>>22085972
The bear came again, and this time, you were ready, your knuckles slamming into the side of the beast's head. Snarling, it tried to shake off the pain, and you reached down to your pack. With a glint of silver, the steel of your skinning knife slashed across the beast's neck.

Well, you think, as you bandage up the long, deep scratches on your lower chest and turn to the dead bear. At least you aren't cold anymore.
---

You snap awake, still feeling the hot blood on your skin and the claws on your abs. That autumn was a bad one, you remember, with the early snows. That was the year your mother got ill, you think coldly.
You remember the acid in your lungs, the fire in your veins. Even now, you can still feel a hint of it, hidden deeply inside you...

>Fate Tenacity points: 2
>Any physical skill, trained or untrained, can be successful without rolls by spending a point.

<It seems we were incorrect.> Rogue said. <The witchling's Gift of Truth does effect you, at times.>
You open your eyes to seeTannis purring in the crook of Astora's neck, as the witch slept with her face in the pillow, her flaming, taloned hand on your lower torso, right where the bear had torn you open three years ago. No wonder you'd had that dream; her claws were spaced exactly the same as the bear's had been, and just as sharp.
Ariana and Cass were both asleep in the corner, while Kale sat up, looking out the window. He met your eyes and nodded once.

>>22085985
Try to get Tannis off, then see about getting some breakfast from downstairs.

>>22085985
Get up and do some god damn morning exercises to keep healthy.

>>22085985
Gently peel those claws away from our scar.

Careful not to disturb Tannis or Astora, you gently take Astora's hand, moving it away from you. Her eyes flickered open for a moment, and then back shut. You get to your feet, and stretch, before making your way downstairs to the tavern proper. The innkeeper sat there, asleep, head on the counter, a mug of stale ale by his side, snoring heartily. Looking around, you don't see anyone else. Apparently, this wasn't a very high-quality tavern.
You don't even hear Kale as he makes his way down behind you, grinning over at the innkeeper.
"I don't believe he has any food ready for us." Kale said brightly. "Hello, sir?"
"...Gerroff, 'dun haff time fer yer bull." The innkeeper responded, refusing to wake up.

>>22086105
"Let's go get some from the market then. What do you think everyone wants?"

>>22086105
"Lets go find a street vendor or something, gotta be food somewhere in this town." Go outside and look for a food stand selling some local delicacy.

>>22086105
"Hey, Kale, what's your favorite type of plant to eat?"

"Let's go find a street vendor or something." You say, and he nodded. "Gotta be food somewhere in this town. What do you think everyone wants?"
The two of you stepped out of the tavern, and made your way across the road, looking for a bazaar of some kind.
"Well, I'm afraid I don't know anyone well enough to know what they'd like." Kale said, walking.
As you walk, you eventually find a street vendor, selling some kind of sausage and meat chunks on long toothpicks, one for a copper each. Five copper for enough meals for everyone. Not very expensive at all, though you don't know what type of meat they are, which is rather worrying.
"Tannis would like this. Though I don't believe we'll find anything better." Kale said, and wrinkled his nose. "I suppose I'll have to leave the city to find some grass, then."
"Hey, Kale, what's your favorite type of plant to eat?"
"I enjoy fruits, and roots, mostly, though I can eat anything green." He said. "Apples, and berries, mostly."

>>22086105
"Well, let's go and take a look around then?"

Rolled 33

>>22086105
poke him a but to be sure he's asleep and see about cooking something out of the kitchen ourselves.

if we can't then go to the market, paying attention for alchemical or possibly alchemical ingredients.

then have a conversation with kale about any sorts of medicinal plants he can think of.in this region

>>22086203
"Then lets go buy an apple, should be a fruit or vegetable stall in the market."

>>22086203
Look for something for Kale to eat in the city then. "I would like to get to know you better, but.. well, I'm not as good with the talky chatty thing as I thought I'd be..."

>>22086222
We should probably get him a few apples. One's probably not enough.

>>22086203
Get two of the sausage things. Look around for a fruit stall or bakery for bread.

Keep an eye out for any alchemist's shops.

Rolled 41

>>22086203
"me I like fruits and some of the stuff my mother could do with pickled cabbage"

take the food back and poke the various ladies with our hot sausages till they wake up.

and also thank little Ari and Astora for giving us a rather scary memory

>>22086203
Look out for a blacksmith too, if we can get hollow iron containers we could make gunpowder bombs.

>>22086274
We could do the same thing by filling a bag with gunpowder and rocks.
Gunpowder, rocks, and scraps of metal would probably work better though. We could even use scraps of silver and cold iron for dealing with fae.

>>22086305
You know what the blacksmith will likely have though? Long iron bars and large blocks of wood. We need to talk to him about our invention and getting it out to the world.

>>22086305
A bag is not rigid though. A catastrophic explosion is achieved by the rapid expansion of gas in a closed space.

A bag negates the kinetic energy of the expanding molecules as it flexes and stretches much more than a metal container would.

Rolled 72

>>22086274
they don't even need to be iron.

I wonder if there is a papermaker in the city
small cardboard, paper, or even wooden tubes do work, wrap them tightly in twine and they work better. more pressure buildup, makes a bigger boom...

"Then let's go buy an apple." You say, purchasing enough food for everyone. "Should be a fruit or vegetable stall in the market."
"Very well." He said, following you.
"I would like to get to know you better, but... well, I'm not as good with the talky chatty thing as I thought I would be..."
"...Hmm." He said, a hand on his chin. "Well... if there's one thing one should know about me, it's that..."
He stopped walking, and then spread his arms.
"Watch." He said.

You stop walking, and watch him.
"No, no, not me." He said. "Watch the city. Watch the bustling urchins, the cats in in the shadows, the guards with their batons and patrols, the salesmen parroting their spiels. Look at the beauty of it all. They're all scrabbling in the dirt to better themselves, to build upward and outward. Yes, they're hungry, and yes, they're cold. But they have clothes, they have knives and tools, and they're building. Like the way a plant grows, society itself does. The gang in the alleyway, banding together for protection, is a weed. A weed, yes, but still a living, breathing thing."
He shrugged, grinned at you, and continued walking.
"That's the way I see things. Struggling for life. The strongest win, and the weakest get their scraps."

