Rolled 15

A wondrous and fashionably belated Shadow Quest appears!

Tired player uses Player Competency Roll!

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Recent Events Summary:

You have collected and reforged each Shard of your past self. Three of the four keys to Hecate's prison are in your possession; you are certain as to the location of the last. The Black Lady has joined the alliance between the Great Forest, Felnoir, and Archon. More importantly, you've convinced both you allies in Haven and the Archonians that this is a good thing.

Soon, your collected followers will meet in Arland, ready to shock the world with a force comprised of outsiders and rulers joined together against the demon lords summoned by Kan-Abar.

It's halfway through winter. Auriel has predicted that Kan-Abar won't move until the snow thaws and spring arrives, but rather consolidate control over their newly captured territories. So far, that prediction has held true.

A banquet was held in the Black Lady's honor by Yi Fang, introducing her to the Archon nobility and cementing Abigail as a councilor and major political force. Once again, he's turned the unexpected into a powerful advantage.

Things seem to be aligning themselves as you've planned for some time - but one last thing weighs on your mind.

---
---

>>28313039

not bad

Rolled 10

>>28313029
can we go play some golf w/ fang

>>28313039
>1d20

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Ability Tree

GREEN abilities have been unlocked and learned.

BLUE abilties are unlocked, but are not yet purchased.

RED abilities are revealed, but locked due to prerequisites.

UNDERLINED abilities are active-use, as opposed to passive. Not all active abilities require mana.

All Revealed Ability Descriptions:

http://pastebin.com/Py9YnSQ2

Books the Main Character has read:

http://pastebin.com/dAXR00gP

Character Sheet including learned abilities and other important information:

http://pastebin.com/neYXYtGB

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Current Statistics:

HP: 81/81
Mana: 58/58
EXP: 2

Shards of Order and Chaos:

(Retribution) - Strong
(Maker) - Broken
(Silence) - Normal
(Peace) - Empowered
(Breeze) - Strong
(Hammer) - Strong
(Ardor) - Normal
{Resolve} - Normal
{Humanity} - Resonant

--Summoned--

Wisp - 1 mana to order

--Automatons--

Earthen Construct (currently in Haven)

--Equipment--

Utility belt with purse

--Inventory--

Sun-Moon Key (pocket)
Lightning Key (pocket)
Fire Key (pocket)
Aurora Water Gem (pocket)

--Teleport Anchor--

Haven - Inner Fortress

--Current Location--

Archon

---------
---------

Known Mana Pools:

Jacob's Field - entrance to Hecate's tomb - Spirit
Palthair Mines - Magnock's Lair - Spirit
Archon - Spirit District - Spirit
Archon - Shadow District - Shadow
Archon - Earth District - Earth
Archon - Water Distric - Water
Haven - Shadow
Abbotsford - Shadow
Aurora - Water

I will be late to update the pastebin tonight. hope to do it in the morning, but it's too much of a pain in the ass to do it from my phone.

>>28313103
>(Maker) - Broken
Might be a good idea to fix that?

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>Last time...

The banquet is winding down. Fang and the Black Lady return to your table and continue to make small talk.

And then, when things well and truly wrap up, Fang personally bids most of the guests goodbye, although pointedly ignoring Xu. Abigail happily thanks him for coming, which makes him glance up in surprise, but he merely nods and mumbles something in response before leaving.

And then the Black Lady and Fang finally get down to business. There's a few disputes to settle - apparently there was a skermish near the sea edge of the Lady's Finger last year. Fang pledges to have his patrols take on a new strategic stance. The Black Lady agrees to withdraw back around the finger to Demonclaw, and to pull her front line back to the Wall proper.

"One major point remains," Fang says. "Arland will be skeptical at my involvement - extremely so. If we come together...well...I believe we may be biting off more than we can chew."

The Black Lady nods. "I will have to wait until the time is right. Otherwise my rejection is sure to be swift and sure."

"Indeed." Fang bows to her. "Your pardon...but I believe the best course of action will be to act as if we are not working together, but separate parties coming together for a common cause. Though...what time is the right time, exactly, is the question."

"...that, I will leave to you." She extends her hand, leaving Fang with another black cylinder. "Use as needed."

"I will. Your Ladyship...it was an honor."

The Lady curtseys. "It was good to...meet you."

"It was my honor as well," Abigail says brightly.

"You do Archon a great credit, councilor," the Lady says. "I'm glad that the next generation is so promising."

