"You've earned this many times over. Do you want cooked fish or raw fish?"
"Raw." She said, grinning. "At least for the first bite. The first bite is the best. I think you guys get sick if you eat raw fish, so you can cook it after that. I won't be able to finish it myself."
You unwrap the fish and hand it to her, and she takes a deep, fang-filled bite into the side, and then starts crunching into it, the happiest you'd ever seen her. Happier than when Eldin was complimenting her, even, which was surprising.
Astora gave Cass and Ariana a long look.
"I'll be back in time to sleep. Or to cook whatever you don't eat." Astora said, and then suddenly left the room.

>>22059790
Wake up Cass and Ariana.

"Fish ok for dinner?"

>>22059790
"Take care Astora, stay safe."

Sit down next to Cass and Ariana and relax a bit.

"Take care, Astora, stay safe."
She doesn't respond, rushing out of the inn.
"... She seemed upset." Kale said, and shrugged.
You shake Cass and Ariana awake.
"Fish ok for dinner?" You ask.
"I like fish." Cass said.
"... I've never had fish before." Ariana said, getting off of Cass.
"Fish is so horrible you shouldn't even try it." Tannis said, mischeviously as she crunched into the fish's head. "...That was a joke. There, I don't think I can eat anymore."

You cut out the parts Tannis had chewed on, giving it to her to snack on, while you fry and clean the rest, while Kale... teaches the rodents to dance, somehow. Rearing up on their hind legs to waddle around, titchy paws clasped to their partner's paws, squeaking.

>>22059995
"Hey, Ariana, your sister seemed a bit off. Any idea what's wrong?"

>>22059995
"Kale... How are you doing that? I thought Ariana was the one with the Gift of Vermin in here."

>>22059995
Sit down next to Cass.

"Hey...Astora said you and her had a disagreement. Want to talk about it?"

>>22060072
Correction: we basically pried it out of her.

"Kale... how are you doing that?" You ask. "I thought Ariana was the one with the Gift of Vermin in here."
He grinned up at you. "I convinced them that this would impress Ariana. They're very fond of her."
Ariana examined the rodents, and patted one. "I am impressed, actually." She said, giggling.
While the two of them were talking and giggling at the rodents, you sit next to Cass.
"Hey... Astora said you and her had a disagreement. Want to talk about it?"
"We basically took turns insulting one another." Cass said, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "My tail ended up inflating large enough to grow the thagomizer, before I was able to calm down. But it's not important, and... well, no offense, Abel, but it's none of your business."

>>22060151
"You're right, but, I don't like seeing people unhappy. If you ever want to talk about it..."

>>22060151
"I know it isn't. But I happen to like people getting along so I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help. You ever want to talk you know where I am."

Give her a reassuring hug.

>>22056803
>"Names are what we are. And I don't have mine. I'm nobody. I'm *Gabriel*, and old madman who spent too long in the Skiitaran army. A thin character, one that was never meant to be played... until *you* decided things were too boring. *you* forced me here."

Hell. Is that a stab at our complaints about stuff being too boring at the beginning of the quest? That Gabriel was a shallow character invented by Exabyte in a hurry because the questers grew impatient?

Mind = Blown.

"You're right, but I happen to like people getting along, so I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help."
"You could work that stick out of Astora's ass." Cass said, half under her breath.
"You ever want to talk, you know where I am."
"I know." Cass said. "And thanks for being here. Now let me at that fish." She said, and started to eat.

>>22060342
We should go out for a night walk. Also look for a blacksmith and order some of the basic components for whatever kind of gun we're making.

"Hey, Cass, I'm going to go out for a walk, want to join me again?"

>>22060342
We might want to grab some fish, too.

"I wonder, what do you girls think when you hear the number 42?"

>>22060342
Eat some foodables.

"Do you like fish, Kale?"

"We might have to go for a stroll later to find something."

I want to talk to Kale more.

You take a bit of fish yourself, and start eating.
"I wonder." You say. "What do you girls think when you hear the number 42?"
"That's what was at the back of the book." Ariana said.
"It's... just a number?" Cass asked.
Kale shrugged. "I've never heard that number before."
You look over to Tannis... to find her in cat form, licking her paws, scraping her paws against her torn ear, the bandages still taut on her feline body. She meowed at you.
"Do you like fish, Kale?"
"I don't eat living beings." Kale said. "Or, at least, once-living beings."

>>22060541
"Out of interest, why is that?"

>>22060541
I eat anything delicious.

>>22060541
See if we can get Tannis to fall alseep in our lap.

"I had another dream last night. Gabriel was in this one, except he insisted I call him one over fourty two."

"Out of interest, why is that?" You ask, settling Tannis in your lap as you pet her.
"I'm a creature of water and sunlight, born from a flower, as all pure elves are." Kale said. "It's not in my nature to consume meat."
You nod, and look down to Tannis. Playfully, she traps your hand in her paws, and starts biting at your fingers, kicking her legs.

>>22060666
Clearly she wants belly scratches. Ignore the claws.

