You chat with the old man as you make it into the compound, paying close attention to his movements to be sure he successfully passed the blood prick test honestly. You reminisce about your first meeting in the Muller Mountains for a few minutes as you walk together, more to confirm it really is Renault.

Once your fears are abated you move on to subjects that you actually are concerned about. For instance,

“Are you aware of the Imperials?”

He grimaces and nods his head in confirmation. “Just heard the word when we got off the ship. I have no clue how they were able to get supply ships in without us noticing, let alone operate a clandestine base without our knowledge. I'm thinking they got Roscoli help on this one. At least one of the major merchant houses.”

“Anything for a profit,” you mutter darkly.

“Yeah,” the knight laughs. “They tend to keep proving the saying true.”

“So that's why you're sitting in on this?”

Renault shakes his head. “Actually, I bring some news with me too. Nothing bad. But something you all need to be aware of.” He meets the looks you give him as he says that with a pained grin. “I'll fill everyone in at once at the end. Don't worry about it.”

“Alright Renault. I could stand to not hear depressing news anytime soon. A lot on my plate at the moment.”

“Heroics keeping you busy?”

You shrug. “If that's what you want to call it.” You give Renault a critical look as you wrap your brain around how your initial meeting went and the things he said to you back when you were still stationed in the Muller Mountains. A knack for learning things. Heh.

“Hey Renault,” you begin. “Were you aware how ridiculous my powers were going to be?”

“You tell me. Are they ridiculous?” He chuckles softly at your vernacular.

“Have you noticed the eyes?”

“They're different.”

“They're Elven. I learned how to see like an elf and my body physically altered itself like it had figured out a jigsaw puzzle. I meditate like an elf too. I don't sleep anymore, as of four hours ago.”

“Sounds handy.”

“I know dozens of skills, powers and spells from multiple sources. I can drain a person's life energy by kissing them –”

“And here I was, just about ready to kiss you.”

“Demons from Hell and devils from the Abyss want me dead and they call me the Assimilator and apparently I'm the end to everything in their belief system.”

Renault stops walking and contorts his face into a distasteful grimace. “Assimilator? Pretty sure Blackburn's report mentioned Assimilation. Not Assimilator.”

“Whatever, that isn't important.”

“Assimilator sounds a tad queer to be –”

“Did you know?!” you demand. “Did you know it was going to be like this?”

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He sighs out. “No. Not exactly. You were a wild card and one that seems to have paid off. My expectations ranged from washout who got killed on his first run to librarian to a powerful wizard. You've defied all those expectations, however. Quick learner seemed like a crap shoot of a potential and I figured the others would outshine you sooner or later. Seems I was wrong. Just don't end the world, alright?”

You shrug and blow air out your mouth. “I'll try.”

Renault laughs. “By the way, devils are the ones who come from Hell and demons come from the Abyss.”

Right.

Your gaggle of individuals finally makes it to the meeting room in the Overseer's Complex where you'll be having your discussion. You notice wine laid out in glasses at each spot as you take your seat between Rowe and Quissonce. Blackburn sits himself at the head while Renault takes a seat at the “foot” in turn. The ornate decorations and the intricate chandeliers suggest this room may serve a more regal crowd then your tired, disheveled group of frontiersmen. Perhaps your Overseer often has visitors of a different kind. You look round the table and do not see Kyra.

You look to Quissonce. She meets your look and responds to your unasked question.

“Couldn't find her.” You drum your fingers on the polished oaken table in frustration.

Eventually Blackburn calls the debriefing to order. And all of you, one by one begin to give your recounting of events and your discoveries. As one of the few people the most informed about the night's escapades the information is mostly things you already know. Elementals attacked the city. Agents infiltrated and captured Etriarch, killing three of Hildebrandt's guards. Rowe relates the message left to her and her decided course of action, including punching Gilda in the face.

“You were defecting?” Blackburn asks, scowl on his face.

“Temporarily, yes.” Rowe replies.

“ . . . Whatever, continue.”

You speak about your plan to rescue Etriarch. About the company he was with, the complications and discovering the dragon which brings everyone unaware of its existence a huge heaping of discomfort. Before all is said and done

>Do you have any questions one of the other characters might have the answer to? (write-in)

>>306947
Who is Burn? What is his history?

bring up Eve's proposal to see what the other think

Also see if we can contact our (goblin? kobold?) friends to see if they knew anything about the enemy fort and any secret passages or paths leading there.

And seriously, where the hell is Kyra? Relate to the others when we last saw her and see if we can match accounts.

Writing!

>>306947
Does anyone have information on Burn, or on dragons on the island?

Does anyone know of Allant, or of people or mercenaries who employ a two-sword style of fighting, as well as throwing knives of a star- or circle-shaped nature?

What's the last people saw of Kyra? She might have been wounded or killed by the Imperial rescue team.

>>307066
>Does anyone know of Allant,
>people or mercenaries who employ a two-sword style of fighting, as well as throwing knives of a star- or circle-shaped nature?

Shit, I forgot to add this

thanks for bringing it up.

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“Burn. Dragons in general. What do we know?” you ask the table.

Hildebrandt coughs. You look to him, Betsy's superior and the captain of the guards. You haven't spoken to the man at all since your stay, but you have read his short historical account of Seaside. “Well, one of the creatures flew by and burned down half the town a few years back.”

“You think that was Burn?”

He shakes his head. “No, it was much smaller than what you've described. Unless he's had himself a bit of a growth spurt!” He has a hearty giggle as Betsy eyes her superior with contempt.

“Dragons do get bigger over time,” Eve adds. “But I think it takes a lot longer than two years. Burn may be the dragon at the volcano the kobolds at Firegem village used to serve generations ago. They mentioned their master was displeased with their service but refused to tell them why.”

“Burn did mention he had a distaste for sycophants,” you recollect.

Eve gulps nervously. “Uhh, g-good to know. So! Blackburn,” she turns to look at your Overseer. “We aren't going to get at these Imperials without divorcing whatever relationship they have with Burn. Maybe I can talk him into ditching them.”

Blackburn shakes his head. “I'm very much against any of my agents,” he takes a moment to eye Rowe. “walking into an Imperial fort for any reason. It's too risky.”

“Which is why I'll talk to him at the volcano,” Eve announces, like she just revealed a masterfully cunning plan. “Alan, did you see any sort of treasure trove there at the fort.”

You shake your head no. Eve makes an 'ah' sound.

“Then there's no way that is his permanent address. He may be staying there temporarily but he lives inside the volcano. Away from any of those Imperial troops.”

“Do we have any other alternatives? Viable ones?” Blackburn asks the rest of the table after Eve lays out her plan.

>No we don't
>We could ignore the dragon for now
>Plan? (write-in)

>>307278
Does Etriarch know anything about how the Orc is paying the dragon or keeping him in line?


>Plan? (write-in)

we should find out for what reasons the dragon works for Killmen. If it's material in nature, we may have a chance at destroying it.

At the same time, we should also probably do some research into the weaknesses of dragons.

Ask the kobold tribes and any orc tribes friendly to us how much they know about the dragon and the imperials.

also, not sure if this is meta, but you know those Black Arrows that were used to kill Smaug? Can we make some of those? and the ballistas they were shot from?

Writing!

>>307278
>Plan?
Talk with the kobolds, learn more about dragons on the island.
See if Burn is the only act in town, or if there's a rival dragon we could hire.

Try to find out why Burn is working for the Imperials, and make him a better offer.

Do NOT let Eve do any negotiations; Burn wants to kill all of his progeny, or has Eve not listened to what we've told her.

>>307349
>but you know those Black Arrows that were used to kill Smaug
You mean THE Black Arrow, an artifact of high elven craftsmanship? Shot from the bow of a descendant of the superhuman race? Aiming at exactly the one weak spot where there was no armor?


We could do it.
If we had a 13th-level Wizard specializing in creating magic items, is well versed in necromancy, we have the necessary materials, and 4,000GP per arrow.
Oh, but Burn could just make the saving throw and the arrow would just plink off of his scales.

>>307476
I am always amazed at how DnD somehow fails to live up to LOTR even though it is almost entirely based upon it.

>>307489
Ever tried reading DM of the Rings?

>>307489
Saving throw DC of 23 for an Arrow of Greater Dragon Slaying.

If Burn is a mature adult dragon, his Fort save is +17.

Long odds, that.

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“Do you think Etriarch might know how the Baron is keeping the dragon in line?”

Rowe sighs out, still a bit sheepish after being called out by Blackburn. “Maybe. He only said Kardas had a dragon and we were doomed if we stayed in Seaside. But I'll see if I can convince him to reveal something. Perhaps jog his memory.” Rowe looks to Blackburn who gives her a nod. She stands up and walks to the doorway.

“Down the hall, different cell. You'll know the one,” Blackburn calls offhandedly after her.

“In the meantime,” you continue after Rowe exits, “we could see what some of our allies on the island if they have information on dragons or maybe if they've encountered the Imperials.”

“I doubt they've made contact,” Blackburn opines. “The Acidspit Clutch, The Mountain Riders and Firegem Village are all to our southwest. The Imperial fort is to our southeast and both the volcano and that undead-filled temple sit betwixt the two.”

“There are obviously other dragons on the Island, considering the attack Hildebrandt mentioned,” you bring up. “Maybe we could find a rival act to combat Burn by talking to some of the natives.”

“Fire dragons are the best,” Eve points out.

“Which means there's probably some baby bitch dragon cowering in some rock around here,” Gabby muses. “And we could be just the support they need to kick Burn's ass.”

“And then we have another dragon to contend with once our alliance provides it no benefit,” Dolah counters.

Gabby glares at Dolah.

“Alright, moving on. Where's Kyra?” you ask the table.

No one responds for a few moments until Blackburn eventually rubs his face in his hands and deigns to speak up.

“I called her in two hours before the attack happened and informed her of the situation regarding the Imperials. She told me she was going to spy on them and I ordered her not to do that. She then left my office on the spot. I ordered my aids to search for her whereabouts but they could not find her. I doubt she's still within the city limits.”

Betsy shakes her head. “Does anybody just do what they're fucking told?”

Gabby shrugs. “The people who tend to do what they're told also tend to not have super powers.”