"You know..." Abigail smiles. "If it pleases you, call me Abigail."

Fang blinks at that, but the Lady smiles. "I'd be happy to, Abigail."

"...do you mind if I ask you a personal question?"

"Does it have to do with my name, by any chance?"

>con't

>>28313129
Whaaaat? Fix the shard that allows us easier control over earth magic before scouting for earth construct robots made by the earth gifted dwarves that were blessed by the earth elemental geb earth earth?

Naaaaaah.

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Abigail nods. "I'm...curious, to be honest. No one seems to know it."

"It's a long dead name," the Lady says. "No use for such a thing, anymore."

Abigail looks disappointed, but she doesn't press the issue. A teleportation sigil forms under the Lady and her bodyguards. "Until such a time as we speak again."

"Until then."

"Goodbye!"

<Until then.>

In a flash, they vanish.

"That went about as well as could be expected," Fang says. "Now then. My work's been piling up." Without further ado, he heads up the stairs and makes for his office.

Abigail sighs. "Work, work, work. He needs a vacation."

<I remember a time when you weren't going to ever forgive him.> You tilt your head. <I remember feeling the same way.>

"...yeah. But...for some reason, I can't stay mad at him."

<It's not him. It's you.>

"...he wants to be a good person, Shadow. He can be."

<I hope you're right.>

<But anyway...>

"Anyway?"

<Now that no one's around to watch us embarrass ourselves,> you say, <I think I have to ask the girl I like to dance.>

"Well. She's waiting."

<Would you like to dance?>

"I'd love to."

---------
---------

And you both trip up several times, but luckily, you've got plenty of extra limbs to catch yourselves before you fall.

-----------
-----------

What do you do now?

>You can't waste anymore time. Return to Haven; Auriel has said that Flint will be key to gaining Arland's trust when the menagerie of guests reveal themselves one by one.
>All efforts could be wasted if you're blindsided by the robots. Follow the tracks left by their last attack and find the source of the constructs
>Hecate's help may be invaluable in the coming battles. Travel to Dobshire and try to acquire the Wind Key before the summit.
>Erebus's true power will be needed to solve the growing problem that lies behind rampant magic, but it could certainly help fight the demons. Travel to the island in the Void.
>some other strategy

>>28313029
IT'S SHADOW TIME!

>>28313157
>All efforts could be wasted if you're blindsided by the robots. Follow the tracks left by their last attack and find the source of the constructs

But first we fix Maker.

>>28313157
Let's fix maker and then track down the bots.

>>28313157
>All efforts could be wasted if you're blindsided by the robots. Follow the tracks left by their last attack and find the source of the constructs

>>28313157
robits

>>28313173
Seconding.

>>28313157
>>All efforts could be wasted if you're blindsided by the robots. Follow the tracks left by their last attack and find the source of the constructs
and fix maker

While Abigail sleeps, tucked safely into her room, and Yi fang shuffles and reshuffles his papers, you meditate quietly in the grand hall.

Roll 1d100 to fix Maker.

Six rolls.

(two meditations per day)

Rolled 93

>>28313269
Welp, here goes nothing.

Rolled 82

>>28313269
Glory to the maker.

Rolled 17

>>28313269

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>>28313279
>>28313288
I like.

Rolled 50

>>28313269

Rolled 53

>>28313269
And more.

Rolled 47

>>28313269
Six rolls huh, hopefully we can get him nice and charged.

>Maker - Normal

What do you do?

>continue to meditate
>backtrack to the site of the attack
>some other strategy

Looks like we've got a small crowd tonight. Not sure if that's a good or a bad thing.

>>28313373

>backtrack to the site of the attack

>>28313373
>backtrack to the site of the attack
I've thought of some other methods to track the robos but this one is safer than them...

>>28313373
>backtrack to the site of the attack

>>28313373
>backtrack to the site of the attack

>writing

So the good news is with Machina Loqui we should be able to understand their language and communicate better with them right?

I remember the beginning of this quest, when we were all just a frightened little dark-creature. Oh, the days when it seemed like anything could immediately end us with a stray beam of light.

How I don't miss them.

>>28313544
I was actually reading through the time when we encounter Raziel way back when and nearly got our asses whooped. Good times.

You take your time the next morning bidding farewell to Abigail. Fang promises to keep in close touch with your allies via Blackwater in Maven Lake as he gathers his military forces. Coordination will be key.

