>>34349557
>Torch. Your light maintains its form.

>Your cunning plans.

>You have to discuss with Masoch the plan

>>34349557
If "your light" means that we can make a hologram of ourself then than otherwise:
>Voice. Throw your voice a short distance.
>Your cunning plans.
>You have to discuss with Masoch the plan

>>34349557
>Torch. Your light maintains its form.
Voice is interesting, but we've got a big fat demon beacon inside of us that keeps it from being terribly effective in this particular instance.

>Your tenacious will.
Tricky is good, but this isn't going to work without a healthy dose of stubborn. And our lowest stat could use a bit of shoring up.

>You have to discuss with Masoch the plan
Can't argue with this.

>>34349892
>then than
I meant "then that" (referring to Torch)

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Stepping out into the still shaded halls, you snap your fingers making a burst of light--and holding them, it shrinks down to an faintly illuminating glow in your hand. The torch weave isn't the most useful thing in a fight, but you can't well be lighting a lantern during battle.

"You're certainly up early aren't you," Yu'yen says, standing behind you.

"I could say the same to you."

"I always wake early friend, we've been over this haven't we?" Yu'yen smirks, patting you on the back as he passes by. "I hear Belgran women will hunt a man down to the end of the world, so careful with whatever it is you're doing."

He always seems to see through you somehow. Giving Yu'yen a nod, you continue on your way...

You don't have to meet Masoch in his office, your teachers are up with the sunrise already and standing out in front of The Archives. Kran, Kita, Masoch and Silvest.

"Thought I might be seeing you," says Kran, watching your approach.

"Gods-damnit Masoch, you told the kid what was happening?"

"For such a stern guy, you're quite the loud meow-th aren't you." Neither Kita nor Silvest seem happy to see you.

"Why're you all gathered already? You told me Carna wouldn't arrive until evening."

"Deneb is unfortunately understaffed, so we're left with far too much work when things like this happen," Masoch says, "In a short bit we'll call the citizens to hole up in their homes."

"What's the plan?"

"Wish I had your kind of energy kid." Kita sighs, scratching the scruff on his chin. "The city walls are weaved with runes that'll keep the demons from entering, but it won't last long with them pawing at it. Masoch and Silvest here will be engaging the demon's ranks, while Kran and I catch any that manage to slip through."

"And what of my job?" You ask.

"You don't have a job." Silvest hisses.

"I will make you a path through," Masoch says calmly, "How you take it and who you take, is up to you."

>Ask about details...?
>Go talk to your classmates
>Write-In

>>34350381
>Go talk to your classmates

>>34350381
>Go talk to your classmates
Hopefully we can come up with an actual plan with them.

"Good luck then," You say.

"You need it a lot more than we do." Kran places her hand on your head, ruffling up your hair. "I'd like to be right out there, but I doubt Graps would be caught right away if I were, so I'm counting on you to do what needs to be done."

"What about Silvest and Masoch?"

"I'm Rasci, and Masoch is a freak, don't fret about us," Silvest jokes, slapping his tail against the expressionless Masoch's leg...

You return to the dorms, waiting in the entrance for your classmates to awaken. Yu'yen already there greets you with a smile, joking over mundane topics until Sheryl joins then, then the twins, and finally your friend Gos clunking out in his armour.

"You didn't sleep in that did you, big guy?" Yu'yen says.

"I've trained myself to sleep standing!" Gos declares, before sheepishly adding, "But no, I put it on every morning."

"Who's this?" Leona asks, touching a finger to her lips. They haven't met yet have they.

"Friend's friend." Yu'yen thumbs over at you.

"We'll leave the introductions for later," Sheryl says, "You've got something to talk to us about don't you?"

Slowly, you explain what you learned yesterday, retelling your friends your story once again...

"So that Carna is coming to see you is she..." Rein's expression is difficult, she bites her lower lip and clutches a hand against her chest.

"So I assume if you're telling us all this, then you're asking us for help friend?"

"That's right." You don't want any of them getting hurt, not after what happened to Anlak, but you only have so many ideas yourself and you've seen what each of them can do.

"Walking into the wolf's maw once again huh." Yu'yen crosses his arms, lifting his chin up. "Well, let's say I owe you nothing now and you owe me one. This Yu'yen will lend you his aid." His head drops even, and he bares you a fanged grin.

"I've already promised to help you out, and we are 'best friends' as you say." Sheryl brushes her hair past her ears. "No choice now."

>CONT

"H-hey! He's mine!" Gos declares out loud, stomping his boot on the ground. "I don't know how close the rest of you are to my buddy here, but as his friend, Carna's friend, and a Dawnbreaker Paladin of Ovisaris; I will search the light no matter the dark!" He's probably saying he's helping.

Leona takes a drawn look at Rein before turning her face back to you. "I was looking for a life of excitement, and I guess this is it... you really know how to get into trouble don't you? Count me in."

"I don't know if I can help you with this..." Rein's response is so weak, so meek. "I'll... do what I can, but I'm not doing this for that Carna. I'm doing this for you, I'm going to make sure you come back to me."

It looks like you have your friends, for better or for worse. Time to come up with a plan.

"I mentioned gifts yesterday, didn't I?" Leona says, stretching her arms out wide, "As luck would have it, I managed to find myself a pegasus on my little adventure. I don't think you'll be able to tame it, but one of us can be your wings if you don't mind riding behind."

"That Frangelico fellow controls demons right? Connemara's hungry for a meal but I don't know how helpful he'll be past the front-lines. Tell me what to say, and I'll smack it into the spider." Gos tells you.

"I'll watch your back if you want to cut through the front," Sheryl says, "I'm not afraid of anything any more, so count on me."

"You two and your demon-slaying..." Yu'yen sighs, shaking his head at Sheryl. "I'm not the best with a blade, but I'm sure I can sneak you past the waves if you'll let me."

It seems you have a few options here. You don't need to decide what route to take immediately, but you can start making preparations right now to...

>Fly in with Leona.
>Ride Connemara with Gos.
>Cut through the ranks with Sheryl
>Sneak past the hordes with Yu'yen
>Write-In

>>34351158
>Fly in with Leona.

>>34351158
goddamnit this is the damn finale, but I've been up since 4am and I gotta crash.

>Leona+Sheryl stay in the air to blitz Carna.
>Ride Connemara with Gos
>Connemara joins teachers in demon hunting afterwards
>Yu'yen and Rein sneak past the hordes(Discreetly ask Yu'yen to make sure Rein is resolute in surviving when she inevitably jumps in to "save" us.)

I can't exactly help with dialogue/convincing Frangelico to leave...oh wait, I messed that up last time anyway. Good luck.

>>34351158
>Sneak past the hordes with Yu'yen
this will probably work better flying through the sky will just paint a large target on us

>>34351437
Just so we're clear: Leona and Sheryl strike AFTER we reach Carna.

>>34351437
if we were going to do this rein and sheryl should switch - wasn't sheryl better at sneaking?

>>34351195
I don't suppose we could come up with some sort of magic parachute...

>>34351437
Sheryl does know the cutting weave.

I'd edit this by saying:
>Leona+Sheryl are aerial support.
>Ride Connemara with Gos
>Yu'yen and Rein sneak past the hordes in the wake created by Connemara
>Discreetly ask Yu'yen to watch out for Rein.

>>34351527
I'm tempted to put Rein on Connemara with Gos. But we're in a better position to cut weave the shit out of the demon's that get too close.

Between us and Sheryl the demons that actually make it to Yu'yen and Rein shouldn't have too many limbs left.

Once we get there our friends set up a defensive perimeter.

"After Masoch cuts through the waves, Gos and I will ride to meet Carna on-"

"COOOONNEMAAAAAAARA!" The scritchy voice yells through the window behind you, staring inside with his many eyes.

"WHAT IS THAT!?" Leona jumps, shrieking and pointing.

"MY NAME IS CONNEMAAAARA. WE ARE FRIENDS. I AM ALSO FRIENDS WITH THIS DOG," Connemara says, lifting Chance up to the window between two claws. The dog barks once, unknown to the potential danger holding onto him.

"If you eat Chance I will cut him out of your gut," Sheryl says scathingly.

"Anyways. Leona, Sheryl, I'd like the two of you to help us from the air," you explain, "Yu'yen, take Rein around the hordes while we have their forces split."

"Guess you're riding with me then Sher." When did Leona start calling Sheryl tha- no, focus.

"I will consider giving my life to protect your lady, friend," Yu'yen says, "Consider, no promises."

"I hate you so much." Rein knocks Yu'yen up the head with an open palm. "I can take care of myself, don't worry. We're made stronger where I come from than where you come from moon-man."

The sound of a bell rings through the air outside, pulling your attentions in the direction of The Archives. Masoch's voice booms loudly enough to cover the city, speaking warning of that which you already know.

At the end of it, Sheryl speaks, "Let's not waste any time, the evening will be on us sooner than we expect if we sit here twiddling our fingers." Sheryl gets up, gesturing for Leona and Rein to follow her. The two do, with the latter giving you worried looks as she enters the hall to her room.