>She'll be fine on her own
>We should scry her location soon
>Something else? (write-in)

>>307617
>We should scry her location soon
"Just saying, if we can do it, we should assume that so can the Imperials."

We should task the Circle with developing an anti-scrying measure. It could be their first research project, assuming that one isn't already developed.

>>307617
>>We should scry her location soon
"I want to make sure she's not in trouble."

>>307617
>>Something else? (write-in)
mention this:
>Does anyone know of Allant,
>people or mercenaries who employ a two-sword style of fighting, as well as throwing knives of a star- or circle-shaped nature?

Writing!

>>307671
Hey, could you not forget about the Allant question this time?

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>>307679
Nigger I am fucking going through the items on the list one by one with options for that item as we move forward. If you haven't picked that up by now maybe you aren't as smart as you think you are.

REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

>>307712
And how are we to know if you're going to pick up on an item that was posted after you said you were writing if you don't provide a list of what's going to get answered?

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“We should scry her location soon,” you say, looking to Quissonce. She groans. Azdor pats her on the shoulder.

“I'll handle this one. Do you have anything of hers we could use to discern her location?” he asks.

“I'll take you to her house,” Gabby tells him. The two of them get up to leave. “Warning you though, we'll have to break in.” Azdor and Gabby exit together.

Something strikes you as you sit there. “Y'know, if we can scry people there's a good chance the Imperial can too.”

“Scrying requires not only knowledge of the person, but a bit of them as well. They'd need a good look at one of us plus a piece of us or something we're close to to get a read on us,” Quissonce informs you. “So we're safe.”

“Etriarch isn't,” Gale points out.

Essentia nods. “Yes, that may be how they discovered him so quickly. I could look into researching a countermeasure, but for the time being he's vulnerable.”

“One of their people said Etriarch was useless to them now,” you bring up. “He might have been bluffing, but I think he was telling the truth. Speaking of, the man I encountered didn't sound Imperial. He wore a distinctive outfit, had a unique two weapon fighting style. Told me he was from some place called Allant.”

“Allant?” Renault exults in recollection, folding his arms and looking towards the ceiling. “There's a place I haven't heard of in some time. Allant was a kingdom to the North. It was above the Kardas Empire and from what I heard it was rather tyrannical. Their King was known for employing a cadre of highly trained and extremely loyal agents who silenced all dissent. Eventually the peasantry successfully revolted and the whole royal family was killed along with anyone loyal to the previous regime. Things fell into chaos and as much as I hate to say this, it was practically a mercy when Kardas waltzed in and took over. Brought order back to the country.”

“Huh. Well, this Allant agent I encountered seems to believe I'm being trained by another survivor.”

Blackburn laughs. “Putting your skills to good use, I assume.” You nod. “So, you think his loyalty to the Empire might be questionable?”

You rub your chin. “I'm not sure. About him or the jungle elf. Something else I should probably ask Etriarch about. He knows her better than I do.” A lot better.

>Go speak with Etriarch
>Be there for the scrying
>Listen to Renault's news
>Something else? (write-in)

>>307971
>Listen to Renault's news

>>307971
>>Listen to Renault's news

Writing!

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With all topics regarding the situation covered, you settle in to listen to the news Renault brings your isolated colony.

He stands up at the foot of the table and clears his throat. “Don't like long-winded speeches so I'll get to the point. The Island's influence is spreading. Subtly. Captain Faraday and I noticed it as we were coming in and he's mentioned how every single time he comes here he feels the 'kick' just a little farther from shore than the time before. It's about five miles out now, so it's made some pretty hefty progress in the recent months. Don't know why it's spreading, don't know if it'll stop.”

“But that does mean magic may not be isolated to this location for much longer,” Blackburn notes. “That makes our goals much more important and much more pressing. This is an arms race we need to win. If magic manages to spread to Ceril then we can't have an enemy dragon on their side.”

All of you nod your heads and digest that revelation. Not the most pressing time crunch, but a deadline all the same.

>Speak with Etriarch
>Go view Kyra's scrying
>Something else? (write-in)

AND

>>308160

Forget that AND.

>>308160
>Speak with Etriarch

then Kyra

Writing!

>>308177
I don't know about that. Rowe is interrogating him right now.
Wouldn't us being there make things awkward?
At least, between Rowe and Alan.

>>308160
>Go view Kyra's scrying

>>308227
I think we should be fine. It's just a few questions and we'll let her have him for the rest of the session.

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With the debriefing concluded, Blackburn assures that you personally will be rewarded heavily for everything you've accomplished so far. Everyone gets up, ready to go to bed or relax or something after the flurry of activity that has been going on for the past several hours.

You however aren't quite done. You make your way further down the hall, deeper into the belly of the Overseer's Complex. You find where the interrogation cells are and sure enough one door is surrounded by fifteen guardsmen. One of which is Ashe himself, who gives you a friendly wave as he opens the door for you to enter.

There Etriarch sits, similarly tied up like he was when you stopped Dart from working him over. Rowe sits across from him, speaking in a hushed whisper. She looks over her shoulder as you walk in and smiles, gesturing for you to take a chair and sit beside her.

You grab a creaky wooden chair and drop it onto the cold stone floor beside your lover with a THUMP.

“What do you want?” the elf asks you derisively.

“Same thing as me, Et.” Rowe tells him. “Why is the dragon working with Killmen?”

“I. Don't. Know. But it is.”

“Then think. Did you see or hear anything? You weren't exactly tied up during your stay over there. Not by ropes at least,” Rowe tacks on to the end in a mutter.

“You must not have been watching for long then,” he responds, filled with that same defiant bravado you had to deal with earlier.

“Come on Et. You're really going to pull that sort of crap on me?” Rowe asks, angrier than you'd like.

“Depends. Am I being interrogated right now? I'm tied to a fucking chair. This is the third cell you've put me in.”

“And the Imperials have put you in zero. Were you aware they were threatening to kill you if I didn't come work for them?”

“I knew they had a plan to get you out of the city before it was burnt down. I didn't ask for specifics.”

“Burnt down?”

“They have a fucking dragon Rowe. Any day now this place is going up in a blaze of fucking fire. Poetic, don't you think.”

Rowe scoots her chair a little closer to him. “Then why hasn't it happened yet, Et? They don't have it on a leash. There is something making it work for them and if we can remove that incentive then nobody has to die.”

Etriarch closes his eyes and you watch his brow furrow intensely, shifting as he tries his hardest to remember. Eventually he opens them back up and starts to speak. “There's a – a – a supply base or something. Right on the shore whereas the main fort is much further inland. It's where the ships brought us in when we came to the Island. It's small, manned by maybe forty men. If they're bringing the dragon something from off the Island to keep it loyal, it would have to go through that.”

Rowe nods her head. “Thank you Etriarch.”

>Ask him about the jungle elf
>Ask him something else? (write-in)

>>308498
>>Ask him about the jungle elf
>Ask him something else? (write-in)
I'd like to ask him about his loyalties. He seems a little... hostile to the republic and less so to the empire.

>>308498
>Ask him something else?
Ask about the rescue team.
"I met the Sneaky One, as your bird called him. He's got no name, but I'm sure the Imperials call him something. What do they call him? I'd like something better than Sneaky One.
"And the...Singing One, was it? What was she about?"
With our word choice, imply that she might have come to harm or is dead, to gauge his reaction, without technically lying.

>>308537
>He seems a little... hostile to the republic and less so to the empire.
Want to be subtle about it, or just straight up ask him if he's going an Imperial citizenship or titles out of this service he's doing them?
If we really want to twist the knife, and get Rowe riled up at the same time, ask if he's getting a woman out of it, too.

>>308550
I say we go subtle with this.

Writing!

>>308550
>If we really want to twist the knife, and get Rowe riled up at the same time, ask if he's getting a woman out of it, too.
perhaps we should avoid that for now.

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“I have a few questions myself,” you pipe up. “About some of your friends. The Rescue Team. The Stealthy one, your bird calls him. Dresses up in a black outfit. Came in and killed three people before busting you out.”

“Yeah, what do you want to know about him?” Etriarch asks. “I know even less about him than I do the dragon.”

“I know he doesn't have a name, but what do the Imperials call him?”

Etriarch pulls back his head and looks at you, confused. “He has a name. Allant. At least that's what everyone calls him, maybe it's a fake. Quiet, does whatever he's ordered to. I think he works together with Arka.”

“Arka?” Rowe asks, clucking her tongue.

“The naked woman staff-man here knocked out.”

“Knocked out?” you ask, getting Etriarch's attention, purposefully looking like you're confused. Rowe looks at you too. “Oh yeah, I guess you weren't there for . . . never mind, what was she like?”

“Was?” he repeats. You watch as the realization of what you're implying hits him. A flash of horror behind his eyes.

“Was,” you confirm.

(What . . . happened?) Rowe thinks to you. Etriarch begins to breathe hard and fast, almost like he's hyperventilating. His face goes red. He starts to struggle against his bindings. The chairs he's in shifts and rocks, creaking as he tries with all his might to break through and throttle you to death. His words do what his body can't.

“I SWEAR IF I GET OUT OF THIS FUCKING ROOM I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND FLAY YOU ALIVE!”

Rowe gets up and moves to him as he shakes the chair. “Et, calm down.”

He spits on her. “Fuck you! Working with this murdering piece of shit.”

“Hypocrite,” you say simply.

“I was a fucking prisoner!”

“You could have defected to our side when you escaped. Instead you tried to put an arrow through my heart.”

“IF ONLY I HAD. YOU'RE ALL THE FUCKING SAME! TORTURING, BURNING, RAPIST, MURDERING PIECES OF SHIT! I HOPE THAT DRAGON BURNS ALL OF YOU TO ASH! YOU BETTER KILL ME OR I SWEAR YOU WILL REGRET IT!”

>J-j-just kidding!
>She's alive
>Keep antagonizing him
>Something else? (write-in)

>>308738
>>She's alive
I don't think we need to antagonize him any further.


>Something else? (write-in)
"Though, I think we can definitively say that you're not particularly loyal to the Republic anymore, and that your relationship with the Empire goes slightly deeper than just being a prisoner on a leash."

Does that sound reasonable?

Anyone want to add anything?