>>22086322
I don't think we should. Giving that design to a random blacksmith sounds like a bad idea to me.
But if we could get the parts from him, we should be able to make a primitive musket (The kind where you manually lower a match into the breech) ourself.
All we need are the correct parts (Really tough pipe, a small pan, and a stock)

>>22086333
"You know...I never thought of it too much like that. Thanks, Kale."

Keep looking for that fruit stall.

"You know... I never thought of it too much like that. Thanks, Kale."
He grinned. "Neither did I, until my lover showed it to me."
The two of you continued walking, noting the location of a smithy, and eventually you ran into a large stall run by a husband and wife, the latter selling apples and berries, and the former selling bread.
"... I'd forgotten about bread." Kale said. "All beings like me love bread. Sometimes with milk and honey, but that's closer to fairies. If you purchase me some, I'll owe you something or other."

>>22086416
>Oh, right, forgot to mention
>Apples for Kale are 2 copper. Bread is 3 copper.

Rolled 16

>>22086348
unless we can refine a genuinely good one we should stay with our bow.

now if we could make a good solid blunderbuss that Would be a thing we could use, especially if we apply some different wadding techniques so we can keep our powder dry.

>>22086333
consequently on our way throught the city keep an eye out for the following

tanner
butcher
(suspicious) traveling merchants
paper maker

lets see if we can find some chemical sources...

>>22086348
and a mold for making musketballs and a ramrod.
But I agree. Disseminating gunpoder isn't a good idea right now, because if anyone has the resources to have guns made, it's the order. (They can afford to have full plate ffs)

>>22086433
If we really want to stick with our bow, I could try and design us an explosive bow-head.

>>22086433
Our bow doesn't help against platemail.

>>22086416
yes bread and apples nom nom nom

>>22086416
Buy the bread and the apples.

"Here you go, Kale. What exactly does a favour from a fey entail?"

>>22086416
Buy a few apples, and a loaf of bread.

>>22086454
Don't say that until we're out of earshot of everyone around.

>>22086416
buy apples and bread for him and us.

Rolled 35

>>22086448
but a blunderbuss does.

and so does an explosive arrow, although I can see those being used more for groups of lightly armored foes.

>>22086447
small tube of wood bound tightly to the end of a extra heavy shaft no head required (to save money) although some with simple points to they can embed in wooden surfaces

and we need to ask cass about that gauntlet she was wearing in the swamp that had the flint and tinder in them so we can light stuff up without Astoras help

"Here you go, Kale." You say, buying both a loaf of bread and an apple. He crammed half the loaf in his mouth, and the two of you continued walking."What exactly does a favour from a fey entail?"

"Well." He said. "The traditional boon is clothing woven of moonlight, or the words of an animal, or, perhaps, the gift of a glamour."
He shrugged, and continued to grin. "Sadly, I don't find beauty in smithing, or I would make you some arrows. But if you'd like something, simply ask."
As you walk, you almost stop, seeing a large, well-made structure, conspicuously clear of people, with a large, oaken sign.
"Veritas, the alchemist." Kale said, and quirked his lips. "Whoever it is seems rather rich."

>>22086522
No head means that it won't stick to the target and it'll bounce away. A small explosion three feet away won't hurt anything.
And a musket has much greater range, accuracy, penetration, and safety than a blunderbuss.

>>22086542
"We should have a look inside."

"I'm sure I'll think of something. Perhaps a fancy hat."

>>22086542
"Moonlight clothing? Sounds jazzy."

Enter the academical den.

Rolled 36

>>22086546
you have a point (thank you for letting me use that pun) and muskets are NOT accurate, they do have some range, but if you miss you have half a whole minute of time to reload.

a blunderbuss or shotgun would have a certain surprise attack quality...

but I brought them up thinking of the thing people do with flare guns, a big surprise punch can end the fight quickly.

>>22086542
"Huh. Well... I don't know, you're a friend so I'd hate to make you do something against your wil even by accident..."

"I'm sure I'll think of something." You say, and make your way toward the door. "We should have a look inside."
Kale freezes, and his smile falls.
"There's a horseshoe of cold iron above the door, on the inside, I'm afraid." Kale said, with a sigh. "I cannot cross the threshold. I'll wait out here."
He nodded to you, shot you another smile, and you enter the structure.

The room inside, despite what you were imagining, was a open, brightly-lit building, with a thick counter and a bookish man in a white robe standing there, shelves behind him filled with potions, phials and satchels of various herbs and spices.
"Ah, a customer!" He said, adjusting the spectacles on his face. "What would you like? I'd suggest a health tonic, but you look healthy as can be! I'm Veritas. Pleased to meet you."

>>22086619
"Pleased to meet you, Veritas, I am Abel."

"I have come in search of Potassium Nitrate, however I believe you may know it as Brimstone. I would also like a pestel and mortar for grinding my reagents."

>>22086609
They're really accurate compared to a blunderbuss. Also they're easier to make, since a blunderbuss needs even stronger metal due to the larger amount of gunpowder required.
And really, we should make a hand cannon/hand bombard rather than an advanced design like a musket or blunderbuss.

>>22086619
Well met. I am actually a budding alchemist myself, and was wondering if you had any supplies for sale.

Rolled 21

>>22086619
you may call me abel and I am most pleased to meet you as well sir. I of late have taken to amature alchemy and have made a discovery...

"I wonder if I might buy from you some raw ingredients, magnesium metal, bulk saltpeter, sulfur, and so on. I can trade in money, or if you'll bear with me I can show you my discovery and some of it's uses ..."

"Well met." You say. "I'm actually a budding alchemist myself, and I was wondering if you had any supplies for sale."
"Oh, I do!" He said. "I have sulfur, mercury, salt, any herb you could think of, quite a bit of glassware- Atlask made, you know, very high quality- mortar and pestle, bonemeal, some gold, silver, and lead... just ask, and it's likely I have some."

>>22086692
NO.
We are not spreading gunpowder to random people.
Especially not people that deal with the Order (Where do you think they get their tonic?)

"How much would a set of basic alchemical tools cost? It'd be nice to make some health tonics and such out on the road."

Let's not let him know what we're about.

Also, we should still practice sparring with Astora, preferably with two weapons so we can adapt.

>>22086695
"Potassium Nitrate. What's the cost of a pestle and mortar?"

Rolled 40

>>22086619
>I wonder if we got other explosives from that sudden remembering.

>I wonder if we got Dynamite, or Nitro, or TNT...