"Yu'yen," you say, "I'm not asking you to make any sacrifices, but no matter how dangerous it looks for me, don't let Rein jump into anything dangerous."

"You don't need to tell me friend... I'll do as you ask. I can hold Rein back, just don't ask me to hold myself back."

Time for some personal preparations...

>Visit town to visit or pick up...?
>Visit the archives to read about...?
>Write-In

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>>34351876
>Visit town to visit or pick up...?
Molotov Cocktails for Sheryl and MC?

>>34352082
Maybe some saddle bags for the pegasus. I doubt we could find ones in Connemara's size.

How much of Yu'yen's powder do we have? We could make actual bombs.

Your teachers have already left their place when you pass by The Archives, and you enter Deneb undaunted with Yu'yen, who needed to pick up some supplies himself. Gos stayed at the dorms, saying that he had to prepare Connemara, whatever that means.

"We've sure come a long way haven't we friend?"

"I guess so. This one looks sturdy." You browse over saddle bags for the pegasus, it doesn't look like you have much to prepare that you haven't already.

"It was fun when we first got here wasn't it? Chasing birds and slaying goblins. What do you need those bags for?"

"I could do without the embarrassment though, I did a lot of tripping back then. I'm wondering if we can put anything explosive in these."

"I recall something to do with bird seed. I'll prepare some bombs, there're a few nice little uses for magic powder." Your conversations are always a bit like that, half banter and half business. For a lecherous sneak, Yu'yen has been a faithful friend through all this time. Picking out a saddle bag for the pegasus, you split with Yu'yen to return to the dorms.

The morning has passed by a lot faster than you'd thought, and in just the short time you spent going into town to the short time it's taking you to return from, most of the townsfolk have already closed their doors and covered their windows. The bashful bar shared by Deneb and Denoch has closed itself for the day, turning into a humble home. You don't have the time to visit Nitt, but hopefully him and Witt have some books for dealing with any demons that sneak on through.

Other than Yu'yen who'll meet you soon, your friends are all readied when you return. Somewhere, Gos has found a spider shaped saddle for Connemara.
Let's see, are there any absolutely final preparations for you to make?

>Visit Rein
>Leave the gates to meet Carna

Sorry for how slow I've been taking it so far, thought it'd be best to cover any bases.

I guess we're getting to the gates.

>>34353152
Ya. I can't think of anything right now. The main character's been reading about demons for his entire life. I'm not sure what good the book store would be. And There isn't much to say to Rein that hasn't already been said.

I suppose we could reassure her that we're not going to run off with Carna.

>Visit Rein
then
>Leave the gates to meet Carna

>>34353269
Also, sorry about the late response. I checked for an update a few minutes before you posted then started doing other things.

Looks like you're ready to go...

The trails just past Deneb's gates hold a different air from them than usual, and it's not just the incoming Spring. It's thick, and you can feel your skin tingling. Masoch and Silvest standing waiting where you arrive, with your party of companions. The saddle-bags you purchased sit with Leona's pegasus, Sheryl filling it up with the concoctions Yu'yen brought with him; glass bottles filled with a swirling dark-crimson liquid.

"They call it dragon water, I'll spare you the details but you throw it hard enough at anything and it'll burst into flame," he says, passing you a flask.

"Can't believe the whole nursery came out to play... I don't even recognize that one! And spiders, I hate spiders." Silvest looks exasperated, his grey tail flattens out behind him.

"What's this feeling in the air?" Sheryl asks your teachers, done with her task.

"When enough demons convene, the threads of the world bend to them. You're feeling the air being pulled their way." Masoch explains, removing a glove to reveal his misshapen hand.

"You'll come back to me, right?" Rein tugs on your sleeve, as you ready yourself to climb Connemara.

"Yes."

"You won't run off, you don't die?"

"I won't."

She looks for words to say, but settles for a quick peck on the lips, before turning round to find her position.

"Ready to go buddy?" Gos asks you, clinging onto ropes fastened on Connemara's head.

"Ready."

"I'm not," Franny whispers, after long hours of silence, "But I suppose it's time to die."

The orange glow of the afternoon gives way to the dark-blue of evening as your collected group moves out to meet the demons. Leona and Sheryl vanish over the tree tops, Yu'yen leads Rein into the woods, and straight down the main roads you ride with Gos, alongside a swift paw-dashing Silvest and Masoch whose legs are lifted by shadows...

>CONT

The skittering sounds of the spider Connemara slowly slip away as the songs of the sinful grows. With each tree you pass, you can hear clearer the mad snickering of demons ahead of you...
It's not long before you make out glowing eyes in the woods, and nearly as quickly Silvest's shape blurs into black, vanishing into the darkness and snuffing the lights out before slipping back into a run.

Finally at the forests edge, where the woods meet the mountain entrance from Catus' End you see it. Rows among rows of fiends, crawling among and over each other as they slink towards the wood's entrance. Their forms, most blacker than the night overhead, are overlapping and consuming each other, cannibalizing their kind before they make way to their mindless demise.

"Gross, those are demons!?" Gos yells.

"ALL YOU CAN EAAAAAT!"

As luck would have it, the beasts that move all head one way--your general direction. You can rest half-easily that Rein and Yu'yen are safe, and neither Leona or Sheryl should be endangered until they come too close over head.

"How're we going to get through this, huh?" Gos wonders.

Masoch's eyes shine red as he steps towards the legion alone. "I'll make a way, so just charge on and work it out yourselves." The right sleeve of his jacket tears to shreds as half-chitin half-flesh hooks grow out his shoulder, the fingers of the hand likewise forming into black scythes. With a swing, his weapons extend into the mass--and the heads of monsters extends out from the tips of them, chomping away at the army.

You don't have time to think, you kick Gos in the back and he charges Connemara forward into what clearing Masoch's created, following the trail of his "mile long" sweep into the abyss.

>CONT

>>34349557
>Librarian Quest 32
Wait a minut-
>Rein became your lover
Hoolllleeeeee Shiiieeett
It finally happened
You guys made a decision
I proud

You lose sight of your teachers behind you, what should be grass beneath Connemara's feet now lays dead yellow, bloody red, and tainted blacks. The writhing black walls on the far side of you get spread into scattered shapes by growing flames among them, it seems the two girls have moved. You'll just have to put your faith in them for now.

"This your usual task?" Gos asks, bobbing back and forth as Connemara runs.

"It's a bit like a final examination." You answer, trying to hold onto your grip. You can't see Carna yet, but she must be here somewhere. Even beyond Masoch's strike, there seems to be a split between the abyssal creatures, and knowingly foolish you take it as the fastest route...

He comes out of nowhere, growing from a tiny blur in the distance to a gargantuan shape in an instant. Large and bestial with dimly red eyes and furs that sparkle in the fire's light like silver. A tail trails behind him, the end morphed into an axe.

It's Dog, and he greets you with a howl that sends cracks along the earth beneath you.

"Boy, he sure grew didn't he," Gos whispers sadly, drawing his blade and readying his shield. You don't know what tricks Gos has, but it'll be difficult for you to fight Dog on your own.

>[Cunning] Dismount and distract Connemara, rely on Gos to deal damage
>[Alacrity] Direct Connemara around Dog's legs, take advantage of superior movement to make cuts at him
>[Tenacity] Call Connemara into a jump, meet Dog face to giant maw.
>Write-In

Rolled 11 (1d12)

>>34353983
>[Cunning] Dismount Connemara and distract Dog, rely on Gos to deal damage

Rolled 8 (1d12)

>>34353983
>[Cunning] Dismount and distract Connemara, rely on Gos to deal damage
It's our highest stat, after all.

>>34353983
We had to rely on acid venom to eat through Connemara's webbing last time, having him tangle Dog up seems like a reasonable supplement to our combat plan no matter which option we end up going with.

Rolled 4 (1d12)

>>34353983
>>34354096
>distract Connemara
Did someone switch sides?

>>34354151
I am a fuck, it should be >Dismount Connemara and distract Dog

Also lost my trip refreshing for replies. I am a double fuck.

>>34353983
>[Cunning] Dismount and distract Connemara, rely on Gos to deal damage

"Hound's breath, what are you doing!?" Gos yells as you roll off of Connemara's back. You bring forth your new Torch weave, running along the dead grass with light dancing behind your fingertips. Dog's eyes chase you, and then his body starts to move.

The claws of his left paw cleave through dirt as they trail behind your body while you run past his right, stopping when you pass underneath him. He lifts his right to bring it down on you, but a careful tuck into a roll lands you deep past his range. While both of his front arms are lifted and his weight sits at his hind, Connemara leaps high at his body--and Gos on Connemara's head, smashes his shield into Dog's chin, sending the massive animal toppling over backwards. A trail of web follows Connemara's abdomen, spinning along Dog as the spider demon skitters on his body.

Dog begins to turn, and fearing for the worse you break into a run. Your prediction was right, and narrowly you avoid being flattened as the hound rolls over back on its legs. It ignores the knight and mount, still clearing great distance with each step it takes after you despite the white strands slowing down its strides.