>>308738
>She's alive, she was regaining consciousness when I left.
"I try not to kill people randomly if I can help it. That was quite the reaction, she must be something special to you huh?"

>>308738
>Something else? (write-in)
"So you serve the Empire for a woman, then. You show this side of yourself to her? The hyprocritical, murdering, torturing, man who thinks everything has to be about him.
"Oh, but it doesn't matter that you could have escaped anytime you want, asked us for help at anytime, just told us that you were a POW trying to escape and we could have teleported in and gotten your lady friend out. All that mattered to you was that you killed someone who you knew to be working for the Republic, and you could go back to fucking Arka."

>>308818
you sure that won't antagonize him more?

>>308830
I'm sure it will. I care more about exposing Etriarch for the hypocritical, murdering, lying asshole that he is, using Rowe's guilt to get himself into a position where the rescue team got a better shot at breaking him out, and that he is working for the Empire willingly, and isn't looking for a way out.

Writing!

On the one hand, we have been harping on Etriarch shooting us that one time.
On the other hand, we know the arrow had a paralysis poison on it, so he had absolutely no reason to aim for the heart, unless he intended to kill a man for no good reason other than us being there and him not wanting to tie us up when he tries to interrogate Kyra.

>>308830
Oh, we could also say that Etriarch is a disappointment.
Rowe had talked him up so much, but seeing who he really is, what he really is, is a real disappointment and he's not half the man we thought he would be.

But that's probably not going to work on Etriarch, and it would probably make Rowe angry that we're antagonizing him so much, if she isn't mad already that we lied about Arka being dead, so we shouldn't do it.
I really hate Etriarch, though.

Though I don't know if it's an appropriate level of hatred towards a person who shot to kill at us, got three people murdered, agreed to lure our girlfriend into a trap, and used one of the most devastating and traumatic decisions of her life to try to guilt her into committing suicide.

>>308898
I think he's revealed enough. I'd rather not have to make a scene out of this any more than it is already.

>>308917
Alright, that's fine.

Though I think we players should come to some kind of agreement on how much hate Alan has for Etriarch.

Yes, he was a prisoner.

But we've extensively gone over how none of his actions were necessary or even made much sense unless he's just as much of a murdering asshole as he accuses Alan and the Republic of being.

Killing uniformed soldiers in battle, that's understandable.
Killing obvious guards when our nations are at war (note that I said nations, implying that Etriarch is an Imperial subject) is also understandable.
But we were out there, with no uniform on, looking like just a pair of civilians, and he shot at us, intending to kill us.

>>308932
I by all means, we should probably hate the shit out of him, but just not display it for everyone to see.

It'd probably distract from what we need to focus on.

>>308932
Yes he is a right cunt. Alan probably has great disdain for the dude and the only reason Et isn't 'locked up and thrown away the key' status is information and Rowe.

>>308949
>we should probably hate the shit out of him, but just not display it for everyone to see.
I'm willing to tone down the obvious haterade for Etriarch in public, as long as we can all agree that he's a murderous, hypocritical asshole who doesn't deserve any of the mercies afforded to him (especially since he's not even a uniformed soldier of the opposing nation, but a defector who continues to not wear a uniform declaring his allegiance).

>>308959
>the only reason Et isn't 'locked up and thrown away the key' status is information and Rowe.
Oh, that's another reason for Alan's hate.
The girlfriend still fawning over the ex, listening and agreeing that she should kill herself when he told her to, defending him even though the facts laid out before her showed him to be a traitor.
Of course, that was before.

Rowe seems to understand that Etriarch is a traitor now.

>>308932
>looking like just a pair of civilians

To be fair, the two of you were strapped with weapons and experimenting with explosives the whole day. If he had been watching you for even an hour beforehand he could easily tell you weren't civilians.

I wish we could kill him in a painful slow way without getting Rowe pissed at us/fucking up her obviously fragile mind.

Maybe chain him up where its only barely dry at low tide and watch him drown...(multiple times?)

>>309071
Jesus. Going to pass on being sadistic. Just let Blackburn pass judgement.

>>309070
Alright, fair, we were at least mercenaries working for the Republic.
Which, again, doesn't get around the "declare yourself as an escaped POW, they look up records confirming that you were MIA, and get pats on the back for escaping an Imperial base (and a straight shot at the general you want to assassinate)", instead choosing "kill Republic agents, probably torturing one for info before killing her".

>>309081
The best part is when he gets uppity you chum the water.
"Earplugs for screams optional but recommended"

I may be somewhat in to torturing...

“She's alive.”

He keeps breathing heavily, as he slowly realizes what you have just said.

“W-w-what?” he asks, still stunned.

“She's alive. Regaining consciousness last I saw her. I try not to kill people randomly,” you smile at him with that last comment. “That was quite the reaction, though. She must be pretty special to you, huh?”

“Oh, you're a fucking dickhead!” he shouts at you. Less anger, but still definitely mad. Much less like a frothing, rabid dog and much more like a person. He's still flushed and practically sweating.

“Well, I'd say your relationship to the Empire goes deeper than you suggest, but switching sides for a woman is pretty shallow.”

“I didn't switch sides.”

“You were literally in bed with an Imperial,” Rowe reminds him.

“Wouldn't be the first one,” he replies disdainfully.

“I'm not Imperial.”

“Neither is she. She's just a mercenary, that's all. And I left her behind anyway.”

“And then you proceeded to attack me,” you repeat.

“Regretting that decision less and less the longer this goes on.”

“And then they saved you,” you continue. “And you cooperated.”

“It was either cooperate or let Allant slit my throat. Your men were already dead and he gave me Killmen's word that they had a plan to get Rowe out of here before it was laid to waste.”

“You keep trusting a torturer.”

“You're right, I should trust YOUR torturer instead. Or maybe I should trust you!” He shakes his head and eventually calms himself to stillness.

“I'm done,” he finally says. He hangs his head and clams up, sullenly.

Silence pervades the holding cell for a few moments before Rowe nods for you both to leave.

You exit the cell and walk past the guards. Rowe shakes her head and runs her hand over her face and through her hair.

“I need to go to bed,” she states matter-of-factly.

>Alright, what next? (write-in)

That took way too fucking long to write. Game of Thrones break beginning. End of “dedicated” run.
>>309105
Are you the guy who had all the creative ideas on how to torture succubi?

>>309109
>Alright, what next? (write-in)
Well, I guess all we have left to look at is Kyra.

>>309109
"Sleep in as long as you need. Hell of a day."

Go to Kyra's scrying.

>>309109
>I should trust YOUR torturer instead.
Also, I'm pretty sure we didn't torture him.

>>309109
I know of him but no. I'm a different guy who could think of fun ways to torture people/creatures.

Tide drowning is the most fun for immortals...with our resources.

Though burying alive and what I'll refer to as "insect swimming" can also be neat.

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>>309109
>Alright, what next?
"Sorry about that, Rowe. It's just...he gets me so mad, with the way he treated you and how he'd rather help the Empire kill everyone here."

Then go to Kyra's scrying.

>Are you the guy who had all the creative ideas on how to torture succubi?
No, that'd be me.
We really should make those Holy Hard-Boiled Eggs. Simply as an experiment in magical energy transference.

>>309141
>most fun for immortals
He's only effectively immortal.
How about hard-boiled eggs infused with negative energy?

>>309121
>Also, I'm pretty sure we didn't torture him.
I think he's referring to Dart, first.
Then Alan, because of the Assimilation and the psychological torture we just did.

Ah, too bad we can't just stay in the cell and rip everything from Etriarch's soul.
Elven reflexes.
Elven dexterity.
Elven hearing.
Elven longevity.
And finally, testing to see if we can Assimilate his memories.
Oh, the taunting we could do if we could all of his memories, about Arka.

>>309154
Did Dart torture him?

Also, we just psyched him out. Does that necessarily count as torture?

As for all those assimilation possibilities, only use those as a last resort for when he is completely uncooperative.

>>309148
We could do the rat thing where you put a rat in a glass jar on the guys stomach then heat the top of the jar.

Gotta be glass though otherwise you can't watch it burry into him.

Bonus points if you cut out his eyelids and make him watch.

>>309157
>Did Dart torture him?
She worked him over a bit when we first brought him in.
She also put that knife to his throat when he said that he hoped that the rescue team would kill all of us.

>>309166
No, no!
No torture methods that could cause the death of the victim!

And I don't think we have any Clerics or Druids that know Regenerate.
I'm pretty sure we don't, in fact, after Calloway passed.

So things like trying to see if we can infuse his food with negative energy, so that it will keep him weak.

Using magical lighting so that his cell is always brightly lit, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Upgrading his cell so that's completely featureless. No furniture, nothing. Just pure, smooth surfaces with nothing breaking the monotony.

Maybe even making his cell a mirror world, so that there's no walls for him to be able to smash his head against in order to try to escape the dull, featureless world that has become his existence (the door that closes upon the mirror is of course padded so he can't hurt himself).

>>309179
the problem with further torture is that it will only reinforce his belief (if that is his belief) that we're the bad guys. It's also more ammo for him to use against us in terms of moral high ground and also guilting Rowe.

>>309194
>also guilting Rowe.
I hope she isn't vulnerable to his manipulations anymore, but she might, so you do have a point.

But I do think that the mirror prison idea still has merit.

>>309206
we'll leave it to Blackburn for now. If he continues to perform more acts of treason/belligerence, we'll likely have to implement punishments.

Oh shit!
How could I forget this!

One more reason to hate Etriarch: he hit our dog in the face!
He punched Pascala right on her muzzle!

Well I guess it's appropriate to come back from watching game of thrones for more torture discussions.

>>309411
The succubus torture was more my own personal thing, but as for Etriarch, you just made someone very hateable.

He shot us with the intention to kill us, for no real good reason.
He punched our dog.
Emotionally manipulated our girlfriend to think about killing herself, then into feeling so much guilt that she was about to commit treason for his hypocritical ass.
Betrayed his country.
And in general be a murderous, hypocritical, manipulative douchebag.

As much as I hate Etriarch, and derived enjoyment from messing with him, I am honestly sorry to Rowe that we got so vindictive back there.
She didn't deserve to get spit on, or to have to listen to what happened in there.