>>22086692
what I said here was meant to imply that we can trade the trick of the black powder for chemicals based on a demonstration.

>>22086695
Ask the price for whatever gear we need to safely make more gunpowder.

"Any news from the East?"

>>22086721
They'd call it brimstone, I think.

>>22086709
Speaking of tonic, we ought to pick up the recipe for Aqua Ignis. Health tonics might come in handy.

>>22086731
That's fucking stupid. Giving other people gunpowder is FUCKING STUPID.

>>22086731
This was asked in a previous thread if you'd bothered to read.

Our knowledge is narrow and related to gunpowder only.

>>22086731
Showing people our one advantage is something we probably shouldn't do. The only person I'd say we could tell is probably Astora, she would keep the secret if we asked her too as well.

"Potassium nitrate." you say.
"... I'm sorry?" He asked.
"Saltpeter." You say.
"Oh, well, it's only a silver and five copper for a satchel." He said.

"How much would a set of basic alchemy tools cost? It'd be nice to make some health tonics and such out on the road."
"Well, if you're planning to travel, most alchemy tools would be too fragile. However, I do have some sturdier stuff, imported from the west. Skiitara, I believe it was. Only two gold coins for an entire set, though the mortar and pestle will only be a silver."

>>22086774
We could probably share the gunpowder with our friends, but I'd rather keep the manufacturing technique secret even from them.

Rolled 15

>>22086753
thank you for this clarification. my memory is not as good as I'd like these days.

>>22086782
Thats more money then we have, isn't it?

"How heavy is a full kit? Maybe just the mortar and pestle."

>>22086782
Let's get the Saltpeter and the mortar and pestle. Even if we negotiate down for the full kit, it'll still probably be too expensive.

>>22086782
"I'll take the satchel of Saltpeter and the pestle and mortar please, thank you."

>>22086811
>Current Currency: 4 gold, 7 silver, 22 Copper.
>You'd picked up a ton of gold in the same chest you'd found Scylla's skin in.

>>22086782
We could afford the full kit but I see no reason to take it. Our knowledge is limited at the moment.

If we get the Saltpeter and P+M, ask him "Do you think you could throw in charcoal with that as well?"

Rolled 91

>>22086832
Considering that, let's try to negotiate for the full set.
"1 gold, [whatever amount of silver equals half a gold] for the full set."

>>22086844
In light of this roll I reverse my opinion of not buying the set. If we can get it to this then I'm fine with it.

>>22086782
"Hmm, would you be willing to lower the price to one gold and 7silver? I can't imagine many others would want it."

>>22086731
no.

Rolled 90

>>22086832
>>22086782
"how much would it cost for just (the tools needed to make gunpowder only)? or do you have a book of alchemical processes, I'm afraid I only have a basic knowledge"

>>22086881
>>22086844
Combine these two. Good roll with bargaining dialogue.

>>22086894
Why can't you just take the roll off?
It's far too likely to hurt than heal

>>22086913
We've tried telling him this before, unfortunately, he's dick and won't listen. He's wasted plenty of 100s.

"How about one gold, and seven silver for the full set?" You ask.
"It's imported, I'm afraid. Very valuable." He said. "... But I don't forsee it selling to anyone else. Skiitara isn't very well loved here, after the war. Very well, a gold and seven silver for the full alchemy set."
He shrugged, and brought out a mortar and pestle, a thin metal retort, enameled red, perfect for turning wood into charcoal, as well as several metal flasks, jugs, vials, and fittings required for whatever configuration you'd need, all contained within a red leather pack.
"Thank you for your business." You say, and look into your pocket for enough for the saltpeter- but you're entirely out of silver.
"... I don't suppose you can make change for another gold, can you?" You ask, and he nodded.
"As you wish." He said. "Standard exchange is twenty-five silver, no? At least, that's what any moneylender would say."
You give him a gold, and he returns twentyfive silver... one of which you promptly give back, in trade for a rather large satchel.
"Was there anything else you needed?" He asked, pleasantly. You eye the sulfur- what little you know, you know that adding two parts of it would make your black powder burn more quickly, turning it into an explosive rather than a hissing, smoke-filled burn.
"Ah, for a satchel of sulfur it would be two silver."

> Current Currency: 2 gold, 24 silver, 17 Copper.

>>22087002
>in trade for a rather large satchel of saltpeter

Rolled 10

>>22087002
"One silver, fifty copper?"

>>22087002
im sorry exa, butsulphur in the mixture simply lowers the activation temperature required for a reaction to occur.

>>22087002
May as well get it.

Hopefully Kale hasn't gotten bored and left while we were in there.

>>22087027
>Ah, fair enough. I definitely don't /sci/. But this way, you won't need Astora's Gift or an already-hot fire to light it.

>>22087002
"That's fine."

>>22087042
It's ok, i'm just being picky with my chemistry.

"Why not? I'll take the sulphur if you can throw in some charcoal with it as well."

Rolled 81

>>22087042
does cass still have that glove she had when we first met her?

>Internship we learn Exabyte can't /sci/ either

>Hey Exa, d'you think you can do character interviews after thread?

>>22087077
I'd also recommend making a batch of blackpowder with and without sulphur. The sulphur in the mixture reacts with the potassium and forms K2S, which is the big black clouds of smoke whereas when the reaction occurs without sulphur we get 3(K2CO3) or potash which will be just a small white puff.

>>22087107
>in this thread, not internship
>Fucking autocorrect

"One silver, fifty copper?"
"You've already saved eighteen silver from me today, sir." He said, and chuckled.
"That's fine." You say, and give him two silver.
You take off your large range pack, slinging the alchemy set on one hip, strapping your two satchels to it, and then put your pack back on.

>EXCHANGE BREAKDOWN:
>Total cost: 2 gold, 5 copper.
>15 silver back.
>Sturdy Alchemy Set
>Large Satchel: Saltpeter (full)
>Large Satchel: Sulfur (full)

"Thank you." He said, and bowed. "If you need anything, please, feel free to return."
You make your way back out, to find a tall, preposterously busty woman with soft brown skin, wearing simple clothing that showed a bit too much skin.
"Ah, sorry." She said, smiling brilliantly at you. "I decided to try my hand at begging, in order to earn money of my own. This glamour helped quite a bit."

>>22087126
I think that the best response here is to laugh.

>>22087126
"K-Kale? Oh my word."

