>>32631961
Is this back? :D

>Gerin Rookmore

>>32632734
Gerrin Rookmore, son of Geo Rookmore, of the Hohenstaufen Estate. Yep, that's your name and lineage, right there on all the papers. As you walk up to the gate of the Palace, a guard blocks your way. Without hesitation you pull out the letter, and the guard quickly gives you a bow and apologizes. “My mistake, sir. Please, come inside.”

He taps his spear against the main palace door and it slowly swings open, inviting you into the Palace proper. A page walks up to you and at his word, leads you into the waiting room. Looking around, you see plenty of luxurious couches and opulent paintings, but surprisingly, you seem to be the only person actually waiting, with only a few pages and servants standing at attention. You twiddle your thumbs for a bit, but finally, a door swings open. “Sire Rookmore, Queen Adelida of the Grand Nation of Astrava requests your presence.”

You nod at those words, and pace into the royal chamber. You find your self standing in the throne room, big enough to contain even the mightiest Espadan Dreadnought. Guards stand at attention at a few spots around the room, and you see at large throne at the end-an sitting in it, the Queen herself. Trying to hide your nervousness, you take a deep breath, and pace forward until you find yourself at the steps to the throne. There, you take a bow, until a calm voice speaks.

“Rise, Sire Gerrin.”

>>32632786

You stand and tilt your head up, and there sits the queen, staring right at you. Her dress is as regal as the palace, a mix of deep reds and vivid whites, and her frame is long and slender. Her delicate face is draped by, log, silken black hair, and her eyes are an endless gold, you stand awestruck, before catching yourself staring and turning away. “My apologies, my Queen.”

“None are needed. Tell me, do you know why you were selected for the Maritime Academy of Stars?”

You pause for a bit, considering your past, and answer.

>“Because my family has been loyal sailors and admirals in her Majesty's Navy for years.”+3 Weaponeering
>“Because my family has served yours as guardians for generations, protecting the throne.”+3 Nautical
>“Because my family has taken care of the Royal Archives for centuries, as is their duty.”+3 Cultural

>>32632734
Also, yes, i'm back, with a completely modified storyline and characters.

>>32632811
>“Because my family has served yours as guardians for generations, protecting the throne.”+3 Nautical

>>32632825
I hope you stick around, man.

>>32632811
>"Because my family has been loyal sailors and admirals in her Majesty's Navy for years.”+3 Weaponeering

>>32632825
Hope you don't drop it this time. I really enjoyed the previous go, though I understand why you let it go.

>>32632811
>+3 Nautical

This seems like it'd be useful.

>>32632825
Glad to see you back, mate!

Oh hey, roll/system info dump whilst we wait for tiebreakers.

Roll system in game:
You have 3 skills/stats in this quest.
>Weaponeering, representing physical capabilities/actions
>Nautical, representing Mental power and will
>Cultural, representing charisma and strength of personality.

Each one starts off at 30(but will improve over the course of the quest.). In order to take actions, roll 1d100. If it falls underneath your skill, you succeed, though the lower your number is, the better your degree of success will be. Furthermore, actions that are especially easy or hard may receive penalties or bonuses to the roll.

>>32632852
thanks, i appreciate it. I'll be changing things up as well, so it's not just an extended recap.

>>32632811
>“Because my family has taken care of the Royal Archives for centuries, as is their duty.”+3 Cultural

Let's see how this goes.

>>32632836
>>32632878
>>Popular Vote: “Because my family has served yours as guardians for generations, protecting the throne.”+3 Nautical

She nods at your words. “yes, that is true. That is why you were picked, because of the loyalty of your family and their unerring will at this task. To protect the Royal Galleon is no simple task. All sorts of threats exist, and only a strong hand and calm mind will prevail upon an ocean of stars.”

“Do you know the purpose of the Maritime Academy of Stars? The most revered academy, the only one to be considered neutral between the three nations? It is to act as a diplomat, to make peace among the nations in miniature, as it were. There amongst the halls of that school you will meet Espadan and Coutlan people, and there, you will be representing Astrava as a whole. Your every action will be judged, your every word recorded. To be there is no easy task. You must carry yourself as strongly as you can, for even the slightest of slips may be perceived as a weakness on our part.” the queen pauses, and stares at you right in the eyes.

“Are you up to it, Sir Gerrin Rookmore?”

>Yes.
>No.
>Other.

(also, feel free to write in dialogue for our protagonist if you feel like it, or write in options. He is as much your character as mine. Also, expect updates to slow past this point but no longer than a 20-25min wait or so.)

>>32633014
>Other
"I believe I am, but only time will tell, Madame."

>>32633014
>Yes.

>>32633014
>Yes.
"I was born ready, my queen."

>>32633014
>Yes!
Strong, confident, like a new recruit should be!

Damm it's going t be hard to play XCom and alternate between 3 different quests

>>32633060
>>32633063
>>32633088
>Popular Vote: Yes.

"I was born ready, my queen."

For a single second, she blushes, taken aback by the honesty in your statement, and you see to girl underneath the visage of the queen-A girl who has about as much years of experience and life as you. Then, it disappears, and she nods and sends you off. However you notice as she does so, he checks are a little redder, and her voice wavers slightly as she does so-though it may just be your imagination.

At your home, you pack light, for the academy intends provide what you need. You decide on a few change of clothes and a pair of sturdy boots, as well as some books and pens, and decide one more item wouldn't hurt-but only one more. Looking over your prized possessions, you settle on:

>Your grandfather's dagger, made from the stinger of a puffer-scorpion. +1 Weaponeer
>An old compass, gifted to you by some relative you can't quite remember.+1 Nautical
>That brightly colored bandana you found one day after a grand festival. +1 Cultural

>>32633210
>>That brightly colored bandana you found one day after a grand festival. +1 Cultural
Best be blood fucking red.

>>32633210
>Your Grandfather's Dagger

Much as I want nautical, having a dagger might actually prove useful.

I guess I'm just paranoid like that.

>An old compass, gifted to you by some relative you can't quite remember.+1 Nautical

This quest looks cool. Might follow it.

>>32633210
>Your grandfather's dagger, made from the stinger of a puffer-scorpion. +1 Weaponeer
I really want that fucking bandana but
MUH FAMILY HEIRLOOM

>>32633251
>>32633253
>>32633255
>/tg/, as many opinions as there are options.

>>32633210
>That brightly colored bandana you found one day after a grand festival. +1 Cultural
Missed getting the Cultural boost earlier, so voting for it now.

>>32633210
Let's go with the dagger.

