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>>32638465
Current Date and Time: Early evening on October 1st, 1952PC

>You have 0 FR points

NOTE: You are Tarfinn for a short while rather than Talon. Character sheet will be posted in a moment.

As Gnome worked on some powerful magic to seal the mundane traps below, you knelt nearby her and kept a watchful eye on the room below. You couldn’t be too careful – the summons could activate early. Or she could feel faint and then trip. You could then catch her and then…

You shook your head, banishing the thoughts. You need to keep a watchful eye out below… except, you weren’t really doing that. It was too hard to concentrate being near Gnome while she used her magic. As she used her magic at different parts of her ritual, pleasant tingling sensations ran down your body. Something about her magic was resonating with you and it felt nice. Which was a nice change from usual – magic was usually painful. Gnome seemed to be putting something nice into you with hers, whereas your magic was always about taking that nice thing out of you.

Suddenly, somebody claps you on the back and you almost lose your balance, falling into the platform below. Then you’re grabbed roughly by the back of the neck and straightened up.

“Keeping an eye out below doesn’t mean you should neglect your nearby surroundings, Tarfinn,” comes the voice of your master, Sir Talon.

>continued

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>>32638473
You look back at him, as he stares down at you, his lips quirked upwards in the shadow of a smile. Damn, he looked so huge sometimes – especially with that armour. You reminded yourself to ask him for a set nearly as awesome. Or maybe something as nice as Caitlyn’s…

“Caitlyn’s got something to show you. Pay attention,” Talon is saying and you almost miss it with the way it segues into your thoughts.

You nod and watch Caitlyn closely. She’s standing still, looking a little more shy than usual. Only you and Vad appear to be paying close attention, while the others appear to know what’s going to happen. Is she going to make everybody stronger for the battle? Or maybe she was going to cheer everybody up? It seemed so strange…

Then there’s a burst of power, faint and wispy to most but exceedingly clear and loud to you. Two jet black wings burst out of Caitlyn’s back and stretch across the platform. You catch a long, scaly tail swishing behind her. Vad shouts in surprise and is prevented from leaping backwards, and off the platform, by Sala’s quick reflexes. The scales are very pretty, you think. And there’s something very natural about the way the she looks now compared to earlier – it helps that her helmet is off now, you suppose.

You’re still waiting for what she’s supposed to be showing you, though. This isn’t anything new, right? I mean, everybody had to know she was draconic in some way. It was literally right there.

“So, what do you think Tarfinn?” Caitlyn asks, having quickly moved to in front of you. She’s looking directly at you, her eyes level with yours due to your similar heights, and is giving you a shy smile.

>What is your response?

Char sheet shortly.

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>Tarfinn's char sheet

Name: Tarfinn (alias Finn Tarnn)
Class: Ranger
Title: Squire
Magic Type: (Imbued) Sorcerous
Equipment: Scimitar, light armour, longbow

STATS

Strength [2]
Endurance [5]
Speed [3]
Intelligence [3]
Magic [5]
Resistance [5]
Charisma [2]

SKILLS

Weaponry I –proficiency in a large variety of weapons.
Archery II – great proficiency at archery using all types of bows and crossbows
Martial Arts I – proficiency in a variety of martial arts and in combining them.
Battlefield Basics I – proficiency in all general battlefield skills (dodging, blocking etc).
Imbued Sorcery II – ability utilise the sorcerous tattoos imbued into your body. This enables you to increase or decrease the effects of otherwise passive abilities as well as mitigate negative effects if you overuse them.

>continued

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>>32638517
ABILITIES

(PASSIVE) Empower Self II – you use sorcery to increase your physical attributes by two points for two hours. Due to the nature of your power, this ability will automatically reactivate itself when it expires.
Improvised Transmutation I – you may manipulate the magic within your tattoos so as to cast simple combat transmutation. Simple illusions, temporary enchantments and elemental (e.g. fire) additions to objects are possible. Actual creation of matter or non-trivial modifications are beyond your ability.
(PASSIVE) Wondrous Body II – you give yourself the ability to regenerate grievous physical wounds at a very rapid rate by connecting your body directly to your sorcerous power flow. Non-fatal injuries can be healed in a matter of seconds and near-fatal injuries in minutes but you have difficulty healing magical injuries. The initial connection drains stamina and all healing drains sorcerous power – the ability will last for six hours without initiating a new connection. Due to the nature of your power, this ability will automatically reactivate itself when it expires.
Express Power I – you may reduce your Endurance by one point for 24 hours in exchange for completely refilling your magical reservoir (MP). You may also exchange your physical healthiness (HP) for more magical power (MP) at any time so long as you do not endanger your own life in doing so.

>>32638495

Tell her her scales are very pretty. Drop spaghetti all over the place.

>>32638495

>Lady Caitlyn may I touch them? Please?

>>32638495

Pretend to be surprised, fail horribly.

>>32638606
Seconding this

>You couldn’t be too careful – the summons could activate early. Or she could feel faint and then trip. You could then catch her and then…
>Gnome seemed to be putting something nice into you with hers, whereas your magic was always about taking that nice thing out of you.
>You reminded yourself to ask him for a set nearly as awesome.

Oh god Finn's adorable. I just want to hug him.

>>32638495
>You’re still waiting for what she’s supposed to be showing you, though. This isn’t anything new, right? I mean, everybody had to know she was draconic in some way. It was literally right there.
I like where this is going.
What about it?, you've decided to take your true form is there anything strange in this?

You look better this way.
Not that you aren't good looking in the first place.
spaghetti.exe

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Okay, so I see four responses.

VOTE
>1. Compliment her in an embarrassing way (to yourself).
>2. Ask to touch her wings and tail.
>3. Pretend to be surprised with all the social finesse you can muster. Which is none.
>4. Be unsurprised. You're still waiting for the real reveal, after all.

>>32638768
>3
>1

whynotboth

>>32638768
>4. Be unsurprised. You're still waiting for the real reveal, after all.

>>32638768
>1
>2
Channel the elf tg.

>>32638768

>1

>>32638768
>4
So I guess he know via magic feeling somehow?

>>32638768
>2
It must be done

>>32638768
>>4

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I'm probably going to go with 1 & 2 combined as they work well together and are quite popular.

Action will be starting the post after the next.

>>32638768
>1
>2

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>1. And 2

“You look really pretty, Lady Caitlyn,” you say earnestly. “You look so much more natural and better like this… Not that you looked bad in the first place! You were always pretty.”

As you get flustered, Caitlyn giggles at your reaction and ruffles your bronze hair lightly. You groan inwardly as you realise you missed a chance to look cool and suave in front of your master. Except he doesn’t appear to be paying that much attention to you, instead watching Vad with a slightly concerned gaze.

“Vad, you alright there?” you hear him ask, catching the warning tone in his voice. Damn, you wish you knew how to sound both concerned and threatening at the same time.

“Uh, just… surprised,” Vad says in return, his tails waving about in a slightly less frenetic fashion than they were a moment ago. He eyes everybody cautiously before continuing, “So everybody knew?”

There’s a few nods and affirmatives, including from yourself. Then you turn back to Caitlyn and gather your courage to ask, “So, can I touch them Lady Caitlyn?”

>continued

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>>32639127
Staring at you in surprise, Caitlyn nods dumbly. You immediately step forward and grab her wings. You had thought they were covered in scales, but it’s more like stone with grooves that look like scales. Even the part of her wings that should be membranous is stiff and hard – you frown as you wonder how they flex and move so easily if they’re made of something so rigid. Then you grab her tail, and note it seems to be more natural – it actually is covered in scales, with a narrow section of skin closer to the base of Caitlyn that disappears quite quickly. It seems to get wider the closer you get to her.

“Woah there, puppy,” Talon says as he gently stops your wandering hands, and you remember that this tail belongs to Caitlyn. Who is staring at you in surprise as you nearly place your hands on her rear. You blush and step back, drawing a few chuckles from Talon.

“Alright, form up teams as directed earlier,” he orders, and motions to you and Undine.

You look at Undine, who gives you a pretty smile. She’d given you the choice of fighting at the fore or rear in guarding Talon. You could probably manage both, though you’re more skilled at archery than weapons. You would be better at keeping the enemy summons at bay and can take more punishment than Undine, however, who is also the only person who can heal the others. You…

>1. Fight in hand-to-hand with summons at the front.
>2. Fight with your bow and arrows at the rear.
>3. Custom

>>32639118

I see I'm not the only one following multiple quests at once.

>>32639155

>1. Fight in hand-to-hand with summons at the front.

Gotta keep the healer healthy

>>32639155
>1. Fight in hand-to-hand with summons at the front.

>>32639155
>>2. Fight with your bow and arrows at the rear.

>>32639155
>1. Fight in hand-to-hand with summons at the front.

He'll get his chance to shine in archery soon, makes more sense to protect Undine.

>>32639155
>2. Fight with your bow and arrows at the rear.

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>1.