"Do elves have parents?"

>>22060666
"From a flower? That's...interesting. So, technically, you're actually a plant?"

Keep playing with Tannis

>>22060666
"That's interesting. How common are elves? I've never seen any other than you."

Keep on petting Tannis, and make sure to scritch her ears.

>>22060741
Be careful with that, the ear has been freshly wounded.

>>22060741
Make that her uninjured ear.

"From a flower?" You ask. "That's... interesting." You say, as you start scratching Tannis's belly. She started clawing at you, continuing to bite at your hands, though less playfully. "So, technically, you're actually a plant?"
"No, I'm made of meat just as you." He said. "It's just that my nature is different than yours."
"That's interesting. How common are elves? I've never seen any other than you."
"Not very common. My barrow is empty, after my lover left some time ago."
"Do elves have parents?"
"My parents were elk and butterflies." He said. "My lover's parents were wolves and foxes. It was quite strange when we met."
Seeing Tannis' glare, you stopped scratching her belly, moving up to her uninjured ear and chin.
You scratch Tannis's ear, and she instantly stopped clawing and biting, going still, her eyes slowly squinting shut as she pushed her uninjured ear closer to your hand, her purring growing louder and louder.

>>22060850
"So Kale, why seven years? Why not more or less?"

>>22060850
"That is a rather strange heritage you have there. Much more interesting than humans at least.

So why did you want to come with me on an adventure?"

Keep on petting Tannis, she deserves some serious pets for what she did today.

>>22060850
"You think we'll be alright moving around the city, Tannis? The group of Maenads won't come after us will they?"

>>22060850
"That's a really unusual ancestry."

"Do you know where your Lover went?"

>>22060917
I think perhaps more worrying will be if they don't take orders from Eldin

"That is rather strange heritage you have there. Much more interesting than humans at least."
"Perhaps, yes." He said, grinning. "But such is life for fey."

You look down to Tannis. "You think we'll be alright moving around the city, Tannis? The group of Maenads won't come after us, will they?"
She continued purring, but then nodded, and headbutted your hand.
"We'll be fine." She murmured, sounding somewhat groggy. "I desposed Anakata in a duel. It's my pride now."
She headbutted your hand again, and you went back to scratching, her uninjured ear flicking.

"Do you know where your lover went?" You ask, and he just grinned.
"My lover left to follow a swallow south for the winter." He said. "She was caught by the bird's plumage."
"So, why did you want to come with me on an adventure?"
"... Your eyes caught me." He said, finally.

>>22061001
"Do fey get 'caught' by things often? What was it about my eyes that apparently makes them into feybait?

Tannis, what are you going to do with your new pride?"

Now that she's kinda groggy we can get some belly rubs in between head pats and scritches.

>>22061001
"...ok then. Very particular."

"When we leave, Tannis, are you going to stay here and take command of them?"

>>22061001
"You were just waiting around in that village for someone interesting to come along?"

'Empress Tanis?"

Abel confirmed for FB (feybait). Hell, he attracts Witches too.

>>22061060
Yes, scratch her belly while we scratch her ears. Nothing could go wrong.

What are Cass and Arianna doing?

"Do fey get 'caught' by things often?"
"A sunbeam, or the gleam of a gem at the bottom of a creek." He said. "The reflection of the moon in the sea, or a certain twinkling star."
He grinned, and went back to the dancing mice with Ariana.
"Okay then. Very particular."
You look down to Tannis, and give her a belly rub- but she glares, and her claws unsheathe- so you wisely go back to just head pats and ear scritches.
"No groping." She mumbled, and Cass's eyebrows rose, and she stopped eating for a moment.
"So, Tannis, what are you going to do with your new pride?"
"Give it to someone more loyal to Eldin than Anakata." She said, eyes half lidded.

>>22061130
"That's good to hear. How did Anakata get to that position in the first place?"

>>22061130
"Not going to keep it?"

"That's good to hear." You say. "How did Anakata get to that position in the first place?"
"She gutted Ishelda in a duel." Tannis said, and closed her eyes.
"Not going to keep it?"
"If it was just a prowl, I'd take it hunting sometime." She said. "But an entire pride is... I'm... I'm too stupid for that. I would get confused as which prowl is which and they would end up hating me, like the pride in Garamon did."

>>22061215
"I don't think you're stupid, but a whole pride does seem like a lot of work and responsibility. You're probably making the right choice."

Keep on petting her, see if we can get Cass in on the ear scritching.

>>22061215
"Aw, don't beat yourself up too much about it, you've got to start learning from somewhere, right?"

>>22061215
"I wonder where Astora's got to."

"I don't think you're stupid, but a whole pride does seem like a lot of work and responsibility." You say. "You're probably making the right choice."
"... and I want to stick with my friends." She said, and closed her eyes. Next thing you knew, she was asleep.

"I wonder where Astora got to." You say, a moment later.
Ariana suddenly looked up, as if realizing that Astora wasn't there for the first time.
"... Was it her hand? Should we go find her?"

>>22061375
She did mention her Gift of Flame was being a bit tempremental.

