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You have always wanted to be an emperor. That ambition has burned dimly in the past, tempered by reality. Now the opportunity to realise your ambition has arrived and you are determined not to let it slip. Now is the time to build your empire and become an emperor.

Last Thread: You are Imperator Talon York and you rule your own small empire, but you are not yet the emperor you dream of being… yet. Last thread you captured Shropham and ended that campaign.

Previous Threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Aspiring%20Emperor%20Quest
Userscript for Suptg with quote previews/backlinks (not my work): https://greasyfork.org/scripts/2065-sup-tg-archive-quote-functions
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AspirationalQM
Master Pastebin (links to all pastebins for AEQ): http://pastebin.com/6Su7M3fh
GDocs Documents: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B1Qxe-FljPXpMTNrOWltTXlBLTQ&usp=sharing
>New loredoco, incomplete. Pastebins are largely irrelevant but not full replaced.

>some housekeeping
1. Next thread at 5pm EST on the 19th Dec. Expect me to run more often over the next couple of weeks.

Rolls are d20 and the best of the first three posters. I may sometimes ask for more dice to be rolled by each player, but same rules apply otherwise. Please quote the post you are voting for or rolling against. Note there are hard-to-replace points that can be used to offset failures in rolls. Please see the General Pastebin, linked through the Master Bin above, for more info and detailed dice rules.

>Now, without further ado
>>
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>>36821904
Current Date and Time: Mid-morning on October 17th, 1953PC

Current FR Points: 1

The last week had felt surprisingly hectic despite the fact you don’t feel anything worthwhile or noteworthy happened. Normally the aftermath of conquering a city was handled by your more administratively minded subordinates but there was still a major military problem on the horizon. Combined with a general distrust of the mages who had split from the Magi League in the first place, you’d had plenty of reason to keep yourself involved.

That and Sarah had been snippy when you’d asked her if she’d help. From what Tsucchi had told you, a lot of diplomatic and administrative matters had come up almost immediately after you had left for the front. Most of those matters were ones that would normally involve you, given what they involved – embassies, broad representation over tax and property matters and far too much general interest in the canal for your liking. The timing was noticeably suspect and you wondered why they were all so keen to avoid you and consult with Sarah – she was far less reasonable when upset, after all. And she was very upset over the workload and the way the liaisons were trying to play her

Your main interest in the city had been keeping it under control while resuming normal activities. You’d redeployed most of your soldiers to patrol the city and keep the mage towers under guard while reopening the outer lifts to enable trade to resume once again. Even with the damage that had been done during the siege, the workers of the city were keen to resume their livelihoods and the upper class to get back to consuming their minds into obliviousness, which suited you just fine. Shropham had far more poorer workers than Vitria despite its ealth and the war had likely had an incredible impact on them. You needed the city’s economy flowing again and that meant reopening the markets and shops in the centre of the city and the upper platform.

>cont
>>
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>>36821924
As for the central tower, it remained secured under guard. You’d taken some of your close retinue through to ensure there were no nasty surprises left but had mostly just shocked them as a result. Only Gnome had remained unmoved, a testament to what she’s seen, probably in the Golden Age of Magic. If there was ever a single sight that could cement the Mage Guard’s reason for existence, it was this. Not that you were too keen to let them handle things – you’d called in your auditors from the empire itself to go through the mage towers with a fine tooth comb while you worked with the external experts on the central tower.

Marek had been certain that Raphael would know what had happened. You weren’t so sure. Firing off a detailed sending to the Last Retreat, you’d also tried to contact Basilii again, to no avail. Marek hadn’t felt his order was too interested in the cleanup, so you weren’t too surprised. You had also contacted…

>multiple votes incoming. Just a bunch of YES/NO prompts.

WARDEN-GENERAL IRLIN
>1. The leader of the nearby Mage Guard army. No need to make him antsy – his army had noticeably slowed down their march once you’d taken the city and had made clear they had no interest in a fight. It might also help you get his measure.
>2. No contact.

SYLVIAN
>1. The helldragon of the Mage Guard. She’ll likely be very upset if you don’t invite her, particularly given this sort of situation is her element.
>2. No contact.

ARCHMAGE ALYCE
>1. The Archmage of the Magi League and your close ally. She might be interested in the ultimate treatment of the mages but will also annoy any Mage Guard reps and they her.
>2. No contact.

Also, for those who missed it, the GDocs folder in the OP now has the new lore doco. It’s incomplete, very long and not required reading but probably answers a few questions you might have and provides additional detail. I’ll probably resume writing it next week once I feel less burnt out on it.
>>
>>36821942
>NO
>YES
>YES
>>
>>36821942
Was Irlin the moderate Warden or the super pious one? If he was the moderate.
>1
>1
>2
>>
>>36821942
>>1. The helldragon of the Mage Guard. She’ll likely be very upset if you don’t invite her, particularly given this sort of situation is her element.

>1. The Archmage of the Magi League and your close ally. She might be interested in the ultimate treatment of the mages but will also annoy any Mage Guard reps and they her.

For now I feel like we should just work with our allies. The warden general seems pretty calm right now.
>>
>>36821904
>AEQ
I missed you so much.

I read through the google doc (all 45 pages), some notes for QM:

Make sure you backup the google doc (by saving it locally as a doc file) just in case

>6.1.2 Sorcery
>churches of magic
what?

>3.2.1
>The Source itself appears to emit a significant amount of magical energy in the process, though nowhere near as much as a Place of Power.
wait, sources emit less power than a POP?

>As each Champion candidate dies, a comparison will be made and the most suitable of the current and the recently perished will have their spirit maintained by the Source going forward. Should the Champion currently be summoned when another candidate dies, that candidate will automatically be maintained by the Source, causing the summoned Champion to permanently move on from the world once unsummoned or slain. If no other candidates perish while the Champion is summoned then they can be summoned again, possibly by the same mast
phrasing is really messy and seems to be contradicting on some points
I don't get what this is saying at all

>Patterns
it doesn't mention it, but didn't you tell us in quest that pure elementals naturally occuring patterns?
>>
>>36821942
>2
>1
>1
>>
>>36821942
>1
>1
>1
Also, read the LoreDoc, wow that is a lot of Lore.
Also, I find it hilarious that we've built our entire military on the same pattern as a historical superpower without knowing it.
>>
>>36822028

IIRC he's the zealot.
>>
>>36821924
>That and Sarah had been snippy when you’d asked her if she’d help. From what Tsucchi had told you, a lot of diplomatic and administrative matters had come up almost immediately after you had left for the front. Most of those matters were ones that would normally involve you, given what they involved – embassies, broad representation over tax and property matters and far too much general interest in the canal for your liking. The timing was noticeably suspect and you wondered why they were all so keen to avoid you and consult with Sarah – she was far less reasonable when upset, after all. And she was very upset over the workload and the way the liaisons were trying to play her
We need to get a holoprojector for commonicating, one in vitria and the other in the field. This will allow our cabinet to convene from afar and discuss such issues even while in the field.
>>
I dont see the benefit of bringing both Alyce and Syl. More than likely they would get at each others throats and put us in a bad position.
>>
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>>36822028
He's a moderate but represents the hardliner faction which oppose Sylvian(I really should name those...).

>>36822042
>churches of magic
Figure of speech.

>wait, sources emit less power than a POP?
The power that Sources emit is leakage. The PoPs are the emitters that are funnelled power by their Source.

>phrasing is really messy and seems to be contradicting on some points
I was trying to clearly explain how Champions work because everybody complains about how confusing it is. Clearly that didn't work out. Nothing is contradictory, just that the terms aren't clear.

>it doesn't mention it, but didn't you tell us in quest that pure elementals naturally occuring patterns?
They're considered similar. I might add some additional sections to the Patterns part to discuss the implications of them.
>>
>>36821942

>2
>1
>1

It's only logical, I think, since this is former ML land.
>>
>>36822084
>He's a moderate but represents the hardliner faction which oppose Sylvian(I really should name those...).
I'll change the forst vote to a 2 then
>>
>>36821942
>Y
>Y
>Y
we should talk to them all
talk =! full disclosure.
>>
>>36822066
>Also, I find it hilarious that we've built our entire military on the same pattern as a historical superpower without knowing it.
Which one?
>>
>>36822084
>I was trying to clearly explain how Champions work because everybody complains about how confusing it is. Clearly that didn't work out. Nothing is contradictory, just that the terms aren't clear.

I'll never understand that. It's always been pretty simple to me. 7 PoP that magical beings automatically attune to. If one dies it can be summoned using the source as a form of familiar.

Also I have read all the lorebin twice and I have to say Aefir stronk. I also didn't expect them and Kushan to have such a cushy relationship.
>>
>>36822084
>He's a moderate but represents the hardliner faction which oppose Sylvian(I really should name those...).

Yeah I'm just going to say the moment we bring this up to him it's going back to our foes in the mage guard and they will want to send inquisitors right into our new city.
>>
>>36821942
>1
>1
>1
Try and get assurances that both Alyce and Sylvian will try and play nice before committing though.
>>
>>36822084
>I was trying to clearly explain how Champions work because everybody complains about how confusing it is. Clearly that didn't work out. Nothing is contradictory, just that the terms aren't clear.
I think i figured it out. I was thinking "summoned" as in "the act of casting a summoning spell" instead of "the state they are in after the summoning spell was completed and until their death/banishment"
aka. Undine has been summoned since thread 1, she remains "summoned".
>>
>>36822162
>Yeah I'm just going to say the moment we bring this up to him
I should point out that the vote is whether to talk to him or not. Not whether we provide full disclosure to him or not.
>>
>>36822140
>reading how Kushan bitch slapped the continent by his lonesome

Kushan seems like a cool guy
>>
>>36822136
Aefierla, the nation that was the dominant force on the continent for close to 1000 years. Their army was made up mostly of well trained humans supported by nonhumans (aefir specifically) as magical support and elite shock troops. Our military is largely made up of well trained humans supported by nonhumans as magical support (fluffy tails) and elite shock troops (our retinue, soon vamps and dragons).
I wonder if Talon has read about their military?
>>
>>36822140
>If one dies it can be summoned using the source as a form of familiar.
it is far more complex than that.

>7 pops can be attuned to
>1 active champion slot
>1 prospective champion slot
>When a champion is summoned, it is removed from prospective and put into active champion slot. This is the the only time that prospective slot is empty
>If active champion dies, and prospective slot is empty. they become the prospective again and can be resummoned
>If active champion dies / unsummoned, and prospective slot is fully. They pass on for good and can't be resurrected again.
>If an attuned dies and prospective slot is empty, they become new prospective automatically
>If an attuned dies and prospective slot is full, the two are compared and the best one is kept.
>>
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>>36821904
My body is beyond ready.
>>
>>36822204
Dude needed a massive army of infernals to take the Aefir though. I wonder if there are any remaining books on their construction methods. Their fortresses were apparently awesome.
>>
Aspir
Was that aspiring feldragon we killed attuned to the pop? because if so, that means that it is the new prospective champion and that if undine dies or is unsummoned by someone who sneaks into the source, she will pass on forever.
and if not, it is in our interest to make sure that the rest of the prospective don't get killed
>>
>>36822312

He didn't /need/ them. He could have taken them himself, but that bloody nose was enough of a scare to necessitate the need for an army.
>>
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Alright, vote is 2, 1 and 1. I find it interesting how the Warden-General was outright refused so quickly. I expected more debate over bringing Alyce and Syl to the same place.

Writing up now. Sorry I'm a little slow - a mixture of being rusty and tired.

>>36822343
>Was that aspiring feldragon we killed attuned to the pop?
It's possible but unlikely. There's probably a different being attuned to the PoP now, one far more powerful.
>>
>>36822347
>The combined magicks of the Aefir and dragons were more than a match for Kushan himself.
Yeah, he explicitly needed an army.
>>
>>36822312
Not quite. The dragons+The Aefir was enough to be his match. If it was just them vs Kushan I think he would win.

>>36822343
It's not a pure magic being for one thing and the attune is natural so I don't think anything like it could pull that off. It could bind the thing but not attune.
>>
>>36821942
>1
>1
>1

Contact Alyce first, get her counsel but warn her that we will be dealing with the Mage guard for some time in the foreseeable future. Then get Sylvian's council. Finally, do the meet with Irlin.
>>
>>36821942
>2
>1
>1
we need to continue cementing alliances and picking sides

also this thread we should talk about Aladria and whatshisnamethenewdaywalker we should have killed him. Aladria will betray us when she gets the chance
and th other guy has no personal loyalty and will clearly eventuallyn challenge us.
we should eliminate him somehow, they shouldnt be spending time together.
>>
>>36822042
>>36822084
thanks for answers. I just noticed I missed two

>Mystic foxes
>Black tails are common to foxes outside of Gauron and extremely rare in Pharos
Should it not be common inside of gauron? since gauron is the name of our continent and where black tails occur?

I also wonder what effect Aether will have on the tail coloring of foxes who spend their first year in it. (aka, wasteland foxes)
>>
>>36822387
>It's possible but unlikely. There's probably a different being attuned to the PoP now, one far more powerful.

Interesting. For one thing that means there is something far more powerful then a feldragon. For another it means that dragons can attune. I didn't expect that.

>>36822389
Yeah I kind of read that as it was one or the other it would be less likely and if they didn't have walls enchanted like they did a lot less likely.
>>
>>36822387
>There's probably a different being attuned to the PoP now, one far more powerful.

Yay Talon!
>>
This is primarily stuff for other posters:

>Unlooted undamaged untouched ancient installation is guarded by mage guard
Wow, I want to loot that!

>Dragons
Reading their history, it seems sylvian is blaming the feldragons when the fault was clearly with their king. Hubris of rulers seems to be a common theme in history

>Every race is extremely fucked up
so much to fix.

>As the number of tails a fox receives varies, this also makes for wildly varying lifespans. If a fox does not receive an additional tail they begin to age - by the time they would receive their next tail they have typically died of a heart attack or stroke from the magical strain of their t
This sounds a lot like how elves of finn caste die. I posit that perhaps if finn can grow his magic fast enough, he might "outgrow" his tattoos the same way foxes who keep on getting tails keep on living.

>Although almost all shadowbeasts are on the other side of the Barrier of Marie, there is a colony of them below the Sithran Mountains. Those shadowbeasts that crossed the Magi Line mountains flocked there for an unknown reaso
I had assumed that it was just that this particular infection was too difficult to root out. The fact that they were DRAWN there suggests that there is something very interesting there

>Places of Power are wellsprings of magical energy. They are often connected to Sources but there are other means that can create on
that is interesting to know

>Historically, the dwarves have made use of Places of Power as a power source, pulling in the excess energy to fuel forges for magical enchantment but those times have long passed.
that sounds like what we planned on doing in the source with the magitech

>Doomslayer
haha, I like it

>Doomslayer, anti magic blade
It occurs to me that both of those could end talon not matter how magically mighty he becomes. The solution seems to be to keep up his skills and not overly rely on magic.
>>
>>36822444
>Yay Talon!
How is thi... oh you mean TALON is the new attuned being? hahaha.
I like it.
>>
>>36822426
>and th other guy has no personal loyalty and will clearly eventuallyn challenge us.