>>309109
Hug Rowe, tell her Alan's there for her and that he loves her and that they'll get through the situation. And >>309142
Because now that Rowe saw his true face, she's much thinking to do and she has to get over him.

I'm against torture. Just execute him at the end (we'll have to be careful because the elf will come for us then)

“Sorry about that Rowe,” you mention putting a hand on her shoulder. She jerks away from your touch.

“You should be,” she chastises you, giving you a hard glare. “The fuck did you think you were doing?”

You look at her, taken back. She seems really angry. “I wanted to see how he would react. Determine if if he really cared about her.”

“Well great,” Rowe mockingly congratulates you, throwing her hands in the air. “We know he cares about her. All it cost us was any progress at cooperation and trust we were building. I was getting answers from him, Alan. And you came in and screwed everything up.”

“The fact that he cares about her means his loyalties are questionable. I wanted you to see his true face. What he's really like.”

Rowe laughs and looks at you like you're crazy before pointing back in the direction you came from. “That is what you think he's really like? Some belligerent, irrational yelling after being told you murdered his girlfriend.”

“He spit on you,” you punctuate.

Rowe jerks a thumb at herself. “I'd spit on me. Would you like to know a few of the key phrases that came out of Gabby's mouth when she suspected something horrible may have happened to you? Would you like to know what I thought about doing when I thought something might have happened to you? I burned down a forest the last time somebody was hurting someone I loved. So fuck off with your gas lighting bullshit.”

Silence.

“You're right,” you admit. “He just . . . makes me so mad with the way he treats you. I got a little vindictive because I hate that fucking guy.”

“So you did that shit just to make him suffer?” she asks, earnestly concerned. “I thought the whole religion thing was supposed to make you above conduct like that.”

“ 'Supposed to' being the key phrase,” you admit.

“Well, Alan. Alright. You're free to hate him all you want. But don't kick a hornet's nest and then complain when you get stung.”

“Are you mad at me?”

“Its been rough. And I don't think anyone can say they haven't made a stupid decision in the last few hours – including me. So, no. I'm not. Have a good night Alan. Enjoy peeping on Kyra. I'm finally going to sleep.”

And with that, Rowe marches towards the Circle while you veer off into the city.

I'll write part 2 when I wake up tomorrow.

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You make your way through the streets of Seaside as the glimmer of red dawn sunlight begins to shine upon the already woken town. People begin to go about their business, setting up shop and doing their very early morning preparations with still a twinge of jitters in their bones, concerned things might explode once more into violence across their lives like it had not two months previously.

You find Kyra's modest lodgings with the door broken off its hinges. You're sure that some door craftsman will be happy Gabby is adding to his payday. You step inside to find Azdor and Gabby sitting side by side in the middle of Kyra's living room on the floor, furniture pushed into the corners of the room. The two of them stare up at a crystal clear picture of Kyra lying in a patch of grass, eyes firmly fixed forward, darting about inspecting some far off sight out of view of the floating image in the middle of the room. Scrying looks much weirder without the crystal ball.

Gabby gives you a thumbs up as you walk into the room and take a seat right behind them.

“Azdor here just got the spell up and running.”

She seems alright.

“Cast a message spell at any point and she can hear you,” Azdor informs you dutifully.

>Where are you Kyra?
>Come back to Seaside
>What are you looking at?
>Keep doing whatever you're doing
>Turn off the scrying spell
>Something else? (write-in)

>>309603
She seems to be watching something, talking might startle her and thus give her away. If we can whisper to her, >where are you? and >what are you looking at?

>>309547
WTF? Building trust with the asshole?

>>309603
>Where are you Kyra?
>What are you looking at?

>>309613
>WTF? Building trust with the asshole?
She thinks he's not a murderous hypocrite.
I'd rather rip whatever intel he has from his mind rather than admit that he might be anything other than the object of our hate.

>>309603
>>Where are you Kyra?
>What are you looking at?

>>309624
murderous hypocrite or no, interrogation usually works better when you have a rapport with the subject rather than outright hostility and threats. Trust generally tends to bring out better results

>>309653
That's only if we keep to traditional methods of interrogation.

And for anyone else, I'd be happy to go along with it.
But not for Etriarch. If he doesn't want to talk, then I don't care. I want to rip the information from his skull, whether through Assimilation, spells, or magical abilities, I'm not particular.
I want him to suffer, to beg for a release that will not come, because death only means he goes to Hell where we'll torture him for eternity.

>>309655
If he's going to Hell, there'll be an eternity to conduct torture on him.

for the moment, we have no real need to aggravate him any further. Ultimately, it would be a waste of time and it kind of damages our relationship with Rowe.

I hate to say this, but are we being unreasonable right now, in regards to hating Etriarch?
Is Rowe saying we're going too far because we really are, or because, despite her anger at Etriarch for sleeping with Arka, she still loves him?
I'm also worried about if we have to worry about Rowe doing something like riding out alone to defect to the Imperials again if Etriarch's life is threatened?

>>309743
It's possible we're hating too much, but we still need to be cautious about Et. He's not particularly trustworthy.

I don't think we'll need to worry about Rowe. She's not particularly happy with him, either.

You feel the warmth of magic travel up your arms as you gesticulate and utter your incantation to cast the Message spell.

You deign to whisper as quietly as you can so as not to startle Kyra too much.

“Hey Kyra,” you start, seeing the slightest of reactions as her nose twitches and not much else. “Alan here. I'm looking at you right now via magic.”

“Gross,” is her one word response.

Gabby leans over your shoulder. “Tell her I'm here.”

“Gabby's here too. We're in your house.”

“Very gross.”

“Kyra, what are you looking at?”

“The Imperial Fort. They have a dragon.”

“Yes, we learned about that rather recently actually. How did you get there so quickly? How did you know where to look?”

“New power. Only works at night.”

>Come back
>Alright, I'll leave you to it
>They have a second base, check that one out instead
>Something else? (write-in)

>>310864
Dropped my trip.

>>310864
>They have a second base, check that one out instead
>Other: Be careful. They have a guy, can turn invisible at will, two-sword style, very sneaky. They call him Allant, probably an elite agent from the kingdom of the same name.
Better warn her of the ninja.

>>310884
second

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“They have a supply base further inland,” you inform your spy. “Smaller, right up next to the shore. Apparently that's where they bring their ships in. It is not as heavily staffed, doesn't have a dragon for a guard dog and could very well hold the secret to breaking the alliance between the Imperials and Burn.”

“Burn?”

“That's the dragon's name.”

“Alright. Thanks. Scry again tomorrow morning.” Kyra gets up to a crouched position and begins to move in the barely emerging dawn, your picture of her following as she skulks.

“One more thing. They have an agent who can turn invisible at will. Fights with two swords. They call him Allant. Be wary.”

“Always am. Fix my door.” And with that the image starts to shimmer into static as you watch Kyra step behind a shadow cast by a hill and disappear.

“Uh,” Gabby utters. “How did she know?”

The image disappears. Azdor strokes his beard. “Must have moved faster than the magic sensor could keep up with her. That is some power if she is moving that fast.”

You suppress the urge to assimilate. You think you're a little far away in both talent, experience and distance to pick that one up just yet.

The three of you exit Kyra's house after putting her furniture back roughly where you found it. You gently close Kyra's broken door and Azdor turns to look at both of you.

“Well I'm going to bed,” Azdor comments.

“Yeah, same,” Gabby echoes. “Right after I buy Kyra a new door. See ya later, Al.”

They leave in opposite directions. Well, all your friends are getting some shut eye or are too far away for you to interact with. Leaving you with a few options. You also don't think you should get yourself a new assignment from Blackburn until you get your next update from Kyra at the very least.

>Go buy something (what?)
>Train (what?)
>Something else? (write-in)

I keep forgetting that tripcode

>>312192
>>Train (what?)
with Dolah.

Also, try and talk to her about apologizing to Gabby.

>>312192
>>312210
train up some cleric skills

>>312192
>Train
Some cleric skills.
We should also pray to the Great Will.
Because goddamn, this hate for Etriarch, while well founded, is just pissing Rowe off, now matter if it's reasonable and everyone else agrees he's a traitorous coward.

>>312192
>>312356
Oh, and I meant to train up cleric skills WITHOUT Dolah.

Get some personal praying time with the Great Will.

Roll 1d100 + 46, best of 3.

Rolled 18 + 46 (1d100 + 46)

>>312524
Forgive me, Great Will, for I hold hatred close to me heart.
Etriarch is a murderous asshole, I just want him to admit it for everyone to see. Am I being a bad person?

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>>312529
"Calm the fuck down nigga. Everyone gets that he is a cunt, even Rowe. Smoke some weed or something."

Rolled 96 + 46 (1d100 + 46)

>>312524

Well I'm going to start writing the next update, but if someone would like to see if they can get that sweet sweet 100 they can.

Rolled 93 + 46 (1d100 + 46)

>>312524
Trying for a nat100

Rolled 85 + 46 (1d100 + 46)

>>312524

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Rowe's comment has put a bit more self doubt into your conscience. You're starting to regret what you did to Etriarch. Yes, he's a dick and manipulative even if he doesn't realize it himself. He's a traitor. But despite how bad he is maybe holding hatred so intensely for him in your heart and purposefully hurting him is over the line.

You've got to hold yourself to a higher standard or what's the point. You haven't truly prayed to the Great Will in over a month, other than your daily requirements to access your powers. And you have not sought true communion with Him in some time. Perhaps it would be good to ask for his guidance in this rare moment of calm during an otherwise tumultuous time.

You slowly step through the livening streets, graciously accepting praise and greetings from the people on the street. You purchase a breakfast of meat pie from Bartom on your way, deftly eating your meal so as not to stain your clothes or catch crumbs. The warmth of food in your stomach and the taste of savory meats still lingering on your lips puts you in a more stable and pleasant mood.

You enter the CHURCH OF CALLOWAY while bidding good tidings to the two simply dressed and armed men standing guard outside it. The pews are packed with parishioners. A strange sight from some of the early days of your stay here when it was maybe a few older people and Father Calloway.