You take a deep breath and draw your scimitar. If these summons are anywhere near as dangerous as Gnome had implied, this is going to hurt a lot but you can take it for Undine. You know that’s what your master would do. Quickly checking on your magic, you frown as you realise your empowerment will reactivate shortly. Not wanting that momentary distraction in the middle of a fight, you spend a few moments concentrating, manipulating the senses of the tattoos engraved into your body. There’s a brief clicking sensation within you as the tattoo suddenly reactivates your empowerment, excess power washing over your limbs momentarily before settling into place.

“Eye on the prize, Finn,” Talon says behind you, giving you an odd look. He seemed very aware – had he sensed what you were doing?

Then he surges forward and you push the thoughts out of your mind. This is the first real fight alongside your master – you need to do your best. Prove that you are worthy of being his squire.

As all of you leap out into the room, there’s a roar of magic from all around the room. Bright light flashes from the ten summoning circles in the room, whirling particles of energy and fabricated matter appear in each of them as the magical force driving the runes activates to defend the room. Inside each appears solid steel warriors, like the stone golems in Terrnaine but made of dark metal instead of solid earth. Sharp razor blades protrude from some arms, while others appear to have strange cylindrical and hollow arms.

>continued

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>>32639514
One appears right below you and you ready to attack it – right before Talon hits the ground first and lashes out quicker than you can blink. His sword, humming with an energy that sets your teeth on edge, cuts straight through the summon’s middle. He then follows through with a hard slam from his shield, sending the two halves of the monster flying into the lower sections of the room as it dissipates into nothingness, its core having been sundered by the hard blows.

Then you crash down where it just was, right in the centre of the summoning circle. Talon towers above you, helmet firmly in place, and Undine falls behind you in a neat crouch. Giving you a nod, Talon strikes a pose right near the circle, but not in it, and then concentrates his energy, power swirling within him as he prepares to combat old and heavily embedded runes.

A blast of magic roars past your head, bursting on the stone behind you and creating a burst of great heat. You look over to see some of the enemy summons, those with cylindrical arms, firing balls of concentrated flame at you. Undine will need to deal with those while you prepare to deal with the other summons. You’ll need to be careful of the circle you’re closing, too, as it will still summon enemies that can harm Talon who is otherwise defenceless.

[DC14/18 Combat]

Rolled 5

>>32639535

Rolled 15

>>32639535

Rolled 19

>>32639535

Rolled 14

>>32639535
Rolling for elven acrobatics

>>32639553

Finn is the strongest squire

Rolled 3

>>32639551
>>32639552
>>32639553

The Finn kicks ass.

>>32639553

>Finn not even missing a beat

Best squire ever.

I feel bad for him though, the way it is written it seems like using his magic is legitimately painful. Poor guy.

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>Higher target met

One of the blade summons charges at you from across the room, leaping across the platforms with astounding agility. The steel that makes him up shimmers in the changing light as he moves and you gulp as you realise that he’ll be on you in an instant. As you raise your guard, you see several icicles shatter around the summon as he dances slightly to avoid it. Unfortunately, he doesn’t slow at all and he’s on you in an instant.

You’re ready for him.

The moment your foe touches down on this platform you surge forward, sorcery lifting your limbs. Your pain receptors fire off all across your body as you push your tattoos to pump more power into you – the pain of this will be nothing compared to having your torso ripped open by those wicked sharp blades on his arms. Your scimitar snaps up and deflects the blow aimed to counter your charge and you spin against his blow, drawing on his momentum and greater strength to push yourself into its blind spot. Strength surges through your arms, and you feel them strain to keep up with your spirit as you attempt to cut through the steel frame of the summon with your sword.

>continued

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>>32639961
Unfortunately, just as with your assault on your master, it fails. But you expected that. You’re not your master – if you want to cut through solid steel you’ll need more than just brute force.

You backwards into a handstand on the very edge of the platform as the summon spins to bisect you. The edges of its blades whirl past your chest a hair’s breadth from your skin and instead slice through the leather protecting you. If you’d be slightly less confident in yourself, you wouldn’t have put yourself so close to the edge and would have been in a bad spot.

Your efforts pay off when a blast of ice and water slams into the summon from behind. It remains unharmed but is thrown off balance, stumbling towards you. You immediately flex and propel yourself over the summon in a somersault, once again drawing on your enhanced strength to do the impossible. Pain surges through your arm as you rip some muscle, but it vanishes by the time you hit the ground and a faint trickle of magic drains out of you.

Catching its balance, the steel summon straightens and you realise this is your opening. You will fire into your sword, the excess energy floating in your limbs materialising in the air as searing hot embers. You continue to pump the magic into the air, maintaining not just the fire but a brilliant heat around it.

>continued

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>>32639989
Then you slam your sword, with its aura of flame and scorching heat, right into the back of the summon. Undine had just hit this section with a blast of ice cold energy. Applying so much heat to it so quickly, especially with your magic heating it up far faster than naturally possible, will be catastrophic.

The point of your scimitar crashes into the summon, fracturing and shattering the outside section of its body. You quickly pull your sword into a different position and strike again, unwilling to damage your blade too badly. This blow does the trick, your sword cutting through the melting steel like a hot knife through butter. The summon falls to one knee, or its nearest equivalent, and begins to dissipate, the magic sustaining it failing under the weight of your attack.

You breathe heavily, scanning the room. Adrenaline pumps through your veins, offsetting the pain from your magic. Not that you mind it too much – the pain feels good in the middle of battle. A constant reminder that you’re not dead despite the enemies around you.

Frowning, you spot two of those blaster summons at the far end together. Vad shouts out that the circles will summon again in twenty seconds. If you charge over to fight the summons, you may be able to double-back afterwards. If you don’t attack them it’s possible you’ll get overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies blasting you. You could also try to take them out from a distance.

>1. Charge over and attack the ranged foes.
>2. Stand your ground and catch your breath before the next summons.
>3. Try to pick off the ranged foes with your bow.
>4. Custom

>>32640006
>>3. Try to pick off the ranged foes with your bow.

Time for archery!

>>32640006
>3. Try to pick off the ranged foes with your bow.

I haven't felt underpowered in awhile, that's neat.

>>32640006
>3. Try to pick off the ranged foes with your bow.

>>32640006
>3. Try to pick off the ranged foes with your bow.

>>32640006
>3. Try to pick off the ranged foes with your bow.

You know, his two scimitars, archery, and magical tattoos that hurt him to use magic-I'm reminded of Shirou

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>>32640105
If only he was a little girl...

>>32640161
What's going on in this thread?!

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Pretty clear 3. Writing up now.

>>32640105
He only has one scimitar. And I don't remember Shirou having his ability to use magic engraved into him (he lacked even a crest and that worked differently, too).

>>32640161
You had your chance.

>>32640176
Just best girl being best.

>>32640193
Its cool we needed more guys to hang out with any way.

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>3.

You snap your scimitar into its sheathe. You suppress your tattoos momentarily, not needing their strain right now. Unfortunately, that comes with a cost – your head throbs with stabbing pain as the magic recedes. Your body screams out for magical sustenance as you throttle the flow slightly and your tattoos sense something is wrong and try to fight you.

“Undine, cover the others,” you say sharply, pain marring your judgement. The fear you suppressed earlier surges back with a vengeance as you unsling your bow and nock an arrow. You’ve never fought anything that terrifying and dangerous in such a bad situation – usually you would have had several comrades helping you, not just one. You also wouldn’t have been the one most in danger.

Your arrow shakes against the bow, creating a rattling sound as wood strikes wood. You tense your muscles and will it to stop as you draw on what little magic churns through your body. You need extra force to harm these things – force and mass. Maybe some extra durability to keep the arrow from breaking on contact. You’ll need to fire several shots and then be able to follow through and deal with the next wave of summons. Your master remains still, power surging into the ground beneath him. He needs your efforts right now.

No pressure.

[DC14/18 Combat]

Rolled 6

>>32640331
No pressure he says.

Rolled 7

>>32640331

Rolled 20

>>32640331

Rolled 7

>>32640331


>>32640193
It reminds me of how the magic circuits work- they hurt to use, remember. Especially when it was him making one out of his spine.

Rolled 12

>>32640331

>>32640358
>>32640377
>>32640382

The irony that is this post >>32640378

Is amazing.

>>32640382

Finn confirmed for best Squire of all ages.

>>32640382
Elfs man...

Rolled 14

>>32640382

Finn for Squire of the Year

>>32640382

Finn is learning well apparently. He'll need a good ruffle of the hair after all this.

Also I'm so game for getting him some fancy armor if he asks.

>>32640382
Our squire is a beast. I imagine if we where playing Talon right now we would be on fire. Gnome would be mostly dead and Talon would almost die due to all the natural 1s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yobcEZgN8LI
Shit just got real

>Finn's rolls making Aspirational work extra hard right off the bat

>Finn wishing he had some armor
oh... whoops. we really should get him some

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>Exceptional success

You master needs you, you think and concentrate on that thought as you line up your shot.

The great Imperator Talon York, a fearsome general and warrior, needs you to protect him.