Rolled 70

>>22087126
it looks good on you kale, did it work?

>>22087126
Blink. Twice.
"Huh. Well, if that's what you want to do then sure. I don't judge." and chuckles.

>>22087170
okay no, that sounds stupid.

>>22087126
Looking good, Kale.

Did you have any luck?

"K-kale?" You ask. "Oh my word. Did you have any luck?"
She grinned wickedly, and then bent forward, hugging herself and giving you a rather nice view.
"Oh, sir, my brother is ill. Are you *sure* you can't spare a few coins?" She asked. Before you realize, you were already pulling a few random coins from your moneypouch.
"I was merely joking. I had plenty of luck." Kale said, giggling, before he shimmered and was once again the green-haired elf you had gotten to know. "Let's return with breakfast, shall we?"

>>22087189
"Hahaha, I'm glad you decided to join us, Kale."

>>22087189
dis nigga.

"Yes, lets."

"Yes, let's." You say, and make your way back toward the tavern. "I'm glad you decided to join us, Kale."
"Me as well." He said. "It's already been quite an adventure."
The two of you pass an Order Knight, Kale's hair subtly darkening to black when you did so, but there was no other incident. When you get back to the room, Astora was the only one awake, sitting up, incredibly pale hissing and holding onto her flaming demonic claw. As you watch, the stone-like skin cracked, flame bursting from within, and the claw itself was once again hidden by flame.
"We bring food!" Kale said, and she suddenly whirled around, her eyes ringed red.
"Glad to hear it." Astora said.

>>22087284
"You okay, Astora?"

>>22087284
"Want to talk about it?"

>>22087284
"Are you alright? You look ill."

"Do we need to stay here a few days?"

"You okay, Astora?" You ask. "You look ill."
"... Some gifts aren't blessings." She said, quietly. "My hand may be made of stone, but I can still feel it when it cracks."
"Want to talk about it?"
"It's just pain." She said, taking a bite of the sausage. "I can handle it. Need to be strong for Ari."
"Do we need to stay here for a few days?"
"I'm asking Eldin now." She said.

>>22087352
"Is something causing it to crack or is that just a thing that happens?"

>>22087352
"Does it do that often? That's pretty nasty."

It seems like none of the gifts are all good. Eldin can't remember faces, Arianna has to conciously stay afloat all the time and Astora's hand does whatever it does.

"Is something causing it to crack, or is that just a thing that happens?"
"In the core of the Gift lies eternal flame." She said. "The cracks let the flame out. But.. it fuses together, over time. Faster the more flame I let out. If I use too much... it fuses entirely."
She shook her head, and closed her eyes.
"Does it do that often?"
"Often enough." She said. "And at the time, I thought the first time I used it was painful..."
She shook her head, got up, and left the room. Kale shrugged, went back to smiling, and started to wake everyone else up.

>>22087436
"She's one tough cookie."

"Give tannis skritches."

>>22087436
"Ouch."

Inform everyone what we've got for breakfast.

>>22087436
"Morning Everyone!"
Pickup Tannis and carry her on our shoulder

Rolled 95

>>22087436
if Eldin needs us to stay here a while then I vote we spend the first day mixing some black powder. then we can make or find some smaller hollow tubes to make bombs. the next day I say we wander the town a little.

if he does not need us to stay then I think we should leave amberway by boat if possible...

"hey cass, you remember the night we met? do you still have that glove you tried using to light the fires with? do you still have it and may I see it?"

"She's one tough cookie." You say.
"Mhm." Kale said.

You start scritching Tannis, and her eyes blinked open, and then she was suddenly human again, her human ear ragged and badly torn, grinning as you scratched her head. She grinned. "You got food?"
You hand her some of the sausage, and she started eating.
"Good morning, ladies." Kale said, waking Cass and Ariana up. "We purchased some meat for all of you."
Blearily, everyone sat up and started eating.
"Cass, do you still have that glove?" You ask.
"The flint and tinder one?" Cass asked, and shook her head. "When I went berserk on that ghoul that bit me, it was torn apart. My claws grew up inside of it. At least my clothes weren't torn apart at the time."

>>22087543
We need to make grenades with fuses before the glove will be useful.
I think we should make Japanese style sling grenades. They've got better range than thrown grenades.

>>22087575
"Do you remember how to make it?"

>>22087575
"Arianna, Arianna! I had a dream last night! An actual dream! Thankyou so much!"

>>22087575
Make sure to save some food for Astora.

Also, after we've finished eating, maybe go find her and offer to show her how to make blackpowder? It'd take her mind off the pain at least.

"Do you remember how to make it?" You ask.
"... Wasn't me who made them." She said. "Thor did. He was much better with his troll blood than I was. Was able to tap into his strength for blacksmithing. Then Jaeden came up with the idea."
You nod, and then turn to Ariana.
"Ariana, Ariana!" You say, grinning. "I had a dream last night! An actual dream! Thank you so much!"
"Really? You're welcome!" She asked, smiling brightly. "I'm glad."

>>22087699
"I'm afraid your sister was looking a bit troubled though."

"I do hope she comes back, so I can tell you all the story of how Abel Bested The Bear."

>>22087699
"It was pretty cool, it was when I fought a bear."

>>22087699
"Hey, Tannis, do we need to tell your pride you're handing over leadership soon?"

"It was pretty cool. It was when I fought a bear." You say, and quickly retell the story.
"You were only fifteen?" Ariana said. "And you fought a *bear*? I'm impressed."
"Still have the scar." You say, and grin at her.
You turn to Tannis.
"Hey, Tannis, do we need to tell your pride you're handing over leadership soon?"
"Oh, right!" Tannis said, springing up. "I should go talk to them. I'll be back here in an hour!"
She suddenly opened the window, and leapt out, changing forms halfway though, landing on the ground and darting off.
"... She seems better." Cass noted.
"She doesn't seem like the maenad I've met in the past." Kale said. "More... civilized."
"Hey... where's Astora?" Ari asked, looking around.
"Your sister was looking a bit troubled, and left." You say. She frowned.
"We shouldn't let her stew on her own." Ariana said. "Especially if her Gift's been acting up."

>>22087845
"Really? Do you want me to go find her?"

>>22087845
"Then we should go for an Investigation."

"There were some order guards around, I hope they don't cause trouble."