Father Curtis sits in the front now, taking over the more liturgical and scholarly duties of your deceased mentor. Word on the street has it that Father Curtis has quite recently begun to develop clerical powers of his own. He even speaks of getting much clearer messages from The Great Will in the recent days. You feel good for him. There were a few among the town who considered his lack of magical prowess a sign of his lack of true faith. It was the biggest obstacle against him filling the large shoes Calloway left on the day of his demise.

Father Curtis never seemed to hold ill will over these rumors however. And you've heard Dolah herself lecture about the fact that faith and belief do not nor should they have a direct correlation to magical power. Even the humble carpenter or the lowly beggar can believe in Him and receive his guiding light. The whole shebang requires every member of the community, from the governor to the dockworker.

You take a seat on the edge of the last pew and lower your head as you clasp your hands together in prayer. You are enveloped by the calm yet warm silence that can only be brought about by dozens of living, dutiful churchgoers. The babbling fountain brings a constant, pleasurable sound to overwhelm the chirping birds and other assorted noises, making them seem like distant echoes worlds away.

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It seems your meetings with The Great Will always begin with an apology. Forgiveness for past transgression, past crimes, past failures. Forgiveness for Tobias, for Calloway, for Paul. And now perhaps forgiveness for . . . not for Etriarch, but for letting yourself slip even that tiny bit. For letting hatred and anger get the best of you. You pray to have better judgment and make smarter, morally righteous calls in the future. You beseech The Great Will to grant you a bit of his wisdom to seethe the roiling rage in your breast and bestow a calming presence upon you.

You sit in His holy site feeling yourself absorb the positive energy from the crowd, Father Curtis, perhaps even from some source high up above. You stay still for hours, repeating the mantras and the chants and your entreaties for guidance. After awhile of reflecting on the negative action you recently took – Hell, on all the negative actions you've taken in your life that you hope you've moved past you begin to doubt . . . everything.

Your urge to lay waste to the Devils of Hell. That certainly doesn't come from a place of true justice in your heart. It comes from a place of malice and anger – a thirst for revenge for Calloway's murder. Your desires of the flesh – the lust you hold for Gabby and how you wish you could have her as well as Rowe. That mean-spirited moment of deceit wasn't even the first malicious thing you've done to Etriarch. You scared him with your powers, taking parts of him for yourself so he would tell you what you wanted to know. You've summoned devils, taken the power of demons, deceived others, broken the law, killed people.

With everything you've done, you find yourself asking honestly of The Great Will despite yourself:

Are you a bad person?

. . .

(YOU ARE A FILTHY ABOMINATION THAT SHOULD BE SCOURED FROM THE PLANET)

A flash of an image and your eyes shoot open as an alien and powerful voice booms inside your head. Male, angry, disgusted. Your look around the Church and find it empty. You are alone right now. The sun hangs much higher in the sky and its rays shine through the stained glass windows across the pews.

“Alan?” a gruff, feminine voice asks from from behind. You turn to see Dolah standing in the doorway to her personal room. She's not dressed in her armor. Instead she wears a . . . a dress. Simple, no fancy embroideries and it doesn't look expensive in the slightest but still it's a dress.

“Guards told me you've been sitting there for about eight hours,” Dolah informs you. “He appreciates the love, but you should eat and live.”

You've been sitting here for eight hours?! You guess you were in a deeper trance than you thought.

>Hey something really weird just happened
>You're wearing a dress
>You should apologize to Gabby
>Let's talk about Desden and doctrinal interpretation
>Hey something REALLY WEIRD just happened
>You're wearing a dress!
>Something else? (write-in)

>>313055
>You're wearing a dress

>You should apologize to Gabby
>>Hey something REALLY WEIRD just happened
something tells me the Great Will is also afraid of our ability to assimilate

>>313055
>Hey something REALLY WEIRD just happened
>Talk about Desden and doctrine
>You're in a dress!
I mean, the others are important too, but being repudiated by a voice from on high is kind of important.

Though, if the Great Will really didn't like us, wouldn't it cut us off from our divine magic?

Huh. Would Dolah turn against us if we told her the Great Will, or at least one of his angels, considers Alan to be an abomination?

>>313119
I'm hoping not...

>>313055
First
>You're wearing a dress!
Then
>Hey something REALLY WEIRD just happened

Maybe it's time we visited the Succubus again.
We need to learn more about the legends concerning the Assimilator.

“You're wearing a dress!” you exclaim in surprise. That actually probably is the most shocking development you've encountered recently.

Dolah frowns at you. “You're wearing pants.”

“I've never seen you in a dress, though.”

She sighs and walks forward, taking a seat in the pew across from yours. “I wear a night gown to bed when I sleep. I assume this is much the same only much more presentable.”

You squint at her. “Is this the first time you're wearing a dress?”

She sighs. “I believe I was ten the last time I wore one. When the priests finally accepted my constant requests to be inducted into the ranks of the Church's paladins they changed my wardrobe.”

“There a reason you're switching back today?”

Dolah puts her hands in her lap as demurely as she can manage before clicking her tongue.

“Special occasion?” you eventually ask when Dolah can't seem to find the right words.

She nods her head. “Perhaps.” She seems to be terse on the subject so maybe it would be good to switch to something else. Something more pressing, disturbing and confusing.

“So Dolah,” you begin, unable to decide on nonchalance or panic-stricken severity. “Something really weird just happened to me.”

“What?” she asks, grim concern replacing whatever expression was etched into her features previously.

“I think . . . The Great Will may have just called me an abomination.”

Silence.

Dolah laughs. “What?” she repeats, eyes crinkled like you're joking.

“I'm serious. I had a vision and I heard Him.”

Dolah scowls. “Are you sure it wasn't a hallucination. You've been sitting there for quite a while. Imagination?”

You sit and focus. “Nooooo, I really don't think that was something I came up with.”

“Well,” Dolah starts, vocally putting on the airs of religious authority, “I highly doubt The Great Will spoke to you directly. He never speaks to his faithful directly. Only through signs and visions. Besides He has bestowed his power upon you. He could not hate you nor has he reason to. Not even the worst of your actions in the depths of your apostasy would qualify as 'abominable'.”

>What will you do if it's true though?
>There's a succubus we should see
>Desden and doctrinal interpretation
>You should apologize to Gabby
>Something else? (write-in)

>>315102
>Something else? (write-in)
What if it was referring to my Assimilator status like the demons do?

>>315102
>>What will you do if it's true though?
>Something else? (write-in) If it wasn't the Great Will talking to us directly, what else could have done so?

>You should apologize to Gabby


>There's a succubus we should see
"Apparently the devils and demons are scared about my abilities to call me an abomination, too"

>>315102
>So who's the lucky guy?
Referring to the occasion of her in a dress.

>>315171
She's very uncomfortable talking about it.
Why do you have to be an ass?
We're only an asshole to Etriarch. Everyone else, even our enemies we killed, we treated professionally.

>Something else?
"Could it have been one of his angels, voicing a concern that the other angels have but not necessarily one held by the Great Will? I worry Hell and the Abyss, couldn't the High Heavens be close behind?"
>Desden and doctrinal interpretation
This is important, because Desden could lead the faithful very astray into harsh inquisitions.

>>315102
Forgot to link my votes.

>Something else?
"Could it have been one of his angels, voicing a concern that the other angels have but not necessarily one held by the Great Will? I worry Hell and the Abyss, couldn't the High Heavens be close behind?"
>Desden and doctrinal interpretation
This is important, because Desden could lead the faithful very astray into harsh inquisitions.

>>315102
>What will you do if it's true though?
I want to know if she values duty over our friendship.
>There's a succubus we should see
Maybe she'll know what that was.

So, if we're going to be visiting the succubus, should we bring it a meal? She must be hungry, after all this time.
Some stew, rice, and hard-boiled eggs, perhaps?

>>315606
I agree, though don't succubi mainly subsist off lust?

>>315687
No, I think they subsist off of life force they drain through their kisses.

Anyway, Alan should see if he can create Holy Water now. It'll make cooking for the succubus a lot easier if we can supply our own Holy Water instead of asking Father Curtis for a gallon or two.

>>315698
overdoing it man.

Just make a normal meal and be done with it.

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>>315706
>You're starting to regret what you did to Etriarch
Where's your sense of SCIENCE?
This is an experiment to see if holy magical properties can be infused into food if it's cooked with holy water.
Considering that Temple of Death and the Master, having rations infused with holy energy could be very helpful in our future adventures.

>>315723
Yeah, actual science also requires ethics. (i've had to take online training modules for this)

To say nothing of the moral quandary this presents us (just because she's evil doesn't mean we can do evil things to her, the whole two wrongs don't make a right deal)

Writing!

Before I update

>So who's the lucky guy?
>Don't say anything

Because there is some dispute about that.

>>315843
>Don't say anything

>>315843
>>Don't say anything

>>315843
>Don't say anything
We can bring it up later. Inb4 the question should be "who's the lucky girl?"

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“What if it's because of my powers?” you ask.

Dolah scoffs. “There is nothing inherently evil about your powers. It's what you use them for that matters.”

“Well then if it wasn't the Great Will then who could it be? One of his angels?”

Dolah shrugs. “Honestly Alan, I'm still not sure something actually talked to you. If it was some force then it was probably a demon or a devil of some kind trying to mislead you.”

“Wouldn't a church be immune to their influence?”

Dolah open her mouth to speak but stops. “I'd hope so,” she eventually concedes.

“Well, speaking of devils and demons. You should know that denizens of Hell and the Abyss are worried about my existence. Apparently I'm the 'end to everything'. With a reputation like that . . . I don't know, maybe the High Heavens aren't far behind in their distaste for me.”

“Demons and devils are power hungry vermin ruled by paranoia and fear because they got to where they are by abusing their immense power to remove those that came before them. Of course they're afraid of you just like they're afraid of the light. The Great Will and his servants are nothing like them.”

“But what if I am some doomsday figure, with what I'm able to do. What if it's true and The Great Will thinks I'm an abomination or a threat to peace or something.”

“It's not, Alan.”

“But what if it is?”

Dolah shakes her head in frustration, thinking hard before answering. “Then one of the two of you isn't who I think they are and I owe that person no loyalty. But that isn't the case. So let's drop the hypothetical.”

The two of you sit there in silence a bit longer. “I think there's a succubus we need to see.”

“The one you kissed and stole powers from?”