You manaport to Haven via the Archon shadow mana pool. You find Adavan and Auriel waiting for you on the other side.

"Shadow," Auriel says. "How was the trip?"

<Dealing with Fang was as eventful as usual.> You give them the short version. <I'm glad you were both here to greet me, but is there something wrong? I'd wanted to investigate the source of the robots - City 002.>

"You have a lead?" Auriel asks.

<I was thinking to backtrack through the tunnels they made to attack us, back when we were attempting to get to Xile.>

Auriel snaps her fingers. "I guess you'd be able to chew your way through, huh? Good thinking. But...if it seems like it's going to take a while, try to come back. Every day counts, now. Sandalphon has been quiet for too long. Something's up."

<Hmm. Well, about what you wanted...?>

"Actually, we both wanted to speak with you," Auriel said. Adavan just nods silently, his arms folded.

Who do you speak with first?

>Adavan
>Auriel
>We'll have to talk later

>>28313505
I'd rather infiltrate them first, considering their default is hostility.

>>28313624
>Adavan

We can stop and listen to what they have to say, and after the trust issue with the keys we should show Adavan some courtesy.

>>28313624
Uhh, Adavan I guess? I bet he's pissed about the keys.

>>28313624
And this is something I expected we'll have to deal with, looks like the next sperge just got long enough to warrant a pastebin.

>Adavan first, we've been neglecting him.

>>28313624
>Adavan

>>28313624
Hear Auriel first - Adavan's concerns usually involve Hectate these days. Auriel's may involve Haven or some other immediate concern.

>>28313624
>Adavan

<I suppose I can speak with you first, Adavan,> you say, <unless it's very important?>

"It can wait," Auriel says.

"In private, if you don't mind, Shadow."

<Sure.>

You adjourn with Adavan to a side room near the mana pool. He turns to you. "So, you're investigating the robots next? Another journey into the bowels of the earth?"

<You could put it that way.>

"Can you guarantee the safety of those keys?"

<Well...yes, I - >

"Your priority is not Hecate. Your priority is Abigail, and world stability."

<Freeing Hecate is important,> you say, <but at this very moment...no. I've got other things to do.>

"Exactly," Adavan says. He taps his shoe on the stone. "My priority has been, is, and will continue to be freeing the goddess. I didn't turn myself into a sack of bones, sacrifice two friends, wait 700 years in what might have been a sleep I would never wake up from, and get all my remaining troops killed in a delaying action to have you go on some wild adventure and die with the keys in that pocket-space of yours. I'm going to be traveling between here and Archon, teleporting, mostly. They'll be safer with me. And frankly, I'd be a lot more comfortable if I was the one to hang onto them. I didn't argue back in Aurora, because it wasn't the time or the place, but I'm putting my foot down. More practically, once we get all four keys, I can move immediately to do what I have to do while you handle things on your end."

What is your response?

>>28313899
Yup. Thought as much.

>>28313899
Give him the keys, tell him not to run off with them, I guess. After all we want to free hecate too.(right?)

I want to let a few people in on the Hectate thing so they can advise us but who? The people we can trust don't know anything/are blinded by dogma and we can't trust the people who could totally give us 10/10 advice. Has anyone considered the possibility that Hectate hates us now? We locked that bitch up for fucking ages.

>>28313899
It's time to have the conversation where we ask him what he thinks about how the alliance will respond to Hectates rise.

>>28313949
she called out for us to help her, knowing what we are

>>28313950
this

>>28313899
Give him the keys, and remind him that if he needs help with anything he should feel free to ask us.

>>28313976
If she hated us she'd still have done that anyway.

>>28313899
>Give him the keys

Can we ask him what happens if Hectate hates us after being imprisoned for so long? She'll be much more powerful than us I imagine.

>>28313976
>>28313949
>>28313994
If's aren't much ado about anything anons.

>>28313950
>>28313899
In this same vein let's at least ask him what he thinks about who does and who doesn't know about Hectates rise, and those implications.

>>28313899
Agree with him and add that once we get all four keys we will be the first one to volenteer to help free Hectate.

>>28313950
Yeah.

Raise the comparison to the Black Lady, and how having her show up out of nowhere would be disastrous.

If Auriel was able to accept that we were once Erebus, she may not have a problem with Hecate?

>>28314044
>the life mission that has been bestowed upon me
>oh, what?, the shadow elemental wants to free my boss mama himself? Oh, jolly good!, why not!?