"Really? Do you want me to go find her?"
"We both probably should." Ariana said. "She never talks to anyone. Well, she talks, but not about anything important. Not even me. But I know her well enough to... read between the lines."

>>22087966
"Alright. Kale, Cass, we'll be back as soon as possible."

Get to searching.

>>22087966
When we get Arianna on her own: "She looked as though we interrupted her as she was crying. Does her hand split like that often? It looks... agonising."

"Does the gift of truth work on only one person per night or can everyone get a dream? I'd feel bad if I was stealing peace of mind from someone who really needed it.

Rolled 78

>>22087586
never heard of those before, sounds like an idea though...what kind of payload size does one of those have?

suppose, instead of that you load cylindrical explosive cartridges onto a crossbow might get some pretty big payload a good long ways...

if we can find some things that burn with noxious smoke it might make a good area denial piece. I think the Chinese used burning feathers once to fill tunnels with chocking smoke...

>>22087845
"kale, could you go and follow her and be sure she's alright; the order is about today and I don't want her getting into trouble

"Alright, Kale, Cass, we'll be back as soon as possible."
"Of course." Kale said, with a grin, and you and Ariana left the room.

You made your way downstairs, ignoring the still-passed-out innkeeper, and turn to Ariana.
"She looked as though we interrupted her as she was crying. Does her hand split like that often? It looks... agonising."
"... She wishes it was normal." Ariana said, quietly. "More than anything. It hurts when it cracks, but... she doesn't tell anyone that it hurts all the time."
She frowned. "A few years ago, when I was eight, a small family arranged a meeting between her and their son. From a little I heard afterward, he wanted to see what was behind the flame, so she showed him, and it... scared him, I think. He ran away. Since then, she's been like... she is. Tries to act like she doesn't need anybody."

She went silent, and the two of you left the tavern, looking this way and that.
"Does the gift of truth work on only one person per night, or can everyone get a dream?" You ask. "I'd feel bad if I was stealing peace of mind from someone who really needed it."
"It works on everyone I know in a certain area." Ariana said. "Except for me."

>>22088080
The Japanese grenades had big payloads that made their range shorter than they could have been, so we might want to use a smaller payload to reduce weight and increase range. It's a round stone or metal case filled with gunpowder. It's got a long fuse and a rope that you spin above your head, then release towards your target.

>>22088128
"Ouch...that must be difficult on her."

>>22088128
"Are there any other witches with the gift of truth alive at the moment?"

"I hope she lets me befriend her."

>>22088128
"It's a shame...I wish there was something I could do to help her."

>>22088131
We're at the medieval level, here, folks. Grenades will, by necessity, consist of a (ceramic?) ball full of gunpowder with a piece of cloth sticking out for a fuse.

>>22088128
"That really is a shame."

>>22088253
You can still tie a rope to it and sling it further than a standard throw.
Slings are from pre-history.

>>22088253
Been wondering when we'll get our next 'info' update, we got gunpowder and genetics, I wonder what's next?

"Are there any other witches with the Gift of Truth alive at the moment?"
"Maybe one of the more secretive families have one, maybe." She said. "But I haven't heard of one."

The two of you continue walking.
"I wish there was something I could do to help her."
"Well, the pain she can deal with." Ariana said. "What she needs is someone she can trust. Someone that won't run away because of her hand. I've tried to be like that for her, but I'm just her kid sister."
"... I hope she lets me befriend her." You say.
"So do I." She said, and sighed. "Wait! She's up there." She said, pointing. Standing atop a small, old church, Astora stood, her hands clasped behind her, staring up into the sky.

Ari suddenly grinned. "Hey, Abel, here's your chance to befriend her. Think fast."
The little witch suddenly touched you, and next thing you knew, you were underwater, tearing through a powerful current, and next thing you knew, you shot out of Astora's shadow, on the roof as well.
"Who's there?" Astora asked sternly, and turned back, before meeting your eyes. Her voice suddenly softened. "Hey, Abel."

>>22088310
"How did you even get up here?"

Rolled 11

>>22088131
>>22088131
ah I see, I was thinking of a container fired from a roman style sling, but that system makes more sense.

but now that the gloves are lost we need some other way to light the fuses, cause I figure that neither the Bic or Ronson companies. slow matches are the only real option I can think of till we can find a faster way to light them off

>>22088253
or wood or heavy paper tubes.
and bear in mind there might be acheotech like that war engine we found last thread for all we know we'll find something to make a good container

>>22088310
"Me and Ariana were worried about you, so I decided to come find you. H-how are you feeling?"

>>22088350
How about we don't mention Ariana just yet? She might be more willing to open up if we don't.

>>22088368
Good point.

Rolled 21

>>22088310
hey Astora; I forgot to warn you, there's an order knight out and about today, and I'd like you to avoid cooking him in his own armor too many witnesses in the city

"How did you even get up here?"
"Climbed." She responded, eyes closed. "Didn't always have a familiar, so I got good at it. Why are you here?"
"I decided to come find you." You say. "H-how are you feeling?"
"My hand's fine." She said, wiggling that hand's fingers. "It only hurts so badly while it's cracking. It's not, anymore."

>>22088404
"But how are *you* feeling?

>>22088404
"That's good, but it's not what I meant."

>>22088404
"You gave me a bit of a fright last night. You poked me with the claw and it brought back memories."

Then if she tries to apologise:
"No, dont' worry, it's a great story!"
And then retell the tale of the bear, but leave out the sick mother bit, unless she asks.

"That's good, but it's not what I meant." You say. "How are *you* feeling?"
"Well..." She shrugged. "A bit tired of walking. And then I'm going to have to walk back alone to Garamon after you and Ari leave. Unless I can find a boat heading that way. And then after that, I'm thinking... well, I don't rightly know. Could go back to Sanctuary, I guess, get the house prepared for Ari to move in once she's done with her coming of age."

>>22088530
But you don't know how long that will take.

Is there any way that you can keep travelling with us? Your gifts are quite useful and you're fun to have around.

>>22088530
"Alone? We'll be going back to Garamon together I'd imagine."

>>22088530
"Hey."

"Why don't you stay travelling with me?"

>>22088636
Should be us
We'll have Ari, Cass, and Kale at least.

>>22088660
Sssh. We want her to trust us. Don't involve anyone else at the moment.

