>>41773214
>>Appraise the room.

>>41773214
I haven't seen these in awhile. When did you get the new OP?

>>41773214
>Appraise the room while waiting for Lord Bralin to speak

>>41773214
>>Appraise the room.

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>>41773260
Original OP artist was awesome and decided to color it. It was around June 24th or so that he handed off to me. Had some issues with weather (pic related) and family that delayed things. Only had maybe 3 threads with the new art so far.
As always, apologies on the delays, I know I shouldn't be saying sorry so often but goddamn its been frustrating trying to make time for this. Satellite is horrible.

>>41773340
No need to apologize, none of us blame you.
Just so long as it happens eventually, we don't care.

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You notice that all eyes appear to be on Veles. Hard to see why not, given that the old snake has chosen to let his full length extend from where you entered instead of coiling over himself like he normally does. That said, their fixture on him has left you with an opening to take in the room around you. You note that purple pillows of the court actually have two shades. A lighter one nearing the outer rim of the locals, and a darker one shared by lord bralin himself. Given the similarity in breed or color or whatever term they use, you can only assume that those are relatives to Bralin himself.

You do note that Bralin himself is of a dark complection on his 'human' half reminiscent of Tatiana, however its a different shade. Maybe. Something to think about for sure. In any case you note that the furnishings of the place are not as sparse as it originally appeared. One of the visiting dignitaries has unfolded a wooden table, the joints of which not bearing the glint of a metal hinge. It is low to the ground, and you suspect that they've substituted chairs for their pillows.

However, one piece of furniture catches your eye. Up behind Bralin on the left is a chair. Far too small to be anything for a human, much less a piece of furnature for a the centaurs, it is nonetheless well taken care of, a polished redwood you can't quite identify. It is half obscured by one of the purple wallhangings.

Its nearly a minute before Bralin speaks looking directly at Veles. [I am told we have you to thank for the both the warning and prompt removal of a Fallen Hive to the north. House Bralin thanks you.]

The old snake glances as you.

>Take the lead yourself.
>Give Veles the reins.
>Other?

>>41774092
>Give Veles the reins.

>>41774092
>Take the lead yourself.
Always.

>>41774092
>Take the lead yourself

>>41774092
>>Take the lead yourself.

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At Veles' nod you move to the front of the procession, and feel the stares as the court fixates on you. [We are happy to be of help to House Bralin.] You say, taking care to annunciate properly.

Bralin continues unperturbed, [Very good. While some houses might treat such a threat as a tertiary issue. The damage that a hive and the resulting horde would do to our foodplots would be dire. As such I feel that a boon is a worthy rewa-]

[Just give them the key to the bloody armory then lord of the carrots, let them pick out something nice and be on their way. You're only inviting trouble by leaving it open like that.] A voice calls out from the rafters.

A murmur runs through the nobles as a small figure climbs down, grabbing a that chair and setting himself up near Lord Bralin. Its an elf, or a human, or something like that, only smaller. Maybe 3 and a half feet at best. Pointed ears bely elfin origin, but lacking the hard angular features that even McCain has. Clad in a pristine smock of sorts and barefoot, the new arrival crosses one leg over the other, before tilting back in the chair.

Bralin continues, looking annoyed but rallying. [I would like to introduce the South Court advisor to House Bralin.]

The small figure adds [While seeing the spawn of the simple is a common occurance, the spawn of the arrogant, the mad, and the foolish is a rare treat.] His smile is earnest, if a little arrogant in of itself.

>Ignore the Advisor
>Engage the Advisor
>Other?

>>41775265
>Engage the adviser
[I wonder then, who is the spawn of the arrogant, the mad, and foolish? Dragons, so I've heard, are quite arrogant, and I can only assume that the Leviathan is mad. Would that make the Rok the foolish? If so, how?]

>>41775380
I like this

>>41775410
(Sorry I deleted it. I had to make revisions.)