>Popular Vote/Tie:Dagger&Bandana

You sit there, staring between the bandana and dagger, and decide that the utility of both is just as important as the memories attached. You tie the red bandana around your head, and tuck the dagger away in your bag, fond memories of family coming to mind. Prepared as much as you could possibly be, you close your eyes, remember all the memories you've had, all the things you've encountered-all leading up to this. A smile breaks out on your face, and after saying your goodbye to your family and making promise, holding hands, and giving hugs, you walk out the door of your house, and proceed to the docks. You're to head to the city-state of Cresentport, and board the NSS Legacy, whereupon you and many others will be taken directly to the Maritime Academy of Stars, your destiny.

>>32633487
The trip to Cresentport is merely a merely a few hours , and considering that it is about noon and the NSS Legacy plans to depart at sunset, you're in no hurry. So that's why when you move to board a small skiff to Cresentport, you are nearly trampled by someone in a big rush. They storm past you hastily, knocking you aside, and before you can respond, their bag knocks into the back of your knee, sending you stumbling. Your possessions scatter, and as you frown and pick them, you try and see who exactly did it.

It's not hard. A young lady, wearing a red coat and boots reminiscent of a soldier, stands on the railing of the ship, giving the crew orders in a cheery manner, clearly eager to leave. A bright smile is on her face, and her blond hair is bound in spiral tails that bounce as much as she does. She seems to be in a rush, and when she turns back to the deck and spots you, her green eyes alight and she calls out jokingly. “Come along mate, or we'll leave you for the pigeon-sharks!”

You:

>Are in no pleasant mood, and decide to confront her behavior.
>Decide to her ignore her. No need to ruin your somewhat pleasant mood.
>talk to her. Someone as jolly as this couldn't have been so mean intentionally.
>other.

>>32633536
>talk to her. Someone as jolly as this couldn't have been so mean intentionally.
Someone is a little exuberant.

>>32633536
>>talk to her. Someone as jolly as this couldn't have been so mean intentionally.
Let's give her the benefit of the doubt. Just this once.

>>32633536
>talk to her. Someone as jolly as this couldn't have been so mean intentionally.

>>32633536
>Talk to her
Be...short. She gets a chance, but if she's really just a prig...

>>32633536
>talk to her. Someone as jolly as this couldn't have been so mean intentionally.

>>32633536
>talk to her. Someone as jolly as this couldn't have been so mean intentionally.
Gotta make all the friends.

>Popular Vote: Talk to Her

You put a smile on, and respond. “Aye, captain!” You hustle on board, and when you get in front of her, you throw a quick salute. “Gerrin Rookmore, Academy trainee, reporting in!”

You hold the position, chest puffed out as much as possible, and she only manages to keep a straight face for a few seconds before laughing. She sticks out her hand. “Alantra Vant, academy trainee as well.” You shake it, and as the ship takes off from the docks, diving underneath a slow freighter and rocketing out of the harbor.

“Seems they took your orders seriously, captain Alantra.” You say, and she coyly smiles, as if she were hiding something.

“Well, maybe they're late to something.”
“Any idea what that would be?”
“Perhaps our dear queen required a few more sails to make her dresses.” You tilt your head at this, but if she saw your confusion, she ignored it and continues to talk about what she hopes to see at the Academy.

Aside from that, however, the trip goes well, and you find yourself standing in Cresentport within the hour, a record time. Alantra left to take care of some business, so you decided to find where to go next. A chat with some dockhands quickly gives you the location of the NSS Legacy, pointing to the tower at the docks, where your destination is docked-right at the tiptop.

The NSS Legacy. One of the first ships to be crafted with methods from all three nations, the ship is a sight to behold. It's hull is made of the finest wood available, and the copper plating gleams with a brilliant intensity. The ship stands proud, and the figurehead holds the prow aloft, her dress carved so finely you would swear it was cloth. From the docks, the ship looked beautiful. And now, up close, you can see that it is magnificent. The masts look sturdy and strong, and the flag of the academy flaps gaily in the solar winds. The other ships far below at the regular docks seem to be made of matchsticks in comparison.

>>32633967

A pat on the back breaks your musing.

“What're you looking at, Astravan?”

You turn to the voice, and in front of you stands an old sailor, with a grey beard and strong back. A smile on his face brushes away any awkwardness, and he looks fit and healthy, like a man 10 years younger.

You smile back, and stick out your hand. “Gerrin Rookmore. I'm here for the Academy.”

“Captain Silver, here because of the dear Academy, an Astravan, just like you. You've showed up awfully early, Gerrin. What for? We don't plan to leave until sunset.”

You tell him about the ship making record time here, as well as Alantra, but if Silver knows anything, he's not revealing it. With a shrug, he brushes the issue away, and says, “Well, I suppose I could give you the grand tour, take up some time, I suppose, maybe work with the crew, see how one of you Royal Galleon fellows do on an Academy vessel. Course, you could always run about the bazaar in town here, take in some sights, and meet your fellow students when you get back. Or....” Silver's voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper. “We could have ourselves a bit of a swashbuckle-Carting students back and forth doesn't give much of a chance for entertainment.”

You think about it, and pick:
>Grand Tour & Ship Work: ++? Nautical
>Bazaar Run & Socialize +? Cultural
>Swashbuckle+? Weaponeer

(make a roll to accompany your choice. The higher your degree of success, the more points coming your way. The ++means a double points-this one is due to your heritage and family duties!)

Rolled 86

>>32634066
>Grand Tour & Ship Work: ++? Nautical

Rolled 13

>>32634066
>Swashbuckle+? Weaponeer
I get the feeling doing well on this one will also get us on Silver's good side more than the others.

Rolled 91

>>32634066
>Grand Tour & Ship Work: ++? Nautical
Here we go!

Rolled 91

>>32634066
>>Swashbuckle+? Weaponeer

This looks fun, and we need to get good at our dagger perhaps.

Is it alright if I ask for a brief history of the world? Like, about the three nations in brief. Might have to brush up on our history in the academy

Rolled 100

>>32634066
>>Grand Tour & Ship Work: ++? Nautical

Rolled 96

>>32634066
>Swashbuckle+? Weaponeer

Rolled 70

>>32634066
>Swashbuckle+? Weaponeer
Eh what's the worse that can happen

Do we roll and vote or vote first?

Huh. Figures we'd get nothing but 90+ rolls in a roll-under system.

>>32634130
Thank you based dice gods.

>>32634162
>>32634178
W-what?

>>32634178
Roll under system, anon. That's a crit-fail.

Rolled 5

>>32634130
Welp, this quest is over.