Your head throbs with debilitating pain but you pay it no heed. To hell with that noise, you’re needed. A warrior you respect and admire is willing to place his trust in you to protect him from harm. You cannot fail.

You stop throttling your tattoos suddenly, power surging through you wildly. You catch some of it and slam it into the arrow, weaving a simple triple transmutation into it – extra mass, extra power and enough durability to keep it intact. Your shot is clear and the summon you’re targeting aims his cannon at you, a ball of flame about to burst out of it at any moment.

Then the summon collapses, a straight hold having been drilled through it in an instant from its cannon through to the other side of its torso. Your arrow flew straight and true but you don’t waste time reflecting on it. You turn slowly and deliberately to the other one, busy hurling blasts of flame at Vad, who is just finishing off the last blade summon before the next wave comes. He’s open and the next shot might harm him. It never comes, the cannon summon dissipating into nothingness after you punch a hole in its chest. You nock another arrow, willing magic into it as your body sings. Pain and pleasure comingles within you but you block it all out.

Magic roars in the background, noted absently by a part of your mind, as the circles summon the next wave. The cannon summon on the platform opposite yours goes down in an instant, your arrow striking true. You take a deep breath, your breath misting up in front of you – no, not misting, glowing with motes of magic. You gulp, your façade cracking for an instant as you realise you might be pushing yourself a bit too hard.

>continued

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>>32640948
Then you come back to reality and swap back to your scimitar. Whirling backwards, you launch into a wild series of blows against the blade summon that just appeared next to your master. Undine steps back from you, shock on her face, as you charge in front of her and smash into it. Your sword can’t hurt it as easily as your arrows but you can disable it. You bearhug the summon as you hurtle towards the edge of the platform, pumping as much cold into its frame as you can in such a short time. Then you’re flying off the edge.

Nimbly, you propel yourself off the summon’s steel body onto a wall and, pumping some spare magic into your legs, you leap back up onto the platform where your master is. You can’t feel any pain but you don’t need to. It just gets in the way. You hear a loud crash and the sound of a large block of frozen steel shattering on the floor far below.

There’s two blade summons coming your way this time and a cannon summon taking aim at you. Clearly something thinks you’re a threat. Or they just want to harm your master. You won’t let them.

Readying your scimitar, lightning crackling along its length, you summon all the magic you can. Your body feels strong – you haven’t had to burn your reserves on repairing it so you have plenty of strength to spare. As the blade summons charge towards you, icicles crash into them. One loses his balance and falls, leaving you to deal with one first.

>continued

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>>32640957
You nimbly spin to avoid the blast of heat, timed to the enemy’s arrival, and your sword snaps up to meet the summon’s blade. Your lightning arcs onto its body and its entire frame shudders for a moment, the excess magic pooled in your blade destabilising it for a moment. Summons are complex creations and pumping so much magic into it can’t be good for them. Then it pulls back, its movements slower than before. You don’t hesitate and launch a series of blows at it. The first cuts straight through its arm, the second punches through its chest and the last nearly bisects it.

Then there’s another one behind you and you whirl and smash your sword into it. Its recoils, its arm pulling back from where it was striking you, and you follow through with a frenetic assault. You breathe heavily as it dissipates, barely having a moment to recover before the next wave is on you.

It’s violent. It’s painful. It’s refreshing.

>continued

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>>32640980
You slam your sword, point-first, into the blade summon in front of you, the third you’re fighting this wave. Your hand holds its nearest blade at bay while you finish it off, and you push it away as it begins to fade. You whirl around, sensing movement and terror strikes your heart. A blade summon is coming crash down on you – Undine is busy trying to snipe some of the numerous cannon summons and you’re alone. You prepare to draw on your reservoir to try to repel its greater strength.

Then a great figure steps up next to you and bats it aside with a strong blow of its sword. Talon looks down at you and you swell with pride, knowing that you protected him.

“Next platform, Finn,” he says, and you can sense the approval in his voice. “We’ll clear the two cannons and then get to work in earnest. You’re doing well – good job not getting cut up much.”

For the next platform you…

>1. Continue to hold the front-line
>2. Swap with Undine and use your archery more.
>3. Ask Undine to hold against the weaker waves while you dedicate yourself to dealing with the cannon summons that are causing issues.
>4. Custom

Rolled 9

>>32640999
>>3. Ask Undine to hold against the weaker waves while you dedicate yourself to dealing with the cannon summons that are causing issues.

>>32640999
Finn seems to be getting a little beat up, probably time for archery practice.

>>32640999
>3. Ask Undine to hold against the weaker waves while you dedicate yourself to dealing with the cannon summons that are causing issues.

>>32640999
what is the difference between 2 and 3?

>>32640999
>3. Ask Undine to hold against the weaker waves while you dedicate yourself to dealing with the cannon summons that are causing issues.

Also damn that was awesome. Finn is a little Ranger/Red Mage wrecking ball.

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>>32641050
The third is more offensive as you'll be prioritising all cannon summons, not just those threatening Talon.

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>>32640999
>3. Ask Undine to hold against the weaker waves while you dedicate yourself to dealing with the cannon summons that are causing issues.

Damn, Finn I ain't gay, but that made me diamonds.

>>32641104
oh, in that case do 3

>>32641104
Well wouldn't we do that anyway if there were none threatening Talon?

>>32641129
don't worry, it ain't gay with an elf

>>32641153
"It ain't gay with a human either. *wink*"

>>32640944

Post PoP capture present. Because he's doing so well in such a short time. We are in Ahm too, pretty much perfect set up.

>>32641191
well, to be honest it was mostly because he didn't ask.

actually i want to have an ask around if anyone needs any equipment. we can get everyone upgrades.

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>>32641153
Finn is pretty moe. To bad my elf folder is like only elf girls.

>>32641214
Maybe if he didn't have armor, he'd get better carefulness training. /Sith

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>3.

“Um, Talon,” you say to your master, feeling more confident after your fighting. “I think I can handle the cannon summons better. Undine can protect you.”

Talon gives you a surprised look, before grinning. He looks to Undine and says, “You think you can manage that, Undine? Finn keeps the cannon summons down while everybody else focuses on the blades threatening them, then helps him. Should make life easier for everybody.”

Undine frowns at you, looking concerned. “I can manage it. Will you be okay, Finn? You don’t look so well.”

“I feel great,” you say, both lying and telling the truth. Your body is a wreck and there’ll be hell to pay for this later but knowing that you’re impressing Sir Talon is an amazing feeling. If you can do it more then you don’t care what happens to you.

Undine nods and then Talon and here leap over to the next platform. You scan the room, noting that Gnome and Maloric are still finishing off their circles. There are three stray cannon summons left. Plenty of targets and plenty of time. You concentrate and prepare to engage.

[DC12/16 Combat]

Rolled 11

>>32641313

Rolled 10

>>32641313

Rolled 6

>>32641313
Welp

Rolled 6

>>32641313

Rolled 115

>>32641313

>>32641344
>>32641332
>>32641319

No! Not like this!

>>32641319
>>32641332
>>32641344

OH NO!

Rolled 12

>>32641349
Oah anon...

Rolled 7

Well crap.

>>32641370
>>32641356
don't worry, we are no longer on the front lines and we didn't crit fail.
We are probably just not going to be able to kill the cannon guys fast enough or something
or take a minor injury

>>32641376
Well, maybe he'll learn to pace himself with a near miss.

>>32641393
>Your overuse of magic arrows rips through your arm in a horrible spray of gore.
>dice
>You die of blood loss, sorry.

>>32641438
>Your overuse of magic arrows rips through your arm in a horrible spray of gore.
maybe on a crit fail
>You die of blood loss, sorry.
he has regeneration and undine can heal

>>32641473
>You don't understand.
>dice
>You die of blood loss.

Rolled 19

>>32641356
>>32641370

Welp, at least it's not a Nat 1

>>32641486
so far the dice has been good to us

>>32641555
Don't worry, there's still time for Finn to die in a horrible spray of gore, an explosive report followed by hushed silence with only a strained whisper of the words "mmmaster... Talon..."

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>target not met

The remaining summons go down easily enough, as you leap between the platforms and take them down one by one with your lightning sword. Overpowering them with magic is an effective trick, if an expensive one for you. You can almost hear your bones creak and your muscles scream with every movement but experience and magical power keeps them at bay. You pause for a moment before the next wave and a quick mental check confirms that you probably have a little under half your magical reservoir left. With the weaker waves you should be able to survive the next three waves before running out.

Then it all goes horribly wrong.

The next lot of summons are… stronger. They’re a bronze colour, rather than the burnished steel of the previous ones. Alarm bells sound in your head that you should pull back. You hesitate for a moment, thinking of your master, before deciding to pull back. If you’re outmatched then pushing onwards is simply a fast way to die, he had told you. You quickly dart away from the cannon summon next to you, blue flames scorching past you rather than the red of the last summons, and leap up to the platform closest to Talon and Undine.