I'm sure she'll be fine.

>>22061375
"I'll accompany you if you want to go and find her. She can't have gotten far, but it is dark."

"She did mention her Gift of Flame was being a bit tempermental." You say. "I'm sure she'll be fine."
"... Okay." She said, frowning.
Soon enough, Cass had taken to scritching the sleeping Tannis instead of you, and Ariana re-entered the room, her hand a demonic claw, small wisps of flame bursting from cracks in the stone-like skin. Her eyes were ringed red, but she seemed otherwise unharmed.
"... Are you okay?" Ariana asked, and Astora nodded. Gently, Ari got to her feet and gave her elder sister a hug.

>>22061529
I don't suppose this is because you're seperated from your familiar?

>>22061554
Let's not poke at her.

>>22061529
You did it again, Exa. Have you thought of retconning Astora's name to something else?

"Should we leave here tomorrow?"

>>22061574
[x] Poke angry dragon

>>22061592
Given she looks like she's been crying? How about no.

>>22061614
Didn't she say she'd get all emotional if her familiar was killed? Maybe I'm just assuming the worst here.

>>22061631
That would be very bad, yes.

"I don't suppose this is because you're seperated from your familiar?"
"No, no, that's not it, but thank you for trying to help." Astora said, her voice rather soft. "My familiar exacerbates the problem, when I use my gift through him. I'll live, unless hack it off and bleed out."
"Except you won't." Ariana said, more force in the little girl's voice than you were used to.
"I know, I promised." Astora said. "No self-dismemberment."

>>22061670
"It's a little odd that you had to promise not to cut off any of your limbs? Is that a common thing for you?"

>>22061679
Didn't we have to get Cass to promise the same thing?

>>22061670
"Is something going on in Garamon right now?"

>>22061687
Cass never promised not to hack off her tail. Only to wait and see if it'd be an issue first.

"Is something going on in Garamon right now?"
"No, my familiar's hanging out on one of the towers, keeping an eye out on things." She said. "The Order hasn't arrived yet. Two roars if they come by land, one if by sea. And three if I just feel like roaring, as he told me."
"It's a little odd that you had to promise not to cut off any of your limbs. Is that a common thing for you?"
"Yes, it is. Or would be." Astora said, meeting your eyes. "I'm just going to go to sleep."

>>22061786
"Goodnight. Sleep tight!"

>>22061786
"Night Astora, sleep well. If you need anything just let us know."

>>22061786
Roaring sounds like fun. You might as well use the excuse to make some noise and not worry about being noticed. I'm sure you don't get many chances.

"Roaring sounds like fun." You say. "You might as well use the excuse to make some noise and not worry about being noticed. I'm sure you don't get many chances."
She grinned, and laughed.
"You say that like I haven't already. Seeing the people cower and run inside was the best fun I'd had in weeks."
"Night Astora, sleep well." You say. "If you need anything, just let us know."
"I would prefer if I got the bed." Astora said, and climbed up next to you, laying back. "There's enough room for two people and a c- maenad, anyway." She said, and lay back. You start to move, but then Tannis' claws shot out as you tried to move her, so you sigh and let it go. Now, with the flames on Astora's hand mostly out or smouldering, you could examine it in closer detail. It was made of red-brown, hard stone, full of pores, with long black talons for claws. She didn't seem to care how closely you were examining her hand, and next thing you knew, everybody was preparing for bed.
"G'night, Abel." Cass said.

>>22061964
"Night, Cass."

>>22061964
"Looks like we're all going to sleep now. Night, Cass."

>>22061964
Just to clarify, we're on the bed with Tanis and Astora?

Cass will not be happy. But still, we can't exactly evict Tannis after today.

"I hope your gift works tonight Arianna, I'd like a nice dream."

>>22061964
Get some sleep, it's not like we're going to be moving with Tannis on us.

"Night, Cass." You say, and she bent down to kiss your cheek. Kale shushed the rats, and lay back to look out the window, and Ariana and Cass made a small pile of everybody's blankets in the corner to sleep.
"I hope your gift works tonight, Ariana, I'd like a nice dream."
"I hope so too." She said, and you close your eyes.

High, high in the sky, soaring across the mountains, you can see, far below, Sardin to the east, and the city that should be Celesthem to the west. Soaring down, Gabriel lands on the cliff, taking most of the shock on one of his knees. He cracked his neck, got to his feet, and stepped toward the great dual slabs of stone set into the cliff face- a great set of doors, you see. Digging his fingernails into the crack, and with an immense amount of strength, he carefully shoved the slabs aside.

The orange light of the sunset cast through the newly opened crack between the slabs, and lying inside, in the great cavern, a long, copper staff sat, as it had sat for centuries.

"Watch this, forty-two." Gabriel said, wheezing as he stepped inside the cavern, pulling the slabs shut behind him.

>End of thread!

>>22062130
shit son, it's about to kick off now.

>>22062130
Well, fuck.

>>22062130
this is not a nice dream. this is not a nice dream at all.