>>41775437
s'all good

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[I profoundly apologize for my advisor.] Lord Bralin starts to say.

[No it is fine. No offense taken.] You reassure him, before turning to the small figure. [I wonder then, who is the spawn of the arrogant, the mad, and foolish? Dragons, so I've heard, are quite arrogant, and I can only assume that the Leviathan is mad. Would that make the Rok the foolish? If so, how?]

[Oh no. You humored him.] Lord Bralin says, slumping a little in his pillow.

The small form tilts further back. [The Roc is foolish for it attempted to wrest the skies from the arrogant. The arrogant is such for it bore itself aloft on wings of leather. The mad is such for it took to the unknowable depths. The simple is such for it cared little for politics of the world. Though you are clever to guess.]

[It would appear you've got a low opinion of them. So what, pray tell, are you the progeny of.]

[That's for you to guess.] The little fae says, smirk still in place.

>Well?

>>41776279
Trolls, probably just like the Centaurs

>>41776279
Perhaps a little of all 4?

>>41776279
[Well, you seem similar to the Elves of the north, yet are quite different. You are much smaller, and your behavior is very different. You seem to have a little of the Arrogant and the Mad, but truly, I don't quite have enough information to make a proper guess as to your ancestors. Perhaps your people have always been as you are, perhaps not. Perhaps you are the spawn of the northern elves and something else. Perhaps that something else is a Leviathan, but it might not be so. Perhaps, you are a combination of all four, or five, but I cannot tell, and perhaps unlikely due to your displeasure of them. Tell me, might you give me a little hint? A tiny nudge in the right direction?]

-I would like others to comment on this first.-

>>41776603
Too wordy, I want to make a guess and get this over with tbh

>>41776711
But I want to be witty. . .
We I haven't gotten to do philosophical bullshit yet. . .

>>41776711
Also, this seems like something that will make the south Cort guy think better of us. Maybe.

>>41776832
I honestly don't think IC we'd give enough of a shit, we want to figure out what's happening, fix it and start making money. Capitalism quest is go

>>41776873
B-but muh Bolshevik revolution.

>>41776906
simmer down comrade, we can maybe visit the phoenix colony and see what true communism looks like.

>>41776873
Also, 'IC'? You mean the South Court adviser?
I think he give a little bit of a shit.

>>41776926
That's a Mercantile system. It's not communism.
(Especially due to the fact that they still have classes, they don't even try to make it look like they're distributing the wealth, and one blacksmith could be MUCH more wealthy than another one in Mercantilism.)

>>41777025
looks fine to me, all of those comments? Yeah that was just me. IC=In Character

[Well, you seem similar to the Elves of the north, yet are quite different. You are much smaller, and your behavior is very different. You seem to have a little of the Arrogant and the Mad, but truly, I don't quite have enough information to make a proper guess as to your ancestors. Perhaps your people have always been as you are, perhaps not. Tell me, might you give me a little hint?]

>how about now?<

>>41777050
Okay.
I think we'd give a shit. We're trying to be a gun-mage, aren't we? We are a Lamia, aren't we? Both magic an Leviathan blood make one VERY curious. And we DO have the Scholar trait too.

>>41777105
Maybe I was being a bit snippy, it just reminded too much of Ssen. Sasha isn't as rambly or as ADHD

>>41777147
Only because she hasn't had the chance to be.
Give me full control, and we'll be the best wizard, and the most insane. If I had been here from the start, we would have been a LOT more crazy.
(All smart people have OCD and ADHD to some extent, and as we get better at magic, we'll probably become more of a sociopath, too.)

>>41777230
....Yeah no, I like the differences Sasha is very conservative and intelligent she works the way she is.

>>41777296
I like insane characters, and what I said about smart people is true. Every smart person I've ever meat, or read about had some kind of OCD and ADHD. It might not be very easy to see most of the time, but it's always there.