>Popular Vote: Tour(Success, System change to roll over 100-skill value)

Silver claps his hands at the idea of a tour, and he guides you along the vessel, pointing out various crafting methods used from the Three Nations, as well as some newer academy innovations. You feel like you learned something from what Silver pointed out, and it may come in handy later. (+4 Nautical,) From there, he introduces you to the crew, and sets you to work, fastening sails and checking bindings. As you do so, you notice more academy students coming. Silver does a bit of greeting, but for the most part, you don't notice him extending that offer he made to to you to anyone else.

Finally, sun as the sun hovers on the horizon, you see the crew scramble on the rigging and cast off ropes. Silver seems to do a quick count of all the students onboard, checks a list, and nods. Finally, he weaves through the crowd, and steps on a barrel underneath the main mast, and speaks to all the students present.

>>32634373
“First, I would like to congratulate all of you for making it to the Academy. You have a long life of adventure and learning ahead of you-but for now, you have food and drink aplenty, downstairs. Eat and drink, and I'll let you all know when we get to the academy proper.”

His bows to polite applause, then hops down from the barrel, and gets back to working with the crew. You're still holding some rope, so you simply keep on doing what you're doing. You wave at Alantra when you see her, and despite her enthusiasm, she's as ready to work as any sailor, and joins you in your job. You notice a few other students follow your example, but an Espadan sticks out, sitting in the circle of a standing crowd, laughing, jeering and crowding up the main deck. However, none of the actual sailors seems to pay the Espadan any mind, and continues along with their duties. As you finish up your task, you look to the actual sailors for a task, but they don't seem to give you any, seemingly ignoring you as well, though not out of any ill will. You decide to:

>retire belowdeck eat and relax.
>Find something else to do.
>Talk with Silver.
>Other.

>>32634394
>Find something else to do
Dagger practice is go, let's find a nice, clear space in the brig where we won't hit anything important. Maybe the hold, if the brig's full of people.

>>32634394
>Talk with Silver.
Either we got the "spark" or this guy is a creep

>>32634394
>retire belowdeck eat and relax.
Also, mingle.

I think you shouldn't have changed the system just because we rolled poorly. Plain roll-under is easier to understand than roll-over-100-minus-score.

Besides, hardship builds character and all that.

>>32634430
I like this idea. Maybe talk to Silver after if we have time.

>>32634430
A bit of self-defence work never hurt anyone(important), so let's go with this.

>>32634460
While true, I don't think it sets a good tone if you fail during the first thread. Only time that really worked out was Bleach Quest, and only then because it was full over-the-top.

>>32634522
>Bleach Quest
I missed that ride shit got outta hand really fast
It was great

>>32634522
If, from a narrative standpoint, we shouldn't have failed, then we really oughtn't to have rolled for it.

Whenever we roll a check, there is always the risk of failing, and OP should always be prepared for this eventuality. The action should always be written such that, regardless of success or failure, any result will contribute in its own way to developing the narrative.

If failure would hurt the narrative - not the character, mind, but the narrative - by destroying the tone or irreparably derailing the plot and so on, then OP shouldn't have us risk failure by making us roll.

Not that I'd likely be able to do this myself, if I were in his shoes, but the point still stands: OP has to be prepared for both failure and success whenever he calls for a roll.

You decide you may as well do some weapon practice, and walk down towards the hold, nodding at people you pass. Upon reaching the hold, you run through the motions of some basic drills, working up a sweat. The hold is practically empty, save for a few barrels and weapon racks. Finally, when you finish running through your limited repertoire, you move to the hold door walk back on deck, hoping to cool down in the moon breeze.

Standing deck, you see a mist rise, obscuring even the town you just left from, making visibility outside the ship poor. You turn towards the sailors, but they don't seem to pay it any mind. However, the students are pointing out the spectacle, crowding window and railing. You squint and peer through the mist, and can make something out, slightly above the ship. You stare at it a bit, and slowly but surely, you see the outline of another ship, sailing above you in the mist. You turn to Captain Silver, but he sees the concern in your eyes and grins.

“Nothing to worry, about, Lad. Attention, students!”

He calls out to the crowd, and you see them slowly come from belowdeck. “Some of you may 'ave noticed another boat in the mist. No need to worry. She's simply another Academy vessel, and we're boarding it.”As he speaks, he walks away from the wheel, headed towards the railing. In the crowd, you notice the deckhands moving that way as well.

“And by we. I mean ship crew. Academy's straight ahead, though there may be an asteroid or two in the way!” Ever so quickly, the other academy vessel darts down and back, passing by the ship with barely a hairsbreadth between the two. The actual crew jumps aboard as the other vessel sinks away, leaving you and the rest of the students alone.

A moment of silence.

Then panic sets in. You:

>try and take control of the situation.[Cultural]
>Lead by example.[Nautical]
>Wait for someone else to step up.
>Do nothing.
>other.
[Roll for the related skill when choosing any action]

Rolled 30

>>32634899
>Lead by example

Rolled 7

>>32634899
>Lead by example.[Nautical]
Here we go!

Rolled 68

>>32634899
>Lead by example.
We got this!

>>32634899
Also, should i post difficulty modifiers in addition to the post, or keep them secret for example

[Current Difficulty: Easy. the Crowd is looking for Direction, and thanks to your tour, you know the NSS Legacy won't be too difficult to maneuver. +20 to threshold eg, skills at 30 are now at 50.]

Rolled 42

>>32634899
>Lead by example

Rolled 34

>>32634899
>try and take control of the situation.[Cultural]

>>32634974
I'd say list them. Since success is always based on our stats, it's probably best we know any modifiers.

Though, I'm more of a fan of picking the action before we roll.

>Popular Vote: Lead by Example-Success!

You decide that this is no time for speeches or praise, but instead rush up the rigging and let loose one of the bound sails. Riding it down, you swing off at the end and slide down the rigging and untie another rope. Around you, people see your deft movements and spring into action. You look around and smile slightly as the crew works, then move to the helm.

As you grab ahold of the wheel, you see a massive shadow looming in the mist, you start to heave the wheel to the left, and call for the sails to be adjusted. The crew, though ready to respond, is a bit unfamiliar with the ship, and you barely slip by, flinching slightly as you hear the sound of copper rubbing against stone. Stranding at the helm, you see the students below you spring into action-at least those that can. Many Astravans were topdeck, and hearing a voice of their nation, started working. Coutlans, dressed in brown with yellow scarves and sashes, were the second to follow. Espadans, however, looked towards the one from earlier, who seemed to be their leader, for direction, and they seemed lost. Whoever they are, their purple hair stood out, and they made a dismissive gesture before heading back downstairs. You take it all in, and notice one person who seems to be completely unconcerned. Dressed in bandages, they stand at the prow of the ship, staring into the distance. Even as you dodge another asteroid by dipping below, they don't seem to move at all. Finally, after a few hours you notice some of the crew getting a bit sleepy and slow-makes sense after all, as it has been a while since sundown.