It seems the web is effective, but you'll need a deal more to deal with Dog.

>[Alacrity] Dash between Dog's legs, try to make him trip himself up.
>[Tenacity] Goad Dog's attack and meet him head on.
>Write-In

Rolled 9 (1d12)

>>34354423
>[Alacrity] Dash between Dog's legs, try to make him trip himself up.
Pretty sure most dogs don't like fire.

>>34354423
>[Alacrity] Dash between Dog's legs, try to make him trip himself up.

Rolled 1 (1d12)

rolled for
>>34354495

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>>34354423

>[Alacrity] Dash between Dog's legs, try to make him trip himself up.

Doge pls

>>34354516
>mfw

There's no option here but "risky", but you need to keep Dog distracted for long enough that Gos and Connemara can do work.
You charge forward and the dead grass crunches beneath your boots. Dog swipes his right at you, and you narrowly avoid it with a jerking back-pedal, his left follows and you force your body to regain the lost momentum, practically throwing yourself forward to avoid it.

Back underneath Dog's body, you drop your Torch for a Flame, weaving with both hands to ignite the air above your hands into a blazing blade. The tip of it doesn't quite reach Dog's belly, but the trails of heat scorch his out-sticking furs, sending him into panicked steps. The webbing around his feet constrict tighter and tighter as he struggles to move you out from under him, until his back legs pull together and he collapses to one side.

"Now," you yell to Gos; already riding forth. Connemara leaps wide over Dog's front paws with strands spilling out his hind, making ballet jumps and rhythmic spins until the distanced arms are bound and touching. The demon Dog struggles with no result, its fierce howls become pitiful whimpers, and soon it leaves itself rested on its side...

"And here I thought we'd have to put him down," Gos says, dismounting to join you near Dog's front.

"You might," Franny says unheard, "Right now the beast sleeps, but the demon is synthesized into its body. Even if you rescue your lady, this thing will be a monster to the end of the world... more over than that, it'll only take the thing so long to realize that I can shift its form out of its binding, and it'll be on your tail again."

Your fingers draw to your fae blade hesitantly. Dog's eyes glance to you, they glow an eerie colour but they're the same puppy look from when you first rescued him. He's been abandoned again, not by man but by the fates...

"Put him out of his misery," Franny says.

>Kill Dog
>Leave Dog and continue
>Write-In

>>34354826
>Take dog with you

>>34354826
>Kill Dog

>>34354826
>Knock Dog out

Rolled 8 (1d12)

>>34354826
>Leave Dog and continue
>Write-In
Pet him and tell him to stay.

Rolled 10 (1d12)

>>34354826
>Leave Dog and continue

>>34354826

>>34354936
I like this.

Besides, having to keep Dog on his leash is going to help keep Frangelico occupied with demon management.

>>34354826
kill dog

>>34354936
That's so cute.
We have to do it.

>>34355033
stop samefagging so hard. jesus

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>>34355041
You saying a man can't love his dog, bruh?

Fite me

File: raschapoliticalmap.png (3.93 MB, 1600x1600)

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You approach Dog and reach your hand out, his chasm of a mouth opens wide on your hand and snaps at it, but you manage to pull away of the teeth before they catch you. Knocking him on the nose once and putting him into a whimper, you rest your hand on his muzzle and pet it. "Stay," you say.

"Uuuh buddy, I know it's Dog but... that thing is big enough to tear a building in half." Gos does not seem to agree with your decision. Neither does Dog, judging by the snarls.

"Stay," you repeat, softening the growl, and then again and again until Dog comes silent entirely. With that done, you continue in the direction where Dog was guarding.

"DO YOU THINK THAT WILL WOOOOORK?" Connemara asks.

"I don't know," is all you can say...

Catus' End is a small region, the border between Ridae and Valae cut straight through it, and it touches the borders of Belgrand. Deneb, the only city in it, is surrounded on each side by forests, and then the forests by mountains. You passed through the bulk of the demon hordes, noting a progressive change from moving army to mindless animals and now there're just a stray few listlessly wandering about the walk into the mountains.

"I FEEL A SICKY, I AM GOING TO HURL MY WHIRL ON YOU," Connemara yells out loudly, as your foot sets onto cracked dirt from wrinkled grass.

"Do you feel that?" Franny asks you, "Your lady is near." He didn't need to tell you, you can feel your chest tighten as the two Rasci approach each other.

"We'll have to leave Connemara here," you say, taking him any further will risk him turning on you. Even with the chance of her Frangelico weakening, you can't possibly fight him with your arms bound in web.

"Hear that spider-buddy? Sit." Gos tries to pet Connemara in imitation of you and Dog, but not quite as nimble, he gets his arm bitten. Thankfully Connemara's jaws aren't quite as hard as Gos' armoured gauntlet, and he shoos the spider off into a skitter scatter.

>CONT

You advance into the trail with your old friend... and you see it.

The world freezes.

Loose hair, long and white. Rough masculine features on dry dark skin. Thin robes but layered heavy. A sword in his right. A mace in his left. A hole in his chest, where his heart should rightly be.

He blinks once at you, he takes a meaningless breath, lifting his head to give the moons one long look over before lowering it again to speak to you, "How's Kran doing?"

You can't find your words.

"...Rein?"

Even if you could, how could you answer?

"Well, it doesn't matter... I guess," he says, lifting his mace above his head and pointing his blade forward, bending his knees into a battle stance, "I guess this is... best two out of three for us? Well, I don't mind two on one, if that's the case."

"Isn't he your friend?" Gos wonders aloud, readying his weapons hesitantly.

"Look sharp fool, if be slain." Franny snickers.

The Revenant lunges at you with blinding speeds, his mace slams against Gos' shield leaving a fierce dent and sending the knight stumbling, and the blade zooms straight at your neck!

>Talk to the revenant...?

>[Cunning] Duck the swipe and return an attack.
>[Alacrity] Beat his speed and catch him first.
>[Tenacity] Catch the blade and strike back.
>Write-In

Rolled 1 (1d12)

>>34355449
>[Cunning] Duck the swipe and return an attack.

>Talk to the revenant...?
Not sure what to say. "Kran's good Defending the city right now."

Rolled 4 (1d12)

>>34355526
well, shit...

Rolled 5 (1d12)

>>34355526
WELP

>>34355526
Oh boy, you done it now...

You duck underneath his swipe successfully and and go for a draw of your sword, but you hesitate when you hand catches your handle. It's barely a second, it seems that's all he needed.
The Revenant slams his heavy leg into your knee, and your entire body flips from the blow. You land on your back, grounded like Gos, and The Revenant drives his curved sword down at you. You twist your body enough to avoid being impaled through the gut, but the bone of the blade tears into your side.

Gritting your teeth through the pain you answer his first question, "Kran's fine, she's protecting the city right now."

"Good," he says, before lifting his mace over, and swinging it fiercely at your skull. You close your eyes, and the blow never comes.

"I'm sort of dumb so if I'm wrong, tell me; but I get the feeling you two have a thing going on... romantic maybe? I don't know," Gos says, holding onto the heavy side of the mace with the flat of his hand, "we never did finish our last battle though handsome, so don't forget about me." He shoves The Revenant back some paces, freeing you from the sword that pinned you down. Gos helps you back up, before picking up his shield.

He's got slightly higher ground than you and the tools to abuse it, you've seen once before that this man beats Gos in martial skill and you've felt first hand how strong he was with a handicap. You'll need to find a way to abuse your number, as well as your tools that he doesn't have.

>[Cunning] Make a distraction, Gos can strike harder.
>[Alacrity] Rush him together, stop him with speed.
>[Tenacity] Let him come to you, and meet him as a pair.
>Write-In

I do degrees of success, but I don't do overriding crits so don't worry about ones... worry about double-ones.

Rolled 3 (1d12)

>>34355762
Okay, I'm awake now, and just in time, it seems.

>Let Gos engage, focus on cut and torch weaves. Aim for Anlak's legs so Gos doesn't have to worry about getting hit.

Rolled 4 (1d12)

>>34355811
Rolling again

>>34355762
>>[Cunning] Make a distraction, Gos can strike harder.
With >>34355811 ideas, he knows our tricks but that might be a disadvantage.

I feel so bad, I didn't realize that was Anlak until he said it, I felt so confused.

Rolled 10 (1d12)

>>34355762
>[Cunning] Make a distraction, Gos can strike harder.

Rolled 3 (1d12)

>>34355762
>[Cunning] Make a distraction, Gos can strike harder.

Let the paladin take the lead and do his job

PURGE AND SMITE! SMITE AND PURGE!

Rolled 12 (1d12)

>>34355894
You make me sad, anon.

>>34355960
And then there was you

why are there so many rolls ?