"But you don't know how long that will take." You say.
"That's right." She said.
"Alone? We'll be going back to Garamon together, I'd imagine."
"I thought you planned to move on further west, or south." She said.
"Hey." You say. "Why don't you stay travelling with me?"
"... The point of a coming of age is that they're isolated from one's old life." Astora said. "If I'm here, Ari won't grow up as quickly. I don't want to shelter her. Unless you intend on leaving her with Kale, Tannis, and Cassandra, I can't go with you. I could easily ignore the Crones' laws, but I want her to grow up healthy."

>>22088719
>i just see it happening now...were gonna get too close to this girl and the situation between her and cass will get worse and the whole party will split and well be thoroughly fucked. ill just be here smh

Rolled 28

>>22088719
(place a hand on her shoulder and nod in a foreshortened bow)
"then you have my solemn oath that I will do everything in my power to keep her safe from that which would do her harm"

>>22088719
"How do you know for certain that she won't grow healthy with you here?"

Rolled 38

>>22088766
nope, cause she's heading out soon; we won't be seeing her for a while (or possibly ever again)

>>22088719
I can see your point, and I agree, but I don't much like it.

I don't know if she's travelling with me, or I with her, but you know she's in good hands.

>>22088719
"There's never a way for everything to work out right for everyone is there?"

>>22088719
I agree with >>22088766
We cant have all the waifus, shit collapses.

"I understand the need for her to grow up healthy, but what do you want to do? there is always ways to get around things"

>>22088719
"What do *you* want to do, Astora?"

"How do you know for certain that she won't grow healthy with you here?"
"... I'm not." She said. "Everyone says it's better for her, except for you."
She sighed, and suddenly sat down, combing her hair out of her face with her normal hand.
"I understand the need for her to grow up healthy, but what do you want to do? There's always ways to get around things."
"... I want to travel with. If I could, I would go without my gifts or something. That way I'd just be traveling with her, instead of protecting her."
"There's never a way for everything to work out right for everyone, is there?" You ask.
"She tell you what happened to our parents?" She asked, lying back on the roof. You shake your head.
"They... went to meet the order." She said. "To say that we weren't evil. To plead for mercy. To try and show that we witches and warlocks were people too."

>>22088913
Ooh, that's a good one. Seconded.

>>22088914
Lye down next to her.

"I guess that didn't work out too well."

>>22088914
"I take it the order did not listen to them... Astora, I'm sorry to hear about what happened to your parents. As long as I'm with Ari that will not happen, I promise you"

>>22088914
"It didn't go well?"

"It would be interesting if there was a way to seal gifts away, for a time."

You lie down next to her. "I guess that didn't work out too well."
"We both saw mom's familiar vanish. Though Ari was only four at the time. I don't think she remembers it."
"... Astora, I'm sorry to hear about what happened to your parents." You say. "As long as I'm with Ari, that will not happen, I promise you."
"I know." She said, and put her flaming hand on your shoulder. Strangely, it didn't burn. "You're a good man, Abel. A-And feel free to call me Tori, if you want. You deserve to much more than Eldin does."

>>22089040
"Thank you."

Initiate hug.

>>22089040
"Tori. I like it, it sounds like a bird."

Take the hand and give it a squeeze, but keep our eyes on hers.

>>22089040
Look at her and smile
"Thank you, Tori."
"your hand doesn't burn, is that because you trust me or maybe even like me?"

It may be a mood killer but I cant help but think were just getting gawked up up here, probably time to suggest going back.

>>22089040
"Astora...Tori. What if you kept travelling with us, but you pledged not to use any of your gifts? I think Ariana's a lot more grown up than anyone gives her credit for."

>>22089095
no way man... I can see Exa sending us order mobs if she did that.

>>22089052
>>22089067
>>22089089
>you guys are killing the story, just stop it really

just say thank you tori, lets head back already. the others must be getting worried and i dont want cass to start thinking

"Tori." You say. "I like it. It sounds like a bird."
"Not a dragon?" She asked, and grinned, her cheeks going very subtly red. "I am a dragon, you know. In spirit. Proud, mighty, will of iron, all of that."
You take the hand and give it a squeeze, the porous, rigid stone scraping your skin. She jumped and went silent.
"Your hand doesn't burn." You say. "Is that because you trust me?"
"It's because I can control how hot it gets." She said. You feel it grow warmer under your hand, some strange wind blowing out of the pores in the stone. Gasoline fumes, most likely, some part of you says.
"... Asto- Tori." You say. "What if you kept traveling with us, but you pledged not to use any of your gifts? I think Ariana's a lot more grown up than anyone gives her credit for."
Tori thought about it for a moment, and then... nodded.
"Yeah, I can do that. No more Sight, no more Flame, and my familiar's already elsewhere."

>>22089118
But we just want everyone to be happy. How is that 'killing the story'

>>22089133
"Well, you should still use Sight to hide your hand of course."

>>22089136
ok lets head back to camp and tell cass how we just wanted tori to be happy by holding her hands and asking if she liked us staring into her eyes. you obviously dont know how women work, they are already fighting even. you fool

>>22089133
"Now how do we get down? Arianna threw me up here, so I don't know where it's easy to climb."

>>22089136
Just ignore him. He sees waifuing everywhere because that's how he thinks.

>>22089133
Give her a hug.

"Shall we get back to the others? Do you want me to show you how to make that exploding stuff?"

>>22089136
not the original poster but its probably because every girl we see besides ari we try starting a love interest with. I dunno

personally I'd like to just keep it up with Cass, trying to create some kind of harem isnt going to work and I would rather not have an angry troll that can go head to head with a werewolf on my ass...

>>22089184
You are the worst poster.

>>22089133
"Im glad you'll continue on with us *smile*"

"lets get back, can't have them worrying about us now can we?"

>>22089200
Cass is lame, the only reason people like her is because of the scaily tail. She doesn't have anything really going for herXabel except the shared sudden loss of past and the hard crushing. Astora is a better choice in character, and Tannis is much more awesome in many more ways.

This will be my only meta post on this, no need to derail.

>>22089234
im with you on not wanting to derail so I wont argue with you, I just have to say though, isnt the point of the quest to defeat gabriel and ascend back to our true angelic form? instead of picking which girl we wanna bang?

again, just sayin....

>>22089264
I'm not so sure. 'Defeating' Gabe will be a part of the quest, but I don't think that that's the ending.

I don't think we are the 'main' character in this story, but we will see.