Which is just fine by Talon. It's not like he is automatically going to anyway. So long as Ember is around and as long as Talon does what is needed. People these days have no risk tolerance.
>>
>>36822443
Eh, they already proved that the helldragon kingdom vs kushain himself ended in the hell dragons winning, then getting arrogant and fucking off. The Aefir were stronger than the helldragons.
>>
>>36822459
Finn is an elf not a fox
>>36822490
the longer we wait the stronger he gets. prudence dictates we help him get himself killed
>>
>>36822426
>Aladria will betray us when she gets the chance
Aldaria is our primal familiar, she is incapable of betraying us. Also, she wasn't the waifu of blackwater, but of another vampire whom we personally killed (he was the one we killed before the quest, he went to try and enthrall us when we were still working for darlesia) and Aspir hinted that her relationship with him was fucked up and potentially disturbing to many readers. so he hasn't gone into it
>>
>>36822559
Flow animation counters virtually all of his powers.
>>
>>36822559
>Finn is an elf not a fox
I am well aware. I am saying that the principle might be the same. Since the causes of death for a fox who can't provide their tails with sufficient power are identical to an elf that can't provide their tattoos with sufficient power
>>
>>36822513
That felt to me more like all the helldragons jumping him in all honestly. I"m talking more get all the elves and place them on one side. Kushan on the other side. All the helldragons of course is a different story.
>>
>>36822559
>the longer we wait the stronger he gets
We get stronger massively faster than him, as we master astral powers as well as expanding our nation.
>>
>>36822387
>I expected more debate over brining Alyce and Syl to the same place
I was under the impression that we were contacting them via sending. Oops.
>>
>>36822579
>>36822584
She doesnt care particularly about us. And theyre highly likely and to and capable of scheming together.

they are the foundation for a potentially dangerous and seditious faction, so i think no matter what we either need to decide to win their loyalty definitively, or eliminate one or both of them. does anybody disagree?
>>
>>36822614

He meant politically stronger.
>>
>>36822387
>I expected more debate over bringing Alyce and Syl to the same place.
I thought we were contacting them via sending. (apparently not the only one)

>I find it interesting how the Warden-General was outright refused so quickly
The people who justified their vote of no, said that we shouldn't fully disclose things to him. Apparently the assumed "talk to him" meant "full disclosure"
then again. Since we are talking about bringing them in to here maybe they were right and I was wrong.
>>
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>>36822439
>Should it not be common inside of gauron? since gauron is the name of our continent and where black tails occur?
Oops, good catch. It should be 'common outside of Pharos but extremely rare inside.' which is a big hint in and of itself...

>I also wonder what effect Aether will have on the tail coloring of foxes who spend their first year in it. (aka, wasteland foxes)
If they had no other source of magical energy? They'd die, like everything else. Aether is harmless but lack of magical energy is lethal.

>>36822443
>For one thing that means there is something far more powerful then a feldragon. For another it means that dragons can attune.
Dragons can be claimed as familiairs like Aefir, foxes and vampires, so they can also attune. Basically, magical beings can do both. And that dragon wasn't particularly powerful compared to beings such as Gnome etc. Gnome could single-handedly defeat him at full strength, as could most other Champions (including Taira).

>if they didn't have walls enchanted like they did a lot less likely.
It was the incredibly powerful barriers and wards the Aefir had on their fortresses and territory that kept both the Fae and Kushan out, until the infernals tore through it.

>>36822592
The result is similar because what kills them is the same - too much magical strain. The Daerfir eventually run out of magical reserves and the tattoos draw on lifeforce (their soul, indirectly) and the foxes don't have enough fuel to maintain the extra tail (they could grow it over time, but not maintain it constantly).
>>
>>36822614
a minor threat is still a threat. especially if hes close to other key characters, and the source, and the seat of our power.
>>
>>36822636
Yes. Now shut up.
>>
>>36822636
Yes. I see Ren hating anon has slightly improved his grammar.
>>
>>36822636

Yes. A lot.
>>
>>36822584
Pretty much this. Talon grows far stronger then he ever will especially considering he has to soul devour to get XP now.

Though speaking of vampires. I noticed something interesting on Finns sheet. Improvised Transmutation I and express power isn't a passive effect like everything else. Does that mean theoretically we could stick that on someone without it draining?

Thinking on it most of the drain comes from empowering and from Healing. But if you can bring your own of either then I think it should be possible to create a non-draining tattoo. Though it depends on if you can have one effect without the other.
>>
>>36822636
>She doesnt care particularly about us
>I refuse to read the doc section about familiars

>And theyre highly likely and to and capable of scheming together.
If by highly likely you mean extremely implausible. How does he sneak into our stronghold? how does she contact him? why would she even contact him?

>they are the foundation for a potentially dangerous and seditious faction, so i think no matter what we either need to decide to win their loyalty definitively, or eliminate one or both of them. does anybody disagree?
No

>>36822646
>He meant politically stronger.
How the fuck does blackwater get politically stronger? we took down his nation. he has nobody to politic with, we made public his method of immortality, we killed the vampires that supported him, and we are reintegrating the vampires who remain into our society and this time with a blood substitute
>>
>>36822672
different person man

>>36822661
>>36822672
not gonna harp. but letting those two have to long a leash is a bad move
>>
>>36822709
>How the fuck does blackwater get politically stronger?

Anon I'm sorry I'm drunk and misread what comment you replied to.
>>
>>36822655
>>I also wonder what effect Aether will have on the tail coloring of foxes who spend their first year in it. (aka, wasteland foxes)
>If they had no other source of magical energy? They'd die, like everything else. Aether is harmless but lack of magical energy is lethal.
Oh right, the wastelands are not JUST aether but also devoid of magic.
Ok, let me reprase that, I wonder what large amount of aether exposure would do to a fox that isn't born in the wasteland but in some place with readily available magic
>>
>>36822709
not blackwater im talking about man
that kid who hates us who we turned into a daywalker
cant remember his name he was a general or something
>>
>>36822759

Anon how the fuck do you forget Felix? Seriously you need to read up on everything and educate yourself.
>>
>>36822759
Felix never hated us anon. You're drunk.
>>
>>36822773
was blanking on his name. fuck you.
>>
>>36822759
>>36822795
>I dont even know his name but I know that he will back stab us.
>>
>>36822655
>The result is similar because what kills them is the same - too much magical strain.
Which is my whole point and the crux of my theory that if finn can grow his magic fast enough (like a fox does, through war) than he might outgrow the aging and death of the tattoos the same way that a fox who gets their 5th tail does.

>The Daerfir eventually run out of magical reserves and the tattoos draw on lifeforce (their soul, indirectly) and the foxes don't have enough fuel to maintain the extra tail (they could grow it over time, but not maintain it constantly).
I am not sure what that means for my theory. Does the daerfir's soul literally gets smaller/weaker over time?
>>
>>36822784
Well he did want to go down in history. I don't think he ever could have said to hate us considering we talked him down so easily.

>>36822655
>Dragons can be claimed as familiairs

Time to attune lairos then?
>>
>>36822728
to be fair anon said
>whatshisnamethenewdaywalker we should have killed him
I assumed that is "blackwater" and another anon seems to think that is "fenix/felix/I keep mixing those two up"
>>
>>36822807
where can i read relevant info? npc pastebin isnt sufficient. pretty sure i remember him only joining up to get stronger, and him thinking that we were just pretty much evil
btw tone down the hostility
>>
>>36822834
honest mistake. i meant felix
>>
>>36822815
Basically, the Daefir's magic is naturally tied up in increasing its strength like a nightwalker and isn't meant to use magic, much less use magic constantly. The Fox's body is designed to take the strain, so it can.
>>
>>36822836
That would be called reading the threads.
Also the current NPC bin pretty much covers everyone of interest right now.
>>
>>36822815
Think of the Daerfir magic like a tank of water. Over large amounts time evaporation happens that would drain the tank. The tattoos basically give the tank a spout, that drains the magic faster.

>>36822836
You can read the quest. They're archives in the OP.
>was blanking on his name. fuck you.
>tone down the hostility
>>
>>36822915
but daefir are supposedly immortal (unless killed) if they don't get tattoos.
>>
>>36822901
>>36822915
read every single one. i think felix will be a problem at some point in the future. and this problem is avoidable
>>
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>2 & 1 & 1

When it came to pulling in a council for assistance on how to handle the mage problem in Shropham, you weren’t keen to involve Irlin in any way. You’d probably need to talk to him at some point but certainly not right now and not about this. Sylvian and Alyce would be useful, on the other hand. You just hoped that they’d keep from biting one another’s heads off.

Raphael was the first to arrive, a massive surge of power signalling his arrival via teleportation. You’d missed his arrival but had been told it was quite a sight – a burst of light, followed by him unfurling his enormous glowing wings to their full length around his intimidating figure. You had been working from the manor of a surprisingly helpful noble near the central tower, said noble having another manor he’d moved to in the meantime, and the archangel had been content to wait in one of the rooms while you’d been busy. Not that you stayed busy for long after that arrival.

The next day both Sylvian and Alyce arrived, separately. Alyce hadn’t had far to travel and you greeted her as she stepped out of her carriage. A few token knights and spellblades stood guard and Merce accompanied her. Her expression was somewhere between grim and amused, as though she had tried to school her expression into something suitable for the occasion and Merce had told her an amusing joke right before she stepped out.

“What was the joke, Mercenie?” you ask the Aefir, openly ignoring the mage, who scowls openly in response.

“Something about the central tower being symbolic of its new owner,” she says, smirking.

>continued
>>
>>36822945
The well normally doesn't have a leak in that metaphor he used.
>>
>>36822945
According to the new Gdocs they are long lived, not unaging.

>>36822962
Hate-anon plz stop
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>>36822986
You sigh, but before you can continue you pick up Sylvian in the distance. She seems to moving oddly fast and in a weird position, you think. Within a minute you realise why, as the edges of the winds she’s kicking up lick at your face. Staring up at her you can’t help but say…

“She’s a lot bigger than I expected.”

“She is rather old, even for a dragon. If she wasn’t a particularly special helldragon she would actually be dying of old age,” Raphael’s booming voice comes from behind you and you nearly jump, those annoying echoes of another language resounding in your ears.

“I’d like to say she’s just fat but from what I’ve read dragons simply get larger and stronger with age,” ALyce says. “Also, is it possible to not do that, Archangel?”

“No. Not if you want to understand me,” Raphael says, still watching the dragon above. You get the feeling he’s slightly tense, though you’re not sure why.

Sylvian’s dragon form is enormous and you finally comprehend why the main draconic race had never appreciated the helldragons – they were incredibly bestial in appearance. Almost as large as the keep at Harrowmont, Sylvian must have an incredibly amount of raw power in that body of hers, and her silver scales practically glow in the morning sun. Long bladed fins and spikes run across her body, providing protection from close attacks and her head looks like a true monstrosity in its own right, with long pointed horns protruding from the top of it and enormous fangs resting outside her mouth. She hangs in the air for almost a minute before suddenly she vanishes in a blink.

You catch her human form drop to the ground, mostly by the shift in her magical location and the fact she obviously uses some magic to keep herself safe upon landing. She approaches you, expression haughty and its obvious she wants a reaction. Heck, she might have been showing off to the Guard troops camped outside the city.

>How do you greet Sylvian?
>>
>>36822962
Felix might be a problem, but is a risk we are willing to take. We have been trying to diplomance him and get him "on our side" so to speak
if we fail... well, he would be a worthy adversary
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>>36822999
Unflappable "Did you have a nice flight?"
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>>36822999
Formal but friendly. She was a military girl and we shouldnt be to out there with Alyce here.
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>>36822999
>Heck, she might have been showing off to the Guard troops camped outside the city.
hehe, she probably was....

oh god I am so tempted to rib her about it
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>>36822815
>Does the daerfir's soul literally gets smaller/weaker over time?
A soul basically has a limited amount of power. The body slowly draws on this to keep itself running, which is why high rates of regeneration and magic can prevent death or aging. As it runs out, the risk of stroke or heart attack greatly increases as there's less magical 'slack' to absorb a shock to the system.

>>36822883
It's more that Daerfir have huge magical reserves but no natural magical ability or ability to replace lost magical energy, making any usage of that power dangeorus. Foxes basically convert the power they generate/draw in into their tails (which is how they use their magic) until eventually they wind up with more tails than they can support. The nature of their problems is different.

Also, clearly I need to add some more to these racial sections to illustrate this.
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>>36822999
Like she hadnt arrived in such an ostentatious way.
Dont address her transformation
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>>36822999
"What no awesome display of fire breathing and or roars, I think a few people in Vitarita didn't notice" Smile
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>>36823067
>It's more that Daerfir have huge magical reserves but no natural magical ability or ability to replace lost magical energy, making any usage of that power dangeorus
So basically like vampires but without the ability to draw sustenance from blood?
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>>36823085
>Vitarita

And the curse reappears. Will we ever learn to spell?
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>>36823067
>A soul basically has a limited amount of power. The body slowly draws on this to keep itself running, which is why high rates of regeneration and magic can prevent death or aging. As it runs out, the risk of stroke or heart attack greatly increases as there's less magical 'slack' to absorb a shock to the system.
Interesting. that means that ANY and ALL beings who dies of old age, dies because their soul ran out of power. And the trick to immortality is to either regenerate the soul with magic... or to completely halt the process of drawing power from the soul to fuel the body, completely replacing it with an external fuel source (magic, or blood if a vampire.... or a particularly unscrupulous human wizard who lacks the power to do it via raw magic)
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Gonig with an unflappable response. WIll hopefully not take an hour to write this time.

>>36823102
Pretty much, except with much larger reserves.

>>36823118
>And the trick to immortality is to either regenerate the soul with magic
This reminds me that the new lore doco doesn't mention the violent reactions of astral and sorcerous energy. Goddammit, way too much shit to add. I should probably talk about the magical planes, too...

Anyway, regenerating the soul with magic is crazy hard because using sorcery to tamper with the soul in any way is instantly lethal due to a sudden case of explosions. There's actually an ancient ritual which purports to grant great power by doing just this (the soul converts astral energy to sorcerous energy by definition of its ability to fuel to body, so having it pull in loads of energy would make a mage super powerful) but has killed every mage that attempts it.
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>>36822999
"Impressive entrance there."

Talon is a man who can enjoy a fine entrance and we did score some points with the archmage so I Doubt she will try and start something so soon

>>36823067
>Foxes basically convert the power they generate/draw in into their tails (which is how they use their magic) until eventually they wind up with more tails than they can support.

Does that mean eventually Taira will die of old age?
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>>36823067
>It's more that Daerfir have huge magical reserves but no natural magical ability
I have noticed that there seems to be a difference between the two. there are two "magical abilities" so to speak. One refers to the energy potential (which also provides resistance). The other refers to manipulation potential (of that energy)
Those seem to be completely seperate from each other.
Humans tend to have very low energy, 100% of humans have manipulation potential (transmutation) but it is usually pathetically weak to the point where most people couldn't even light a candle with it if were trained. Evokers cheat by using that insignificantly weak transmutation to direct external energy of the world itself for massive powah.

The daerfir have massive huge Energy, but complete lack of Manipulation. Not even the insignificant type humans have. All it gives them is a herculean physique, magic resistance, and longevity.

Finn incidentally seems to be a very rare exception, having actual transmutation ability. meaning he can actually manipulate. meaning he can and should start receiving proper training.
>>
>>36823164
>but has killed every mage that attempts it.

So what you're saying is we need to give Mal a book about this?
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>>36823188
if we want him to die yes
a less critical mage of comparable talent though could use it
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>>36823164
>Anyway, regenerating the soul with magic is crazy hard because using sorcery to tamper with the soul in any way is instantly lethal due to a sudden case of explosions
Uh, what about feldragons? Pretty sure that is soul manipulation with sorcery.
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>>36823218
>of comparable talent

You insult our best mage bro with the mere thought.
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>>36823222
Oho! the lords (and the end game for kushan) was research on manipulating the soul to unlock astral power. The lords just beat kushan to it. They must have been great mages
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>>36823306
We were straight up told they were by the Greatest Great Knight.
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>>36823164
>but has killed every mage that attempts it.
I wonder if that specific ritual, once fixed of the flaw in it, is how the lords came to be.
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>unflappable response

“Was your flight enjoyable?” you ask her. “You certainly made good time to arrive her at the same time as Alyce.”