>>34356007
I get distracted by life sometimes and I don't use auto update

You run in first, keeping your blade sheathed and relying on your magic, something you know you have over The Revenant. With both hands, you weave cutting blades of wind through the air.
With amazing accuracy, he deflects each cut with his weapons, the magic chipping at his blade and mace before vanishing into the winds. You begin the motion to summon your flames as you reach him, but an upward swing of his foot knocks into your hands and fizzles your weave--with a leg up on you, you brings it back down and knocks you to the side, rolling you along dirt.

Gos follows you through despite your failure, swinging his sword at The Revenant's head; but with his momentum on his axe-kick, he ducks forward and slams his head against the paladin's armoured gut, pressing further until the knight topples over behind him.

"What the fuck is wrong with you!? Who head-butts solid plate!?"

"...my head is hard," says The Revenant.

"This is bad," Franny tells you, "he can lose limbs and keep moving, and those lost in the unlife can see the strands you weave from."

"How the hell do we win against him," you ask.

"Do what you normally do, pray to whatever God you worship." There has to be something you can use to turn the tides, your fae-blade? Some kind of weave? Throw bird-seed at him?

Not waiting for your thoughts, he doubles back and rushes at you, holding his weapons low.

>Talk to the revenant...?

>[Cunning] Blind his approach and trip him up.
>[Alacrity] Get up fast, and try to get the jump on him.
>[Tenacity] Absorb the blow, and hold him for Gos.
>Write-In

Dices confirm that Daktori male is best girl.

Rolled 3 (1d12)

>>34356145
>>[Cunning] Blind his approach and trip him up.
Blind with bird seed.

IT WILL HAVE SAVED US IN THE END

Rolled 5 (1d12)

>>34356145
>[Cunning] Blind his approach and trip him up.

Rolled 2 (1d12)

>>34356145
>[Cunning] Blind his approach and trip him up.

perhaps try for a dust explosion with the flour we have

Rolled 6 (1d12)

>>34356266
We need that for invisible rasci

Librarian Quest 32 turns into
Failed Roll Quest 01

>>34356182
>>34356228
>>34356240
Anlak you can steak our heart anyday

File: librarianquest.png (49 KB, 600x400)

49 KB PNG

You weave a light burst at the charging Revenant, but when the light fades you see his closed eyes open. He can see your weaves, and he knows what tricks you'll do with it, but--with a swift motion, you reach into your pockets and release your oldest and greatest magic trick! A shower of bird seed catches The Revenant's eyes, and though his swing continues, the second you slowed him down by is time enough for you to bring the buckler on your arm in place to block. You dodge his sword, and his mace smashes into your buckler before rebounding off. The pieces of iron and wood that held it together crumble to the ground, while The Revenant stumbles blinded.

Gos spins from his dropped position with his blade, and cleaves it into The Revenant's torso, tearing away cloth and flesh. Where his edge connects to the chest-hole, it tears it wider open. Black mist tears away from his body, more than the blood that trickles down his bare chest.

"YES!" Gos shouts aloud.

"No," The Revenant responds, slamming his mace into the distracted Gos' head and throwing him meters towards you.

"Gos," you say, "are you well?"

"Urgh... my head is spinning but I think I'm alive... I guess he's not though, how was I supposed to know?"

"The hole in his chest? Maybe? Sigh." Franny says, every word.

Gos gets back up, spitting blood on the ground. "Come on! Come on! Let's go again!"

Your shield is lost, but it saved you just now. You could do without the shaking bones though. You're running out of outs.

>Talk to The Revenant

>[Cunning] Run in first and try to freeze his legs, you'll need to stop his mobility.
>[Alacrity] Try to get to a position behind him and flank.
>[Tenacity] Feint a dodge but slam into him, it's obvious your tricks aren't working.
>[Write-In]

Rolled 4 (1d12)

>>34356584
>>[Alacrity] Try to get to a position behind him and flank.
Let's get some teamwork up in this bitch.

Rolled 12 (1d12)

>>34356584
>>[Tenacity] Feint a dodge but slam into him, it's obvious your tricks aren't working.
In order to get too close for a mace or sword, then
>Backpedal quickly, trying to freeze him in place.
Obviously this isn't going to work, but it'll force him to chase us which lets Gos
>Let Gos do his own tackle, fueled and protected by heavy plate.

File: tumblr_inline_muhs9xma0Y1(...).gif (838 KB, 500x155)

838 KB GIF

Rolled 11 (1d12)

>>34356584
>[Tenacity] Feint a dodge but slam into him, it's obvious your tricks aren't working.

You know what fuck it fuck this lets just go
>Pick a god and pray

>>34356667
>>34356639
>Tenacity Confirmed for Best Grill

Rolled 2 (1d12)

>>34356639
About fucking time. The body slam should distract him long enough that it doesn't matter that he can see our weaves.

As a little insight on how the relatively barebones system works, and I think I've mentioned this before, I set a target number for each stat. Every time you fail in a fight, the target number drops. Every time you succeed, the target number of the skill you used last rises.
When taking a prompt straight, you just get your roll and modifiers. Write-ins add or subtract, generally the former.
Combat is first to three successes, beating a target number 5 yields two successes, losing to it by 5 yields two failures. Close failures and ties usually yield a success on each. Honestly the system is rigged in favour of the players but... man, these rolls. Anyways, you hit three failures, but the shield has been a "save you once on a third failure" from the moment it was introduced and brought you one success.

Your target number for tenacity was 13.

You failed three times in a row, bringing it to 10.

You rolled a 12.

You added 4 for your tenacity modifier.

Gos carries a 3 tenacity bonus, the highest of any companion. No bonus to your other stats.

You can figure out what I'm saying otherwise. Anyways, writing.

You run at The Revenant, and kick your left feet outwards, pushing your body towards the right. He cleaves his down fiercely... missing entirely, when you press all your weight to the ground to keep from moving more than some meaningless centimetres.
Pivoting on that right foot, you bring your body outward and away from The Revenant, your hands move swiftly while aimed at his feet, and frost forms from the air, entrapping them to the ground. He swings sideways with the mace in his hand, and you drop your whole body, rolling to the ground.

Hidden behind your falling body, away from the opposition's sight, Gos runs forward and leaps shoulder first, making an aerial tackle on your opponent with all his plated might. He rips the upper half of The Revenant's body away from it's frozen legs, splitting it in two by the knees and carrying it into the dirt. Wielding blade in hand, he hacks off both arms of the undead warrior... slowly and with heavy breaths, Gos stands and backs up, dropping his blade and shield and collapsing on one knee.

"Finally... it's over," he says, breathing out a sigh of relief.

Unarmed and de-legged, The Revenant... Anlak, lays helpless as you make your way over to him.

"Are you..."

"I'm not alive," says Anlak, staring past you as always and into the starlit sky, "I'm not dead either... not now, not yet." He closes his eyes, and his quiet expression turns into a dim smile, and then a soft laughter.

"What're you laughing about?"

"I was thinking... during our first task, when we became students with The Seekers, I saw you with clutching this bird seed close to your hand. I thought, 'how silly'... I guess it's right you took me with it."

"I don't think I've ever heard you talk so much."

"This is the last chance I'll ever get isn't it?" Anlak's body is slowly vanishing, from his five wounds the mists escape into the air. "You only answered my first question."

"What?"

"...tell me about Rein, would you?"

>CONT

"I'm hers now," you tell him, not able to deny his last request.

"Hahahah, is that so? Well, for the best then," his smile fades, and the skin on each side of his eyes wrinkle inward. "I have to apologize... I had no choice but to fight you, but I really did have the intent to kill."

"Why?"

"When I saw you here, I felt, 'why would he do this? He has such a wonderful, charming girl waiting for him back there... why would he come to meet a lost love, that doesn't want to see him? Why would he risk leaving her alone?'" His bones are left where his skin is fading, and now death has caught up to his shoulders. "I... really hated you, right until the end, but I didn't mind, I thought it didn't matter if I died."

"Yeah?" You could apologize, but that doesn't seem right.

"Then, I came back, and I thought... I want to live, I really want to live... I want to see how the stars look in the far ends of the world, I want to tell Kran the stories of what I did, and I wanted to see Rein so much... but, that ends--no, that's already ended." Anlak smirks, before telling you his final request, "if I could ask you one thing, to fulfill my last regret... reach into my pocket there, and give that to Rein would you?"

The pants he wore are wrapped over bone now, and reaching into the pockets you discover a little pair of blue earrings... he never delivered his feelings, and now you hold them in your hands.

>Promise to honour Anlak's request
>You can't do it, it'll hurt Rein too much

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>34357297
>Promise to honour Anlak's request

Rolled 9 (1d12)

>>34357297
>Promise to honour Anlak's request

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71 KB JPG

>>34357297
>Promise to honour Anlak's request

Fuck... not again

We'll do it we have to. For Anlak.
Also gives us more incentive to not die like a bitch in the end

>>34357297
>Promise to honour Anlak's request
"... Of course"

>>34357297
>Promise to honour Anlak's request

"Of course," you say, holding the earrings against the moonlight for your fallen comrade to see.

"Good... that's enough for me," says Anlak, as his neck vanishes, and while you watch him, his life, death, and unlife as well...