Captain... we owe him at least that much.

>>28314051
>>28313950

This is acknowledged. But before you discuss this point, do you

Vote 1:
>give him the keys

Vote 2:
>hold on to the keys

>>28313899
Entrust him with the keys, but remind him that the one remaining is the Wind key, and could easily be in Arland, where our overarching goals might manage to overlap.

We would greatly appreciate it if he didn't end up riling up the biggest question mark in the potential alliance talks just before we get there. We're with him on this, but it could easily be that it's best for both of us if the use of the Wind key could be negotiated as a part of our alliance talks.

If Arland has it in their possession, that is. Otherwise, just remind him to stay vigilant, not that he really needs our reminder to do.

>>28314080
>give him the keys

>>28314080
1

>>28314080
1

>>28314080
1

>>28314080
1

>>28314080
1

>>28314080
1

>>28314074
Of course, it's just reinforcement that once we have the last key we will help out.

Hint: Adavan already has the fourth key.

>>28314080
1

>>28314087
...Huh, I hadn't considered that he could just fuck shit up to get the Wind Key as fast as possible.

You really should have posted that earlier.

>>28314080
1

>>28314080
1

>>28314142
Eh, that doesn't mean he'll still betray us because I don't think he's pro "world being destroyed".

>>28314145
Isn't it obvious? That's why we're discussing it with him. So he doesn't do that.

If he does, well, unlawful combatant, we can't back him up anymore, and may be driven into conflict.
He'll understand at least that much.

>writing

...Freeing the spirit elemental wouldn't make spirit magic in the world stronger would it? >this is probably a stupid question but I don't know how elementals work at all

You unpocket the keys and hand extend them out. The ancient chiseled pieces glow gently with the colors of their elements.

Adavan takes them, then pockets them in his robes. Your sensation of their presence vanishes. "Thank you, Shadow."

<I know you're anxious,> you say, <but our goals overlap in Arland. You have to be patient, just for a little while.>

"This is enough, for now. I won't move on my own. I just..." He closes his eyes. "Just needed to feel real progress, is all."

<We're in this together, Adavan.>

"I know."

<Getting Auriel and Fang to come to grips with the Black Lady was a challenge,> you say. <Getting Arland to do so will be extremely difficult, if not impossible. Hecate is on another level entirely. I'm not sure how we can introduce her back to the world in a manner that doesn't create waves large enough to break us apart.>

"I wish I was there for that," Adavan says. "How did you get the Highest to accept the Black Lady?"

<I got her to accept Erebus.>

"An Erebus that has fundamentally changed," Adavan says, "and that she's known personally for quite some time, now. And who was vouched for by her lover. My Hecate is the same as she was 700 years ago. Auriel has not forgotten the war. Neither have I."

<...we'll figure something out.>

"Maybe," Adavan says. "Well, she wanted to speak with you as well. I believe Sir Flint is waffling about his return home."

-----
-----

In a few moments, you part with Adavan, who leaves the fortress to retire to his room on the Cirrus. Auriel leans against the wall in the hallway leading to the mana pool. She leans her head toward Adavan's retreating form. "What was that about?"

What do you say?

>write-in

>>28314349
!LANDMINE!

>>28314349
<Something that will come up after the summit>

>>28314349
<The old bag of bones is as antsy about Arland as the rest of us.

I figure that's what this is about as well?>

It's true enough, preserves secrecy, and moves us smoothly into what Auriel wants to talk to us about. Seems about as good as we're going to get.

>>28314349
>Your sensation of their presence vanishes.
...He could actually have the fourth key and we wouldn't know it. PARANOIA!

>What do you say?
Well, we certainly can't be honest. Hopefully she didn't sense the brief flicker of magic from the keys, and hopefully she doesn't put 2 & 2 together when Addy eventually frees Hectate. Hrm.

Oh right, tell her he wanted some confirmation on our progress. That's vaguely honest.

>>28314403
>The old bag of bones is
Too OOC for me there.

>>28314403
I like this, its casual enough to slip by.

>>28314416
Doesn't have to be transcribed word-for-word; was just trying to get across that we should be relatively casual about it.

>>28314436
then yeah go for it then.

>>28314416
<My dearest shining Auriel, thy knowewth most certainly the troubles on my friends mind; Arland and the future are uncertain, our fortunes amidst fog and obscured, as truly as your shining beauty will show a clear path, I've come to sincerely pledge your lips to my ears to listen dearly to the motives of your desires, mmWHA!