The flicker of disappointment is obvious to the trained eye and you realise she was mostly trying to impress you. She succeeded but you weren’t going to tell her that in this situation. You wanted to make it clear that you were in control of the situation – you wanted both her and Alyce as future subordinates and poor first impressions of how you would handle the two of them in just such a situation would be hard to break.

“Flight is surprisingly boring once you’re used to it. Tiring, too,” she says lightly, having recovered her composure rather quickly.

“I’d say finding it boring is more a character flaw than an inevitability,” Alyce says.

You kill the growing argument by drawing everybody inside to the meeting room you’d set up. Inside are Baelrus and Marek. There’s a brief moment where you can tell that both Bael and Raphael are sizing one another up, having avoided the other thus far. You find Raphael’s propensity to second-guess everybody’s intentions to be odd for such a powerful being. Was it just that he was always on-guard or was it actual fear? Or maybe something else entirely?

Nevertheless, you explain the situation briefly. “We put the mages down and cleared the tower. All the mages and knights within the tower were transformed, the mages having been warped in some way by whatever they’d done. The knights appeared to have disintegrated, their armour animated by an unknown force.”

>continued
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>>36823408
“The combat magisters, save their leader that Lord Talon fought,” Bael interrupts, his usage of the word ‘Lord’ getting a reaction from the gathered leaders, “were maddened even by comparison to their lesser compatriots. I believe their power to be significantly lessened by whatever had happened to them, likely due to their lack of the intelligence necessary to use. Their bodies had also been transformed in some way I don’t fully understand.”

“The case is clear-cut. The mages toyed with astral power they didn’t understand and destroyed themselves. Toying with the energies of Pharos without the same protections their magi use was foolish,” Raphael says.

Alyce gives you a look, frowning a bit. You don’t know what her dealings with the Archangel have been previously but it’s pretty obvious what’s annoying her. Sylvian and Marek appeared not to be bothered, nor Gnome who slipped in at some point.

“You know what happened?” you ask.

“I do. The precise happenings are of no concerns. You stopped it, understand that what they did was wrong and that will be the end of it,” Raphael replies, giving you an eerie look. The magical shadow of his hood may hide whatever face he has but you can tell when you’re being told to drop a topic. Sylvian sighs and tries to redirect the conversation.

“We know that it shouldn’t happen again. The question is how to ensure that and make sure that the mages of the city aren’t affected at all,” she says.

You…

>1. Push Raphael on exactly what happened.
>2. Let Sylvian redirect the conversation to dealing with the mages.
>3. Move to the topic on what precisely might have ‘affected’ the mages as a roundabout way of pushing the central topic of the cause.
>4. Custom
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>>36823174
>Does that mean eventually Taira will die of old age?
She certainly doesn't think so.

>>36823178
>Finn incidentally seems to be a very rare exception, having actual transmutation ability. meaning he can actually manipulate.
Finn's transmutation is granted by his tattoos. He's different from most Daerfir simply because his reserves are extra large.

>>36823222
What makes you think the feldragons are modifying their souls?

>>36823400
Sorry, I shouldn't have used ancient. It's a Golden Age ritual. The Lords predate it.
>>
>>36823423
i wonder if raphael is so tight with info because he fears we might get tempted by to pursue such powers once we are given hints.
then again, it might be less fear and more a policy of "if you don't tell them the first principles, they can't be tempted by it" so even trusted people are kept in the dark...
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>>36823423
>“The case is clear-cut. The mages toyed with astral power they didn’t understand and destroyed themselves. Toying with the energies of Pharos without the same protections their magi use was foolish,” Raphael says.
wait... pharos magi use astral power? but with protections.... that makes them spiritualists, like monks and the wardens. Not sorcerers at all (despite being called pharosian sorcery)
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>>36823423
>2. Let Sylvian redirect the conversation to dealing with the mages.
Ask him after the meeting. He might just not want to tell the truth to all the members.
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>>36823423
>2. Let Sylvian redirect the conversation to dealing with the mages.

For now. Rapheal has reasons for this, and we should stay within his graces until a formal alliance is reached as he wishes.
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>>36823423
>1
"It's important for this information to be shared. Enforcement will be difficult without understanding what exactly it is we are meant to be preventing."
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>>36823423
>2. Let Sylvian redirect the conversation to dealing with the mages.
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>>36823501
I bet like the wardens (taught by angels), the pharosian sorcerers were taught their astral techniques by whatever divine race held dominion over their continent.
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>>36823423
>2. Let Sylvian redirect the conversation to dealing with the mages.

We can push for our points when need be.
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>>36823501
Remember that Pharos never had Kushan to teach them evocation.

>2
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>>36823423
>2. Let Sylvian redirect the conversation to dealing with the mages.
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>>36823423
>1
Nobody pushes lord talon around
Raphael shouldn't expect us to do as he wants without understanding why. We are not his subordinate
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>>36823524
I think they use fae/pandamonium influenced transmutation
>>
Also just going to put this out there. Given the new info in the lorebin most likely Sarreg is a templar. Also Taira is confirmed as being created instead of born and she also wasn't the only one. Just wanted to bring that up to anyone who missed it.
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>>36823423
>4. Custom
this is sorta like 3 but more open
>I am willing to drop it, but the thing is, I don't intend to execute every single mage in the city.
>This means instead searching the towers and notes and seeing who dabbled in the forbidden. Which means knowing what to look for when searching.
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>>36823423

>2. Let Sylvian redirect the conversation with the mages.

We can talk to Raphael later regarding this.
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>>36823532
I do remember. That is actually part of what it click in my mind.

>>36823567
Fae are not from pandemonium

5000 years ago, the world was invaded simultanously by 4 divine beings
>A) Angels from Heaven
>B) Infernals (demons/devils) from Hell
>C) ??? from pandemonium
>D) ??? from ???
C and D have been thoroughly destroyed. 2000 years ago in a great way

It turns out that either C or D had a race of divine servants which are
>E) Fae from Arcadia
The fae invaded this world about 900 years ago, transforming half a continent that they conquered into a new arcadia. Their armies were held back by the Aefir for 200 years before kushan invented a way to transform arcadia back into normal plane.

Also, there are shadow beasts which are a sixth divine race from ???
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>>36823669
>It turns out that either C or D had a race of divine servants which are
>>E) Fae from Arcadia
oh, and to clarify, they did NOT participate in either the initial invasion 5000 years ago nor the cataclysmic war 2000 years ago.
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>>36823669
>C and D have been thoroughly destroyed. 2000 years ago in a great way
>great way
great war
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>>36823683
Actually, both of that is probably wrong. They participated in both while as vassals of a greater race, they just survived.
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>>36823578
>Given the new info in the lorebin most likely Sarreg is a templar.
I thought Gnome explicitly told you that at one point? Sala thought Talon might be a Templar, Gnome shot it down because she knows Saareg and mentioned he was the last revenant.

>2.

“I’ve got my own people for rooting out any corruption and connections to the central tower but I’m sure about the general ‘effect’ you’re talking about,” you say, carefully treading around the topic that Raphael clearly doesn’t want to elaborate on.

“Your foxes will be able to pick out any mages that aren’t right,” Marek says. “Particularly the black-tails. Pharosian energies twig them pretty openly.”

“That’s one thing but you’ll need to make sure that the knowledge and intent is cleaned out,” Sylvian says and you can sense an oncoming argument.

“By doing what? Going through every room of the other mage towers with a fine-toothed comb? The results were obvious – clean out any mages that might instigate the same rebellion that Grand Magister Smith did but going any further is an insult to all remaining mages,” Alyce says.

“I can guarantee that there’ll be other copycats,” Sylvian retorts. “They should be made an example of.”

“Plenty of mages have already been made an example of – there’s only three grand magisters of the seven great towers still alive, the rest died in that graveyard of a tower,” you say, trying to remain neutral. “I’m not sure the others were involved.”

Sylvian scowls and Alyce and her bicker over the rights of the mages versus the need to ensure that none of them attempt the same ritual. Your main concern is that the mages will clearly get incredibly upset if you were to go through the towers as closely as Sylvian suggests.

>continued
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>>36823747
“Those grand magisters might still need to be held to account – a disaster like this cannot remain as it is. Even in Taour you sacrificed a choice few for the sake of appearances – how is this any different?” Sylvian suddenly says, turning the argument to you.

With a scowl, Alyce attempts to counter the argument, “That was a clear case of abuse for years. This was a popularly supported split and it’s already ended poorly for them. There’s far more to gain through positive support for the mages than treating them all as enemies of the York Empire right out of the gate.”

That’s put you on the spot, though you’d have to make a decision anyway.

>How will you deal with the mages? Discussion followed by votes.

Also, something I'll note is that the Shropham foundry will be the next big topic. The big one was located in the central tower and was involved in replicating those spears. Your decisions here and there might be related.
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>>36823747
>Sala thought Talon might be a Templar, Gnome shot it down because she knows Saareg and mentioned he was the last revenant.
Nope, Sala mentioned the Knights of Basette.
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>>36823776
Hammer those we have proof of, and level massive fines on the seven towers. They are corporate entities liable for the actions of their members.
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>>36823776

What do the three GMs specialize in?
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>>36823776

Let Alyce and the Magi League deal with it? seeing as they originally were part of ML, they would be the correct force that would deal with it. Offer to police it, we make sure that they aren't soft in dealing punishments to the rebels.
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>>36823776
I dont think we should comb through all their works. Publicly and forcefully reminding them we are watching with "interviews" should do the trick. Inviting black tails from the MG to talk to them in conjunction with our own agents would work.
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>>36823845
That sounds like a terrible idea. Unless you mean turn over for prosecution those ratted out of the thralls.
>>
Could we perhaps formulate a quick panel of judges? Allow the three magisters to state their case and then allow a vote to decide it?
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>>36823776
Those who are guilty beyond reasonable doubt are to be punished. All mages are to hand over anything Pharos related and be checked by the foxes. If any mages do not comply remind them of the horrors in the central tower and that their colleagues may be infected as well.
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>>36823776
I think we should handle this ourselves. not completely outsource it to either faction.
As for how to handle it. Well, we should probably bring in those grand magisters in on the discussion, as well as the potential successors for the other 4 towers.
We get them to assist and watch over the investigation. We don't treat the mages like enemies. But we do require going over it with a fine tooth comb, partially because they need to justify themselves to the public at large in case we decide to give an interview to the papers (because papers appear to be a thing) where we mention
"halim told me, before we fought, that he does not actually care for what the archmagisters were doing. because they know full well that their grabs at power could very well create a second wasteland, killing every last man woman and child in the city and surrounding lands. but they did not care"
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>>36823821
I like this, maybe we could also throw in something along the lines of a semi-annual inspection done by TYE and an independent third party (I don't know who that could be atm but i'm sure someone will show up) at random to ensure that such atrocities do not happen again.
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>>36823938
>as well as the potential successors for the other 4 towers.
well. 3 towers actually. the central tower had every single person in it die.
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>>36823776
Oh, it's back! Is this the new run time now?
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>>36823777
Hmm, looknig over the old threads it seemed I forgot to address that. Just a plot thread I forgot about over time after Sala brought it up way back in Farun.

>>36823831
Channelling, like most GMs.

>>36823821
>>36823875
How are you finding proof of their guilt, though? The punishments aren't in question, just the extent to which you'll go to root out those who may have been involved, even peripherally.

>>36823963
I'm on break so will be running a few times a week until after the New Year.
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>>36823821
The question currently seems to be about HOW to get proof.
... or whether to at all.

>Alyce
>Being too invasive in searching for proof is alienating mages and treating them like enemies
>Syl
>The 3 archmagisters need to be executed as an example regardless of proof. Then afterwards you must search the towers with a fine toothed comb for proof.

Personally I see flaws with both suggestions.
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>>36823938
>Threaten mages with trial by media
>Watch them fall over themselves to submit to searches to show they did no wrong. As well as falling over themselves denouncing the perpetrators and claiming to be innocent and swearing loyalty.
kek.
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>>36823973
Medium extend. Known associates of those who were involved in either the asteral thing or the Thrall business will be interviewed, and those that our investigators deem suspicious will be searched more thoroughly.
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>>36823973
Can we track the traffic of Pharos goods purchased by the towers? That could be an avenue of investigation. I'm personally more inclined to be aggressive and thorough in the investigation. Bad juju isn't something to fuck around on.
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>>36823776
The TYE has a general lack of mage leaders, and this limits the research we can do.

We need to make ourselves more attractive to mages

Lets give these guys an out, a way to promise no future invlovement in these magics in exchange for service to the empire.

I think we shouldnt regard the wishes of either faction while deliberating. Can offfer amnesty in exchange for a confession and an oath to not use again, a cursory search if one is received, or a more in depth investigation if they deny the use of these magics.

Whichever way give them a chance to atone through service to you.
>>
We could bring the three magisters under the Tower of Harrowmont's direct control. Instilling new leadership within their old towers.
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>>36824020
>>36823938
>>36823855
Sounds good to me
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>>36823776
Personally I say we should look into them but in general as long as there isn't any proof of wrong doing we shouldn't do much more.

It has already backfired on them so we shouldn't do much directly other then watch them for a while and wipe out those we know did something.
>>
>>36824087
Whoa there, we can't give people actually involved here amnesty. are you cracked? that would destroy our relationship with the monks, raphael, and syl and threaten war with the guard.
Besides which, they were actually in the wrong. even alyce isn't suggesting they are given amnesty. In fact, according to magi league rules they would be executed.

What alyce is saying is that we should show some level of restraint when searching for guilt. And only punish the actually guilty ones without making any examples of those who have no proof against.
I am a bit leery of her point about not digging too deep. We really should be thorough.
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MAGE INVESTIGATION VOTE
>1. Outsource it to the Magi League.
This will root out the instigators of secession but less so the researchers that caused the issue in the central tower. Will easily lead into an official alliance with the League, instead of the under-the-table deal with Alyce you have, but will alienate the Guard.

>2. Sylvian's suggestion. Make an example of the leaders who caused this and do a thorough investigation of all mage towers.

Will root out those who caused secession and the researchers, killing the Pharos experiment dead. Will weaken the mage towers and aggravate them. Good Guard relations, worse League ones.

>3. Thorough explanation under the guise of a panel of judges including the remaining Shropham Grand Magisters.
Won't deal with secession but will get rid of most research. Sylvian will be happy, Alyce less so. Hardliner Guard won't be and the Magi League at large will be neutral.

>4. Selective interviews and public relations handling of the affair.
Won't have a thorough impact on either the secessionists or the researchers but will raise order in the region and keep the mages happy. Guard and League will be positive but Alyce and Sylvian will be upset.
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>>36824154
Also, note that when I'm talking about 'researchers' I mean the ones who did illegal research under both yours and the League's currently laws, not all researchers.
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>>36824154
>>3. Thorough explanation under the guise of a panel of judges including the remaining Shropham Grand Magisters.
>Won't deal with secession but will get rid of most research. Sylvian will be happy, Alyce less so. Hardliner Guard won't be and the Magi League at large will be neutral.

Honestly, this seems to be the only decent option at this point. Everything else pisses off one or both of our allies.
>>
>>36824154
>>3. Thorough explanation under the guise of a panel of judges including the remaining Shropham Grand Magisters.
>>
>>36824154
>>3. Thorough explanation under the guise of a panel of judges including the remaining Shropham Grand Magisters.
>>
>>36824154

>3.