You stand up, and pocket the earrings. There's only Carna left, you can feel her so fully in your heart now.

"You'll have to go on without me," Gos tells you, "I'll live, but I think I'm going to have to rest until my head stops spinning." You give him an affirmative nod, before taking your final steps into the end...

She sits at the peak of the valley, resting against a throne made of bone and lifted by four skeletons, one at each corner. Her body is paler, weaker than it was when last you saw her. The corruption has taken her further, the black that took her arms is up to her neck now and her stomach maw ends up between her breasts. But even now, in her little black dress and her cat-eared hat, Carna is beautiful to you.

"You really came didn't you love, you really came for me," she says, in that sultry voice so unlike the girl you once knew.

"I came to save you."

"Llooks like I win this bbet don't I, girl," Frangelico says, his distorted voice coming from behind Carna, "You ttold me he'd abandon you, and I knew he was ffoolish enough to come. It's a good tthing we closed the distance for him."

"What a shit," Franny whispers to you in your head, "I want to bash his face in and devour him slowly."

"You're so stupid, so stupid love. You had a girl waiting for you, and you still came for me. You're just so, so stupid."

"You know about Rein?"

"I consumed his existence," she refers to Anlak, "his memories were part of the experience. Bitter-sweet really. She's a real beauty isn't she, more woman than I can ever be... turn back now, so that your teachers can come kill me, because if you stay here longer, I'll rip you limb from limb."

>CONT

Turning back isn't an option at this point. You stand your ground, you'll save Carna, or deliver her to mercy by your own hands.

"I mean it love, I'll kill you and you'll be mine forever... and I'll kill your friends when I see them, I might get so jealous that I'll spend some extra moments with that girl you found and see how far my finger-tips can seek their way through her delicate gender." Carna catches the arm of her bone-throne and snips it off like paper between a demonic finger and a fiendish thumb.

"Wwhat a monstrous host I have, I mmight keep her for llonger after this to enjoy the ttragic company!" Frangelico laughs.

"Well love? What's your answer?"

>You're going to save Carna.
>You're going to kill Carna.

No matter what you say, you'll need to deal with the demon behind her. It seems he'll let you take the first move.

>[Cunning] Attack Frangelico with your weaves from a distance.
>[Alacrity] Slip past Carna with your speed, and meet the demon with your blade.
>[Tenacity] Smash through the throne on your way to Frangelico.
>Write-In

Rolled 9 (1d12)

>>34357772

>Carna.
No idea. stab her with the fae-blade and see what happens.

>[Cunning] Attack Frangelico with your weaves from a distance.

Rolled 12 (1d12)

>>34357772
>Your're going to save Carna
>[Tenacity] Smash through the throne on your way to Frangelico

Tenacity best grill go!

Rolled 4 (1d12)

>>34357772
>You're going to kill Carna.
Put her down
>[Tenacity] Smash through the throne on your way to Frangelico.

Rolled 1 (1d12)

>>34357772
>>You're going to save Carna.
Too bad the only way to do that is to kill her, right guys?

Shit. What do we even have that can hurt this fucker?
Make a bomb out of the bag of flo- we have explosives, right?

>>34357772
>"Save" Carna
For a given value of "saved"

>Throw flour at Frangelico
Heheh, now Franny hates his guts.

>>34357892
Seconded. In my head this is the ultimate conclusion, nevermind what happens after.

"I'm going to save you Carna, nothing can stop me now," you declare for the heavens to hear, taking aback the girl on the throne. Her eyes widen and even the demon behind her lets out a dumb-founded grunt, hearing your resolve. You charge forward with your short sword in your hand, smashing through the skeletons and shattering the macabre throne. You sheath your blade as ivory bits collapse around you, and catch the falling witch in your arms.

"What are you doing!?" Carna's eyes are open wide with child-like surprise, one of her arms hangs to her side and the other hand folds inward against her chest, just hanging inches off from the skin.

"Don't worry about it, okay?" You set her down and draw your faerie blade.

"Stab her now and be done with it, fool!" Franny screams at your internals, but you're moving on far too much momentum to listen to him right now. Clutching the magical dagger in your hand, you take slow steps to the invisible Rasci. You pull the bag of flour out from your satchel and cut off the top, swinging it wide at the demon, it scatters and clings against his body, and despite all your openings, he's too stunned to react.

"Wwhat is this... what do you ppossibly think you're doing?" His voice is growing furious, you can see his arms slowly lifting.

"I told you, I'm going to save Carna, nothing can stop me now." You jam your blade into him, just below the abyss in his gut. The faeblade glows bright and blue as you drag it down, tearing shadowy chunks off of his body.

"You ffoolish fool! Do you think you can ffool around!? MAKE A FOOL OUT OF FRANGELICO? THE LORD OF TRAGEDIES!?" Injured but undaunted, he swings his claws down at you, aiming to skewer you between them.

>[Cunning] Let his claws catch together, use them as a platform.
>[Alacrity] Dodge out of the way and engage on his tail.
>Write-In

I was disappointed that people didn't put more into tenacity because it's really the manly stat.

>>34358250
Everytime we tried tenacity after the bird seed rolled low, so we just stopped using it.

>>34358250
>[Alacrity] Dodge and grab Carna, getting at least a 5 meter distance between her and Frangelico.
"Franny, now's the time to do that thingie you said you could do!"

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Rolled 6 (1d12)

>>34358250
>spoiler
Frankly, I'm surprised at how much we did put into it. Flynn Carsen punches people with his intellect.

>>34358250
>>[Alacrity] Dodge out of the way and engage on his tail.
Yeah, shit. As much as MC is being a crazy badass now, I don't want to be near that.

>>34358361
Seconding this

>Spoiler
I find myself wishing I participated more in earlier threads rather than lurking and throwing out the odd vote, I would have pushed for more tenacity as well.

Rolled 9 (1d12)

>>34358452
Forgot my roll

Rolled 11 (1d12)

>>34358250
>[Alacrity] Dodge out of the way and engage on his tail.

>>34358361
>>34358452
We should wait until we've weakened him more.

You leap backwards as the claws of the uncaring demon collide into each other, it catches and gores its own hands but it simply pulls them apart again with no regard for the damages.

"Fool! FOOL! FFOOOL!" The ground shakes as it stomps towards, you run and grab Carna by the waist, putting a distance between the two of you and her irate partner.

"Franny, now's the time to do what you said you'd do."

"Two things, cavalier," he says, "first, I'm still stuck inside your chest and I need out if I want to do anything. Secondly..."

"Just give up, you can't help me," Carna whispers sadly, "he'll chase you to the ends of the world now that he has a grudge, slay me now and perhaps you can elude him for long enough to watch him fade away." Even if your Frangelico managed to take hers, you need Carna to work with you to make this work. "You've already been eleven years for me love, now it's time to let go... I tried to scare you, tried to hurt you, I threatened your life, your friends... I even ate one and spat him back out. Why won't you just let go of me." Her breathing is growing heavier, the damage you're putting on Frangelico is feeding through to her.

"Already?" You prepare yourself for the demon's onslaught. "It's only been eleven years... that's not enough for me to stop."

"Look at them cchatter, look at tthem talk, unknown to how I'LL TEAR THEM LIMB FROM LIMB IN MERE MOMENTS!" Frangelico screams out, "I'll mmake you watch as I ddrain the last of your dear Ccarna's life away from her, and I'll mmake her watch as I use the power to turn you inside OUT!"

His body contorts, even invisible you can see the air and flour morph as he stretches out towards you, pouncing down like a lion.

>Talk to Carna...?

>[Cunning] Blind Frangelico and slice him along his body.
>[Alacrity] Avoid him to the side and clip through his ear.
>Write-In

Rolled 12 (1d12)

>>34358767
>[Cunning] Blind Frangelico and slice him along his body.

Rolled 7 (1d12)

>>34358767
>[Cunning] Blind Frangelico and slice him along his body.

Rolled 11 (1d12)

>>34358767
>[Cunning] Blind Frangelico and slice him along his body.
He's been torturing you for half your life. And if you don't fight him now he's going to kill both of us.

Rolled 1 (1d12)

Couldn't we just keep stabbing Frangelico with the fae-blade without Fanny's help.

If we do get fanny's help he'll just take Frangelico's power and kill us the same way Frangelico's killing Carna.

Rolled 9 (1d12)

>>34358767
>[Cunning] Blind Frangelico and slice him along his body.
I didnt chase you for 11 years to give up now Carna!

>>34358971
Fanny could have been lying about the "It will kill the host" so that we would think that setting him free was the only way.

Rolled 4 (1d12)

Carna's probably going to be dying anyway.

And she's probably going to be happy about it.

>>34359015
Even if he wasn't killing ourself to save Carna would break a whole lot of promises we made to multiple people.

You burst light at the incoming fiend, and he pauses mid-way through his charge, clutching at his eyes. "SSTOP WITH THE PARLOUR TRICKS, YOU RAT-BASTARD!"