>>28314436
But it's obvious because we're only casual when we try to hide things.

>>28314483
I lol'd.

>>28314403
Say this but instead of "The old bag of bones" use "Adavan"

While we are here lets upgrade our construct.
Also should we bring him with us?

Roll 1d100

Rolled 22

>>28314555

Rolled 87

>>28314555
rollan'

Rolled 74

>>28314555

Rolled 1

>>28314555
We always been horrible liars.

Rolled 14

>>28314555

Rolled 31

>>28314555

>>28314584
Well fuck.

>>28314584
>"It's fuckin' Hectate, isn't it."

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>>28314584

Rolled 67

>>28314555
WELL FUCK IT GO FOR 100

>>28314584
Every fucking time

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>>28314584

>>28314609
>>28314603
>>28314604
>>28314627
he wasn't lying.

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>>28314584
Not until you rolled.

Rolled 70

>>28314555
come on 100

Rolled 81

>>28314555
Come on counter 100

Rolled 75

>>28314584
>We always been horrible liars.
>prooving your statement
>>28314555
re rollan'

Rolled 42

>>28314555
NEVER STOP BELIEVING

Well, all we can do is sit back and embrace the fail now.

>>28314673
At roll 11, it's time to stop believing.

>>28314686
At least it's not an uber crit fail, not that it matters much because SM was waiting for a failure like this.

>>28314584
The dice

THEY KNOW

>>28314705
So! Assuming that Auriel is about to figure out the Hecate situation, how're we gonna go about damage control?

>>28314732
Spaghetti. I'm serious. We just go <Hey! Let's go eat and sit and talk and NOT flip out? Kay? Kaaaaay.>

The critfail wasn't in the first three.

I don't think she /knows/ it's Hectate, but she definately suspects we're lying.

<...he asked after Abigail, but he's worried mostly about Arland.>

Auriel stares at you. "Are you seriously bullshitting me right now?"

<Ah...>

She raises a hand to stop you. "It's between you and him. But you could just say that, you know. I thought you had a little more faith in me than that."

What do you say?

>>28314775
Yeah. Like I said before, causal is our "obviously hiding shit" stance.

We should've used Humanity to boost the roll.

>>28314782
<Y-You too...>

>>28314782
<I'm truly sorry Auriel. He has bound me by oath to not say, and I was trying to keep it out of sight and out of mind. I really wasn't trying to offend you, or bullshit you, but it is his business and I had to respect it as best I could.>

>>28314782
Well now she knows enough to already connect the dots at a later time.

Tell her?

>>28314809
>"And you respected it by outright lying? If that's how it is I guess you really are Erebus."

>>28314782
Alright, Auriel seems pretty reasonable about Liches. Maybe if we say that Adavan has a Friend, a fellow lich who's been imprisoned, someone that he's close to, but can't commend 100%, and that we're searching for her together, might satisfy her curiosity. We're not lying per se, after all, eh?

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>>28314837

>>28314809
Nah we should admit that we just feel kind of awkward about keeping secrets and didn't want to bring it up because it makes us uncomfortable.

Like admit to it being a failing on our part.

>>28314863
Yeah this

>>28314801
2nding

>>28314782
"Well it "does" have to do with Arland, but for an entire different reason that I can't talk about. So, what can I do for you today?"

>>28314782
<It's just... I don't know, -sensitive- and there's just too much on my mind these days. I should know better than to do that to you.>

<God, if that's the way I default to handling things, I've spent too much time around Fang, haven't I.>

Apologize, lighten the mood a bit.

>>28314863
Sounds good to me.

>>28314782
servant Auriel

>>28314847
She will connect that so fast and so easily-
Wait a sec, you're actually trying to get us to roll to lie to her a SECOND time? No thanks.

>>28314782
<It's as you say Auriel, I'll try to be more straightforward.>

There. Acknowledges her point, and preserves all details without any lying or alienation.

>>28314782
Keep lying. We can fix this.

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>>28314918
>mfw

>>28314920
>>28314906
Seconding these.

>>28313076
use shard of humanity pls SM

>Deus Umbra; incapable of deceit.

<...you're right,> you say. <I'll try to be more straightforward. I don't like keeping secrets, and I was trying to avoid bringing it up.>

Auriel smiles and nods. "Just keeping you honest, Shadow. I don't believe you would do anything that would put Abigail or Flint in danger - so it can't be that bad."