>continued

>>32641684
If he is able to speak then it seems like in most cases he could heal or at least stabilize himself. That ability he has seems quite powerful.

>>32641684
Why did I get that scene with the guys in the hotspring after a battle and Talon giving Finn a backrub/massage and him moaning. Gnome and Merce are hiding out of view and hear the mewlings and all they can think is....how lewd, I don't even know on which side of the massage I want to be.

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>>32641739
Then you try to scream, only to find your lungs filled with blood. You’re knocked aside, rolling roughly across the platform you leapt to. A pair of loud thumps indicates that the blade summon who ambushed you from below is here. Your lower chest is a mess of blood and you try not to think too hard about the things you just saw that you don’t normally see.

Rolling to the side, you inwardly thank your magical power for allowing you to keep moving where you would otherwise be entering shock. Two massive bronze blade-arms slam down into the stone where you had lain, driving up dust but otherwise not harming the reinforced stone. You spin to your feet, magic surging through your chest as it repairs your vital organs, having just finished repairing your skin so that they’re not sticking out anymore. There’s a brief pause as the blade summon turns to you and you realise something’s amiss.

You spin quickly, but not quickly enough, and catch the blast of fire on the forearm instead of your back. The fire incinerates the cloth around your arm and melts the flesh. You let out a strangled scream as you lose motor control over the arm, your tendons useless until your tattoos can spare the power to repair them. You don’t lose your head though, and keep moving forward, lightning surging through your sword. You won’t die here.

And you don’t. Somehow, you don’t. The lightning trick still works, and both summons go down hard. They’re tougher and faster, but not so tough you can’t beat them. You’re feeling prepared to back up Talon now, and resume falling back. Or you would have, if the next wave didn’t spawn in on top of you. You’re cut off and fighting for your life, and your magical reservoir is almost dry. You fight for your life, cutting down the cannon summon and the next one that leaps up to attack you – something is directing your foes and targeting you. There’s no way they would be dedicating so many to you otherwise.

>continued

>>32641742
By the time you hear that sorrowful cry of languid self-disappointment, he's already dead.

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>>32641768
As the next wave comes in, your attacks weak and slow enough to leave you unable to mop up the enemies fast enough, you roll off the platform by accident as you try to avoid the next attack. Crashing to the platform below you, you manage to bat aside the cannon of a summon before he melts your face. Then a blade summon, just like the one from earlier, jumps up and lands next to you. You see your death.

They don’t see theirs. A massive explosion, shaped to blast forwards, rips the two of them apart. You’re mostly unharmed apart from your near-complete exhaustion. You look desperately to where your master is and see him standing with his bow ready, a massive armored figure keeping you safe.

Your reservoir is dry and there’s one last trio of waves to come. This will likely get harder. You wonder why Gnome didn’t tell all of you. Or maybe she didn’t know? Nevertheless, you need strength and tap into your body itself as your tattoos let you.

[DC11 Express Power]

Probably just two more posts left as Finn. There’ll be a short delay before the next one as I prepare lunch.

I'm still hoping to finish the PoP dive by the end of this thread.

Rolled 18

>>32641796

>>32641739
I thought option 3 was to kill the cannon guys with arrows, not melee.

Rolled 14

>>32641796

Rolled 19

>>32641796
tis a flesh wound

Rolled 20

>>32641796

I can't be doing with all of these close calls man.

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>>32641849
Fuck. Wish I hadn't rolled now. Thanks anon.

Rolled 20

>>32641849
Hey buddy.

>>32641849
almost anon, almost

Rolled 14

>>32641873
>>32641849
hilarious, dice.

Hilarious

>>32641768
>The lightning trick still works, and both summons go down hard.
So has Finn come up with the concept of magic EMP?! Extremely Magical Pulse. Should tell Talon immediately!

Rolled 7

>>32641849
aww, I'm >>32641846
I'd gladly give my place for the nat20.
I guess Finn will be the ruler of the elvish kingdom once we get there

>>32641849
>>32641873

Come on Aspie, this has gotta be worth something, right?

>>32641923
its worth our tears.
rules are rules.

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Rolled 11

>>32641849
>>32641873

>>32641849

>mfw I've posted 3 20s and a 19 in the last two threads

Christ. But fucking hell.

>>32641947
please keep rolling anon

>>32641947
Keep up the good work senpai.

Rolled 3

>>32641947

It's better than rolling 3 straight 1s

Like I did in one of the previous threads

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>Target met

You grit your teeth as the tattoos drain away part of your life to fuel themselves. Lancing pain goes through your head and your heart skips a beat, quite literally, as you weaken your body in order to keep making it stronger. The pain is always intense but short-lived. Most of the time.

Luckily, this is one of those times. The pain subsides, leaving only the general pains of your body which fade further with the renewed magic pumping through your body from your sacrifice. You stand up, giving your master and wave and joining him. You run up to him and he gives you a solid poke in the head, the armor giving it a little more impact.

Rubbing your head, you whine, “What was that for?”

“For nearly getting killed,” Talon says sharply. “Good call on retreating but if you’re going to put yourself in that much danger you need to be more careful when pulling out. Sometimes the better choice is to stand and fight rather than turn your back.”

You nod, realising that Talon was just expressing concern. You had to work harder to avoid that. You look around and see that everybody is moving into new positions. The less numerous waves were cleared faster, if not more easily. You wince as you see Undine with a long cut along her arm, if nothing worse. You’re not going to be so reckless – especially as the next wave will be worse.

There’ll be a blade summon appearing right on top of you shortly, followed by two more. It should be the only foe. How will you fight it?

>Write in response

I’m going to see what sort of response I get with write-ins, as I’m otherwise busy right now. If it doesn’t work, I’ll just offer some prompts

>>32642137

Tag-team combat with Undine. She can lead the motions, that's a major strength of Talon's so Finn should be learning it as well.

>>32642137
arrows.
we deal the most damage with arrows.

Rolled 19

Point out that they seem to target you, maybe use yourself as bait so that the heavy hitters can be at an advantage.

Rolled 1

>>32642223

I like this, the education of Finn continues

>>32642262
i think they were targetting finn because he was seperated from the rest and thus appeared as an easy target
in other words, they are fighting intelligently

>>32642289
Spooky.

>>32642223
>>32642137

This works I suppose.

>>32642289
Naw, its implied that he was actually being targeted by something.

>>32642289

>something is directing your foes and targeting you. There’s no way they would be dedicating so many to you otherwise.

Nah I think something else is at play here.

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Tag-team seems pretty popular so I might just go with that.

[DC12/16 Foe 1; DC12/16 Foe 2; DC12/16 Foe 3]

Roll 3d20 please.

The next post will be the last as Finn.

Rolled 10, 17, 17 = 44

>>32642504

Rolled 8, 20, 16 = 44

>>32642504

Rolled 5, 2, 5 = 12

>>32642504

Rolled 19, 18, 10 = 47

>>32642504

Rolled 12, 8, 8 = 28

>>32642504

>>32642528
>>32642531
>>32642537

Alright so:
Target 1: Fail
Target 2: Exceptional Success
Target 3: Upper Target Met

That'll do.

Rolled 9, 2, 19 = 30

>>32642528
>>32642531
>>32642537

10, 20, 17

2 out of 3 isn't horrible I suppose

>>32642584
isn't horrible? these are excellent rolls!

>>32642637

I would have preferred failing the last one instead of the first, but hopefully the Nat 20 should make up for the initial setback.

>>32642637
they're alright
pretty average

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>>32642531
Not bad.

Pic unrelated.

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Writing up now. Expect a long post in about thirty minutes. After that, it'll be a short break as Talon followed by the last (long) trial which will mix with the finale for the PoP dive.

>>32642756

Read: Income insanity

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>>32642794
Prepare yourselves, Comrades.

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I can't handle the Talon after experiencing the Finn

>>32643200

I hope we get random Finn perspectives from time to time now. Even though it makes me sad that his body literally tears itself apart to fight.

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I'm still doing the last foe but I'll start posting now.

>Tag-team fighting with Undine

As Talon begins dispelling his last circle, Undine walks up to you. You’re busy mentally preparing yourself for the next foe and so you’re taken by surprise when she ruffles your hair.

“You’re doing well, Tarfinn,” she says, giving you a sweet smile. “Just remember that I’m here if things get tough for you.”

You nod and try not to blush too hard when she gives you a soft kiss on the cheek. You envied your master for being to get this whenever he wanted. One day you’ll be a great lord under him, with your harem of beautiful and powerful women who will kiss you on the cheek whenever you like. Maybe even on the lips, too.

Shaking your head, you put your head back in the game. If the summons get stronger like you expect them to then this won’t be easy.

>Foe 1: 10, 8, 5; Target not met

The circle roars with energy and you catch the snap of Undine’s sorcery next to you. A great ball of ice arcs out and slams into the summon, knocking it backwards and away from Talon. You dart around to his side, so that you can prevent any surprise attacks while you fight the blade summon.