“The very same. Everybody knows about that?” you ask as the two of you get up to leave the church.

“I believe Azdor informed his group and then that information spread across town.”

One person you can think of responsible for that.

Dolah clears her throat. “I believe it would be proper to inform you of this Alan, but . . . there are some among the faithful who have heard these rumors and think ill of you.”

“Like Desden?”

“Like Desden,” Dolah echoes, a hint of flat distaste in her speech. “I'll admit, the idea that you are utilizing demonic powers does . . . concern me. But not moreso than anything Gabby, Eve, or Quissonce do.”

>>315102
>write-in: Then who else gave me the vision and called me an abomination?
>>315843
>>Don't say anything

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You make it to the Overseer's Complex a short walk together later and are given directions by one of Blackburn's aides to where the succubus is being held.

As Dolah goes to open the door, you hear the sound of screaming. Dolah sighs out and takes a few steps back, allowing for you to open the door first.

You peek in to see the succubus drenched in water, steam rising off her nubile form while Dart stands off to the side, filling another wooden bucket from what under normal circumstances would likely be a large cask of wine.

“A little busy with our friend here,” she says jovially as the water sloshes into the bucket and she turns off the stream. “What do you want Alan?”

“Great,” The Succubus manages to speak through the pain. “You brought it here.”

>Dart could you leave?
>I have a few questions (what)
>Have you tried feeding the succubus food cooked with holy water?
>Assimilate!
>Dart, no more torture.
>Something else? (write-in)

>>316201
>I have a few questions (what)
Where did the stories of the Assimilator come from?
What are they? What do they say besides the Assimilator is the herald of the end for demons and devils?
Do the High Heavens share this belief? Are they afraid as well?

>Have you tried feeding the succubus food cooked with holy water?
"Just out of pure curiousity if food gets the holy property. I was thinking of The Master and how holy food might provide some kind of buffer when he tries hitting us with negative energy."

>>316207
Dammit.
I really want to ask about the holy food, but Dolah would say that it's malicious and cruel, wouldn't she? Even though it's a succubus and therefore a being of pure evil.

>>316218
>not redeeming the succubus into a lawful good goddess

who even are you?

>>316201
>>Dart, no more torture.

>>316223
Yeah, you're right.
Paul proved that you can be a being of pure evil and still be a good guy.

But I think that would make Dolah be against feeding the succubus holy food more, since being a creature of evil and actively being evil aren't necessarily the same.

Unless ingesting goodness can slowly corrupt a creature of evil into good, and ingesting Evil can turn a person evil.
Though that's a little far-fetched.

>>316223
Also, Rowe is apparently very much against lawful hot dickings being given out to others.

Bumping the thread and going to bed. Someone else try to vote. Right now it seems like we have conflicting ideas and need a tiebreaker.

>>316201
>>Dart, no more torture.


>I have a few questions (what)
Where did the stories of the Assimilator come from?
What are they? What do they say besides the Assimilator is the herald of the end for demons and devils?
Do the High Heavens share this belief? Are they afraid as well?

>>316201
>Something else
Threaten the succubus with more assimilation? Sounds like something she fears.

>>316750
Dolah and Rowe will get on our case again if we do.

>I have a few questions (what)
Where did the stories of the Assimilator come from?
What are they? What do they say besides the Assimilator is the herald of the end for demons and devils?
Do the High Heavens share this belief? Are they afraid as well?

File: Interrogation Rooms.jpg (1.81 MB, 1500x1200)

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“I'm here to ask our friend a few more questions. And Dolah's coming in so cut it out with the torture for a bit, alright?”

Dart rolls her eyes while you go back to the doorway and gesture for Dolah to enter. Dart's jaw drops into a smile and her eyebrows raise as she spies Dolah's attire. To her credit she merely turns round and dumps out the bucket without making a sound, letting the holy water drain itself through the grate in the middle of the room.

The Succubus raises her feet off the ground to avoid the running water, dimensional shackles still securely fastened to her ankles. The rest of her is tied with chains and other assorted ropes to a chair in a manner similar to Etriarch. She's actually looking much healthier since your kiss of death.

Dolah grabs two chairs from the side of the dark interrogation room and places them across from your subject. The two of you take seats and the succubus looks at the both of you highly bemused. She looks over to Dart, who is near the back of the cell, leaning against the wall.

“Can we just go back to the torture?” the succubus asks genuinely.

Dart shrugs. “Your hands are tied,” she cleverly subverts the saying.

“What's your name?” Dolah asks first.

“You couldn't pronounce it.”

“Give me a close approximation.”

“Qyrryss. And no, that won't work to bind me so don't try.”

“Alright Qyrryss,” you start, “Where did the stories of the Assimilator come from?”

“Assimilator?” she remarks incredulously.

“The stories of me,” you correct in a huff.

“The stories of Assimilation came long before I existed. The Demon Lords speak of it as if it was a legend. I assume it existed once and disappeared or was banished or destroyed or prevented from coming into being.”

“But what are they? What do they say other than that I'm the herald for the end of demons and devils.”

She chuckles. “End to everything, love. You consume, absorb and take until you have it all. You become the most powerful being. Then you destroy it all. You're a parasite latched firmly onto the universe sucking it dry of everything that makes it special or unique.”

“Do the High Heavens share this belief?”

“If they're smart they do. Rather sacrilegious I'd assume, stealing the powers of a God.”

Qyrryss looks over to Dolah and smiles wide.

She responds with a grimace.

>Are they feeding you?
>You're being rather forthcoming
>Kill the succubus
>Ask some other question (write-in)
>Dart, no more torture
>Assimilate!
>Leave
>Something else? (write-in)

>>318552
>Are they feeding you?
>You're being rather forthcoming
Time to play good cop to Dart's bad cop.

>>318552
>You're being rather forthcoming
>Other
"But why? Why destroy everything? And it's not like what I assimilate is gone. For example, you still have your powers, the elf whose eyes I assimilated can still see. I assume that a dragon I assimilate won't stop being a dragon. Is Creation really that fragile that it can't abide two similar things?
"And why do you believe the Demon Lords on this?"

>>318552
>>318653
Oh, more question:
Who would know more of these legends? Where does Assimilation come from?

>>318552
>>Are they feeding you?
>Dart, no more torture

File: GaeaRage.jpg (81 KB, 295x449)

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I'm onto you Trick! This whole Assimilation thing is one big metaphor for pirating video games and other media.

>>318796
You caught me.

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“You're being rather forthcoming,” you comment.

Qyrryss shrugs. “I think it's important people know.”

“Alright, but why would I destroy everything just because I have it?”

She shrugs again. “I think an entity of that power's motives would be unrecognizable or understandable by any of us here.”

“And you believe the Demon Lords when they spin this tale?”

“I believe I'll be rewarded handsomely if you die.”

“Who would know more about these legends and where Assimilation comes from.”

“A Demon Lord, The Master, a particularly old dragon, an extensive library – take your pick.”

“Do incubi exist?” Dolah asks afterwards. You look to her and see a blank expression upon her face. Qyrryss smirks as she gives her answer.

“Yes, they do.”

“Are they feeding you?” you follow up.

Qyrryss laughs. “I feed off of the sexual energy of you mortals. I don't require food.”

Dolah looks around the cold, dank thoroughly unsexy cell she resides in. “Must not be much of that here, though.”

The demon cocks an eyebrow. “You think so?” She nods her head in Dart's direction.

You look over at Dart who throws her head back and cackles. “What can I say? Girl's gotta love her work.” She winks at you both.

Dolah scowls. “Disgusting.”

>Concur with Dolah
>Actually that's kinda hot
>Dart . . . no more torture?
>How do Qyrryss's powers work?
>Assimilate
>Leave
>Kill the succubus
>Ask another question (what?)
>Something else? (write-in)

>>319468
>How do Qyrryss's powers work?
Phrase it as "So, what, if you feed off of the sexual energy of mortals, do we have surround you with celibate monks to make sure you don't have enough energy to break out?"

>Ask another question
"So, is the legend of Assimilation part of demon orientation? Has the tale been getting more credence recently in the Abyss and Hell, or was it always this amorphous terror that you were ordered to be on the lookout for?"

>>319468
>>Concur with Dolah
>Dart . . . no more torture?
>Something else? (write-in)
Do you guys ever contact the Heavens? Through what?

>>319577
>voting to concur with Dolah
That's rich, coming from someone who wants both Gabby and Rowe.

>>319583
I just didn't need to hear that is all.

>>319468
>>319577
>>319583
>>319603
perhaps in lieu of outright concurring with Dolah, say:

"I did not need to know that."

>>319468
>How do Qyrryss's posts work?
I just want more lore, man.

>>319627
In the spirit of a QM who is unsure of whether he was being perfectly clear.

What is it that you think Alan knows that you wish you didn't?

>>319657
My impression is that Dart is getting off on torturing the succubus. Which is a tad TMI.

>>319674
Aight, alright. Yeah, that's what I was going for. By the way, wanting a threesome and THAT are distinct enough things that you aren't being a hypocrite.

>>319679
Okay, because I thought the option to agree with Dolah was more about being disgusted with the fact that there's any sexual deviancy at all, not that sadism isn't close to any of our kinks.

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“So, what? Do we need to surround you with celibate monks?” you ask, chuckling.

Qyrryss smirks. “Wouldn't recommend that. There's always one who just wants to be freed from those limitations you mortals put on your holy orders. Really gets the juices flowing, releasing all that pent up desire.” Qyrryss stretches her body as much as she can manage considering her confined state.

“You could go with celibate nuns, although considering some of the reasons women enter that life . . .” the demon eyes Dolah with a suggestive stare causing your orcish companion to scoff. Qyrryss shrugs like it's no skin off her wings.

“Ahhhh, reminds me of a girl, must have been a millennia ago by now. She was fun to play with. Just a pinch of denial. Really makes it all percolate and explode in the gooiest and sweetest of ways. See, those like Dart, who embrace it. They're sufficient, but its like sipping pre-chewed gruel. Although you wouldn't make a half-bad succubus!” she calls out to Dart near the end.

Dart giggles. “Good to know.”

“Wait,” you say, confused. “I thought your powers only worked on men.”