>>32635329
“We'll take over now. You should go and get some rest, you heroic astravan.”

turning to the voice dripping with sarcasm, you notice the purple-haired fellow from earlier. He stares at you, a smirk on his face. He-or at least, you think it's a he, judging by his clothing despite his slender face, speaks again.

“Don't tell me you wore yourself deaf after a few hours of steering around obstacles.” his sarcastic tone bites at your ears, and staring up, you can see Espadans moving amongst the crew, taking over tasks and jobs. It seems whoever this fellow is, he wants you to get off the helm. And won't take no for an answer.

You:
>get off.
>Stay on.
>other.

>>32635348
>Stay on. "I've got a couple hours left in me."

>>32635348
>Stay on. "I'll be fine for a while yet. Go see what's up with the Mainmast rigging; it's come undone twice in the past three hours. Fuckin rookies..."
We still have our dagger, yeah?

>>32635348
>>get off.

Let the mummy take a shift. Don' t be culturally retarded.

>>32635348
Wait we're on a boat in space?

>>32635561
Yeah, despite the title, that wasn't really made clear before.

Especially with the mist earlier.

>>32635561
Think Treasure planet and stop rationalizing it.

>>32635592
>Rationalizing
>implying I'm rational
I was just confused for a second there wasn't much indication we went into space other than the asteroids

>>32635376
>>32635415
>Popular Vote: Stay On
Despite the Espadan's glare, you stay on the helm, fighting your tiredness. The rest of the trip is uneventful, and as faint rays of morning sunlight shine through the mist, you stare out, and see a faint glimmer. You try and make it out, and as the mist starts to clear, you see it.

The Maritime Academy of Stars.

A massive spire floating in space, you can see docking ports on both the top and the bottom. As your ship draws closer, you can see that the building seems to dwarf even the royal Palace, being just as wide but four times as tall. An open ampitheater sits at the top, large enough to hold several ships as they sailed. The walls were made out of marble, with nary a flaw to notice, adorned with statues and in the middle, stood two giant doors with a dock sticking out, and someone waving a flag in a 'dock here' motion.

You pull the ship in, feeling the satisfaction of being at the helm and ignoring the espadan's glare. The crews ties the ship in neatly as it settles alongside the dock, and Silver is there, alongside the rest of the actual crew, cheering your arrival, and you can't help but smile at this.

Standing at the helm, you watch as the students shuffle off the boat, possessions in hand, smiling and clapping each other on the back. Alantra waves from the crowd your bag in hand, and you wave back, letting the last of the students leave before you descend.

Walking off the gangplank, you step onto the deck, turn to Silver and:

>Ask him what the hell he was thinking.
>Asked to be relieved of duty.
>Downplay your performance.
>Other.

>>32635794
>>Asked to be relieved of duty.

>>32635794
>Give a nod of acknowledgement
Let's be as unassuming as fucking possible.

>>32635794

>Ask to be relieved of duty

>>32635861
>>32635826
Asking to be relieved of duty implies we were the acting captain. We weren't, by any official chain of command. Let's not make assumptions.

>>32635794
>Asked to be relieved of duty.
Then
>Ask him what the hell he was thinking.
"Permission to speak freely Captain? Are you out of your damn mind?"

>>32635794
>Asked to be relieved of duty.

>>32635877

Fair point. Salute and await orders or debriefing silently then?

>>32635919
This seems goo. Do this.

>>32635877
Does being the only guy on the ship giving orders not make us acting captain of said ship?

>>32636010
No, it makes us the person yelling out orders. There were no ranks. Thus, we have no right to ask to be 'relieved of duty' since technically we had no duty.

File: 1355385934291.jpg (197 KB, 754x1024)

197 KB JPG

>>32636010

Yeah, but it kind of... just happened. It's not like we were given the authority formally.

Also OP, keep it up. I liked the first threads too, but you're doing even better with this one. Stay cool!

>>32635826
>>32635861
>>32635883
>>32635885
>Popular vote: Ask for permission
“Permission to be relieved of duty, sir.” You say, and Silver chuckles. "Awfully formal, about this, aren't you? Well, technically-" He pauses, then shakes his head and throws a salute back, before smiling. “Permission granted. Now, join the rest of your friends.”

With that, Silver takes the crew back onto the boat, leaving you on the dock. You stand for a moment, proud of your performance, when the light footsteps of someone behind you bring you back to the world. You turn-and accidentally bump into the bandaged person. Whoever they are, they withdraw as if stung, then scurry past you, disappearing into the crowd. Looking down, you notice a small doll carved out of wood. Picking it, you consider it before slipping into your bag. Proceeding down the dock, you see the sarcastic Espadan, standing, a crowd at his back.

“Look up, Astravan.” he says, emphasizing the last word.

You follow his order, and above the massive doors leading into the structure, you see an inscription engraved.

““Let the sea swallow all, for it is never-ending and unyielding; Supplanting even the greatest of explorers, the strongest of admirals, and the richest of merchants.” the Espadan pauses, then considers you.

“What do you think it means?”

You look back up at the phrase, and say:

>“We should give up hope, for the sea overtakes all.”
>“We should always aspire to more, for the sea is infinite.”
>“Hell if I know, I came here for practice, not philosophy.”
>“What's it to you, Espadan?”
>Other.

>>32636189
> He who conquers the sea is God.

>>32636189
>"It means that noone should get too arrogant. The sea too great a thing to be properly tamed, and those who let their guard down...fall short."

>>32636189
>“We should always aspire to more, for the sea is infinite.”
Ignore the obvious and much more ominous meaning.

>>32636256
I could roll with this

>>32636256
This is a good answer.

>>32636189

>"We should always aspire to more, for the sea is infinite"

>>32636189
>“We should always aspire to more, for the sea is infinite.”

>>32636256
>>32636346
>>32636368
>Popular vote: "It means that no one should get too arrogant. The sea too great a thing to be properly tamed, and those who let their guard down...fall short."

He's clearly stunned by your answer, for even the lackeys behind him have their jaws dropped. He hems and haws for a moment, then tugs on his collar.

“Yes, which is why you shouldn't be so cocky after dodging a few asteroids, Astravan.”

As he straightens his uniform and walks towards the doors, he calls back to you.

“I am Seigrid of the Espadan royalty. Try not to let your dreams get in the way of those of us who will actually succeed.”

Shaking your head, you wait until there is some distance between you, and proceed into the hall as well. As you enter the main hall, you see dozens of other students from the three nations congregating in the seats. You watch the crowd for a bit, when you notice a speaker making his way to the podium at the front. You look around, but most of the seats are taken, an d so, you take one in the back, besides the bandaged stranger. They don't seem to notice you, but instead, pore over a piece of wood, working it with a knife, uncaring of the world around them even as the speaker takes the stage.