You give it a quick once over before darting it – this one is gold, and at least fifty percent bigger. Is seems slightly more cumbersome than the last lot but no more so than the first group. Too easy.

You slip in, easily dodging the swings of your foe, and slam your scimitar into its torso. Lightning arcs into it and magic shudders into its body. You prepare to step back and deal the finishing blow, as you have before.

>continued

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>>32643307
Then your head nearly gets taken off. A blade swings across at you and you fail to dodge it, instead taking it on the jaw. The golden blade sheers straight through bone and flesh and nearly removes your jaw, and you stumble backwards with a scream, your head overloading with pain. Magic courses through your body and begins to restitch the damage, which is relatively minor compared to most blows. Your head swims but you keep your concentration as the summon shrugs off a barrage of Undine’s icicles and water.

You manage to avoid getting skewered on the charge, instead only having your left lung torn open with your side. Dropping into a roll, you instead summon fire along your sword. Undine catches your intention and slams another wave of ice water into your foe. It ignores her and goes for you again. You rise to your feet… and then immediately drop into a roll to skate by its side. Jumping to your feet, you spin and thrust your scimitar into its back where Undine had targeted it. Your fire spell was slightly different to earlier – instead you focused on putting all of the heat and flame into the point of your sword, realising that its penetration power that matters the most.

Plunging deep into its back, you’re nearly thrown aside when it tries to turn to face you. You fear that you’ve failed when it collapses, pulling you down with it. You wince when your jaw, still slightly tender from the recent healing, slams into the stone floor.

>continued

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>>32643327
>Foe 2: 17, 20, 2; Exceptional success

Rising to your feet, you swap with Undine. She ruffles your hair again with a concerned look and you glance at Talon, still deep in concentration. You won’t let him down.

Once again, the golden blade summon appears. This time, you riddle it with arrows.

You had summoned all of your focus, just like earlier. This time, you concentrate on the wound Undine bears. That was your fault – she shouldn’t have sustained it. If you’d been a little better, faster and strong you could have kept her safe just as your master would have. And if he failed, you know he would have been enraged – and so should you be too.

You power your arrows with rage, the magic flowing easily into three arrows, one on your bow and two dangling from your fingertips. It’s an old Daerfir technique that few master – you’ve practiced and practiced and can only rarely pull it off. You know you had the talent – you’ve been told as such by a woman you admire more than anybody in the world except, maybe, master. The transmutations on your arrows will defeat the summon. You just need to hit it with all three before it can react. The magic of the circles roars and your bow twangs three times.

Three holes, punched straight through its chest. It shudders, but keeps moving – the magic from its recent summoning just enough to keep it going. Undine will have none of it and hits it with a palm strike, supported by a half-dozen icicles that add just enough impact to put the summon down for good. It collapses on the ground with a loud boom, motes of magic rising from it as it vanishes.

>>32643307
>You nod and try not to blush too hard when she gives you a soft kiss on the cheek. You envied your master for being to get this whenever he wanted. One day you’ll be a great lord under him, with your harem of beautiful and powerful women who will kiss you on the cheek whenever you like. Maybe even on the lips, too.

Damn it Finn stop being so adorable.

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>>32643357
>Foe 3: 17, 16, 5; Higher target met, upgraded to Exceptional Success due to previous roll

Undine turns to you with a look of surprise. And respect. If there’s one thing you’re most happy about now, it’s that maybe the others will look at you a little like they look at Talon.

You really wish Tsucchi would look at you like she does Talon. Those fluffy tails…

You take a deep breath, summoning your will again and your three arrows. One last summon and then Talon will be back. We’ll close the last circle, destroy the pattern further below and then you can rest. You’d like a rest.

The summon appears. Your arrows fly true and you feel a moment of triumph as you pull of the triple-shot technique for the second time in a row – with enchanted arrows to boot!

Except the summon keeps moving, and not in the stumbling fashion of the last one. It surges forwards, desperate to slay Talon. You barely catch the fact it has four arms – two cannons and two blades – before Undine takes out its legs with a small ice wall in front of it. It falls, a loud boom echoing throughout the chamber along with others from the other fights. Undine dances forward, flipping over a desperate swing by the summon as it regains its feet. Another arm swings a cannon towards you, and you quickly drop your bow and draw your scimitar.

>continued

>>32643307
does finn know about the birds and the bees?

>>32643435
I'm kinda hoping that Henry's daughter falls for Finn.

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>>32643539
Scorching white fire bursts against your scimitar and you feel some of the skin on your face bubble at the heat. It heals at almost the same rate as the damage is done, though, and you instead take back up your bow quickly. Darting to the side to avoid another cannon shot you put another enchanted arrow through the cannon itself, firing as you run. Undine slips underneath its arms, ice tinkling around her as magic surges through the air from all directions. She swings upwards towards its other cannon arm and severs it with a lance of magic. She falls to the ground suddenly, dodging another blow, and you cover her with another arrow shot to the chest.

That one strikes true and the summon shudders at the blow. It tries desperately to take one last swing at Undine. She tries to stand but the cut on her arm causes her arm to give out under her.

Rage surges in you. She’s going to die. Undine is going to die because of you.

The summon stops, mid-swing, as three more arrows punch holes in it. You stare in disbelief, wondering where the shots came from. Then you realise they came from you – you’ve never shot that fast before.

Then your legs give way under you, as you realise its over. Talon begins to move, holding an arrow in one hand which he twirls as he walks towards you. Undine takes his sword and then it all blacks out.

>You are now Talon again

It doesn’t take long to mop up the rest of the room. The remaining circle was trivial with so many defenders and the pattern near the crystal couldn’t defend itself from your bow. You let your team break camp in the next room, to avoid any more nasty surprises.

You look over at Finn, blearily aware of what’s going on as Undine feeds him some soup that had been magically prepared. He’s a hell of a fighter but you worry that he pushes himself too much.

>Pick somebody to talk to and what about

This is just a short break before resuming the dive.

>>32643307
>You nod and try not to blush too hard when she gives you a soft kiss on the cheek. You envied your master for being to get this whenever he wanted. One day you’ll be a great lord under him, with your harem of beautiful and powerful women who will kiss you on the cheek whenever you like. Maybe even on the lips, too.
Finn will be either the greatest ladykiller the world have ever seen, even greater than Talon, or he'll be the greatest male to be teased by anything female.
Finn the Scarlet King, and the color is not because of the blood of his enemies.

>>32643600
>Henry's daughter
who?

>>32643643
King Henry II of Farun,

>>32643601

>Speak with Undine/Finn

Failing that, Gnome, because what the hell lady, heads up on the increased difficulty would have been nice. Assuming she knew.

>>32643601
Someone that saw how he did fare.
Lynn

>>32643601
Talk to undine about how Finn did.

This really puts things into perspective on powerlevels. As Talon not meeting a DC was dented armor or bad positioning, a nat 1 broken bones. Not meeting a DC with Finn is losing body parts and spilling blood everywhere, I'm scared to see a nat 1 on him.

>>32643775
Agree with this guy
>Speak with Undine/Finn

>>32643723

I was unaware he had a daughter. I know Old King Fenix of the RSK has a daughter, did you get those two mixed up maybe?

>>32643883
He's a royal who hasn't been involved in warfare. Lots of kids is pretty much to be expected.

>>32643848

I think that was actually intentional battle style.

Note sacrificing limbs to block attacks. Or taking wounds to gain position.

If you're an Elf in the warrior caste that can regen on will of course you'd be taught to fight in such a way. Which is fucking mortifying.

>>32643775
>bitch at gnome that her excellent info was not 100% complete
>assuming she knew
of course she didn't know, don't be an ass.

we should come up with a way into seducing lynn into falling for us.

she was crushing on us at first but it seems that we gave her the impression of "just sex".

Any ideas on how to capture her heart?

>>32643948

It might have been intentionally left out or glazed over actually because the rest of the group can deal with it on the fly with ease, and she assumed as much without thinking. Finn however can't adjust to it as quickly and is still a novice by all rights, so a heads up, assuming that was knowledge she had would have been useful.

Calm down fella.

One suit of mage knight for Finn as soon as possible.
Gotta have him train a lot so it doesn't cramp his style.

>>32643999

No because this isn't waifu simulator.

>>32643600
I've got it.
You know how Ahm once had a royal family, and OP mentioned that Alice banished them instead of killing them? The Heir to the throne of Ahm falls in love with Fin.

>>32644015

I have a feeling his fitting style and quick movements would compliment LMK really well. Something to look into, Ahm was a working template for it after all.

>>32644039
>this isn't waifu simulator.
last i checked it was

>>32644058
she isn't actually the heir if her family is deposed and banished
she is just a commoner whose ancestor was royalty.

>>32644058

Can we not try to set our naive elf with ladies yet? He doesn't even seem to understand the finer concepts yet.

>>32643601
talk to mal.
about planning a shopping trip to get new gear for everyone.
what with the people here being the core of the army.

>>32644152
Okay, technically she'd be a pretender. It would still be hilarious and cause amusing chaos.