In the end, we would wage war with Mage Guard, right?
>>
welp, cant contribute, but i'll archive skim when im off work, good to have you back aspie
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>>36824154
Can you clarify a bit the difference between 3 and 4?

Also,
>those who caused the secession
so, those guys are potentially power hungry rulers who weren't involved in the illegal research, but just wanted war to further their own goals. They might cause us problems in the future... or they might not have. Could even have done us somewhat of a favor
>>
>>36824154
>>3. Thorough explanation under the guise of a panel of judges including the remaining Shropham Grand Magisters.
Can we add in fines?
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>>36824240
I don't see the point.
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>>36824205
The Mage Guard situation can be handled in many ways. You could just wage war against them, try to take advantage of a civil war between the hardliners and Sylvian's faction, try to take advantage of Irlin's moderate stance to make the hardliner faction more useful and bring Sylvian over to your side or a bunch of other things.

>>36824223
3 is an actual thorough investigation, the problem being that secessionists can't be dealt with because you've thrown them a bone in exchange for their cooperation with the illegal research investigation. 4 is mostly for show but picks out the worst troublemakers.
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>>36824154
So, if I am reading it right. Alyce centric analysis
>option 1
we let her handle it, and she is happy. she will make an example of those who seceeded. but won't get the research
>option 2
we get the secessionists and the research... but alyce is unhappy
>option 3
we get the researchers, treat the mages well, but don't take revenge on those who wanted to seceede from the league. Alyce is unhappy
>option 4
we get neither, alyce is unhappy

man, alyce is really being unreasonable in this one. It seems that her priorities are:
>Don't let the guard get its way
>Get revenge on the secessionists
Without any regard to the removal of the forbidden research or the access of TYE to useful and friendly mages

I can almost think that she is just using us to reinforce the league and that she didn't really give up on it and throw her lot in with us.
>>
>>36824154
3

>>36824257
thanks for clarifying.
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>>36824257
just to be clear. 3 is just for finding them. We still have to seperately decide on what to do with them afterwards? (cause we kinda promised them to the guard)

>3 is an actual thorough investigation, the problem being that secessionists can't be dealt with because you've thrown them a bone in exchange for their cooperation with the illegal research investigation. 4 is mostly for show but picks out the worst troublemakers.
Can 3 involve some showmanship to help us win support with the general public for the damage we caused?
also, the whole "blood magic in vampire-taour" and their shropham assistance. while having the gull to tell people that talon would feed them to vampires.
>>
>>36824154
>3

Reguardless of how this plays out, could we create a monitoring system for towers found to have dabbled in corrupting magic? Basically have some Mage and black tailed fox observers on cite and an ongoing audit of the tower's finances and assets for some period? Upside is anyone doing work that has results and has tangible benefits for the empire gets extra funding and support. Downside is most mages are going to be pissed at having people looking over their shoulders.
>>
Would this be a good time to name Mal a Grand Magister? Shropham has a lot of job openings in that field at the moment.
>>
>>36824421
Actually, looking back at things. the towers sorta ARE a problem. They are a social system is based around kushan's teachings and meant to espouse certain views. It would require some social engineering. But not through "keeping them down".

>>36824517
You can't name someone grand magister, he has to be one and then prove himself in testing.
>>
>>36824517
Mal is the head of our tower in the capital right now and hates mage politics. So he would probably bitch at Talon for the thought.
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>>36824517
IIRC that title is given by multiple towers acknowledging the Magister as such. It would seem awfully convenient of us for the entire city to suddenly support our right hand mage.
>>
>>36824517
I want him to get the job in recognition of his work on patterns and summoning.
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>>36824421

And then suddenly we turned all of the towers into Circles of Magi.
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>>36824421
I think there has to be a better way than that.
>>
>>36824537
I wonder what system the Aefir used at their height?
>>
>>36824421

Pretty sure that would turn Alyce against us relatively quickly. And literally every tower that has worked with us would be instantly put off by the sudden restriction. That sounds like it would be more trouble then help.
>>
>>36824421
>Corrupting magic

Kind of feels to me less corrupting more being a dick. Honestly as long as it's not dangerous to the world I don't think we should really care.
>>
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>3.

“The fallout of Shropham’s experiment makes it pretty clear that I can’t let that same research continue,” you say, and Sylvian grins triumphantly. “However, I’m unwilling to alienate the mages. Like it or not, they are the heart of Shropham’s economy and they’ve taken no small amount of damage. I imagine plenty of them have friends to grieve over. I plan on doing a thorough investigation but not a retributive one – I’ll request the close cooperation of trusted mages in the towers, who will have to be vetted themselves. If my Auditors and foxes work closely with the mages we can root out the illegal research and keep the mages firmly in control of their own lives and privacy.”

Sylvian gives you a curious look after your little speech to them before smiling. At least she seems happy, if not as overly so as she was earlier. On the other hand, Alyce is clearly upset, if not overly so.

“The mages you’re asking to cooperate in the investigation are the same ones who caused the mess in the first place. They’ll clearly hide any evidence as to their involvement in this whole disaster while ensuring that all the research is destroyed,” she says, tying herself in a bit of knot.

“You did just say that the mages must be trusted to take care of themselves, didn’t you?” Sylvian says with a vicious grin. “Or are you merely concerned that those who thwarted your plans might go unpunished?”

>continued
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>>36824657
Surprisingly, it’s Gnome who steps in and ends this argument. “It’s certainly a better plan that what typically happens. We can’t reasonably expect to punish all the mages who caused the problem given how popular support of secession from the League was. Not if we want the towers to still be capable without external support.”

Biting her tongue, Alyce drops her argument once she realises how facile it is. She was a political animal overall but also an emotive one – her whole campaign was driven by those same emotions but you wouldn’t let them drive your policy.

“I’m going to have to pass on handing over any mages to the Guard, Sylvian,” you say. “Assuming the remaining Grand Magisters are cleared of any involvement with the illegal research. Most of the true ringleaders perished alongside the central tower in the disaster.”

“That satisfies me but you’ll have to speak to General Irlin about his thoughts. You promised him, after all,” she says, not resisting a chance to snap a little over your promise from weeks ago.

You work out the details of expected punishments but put off the actual panel design – you feel that it might get a little emotively charged. Raphael brings up the next topic.

“I am willing to cleanse the tower myself, as it is a trivial task, but the foundry will still be yours to deal with. The device that manufactures the corrupted spears must be destroyed but the others should be fine,” he says.

“Or perhaps they won’t be,” Sylvian says. “Shropham clearly was trying to use that magic in other places.”

>continued
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>>36824674
Raphael gives the helldragon a withering look, which is impressive for an expressionless, faceless being. “If the other factories are corrupted, I will tell you. Otherwise you are discussing a political matter. Do keep the two separate.”

Sylvian winces and you catch Alyce’s smirk. You’re not quite sure what happened there. Nevertheless, the foundry is still a problem, mostly because it’s almost entirely been retrofitted for production of catalysts and the spears. Apart from a single MMK factory, the entire thing is useless. You wonder if it’s better to take advantage of the convenient excuse of ‘corruption’ to move the foundry outside of the central mage tower. It’ll be pretty obvious to Alyce that you’re weakening the mages, though. Given how political she is being, you’ll need to do some fast convincing if you want her not to get upset.

>1. Keep the foundry in the central tower and simply rebuild the individual factories.
>2. Move the foundry to somewhere else in the city.
>3. Keep the foundry in the central tower but start constructing another elsewhere for new factories. An expensive way to keep everybody happy.
>4. Custom
>>
>>36824702
>>3. Keep the foundry in the central tower but start constructing another elsewhere for new factories. An expensive way to keep everybody happy.

We do need to do it if we're going to take on the Guard. Might as well be in the new magical capital of the Empire.

Also a note, this is easily the most powerful meeting of entities upon the continent within recent memory. This is a pretty crazy big deal.
>>
>>36824702
Everyone in the central tower is dead right? Seize the entire thing as York Empire property, and garison it with our own soldiers.
>>
>>36824702

Why not destroy the foundry then? Is it because it's expensive to build another one?
>>
>>36824702
>1
With the canal project I dont think we should be throwing money at everything to come up.
>>
>>36824702
>1. Keep the foundry in the central tower and simply rebuild the individual factories.
Every single mage in the central tower is dead. I can't justify expending several hundred thousand TBY when we are already going into debt on any frivolity here.

Also, limit reconstruction at the moment to just the civilian factories. Again, due to budget
>>
>>36824702
>>1. Keep the foundry in the central tower and simply rebuild the individual factories.
Ask Maloric to temporarily take over the central tower.
>>
>>36824783
>Also, limit reconstruction at the moment to just the civilian factories. Again, due to budget
You need to reread the budget lines. We have quite a bit of money
>>
>>36824702
>>1. Keep the foundry in the central tower and simply rebuild the individual factories.
>>
>>36824763
>Why not destroy the foundry then?
that is option 2. You destroy the foundry after looting the 1 untainted factory from it.

A foundry is a building and equipment that feeds 5, 7, or 10 factories.
A factory is a device that produces a specific object.

>Is it because it's expensive to build another one?
yes, that is exactly why.
>>
>>36824702
>3
>>
>>36824702
>3. Keep the foundry in the central tower but start constructing another elsewhere for new factories. An expensive way to keep everybody happy.

Might it be possible to downsize the foundry in the central tower in exchange for replacing one part with the Prototyping Factory? That should decentralize the production while placating the mages with the availability of a factory line which is designed as a test bed, so more experimental research can be done...
>>
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>>36824763
That's what option 2 is?

>>36824750
This is possible, though the mages would get upset that you're acquiring a building that is perfect for mages and pretty unsuitable for general use. I suppose you could pack it full of battlemages or foxes, though. Maybe start your battlemage tower here or something (I remember somebody mentioned thta idea a long time ago).

>>36824783
I'll be handling the specifics of construction etc in another thread. Probably next week. Not going near that stuff yet. I'm slow enough as is right now.

>>36824806
That's because Shropham is filthy rich. Look at that goddamn tradeable economy and license income. Goddamn.
>>
>>36824333
>1. Keep the foundry in the central tower and simply rebuild the individual factories.
>>
>>36824702
Where exactly in the tower is the foundry? Because I personally have no qualms about rezoning a portion of the building as our administrative (and military, foundry included) headquarters in Shropham. But only if it makes logistical sense.
>>
>>36824806
>You need to reread the budget lines. We have quite a bit of money
We have quite a bit of regular income.
However, so much of it is spent on "temporary projects" like:
>Rebuild taour
>Rebuild darlesia
>Upgrade harrowmont
>Build canal
>Build new foundries
>Upgrade new foundries
which are all "one time expenses". Those have put us in the red and cause us to actually have gone into debt.
>>
Anyone concerned with the budget needs to look over the new figures. Yeah Shropham was worth a bit.

We can afford this, and it would do our army wonders.
>>
>>36824702

>3.
>>
>>36824860
We have a budget surplus in excess of 500 TBY
>>
oh nevermind, i guess i was wrong in >>36824860

according to >>36824826

apparently we WERE going into debt, but shropham is so rich that now we aren't anymore. Good conquest!
>>
1. The money issues an Alyces attitude are the main points.
>>
>>36824887
>>36824892
>500 TBY surplus
Do you recall that it costs 250 TBY to build an empty foundry, then hundreds more to fill it with factories, then hundreds more to operate it?
With our most expensive being FMK costing us a whopping 640 TBY a year per single factory (not foundry, factory)
>>
>>36824826
Is there any tower dedicated to training combat magisters in our empire yet? Because I'm thinking the central tower might have a few uses and an imperial academy of military magics would be nice if a bit far from the heart of our power.
>>
>>36824923
>FINAL BALANCE
>1591.2

And that's only for the present year. Next year, in two months game time, will bring in even more. So... yes and?
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I think 1 has just won out. I'll be handling what is actually built and expenses in another thread due to how that shit blows out. What is put in the tower atop the foundry can be investigated in that thread.

>>36824849
The problem with having government buildings underneath potentially disloyal mage towers was made evident in Ahm when Alyce could easily depose the king because she lived in the same building. The idea is that you would have control over the foundry but to think you control the building if there's a tower atop it is naive.
>>
>>36824826
Starting our battlemage tower here sounds neat. If we could get Alyce to support the idea I'd back that over the other options. Other than that though I'll be staying out of most of this stuff. Too much minutia for my tastes.
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>>36824950
I think we should make an imperial academy of combat mages. But I don't think it should be a tower.

Remember that towers are a political entity made by kushan to enforce his beliefs and are responsible for a fuckton of political issues, war, rebellions, etc over the years.

We need to come up with a new political structure for said academy. I am thinking making it a large complex that isn't tower shaped but castle shaped. The York Military Academy. With training in diverse fields, one of which being combat magic.

Luckily for us, mage towers look down on combat magisters so they PROBABLY won't take that as a threat for us to do so. The goal is to train war mages who are loyal to talon himself and the empire at large. Rather then a tower full of politicians who can fart lightening.
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>>36824826
Might as well start our battlemage tower here. Along with our spellblade program of course.
>>
Personally I would rather stick our battle mage tower in harrowmont. Where we can take advantage of the source. Instead of shropham.
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>>36824954
>And that's only for the present year. Next year, in two months game time, will bring in even more. So... yes and?
And 50k troops are not even the full army of the mage guard so we have a ton of troops we need to outfit ourselves to be on par.
And we actually have empty slots in our existing foundries that we couldn't afford to fill
And we plan on expanding the canal to the entire of TYE which will cost a fuckton of money.
>>
>>36825022
>Might as well start our battlemage tower here. Along with our spellblade program of course.
This is literally the worst city in the empire to start them in. considering how disloyal they are

>>36825048
that would be the ideal spot, yes. Also, we already discussed methods via which papa talon can accelerate their training via astral dominion, such as by making mana regeneration really fast within the area (thus they can train many more hours a day)
>>
>>36825014
>With training in diverse fields, one of which being combat magic.

Wut. Why would you want the academy of Combat magisters and battle mages spread out?

>>36825070
Dear lord. We are going to need like 70-100K men for this. Though we should try and get a civil war going on here.
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>1.

“The foundry is still serviceable and the central palace and tower is the most heavily defended building in the city, even with the weakness of the central lift system,” you say, shaking your head. “I appreciate that you’ll clear you the tower, Archangel.”

There’s a slight shrug in reply and you move onto sorting out some lesser matters before a break. You’re amazed at how long it took to handle what seemed like a relatively trivial matter. Then again, most of that time was occupied by Sylvian and Alyce arguing.

“You have a curious was of bringing individuals together,” comes Raphael’s voice from beside you.

Looking up with some surprise you see the Archangel almost resting against the enormous window pane near you. You’d slipped off to the other side of the manor’s dining room, mostly because the women, including your familiars and Taira, were arguing about politics. Way too much of that in one morning for your tastes. Occupied by the superb view of the Marnn range in the distance you hadn’t noticed the Archangel come up next to you.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” you say. “How did you get so close without me hearing you, by the way?”

“I can move quietly if I feel the need. Theatre is not always necessary,” he says, gazing out the window.

In other words, Raphael was very aware of how ostentatious and intimidating he was. Probably a good thing in a being that powerful – things might be worse if he weren’t. It’s unlikely he’ll spend much time for small talk if you’re reading him right, but you might be able to get something out of him before he satisfies himself. You ask him…

>1. About previous interactions with Sylvian and Alyce.
>2. About the Pharosian energies he spoke of earlier. You worry this might be wasted effort, though. He might not want to talk at all.
>3. About what happened earlier with Sylvian and his harsh putdown of her bringing up the foundry.
>4. Custom
>>
>>36825070
>And 50k troops are not even the full army of the mage guard so we have a ton of troops we need to outfit ourselves to be on par.