>>32636540

“Welcome, all both near and far, to the Maritime Academy of Stars. This school was founded long ago, as a neutral party, so that all nations and may learn, both about themselves, and each other, to replicate each nation in miniature. Here we seek to-”

As the speaker drones on about the merits of alliances and forming bonds, you look around. Seigrid seems to be looking disdainfully at the speaker and muttering things to his lackeys on occasion. Alantra is staring right ahead, a big determined grin on her face. And the mysterious stranger? They continue carving the piece of wood, ignoring the words of the world about them.

Finally the speaker finishes, and after a round of applause, he dismisses you all and lets it be known that classes start tomorrow.

As the students mill and wheel to various doors, you take a look around. Alantra is talking with a few others heading off towards the cafeteria, Seigrid is hanging with his lackeys moving towards the dorms, and the bandaged person is quietly slipping away, ignoring the crowd.

You decide to go after:
>Alantra
>Seigrid
>Bandaged person

>>32636600
>Bandaged person

Return wooden totem thingy.
Aquire awesome friend

>>32636600
Tough choice. I'd like to see more of the bandaged guy, but let's see
>Alantra

>>32636600
>Bandaged person
Need to return their weird carving.

>>32636600

Go for a walk, explore the Academy a bit.

samefag from >>32636678 (you)

do this >>32636676 instead (or before)

>>32636600
>Bandaged person
Inb4 the dolls are Fate points

>>32636600
>>Bandaged person

>>32636717
> not shining orbs of light

But then how will we revive Bandage-bro when they die?

>>32636654
>>32636676
>>32636714
>>32636717
>>32636720
>Bandaged person

You chase after the bandaged person, but either they want to escape from you, or walk very fast. Either way, they lead you on a long, twisting path through the academy-and soon, you find yourself in a large room, filled with nothing but lumber. The bandaged person is there, and you pause before speaking.

“hey. You, uhh, dropped this.”

When you first speak, they pull back, but when you hold out the doll, they come out, slowly. They slowly reach for the doll, as if afraid you will yank it away, and the second they do touch it, its quickly pulled from your hands. They hug and cradle it, before turning to you and bowing several times in appreciation.

You bow back and turn away, but a noise between a groan and a whistle stops you.

“What....your....name?” The voice is soft and hesitant.

“Gerrin Rookmoore. And you?”

“....Verdere.” You stand there for a moment, staring at that bandaged face, but you can make out nothing except for two soft brown eyes.

Then Verdere turns away, back to the wood, and you feel like the conversation has ended.

You spend the rest of the day looking around the Academy, awed by the massive archives, impressed by the multitude of ships at the docks, and excited at the sight of food. Digging into your meal, Alantra suddenly appears, placing her tray on the same table as yours.

>>32637040

“Nice job, captain,” She says with a wink, and you shrug, playing it off casually.

“it was nothing. The Crew did most of the work. I just got things started.”

“Really? I heard you took your duties very seriously, dueled an Espadan to retain control of the helm, and even asked to be relieved of duty once we came back ashore.”
“We both know only part of that is true.” You respond, and she grins.

“Must be the part where you duelled an Espadan. I heard the two of you were fighting on the top of the mast, and there was a great deal of acrobatics and rope swinging involved.”

You:
>Set her straight
>start comically exaggerating the events of the duel
>change the subject
>other

>>32637079
>>change the subject
Do you know anything about a man named "Verdere"?

>>32637079
>start comically exaggerating the events of the duel

>>32637079
>start comically exaggerating the events of the duel

>>32637106
This

>>32637136
Seconding.

>>32637136
>>32637179
>>32637232
>Popular vote: Exaggerate
“Actually, I had to use a lantern to...” you story and hers drifts into the night, each additional sentence adding more and more to the lie, though there is no doub that some of the crowd around you actually believed parts of it.

And so, dinner ends and you clamber your way up to the dorms, find your bed, and drop into a deep sleep, your dreams vague and unremarkable. The next morning after you shower and get a breakfast into your stomach, you consider your schedule. First up, Weaponeering Class.

You find yourself in one of the rooms open to the outside, a packed dirt floor beneath your feet. At the open spot, a Coutlan stands, dressed in the yellow of his people, his tan sking and white hair accenting the colours.

As you all shuffle in, you notice a distinct lack of weapons in the room.

The Coutlan speaks suddenly, without ceremony, his voice solid, but monotone.

“I am Shep. And you will first learn to master a weapon by mastering your bodies. Now, give chase.”

The room is silently, but suddenly, you hear a roar go up from the Coutlans in the room, and they charge at Shep, who somehow manages to evade them all with the slightest of movements, and darts past the rest of you into the hallway. Your classmates, Alantra and Seigrid among them, give chase-save for a single coutlan girl. She looks at the tripped up coutlans in the room, and shakes her head, the darts down the hallway as well-in the opposite direction.

You:
>Join the rest of your classmates
>Chase the coutlan girl
>help the coutlans in the room up.

>>32637420
>Chase the coutlan girl
Oi you sneaky lil git

>>32637420
>>Join the rest of your classmates

>>32637420
>>Chase the coutlan girl
The only right way to do this.

>>32637537
>>32637615

seconding this

Rolled 61

>>32637420

>Chase after the Coutlan
this oughta be fun

>>32637537
>>32637615
>>32637750
>>32637819
>Popular Vote: chase after Coutlan.

The chase, is fast, exhilarating, and exhausting. Your delay didn't help you either, you keep your legs going for as long as possible, sucking in air with each breath as the girl sets a breakneck pace. Before long, you lose her, but the exhausted bodies of your comrades form a trail, which you follow all the way to the top of the academy. There, Shep seems to simply shift, leaning to one side or another-but somehow, the people around him simply cannot seem to touch him at all. You watch as the crowd seems to flow and move around him, and with a simple movement of his foot, he sends a particularly large fellow tumbling into the rest of the group. As they go sprawling, you note a bunch of Coutlans charge out of another exit, as well as a few more from another side. They too, are tripped and scattered-but not the girl. Darting from behind the pile of people, she quickly steps up off the Coutlans, and soars past Shep's head. You pause for a moment, staring at her clenched fist, but she opens her hand, and out falls a yellow scarf. Shep however, touches where the scarf used to be on his head, and simply shakes his head-and turns to the rest of the class.

“We shall continue this practice until I am caught once more, by someone else. Now, run back to the room and consider yourselves dismissed.”