>>32644184
that is a fair point, he doesn't know what to do with them yet

>>32644198
it wouldn't be that funny. nor will it cause any chaos. alyce has ahm firmly in her hands and we are in good terms with her for the foreseeable future.

>>32644184
>So fin you put your pOnOs into her vagOOO and JAM IT IN.
>Talon, you lost me.

>>32644229
>that is a fair point, he doesn't know what to do with them yet
he need to be set up with an older, experienced woman who could teach him

>>32644197
The issue is that the gear for magic using soldiers is rare and extremely expensive. Mind you, we could probably pay for it by exporting AA gear.
>>32644229
Dunno, maybe if Merce dropped by to help him out at an awkward moment.

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>>32644015
>>32644107
it would need to be a modified suit like Talon's due to the fact that Finn has permanent Empower Self II.

>Talk to Undine

You walk over to Undine and take a seat. Finn is leaning against her side slightly, obviously pretty out of it. He greets you cheerfully when he spots you and you give him a nod, which makes him happy. Happier, as he looks damned positive despite having gotten hammered in that room.

“I have my own impressions of Tarfinn from what I saw but I’d like to hear your opinion, Undine,” you say quietly. If Finn understands what you’re talking about, he doesn’t show it and instead cuddles a little closer to Undine as she stops feeding him momentarily.

Undine pats his head lightly as she thinks, frowning. “His regeneration is terrifyingly strong. I don’t know if you saw it, but when he went off on his own he took a blow that should have killed him. Yet he kept moving – even you would have been struggling to fight like he did if you were that badly wounded. There are genuine monsters that don’t have regeneration so capable.”

“That explains his recklessness, then,” you say. “If it doesn’t kill him he can just shrug it off. That must chew up a lot of energy, though.”

“He has a lot of that, too, and I think he recovers it faster,” she says. “He’s… attuned to natural sorceries. He acts a bit oddly when we’re using our magic, even trivially. Like lesser elementals do. I suspect that’s why he has so many tattoos – assuming that not all Daerfir are like that.”

“I hope not,” you say, frowning. Your squire was considerably more impressive than you expected – he couldn’t measure up to you, but he could keep up with most of your comrades despite his inexperience. A true wealth of untapped power – you just needed to keep him from killing himself. Or from driving himself insane.

>continued

>>32644255
like mercie!

>>32644260
>The issue is that the gear for magic using soldiers is rare and extremely expensive.
Yes, it is super expensive. Replicating talon's suit would cost the same as 10 (or was it 100?) MMK suits to replicate
Which is well within our national budget. and considering the sheer effect our elites have on the battlefield. it will be worth it to get such upgrades

I just realized we didn't get any Talon smashing shit with a hammer.

Damn. Ah well worked either way.

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>>32644303
You try and fail to get his attention before settling for giving him a thumbs up, which he returns. It’s a few hours later that you’re all ready to move on – into an area that Gnome is uncertain of, even if Undine knows the way. You also pretend not to notice the way Finn gets a little tense and focuses some magic briefly during the break – you have a suspicion that his magic is not as pleasant as most people’s but you’re loathe to bring it up here and discourage him.

It’s a few hours later, and after you’ve dealt with a few traps and wandering spirits, when you begin to find the magic in the air thicken strongly. The PoP is nearby. Naturally, it’s deep inside what appears to be the lair of a mad mage. Go figure.

“Bestiary. Armory. Lab,” says Mal, deciphering the text above the three large doors past the long defunct entrance guardian. “I’m not sure there will be much of interest hanging around but it’s safe to say the challenges will be different. Rogue magisters research all sorts of crazy crap – who knows what’s lingering a century or two down the track.”

You venture to the PoP via…

>1. The Bestiary. Expect to face vicious and unpredictable spirit beasts. Probably the easiest path, but potentially with nasty surprises.
>2. The Armory. Summons, patterns, sentient armor and active guardians will await you. There may be some loot of interest, however.
>3. The Lab. Full of experiments and wayward magic. The PoP will have made this incredibly dangerous. Mal may find something of interest, though it may be outside his field of work.

>>32644336
>>3. The Lab. Full of experiments and wayward magic. The PoP will have made this incredibly dangerous. Mal may find something of interest, though it may be outside his field of work.

>>32644336
Both 2 and 3, in order.

>>32644336
>>2. The Armory. Summons, patterns, sentient armor and active guardians will await you. There may be some loot of interest, however.
Hey, if the armor is sentient we can offer it a new job.

>>32644336
>2. The Armory. Summons, patterns, sentient armor and active guardians will await you. There may be some loot of interest, however.

>>32644336
>2. The Armory

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>>32644392
Only doing one tonight. I'll consider what to do about the other one between now and the next thread.

>>32644336
>>2. The Armory. Summons, patterns, sentient armor and active guardians will await you. There may be some loot of interest, however.
Can we go back to the others after we're done with the PoP? Or backtrack and go through another?

>>32644394
>Hey, if the armor is sentient we can offer it a new job.
I like how you think.

>>32644425
in that case lets do 3
we can search for more mundane loot on the way back

>>32644394

>I mean guarding a PoP is a pretty big deal. Maybe the biggest deal yeah? But what if I told you I had something even BETTER? Yeah how about that shit, something even more powerful to guard for all eternity. Think about it, imagine how jealous all of the other sentient armours will be.

So, can someone remind me...
is tarafinn's race incapable of using their magic without their tattoos?

>>32644479
Basically yes, assuming you don't figure out another way to let them channel their magic. Given time, Tylarne could probably figure out an alternate method for example.

>>32644336
>3
Talon stronk

>>32644479
Didn't Merce also said it works as some sort of limiter in his case?

I am so glad these summons weren't like the ones mal summoned during that battle in vitria. those that just disintegrated any matter they touched

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>2.

What appears to be the main room of the armory looks exceedingly ordinary. Tables full of rusted weapons and armor, the walls covered in racks of the same. There are several alcoves on the side with some displays – one is even intact. At the far end of the room, sitting atop a tall column, is a massive steel statue of a chimera. You’re pretty certain it’s a statue, given you can’t sense magic around it. Maybe it’s rigged to breath fire if you set off a floorplate?

You gesture to Gnome to start scanning the room as you slowly step into it, shield raised.

That’s when something tingles your senses.

[DC12 Perception]

Rolled 18

>>32644637

Rolled 13

>>32644637
Here we go

Rolled 10

>>32644637
Tarfinn's pretty BOSS.
Can't skinner the finner!

>>32644659
>Can't skinner the finner!
Can squire get some men under their control? 'cause that could be their own battle cry.

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>>32644778
You'll need to teach him Leadership. He's got the talent for it, he just needs some experience and learning.

>Target met

Or it might be better to say what doesn’t tingle your senses. Magic.

There’s no magic in this room.

Or, you think as Gnome steps in, you just can’t sense it. Gnome feels like an ordinary woman right now. Except you know she’s not and anything that could prevent her from being so was cause her unimaginable pain.

“Gnome, use some magic,” you say, giving her a serious gaze as you scan the room for irregularities.

She does so, creating a dirt clod in her hand. You didn’t sense a thing when she did so. Finn stares at Gnome in surprise.

“How did you do that without using magic?” he asks sounding confused.

Gnome frowns and does so again, using her magic. Then it clicks with everybody else that something is shutting down the innate sixth sense for magic everybody has. Even Vad can’t sense anything – which is exceedingly strange as you and he use astral energy. What is going on?

“The room is flooded with Aether,” Mal says. “Dead magic. It’s completely harmless but, well, it’s also smothering our senses with noise. Like trying to see in a deep fog. Careful, Talon.”

You don’t need to be told twice, and you’ve already worked out one of the main irregularities – the empty spaces that line the walls at regular intervals. If you were an interior decorator of good taste, you’d fill them with armor racks. Which means they’re likely summons, just like earlier. If the rogue magister who built this place had anything to do with the deathtrap earlier he likely has some talent with summons, constructs and patterns.

You’ve got a room filled with tables, potentially invisible enemies and you can’t sense magic. How do you proceed?

>Battleplans, gentlemen

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>>32644853
Oh, and the exit is on the other side of the chimera statue at the opposite side of the room. Probably locked somehow. Missed that part in the initial description.

>>32644853
Stampede through recklessly and as fast as possible.

>>32644853
burn off the aether, allowing us all to properly sense things again

>>32644961
by that i mean draw it and use it all up.

For the invisible enemies, have Gnome/Undine make a small mudstorm/duststorm.

>>32644853
Can we go into that astral mode and see what's actually there beyond the veil?

>>32644853
Send a summon thru to trigger traps. Or have Gnome and Undine toss ice and dirt balls in to trigger stuff.

>>32644961
>>32644987
PS. regaining the ability to sense properly would be critical in finding any potential loot

>>32644994
I hadn't considered invisibility... normally you can detect the magic of invisible enemies but here you can't. gnome should manifest some dust on the ground around, and undine a very light fog. both should allow detecting invisible enemies

Rolled 50

Form an outside perimeter, keep all angles covered by teammates and keep your head on a swivel.