Doesn't that mean we should spend the extra cash on more foundries within the city?
>>
>>36824971
Oh, I forgot to mention, but the ranger order section of the organizations tab doesn't sum its members currently. Granted, it only has one member so far, but I thought it might be worth mentioning
>>
>>36825014
I agree with this so much. Towers all compete with each other, so make our equivalent not have to get into the politics. To make this work better, I think we should bring in people from all over the empire and have them surveyed (can't think of a better word) and have the most magic capable recruited
>>This is going to have so many grammatical and spelling errors
>>
>>36825130
>2. About the Pharosian energies he spoke of earlier. You worry this might be wasted effort, though. He might not want to talk at all.
>>
>>36825130
>>1. About previous interactions with Sylvian and Alyce.
>>
>>36825111
Honestly infinite catalysts+Mana Regen sounds great. Another thing is we could have books that self write any research done there into a library as well.
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>>36825130
>3. About what happened earlier with Sylvian and his harsh putdown of her bringing up the foundry.
Personally, I'd like to consult with Saerg about the templars. I wonder if we could found a similar organization.
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>>36825130
>2. About the Pharosian energies he spoke of earlier. You worry this might be wasted effort, though. He might not want to talk at all.
>>
>>36825130

>2.

Raphael best bro confirmed?
>>
>>36825130
>>2. About the Pharosian energies he spoke of earlier. You worry this might be wasted effort, though. He might not want to talk at all.
>>
>>36825130
>3. About what happened earlier with Sylvian and his harsh putdown of her bringing up the foundry.

I really don't think he'll answer 2 guys and if he does it'll just be cryptic.
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>>36825168
>books that self write any research done there into a library as well.

I feel like that's a thing somehow. Mentioned it somewhere.

However, I do agree with the creation of a library. Something to compete with the one in Ahm. We have some slots to fill up in the Noble District still. And Talon does seem to like documenting history and writing himself. It would be a good fit. And an overly grandiose building is always welcome.
>>
>>36825124
>Wut. Why would you want the academy of Combat magisters and battle mages spread out?
Are you saying that MIT is a poor school because it offers non engineering classes?

As for the logic, did you miss the part where towers are a political entity and the goal is to train combat mages who aren't tied to such a political entity? By going through York Military Academy you have our future generals, combat magisters, and a few other military related specialists form bonds of friendship and comaradrie with each other and loyalty directly to talon rather than exclusively to tower mages and towers as a political entity. Further the culture of the academy, differing from that of a tower, does not lend itself to politicking as much. as it is a military academy focus on personal excellence.
>>
>>36825130
>3. About what happened earlier with Sylvian and his harsh putdown of her bringing up the foundry.
>>
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>>36825175
Saareg's still in Pharos.

>2.

"So, now that we're not in an official meeting, are you willing to speak in more detail about exactly what happened in the tower?" you ask, hoping to get an actual answer.

Raphael turns slightly to look at you and you barely catch the edge of the shadow under his hood past his cloth and armour. He's looking in your direction but not really at you, given his bulk. Is his face actually where his sense reside? Or does he perceive the world in a different way?

There's almost a minute of silence as he stares in your direction and you try to meet it in your own way. You're being judged in some way.

[DC?? Judgement]
>>
>>36825145
>Doesn't that mean we should spend the extra cash on more foundries within the city?
The very next line from the post you replied to:
>we actually have empty slots in our existing foundries that we couldn't afford to fill

We have empty slots in foundries, it takes 2,3, or 4 weeks to build a factory in an empty slot. This is VERY expensive (150 to 650 TBY depending on model) They can be done in parallel.
Furthermore, the foundry we captured here, once cleared of the corruption, is going to have either 4, 6, or 9 empty slots depending on its size.
And once we build all those factories in all those empty slots, we need to pay to run them (100 to 640 TBY per year, each, varies by type)

So, if we build 0 new foundries, and simply fill our existing ones to capacity with factories, we are going to burn a LOT of cash.
>>
>>36825223
>I feel like that's a thing somehow. Mentioned it somewhere.
the pastebin of some email exchanges. http://pastebin.com/41KRHZ3Y
>>
Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>36825323
>>
>>36825155
A big advantage here is we mostly want combat magisters and battlemages. Which aren't that known for being research hounds.
>>
>>36825130
>2. About the Pharosian energies he spoke of earlier. You worry this might be wasted effort, though. He might not want to talk at all.

Didnt he once talk about us potentially being his ally is uncovering this sort of thing? If he cant speak of it in front of the group thats fine, but we need the information to rule and guide effectively.
>>
>>36825155
>To make this work better, I think we should bring in people from all over the empire and have them surveyed (can't think of a better word) and have the most magic capable recruited
YES!
>>
Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>36825323
>>
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Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>36825323
>>
Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>36825323
>>
Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>36825323
>>
Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>36825323
>[DC?? Judgement]

No question, we will be found wanting.
>>
Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>36825323
if it helps, I notice he let slip earlier that pharos sorcery was actually astral power, but protected? does that mean that the pharosian sorcerers are actually spiritualists like monks and wardens? only instead of being taught by angels, taught by whatever divine race used to inhabit pharos?
>>
>>36825346
Thar's a terrible idea though. You teach the Agriwizards to have some sort of "detect magic" spell instead
>>
>>36825323
>Raphael does a rare thing and comes from small talk
>We press him/her about an issue he doesn't want to discuss and is not really smalltalk
shame...

oh, and I really wanted to ask about angel gender thing. what with different people referring to raphael as a him or a her.
>>
>>36825369
Too late...
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>>36825393
How is it a terrible idea? It gives us the most capable mages as possible with only an allegiance to us
>>
>>36825401
>oh, and I really wanted to ask about angel gender thing. what with different people referring to raphael as a him or a her.

Given the references to it I highly doubt biological gender is something of great importance to the Archangels, perhaps only taken to put people are ease. Hell we don't even if we know the way we perceive Raphael is how everyone else does.
>>
>>36825417
He is saying that it is a terrible idea to do
>Step 1: Carry every person in the empire to harrowmont
>Step 2: Test them for magic in harrowmont
>Step 3: Send them back home if not magic

Because he is being too literal minded.
His suggested alternative is
>Have local agriwizards test everyone for magic, then have them send us the talent.
which if you want to get overly specific, has issues of its own. namely that agri wizards are not the best choice here. better to have traveling mages go from village to village and do testing.
>>
>>36825417
Because it won't work? You can't have a centralized testing facility and expect to shuffle the entire empire through it.
>>
>>36825460
yes, but don't you want to fluster raphael with that question?
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>>36825493

No? Doesn't seem the type to waste such effort on.
>>
>>36825475
The agri wizards probably could serve as a first line screening program.
>>
>>36825477
You are being too literal, I just assumed that the anon who suggested it mistyped and meant to do field testing and then send the successes to harrowmont, rahter than sending people to harrowmont to be tested and then send them back if they don't pass.
>>
>>36825547
That would be assumed, travel times for a mundane person is too great to have everyone come in. Have whatever mage is closest to a town/village conduct their own local searches, then send the best results from that to the next largest town/village to be compared against everyone else in the region, then send those results to Harrowmont to enter the final stage of selection and testing
>>
>>36825602
Yes, but the anon who initially suggested it mist-typed and what came out in his post literally, said they should travel before testing. which is preposterous.

everyone just figured what he meant, but one anon argued that it would be better to do local testing and then only travel to harrowmont if you pass. then another anon got confused about what the confusion was about. and so on and so forth.

So, I hope we are all no longer confused here
>>
>>36825677
I am that anon, and I realized how stupid that was.
>>
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>??????????????

“When you fought the strange beast below this platform what did you notice?” he asks.

“That it was obviously astral in origin. I attempted to read its flow but something about it threw me off,” you say, remembering that battle very vividly. Fighting that beast had been one of the most difficult things in your life – you’d pushed yourself very near to the point of death.

“What made you think it was astral in origin? That you couldn’t read its flow?” he asks.

“I… Kind of. I’m quite certain it was drawing on astral energy,” you say, frowning as you can’t quite recall what made you think as such. It was completely instinctive.

“That may be true, but that does not mean it is an astral being or even astral in origin. You are no astral being yet you use astral power in no small quantity. Sorcerous beings such as dragons still have souls which in turn use astral energy. The two energies are more interchangeable than many think,” Raphael explains. “Think on your experiences more closely and why you couldn’t read its flow and the answer should come to you with time and experience.”

A cryptic answer, great. Still, might as well ask another thing, “Gnome has told me that you are a master of guiding the flow of magic. Is it similar to hers or mine? How might I improve?”

There’s almost a chuckle from the archangel, a strange repetitive booming noise full of amusement. “I am not one to guide others in improvement, being unable to improve myself. I can control the flow because I am the Archangel of Life – the flow of magic is life itself and, just as Gnome feels the earth as an extension of her body so do I feel the flow of magic as an extension of mine. Yours and Gnome’s talents lie more in the ability to sense change than an intrinsic link with the world so my viewpoint is rather pointless. Just as it is for the Warden’s who try to emulate our Arts.

>continued
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>>36825773
“One question before I see to the tower and leave: I would expect you to take firmer command of those you draw to yourself. I am no stranger to some of their desires, yet you let them flit in and out of reach instead of merely calling them to heel. Why?”

Keeping your face expressionless, you think on the question. You’re not sure if Raphael is talking about your immediate companions such as Gnome, Undine and Aladria; leaders such as Alyce and Sylvian who you hope to make your subordinates in the future; or all of those under your rule in general. Or perhaps he simply means all of them? You’ve been a relatively soft touch so far in the empire department and personally, at least historically. You answer…

>1. [BALANCE] I merely need to control the ebb and flow of things at a high level, keeping it in balance. What they do otherwise will serve me in the end, even if it doesn’t always appear so.
>2. [LIFE] I already hold their fates, why do I need to control them if they don’t oppose me? What they do otherwise is of no consequence.
>3. [POWER] Because they reach their true potential in doing so, guided by me. If they choose to go against me then that simply means that they weren’t worthy and I know to deal with them.

Feel free to change exact phrasings, as they will matter in the end. Just note that I’ll reinterpret them to fit within the main paths (or possible as a blend).
>>
>>36825788
>>1. [BALANCE] I merely need to control the ebb and flow of things at a high level, keeping it in balance. What they do otherwise will serve me in the end, even if it doesn’t always appear so.
>>
>>36825788
>>1. [BALANCE] I merely need to control the ebb and flow of things at a high level, keeping it in balance. What they do otherwise will serve me in the end, even if it doesn’t always appear so.
>>
>>36825788
>1. [BALANCE] I merely need to control the ebb and flow of things at a high level, keeping it in balance. What they do otherwise will serve me in the end, even if it doesn’t always appear so.
>>
>>36825788
>1. [BALANCE] I merely need to control the ebb and flow of things at a high level, keeping it in balance. What they do otherwise will serve me in the end, even if it doesn’t always appear so.
>>
>>36825788
>2. [LIFE] I already hold their fates, why do I need to control them if they don’t oppose me? What they do otherwise is of no consequence.

I am reading it right
1 = It just looks like that, but I am in control, I just manipulate things gently
2 = Freedom is its own virtue
3 = Freedom is a useful tool, and the rebels it can produce I will crush
>>
>>36825788
>>3. [POWER] Because they reach their true potential in doing so, guided by me. If they choose to go against me then that simply means that they weren’t worthy and I know to deal with them.

Prove yourself dear mages.
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>>36825788
>2. [LIFE] I already hold their fates, why do I need to control them if they don’t oppose me? What they do otherwise is of no consequence.
>>
>>36825788

So basicly.

1=Just as planned.
2=Why do I need control when I already hold their fates.
3=They do at my whim if they go against me I will deal with them.
>>
>>36825891 replying to myself here
In retrospect, while I personally most keen on 2. 1 is probably the most in character based on past behavior of talon.
>>
>>36825788
>>1. [BALANCE] I merely need to control the ebb and flow of things at a high level, keeping it in balance. Their dispirate talents will blend and merge creating a nation more powerful than the sum of its parts. It worked once, long ago. I see no reason it could not work again.
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>>36825961
>Guy who wants to change the world
>Stasis is the most IC option.
>>
>>36825788
>2. [LIFE] I already hold their fates, why do I need to control them if they don't oppose me? What they do otherwise is of no consequence.
>>
>>36825788
>>36825998
>>
We really should clamp down on this a bit. Also teach Finn to take charge more often. Also talk to Lynn about her dad.
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>>36825891
I wonder... would 2 have a chance of influencing raphael
supposedly raphael is unchanging and inflexible. But 2 is a path of life (like raphael) yet very different from raphael who prefers to maintain tight control... or is it actually different? or is raphael actually doing 2 and just question WHY talon does what he does.
>>
>>36826012
The balance option is not stasis.
It is claiming that we ARE changing the world and we ARE in control. We are just capable of subtly when doing so
>>
I had a flash of inspiration.
Raphael tells us how astral beings are inflexible mentally. Although that god knight said otherwise.

Well, I am reminded of the knight we saw in our visions during the fae episode, about how its all about what we believe, and how astral power is magic of raw belief making reality.

so, what if as an astral being we will grow rigid. but being FULLY AWARE of that we impose artificial flexibility via turning astral power in on ourselves (water? maybe life? both combined?) to enhance ourselves with an active mana consuming power of "flexibility and mental growth" akin to that of our human self?
>>
>>36826085
Balance path is basically locking the world in a desirable and unchanging state so it always feels weird to me.
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>>36825788
>2. [BALANCE/LIFE?] So long as I give them purpose and shape the direction of their efforts to suit my needs they shall of their own will remake themselves into the tools I need to pursue my aims. So long as they serve to serve my purpose they must be allowed the freedom to become what they must.
>>
>>36826085
Yeah, but it also limits the world's potential.
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>>36826127
>Balance path is basically locking the world in a desirable and unchanging state
You are throwing in your own philosophy, ignoring what is actually said. Also, in setting, water-balance is actually the one of most flexibility. You are thinking status quo, which isn't what balance is about either.
>>
>>36825788
>1
Imagine a juggler who insisted on maintaining a hold on the first two balls to enter his grasp. He would by necessity forgo all others. I like to have my cake and eat it too.
>>
>>36826140
well if we are gonna be mixing. We could go with
>power/balance (not sure if also life?)
>Everyone has their own directives, if I am too firm, then they will grow to resent me and turn against me. And then I have to destroy them, and it is a waste. So instead whenever I can I choose to control the ebb and flow of things at a high level, keeping it in balance. What they do otherwise will serve me in the end, even if it doesn’t always appear so.
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>>36826201
ohohoh.
balance out of sheer greed. nice.
>>
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>1. With some gelling of the write-ins.

“Well, letting them do what they choose to underneath me is a method of control in and of itself. If they’re really doing something I disagree with then I can guide them away from it,” you say, not liking the suggestion that you’re not truly in control. “The things they do with their freedom are useful to me, even if they don’t appear to be.”

Nodding slowly, Raphael says, “It is somewhat disturbing that you say that with such complete conviction. I suppose it is that conviction that allows you to control your power, but such steadfastness is worrisome in a human. My own problems are kept at a distance due to our laws and rules, but what will keep yours in check? Should Sylvian decide on a path that is separate to yours, how do you prevent whatever partialness you feel towards her from interfering with the need to stop her from taking that action?”