You're not sure what you just witnessed, but it seems that aside from the Coutlans, only you noticed how charged it was between Shep and the girl, while most of the others, comment or congratulate her for being the only one to succeed. After a shower and a change of clothes, you find yourself headed to cultural class, whereupon entering a large auditorium, the professor simply writes on the board, 'which nation is the best?'

You:
>Yell out Astrava.
>Support Another nation.
>Write Astrava on the board.
>other.

>>32638062
>Wait.
If this isn't some kind of test, then I'm a monkey's uncle.

>>32638062
What's the Seafarer version of Atlantis? Write that.

>>32638062
>Middle of the road
Say none of them

>>32638062
Quite literally bait.

>>32638158
This.

>>32638062

>the sea does not care for nations, wild and free

>>32638158
>>32638276
>Popular vote: atlantis

The professor simply takes the barrage of names hollered at him casually, calling out students and asking for answers, never making adjustments, never asking questions, only asking students not called upon to quiet down. You hear all sorts of answers, and when you go down to the board and write the name of the lost nation, he asks you to defend your answers. You do so willingly, talking about their technology, their advancements, But he never offers a response, and his face tells no more then a statue's. As hands are no longer raised and nations no longer uttered, he simply erases the question, and speaks.

“I am professor Dukan, and by the end of the term, you will all know the answer to that question. Now, if you open your textbooks to page 12...”

He launches into a long monologue on the difference between nations. Astravans favor a balanced amount of frigates, focusing on classical tactics, Espadans, massive galleons and a brute-force to warfare, and Coutlans work with light, nimble boats, always on the move and utilizing speed and creatures to their advantage. He goes on, explaining the differences between the Astravan hereditary monarchy, Espadan constitutional monarchy, and the Coutlan Elective Monarchy. As he covers copious amounts of information, you notice that he calls out people to recite, regurgitate, or even reinterpret facts. It would seem he intends to teach more than history in his class.

Paying close attention, you seem to notice two distinct lessons. One is a straightforward one, teaching students to speak logically and well, like any good captain. The second is to remain calm under pressure, learning to twist words and judgement. Which do you focus on?

>Persuasion- Charismatic and honest. Rouses a crew to its best with your honesty and charisma(+5 to Cultural-Persuasion Rolls)
>Deception- Calm and cunning. Uses composure to keep a crew working.(+5 to Cultural-Deception Rolls)

>>32638445
If we turn this into another quest of "make friends with everyone" are you going to drop it?

>>32638445
>Persuasion- Charismatic and honest. Rouses a crew to its best with your honesty and charisma(+5 to Cultural-Persuasion Rolls)
Heroes are heroic.

>>32638445
>>Deception- Calm and cunning. Uses composure to keep a crew working.(+5 to Cultural-Deception Rolls)

>>32638516
No, I dropped on account of me not being able to stop encouraging headbutting and throwing it more characters for the harem for the hell of it. No need to worry about it this time around.

>>32638445
>Persuasion- Charismatic and honest. Rouses a crew to its best with your honesty and charisma(+5 to Cultural-Persuasion Rolls)

Just seems right for the character.

>>32638550
Alright then

>>32638445
>Persuasion- Charismatic and honest. Rouses a crew to its best with your honesty and charisma(+5 to Cultural-Persuasion Rolls)

Let's make old Geo proud.

>>32638550
Queen best grill anyways
>>32638445
>Persuasion- Charismatic and honest. Rouses a crew to its best with your honesty and charisma(+5 to Cultural-Persuasion Rolls)

>>32638445

>Persuasion

>>32638522
>>32638572
>>32638612
>>32638653
>>32638744
>persuasion
You focus on the class, on speaking loud and clear, with both force and grace, and it seems to work out well. You that this is what he'll be teaching all week. Across the room, you notice a few others figure this out as well. Alantra, stop jotting down fastidious notes and begins to note how people speak, and you see Seigrid throw down his pen and sit back, spouting falsehoods. The coutlan howver, seems to pay little attention, and you realize Verdere is nowhere to be seen, just as in the previous class. Soon, Nautical class draw near, and more than a few of the students rush out of the class, eager to be sailing once more. You find yourself taken to the lower docks of the academy where Silver awaits, a multitude of longboats-and Verdere. He is working on the hull of one of the boats, knife gently making shavings and cuts, which are each deposited in a small pouch to his side. Upon noticing the crowd, He packs up his tools and begins to walk away, but not before you fire off a greeting. “Verdere. Good to see you.”

Those eyes look up from the ground, picking you out of the crowd, and you hear that voice, that rough whisper.

“Good...see you...too.” then the head tilts back down, and he walks away from the class.

Meanwhile Silver has begun a lecture on the boats, inviting students to take hem out for a ride, and to maybe
sail around the far buoy and back, testing their skills without a helping hand.

You decide to:
>press for info on Verdere[Cultural-Persuasion]
>head out for a ride[Nautical +10]
>Socialize with someone
>other

Rolled 56

>>32638752
>press for info on Verdere[Cultural-Persuasion]
Let's put that skill to use.

>>32638752

>head out for a ride[Nautical +10]

>>32638752

>Go for a ride

Onto the ocean wave!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHPRTDyNdMc

Rolled 23

>>32638752
>press for info on Verdere[Cultural-Persuasion]
Ah, good old PC curiosity.

>>32638840

(and by the ocean wave I of course mean the gentle rippling of spacetime in our beloved homeworld's gravity well)

>>32638810
err, sorry I didn't make it clear but roll for that action. It's why i listed the skill.

File: 1397053226674.jpg (126 KB, 1280x705)

126 KB JPG

Rolled 28

>>32638904

Let's glide, and let's make it in less than fifteen parsecs.

Rolled 37

>>32638752
>press for info on Verdere[Cultural-Persuasion]

File: 1381066384163.jpg (339 KB, 640x448)

339 KB JPG

>>32638842
>>32638979

Guess we're going to be embarassing ourselves this time.

>>32638979
Parsects are a mess really of distance not time.

Rolled 97

>>32638752
>>press for info on Verdere[Cultural-Persuasion]

>>32639043

>that'sthejoke.jpg

Rolled 21

>>32639079
daaaaamn

>>32638804
>>32638842
>>32639079
>Popular vote/Best roll: press for info on Verdere[Cultural-Persuasion-Success!](changed back to traditional roll under guys, can't believe I forgot to mention it.)

In the pauses between's Silver's lecture, you ask about Verdere, dropping his and waiting for reactions. Silver takes it remarkably well.

“Fine crafter, that'un. You'd swear he was Crafter Gavas' own apprentice by the way he works, but the man left nary a son to inherit his trade. Verdere is still a fine young lad, though. Doesn't talk much, and spends time in the lumber yard, working with those shavings he saves.”

you move to ask more, but Silver takes off, yelling at some Espadan and Coutlan who ran into each other.