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>>32644961
Aether is just dead magical energy clogging up the works because it's useless. You can't use it up and manipulate it (because there's no magic in it). You're probably the only person who could manipulate it if you tried to use your astral power but no guarantees (and something could go wrong if you tried to use your power on such a large scale like that).

>>32644997
Not sure what you mean here.

>>32644994
>>32645039

Supporting these ideas!

Random ideas.
>Talon attempts to "repossess" the dead magic, kind of in the same way he stole Darian's essence

>if invisible enemies exist, dust cloud from Gnome?

>>32645055
you'd think someone would find a way to generate aether in a controlled environment for use as anti-Mage/MK bombs. Drop on enemy side, suddenly the MKs can't do shit because their armor becomes dead weight, mages are just living pincushions

>>32645055
something can ALWAYS go wrong.
I say we try for manipulating the aether. But not all the aether at once, rather do it over time.

Now, for specific manipulation... I would like to try "repairing" it from dead magic to live magic so to speak
But before we do, lets discuss some magic theory about the exact nature of aether. mal, vad and gnome might have some input on the plan

Almost nothing we can do about the traps, which is why we stick together. Personally, I want to rush the door, but I doubt it would work. See if we can bust open the door from a distance.

>>32645110

Literally the first few threads dealt with that minor bit. Anti-magic exists, and is rare, difficult to create, and used by assassins. Had a nice bit of it thrown at Talon in the first boss battle.

>>32645110
according to mal its harmless and does not disrupt your magic. it just blocks your magic "sight" so to speak.

HOLY SHIT! we should collect it and find a way to replicate it. we could use it for magic stealth!
imagine MMK being used by a magicless person... which is covered with a layer of aether making it non detectible to magic users!

>>32645133
this isn't anti-magic, its aether, which has different properties.
anti-magic is like antimatter, it dispells all local magic and converts it into an explosion.
aether on the other hand just blocks your magic sense as it can't see through it.

>>32645055
Let's try being a boss, force through it with astral magic

>>32645142
Yep, just get out our jar of ather collection and bottle it up and send it to the lab.

How about this, anyone who can do good ranged attacks try to take out targets, starting with that chimera and the door. The rest stay back and defend against anything that attacks.

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The dust cloud for invisible enemies and summons for magical traps will work. Gnome can still sense mundane traps but she can't find any.

>>32645110
it's incredibly difficult to do as there's typically very large amounts of ambient magic everywhere. Hell, this place has enough active energy that you can still use magic, you just can't sense it. The deadzone from earlier was a rarity and quite special, though the wasteland to the south-west is basically a super large version. That's not because of large quantities of aether (like here) but lack of magical energy.

You can create anti-magic however, which reacts violently with magic.

>>32645120
"Dangerous," says Mal in response to your plan. "I'm not really sure if you could turn the aether back into actual magic in small quantities. I mean, it's not really something that's done - who's to say you won't get drained dry like I accidentally did to you months ago?"

Gnome nods. "There's enough aether here to block even our senses - that's not a trivial amount. You would be throwing a lot of power at it to make even a small amount of the room visible and then there's the risk of that much ambient magic causing more issues."

>>32645230
what if instead of converting the aether, we just move it.
push it out of the room, back towards the way we came from?
or create a light repulsion field that pushes aether away to give a small bubble of magic senses. and then walk around?

>then there's the risk of that much ambient magic causing more issues."
consume the ambient magic as its made
so basically
spend magic converting aether into live magic, then consume that live magic to convert more aether. repeat.

>>32645230

Alright... Here's my thought.

>figure out location of weakness for Aether cloud, something to disrupt the structure of the cloud or allow the ambient energy elsewhere flood back in
>clear that pinpointed area
>either fill with parties magic or allow ambient energy wash back in to over take Aether

Small and controlled relying more on the magic around us to force the dead magic out.

>>32645230
those alcoves where we think there should be guardians... if there are invisible guardians there, we might be able to smash them before they trigger. As well as the chimera statue, alpha strike so to speak

also, the rusting suits of discarded armor? any chance of them getting up all of the sudden?

>>32645285
>consume the ambient magic as its made
the risk i see here, is that an improper conversion could lead to us poisoning ourselves

>>32645367

Well Talon managed to consume Darian's essence without poisoning himself so assumedly this was would be the same principle.

And see as he himself can't manipulate magic proper it would have to be Mal, Undine, Gnome, etc. burn off the rush of extra magic. Mal could set up a particularly good self repeating summon that sweeps through the room with all that constant magic channeled to him.

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Three possible plans are to try to suss out the traps/enemies and strike at them. Rush through. Or try to do something about the aether, which may just waste a lot of your energy and not work or backfire if it does work. If there's no new plans, I'll call a vote shortly.

>>32645285
>spend magic converting aether into live magic, then consume that live magic to convert more aether. repeat.
You can't do that as you don't use sorcerous energy (which is what it'll be the second it's in reality). It would be dangerous for your comrades to attempt to do so, especially as expelling it with spells will just put the magical energy back into the room.

>what if instead of converting the aether, we just move it.
You could try that, but it would be ridiculously hard as you're trying to move something you can't sense in any way. You can't even sense where it isn't.

>>32645334
if you can work out where the guardians are, you could attempt to destroy them. It's also unlikely the rusting suits would get up - if the armor is rusting that would cause the magic inside them to leave the armor, making them useless.

>>32645447

How big can Vad expand his Astral "bubbles"?

Would that be enough to at least create a shield around the group so they gain their senses back even if it is limited to the bubble? Could Talon feed Vad Astral energy(more so then he already does) to bubble the vast majority of the room and thus pushing the Aether out?

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>>32645531
I don't know what you mean by 'bubble' here. Vad can't really create an expanding force to push the aether out, either, though that's mostly because he doesn't have the slightest clue how.

PLAN VOTE
>1. Try to rush through the room, destroying all opposition you can.
>2. Try to use Gnome, Mal and Undine to suss out any hidden traps and enemies and take them out before moving thorugh the room.
>3. Try to power up or remove the aether to enable your senses. This may not work, despite consuming much energy from you, or may backfire. Very risky but will make the room trivial.

>>32645595
>>2. Try to use Gnome, Mal and Undine to suss out any hidden traps and enemies and take them out before moving thorugh the room.

Don't know what the best plan is here

>>32645595
>2. Try to use Gnome, Mal and Undine to suss out any hidden traps and enemies and take them out before moving thorugh the room.

>>32645595
>2

>>32645412
Talon cannot perform sorcery, but he can manipulate and use sorcerous mana

Also, it occured to me that we are looking at a desert, and instead of thinking "how can we safely traverse the desert" we are thinking "how can we reforst this area before walking further".

Maybe we should just set up the dust / mist for invisibility detection, some shields in case something tries to throw a fireball at us, and a defensive formation (triangle) and just walk out of the room

Another thing that occured to me is that the archmage nutcase who went in and made this place a deathtrap? I bet he is at the pop and bound to it. probably as a lich or something

>>32645595
2

>>32645595
>2

>>32645447
>if you can work out where the guardians are, you could attempt to destroy them. It's also unlikely the rusting suits would get up - if the armor is rusting that would cause the magic inside them to leave the armor, making them useless.
unless the rust is an illusion. normally easily detectible, with our magic sense blinded we cannot detect such illusions

>>what if instead of converting the aether, we just move it.
>You could try that, but it would be ridiculously hard as you're trying to move something you can't sense in any way. You can't even sense where it isn't.
it sounds like we need practice, we should walk back the way we came, out of the room through the enterance (instead of exit) until we exit the ether. then we could practice properly. Also, if someone in our team can make or summon a tiny bit of aether to practice with it would be even better

>>32645595
3

>>32645646
>Talon cannot perform sorcery, but he can manipulate and use sorcerous mana

I don't think that's correct.

>You can't do that as you don't use sorcerous energy >>32645447

>>32645595
>>2
Dust the place

>>32645719
he isn't using sorcerous energy, he is consuming it to create astral energy, and then using astral energy.
A source pulls astral energy from the astral plane, this energy is then released as sorcerous energy into the world.
Talon's body contains a large pool of astral energy. when he sits down to rest he is absorbing sorcerous energy from the world around him and converting it into astral energy which he stores inside his body.
This is why talon was able to consume the energies of that vampire mage, and why talon had the option to consume the energy of the room in that monestary.

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>2.

You have your team ready to repel an assault as you Gnome and Undine prepare to reveal any invisible enemies. The last thing you need is to reveal them, only for them to charge out and attack you before you can prepare yourself. Mal will then follow up with simple summons to trigger any traps.

Meanwhile, you’ll deal with that chimera statue you’ve been eying. That looks a little too real to not be a trap. Not after what you’ve just been through.

You raise your bow and prepare to blow the chimera away.