“You're correct,” Qyrryss confirms with a nod. “Women are magically immune to my abilities. But only magically. Seduction is an art and I am a master of it.”

“But you can feed on women's lusts?”

“I can feed on all mortal lust. Lust is the product and the basest requirement for my continued existence. In theory, the purpose of my powers to manipulate the minds of men is to harvest this source of nourishment which is enhanced by this form, but as demonkind has advanced us succubi have come to find much more nuanced and refined goals by utilizing our abilities. For example,"

"ALAN FREE ME.”

Fuck.

Roll me 1d100 + 39, best of 3.

Rolled 34 + 39 (1d100 + 39)

>>320077

Rolled 91 + 39 (1d100 + 39)

>>320077

Rolled 30 + 39 (1d100 + 39)

>>320077

>>320077
Cross your arms and say
"Nope."

It takes Dolah a brief second to realize what happened. All of you so wrapped up in Qyrryss's wordy and detailed explanation that the spells catches you off guard. Dolah quickly turns in her seat to study you as you feel the sweet words of the succubus fill your mind. An urge so great to simply get out of your chair and begin unshackling your captive almost overpowers you, but you fight against the feeling with every fiber of your being.

No, this is your body and your mind. You have control of it. Your two hands grasp the arms of your chair and hold tight as you focus on keeping your feet planted where they are.

A few moments later and the mental tug on your mind passes. Qyrryss's face deflates as Dart stalks forward from where she was standing in the back of the room, dagger at the ready.

You lean back slightly in your chair, cross your arms across your chest and stare the demon right in the eyes.

“Nope.”

Dolah visibly relaxes from the tense posture she adopted moments ago and utters a sound of relief.

Qyrryss coughs. “Well shoot.”

>Alright, can you finish answering my questions?
>Ask more questions (what?)
>Kill the succubus
>Assimilate
>Dart . . . no more torture?
>Something else? (write-in)
>I think it's feeding time! (Leave)


More upset than I should be that you succeeded.

>>320376
>>Alright, can you finish answering my questions?
>Dart . . . no more torture?

>>320376
>Alright, can you finish answering my questions?
>Dart . . . no more torture?
>Something else? (write-in)
Check one of the libraries at the Circle or the Church for stories about the Assilimilator.

>>320376
>Alright, can you finish answering my questions?
>something else
"Dart, have you tried feeding her food cooked in holy water? Like hard-boiled eggs?"

>>320376
>>Alright, can you finish answering my questions?

>>More upset than I should be that you succeeded.

Sorry Trick, I came to roll high.

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“Alright. So with that out of the way, can you finish answering all my questions.”

She looks at you disdainfully. “What?” she utters.

“Do you ever contact the High Heavens?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“By invading and killing them.”

“So is the legend of Assimilation, what, part of demon orientation?”

She shakes her head like you're being dense. “You hear things, alright. Some things orally, some things written down.”

“Has Assimilation always been something your kind has been on the lookout for?”

“No. Just a story or a piece of long forgotten history. We've only been paying credence to the idea since you've reared your ugly head.”'

“Well, think that's everything. Thanks for the chat, Qyrryss.” You pat her on the thigh and watch her face scrunch in anger.

Dolah and yourself get up and walk towards the exit. Dart has since retreated to her spot in the back of the cell. You stop and look at her.

“Dart, uh, no more torture, alright?” you order.

Dolah nods her head in agreement. “Yeah, even if she's evil we can't abide by torture.”

Dart cocks her eyebrow. “So you want me to starve her, then?”

Dolah opens her mouth to respond but finds herself at a loss for words. She raises a finger a moment later but ends up bringing it to her chin.

“No . . . starving her would be immoral too.”

“So, what do you want Miss Moral Authority?” Dart asks sarcastically.

“I . . . I think this may be one of those situations I was warned about. No matter what I advise goes against my moral code.”

“What if you served her food cooked in holy water?” you offer. “Like hard-boiled eggs or something?”

“Alan that's a stupid fucking idea,” Dart responds immediately. “She doesn't even need to eat food and that probably wouldn't work in the first place.”

Dolah butts in again. “I guess try to make the torture more about the eroticism than actually causing her pain – I can't believe I just said that sentence without a hint of irony.”

Dolah grabs your hand. “Alright, we're leaving.” She drags you out of the room as Dart goes back to her bucket.

The two of you find yourselves outside the Overseer's Complex. The sun is still high in the sky and a cool afternoon breeze blows through the streets off the crystal clear ocean.

>Train something (what?)
>Tell Dolah to apologize to Gabby
>Talk to Dolah about Desden and fanaticism
>Look for information on Assimilation (Circle, Church)
>Buy something (what?)
>Important discussion about relationship stuff (Gabby, Rowe, Both)
>Something else? (write-in)

>>322419
maybe we could just assign someone else to watch over her?

>Look for information on Assimilation (Circle, Church)

>Tell Dolah to apologize to Gabby
Suggest that she do so.

>Talk to Dolah about Desden and fanaticism

>>322419
Have we learned to control what power we give when Finger someone?

>>322579
Nah

>>322419
Let's try to summon an angel and ask it questions about the legend of the Assimilator.

>>322419
>Talk to Dolah about Desden and fanaticism
>Look for information on Assimilation
Church, to see if the High Heavens have the same legends as the Abyss and Hell.

>>322419
>Look for information on Assimilation
Church

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“I want to look for information on this Assimilation thing.”

Dolah nods her head. “I'll look through the books and pieces of Scripture we keep at the Chapel and I will have Desden get my followers scouring the town for relevant information or pieces of text that may help. Although . . . I'm much too busy tonight. And it may take some time to get the order's feelers out. I'll get back to you in a few weeks with whatever I'm able to dig up. If push comes to shove I'll beseech The Great Will for answers.”

“Afraid of what you might hear?”

“No.” She says it firm and resolutely. “I just don't believe in being lazy.”

You sigh. “Alright. I'll search through whatever I can find at the Circle. Maybe some wizard wrote something down somewhere.”

The two of you split ways and you make your way to the Circle's library. Thankfully Essentia kept multiple copies of many of the books that were lost during the Circle's coup stored safely on the 8th floor. She also apparently had some sort of magic item that was able to bring back many of the tomes as well. You look through the relatively new archive system via the help of the assigned librarian for the night.

Actually with the influx of religious and divine casters there are quite a few books that seem to deal with the idea of something greater than yourself and prophecies. You find many good leads that upon further inspection of the book in question turn out to be duds or lacking in any sort of potential answer.

You annoy the on-duty librarian enough that you eventually inform him you're fine on your own. You're skimming through books and flipping through pages for hours until midnight eventually rolls around.

You bite your lip and feel frustrations creep its way into your mind. You guess nobody off the Island has discovered or managed to write anything related to this idea of Assimilation. Maybe you'll have to find your answers out there somewhere.

Right as you're about to give up and retreat upstairs to meditate beside your beloved, you encounter Quissonce who seems to be returning a few tomes at Ed's behest to remove some of the clutter from her room.

She asks what you're up to and you give her the rundown on the small tidbits you've recently learned plus a few theories about your vision

“Hmmm,” she articulates after listening to your tale. “I'm not sure about most of what you've said, but I believe I understand the reason behind you destroying the universe.”

“Y-you do?” you ask, puzzled.

“If you managed to assimilate absolutely everything then you'd essentially be a copy of the universe within our universe. I have no idea how that would work but it sounds to me like you would be a singularity. If you imagine every one and everything as information then, supposedly, you'll have collected it all and there will be nothing left to gather. At your 'zenith' you will be a universe contained within a single point, effectively. Perhaps you explode, destroying everything around you but restarting existence as well since your body contains a perfect reboot of EVERYTHING. Maybe this isn't the first time this has happened. There very well could be an infinite chain of Alans before who have assimilated the universe and then spit it back out.”

She nudges you with her elbow. “Quite the creation story there, don't you think.”

“Sounds a little out there, Quissonce,” you admit at hearing her ramble off her thoughts.

Quissonce shrugs. “Well Alan, are you planning to stop assimilating at some point?”

>Yes
>No
>I'm not sure I can even control it
>Something else? (write-in)

>>324109
>>I'm not sure I can even control it
Don't think I have a long enough lifespan to assimilate that much. Human after all.

Unless I assimilate immortality. Maybe I just try not to do that if possible. Let's my natural lifespan be the thing that keeps me in check.

>>324109
>Yes
Once we get good enough to win the war.

>>324109
>Yes
After winning the war against the Empire, then conquering the Abyss and Hell.

Though that'll probably require assimilating parts of the High Heavens for holy powers.

>>324109
>>Yes
when we're not fighting anything.

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“Yeah. I'm only taking what I need to win the war.”

“Hmmmmm,” Quissonce says as she cocks her head. “You realize there will be other wars. Especially if magic spreads across the globe. It will destabilize everything and throw the balance of power into flux. Tyrants with new-found abilities will rise. Who knows what may be lurking on the Island ready to assist some foreign force once freed from this natural prison? Who knows, maybe every nation will be allied with a dragon in the future. There will be wars to come, ones potentially much worse than the one Ceril is currently embroiled in.”

“Well,” you begin, playing with your hands a bit as you are confronted with Quissonce's rather well thought out point. “Hopefully I'll be an old man by the time those ones break out and someone else will be prepared to answer the call.”

“Old?” she asks, incredulous. Her face droops suddenly. “Oh, I guess you will be. Eventually. You, uh, haven't assimilated Elven immortality yet?”

You shake your head. “Don't know if I'm gonna.”

“Huh,” Quissonce remarks. “Well, it is your choice, I suppose.” You spot a hint of a frown before she decides to intently study the floor. “Well I won't be lonely, I assume. I'll always have Essentia. And that Etriarch fellow.”

You chuckle. “My condolences. Although considering his current behavior, I wouldn't count on him living forever just yet. Plus there's all the other elves in the world who'll be immortal. ”

Quissonce's eyes widen. “Oh! My parents are going to live forever too.” She sits down in a nearby plush, cushioned reading chair.

“That's a . . . good thing?” You don't believe you've ever heard Quissonce speak about her parents.

“Oh, yes, of course! I love them, but its still a . . . daunting thought? They can now be critical of my life choices forever.” She smiles faintly after that comment, remembering some moment fondly.