>waifu quest

"Well, you should still use Sight to hide your hand, of course."
"Of course." She said.
"Shall we get back to the others?"
"Yeah, give me a second." She said, and focused on her hand.
"There's... no reason to make a pledge not to use gifts unless you make it... harmful to break." She said, focusing. she closed her eyes, and you hear a sudden crunch, the cracks fusing closed in her hand. She hissed, and the flames went out. Entirely. Leaving a simple reddish, porous stone claw, with long black talons.
"There." Tori said, wiggling her claws. "Ready."

After a rather uncomfortable climb down, the two of you made your way back to the tavern, finding Ariana sitting inside. "You found her, Abel!" Ariana said. "So glad you went off completely by yourself without any prompting or gift-assistance from me."
Tori raised an eyebrow.
"You're a horrible liar, kid." She said, and giggled, ruffling Ariana's hair, before going upstairs.
Ariana met your eyes.
"... She giggled. What? What did you do?"

>>22089319
"I just talked with her a bit. She'll be coming with us after all."

>>22089234
To my perceptions, Cass is the closest in terms of emotional age. Tori is too mature, and Tannis too immature. That would be the main reason that Abel gravitated towards her. But I agree with you on Tori being more interesting and relatable.

You actually see a similar thing in Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World come to think of it. Scott has much more in common with Kim than either Ramona or Knives, and I would argue would be a much better match. But Kim isn't necessarily what Scott needs to grow as a person - Ramona is. And that's okay.

>>22089264
Isn't the quest a sandbox where we dictate our own goals and objectives?

>>22089319
I convinced her to come travelling with us.

You do want that, right?

>>22089319
"We just had a little talk."

>>22089319
"We just talked about stuff, as it turns out, she will be coming with us"

>>22089319
btw Exa, My heart sank a bit when you said that the last head Meanad was Ishelda lol, I miss that girl...

>>22089419
The girl or the cat?

I like one but I feel compelled to like the other.

"We just had a little talk."
"You mean... you succeeded!" She said, grinning. She pumped her fist. "You befriended her! I'm glad."
"I also convinced her to come travelling with us."
You stumble backward as Ari launched toward you, hugging you.
"Even better!"

The two of you made your way upstairs, where tannis was snoring, a grey cat simply sitting there, eyes half-lidded.
"This is Galatea." Kale said, grinning. "Apparently she's, erm, what was it again?"
"Huntress." The cat said, her voice hoarse.
"Yes, Huntress. The maenad term for a warrior. Rather old for her kind, I believe?"
"Yes."
"Well, Tannis brought her- apparently her duty here is to make certain the pride goes to whom Tannis believes it should go to."
"Once she awakens again." Galatea said, glancing at Tannis again. "I need to confirm a few things. My other duty is to make certain which of Anakata's old orders are still to be carried out. You would understand if I said I was acting as the equivalent of a... regent, perhaps."
Cass was sitting down, munching on a bit of bread, while Tori was simply standing there.

>>22089448
the girl, I miss the adventures of Ishelda the sorcerous queen and all around tea enthusiast. I still think about some of the adventures her and everyone from New Arcturus are on.

>>22089485
"Ah, so you're the one who _actually_ knows what's going on. Let's wake her up."

Apply the most annoying snuggles to Tannis until she gets fed up and wakes up.

>>22089485
"Might I ask what those orders were?"

>>22089520
Let's just poke her.

>>22089485
"I... see. Well while we wait for Tannis to wake up do you mind If I ask some questions? it isnt every day that I get to learn about Meanads"

ask about useful things, like different classes and which is more common, you all know the drill, interrogation time!

"If you're an old warrior you must be very good at it."

"If you're an old warrior you must be very good at it."
"I am, On occasion." She said, licking her paw and brushing it against her face.
"So you're the one who *actually* knows what's going on." You say. "Might I ask what those orders were?"
"No." She responded.
"I... see." You say. "Well, while we wait for Tannis to wake up, do you mind if I ask some questions? It isn't every day that I get to learn about Maenads."
"I see no harm in it, and you are hers, anyway. Ask."
"Well, to start, I heard a lot about prides and prowls and stuff." Ariana said. "What are those?"
"A prowl is a hunting party. Five to ten of us. A pride is a collection of multiple prowls. The one in Amberway consists of six prowls. The one in Garamon, if things are no different from what I last heard, consists of three prowls."

>>22089603
"Ah, I see. Thank you."

Go give Tannis a good pat on the head to wake her up.

>>22089603
Do prides usually congregate in cities, or is this something that Eldin has arranged?

Can you tell me how many prides there are?

>>22089603
What became of Anakata?

We are not the best conversationist, but at least we're a good speaker when it counts.

"Do prides usually congregate in cities, or is this something that Eldin has arranged?"
"Not usually. There are oddities, like this pride- we've always lived in Amberway, as the undercity beneath it is perfect for our purposes. But for other, cleaner and richer cities, like Garamon and Celesthem, they are there explicitly on Eldin's orders."
"Can you tell me how many prides there are?"
"Can you tell me how many humans there are?" She asked. "I cannot, for the number is always changing."
"What became of Anakata?"
"She is likely dead. The younger prowls decided to start a Hunt against her, after tearing out her claws. It is good practice for them, when it comes time for them to hunt fathers and bear young."
"... Talking about bearing young is embarrassing." Tannis said, eyes opening.
"You're such an oddity, Tannis." Galatea said. "I always forget how young you are."
Tannis scratched at one of her ears, and sat up. "What were we talking about before I fell asleep?"
>Field too long!

"The digging." Galatea said.
"That's the one Eldin wanted, right?" Tannis asked. "Digging to all the key locations in the city?"
"Yes."
"Um, yeah, keep that." Tannis said.
"Stockpiling food?"
"Keep that, too."
"Also, Anakata planned to have the young ones start Hunting on the next new moon."
"Make that the moon after. Eldin will be here then." Tannis said.
"... That's all, I believe." Galatea said. "Except for who your... successor will be."
"Can't it be you?" Tannis asked.
"... I'm too old." Galatea said.
"Then... Celes. D'you think she'd accept?"
"I believe so, yes."
"Then... you'll be my successor, until after Eldin and his prowl arrives, then you give the pride to Celes." Tannis said. Slowly, the gray cat nodded.
"Was there anything else?" Tannis asked.
"No, that was it."
"Okay, glad to hear it." Tannis said, and stretched. "G'morning everyone."