"He's been torturing you for half your life, and he split us apart. If you don't fight him now, he's going to kill the both of us," you tell her, raising the faeblade over your head as you run forth, digging the tip into the demon's jaw and dragging it through his body as you run into you make a line from his head to his chasm.

Both Carna and Frangelico scream aloud, the air splits with their sounds and the valley sides rumble. Carna drops to her knees, her hands nearly clutching to her throat, but sitting just off for fear of eviscerating herself.

"I'm... I can't do it love, I'm so weak without him," she weakly says, her eyes tearing with blood, "for half my life I did nothing but cling to you and daddy, and now..."

"Nnow, all she can do is cling to me." The demon over your head lurches back, his form is blurring in and out of vision as his power wavers. "Sso that she can ttell herself it's not her fault, so that sshe can do heinous tthings and ignore the retribution, so that she ccan keep on living. Hahahhah... our fates are llinked fool, so you have some magic sword and a tiny ttiny voice telling you what to do, so what? Yyou. Can't. Kill. Me. Even if she wwanted to let go, what ccould you do to make me leave?"

"Don't you want to be free, Carna?" You look back at her, weak on the ground, barely holding herself together.

"I'm so afraid of it."

Frangelico's claw comes over your head, he seeks to strike you down, but he's moving so slowly... it'd take so little to end his life now, and you could avoid him as long as you like, but every moment that passes his siphons her strength more, and the one blow you need might end both of them.

"Goodbye, you ppiece of shit." He thrusts a serrated finger at you, coming into full-view as he moves.

>Vanquish Frangelico
>Stand your ground

Rolled 12 (1d12)

>>34359269
>Vanquish Frangelico

Rolled 2 (1d12)

>>34359269
>Vanquish Frangelico

Stab him and she probably dies.

Don't stab him and she definitely dies.

>>34359269
>Stand your ground

>>34359269
>>Stand your ground
muh Idealism fantasies! I'd rather die to them, than succumb to their tragedy

>>34359467
Dying for the sake of idealism is tragedy.

>>34359269
>>Vanquish Frangelico

>>34359269
Damn, she really is broken. penpal thing might have been the only thing that could get her to stand up for herself.

>Lop that finger off, then stab straight at the [insert focal point for demon-host connection here]

>>34359518
>penpal thing
What?

>>34359539
Send letters to her using the paper-birds. Be penpal buddies between MC, Carna, and Gos. Just have some goddamn conversations for a few months.

>>34359484
On one side it's inspiring, that's my type of tragedy. A warm feeling of solace in acting with beautiful, bloody spite.

You meet the incoming claw of the demon with your fae-blade and slice your way through, along the arm, and then into the shoulder. You can hear Carna's screams behind you, but you can't take your eyes off Frangelico for a moment. His arm leaves the world first, and his torso starts to follow it as you draw a line inward to his core.

"You ddid it... you really did it, you FOOL. YOU RAT. YOU BBASTARD," screams out the demon, as it collapses onto its knees. It's body rapidly fading away from the world. You drop the dagger and turn to meet your Carna...

Her arm is vanishing at the finger tip, following Frangelico's. Streaks of red run down her eyes, and spilling loose from the demon gullet. She's trying to hold onto herself to keep from falling apart, but her remaining tainted hand is slicing into her skin.

You run to her side, peeling her blade-fingers off with your bare hands, ignoring the gashing marks. "Carna," you say, "Carna!"

"It hurts so much, it hurts so, so much... make it stop love, please..." She reaches for your cheeks with her fading arm, but her finger tips don't reach you, they fade faster than she can muster her strength. "End it please love, please..."

Your hand moves to your hilted blade, as you watch the red of Carna's eyes fade into their natural blue.

"There's nothing left to do kid... just put her out, close the curtains, exit stage left," Franny tells you, a certain solemn pity in his voice.

"I have so much to tell you Carna, about my adoptive mother, my teachers, my friends, my stories, about Rein... Gos hasn't met you either, he's just over there see, we can see him as soon as we leave." You're losing her, she's fading...

She shows you her wide smile, trying to hold still as her body writhes against her will. You clutch her tightly in one arm, and in the other... your blade...

>Kill Carna
>Write-In

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>>34359744

>>34359744
>Frangelico please.. save her

>>34359825
I don't think he can

>>34359744
>Kill Carna

>>34359825
Seconded. Franny please, don't make us give up Franny, don't let it be like this

This went from remorseless, to badass, all the way to pathetic fast.

>>34359744
>Tell her. Talk about our life. About what we've experienced, despite spending all this time searching for her. Talk about the dangers, talk about how we overcame them, whether by luck or help from others. Give her a place to come back to.
>Tell her jokes. Don't waste time, but make sure everything we say finishes their emotional impact before starting with the next sentence. Don't let her shut herself away from the pain, away from the world.
It's all on her now.

"I... got adopted by a nice woman, her name's Ianc. It took me awhile to get used to it but... well, she's my mother now. She's been pestering me for years to take a bride home, and I thought I'd someday introduce her to you... but there's another girl, you know of her, Rein? I think you'll get along really nicely, she takes great care of people. I love her, really do... she has a sister named Leona, who's my friend. She enjoys reading, a lot of the same novels you liked, I'm sure she'd love your company, since Sheryl's always waving her off. Sheryl is Sissel's sister, she's my best friend of my classmates. She's hard to get along with but I think you'd annoy her less than Yu'yen does," you tell her about the people you've met, the stories you have, "Yu'yen's always causing trouble and finding ways to bother the teachers. He's reliable, but you'll have to be careful around him or he'll put the charm on you... Gos is with us now as well, I know you didn't get along back then, but I think he's grown up a little bit since. There's this Henry fellow too, I guess he's alright."

Carna smiles at you and nods.

"Masoch was my first teacher, he looks stern but I think he cares a lot, he's always helping us even if it's trouble for him... then there's Kran, and her demon Graps, you've met them. Kita, I don't even know how he became a teacher, I don't think he even likes the job but, I guess it was easier on him than doing something else. And Silvest, he's a cat, I know you're more of a dog person but..."

"They sound lovely," she says, "I... I want to meet them."

"I visited Ridaela Castle, met the king and the princess. I went to Belgrand, tried to ride a pegasus but it nearly killed me. I haven't been much else, but everyone else has their stories, you have to hear them."

"I... I'd like that."

"Frangelico, please save her... please, please save her." The tears are streaming down your face again, how helpless you are, twice now you've lost her and soon...

>CONT

"HAHAHAHAH! You would ask me that, after eleven years of chasing!? After your quest to come here, slay the me over there, and vanquish me!? We are not the same, but we're cut of the same black cloth. Pure evil, Lords of Tragedy, the betrayers of betrayers!" Franny laughs at you, as tears run down your cheeks.

"Just save her, please."

"What a fool... the greatest fool I've ever seen," he says, "and yet, I'm a greater fool still."

"Then...?"

"I'll do it," says Franny, putting weight against your chest, "let me out, cut me open, free me... if you dare."

You lay down Carna and lift your blade above your head. There's no further thought, it's all heart now--you drive your sword down...

As the sword pierces through your clothes and into your flesh, tiny black arms claw out and along it. Once again, you see the colours of your world fade, revealing anew the colours of death. You cannot see the valkyrie, but her scythe hangs at your neck, while strands of magic dance around you. Seconds past, and Franny bursts forth from your body, his form slimmer and looser than the demon you just fell, but grander than when you saw the chunk of him previously.

"FREE AT LAST!" He screams, turning around to face you. He scratches your chin with one of his claws, staring you dead in the eye. "You trusted me? You really trusted me did you? You idiot, you nitwit, you fool... I'm going to go over there, devour the Rasci, and devour you."

Your eyes widen in horror as he steps over to the nearly lost form of the other Frangelico, standing above it and pointing a finger out. He plucks the black blob between his claw tips, and lifts it over his demon maw, staring you in the eyes as it it inches closer and closer to oblivion...

"Just kidding," he says, "I had you for a real ride didn't I, duuuumbass." He clenches his hand over the shape, and thin strands attaching it to Carna come into form... and unravel. "What a tragedy indeed... HAHAHAH, THIS IS THE TRAGEDY OF MY LIFE!"

>CONT

"The contract is undone, but the damage is not. Your Carna will live if she's tended to quickly... you on the other hand, I'm not so sure." Frangelico kneels down, to meet you at eye level at the metres away that he is.

You breath out, and tell him all you can, "thank you," you say.

"Don't thank me, I didn't do it for you... I hate humans, I hate this world, and I hate you. But I'll pay it forward that you saved me once, by doing a favour for the girl." Franny's body starts to vanish, you watch his colours unravel into the air.

"What's happening?"

"I might've overextended a little, a shame... it took all my power to undo the contract of a stronger Rasci, and in the end he faded before I could eat him." Franny shakes his head. "The hero saves the day, but in the end he dies... so is the tale of Frangelico, Lord of Tragedy."

You reach out to him, but as he fades your vision blurs...