“Well, wouldn’t my feelings towards her be what drives me to take action? If I didn’t care for her I wouldn’t take action. The opposite of love might not be apathy but action only comes from one of those,” you say, feeling like being a tad cryptic in reply to Raphael’s wordiness. Adapting to the mannerisms and behaviours of another was a bad habit of yours and it felt hollow to do before the archangel for some reason. “The separate ideals and means to achieve them are a benefit, not something to be quashed.”

>continued
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>>36826177
>Balance - a general desire to maintain the world in a desirable and unchanging position. Respects the natural flow of things and seeks to prevent external change.
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>>36826215
I like this one
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>>36826281
Raphael turns away at this, gazing out the window again. “Interesting. My only advice on the matter is that freedom can be a seductive lure to a greater trap. It can lead to unpredictability for its own sake, particularly when it is mistaken for individuality, and thus to a distinct lack of freedom and simple destruction.”

“In other words, don’t cultivate contrarianism,” you say flatly, feeling that you’ve deciphered the point.

That same chuckle occurs again, if slightly self-deprecating. “My apologies for being so long-winded. It is a bad habit. Until we meet again, Talon York.”

Raphael heads out you to clean out the tower and you find yourself wrapping up a meeting that is running overtime. It’s rather apparent that Alyce and Sylvian are pushing for more input in what you’re doing and you let them bicker and give you ideas without revealing your hand. It’s rather tiresome, even if it is helpful.

Later that night, you find yourself with some spare time. You visit…

>1. Tsucchi
>2. Alyce
>3. Sylvian
>4. Custom

>>36826284
Note that Talon first has to get the world into his desirable position, but it's typically one that's less radical than the other paths.
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>>36826303
>2. Alyce
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>>36826303
>2. Alyce
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>>36826303
>1. Tsucchi

Best research fluffy tail that gets no play time.
>>
>>36826303
>>2. Alyce
>>
>>36826303
>1. Tsucchi

Haven't seen her in awhile.
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>>36826303
>Note that Talon first has to get the world into his desirable position, but it's typically one that's less radical than the other paths.

True. I'm honestly not saying it's a bad path or anything but it always feels kind of weird to me for some reason.

>3. Sylvian
>>
>>36826284
>Balance - a general desire to maintain the world in a desirable and unchanging position
>desirable
You are arguing that balance = status quo, it does not. The world is currently not "in balance" or "harmony". The status quo must be destroyed to bring about balance.
>>
>>36826303
>>3. Sylvian
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>>36826303
I am tempted to put in a custom for mercie.
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>>36826303
>3. Sylvian
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>>36826409
I'd second that actually.
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>>36826409
>>36826447
Im going to third it because, fuck it why not? we can visit alyce afterwards anyways.
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>>36826303
>2. Alyce

Since she runs on emotion and all and wasn't very satisfied with our choice.
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>>36826409
>inb4 we walk in on her attempting to seduce Undine again

Sold. Supporting.
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>>36826375
It's mostly just enforcing Talons desirable status Quo. Then using high level manipulation to make it stay there.
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>>36826420
will change to Merce
>>36826303
>>
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Um, I guess I'll do a tie-breaker vote with that write-in?

VOTE
>1. Alyce
>2. Merce

I'm eating a late lunch right now so the next update will be a little delayed. I'll probably run til about 2am or so tonight.
>>
>>36826526
Merce
>>
>>36826526
1
>>
>>36826303
>1. Tsucchi

We need those tails.
>>
>>36826526
1
>>
>>36826526
2
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>>36826526
>1. Alyce
>>
>>36826526
2
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>>36826526
2
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>>36826526
>1.Alyce
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>>36826526
>2
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>>36826507
1. that is the very definition of change. You replace the existing with a different
2. how are other paths different in that regard?
power is about enforcing talons desirable status quo (different from current) and then using raw power to make it stay there.
Life is enforcing talons desirable status quo (different from current AND different from what talon's vision would be had we gone with power or balance). And making it stay there by only eliminating those who are a clear threat to it.

Really, the only difference between the three paths is what talons "vision" is for his final empire. The current status quo, balance talon vision, power talon vision, and life talon vision are different.
>>
>>36826526
2
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>>36826649
You got the Life Path wrong. "Eliminating threats to the ideal state" was the Death Path. The Life Path is taking those threats and changing them into something that functions to support Talon's vision. The benefit is that it means that Talon's ideal is always a work in progress, always reaching for a higher level, a more expansive existence. The down side is the danger of overreach and failing to eliminate existential treats off the bat.
>>
Reading the docs, every race is totally fucked. Seriously!
So... how do we fix them.

I was thinking about the dwarves in particular. With them we basically have to provide support for appropriately minded dwarves.
Their society is this weird communism dialed to 11 (nobody owns anything at all except trinkets) combined with a meritocracy and "government child rearing once past the age of 10".... which is totally fucked due to extreme corruption, as well as people being unhappy with the system.
The way I see it, we basically need to find reformer dwarfs and support them militarily as they root out the corruption. Those dwarves retain their independence from TYE, but become close allies, almost vassals, but not quite. They are granted certain areas in TYE to form enclaves in (worth mentioning that dwarf society is down to one enclave currently, under sirthran mountains), enclaves are basically their own city states.
This leads into the next part. giving dwarves who deslike that system the option to leave and join TYE. Permanently exiled, forsaking the above tradition and living as a normal TYE citizen. Incidentally, we can do that first, but that would cause strained relationship with traditional dwarves which is most of them.

Note, I am not saying we must do it or do it now. Only that this is the best path to fixing them IF we decide to fix them. It might be best for us to just wash our hands of them entirely.
>>
>>36826649
It's more one fits an ideal vision the other invites challenges to the ideal. I kind of feel that one invites people to do or die while the other creates a less radical transformation.

Though now that I think on it I think the main thing that messes with me is all the paths have some kind of increase for others.

Life=Astral power up/Weapons/armor
Power=Share power with others and morale effects.

I don't really know if balance has any of those though. Mostly because I'm not really sure what Balance really leads to other then versatility. Though to be honest I'm pretty neutral about all the options. So I'm more or less just writing down my thoughts on them.
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>>36826806
Citation needed.

From this thread
>2. [LIFE] I already hold their fates, why do I need to control them if they don’t oppose me? What they do otherwise is of no consequence.
Sounds a lot like "as long as they don't oppose me, they deserve freedom". but "I hold their fate" aka I have the power to snuff them out.
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>>36826837
>Though now that I think on it I think the main thing that messes with me is all the paths have some kind of increase for others.
paths are very multi faceted things.
they don't even have a single name
life-fire
power-?
balance-water
?-steel
death-?
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>>36826806
>You got the Life Path wrong. "Eliminating threats to the ideal state" was the Death Path

Yep.

>he Life Path is taking those threats and changing them into something that functions to support Talon's vision.

Changing the unnatural to the natural is balance. Life is about Improving the natural.
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Back and writing.

>>36826821
>Their society is this weird communism dialed to 11 (nobody owns anything at all except trinkets) combined with a meritocracy
It's just socialism, really.

>government child rearing once past the age of 10
That might just be me being unclear - dwarves age fast at first, at least physically. They're probably about 15 in human terms. It's more that they move into apprenticeship and have to provide for themselves at that point.

>The way I see it, we basically need to find reformer dwarfs and support them militarily as they root out the corruption.
In the view of most dwarves, this is the growing degree of what is arguably modern capitalism (private property ownership that passes on to heirs regardless of ability, deriving interest in one form or another). Changing an entire race is hard, particularly when their culture opposes change in general.
>>
>>36826821

We don't need to fix dwarves. Only use them as Allies. They have a system that works for the vast majority of them, the ones that don't could, and probably would leave for the Empire.

That said. I just want Dwarven Rune-Knights. Those sound awesome
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>>36826900
seriously, what is the sauce for that?
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>>36826873
All the lords operate under a domain that resembles life.

Talon though has a unique one though because each powerset is based on the mind of the person using it. So there would be similarity but not the exact same things.
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>>36826842
I was about to post a response when I read >>36826900, which is pretty persuasive since its similar to but not quite what I remember. Apologies if I got it wrong it's going to take away to sift through the archive to find what I'm looking for.
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>>36826927
A thread a long ass time ago.

>Life = take what is unnatural and make it natural. Make the natural stronger. You are the builder.

I honestly forgot that it is also to take the unnatural and make it natural for some reason. Probably because that's something I tend to conflate with Balance.
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>>36826914
>It's just socialism, really.
no. socialism is NOT "society as a whole owns everything and private property does not exist"
That isn't even communism where you do have property, you just can't own means of production (factories) and you are provided for.

>In the view of most dwarves, this is the growing degree of what is arguably modern capitalism
wait, their "corruption" is actually those very same "dissidents unsatisfied with the system"? huh.
this really sounds like a case where they just need to split up into two societies and stop inflicting themselves on each other.

>Changing an entire race is hard, particularly when their culture opposes change in general.
Oh, I wasn't suggesting we change them. I thought they had actual corruption.

>>36826916
I explicitly said I am not arguing that we should do it, only HOW it could be achieved IF we were to try for it.
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>>36826986
>Balance is less about destroying or taming the unnatural than ensuring it merges peacefully with the natural. It ties in strongly with the foxes for obvious reasons.
>>
>>36826986
huh, so life is basically... mind raping threats?
and raphael said life actually brings forth disruption and magic nullification since magic is life and he can control life thus he can control raw magic to nullify it.
very multifaceted paths.
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>>36826986
Huh, that's actually what I remembered. I thought balances was more about redirecting unnatural threats against themselves.
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>>36827034
It feels to me the paths on the unnatural natural divide is basically.

Life=Edit them until they fit in. Then make them stronger.
Death=Stab them till their soul dies.
Power=Stab them till they die. Make everything not them stronger.
Balance=Blend them together until they become natural.
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>>36827003
>no. socialism is NOT "society as a whole owns everything and private property does not exist"
I'm not really going to get into a political or philosophical debate but it's just 'to each according to his contribution' with a slightly more expansive asset pool than is often thought of. Don't compare it to communism. There are a lot of variations of socialism, this particular one just denies ownership of private property wholesale.

>wait, their "corruption" is actually those very same "dissidents unsatisfied with the system"? huh.
The corruption is just perversion of the system, typically using power others don't have.

>this really sounds like a case where they just need to split up into two societies and stop inflicting themselves on each other.
Without anybody at the bottom there wouldn't be a stable second society. Pretty much only a small number of privileged dwarves want to change things to help themselves. The growing underclass if a different problem, however.

>2.

When you visit Merce you fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, don’t find her in any awkward situations. Instead she’s at a desk in the corner of her assigned room, which is next door to Alyce’s, writing in a book. The room is expansively decorated, like all the others, but the only things you can pick as Merce’s are the set of worn formal clothes she’s strewn on the bed. She acknowledges your entrance by turning and nodding at you, her more casual outfit catching slightly on an edge of the desk.

“Writing in your diary about how horrible today was because you had to be near me?” you ask her, trying not to laugh at the way she’s trying to free her blouse from where it’s caught without appearing like it’s difficult.

“No,” she says, cursing as she drops her composure and just wrenches it free, tearing the fabric. “I’m writing in your diary about all the dirty thoughts you have about Sylvian and Alyce. I’ll be sure to slip copies under their doors.”

>cont
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>>36827034
I think "mind rape" is probably too strong a term. Life is more about reshaping, so we could reshape vampires so that they we're no longer parasites and had more natural means of replenishing their mana. A defeated enemy general we might give a place in our armies and encourage their integration into our empire by giving them challenging and personally rewarding assignments, or if they turned down our job offer by allowing them to find a useful roll to fulfill in our empire on their own. It's a different kind of freedom than that offered by Balance, a path more focused on playing forces, people, against each other.
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>>36827229
You’re unsure if Merce’s going to change her blouse now that she’s torn it when she suddenly uses some magic to swiftly repair it. She snaps the book shut and slips onto the bed – the room doesn’t have anywhere to sit elsewhere so instead she simply stares up at you brightly. It’s almost unnerving, especially because she has to be aware of how much cleavage she’s showing.

“I think you might be projecting your own thoughts of them,” you say slowly, trying to work out what the Aefir wants.

“Hah, don’t deny you’re attracted to them. Alyce speaks for herself but Sylvian would be a great catch,” she says, grinning slightly.

Talking with Merce about the attractiveness of various women wasn’t what you came here for but it seems fun enough. “I don’t think Alyce would appreciate that.”

“She slapped me earlier when I suggested the best way to make good with Sylvian was in bed with me,” she says, her grin outright impish. “I said you’d make a good second choice but that she’d have a hard time competing with Gnome from the sounds of it.”

“You sound like you know Gnome like that. And me,” you say carefully, not sure if this is safe ground. If your familiar finds out, she’ll be very unhappy.

“I do know Gnome like that,” Merce says bluntly, her pointed ears flicking back and forth in a strange, suggestive gesture. “I don’t know you, but she brags like crazy when she’s feeling competitive and her lithe sister bring that out in her in a way I never could. She’ll probably murder me if she found out I told you about the things she bragged about earlier.”

Right, this conversation was moving into outright dangerous territory. Gnome wouldn’t stop with Merce if you knew her temper. Moving right along you ask her…

>Write-in Q&A about anything you want to ask her about.

I’ll do a write-up with a few of them, plus a proper vote on another topic.
>>
>>36827229
>There are a lot of variations of socialism, this particular one just denies ownership of private property wholesale.
the point is that this a huge departure from pretty much any form of socialism ever practiced by anyone. To the point where calling it socialism is not meaningful
I am trying to avoid debating IRL politics too, I am just saying that this isn't actually IRL politics.
>>
>>36827249
"So, how surprised was the league military by how quickly I knocked out shroopham's military. And how much money did you win?"

Also, how the Arcane Archery gear is being recieved.

And our use of nonhumans in a manner similar to Aefiria did, especially the dragons.
>>
>>36827249
So you've been encouraging Alyce to get along with Sylvian?

Have you had a chance to check on Finn since you've arrived?
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>>36827249
We should probably ask her about her thoughts on Sylvian since she seems a lot more chill with her then Alyce ever will be.
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>>36827229
>Without anybody at the bottom there wouldn't be a stable second society. Pretty much only a small number of privileged dwarves want to change things to help themselves.
But the ones at the top only there because they produce the most by definition, since nobody owns any property and what you have is given to you by society 100% based on your production. Those so called "rich" who want to have their kids inherit without producing are by definition producers themselves. Not all producers, just some of them. Using the word "rich" for them doesn't even make sense.
Also, its not like they can't trade with other people once they have left, forming smaller communities rather than a 100% dwarf society. Heck, dwarf society isn't self sufficient anyways, having to trade with humans for food. So as it stands, dwarves will all starve to death if humans stopped selling them food.

>The growing underclass if a different problem, however.
how is there even an underclass?
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>>36827229
>“No,” she says, cursing as she drops her composure and just wrenches it free, tearing the fabric. “I’m writing in your diary about all the dirty thoughts you have about Sylvian and Alyce. I’ll be sure to slip copies under their doors.”
hahaha, she is such a troll.
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>>36827249
>“She slapped me earlier when I suggested the best way to make good with Sylvian was in bed with me,” she says, her grin outright impish. “I said you’d make a good second choice
hahahaha, oh god she like another talon./
>>
>>36827352
I'm pretty sure it's mostly via having more power then the rest. Merchants are slightly vital.

>>36827249
"I haven an Archangel, An archmage, A helldragon and a God knight all under one roof now. This sounds like the start of a bad joke."
>>
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>>36827286
It's still socialism in concept, simply because its core tenets are the same. Plus, most concepts of socialist societies are mere thought bubbles so it's kind of a pointless comparison.