>>22089931
"You fell asleep mid breifing?"

>>22089931
"Good morning again, Tannis!"

"Good to see you got that sorted out. Is there anything else we need to take care of in this city?"

>>22089931
"Hey, Tannis, how's the wounds today? Feeling better?"

>>22089931
"Mornign Tan" scratchy scratchy
"Is it a habit for you to fall asleep during important meetings or was this the exception to the rule?"

"Good morning again, Tannis!" You say. "You fell asleep mid briefing?"
"I got tired after fighting Anakata." Tannis said. "Excuse me for being wounded and bleeding out for trying to save you."
"And what a fight it was." Galatea said. Her voice sounded rather enamored.
"Glad to see you got that sorted out. Is there anything else we need to take care of in this city?"
"Not that I can think of." Tannis said, suddenly becoming half-human.
"Oh, I'd forgotten to say, but Eldin told me that there's nothing else he needs us to do here." Tori said. "Through my familiar."
"How's the wounds today, Tannis? Feeling better?"
"Yep!" She said, smiling. "I heal fast, even for my kind."
"You were born on a new moon." Galatea said.
"... That's probably it!" She said, and giggled. "I finished my mission, saved the pride from the claws of the evil Anakata, got the world's biggest fish, and got to sleep in. This has been a good trip."

>>22090055
"So where do we go next? Eldin doesn't need us, and we've done what we need to here."

Can we get the map again Exabyte?

>>22090055
"Haha, good to hear you enjoyed yourself."

File: 1355788882263.png-(488 KB, 1028x1028, Region 10 Complete.png)

>>22090097
>Map, as requested!

>>22090118
Is there a key? what's the difference between the two forests? Is that a different region in the middle of the swamps? it looks different.

"If we want to continue on to Dalruan, I'd suggest we go north through the forest, I've had enough of swamps."

File: 1355789127237.png-(7 KB, 192x192, Shitty key.png)

>>22090173
>Key, as requested! It's just as shitty as the map!

File: 1355789168384.jpg-(6 KB, 150x144, 1324708873673.jpg)

>>22090055
sorry about it Tan. About getting you wounded and... sorry."
scratchy eary

>>22090184
key for ocean is black
in map ocean is blue
shitty key indeed

>>22090213
to be fair, the ocean fades blacker as it gets more ocean-y

>>>22090213
If you look at it from the right angle, it's a blue fade from lighter to darker blue.

>>22090213
>I'd actually pulled it from the map itself. Guess I chose the wrong spot.

"Haha, good to hear you enjoyed yourself."
Tannis nodded, and you look down to unspool your map.
"So where do we go next?" You ask. "Eldin doesn't need us, and we've done what we need to, here." You say. "We could continue on to Dalruan. I'd suggest we go north through the forest, I've had enough of the swamps."
"We could," Ariana said. "Or we could go south, across the ocean."
"You seem very determined on going south." Cass said.
"Well, I've never been on a ship." Ari said. "It would be an adventure."
"Dalruan seems fun." Kale said. "I wonder how it's changed since I've been there. And since I'm here, the forest will be as easy to pass as if it were a road!"
"I'm up for going wherever the rest of you want to go." Tori said.
Tannis just shrugged. "I haven't been to Atlask in years and years, but I've never been to Dalruan. And I'm not the one that would need to walk, so I don't have an opinion."

>>22090239
black is a darker shade of blue.
green is a grasser shade of blue.
yellow is a sol:er shade of blue.
red is a bloodier shade of blue.
cyan is a deadlier shade of blue.
can't you see?

everything is blue.

>>22090307
You know, I think a boat sounds like fun.

Have you ever been south, Kale?

>>22090317
too much Lain.

>>22090348
he just wondered how it's changed since he last was there

>>22090307
>Also, since this is technically a big choice, I'll greentext it.

>[] Boat south to Atlask
>[] Take the road north to Dalruan?
>[] Other?

>>22090460
"what was it when you last were there, Kal?"

>captcha: advised rvitama
damn right i'm asking advise, big decision

>>22090460
>TO ATLASK! SPLIT YOUR LUNGS WITH BLOOD AND THUNDER! VICTORY AT SEA!

>>22090460
Boat.

>>22090460
Really not sure what to pick here.

I'm leaning towards boat though, because the Forged will have less chance of getting us

>>22090546
>Implying no Forged fish-morphs

>>22090546
"Fuck you gabriel! Lets see your robot swim the ocean!"

>>22090564
>>22090556
>>22090546
>implying the other side of the splashy thing doesn't have armies of them ready for him to beckon to his will and we'll be leading him to them

>>22090588
>Implying we won't just kill him with one hit using a little bit of ingenuity and luck.

>>22090460
[x]Gotta boat fast

"You know..." You say, considering the strange dream you'd had *before* your memory with the bear- the one where Gabriel had taken ahold of a strange, copper staff...
"I think a boat sounds like fun." You say, finally.
Ariana cheered, and took out the map she'd purchased in Garamon. You study it for a moment, and nod. In the corner of your eye, Galatea did a strange little bow, lowering her head, and then hopped out the window again.
"I want to show you guys Lys." Tannis said, grinning, as she got up from the bed. "But how will we get there?"
"The guard, when we were entering the city, mentioned a Silver Serpent ship, didn't he?" Kale asked.
"He did." Cass said.
"Well... let's go see if we can go purchase passage." Tori said.

>End of thread!

File: 1355790811923.png-(338 KB, 1028x1028, Region 14 Complete.png)

>>22090659
>Whoops, had her pull out the map, but never posted it. Here's Atlask, people.

>>22090666
Atlask is a lot smaller than [Region 10 Name] eh?

Thanks for running, Exa.

File: 1355790949326.png-(19 KB, 1028x1028, Map map.png)

>>22090674
>It is! Though, that's the bottom of the world. Everything past that is unpassable, mapless desert/rock/ocean/acid. Here's a shitty map of maps I have, with each region in each numbered slot.

>>22090695
Ah, I see, is there any official name for region ten by the way?

>>22090731
>It, and a little sliver of the cities in Region 9, are known as the Free Cities. Nobody quite remembers what they were originally called.

>>22090804
Thanks!

Curses, almost caught this one, ah well. Great story so far Exabyte