"These might be your last moments fool, don't waste your time looking at me, we've spent enough together... any ways, I'm taking my leave, so you'll have to get yourself fucked over without me." The vertical maw on his stomach contorts to a horizontal smile, and with that, Frangelico vanishes...

You turn your gaze to Carna, your Carna, in hopeful prayers that he didn't leave you with one last trick...

>CONT

>>34360337
Can he like, devour our arm or something? Would that help? Since we're currently a bit poorly in the blood circulation part anyway, we could...lighten the load a bit.

Also:
>Mend Wound
>Mend Wound
>Mend Wound

>>34360418
>Would that help?
No.

He was the size of a chipmunk and eating a human arm would have taken energy which he no longer had.

>>34360418
>devour our arm
Wtf man. Terrible idea

Rolled 6 (1d12)

hope one of the teachers that can heal shows up

>>34360469
We're about to die. Losing a limb or two is an acceptable sacrifice.

>>34360462
Damn. We should've mastered the freeze weave and kept some goblin chunks on our person ala Winter Prince.

>Year 485 of the Raschan Calendar

It's been about a year now since that day, I can finally walk without aid now, but my mind hasn't been doing as well as my body. The nightmares continue, but... I guess I'll just have to deal with it.

We're coming up on the new year again, and it's thanks to you that I live to see it. It's a shame I can't be with you today... but I'll manage, I have other people to help me now, thanks to you again.

It's been lonely since Sheryl left, it seems she's been stationed in Ophid to see how The Fourth Dylian War plays out, I can't believe that after three inconclusive battles they still want to pick this fight. Yu'yen is leaving soon too, but I can do without the company, all he does is ogle my chest and whisper sweet nothings. At the very least, I have Leona for company, although her recent interest in "The Two Roses" leaves me worried that she's no different than Yu'yen in regards to where she's been eyeing me. Maybe she'll notice Henry's awkward courting someday.

I'm a little worried about Sissel truth be told, he vanished as soon as they let him out of imprisonment after just visiting me once. Perhaps when I'm well enough to travel, I'll see about seeking him out... he's hurt too, but I could do for him as you did for me. Gos says he'll send word if he finds him on his travels, but Gos has trouble getting anywhere when he rides a giant spider from place to place. I hope he manages to find a wife the way he is.

Your teachers certainly are kind people though, even Kran forgave me when she heard my stories. Masoch particularly has been a great help, Kita and Silvest call me his second daughter, but I wasn't aware there was a first...

I really should keep this letter short, I know that you won't be reading it. I've got a whole stack of them that you'll never get, with how things turned out for you after it all...

>CONT

should have suspected this when librarian admitted to a background in theatre

>>34360556
The name librarian gains a whole new meaning now. I'm not complaining, I'm relishing this moment.

Seriously. You put that last line there on purpose so that we all will have to wait for 15 minutes to find out for sure what that actually means.

>>34360519
I guess some of Frangelico's theatrics rubbed off on Carna.

"Carna, are you ready yet?" Rein's here to grab me, so we can pay our respects to the dead. We'll see you there shortly, so just wait a little longer won't you?

"Yes, just let me tuck this away." I can't have her seeing the letters, it'll make her cry. I answer her at the inn room door. She's beautiful but I can't help but notice that bloated belly of hers, if I may be so uncouth... you really knocked her up didn't you, buddy? I joke.

But no, really.

She brushes her hair past her ears, revealing those sparkling blue earrings. She wears them a lot, I guess they mean something to her.

"We can't take a caravan there can we?" I ask her.

"It's just a short walk, come on, you need the exercise."

"If I still had my demons, I could ride everywhere."

"You still have Dog don't you?"

"Sheryl demands I leave Dog back at the dorms as Chance's playmate while she's gone." Well, the graveyard isn't far...

There you are, resting among the stones. A bouquet of flower above you, with birds pecking at around those seeds you so love...

"What took you two so long?" You ask us, getting up on your feet and swatting away the pigeons.

"Carna wanted to finish her journal entry," says Rein, "why don't you ever let us read it anyways?"

"It's not a journal, it's a diary. And it details all the sordid secrets that I can't have either of you seeing."

"You spend all your time in an infirmary, how many sordid secrets can you have," you ask me.

"The words in my diary could spell danger for your marriage, I certainly hope you won't press the issue."

"I... won't," you respond, before turning to the gravestones. Standing alone the rows of the dead is a strong and solemn marker for the man named Anlak. You two come here quite often, but this is my first time seeing it myself.

Rein gets on her knees and offers a prayer.

"Aren't you going to do it too Carna?"

"I couldn't... it was my fau-"

"Oh shut up and do it." Rein grabs my wrist, guiding me on my knees.

>CONT

>>34360630
>"What took you two so long?" You ask us
I had to stop reading to laugh.

"Maybe we should name the kid after him if it's a boy," Rein says.

"Anlak is thirteen in Lunese," you tell her.

"Even better, we can use it whether it's a boy or a girl."

I have to admit I'm jealous watching you two, but I think things worked out about as well as they could... we offer our prayers until the sun starts to set, and then we gather ourselves again.

"Are you two travelling soon? Both of you became Black Cats didn't you?"

"I want to, but I'm worried about the child..." Rein places her hands on her belly, wriggling her lips.

"I'll take care of it for you, I owe you that at least."

"Won't it be hard for you?"

"Of course not, they say a woman with child is quite charming after-all," I tell her, before shooting a look to you, "and any ways, I can waste the time telling it that I'm the real mother."

"You're sure nothing's going on between you two, right? Right?" Rein always gets so jealous when I poke at you two like that, maybe that makes it easier on me.

"Of course not." I grab a hold of your hand, while she's still fuming and lead you out the graveyard first. "Come now, we'll race back for dinner."

"You're a real witch Carna." Rein sighs, shaking her head. And slowly, the three of us begin again the steps up the long hill leading from Deneb--to home.

>END

>>34360630
Your a cruel SOB Librarian.

>>34360683
I had to do the same at
>you really knocked her up didn't you, buddy? I joke.
>But no, really.

In fact I've had to do that a lot this quest. Especially when Frangelico did "Psyche I betray, double psyche I'm not", his whole bit was so garish I broke out laughing and smiling.

>>34360697
o7m8

>>34360729
Would've been funnier if it was:
>Psych I betray
>stare at him like it's a bad joke
>...woah, you really knew I was kidding?
>Nah, you'd have eaten Carna before saying anything if you were really betraying me.

>>34360697
>Finally come back
>5 minutes after the end.
Wish I could have participated in this quest more, but this happens so much.

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Danke schön

It's oveeeeeer, actually.

Thanks for playing, and also thanks for all the other times you played. I don't really have much to say but that, I'm not as good at speaking sentiments as I am at writing them I find.

I don't think this quest warrants the seemingly obligatory wrap-up thread some others do, and really I wouldn't want to even if it did, but I'm going to be awake for awhile any ways so I'll chitter chatter about anything you guys would like to ask.

Man, running a quest is a lot more work than I thought it'd be going in though. My original intention was actually to finish the school stuff at like, thread 16 and then tackle Carna and adventures afterwards but uuuh, I really didn't know. You guys were a much better bunch than the player-base I usually see when I play in other quests which was a world of help for me thankfully, though I would've liked a few more regular posters.

But again, thanks for playing.

good quest but i dont really like conclusion by epilogue

I want to stay up later talking, and monitoring this thread, it has been wonderful but I must sleep.

Thank you Lib-master, for writing and incorporating all our different suggestions and taking so much of our feedback. You made this terrific throughout every arc of your writing "phases".

And to dear fellow anons, fuck you Anlak best grill. I joke but no really. You had a lot of cool ideas, and were cool. Namefag you ain't bad. You all ain't bad.

But really Rein, it feels we only went for her cause she was such an easy target. She was literally throwing herself at us like a sad and then horny puppy. Preferences I suppose,

For the longest time I thought our god was cactus until it was said which andimal represented the god.

>>34360827
Thanks for everything Librarian.

Will you run another quest?

What would have happened if we stood our groubd against Frangelico instead of vanquishing him?

Who is best girl?

>>34360827
>My original intention
Hahah. It DID seem that way.

It was a good run. Not BESTEST QUEST EVER, but I don't see that ever happening anyway. You write well, you write FUNNY, and you're a bit theatric, which is not a bad thing. You didn't drown in mechanics, and so many characters were awesome.

I never cared about waifus. Seriously, waste of time.

>>34360846
I voted for her because I was honestly starting to get annoyed by the "muh Carna" every single thread. Seriously it wasn't healthy.

Plus after finnaly meeting her I didn't really think saving Carna was going to be an option. And I just wanted the Main Character to move on.

>>34360827
thanks for the great quest man

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>>34360846
I actually came to really dislike Rein towards the end.