In the end, dwarven society is simply one way I tried to picture the culture of a purely industrial race. To avoid 'short humans with beards who drink beer and live underground'. So it's not intended to be something that would ever happen in reality. It's actually a little inspired by the way I used to play Dwarf Fortress in terms of the assignment of rooms and property but everybody gets healthcare, food etc.

>>36827352
>what you have is given to you by society 100% based on your production
Yes, but it's not to scale. The dwarves at the top don't produce all their own lavish manses and luxury goods. They have a particular trade that dwarven society values highly. If a relatively small number broke away they wouldn't be able to produce enough to maintain their lifestyles, hence why they don't break away.

Plus, the trade thing would screw over any breakaways as that's a huge dwarven trade network that's maintained by the dwarven council.

>how is there even an underclass?
Reread the blurb. Those who don't work, don't get the safety net minimums.

Not going to answer more on this as it's getting too distracting and I don't think there's anything more to say other than argue semantics.

>doing Q&A stuff next
>>
>>36827249
"Do you see inklings of what Alyce was in the past? With me, I mean. It must be strange for her to see her old friends Gnome and Undine."
>>
>>36827437
>I'm pretty sure it's mostly via having more power then the rest. Merchants are slightly vital.
Ah yes, merchant dwarves contribute to society not via manufacturing but by facilitating trade between dwarves and non dwarves (which they need to not all starve to death).
However, that point remains. Said merchants can just form merchantile lines among humans that trade between different humans... oh I see now. They won't get the margins they do when they facilitate the trade between dwarf citystate and humans.

or not
>>36827457
>Yes, but it's not to scale. The dwarves at the top don't produce all their own lavish manses and luxury goods. They have a particular trade that dwarven society values highly. If a relatively small number broke away they wouldn't be able to produce enough to maintain their lifestyles, hence why they don't break away.
Bur by selling those highly valued goods to humans... or to dwarf towns via merchants (from the outside) they should be able to maintain them unless their goods are being grossly overvalued by the government. If their goods ARE grossly overvalued by the government than that is corruption. And not in the "wants their children to inherit / capitalist" kind but "robber baron" kind which use their political authority to literally steal money from all the rest.
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>>36827318
>"So, how surprised was the league military by how quickly I knocked out shroopham's military. And how much money did you win?"
"The blitz was surprisingly effective. I think you and the Mage Guard owe each other, however. It kept them paralysed, unable to move their armies to where they were needed until it was too late for fear of being outmanoeuvred by the other."

>Also, how the Arcane Archery gear is being recieved.
"We're currently bogged down in arguing with some of the mages about how efficient a whole factory dedicated to manufacturing the arrows is. They dislike the expense of enchanting the arrows relative to the bows. We've got one test factory running which we're using to try to convince them."

>And our use of nonhumans in a manner similar to Aefiria did, especially the dragons.
Not sure what you mean here. Aefierla comparisons are a bit odd, given that the Aefir were very much a magical Aefir upper class (no other races, really) over a human lower class whereas TYE is more equal across the board.

>>36827326
>So you've been encouraging Alyce to get along with Sylvian?
"It's going to ahve to happen eventually, or else they'll have to duke it out over your affections," she says.

"My affections?" you ask sceptically.

"Well, your resources, really. You saw it today, even," she answers.

>Have you had a chance to check on Finn since you've arrived?
"No, but I plan on visiting him tomorrow. I can't imagine much has changed"

You don't mention his progress with women. Merce's interest is unclear right now, so you'll let her handle that for herself.

>>36827337
>Sylvian
"I don't have the baggage that Alyce has. You should know that I understand the need to make threats against potential enemies. Sylvian was simply doing the same because she couldn't trust Alyce. As it is, Sylvian's a better ally than an enemy and she'll end up as one or the other eventually. That's her type, after all. She defines herself by her opponents."

>continued
>>
>>36827597
>“She slapped me earlier when I suggested the best way to make good with Sylvian was in bed with me,” she says, her grin outright impish. “I said you’d make a good second choice
Q. what does she think she would need to make this happen?
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>>36827529
The rest of the dwarves aren't going to make their means of production available. Without that their services are meaningless, in the same way that a civil engineer without people to do the construction would be worthless. Society will just lock out the breakaways and continue on regardless - that's what creates the underclass, to an extent. Cultural practices keep them separate even if was 'rational' to do otherwise.

>>36827528
"It's a weight off her shoulders to feel that she can trust some of the politics to others. She spends far too much time second-guessing her actions for fear of great repercussions. That's not a worry when dealing with you, simply because you've made it clear you care more about our actions and usefulness. Look at the fact you're even talking to me," she says.

Then she pauses and looks you over, "Say, what are your thoughts of her? Shropham's separation brought the marriage question up again. I'm curious to see how you'd react if she was to be engaged."

>Response?
>>
>>36827597
>Not sure what you mean here. Aefierla comparisons are a bit odd, given that the Aefir were very much a magical Aefir upper class (no other races, really) over a human lower class whereas TYE is more equal across the board.
I meant militarily. Their military strategy relied on masses of well trained, well equipped humans backed by elite nonhuman ranged support and shock troops. The York Empire basically does the same thing, only with fluffy tails and talon's retinue subbing in for the ranged support and shock troop roles.
>"We're currently bogged down in arguing with some of the mages about how efficient a whole factory dedicated to manufacturing the arrows is. They dislike the expense of enchanting the arrows relative to the bows. We've got one test factory running which we're using to try to convince them."
They could always ask Shroopham.
>>
>>36827597
>"She defines herself by her opponents."

That is a very useful insight.
>>
>>36827716
"I couldnt imagine Alyce being wed. She doesnt seem the type to settle for marriage when there are so few suitors up to her standards."
>>
>>36827716
>The rest of the dwarves aren't going to make their means of production available. Without that their services are meaningless, in the same way that a civil engineer without people to do the construction would be worthless. Society will just lock out the breakaways and continue on regardless
Right, but I am saying that dwarven society already not self sufficient. It will literally starve to death without humans to provide it with food.
So a civil engineer for example, could hire human workers.
>>
>>36827716
That really depends on who she is engaged to.
>>
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>>36827716
Actually, this might be better with prompts.

ALYCE ENGAGEMENT REACTION VOTE
>1. Apathy. "It's none of my business. Alyce will do whatever she feels best for herself."
>2. Concern. "Given what she's said in the past on the matter, I'd be worried that she felt that she needed to marry for power or stability rather than relying on my help. We're allies."
>3. Opposition. "I don't think that would be the best for a lot of reasons. For one, I'm not sure we'd be able to work together in that situation. She's spoken against it before and it feels like she'd betray her own ideals to do so or was being forced in some way."
>4. Custom
>>
>>36827716
"I'd drop what interest I have in her. I learned when I was young that messing with people in monagamous relationships is never worth it. And no, you aren't getting that story."
>>
>>36827842
>3. Opposition. "I don't think that would be the best for a lot of reasons. For one, I'm not sure we'd be able to work together in that situation. She's spoken against it before and it feels like she'd betray her own ideals to do so or was being forced in some way."
>>
>>36827842
>2. Concern. "Given what she's said in the past on the matter, I'd be worried that she felt that she needed to marry for power or stability rather than relying on my help. We're allies."
>>
>>36827842
>3. Opposition. "I don't think that would be the best for a lot of reasons. For one, I'm not sure we'd be able to work together in that situation. She's spoken against it before and it feels like she'd betray her own ideals to do so or was being forced in some way."
>>
>>36827842
>4. Custom
"Oh? You finally got around to proposing to her?"
>>
>>36827842
>2. Concern. "Given what she's said in the past on the matter, I'd be worried that she felt that she needed to marry for power or stability rather than relying on my help. We're allies."
Also, can we express surprise, we thought she was a lesbian given her past partners.
(Note, I don't actually think this, but I imagine her repeating this to Alyce would cause an interesting reaction.
>>
>>36827842
>inb4 political pressure to marry and the solution is for her to pretend to be courting talon to avoid it.

>>36827875
HAHAHAHA. ok ok, we GOTTA open with that write in. And then go to the serious response.
>>
>>36827842
>>3. Opposition. "I don't think that would be the best for a lot of reasons. For one, I'm not sure we'd be able to work together in that situation. She's spoken against it before and it feels like she'd betray her own ideals to do so or was being forced in some way."
Talon is an ideals kinda guy to me.
>>
>>36827842
>3. Opposition. "I don't think that would be the best for a lot of reasons. For one, I'm not sure we'd be able to work together in that situation. She's spoken against it before and it feels like she'd betray her own ideals to do so or was being forced in some way."

"If it were someone she wanted to marry and spend the rest of her life with and all that, it wouldn't be my place to oppose though."
>>
>>36827842
>4. Concerned Interest. "I suppose that depends on whether she's decided to cave to political expediency or if she finally found someone she actually had interest in."
>>
>>36827842
>2. Concern. "Given what she's said in the past on the matter, I'd be worried that she felt that she needed to marry for power or stability rather than relying on my help. We're allies."
>>
>>36827875
can we ham this up a bit first?
>>
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>3.

"Oh? You finally got around to proposing to her?” you say flippantly. “Congratulations! When’s the big day?”

Baring her teeth slightly, Merce says, “I’m already her familiar, we’re practically already married. We even consummated it. Now the real answer?”

"I don't think that would be the best for a lot of reasons. For one, I'm not sure we'd be able to work together in that situation. She's spoken against it before and it feels like she'd betray her own ideals to do so or was being forced in some way,” you tell Merce, speaking honestly. “That and it would clearly be fake given she’s only shown interest in women before.”

Merce nods grimly as you talk before cackling madly at the end. “Oh, is that so? I’ll be sure to tell her that. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.”

“I’m glad I can amuse you,” you say.

>continued
>>
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>>36828047
Shrugging, Merce retrieves what you believe to be a bottle of brandy from under the desk, pouring two glasses. You sip at it, finding it a little harsher than you’re used to. Still far better than what you used to drink – you’re just spoilt by the excellent supply you’ve had since becoming Imperator. You eye Merce closely, trying to gauge her mood.

“She’s not getting engaged but I worry that she might foolishly make a deal if she thought it would keep her in her position,” she explains. “There’s a few mages riling up sedition in the Tower of the Moon. I think she was briefly considering to marry into blood in order to draw in noble support in the city. The pity is that she has men she’s interested in, but they’re either already married or not in a position where she could actually marry them.”

You resist the urge to ask her whether you’re one and simply enjoy the brandy. You manage not to collapse in her bed after her – it was a big bottle, after all. Instead you wake up in your bed with a few silver fluffy tails hanging tantalisingly in front of you. You…

>1. Stroke the fluffy tails.
>2. Bat at the fluffy tails.
>3. Watch the fluffy tails.
>4. Custom
>>
>>36828068
>1. Stroke the fluffy tails.
>>
>>36828068
>3. Watch the fluffy tails.
so hypnotizing
>>
>>36828068
>3. Watch the fluffy tails.
We have to figure out who they belong to before committing to a course of action.
Fluffy tails are serious business and not to be taken lightly.
>>
>>36828068
>1. Stroke the fluffy tails.
If an Imperator cannot stroke fluffy tails on a whim then what use is his title?
>>
>>36828068
>1. Stroke the fluffy tails.
>>
>>36828068
>I think she was briefly considering to marry into blood in order to draw in noble support in the city.
But... alyce IS a noble. She forsook her title on principle when she started the rebellion that ended with creating the magi league
>>
>>36828068
>3. Watch the fluffy tails.
most likely tsucchi
>>
>>36828068
>3. Watch the fluffy tails
while stroking is rather therapeutic, we need to attempt to pretend that stroking is a reward type thing and the Imperator shouldn't be tricked into stroking them upon waking...
>>
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>>36828139
Yes and nobles sometimes marry other nobles in order to gain additional support from them. I worded it poorly but it was basically a case of marrying one of the noble families that would have influence over many mages in the Tower of the Moon, even if indirectly. Plus, it would be a step back to accepting her noble title again, making the nobles even happier.
>>
>>36828172
ah, ok.
>>
>>36828068
>1. Stroke the fluffy tails.
>>
>>36828068
>[3]

Unless it's Tiara or Tsucchi, then
>[1]
>>
>>36828068

>1. Stroke the fluffy tails.
>>
>>36828068
>Watch Fluffy Tails
>Stroke Fluffy Ears
>>
Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>36828068
>>2. Bat at the fluffy tails.
I'm picturing Talon like a giant cat and it's hilarious
>>
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I wonder if anybody actually suspected this.

>3.

The urge to stroke the fluffy tails wells up inside, an instinctive response that your ancestors have been conditioned into for good reason. Or at least, that’s what you say to keep face. Karise just says you’re obsessed, but in an affectionate way. You hold back, however. Sometimes watching is its own reward. The way those luxurious silver tails wind back and forth through the air, the light reflecting off them and making it clear these are the highest class of tails. All four of them idly weaving an intricate pattern as though the user was practicing their patterns. You give in, your hand rising up to stroke them.

Wait, four tails?

You freeze, actually waking up enough to observe something that isn’t just the fluffiness right in front of you. Tilting your head up and to the left, you find yourself looking straight into the face of a small, rather cute fox. Who also happens to be male and engaged to your spymaster. He’s giving you an odd look, as though he doesn’t quite know what he’s doing here or what to expect.

“Dammit, Sarnn, why couldn’t you be more alluring?” you hear Karise curse off to your left and look over to see your spymaster scowling.

“What are you even talking about?” Sarnn asks her, sounding completely lost.

“She wanted me to do this,” you tell him, winking at him with your right eye when you regain his attention.

Your hands reach out and caress his fluffy tails, a short but obvious motion that implies a lot more than actually happened. You’d screwed this up once before and had a very awkward conversation about how sensitive tails were. Sarnn leans in, his body arching in an overly ostentatious display of pleasure.

>continued
>>
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>>36828457
Right before your faces meet, you both pause and turn to the left in conjunction, giving Karise completely flat looks. The six-tailed fox is watching breathlessly, her face red and tails tying themselves in knots behind her. She quickly realises – quickly in the sense that it’s only about ten seconds – that it’s another prank and starts cursing.

“One day,” she mutters later, having shooed Sarnn away.

“I take it you have actual business?” you ask her.

“Wakoto is coming here,” she tells you. “He’s the current head of the Pride Clan. He’s slipped out of their holdings under the excuse he’s seeing that the troops here are okay but he’s informed me through one of my spies that he’s coming to see you.”

“He knows one of your spies?” you ask her, finding that rather odd.

“Wako sees through disguises and tricks as though the people who employ them run around carrying huge signs that spell them out,” she says dryly. “Luckily he’s blunt enough not to worry too much and smart enough to realise why I have the spies in the other clans, too. Or at least that they can be useful to him as well.”

“Why did he slip out?”

“Presumably because he wants a personal meeting without any snakes present. It also means he can avoid Ren coming. I’d keep it between the two of you, with maybe myself with company at the most if you really want an observer,” she explains.

“You’ll be watching anyway,” you answer dryly.

>Anything to ask Karise on Wakoto or anything else? Otherwise I’ll move onto the beginning of the meeting.
>>
>>36828457
>I wonder if anybody actually suspected this.
I did not... and now i wish we had actually fallen for her trick.
>>
>>36828457
I had a feeling it might have been a guy. That's why I voted for stroking the tails. Heh.
>>
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>>36828469
Also, that should be 'Wakato' for his name. Had it wrong.