And so, your first day of classes comes to an end, setting the pace for the rest of the term. Weaponeering has been about PT and reflexes, and every single day, you can feel yourself coming closer and closer to catching Shep, who seems to keep his actions and speed the same as when you first met. Dukan continues teahing his class in a roundabout manner, and the room becomes louder and louder as more realize the purpose of the class. Silver teaches things in his lax and easygoing manner, helping students as much as leaving them alone, and you feel yourself grow. However, you do find yourself limited in time. And so, you spend some of our most valuable free moments with:

>[Locked]
>Alantra
>[Locked]
>Verdere
>[Locked]

>>32639303

>Alantra

Give Verdere some breathing time

>>32639303
>Alantra

>>32639303
>Alantra

>>32639303
>>Verdere

We'll become best friends with Verdere and make him a harem protagonist.

We can be that cool best friend who winds up with the best girl because best girl never wins.

>>32639414

>him

>>32639414
1) Best girl never wins but always pines for MC because she's Best Girl.

2) >him

>>32639368
>>32639374
>>32639408

>Popular Vote: Alantra
“So, why are you so cheerful?”

You look at Alantra as you speak, and she flashes you a smile and shrug. The two of walk through one of the Many gardens in the Academy.

'why shouldn't I be?” she responds, tilting her head slightly, and you try and ponder the question, but she interrupts you with a grin.

“Come now, if I wanted to see a statue, I would have gone to the gallery the floor over.” the two of you walk some more before settling on a bench, underneath a budding tree. “Ah, this is better. No worries, no problems, no-”

“Messenger here for Alantra Vant!” The voice rings out and a man in astravan clothes scurries out, and you see Alantra close here eys and fron, if only for a moment. Then she cheers back up and stands. “Sorry, I have to deal with this. But it was fun. We should do it again some time.”

She walks away before you can respond, and with that, you resume your regular tasks.

It's been nearly two months since Shep began his classes, but now, you can see the group as a whole can nearly keep up with Shep, and the only dropouts are at the empty amphitheatre, as eveyone attempts to get Shep. his movements are quick and erratic, and no plan to grab him has worked so far. Only the Coutlan girl has done so, and it's clear this is child's play to her-but Shep gives her nothing but stern looks and silent reprimands.

However, one day, you find yourself in a prime position. His back is turned to you as he deals with some others, and you decide to:

>Stay silent, and grab him as he passes by.
>make a desperate move.
>Attack as soon as the Coutlan girl finishes.
>other.

File: 1399935158729.jpg (515 KB, 600x866)

515 KB JPG

>>32639693

>Stay silent and grab him as he passes by

patient hunter etc.

>>32639693
>Attack as soon as the Coutlan girl finishes.
Teamwork! Sorta.

>>32639693
Oh, darn, I forgot. Roll Weaponeering for any of these actions.

>>32639693
>Take a nasty fall in his direction

As a teacher he'll reflexively move to save his student. We strike then.

Rolled 51

>>32639693
>>32639809
Rolling for my vote >>32639771

Rolled 38

>>32639693
>Stay silent, and grab him as he passes by.

Rolled 29

>>32639809
Sure, sure.

>>32639811

Rolled 61

>>32639768

Let's give this Shep a taste of a paragon interrupt.

>>32639811
>>32639882
>Best roll: Take a nasty fall in his direction [Weaponeering-Success!]

You make a move towards Shep-then stumble upon your own feet. He darts in to save you, but his method? Kicking you into a less vulnerable position. As his foot makes contact, your fingers scramble wildly and latch on, tugging at his foot, he grimcaces, distracted for an instant-then a coutlan barrels into him, knocking him over-right on top of you. You let out a gasp of pain as he fall upon you, followed by the burly coutlan.

At least you caught him. As the crowd goes silent, looking at your ungainly pile, he speaks out loud, for all to hear.

“Very good. You next lesson begins tomorrow.” Cheers run through the crowd, and as he lifts the Coutlan off himself, he pats you on the back silently and departs the amphitheater. Despite the praise going o the burl Coutlan, you feel quietly glad in your role, and move on to cultural classes.

In Dukan's class, you find yourself in a peculiar situation. When you first came in, there was a question on the board, written 'On your trip to the Academy, the people of which nation did the most work?' and in smaller text underneath, it says 'Answers limited to Astrava, Espada, or Coutlan' Immediately, the crowd began to argue, but, after a few minutes, Seigrid begins to talk, his word and story twisting the events to make their hesitation seem wise, his demand for helm reasonable, their taking over of tasks necessary. Slowly, you see the crowd fall his way, and decide to:

>Host an honest counter-attack+?-Cutural [Cultural-Persuasion]
>Flatter him so much that he trips over his own rope. +? Cultural[Cultural-Deception]
>stay silent.
>other.

Rolled 32

>>32640235
>Host an honest counter-attack+?-Cutural [Cultural-Persuasion]

Rolled 59

>>32640235

>>Flatter him so much that he trips over his own rope. +? Cultural[Cultural-Deception]

Rolled 86

>>32640235
>Host an honest counter-attack+?-Cutural [Cultural-Persuasion]

Rolled 91

>>32640235
>Host an honest counter-attack+?-Cutural [Cultural-Persuasion]
Oh, no you don't.

Rolled 94

>>32640235
>Host an honest counter-attack+?-Cutural [Cultural-Persuasion]

Rolled 32

>>32640393
>>32640413
How are you guys even.

Rolled 73

>>32640235
>Honest counter-attack

Rolled 5

>>32640235
>Flatter him so much that he trips over his own rope. +? Cultural[Cultural-Deception]

As much as I like your roll >>32640443
I'd rather not use it if Honest gets more votes.

>>32640472

That's fine. Majority rules and whatnot.

>>32640301
>>32640371
>>32640393
>>32640413
>>32640437
>Popular Vote: Honest counter Attack-[Cultural-Persuasion-Success!]

“really? That's not what I saw. Let me tell you what happened....”

Your voice cuts through the crowd, and you give an honest recollection of what happened, jogging the students' memories. Several people move to nod and agree, and despite Seigrid's rebuttal, he is quickly downed by the arguments and testimonies of the crowd He glares at you angrily before storming out, and though his lackeys move to follow, you notice a few less choose to do so. A small victory-but with your deeds fresh in their mind, your fellow students are more likely to want you as a captain.[+5 Cultural]

Moving on to Silver's class, you notice Verdere is nowhere to be seen. Instead, several several small sloops await you.