<I wouldn't do anything to put you in danger, either.>

"I can handle it, thanks," she says. "Wouldn't want those noodly appendages to get all bruised and scraped, would we? Poor wittle shadow."

<Why are you talking like that?>

Auriel sighs. "Ah, the famous lack of a sense of humor." She puts her hand son her hips. "To the point. I've asked Flint to write a letter to his old man telling him that he'll be coming home soon, and bringing along some acquaintances he's picked up along the way that he believes can help with the threat to the north. Get them at least a little mentally prepared." She sighs. "But he's got a really bad case of writer's block, and that's giving him cold feet about the whole thing. Obis gives us legitimacy, but Flint is the key to open Arland's door. He just has no idea what to say. I've tried encouraging him, but...well, he's sort of sick and tired of me pushing him into it, and, er..." She clears her throat. "He isn't quite happy with me, at the moment."

What do you do?

>>28315059
>"He isn't quite happy with me, at the moment."
Ask her about this

>>28315059
I duun fuck'n knoe ye slimey' git!

Obviously we talk to Flint, and say something.

>>28315059
>"He isn't quite happy with me, at the moment."
It would be nice if she expanded on that... if she doesn't want to then tell her it would help us when talking to Flint.

>>28315059
I'll see what i can do.
then go talk to flint.

>>28315059
Ask about why he's not happy with her, if she in fact wants to talk about it. If not, then drop the subject and agree to go talk to Flint.

>>28315059
shard of {Humanity}

>>28315099
>>28315140
>>28315155
"well, he's sort of sick and tired of me pushing him into it"
Thats why. She spelled it out as plain as day.

>>28315166
Y'know I'm wonder what would happen if we used our shards on people directly more often. Like using Peace on Sandlethong. Another time though...

>>28315059
Let's visit Donovan.

>>28315059
Tell her not to worry, then go and find flint.

>>28315059
>"He isn't quite happy with me, at the moment."
<Don't worry too much about it. He'll get past it; the man's smitten, after all. Even I knew that, and you know as well as I do that as of a few months ago I wouldn't have known smitten if it smote me itself.>

<I'll check in on him, though. Just for moral support, though. I think you'd probably kill me if I said I wanted to try my hand at helping him write.>

>>28315200
You're writing a lot of OOC lolwut, I think your humanity score is higher than Mr. Shadow's.

<Care to elaborate?>

"Well...he shouted a bit about how I was pushing him to do something he didn't want to do, and that his leaving was to get away from the pressure he's feeling right now in the first place." She looks down at her feet. "Events are forcing him to confront his own personal battle, and...he isn't handling it well. He doesn't like the fact that it's all outside his control, so...I think he's trying to impose what control he can. I told him as much. Maybe a little bluntly." Her lips shrivel up tight, and her voice grows quiet. "There was a bit of shouting. After that...I said I was sorry, and...and I left."

<...I see. I think I should go talk with him.>

"I was hoping you would. He's probably still in his room on the Cirrus. It's number 1010. Just off the bridge."

<Alright.>

What do you do?

>go speak with Flint alone
>bring Auriel
>bring someone else
>some other strategy

>>28315223
>number 1010
That's foreboding.

>go speak with Flint alone

>>28315223
>go speak with Flint alone

>>28315223
Bring Ila

>>28315234

If it was room 101, I'd understand. What's wrong with room 1010?

>>28315223
>go speak with Flint alone
Poor ol' Flinty boy needs some man time.

>>28315251
Well if you don't know then that's a sign in our favor... I'm sorry but I'll have to leave the facts alone for now.

>>28315223
>go speak with Flint alone

>>28315223
alone

>>28315221
Can't figure out whether to say thanks or sorry. Befuddlement at maximum.

>>28315251
>What's wrong with room 1010?
Yeah, I've got nothing either. This is going to bother me. Unless he meant 101 and is too stubborn to admit he got the number wrong. I know that feeling.

The Cirrus is busier than you remember. The empty halls are filled with groups of chatting people, or those walking from place to place. It feels...a bit lived-in. Though most of the voices echo, and there's still a sense of old emptiness left unfilled.

You reach an inner courtyard of the ship, under one of the great glass domes. The overgrown plant-life has been culled back and restored into a preened and neat garden. Bushes surrounded a central oak tree. You see Cain working clippers on the edges near some of the old benches.