You decide to continue with the good news. “And hey, if Eve becomes a dragon like she's trying I think they don't die of old age either.”

“True, I may be saddled with her squeaking voice for all eternity.” Quissonce rubs the bridge of her nose, before shaking her head. “I certainly won't lack for colorful company.” She leans forward and clasps her hands together. You can tell her brain is working a mile a minute as she stares forward at some distant spot on the wall. After a few moments she turns to look at you and gives you a disingenuous smile.

“Well Alan, it's getting late. Time for meditation, right?” She gets up and stretches her arms, before turning and walking towards the stairs.

After returning your books to their proper places in the library, you follow after her and go to bed.

Your contact with Kyra the next morning reveals that she has made it to the supply base by the coast and that there are a few ships of Roscoli design currently sitting in the harbor. That explains how Kardas was able to sneak their men and troops past your country's collective noses. She still hasn't gotten eyes on anything you think might be used to bribe or assure the loyalty of a dragon. She says to give her a few weeks to see what the scheduled ship arrivals are like and to spy what they might be bringing ashore.

Seems like you have a few things churning in the mix, giving you a few weeks of downtime before you can properly act.

While you're waiting you decide to

>Buy something? (what?)

AND

>Train (what?)

AND

>Talk about relationship stuff [BEFORE/AFTER/ON] your birthday
>Never talk about relationship stuff, don't rock the boat

AND

>Something else? (write-in)

>>324684
>>Buy something? (what?)
are there any magical items available? anything that boosts Int, Wis, or mental defenses?

>Train (what?)
ninja moves that you learned from the invisible guy.

If that's not possible, go for sorcery.

>Talk about relationship stuff [AFTER] your birthday
Tentatively.

>>324684
>Buy
A short sword that works with the two-sword style we picked up.

>Train
Magic, the two-sword style and Fighter levels with Gale, and some Ranger time with Rowe. Also more monk training with Gabby.

>talk about relationship stuff after our birthday

>something else
Help the Acidspit Clutch in their war so that they will finally be able to provide us with military aid.
We've been sitting on this for too long.

I'd like to say that I'm all for getting immortality.
It's effective immortality, so we can always choose to die later. Mortality means having no choice on death.

>>325765
>so we can always choose to die later.
But will we? After Alan has gone through the trauma of watching his friends and family die before him? After absorbing so much power? Can't really be sure.

I'd rather just get half elf mortality. Grow old with Rowe.

... assuming that relationship doesn't go tits up cause some of y'all are thirsty muthafuckas.

Roll me 1d100 + 43, best of 3.

Also, as for purchases

>Headband of Inspired Wisdom (4000 gold) +1 WIS
>Headband of Vast Intelligence (4000 gold) +1 INT
>Headband of Mental Prowess (10,000 gold) +1 INT, +1 WIS
>Headband of Mental Superiority (16,000 gold) +1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA
>Headband of Boundless Intelligence (16,000 gold) +2 INT
>Headband of Magnified Wisdom (16,000 gold) +2 WIS

AND

>Regular shortsword (10 gold)
>Magical shortsword (2,310 gold) +1
>The “gloom” blade (8,810 gold) Performs better in darkness

OR

>Regular longsword (15 gold)
>Magical longsword (2,315 gold) +1
>Ten-ring sword (14, 315 gold) +2, extra ring slot

Note, Blackburn has given you 10,000 gold for your recent accomplishments, giving you 25,910 gold in spare cash. If you sell something you can bump that number up a bit.

>Sell masterwork composite shortbow (555 gold) [Y/N]
>Sell masterwork composite longbow (700 gold) [Y/N] Not the magical one
>Sell masterwork hell-forged glaive (908 gold) [Y/N]

Rolled 68 + 43 (1d100 + 43)

>>326098
>mental superiority or boundless intelligence
not sure on a weapon, trending towards magical shortsword but not voting

>don't sell anything

Rolled 41 + 43 (1d100 + 43)

>>326098
>Headband of Mental Superiority
This sounds like a pretty awesome purchase. Could we assimilate it's effects?

Rolled 9 + 43 (1d100 + 43)

>>325857
Of course I'll vote to stay immortal.
Rowe even said it's stupid to not get immortality.

>>326098
Headband of Mental Superiority and Magic Shortsword.

>>326193
Unfortunately you're not that good yet.

>>326194
>Vote to stay immortal.

You have to vote to BECOME immortal. You are currently not immortal. You think.

Writing!

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You've got a lot of spare gold burning a hole in your proverbial pocket. You figure it's time to purchase something with some magical power. In the coming days you find yourself asking Quissonce and Eve about the headbands they both wear. Quissonce's is studded with sapphires and Eve's with rubies. They explain that there is a special magical process that goes into the construction of their jewelry that empowers the pieces with spells that increase the mental attributes that govern their specific brand of spell casting. It sounds intriguing and useful to you.

You head to the Circle's newly furbished magical armory where all the items crafted by experimenting casters are stored and ask the shabby, apron-wearing clerk to see some of the headbands. She shows you a few different headbands. Some with sapphires or rubies like the ones Quissonce and Eve wear. Some with emeralds. A few odd-looking ones with amethysts. She brings out one in particular that is studded with emeralds, rubies and sapphires. You ask her the significance of the item's diversity of color and she sighs out before explaining that it helps all the mental attributes by a slight amount. It's not specialized and thus inefficient and useless.

Lack of a specialization? Slight boost to a little bit of everything? Sounds like the Alan of headbands to you. You purchase it for a whopping 16,000 gold that would seem more daunting of a purchase if you weren't already daunted by the fact that you're carrying enough gold on you to buy an entire fucking house right now.

You decide to focus spending your free time on practicing the skills and fighting style of the ninja from Allant. Hey, what can you say? He said you were sloppy and something about that has irked you enough to keep remembering it. You think about purchasing some weapon specifically for this two weapon style but decide against it for now. You'll stick with your saber and dagger seeing it worked well enough last time.

You end up mock dueling with Gale down at the Center for Martial Mastery quite often. Just to see how it works against an opponent who isn't also utilizing the technique. Without the man from Allant himself as a guide or teacher or example to watch, you're forced to just re-imagine your one 'spar' in your mind's eye to aid you aping and mastering his form. You think a lot of your 'assimilation' of this may come down to just good old-fashioned practice. Honestly, it's a welcoming and nostalgic change of pace from some of your quicker 'steals'.

File: Fighter's Guild.jpg (1.32 MB, 1600x1200)

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Unfortunately, Gale's pure amount of power behind every swing makes it hard to counter well with the technique. You're forced to just try and avoid his blow with little aid from your main weapon while aiming for a chink in his armor with the dagger. More often than not Gale manages to shoulder check or elbow you before you'd get a proper stab in.

You try to fight some of the other members of the fighter's guild instead as a step down in challenge but the gap between your skill and there's is much too wide. You defeat them almost instantaneously enough that people are too scared or embarrassed to be seen losing to you. There's no good middle ground in opponents.

While you make minimal progress when it comes to specifically the Allant style of fighting, spending time at the Fighter's Guild and a few tips and tricks from Gale to standard fighting styles developed specifically on the Island does help in making you a better “combatant” in the broadest sense of the word.

The most effective piece of information you're able to digest and put into practice are some of the tips the members give you on wearing armor. Ways to fasten it to your body or move with the weight so that it doesn't screw up your idea of what movement your body is about to make.

Plus, the sheer amount of physical effort gets you much more comfortable and used to the ten pounds of mythral shirt you are hefting around as you fight.

Three weeks pass, each day you receive a negative response from Kyra via scrying.

Eventually it is the day before your birthday and Rowe asks you where you would like to go for your birthday hunting trip.

>The Plains
>The Swamp
>The Forest
>The Hills

>>326411
The Hills.
Maybe we'll see the non-douchebag orcs.

Writing!

“Swamp sounds disgusting, plains sound boring and the forest is much too close to the Imperials for my taste. So I'm thinking we should hunt in the hills. There's a chance we might meet up with the Forest Hunter tribe while we're out there. Might get to say hello to Zar'kov.”

Rowe nods her head and you watch her thoughtfully mull the idea over in her head. “Yeah, there are probably some wild boar in that area if I'm remembering correctly. Maybe a lion or two if we're lucky. By the way, this might be much more like a birthweek or maybe two celebration. Once we're finally in the area your birthday will have already ended a few days ago.”

You shrug, giving her a half-smile. “I'm sure we'll find ways to celebrate tomorrow.”

She punches you in the shoulder. “That depends. Are we bringing other people or am I the lucky gal who gets you all to myself? It is your trip and your 'party'. I figure you should bring the people you want to be around.”

>Nah, just us.
>The whole gang
>Just Gabby [WONDERFUL PLAN THAT COULDN'T POSSIBLY BACKFIRE]
>Just Gale
>Quissonce and Ed
>Dolah and X
>Some other combination of people (who?)

>>326798
>>The whole gang
I think everyone's earned a reprieve.

what say the rest of you?

>>326798
>Nah, just us.
I want to bring Gabby, I really do. But without talking about our relationship first, it could go terribly.

Bringing the whole gang sounds fun, but you know that Eve is going to somehow spill the beans on Gabby liking us, and then it'll be a whole week of Gabby and Rowe passively-aggressively fighting over Alan.

>>326821
>passively-aggressively fighting over Alan.

Is this supposed to be a bad thing?

>>326871
It is if it doesn't lead to aggressively having sex with each other to establish dominance and who gets Alan first.

>>326890
>first

Gabby plays for keeps.

>>326894
Someone needs to learn how to share.

hey, so, if we're not getting another responded any time soon, I'll acquiesce to just it being the two of them.

>>326913
Aight.

Writing!

Tell me honestly everybody. Is this new method of just keeping a thread up constantly and giving one or two updates a day sitting alright with y'all or do you want the once a week thing going? Does it make the story less enjoyable to do it this way?

>>326924
I like the week-long threads.

>>326924
I admit, it's nice to see the story move forward more than usual, and we get more player input this way.

My only issue will be later on in the year when I might not be able to pop by and give a response to the story in time.

“Nah, just us.” You boop her on the nose.

“Alright, I'll get everything ready tonight and we can head out tomorrow morning.”

>>327166