[DC12 Astral Arrow]

Rolled 8

>>32645801

Rolled 1

>>32645801

Rolled 14

>>32645801

>>32645822
>>32645824
>>32645832

Yeah that seems about right. At least it's only a normal fail.

>>32645801

>>32645824
Yes! It's time for the spray of gore!

>>32645832
I did good.

>>32645801
>DC12
man, I remember when it was DC20

>>32645822
>>32645824
>>32645832

I really hope that this is a good thing in the long term. Like, it's a red herring that the mage cunningly placed in everyone's face to mis-lead them.

>>32645866
that would be a way to fail
>Concentrate on taking down that chimera statue
>Get hit in the back by an enemy you didn't see

Also... floor is shapeshifting tentacles (of the murder variety not the fun type)

>>32645893
>tentacles (of the murder variety not the fun type)
Can't we have both?

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>>32645855
>man, I remember when it was DC20
Well, it's low now because you've got nothing interrupting you and you're a decent shot.

>Target not met

You channel power into your arrow, filling it to the brim with your power. Your aim is true. Your shot will fly true.

Then one of Vad’s tails brushes you on the arm right as you loose, causing you to jerk slightly as you fire. You curse as the short arcs, soaring right past the statue. The explosion, taking out a large chunk of the wall and causing part of the ceiling to cave in and block the left path around the chimera’s column. The sound slowly fades, echoing throughout the chamber. Everybody remains tense, expecting a counter attack at any second. You give Vad a dark look, who shrugs it off – you can’t blame him as Gnome had waved him away to concentrate herself and he was a vital member for your defense.

Then, two red orbs suddenly come into being where the chimera’s eyes would be. It moves, creaking with every movement as its metal scrapes and bends. It seems to eye the damage you caused, before turning back to you.

“I am going to assume that was a warning short, human,” comes its voice, deep and booming throughout the hall. “I will offer you one chance to turn back before I enact my duty as guardian of this place and the last executor of my former master’s will.”

How do you react?

>1. Make it a job offer.
>2. Shoot it again.
>3. Ask it a question <write-in>
>4. Custom

>>32645996
>1. Make it a job offer.
All the way

>>32645996
1

>>32645996
Ask for the details of its former master's will, and see if we can fulfill it.

Can also imply that it might not do so well in a fight, thus have a lower chance of it being able to complete its duty.

>>32645996
>>1. Make it a job offer.

Hey, what could possibly go wrong!

>>32645996
>3. Ask it a question <write-in>

Who was your master? Who/what are you?

Suddenly intelligent monster. I had a feeling there might be some in setting.

>>32645996
ask questions! plural

who was his master?
what happened to its master?
if it has no master now, why does it still follow the commands?

>>32646046
>>32646041
>>32646034

Job offer, help with its stuff, details of its stuff. Sounds like it could be a reasonable creature.

>>32645996
1
Conversation first, small talk. He's gotta be bored.

>>32646090
>>32646043
>>32646035
>>32646034
guys, job offer is a great idea, but we should totally ask a bit about it before offering it a job so we can make a better offer, one based on its actual needs and desires.

>>32646141
We should also figure out if we've got a use for the fucking thing

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>>32646041
>>32646046
>>32646075
>Who was your master?
"A mage of little consequence. He has no doubt faded from history jsut as he did from existence."

>Who/what are you?
"I am Corrfax. Formerly a familiar forged of steel and might, and of failure."

"A faux-pattern," Gnome says, raising an eyebrow. "It has been several centuries before I've seen one. They are what most mages create when they fail to make a true pattern - they fill the shell with the soul of a familiar."

>if it has no master now, why does it still follow the commands?
"There is nowhere to go, so I remain here and give my life some purpose. My being is sustained here by my former master's power source. I would last mere weeks away from it and there are few mages capable of sustaining my power."

"That's pretty accurate," Mal says, eying the huge metal beast. "I've read about these things - they're used as guardians because the way the familiar is bound to the shell is fragile. They need a massive source of power - Alyce might be able to supply it, but I doubt there's many other mages who ever could."

>>32646141
Well yeah, the actual negotiation parts should be in it, not just "Work for me!"

We figure out what it would care to do with its life, like the contents of that will, maybe offer to help.

Unless it's like "well my job is to make sure you don't live to see tomorrow and/or get the PoP": then we maybe ask it nicely to consider other occupations. I mean, it's probably pretty lonely in a crappy dungeon.

>>32646168
>Last mere weeks away from it
could he not house down here and basically "commute" to the city above?
Thus engaging in conversations, gainful employment, writing, reading, or whatever else suits his fancy?

>>32646168

Could we use the familiar to help guard our source? Would the source be capable of generating sufficient excess power to power the familiar?

Could we even get the familiar to the source in time?

>>32646168
"You're in luck! We may have some more fun things for you to do. Also maybe a vacation plan with a cute archmage! In any case, if you let us set up camp here at least there may be more entertainment on a regular basis."

>>32646168
Any way for you to strengthen the binding so that He'd require less power?

>>32646168
wait... by source of power he means the pop, right?
would the source itself supply similar energy?
He could relocate to harrowmont. Work as a guardian for the source as well get significantly more (and more interesting) interactions with people. Visitors, reading materials, writing, keep up with world news, etc.

>>32646168
"My residence is home to a font of tremendous magical power. I'd like to offer you a new purpose, a new source of sustenance, and a good deal more stimulus than you likely get here."

Could we offer to set him up in the throne room or a gate of harrowmont as a guardian/ toll keeper/bouncer?

>>32646281
>Could we offer to set him up in the throne room or a gate of harrowmont as a guardian/ toll keeper/bouncer?

As long as he's maybe telling the truth, and not a traitorous betrayal kitten.

>>32646277
oh, that is an interesting proposition.
with mal's expertise his body might be improved...

that is, assuming he wants to retain this body. i am a bit vague on the specifics here. Is it basically imprisoning an elemental or a willing upgrade for one?

>>32646280
>>32646281
Basically this. Could we teleport him right back to the Source?

>>32646281
"If I offered you the chance to relocate, to somewhere not quite so... Dead... Would you be interested?

>>32646168

Fascinating. Though I'd still be curious to know the name of the Mage, for research purposes, he tried to create a pattern, even if it failed that's a pile of research legwork we can skip.

Given his position here I see two possibilities.

1. We attempt to bring him around to our side and bind him to the Source as a power source, guard that.

2. Convince him to our side but say we know just the Mage for him. Have Alyce bind him to herself, would likely be useful in the coming months and he is no doubt knowledgable and would provide good council. He also still has a connection us by Talon providing him with the person to allow him to be free and no longer feel like a failure.

I wonder if it is what is generating the aether

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Any opposition to making a job offer to guard the Source? I'll also assume you'll act on his word.

>>32646254
>Could we use the familiar to help guard our source? Would the source be capable of generating sufficient excess power to power the familiar?
If the PoP is providing enough ambient energy to power him, then the Source would also provide enough.

Also, he said weeks and it wouldn't take more than a week or two to get him to Harrowmont.

>>32646230
"I do not trust the mages above not to interfere with my activites. I will also not risk my only duty for mere amusement."

>>32646308
>Is it basically imprisoning an elemental or a willing upgrade for one?
It's basically giving a non-corporeal being (like an elemental that hasn't actually been created) a physical body. Elementals maintain their bodies via a PoP or a master, but their bodies are also created by the world not a mage so they're more efficient."

>>32646344
Guys, alyce isn't gonna bind him.
while alyce could potentially power him, she already has her power dedicated to empowering mercie.

>>32646367

No opposition, more guards around the source is always a good idea.

>>32646372

Powerful mage's can bind multiple familiars and maintain their power it has been stated as such.

>>32646367
Yep, definitely sounds like he could use a better job. Might even have playful sparring opportunities and cat toys.

>>32646367
>I'll also assume you'll act on his word.
Speaking of, is there any available magic oath enforcement around?

>>32646367
>>32646367

No real opposition.

Everyone always wants Griffons. Obtain metal Chimera instead.

Yeah sure why not.

>>32646393
plus he sounds like an interesting guy, could talk to him more about history.

>>32646395
but doing so reduces the amount of power available to each familiar unless they are obscenely powerful
Now, alyce might be super powerful, but this guy is both inefficient and power hungry to the point that he requires someone on par with her to just survive. So having her split her power between 2 familiars might be enough to mess that up.
and even if not, we have no guarentee that she would want him instead of a far more efficient natural being. We are talking about a woman who wouldn't "settle" for a "mere" pure elemental and instead went for binding a transmuter wizard as her familiar instead.

>>32646434
some dwarf tried to do that to us once using demon magic. that was pretty taboo and offended all advisers.

we don't really need thins kind of mind control. just use normal loyalty

>>32646439
We could always change it into something much more suiting. And powerful.

>>giant animated robot battle gryphon

>>32646490
>Recruit a guy
>Immediately discuss how to transform him into something else
jesus guys, he is a person not property
increasing efficiency is ok because its basically medical care. but invasively alterations?
and this guy just says he is in isolation because he doesn't want the mages above to treat him as a research subject