>>36828509
I tried to make it amusing either way.
>>
>>36828469
Possible motives?
>>
>>36828469
Not really.
>>
>>36828469
>Anything to ask Karise on Wakoto or anything else?
So, no snakes present.... that implies he is not one of the snakes?
from tsucchi, you and taira I gathered MOST of the rulers are... incidentally, makes me appreciate you and ren a lot more.
>>
>>36828469
"What kind of person is he, or more to the point what should I expect?"
>>
>>36828469
A general refresher on how his clan interacts with the others and on how he and Ren interact in specific. Ideas on what angle he's likely to approach this meeting from would be nice too.
>>
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>>36828538
"He wasn't clear. Most likely to get your measure as well as to talk about moving his clan. The Alliance agreement only prevented other clans from moving in during the first year, it's almost time to let more in. I imagine he's trying to place himself."

>>36828565
"Waka is largely a warrior in a political position. He led the rebellion against the former clan head when he learnt of the intentions to ally with the Gold Clan in the Betrayal. A lot of the political positions that were important in the days of the Imperial Court are still in place and he doesn't have anybody to trust."

>>36828566
"He's rather forthright. Eloquent, too. He spent a lot of time as an enforcer in the Imperial Court in his youth, which usually shortens lifespans greatly. I don't know what to expect from him as a political operator, however."
>>
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You arrange for some refreshments for an early lunch in one of the drawing rooms and let Karise join you. She’s a little more stiff than usual and you suspect that’s because she’s going to be in a poor position. You don’t have to wait for long past the named meeting time before he steps into the room, having been escorted by two of your mage-knights.

This is easily the most manly looking mystic fox you’ve seen, not that you’ve seen a lot. As a whole they’re clean shaven but Wakato has a beard and mustache to rival yours, though he keeps it longer and just around his mouth. He wears a similar sort of armour as you’ve seen Fuurin in, which leads you to believe it might be a specific set that foxes wore in Pharos. His seven light brown tails are folded closely behind him, which is either a neutral sign or just because he’s worried about hitting furniture. His face is light, though.

“Ho, so you’re the infamous Imperator who will either enslave our race or make us all angels, depending on the time of day and who I talk to,” he says, his face and voice light as he offers you a handshake. Clearly he’s acclimatised to Gauron better than many of his peers.

>response?

I'm going to try to keep this promptless, by the way.
>>
>>36828614
>it's almost time to let more in.
yes please. lets get them all in ASAP. preferably BEFORE the war with the guard. I really want all the foxes on our side when that happens.
>>
>>36828717
"Makes me curious who is speaking so poorly of me. But im also glad I seem to have friends."
>>
>>36828717
Well, return the shake. Friendly, open, a bit boisterous.
>Laugh
>So that is what they are saying eh? No wander you snuck in here to see for yourself.
>>
>>36828749
I actually had an idea for a new unit using fluffy tails, tentatively called a (York Empire) Strike Team. The basic idea is a small unit of elites that can fight on equal footing to a combat magister team and are used pretty much in exactly the same way, except instead of simply being mages, it would include fluffy tails, dragons, mages vampires and anyone else who can make the grade. Ideally, the fluffy tails in the unit could teleport them into and out of combat quickly, giving them better flexibility and survivability than magister units.
>>
>>36828717
"Full disclosure, I'm pretty sure that last one is outright impossible."
>>
>>36828717
"From what I've seen those may not be mutually exclusive positions. Welcome to my domain such as it is ."
>>
>>36828860
I LIKE this one anon. good thinking

>>36828876
I thought of that but really... you are saying you want to make them into your angel slaves?
>>
>>36828717
yep that's us. declare war on you at breakfast, enslave you by lunch, and have turned you all in to angles by dinner
>>
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>mixture

“I’d wonder who is speaking so poorly of me if I wasn’t more curious about my ‘friends’ who say even more odd things,” you say, returning the handshake and noting that fact that he doesn’t appear to be trying to break your bones. “Full disclosure, I’m pretty that last one is impossible. Plus, I’m not sure you’d want to be an angel – you’d be a bit lonely and the one that was here yesterday was bit melancholy anyway.”

“Hah, well I’ve had to make it my policy to discount everything I hear from my foxes,” he says. There’s a long pause as you wait for him to actually finish what he’s saying. “That’s it. I discount everything I hear from my foxes. It’s gotten rather ridiculous, really.”

He slips into one of the leather chairs, rather comfortable in the surroundings and meeting room. You take a seat opposite than him, gesturing to the snacks on the low table between the two of you as you size him up. He doesn’t appear to be on guard whatsoever – which either means he’s extremely overconfident or very good at hiding his alertness. Gesturing to Karise to join the two of you, he leans in over a small apple pastry.

>continued
>>
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>>36829063
“I imagine you’ve heard all of this from our only real spymaster, so I won’t bother trying to hide things,” he says. “I’m a warrior, not a diplomat. Unfortunately, our diplomats last tried to betray our race so I’m the best we’ve got in the clan. I hold power by dint of killing the last leader and nobody wants to risk endangering the clan’s reputation by putting somebody else in charge.”

“You think that if somebody else was in charge the other clans wouldn’t trust yours?” you ask, surprised.

“I led a rebellion to prevent the clan from joining the Gold Clan in the Betrayal. That means I can be trusted. None of the other clans trust anybody else in the clan to do anything more than hold the pointy end of the stick in a certain direction. Especially not our great and magnificent leader,” Wakato says, his voice becoming rather dry yet grim at the end.

Karise scowls at that topic, slipping a tray with cups of coffee on it onto the table before sitting. You give her a look, wondering why she’s doing servant work and she ignores you. The coffee’s good at least, given you made it and had a warming spell placed on it.

>What do you say to Wakato next?
>>
>>36829076
Is she trying to drug him?

"I take it that the two of you are at odds."
>>
>>36829076
>You give her a look, wondering why she’s doing servant work and she ignores you
to listen in?
>The coffee’s good at least, given you made it
so its ok for talon to do servant work? hehehe. nice.
>>
>>36829076
Hmm... perhaps, that man is slow to trust.
Anyway, lets get down to brass tacks. You want to move to my empire. Lets discuss where you are interested in moving, what you plan to offer me, what you want in return. I'll tell you what I don't like and we'll go from there.
>>
>>36829076
"Seeing as how you've had to deal with wearisome enough politics that you've come to discount the words of your own foxes let's talk straight, what are your own thoughts on the empire and my open stance towards foxes?"

>>36829149
This too. Sharing war stories is also fine but I have a feeling he'd appreciate talking business first.
>>
>>36829076
>>36829149
This, he's a warrior, not a politician, he will like bluntness
What does everyone think of the new captcha? I like it
>>
>>36829076
So, do you want me to answer some questions? talk about myself, my plans, and my ambitions so that you better know me? Or are you here to discuss some specific action?

>>36829128
extremely unlikely given the situation
>>
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VOTE
>1. Ask him about his problem(s) with Ren.
>2. Straight to business but talk mostly about him moving.
>3. Straight to business but try to get his thoughts on your empire and stance on foxes before talking about moving.
>4. Custom
>>
>>36829076
I understand. Being a general myself, politics has waned my taste for plots and the like. With that in mind please speak freely. What is it youre looking for here?
>>
>>36829242
>3. Straight to business but try to get his thoughts on your empire and stance on foxes before talking about moving.
>>
>>36829242
>3. Straight to business but try to get his thoughts on your empire and stance on foxes before talking about moving.
>>
>>36829242
3
>>
>>36829242
>1. Ask him about his problem(s) with Ren.
>3. Straight to business but try to get his thoughts on your empire and stance on foxes before talking about moving.
>>
>>36829242
>2 Straight to business but talk mostly about him moving.
>>
>>36829242
>3. Straight to business but try to get his thoughts on your empire and stance on foxes before talking about moving.
>>
>>36829242
>3. Straight to business but try to get his thoughts on your empire and stance on foxes before talking about moving.
>>
>>36829242
>1. Ask him about his problem(s) with Ren.
>3. Straight to business but try to get his thoughts on your empire and stance on foxes before talking about moving.
>>
Say, I kinda remember from previous discussion, that with the way information was slowly dripped to us, that initially we had quite a few people believing that what happened with the foxes was
>Humans demand their fealty
>5 clans refuse, 1 clan submits
>5 clans leave the continent because don't want to fight the combined might of pharos and the clan that submitted
That we reached out to them seeking alliance believing they would never actually consider submitting in any way.

Came as quite a shock to find that this was actually all a backstab orchestrated by foxes for the purpose of gaining political power over other foxes. And that the leadership was full of snakes. And that foxes are quite willing to submit to us in fealty or as regular citizens.
>>
>>36829242
>1. Ask him about his problem(s) with Ren.

>>36829245
I like this.
>>
>>36829242
1
>>
>>36829242
>3. Straight to business but try to get his thoughts on your empire and stance on foxes before talking about moving.
>>
>>36829242
>1
>>
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>3.

"Seeing as how you've had to deal with wearisome enough politics that you've come to discount the words of your own foxes let's talk straight, what are your own thoughts on the empire and my open stance towards foxes?" you ask him, sipping at your coffee.

You’d annoyed the manor’s servants but you had properly made coffee. You’d think that living this close to so much coffee production would result in servants who can actually make it, but no. Damned nobles and their poncy tastes. Karise had also complained, but that was because she hated your coffee. She made a face as she sipped at it, clearly regretting doing so. Looking between you, Wakato weighs up whether he should actually drink it while he thinks of an answer.

“Honestly, I think it’s a positive change. Although individual foxes are appreciated here, nobody wants full villages around,” he says, right before taking the plunge and sipping at the coffee. “This is rather nice, by the way. They make it like this in some of the villages near Nazbek where we’re settled in.”

“That’s how they made it back home,” you say, not saying that home was just south of Nazbek.

He nods before continuing, “What I’ve heard from Karise’s foxes, and those few foxes in the Seven-Leaf clan that talk to us directly, is that the environment is not only receptive but you’re imposing no restrictions on space. That alone is worth consideration but I must admit I am worried about one thing.”

>continued
>>
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>>36829494
“And that is?” you ask, mind racing to try to think of answers to all sorts of possible questions.

Was it the fortress that you’d let Ren set up? The fact that you were requiring Ren’s foxes to serve your military but not Karise’s? Your connections to the League, given they betrayed the foxes? Maybe it could just be how close you are to Tsucchi, and seemingly Ren?

Fixing you with a very serious gaze, Wakato says, “A few of the younger foxes who I know went to your capital – Harrowmont, I believe – and then came back to spy told me of something I don’t quite understand. The tail stroking. Why did they all seem to think it was a regular thing near you? Is it some sort of hazing or punishment? Or perhaps something you’re doing to ensure loyalty? Their reactions confused me. They all seemed to speak of you stroking their tails – not sleeping with them, as I thought they saying euphemistically at first, which I could understand.”

Karise stares at Wakato in shock over her cup of coffee, as though the surprise has just kept him in shock. You carefully place your cup and saucer on the table and fold your hands, trying to think of a polite response. It’s true that you probably stroked the tails of most of the young female foxes that Karise deployed in Harrowmont. They certainly didn’t complain. You just didn’t know how to explain it.

>Response? I’ll probably do the genuine business part next
>>
>>36829510
I just like fluffy tails. Is that so wrong?
>>
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>>36829510
pic related
>>
>>36829510
Oh god, I am seriously laughing right now.
>>
>>36829510
It just sort of happens
>>
>>36829494
Whatever we say can we try not to come off like a weirdo
Or say anything racially insensitive
>>
>>36829510
wow, talon has REALLY been going to town on the foxes.
ALL of them said so? really? I think talon has a problem
>>
>>36829510
I would call it an addiction, but its more of a physical dependency at this point. I see, I stroke, I conquer.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>36829510
Just kind of smile sheepishly and say that he really likes fuzzy tails
>>
>>36829510
"I honestly am not sure how to answer that. It's a fixation I've allowed myself to indulge in, and can't really be thought of as anything more"
>>
>>36829622
>>
>>36829510
"Well it is rather a regular thing I must admit. What can I say, it's a soothing and pleasant sensation and by the time the social moors related to the act were firmly explained to me I'm afraid I had already developed a bit of a habit. Some even seem to want to get in on the action. In fact just earlier this morning a mischievous fox had attempted to trick me into petting a set of tails while I was still groggy. When I didn't stroke them on reflex they were quite disappointed. I suppose it's just become a sign of affection."
>>
>>36829510
It would be a sin to not stroke such soft fluffy tails. Nor share my gift on how to do it.
Why, I have actually been asked by some foxes to teach their spouses how to properly stroke a tail (not naming names. but karise... if she does a proper spit take and blushes here would be hilarious). I assure it is strictly optional.
>>
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>>36829619
Whoops, that's just poor wording again. When he says they all spoke of Talon stroking their tails, he means that those few foxes who mentioned the stroking also said they hadn't slept with Talon. Not that Talon had stroked the tails of every fox he'd spoken to.

Mind you, Talon probably did stroke quite a few tails in the first few days. You just have to reread the threads when the foxes first show up in the castle.

VOTE
>1. "It just sort of happens."
>2. Shrug with a sheepish smile. "Fluffy tails are fluffy tails. Grant a man his indulgences."
3. "I don't see the problem. Why are you so curious yourself?"
>4. Custom
>>
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Oh, and we're on Page 10. I can either wrap up this scene in a post or two and end the thread in about 20-40 minutes or make a new thread and continue with some social stuff after a break for dinner.

Thoughts?
>>
>>36829684
this sounds like the weirdest pervert ever is talking
>>
>>36829693
>1
>>
>>36829693
>1. "It just sort of happens."
>>
>>36829693
>2. Shrug with a sheepish smile. "Fluffy tails are fluffy tails. Grant a man his indulgences."
>>
>>36829693
oh, ok... this is much easier to explain then.

>4. Custom
I had some... misconceptions about the significance. And by the time it was explained to me I had developed quite a reputation. Why, some have even had me teach their spouse how to properly stroke a tail. I am quite proud of my technique you know.
>>
>>36829693
>3
2+3 is also acceptable
>>
>>36829701
Option two sounds good.
>>36829693
>2. Shrug with a sheepish smile. "Fluffy tails are fluffy tails. Grant a man his indulgences."
>>
>>36829701
well, its midnight. I should go to bed. but I want to continue.
>>
>>36829720
I would be ok with this if we changed it to "some have even tried to get me to stroke their husbands tail"
>>
>>36829701
>2+3
>>
>>36829701
more more more
>>
>>36829693
>3
>>
>>36829693
>>2. Shrug with a sheepish smile. "Fluffy tails are fluffy tails. Grant a man his indulgences."
>>
>>36829701
Up to you. I'm pretty sure most people will want you to keep running social stuff since that's what we're doing already.
>>
>>36829693
>3. "I don't see the problem. Why are you so curious yourself?
hahaha.

>>36829745
actually both things happened.
>>
>>36829701
If it's serious social ill stay.
>>
>>36829693
>2. Shrug with a sheepish smile. "Fluffy tails are fluffy tails. Grant a man his indulgences."
>>36829701
of course we want a new thread! you know we're whores for your writing.
>>
>>36829756
>actually both things happened.
Yes but only one of the people in the room relates to either of the 2 comments.
>>
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NEW THREAD
>>36829929
>>
>>36821904
Just got here and catching up but while I do,

Not a big deal but in the Gdocs, in the spreadsheets under construction, Expansion has a typo.

Also I was reading the pattern stuff in the lorebin and I was wondering would it be possible to make a pattern for the Elemental sisters that would "restore" or bind their souls to the pattern so we could put them in a new body in case they were to die?



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