<Hello Cain.>

"Shadow!" He lowers the clippers. "Good to see you. How was Archon?"

<Everything went well. Fang and the Black Lady have reached an accord.>

"Good to hear. How's your friend? Abigail right?"

<She's doing well. By the way...I didn't realize you were a gardener.>

"Well...the gardens outside the Ring City didn't take care of themselves. A lot of the mundane folk helped with that, as well. But we were all maintenance workers. Some things only a mage can do." He smiles and raises his tool. "But doing things the old fashioned way is nice, when you need a break."

<I see. I'll see you later.>

"Until then."

>con't

You continue to the left side of the courtyard and down the main hallway, ascending some stairs to the main corridor before the bridge. If you had to guess, you'd assume the officers would be housed here - for quick access to the bridge. You find room 1010 on your right hand side and give the door a sharp rap. <Flint?>

There's a shuffling, and the sound of footsteps. The old steel door creaks open. A disheveled Sir Flint stands before you. "...Shadow! I'm...I'm glad to see you. How's Abby?"

<She's well. Can I come in?>

"Uh, sure, yeah."

You step into the room. It's a bit messy. His bed is unmade, and a table under a light on the wall is covered in balled-up scrap paper. A feather-pen stands straight in the air, leaning out of an inkwell. Otherwise, the space is relatively bare. Then again, he doesn't have much to decorate it with.

Flint sits back on his bed, and you give him the news about Archon. He offers you a half-smile, and nods. "I'm glad things worked out. The Black Lady...it seems weird to think she's on our side. But friends can be found in strange places in times of trouble. Don't I know it."

<Indeed.>

You fall quiet for a moment.

What do you say?

>>28315441
>use Impression
show him what needs to be done

>>28315441
Ask him how long he's been at it?

>>28315441

<Well, it looks like that quest we set out on is coming to it's conclusion... getting your parasite problem fixed, once and for all...>

woah

literally almost fell asleep on the keyboard there.

Sorry for the shorter thread, but we'll have to continue this another time. Sunday night! Usual time, ~9-10pm EST

Write your thoughts, and I will read it later and combine them for a nice big intro post to start off, if appropriate.

See everyone later.

>>28315495
Woo! Thanks for the thread SM and get some sleep so you're healthy and able.

Now let's brainstorm for the next 140 posts.

>>28315495
I love you

>>28315441
Don't we have that magic pen that with write what you are thinking? We could give it to him after the pep talk.

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Join us on IRC : #ques/tg/enerals @ Rizon.net

Quest Runners' Directory (post your Twitter ITT and you'll usually be added speedily, otherwise just message the guy): https://twitter.com/Eisenstern/quest-runner-directory

Pokesperg

Everything else is secondary. Because I wasn't done yet.

A selection of guides to get aspirants started:
The Quester's Starting Guide by elusive guidefag
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1emQ6IYzRYN4MG45Zl9a-0UH0ARuWLaBB_U924NXc-DY/pub
http://anonkun.com/user/Dev-kun

Stuff about writing things :
http://www.grammarbook.com/
http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/

>>>28315629
2nd this
adding SHARD OF HUMANITY

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>>28315630

>>28315630

Think you're in the wrong place anon.

>>28315629
This is a pretty clever thing to do, and will probably help him out a lot.

>>28315441
We probably shouldn't jump immediately into the pep talk; he's had a rough time of it, and not pressing him the minute we walk in is probably as helpful as actually trying to give him advice. That said:

<I remember speaking to you, a long time ago, now, about looking to the future rather than clinging to the past... I can't help but think it must have been an easy thing for me to say then, before I had a past to call my own.

But even now, after everything we have been through, I would not speak any differently.

Rather than lingering in regret, look to right the wrong done to the Donovan Flint of years gone by. Break the hold of the parasite that led to such misfortune—that continues to try and make you suffer as he did—and see whoever forced that fate upon you brought to justice.

You can no more take back the events of six years ago than I can undo the Elementomachy. But everything that has come before, even the bad, has led to you becoming the man you are today—as great a man as I have come across, and yet a better friend. You've known all along that this was going to be difficult, but you also know that it's something that you've grown strong enough to face. And we will continue to stand by you as you do. As you have stood by us.>

It's been more than six years now, though. Whatever.

It's rough, but there's probably at least something usable in there.