Also, I still want to see if Mari wants to learn magic too. I mean, she very well could, and it would be useful too.
(Also want us to [italic]ruffle her feathers[/italic], if you know what I mean, but that last but can wait.)

>>41777441
*-but that last BIT -

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[A little of all 4 I imagine?] You throw out there, not knowing where he is going with this

[Hahaha. Preposterous.] He says.

[Well, you seem similar to the Elves of the north, yet are quite different. You are much smaller, and your behavior is very different. You seem to have a little of the Arrogant and the Mad, but truly, I don't quite have enough information to make a proper guess as to your ancestors. Perhaps your people have always been as you are, perhaps not. Tell me, might you give me a little hint?] You say, noticing that the audience of centaurs is rapidly shrinking as Lord Bralin signals them to leave.

[A hint you say?] The fae responds, [I am borne of the land itself. These lands right here in fact.]

[As in a land spirit?} You ask, as Marie begins to tug at your sleeve. Mouthing the words 'Bad news' you look back to the little elf thing.

[Hahaha, not quite, but CLOSE. So you get the consolation prize. An explanation.] He states untilting his chair and then clambering up upon it, like a soapbox.

[Long ago, as your arrogant and mad progenitors were just thinking of creating spawn, we were greatest plotter known. Unfortunately, that is all for naught when a simple one ignored all our carefully laid traps. He shattered us, scattering us to the land. In doing so he destroyed himself. We lived on in this form, guiding his progeny until the day...]

[You recombine?] Marie ventures looking worried.

[Oh fuck no I hate those cunts. No, until the day the line of Sigismund united the Casimiran.] The elf-fae says abruptly, falling back into his chair with a flourish.

>Have someone run interference with the fae, try to talk to Lord Bralin (Specify)
>Continue trying to talk to the adviser (specify)

>>41777719
>>Have someone run interference with the fae, try to talk to Lord Bralin (Specify)
Have Veles or Marie keep him occupied, ask the Lord about what's going on, what we came for basically. (apologize for making the little elf start talking)

>>41777719
>Have Veles keep talking to him.
What he says is interesting, but it would probably be best to have Veles talk to him, and perhaps try to find out more of whats going on.

>>41777719
>Have someone run interference with the fae, try to talk to Lord Bralin (Specify)
Have Veles keep the Adviser busy while we ask Lord Bralin if he can fill us in on what's going on.

>>41777719
-I forgot to do the other half-
> try to talk to Lord Bralin (Specify)
[Sorry for that.I'm, well, /we/ *motion to Veles, Marie, and our self* aren't from here, and aren't use to speaking with his kind.]
[I suppose I should explain why we're here then. We originally came into these lands to try to create a trade rout from the other side of the mountains to this side, but when we found -insert name of burned down city-, and Artyom, we decided to suspend that operation in favor of finding out what was going on, and to try and help calm things down on this side.]

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Introducng Veles, you motion for the old snake to talk with the fae for a while. He does so, eyebrow raised, as the Fae begins to rattle off about how Veles is an 'infiltrator' and 'ambassador to the arrogant.' Moving off to the side, you find Lord Bralin talking to the guards.

[Sorry for that. I'm, well, we aren't from here, and aren't use to speaking with his kind.]

[Each of the advisors are different. You weren't to know.] The centaur noble responds.

[I suppose I should explain why we're here then. We originally came into these lands to try to create a trade rout from the other side of the mountains to this side, but when we found Purobka and Artyom, we decided to suspend that operation in favor of finding out what was going on, and to try and help calm things down on this side.]

[I understand. However, 'calming things down' is a poor choice of words in these times. The people have a right to be upset. The Kozaks are not upholding their end of the bargain. The Fallen appear in numbers and force us to deal with them ourselves. This leaves us open to attack. Krasick's diplomat claims no knowledge of what happened at Purobka, given he was here when your Artyom said it was burned, I doubt I can wrest anything from him.]

[My Artyom? He was of Purobka.]