>>34360886
An interesting little thing is that at the start, Leona and Rein didn't exist in my planning and Carna was the only waifu. Sheryl was named Sissel and was a man-elf, which is why the character arc for the sisters was so messy. I actually browsed /qtg/ for awhile and got the impression in my head that waifus were necessary, but when it comes to romance I like men pursuing a lot better. that much. I ended up really liking what I came up with for Leona though, so I'm pretty disappointed I didn't get more out of her.

Sheryl was supposed to be along the lines of Harry Potter's Draco, but turning into a girl made her traits endearing instead of annoying.

To answer your questions though, I'm almost certainly running more quests, but I don't know if I'll do it on the same trip because I really like anonymity. If you had stood your ground against Frangelico, he'd have punctured a hole in your chest for the other Frangelico to squeeze through. I honestly intended a bad end when you went to slay him, but decided to make one last prompt since it felt like it'd be in poor taste.

Best girl is Anlak, then Leona, then Carna, then Sheryl, then Rein. I liked Rein as a character but I couldn't find a way to write her romance arc better since her insecurities are a big part of her.

>>34360856
See if you can guess the other animals >>34355244

>>34360782
Also; We all know Anlak was in love with Rein but damn you for making me wonder how much Rein cared for Anlak. And damn you for making me wonder if MC was actually cheating on Rein emotionally

I just realized that this is the first quest I've sat through from beginning to end. Feels good. Feels bad that it's about to happen again.

>>34360951
so what would you have liked to have done with Leona?

Also I'm glad you added the sisters. Even though I'm not a huge fan of waifus, I felt like they were worthy characters in their own right, and the larger cast benefited the more lighthearted sections of the story greatly.

I was surprised as getting a good end. its par the coarse most of the time, but i was expecting a bad end from you, from this story.

>>34360951
Any chance of a hint on what you may run next?

>>34360951
>I actually browsed /qtg/ for awhile
Don't do that. See HMQ and Sadow Quest for examples.

>I'm pretty disappointed I didn't get more out of her.
You made her seem too helpless. There is a sliding scale of naïveté. Sheryl's level made her cute but still desirable. I really liked her. But Leona went a little too far. She seemed too childish to me.

>I actually came to really dislike Rein towards the end.
We as players didn't find out about Reins insecurities until after you established her as a somewhat competent character. Some men find certain level of insecurities attractive especially in an otherwise competent character. Sort of like a wounded bird that you can help heal.

Also, you pushed the Carna bit too hard in the first dozen threads. It was too unhealthy. It made me want to pick any girl that wasn't her.

Before this thread My opinion was Rein = Sheryl > Leona.

>>34361063
I think when I word it it won't sound very interesting, but I wanted to play with Leona's ideas of a fairy tale lifestyle and romance and then the contrast against the noble-dark setting and the protagonist's Carna issues.

>>34361096
I'm actually more of a logistics person than I am an idea guy, so I have almost nothing in my backlog of things I'd want to run and what little I have is too vague of to be use, things like "a quest with a knight" or "a quest with bondage fetishism". I was originally going to close the Twitter to let it refresh but I might try to strive for a regular player-base instead since it gives more leeway on what I could get away with.

>>34361149
Whoops, meant to quote. >>34361082

>>34361096
It also kind of bugged me that Leona was the mother favorite. Their country emphasizes strong women. But all the way up until Rein's little melt down at the public baths Rein seemed like the stronger of the two sisters. She was the one always making the plans, taking care of her sister, and getting things done.

Yes Rein revealed some insecurities after that first night in the hotel. But, it seemed reasonable given how her mother treated her in the previous thread.

I really liked this quest. But It baffles me that one of my favorite characters was the writers least favorite.

>>34361214
The issue is really that I communicated things poorly. Belgrand is largely a meritocracy and while Rein's really capable as a woman who's handy with chores and being an active partner, she's actually the worse of all six students in actual combat see forgetting her weapons and feeling sick at the horrible sights during the slave bit and isn't useful in the field due to a lack of knowledge. She's supposed to be a perfect woman by any normal standard but not in her homeland. Being a mercenary country, that's not good.

The disconnect is probably that when I'm writing, I already know in my head the details about a character that haven't been established in the story yet. I tried really hard not to play favourites still, though I don't know if I undershot or overshot there.

I'm looking for criticism as much as I'm answering questions, if anyone is up to see this. I respond a lot better to "you suck do this better" than I do to, "this was pretty cool."

>>34361162
I reckon keep the twitter, I want to know what you are doing next.
Thanks for answering my questions and thanks for the threads but most of all thanks for sticking it out all the way through the quest. I know it got tough in spots and you didnt seem to be enjoying it at times but I really appreciate you seeing it all the way to the end. Cheers

>>34361380
I'm still waiting for Arva and Arcadian so I wouldn't be able to drop something on good conscience.

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>>34361149
I always liked the idea of an epic level swordsman with a comically bad sense of direction. Like: A farm kid dreamed of becoming a legendary knight one day. So he trains every chance he gets for years. Then he learns about an actual knight that's passing through.

The knight is basically a talent scout looking for new recruits. The kid is obviously overjoyed about this news. But starts to doubt himself as to whether he's actually good enough. So he finds some magical plot device person.

The spirit animal or whatever tells the kid that the only way he can make the kid a better swordsman is by basically trading one talent for another. The kid agrees.

The kid who was already very naturally talented at swordsmanship becomes even better but also gains a comically bad sense of direction. He goes to find the knight to show off his new skills. But of coarse can't find the guy and somehow ends up in a completely different country. Then he goes on crazy adventures and gets lost... a lot.

>>34361320
i'm not very good at complaining, sorry. I liked your quest, shit was fun/10. The only complaint I could come up with is I though the birdseed thing got overplayed for a while, although having it show up in this thread was legitmitly amusing.

>>34360827
Thank you so much for writing this. Sadly, I was away for most of the threads after the twentieth or so, but I still enjoyed reading them. It was always pleasantly different from other quests.

I still wish Anlak would have gotten his girl. His story was the real tragedy in my opinion. And as >>34360846 says, going for Rein was just a reactionary "She says she loves me and demands a decision and I'm currently hopeless regarding Carna." Not really something I would call love.

>>34361404
What's Arva running? And I'm also waiting for Arcadian.

>>34361320
Ah, give me a sec, I gotta wrack my brain on the past threads.

>>34361517
Then he finds a talking bird that's kind of an asshole that is constantly telling he where to go to make up for MC's lack of direction.

>>34361320
>I'm looking for criticism as much as I'm answering questions
I think the biggest problem wasn't the writing at all. It's that you gave us a clear objective [save Carna] but then didn't give us any way of completing that objective or any way of making any progress.

I didn't feel any closer to saving her in thread 30 than I did in thread 10. Combined with the fact that you kept reminding us that we needed to save her every chance you had.

>>34361661
Aye. It was quite clear that we would need the cooperation of Franny and Carna, but little player-driven process was made on either of those cases. In the end, Franny decided it would be in his interest to save her.

I didn't feel those threads were wasted, though. It was just that the over-arching plot seemed not to process while we run around doing side-quests and exploring hoping that we would find something useful. And we did, every now and then, though at a glacial pace.

>>34361320
>3 stats, repetitive use improves it
As you may have noticed, repetitive use discourages using any other stat.

>write-in only section
I'm not saying it's impossible, but it can't stand on its own, not when the threads are so far spaced apart.

You don't seem to want to place plot hooks(because that's the same as prompts, really), but when we flounder around not getting anything done, you should:
>list the objectives
>list the leads

I know you tried to use the player discussions to add into the leads and, well, doing that more is the only thing I know for sure will help. I know a couple that weren't addressed:

>exactly how much time we have after stabbing self, and whether we can use weaves/droughts to buy time.
>Using Cunning to persuade Frangelico instead of relying entirely(mostly is fine, but we aren't public speakers) on the playerbase for dialogue.
>penpal thing
>frozen demon snacks

Ah, maybe showing what skills/talents our hero knows would have helped, or being more specific with what is "normal" or expected in-setting. Guns were rare, sure, but explosives, sedatives, poisons, therapy, counseling, scrying, invisibility, sound-cancelling, spices(we already had sight and sound overload, may as well add in smell/taste overload with pepperbombs), etc.

>inventory
It works for small lists, but towards the late midpoint, I'll bet most of the items were forgotten. All I can say is that doing anything with a larger scope may encounter problems.

>>34361404
>next quest
Honestly I wouldn't mind you doing something like Saviour Quest, if you revamped your inventory system to handle it.

This one is one I had in my list of quest pitches:
Explore the ravaged cities of a land scarred by war. Piece together the history of an empire destroyed from within and without. Plunder military bases and commercial factories. Put together railguns, plasma busters, water cutters, or whatever else will last more than a couple of days from the materials at hand. Hunt giant beasts and use their crystalline hearts to power your weaponry and your camping supplies. Meet other Drifters and trade information, supplies, and useful parts...or just have awesome duels that may or may not involve repurposed mecha.

>>34362077
Okay, some of that might've come out wrong.

>frozen demon snacks
was made in hindsight. I'm still a little sleep-addled, I guess.

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We didn't die like a bitch?

Thank you based god.