[It... is an unusual situation, but he has said he is of the Lion's Head as he introduced himself. He seems to think you've taken him in.]

[Hrm. Well nonetheless, what is your situation, and how can I be of help?]

Lord Bralin seems to contemplate that.

>Try to coax info out of him.
>Let him take his time.

>>41778732
>Let him take his time.

>>41778732
>>Let him take his time.

>>41778732
>Let him take his time
>(Use this time to listen in on Veles and the Adviser's conversation)

>>41778732
>Let him take his time.

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You let him take his time, mulling the situation over. In the meantime you try and get an earful of whatever the fae-elf-fairy thing is saying to Veles. Surprisingly, the two are conversing in snake cant, but its far away enough that you can't make it out.

[No. I'm sorry Lady...]

[Masterson.] You answer.

[I'm afraid I cannot use your help at this time. There is too much going on to trust an outsider. I am sorry. However, I do offer you access to my armory, as my advisor so helpfully described. I'm sure your hussar would be most pleased to repair his gear. That will not be costing you the boon I granted. Our advisor is wise, however he covers his frugility with eccentricity. Nor does he care for first impressions. My only advice to you is to seek out the Kozaks. They might know more than we do, within our walls. That said, I must see to things. I bid you fair travels.]

With that your party is ushered outside into the care of two dour faced hussars. The Fae chats animatedly with Veles all the way to the door about largely inconsequential things about what we saw on our way here.

Insofar as you can tell, you're given free reign to explore the city.

>What now?

>>41779772
>/k/ TIME!
Too the armoury!
As we go, ask Marie if she might want to learn magic too, stressing how useful it would be to have more people who could use magic.

(Make a note of anything interesting that we pass.)

>>41779854
This works, dunno about the magic thing but we should peruse the armory.
You guys think we should go seek out the Kozaks or go back to the ranch first?

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>>41779944
I say ask the others what they think. I don't know if we have enough supplies to stay here for too long, and we don't have a Wagon.

Also, Magic is the shit, man.

>>41779772
>What now?
Head for the armory but, keep an eye out for anything of interest that we might want to investigate later since we seem to be free to explore.

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"Lord Bralin offered us access to the armory, may as well let artyom get kitted out." You say to the group, Artyom looking questioningly as you speak in non casimiran.

The procession gathers a bit of a throng on onlookers, as the residents look at the strange horrifying and disfigured creatures the lord of the place let walk among the good folk. At least, that what they must be thinking given how skittish they are. The Hussar honor guard, for their part, don't seem to mind the space being given.

You make your way through the market, stall owners peddling their wares, mostly foodstuffs of varying types, to the sides you see a bunch of shops selling more... interesting goods. Fabrics, liquour, smoked meats, all seem to have more permanent homes in the market compared to the basic foodstuffs.

The armory is built near the western wall of the city, detached from the wall save for a long ramp that extends up to the roof of the building, and then onto the wall itself.

[Take your time Artyom, Lord Bralin has offered to rekit you.]

The burned hussar looks blindsided at this, then with a measured eagerness steps forwards. You make to follow him, but are stopped by the armorer, who makes it clear that he will only outfit one person at a time.

Your torn on waiting for him and checking out the shops. You opt on inventoring your supplies as you wait. You've got enough food to make it back to the ranch easily, but if you stretched it, and lived off the land some, you could extend your time here looking for the Kozaks.

Either way, you'll have to figure out a way to pacify the situation here if you're ever to make trading money.

>Pausing thread here. I'll try and get something running next weekend at the latest, but no promises what with the weather. As always, thanks for reading everyone. I hope you enjoyed it.

>>41781196
Thanks for running boss, shoot you internet provider for me

>>41781196
Thanks for running!
You still haven't let us even ask her if she wants too, but that's fine, Some other day. But it will happen eventually.

>>41773340
THANK YOU FOR THE COMPLIMENT, FRIEND CANID. I AM GLAD YOU LIKE THE NEW OP SO MUCH!