“I thought we might have some fun today-a race down the first marker and back.” You all look at him, and he shakes his head.

“What are you waiting for? Get going!”

Your fellow students jump to action, and because of your performance in Cultural class, you have your pick of the crop. Hauling up the anchor and casting off, you decide to:

>Select the best in the class, and rush it. +? Nautical+10
>tell the class to balance up, make things fair. +? Nautical
>try and bug Seigrid and still win +? Nautical-5
>Other. +? ?

Rolled 65

>>32640642

Rolled 36

>>32640642
>tell the class to balance up, make things fair. +? Nautical
Fairness will sit well with honesty

Rolled 9

>>32640642
>try and bug Seigrid and still win +? Nautical-5

Rolled 72

>>32640642
>tell the class to balance up, make things fair. +? Nautical

Ah to hell with it. Let's see if the dice gods are kind.

Rolled 81

>>32640642
>>tell the class to balance up, make things fair. +? Nautical
Let's do it the right way.

Rolled 61

>>32640642
>tell the class to balance up, make things fair. +? Nautical

File: 1384723600756.jpg (422 KB, 1609x1077)

422 KB JPG

Rolled 2

>>32640642

>tell the class to balance up, make things fair

Ladies, please, not all at once.

>>32640798
Glorious anon!

Rolled 28

Guys remember the Queen is best grill

File: 1370517987514.jpg (72 KB, 600x1050)

72 KB JPG

>>32640889

She's also way out of our league and probably better suited for political marriage anyway. But I refuse to take part in any waifu wars in advance.

>>32641015
>Letting politics stop you
>Not rising to become the greatest admiral in the stars to get dat political weight
Git Gud matey

>>32640716
>>32640735
>>32640745
>>32640781
>>32640798
>Popular/Best Roll: make things fair[Nautical-Success!]

“Ladies, please, not all at once.”

As much as you would like, it doesn't sit well with you cherry pick the best people in the group. You ask people to reorganize, and balance, and come out with some of the most equal teams out there. As you set sail into the harbor, sails filling with solar, wind, you trust in the boat-and your fingers brush a carving on the wheel.

You smile. Lady Luck was with you today, for seemed to have picked the boat worked on by Verdere. Gaining speed, you order a tightening of sails and dip underneath one ship, pulling off a corkscrew as you fly above another. The hull seems to cut through the star ocean with ease, and you make a record time to the marker and back, passing Seigrid before he even reaches the halfway point. With a rousing cheer of victory, you hop off the boat as you dock in, waving at every other ship coming in. As Seigrid's comes in, he storms angrily over to you, but before he can speak, Silver interrupts.

>>32641147

”Good job, good job, the lot of you. Points to Gerrin to balancing things out and still coming in as a winner. Now, As you likely don't know, the Academy Masquerade is to happen not more than a few months from now, so I expect to see you all the, prim and proper. It's a chance to meet with the finest nobles of any nation, and see your pals at their best-representing both us and your homeland. Now, that's all for the day.. go on. Scatter.”

With news of a masquerade, the students are abuzz, writing back home to get their finest clothes, or considering who to ask out.

You? You haven't the faintest clue. You'll have to send for clothes, of course, but you're still in need of a mask.

You decide to talk to:
>[Locked]
>Alantra. These courtly things seem right up her alley, and she'll have a mask proper for the occasion, no doubt.
>[Locked]
>Verdere. You remember his woodwork from earlier. Maybe he could do the same with a mask.
>[Locked]

>>32641200
>Verdere. You remember his woodwork from earlier. Maybe he could do the same with a mask.
Muh nigga Verde to the rescue

>>32641200
Locked seems like the life of the party with connections in a lot of places. Let's talk to her!

>>32641200
>Verdere. You remember his woodwork from earlier. Maybe he could do the same with a mask.

Time to break out the custom style.

>>32641200
>Verdere. You remember his woodwork from earlier. Maybe he could do the same with a mask.

>>32641200
>Verdere. You remember his woodwork from earlier. Maybe he could do the same with a mask.
Got to do something nice in return nothing is free.

>>32641215
>>32641254
>>32641264
>>32641277
>Popular Vote: Verdere
You ask Silver where you might find Verdere this time of day, and sends you off to the lumber room. Stepping in, you look around, to see Verdere working on something or the other.

“I sailed a ship you worked on today.”

Verdere looks up, but continues to work with his hands, cutting and shaping the wood.

You continue to speak, now that you have his attention. “It was beautifully swift, like a blade through butter.”

“Did....you...like?” His work has slowed, and it seems he is listening closely to your every word. So you tell him about the trip, the carving on the wheel, the ship gliding as if made of glass. You notice that the work of his blade has stopped completely. Finally, when the story ends, Verdere pauses, and then speaks.

“But...you...are not...here....for boat.” You wonder how he figured it out, but nod.

“Err, no. I was hoping I could get a mask, actually.”

“For..masquerade?” He says, and you notice his eyes are peering at you intently.

“Yes.”

“I....do...but....hold still.” Confused you pause, but Verdere reaches out and gently touches your faces with a finger wrapped in bandages. You hold still, not quite sure what's happening as he runs slim, gentle fingers over your face, staring deeply into your eyes while he does so. For a brief instant, he draws them across your lips, then pull and turns away.

“I...work...on mask...get done....soon....please....go.”

>>32641722

“Wait, why?”

“Please.”

You pause, but thoroughly confused, you nod. “Alright. But thanks. Verdere. I mean it.” With those words, you leave the lumber shop, Verdere with her back still to you.

The next day you proceed to go the shep's class like usual-only this time, there's actually weapons. A variety of practice weapons lie on the ground, and Shep stand in the middle, demonstrating a basic form useful with nearly any weapon. The groups runs through it with basic sticks first, but as classes progress, he asks you to pick a weapon style, and modify the form to it.

>Rapier+Dagger +? Weaponeering
>Cutlass+Dagger +? Weaponeering
>Dussack+dagger +? Weaponeering
>Other. +? Weaponeering

>>32641749
Your pronouns betray you.
>Verdere with her back still to you.

>Cutlass+Dagger +? Weaponeering
>Other: Consider duel Dussack +? Weaponeering

>>32641749
Not really sure, but I'll say

>Cutlass+Dagger

Rolled 63

>>32641749
>>Cutlass+Dagger +? Weaponeering
Sure, why not.

Rolled 74

>>32641749
>>Dagger+Dagger +? Weaponeering

>>32641749
Make rolls, please. sorry, i just realized how
>Rapier+Dagger +? Weaponeering
could be interpreted as raperi/dagger/something fighting style. it's supposed to represent possible skill gain from a weaponeering roll.

Rolled 25

>>32641749
>>32641884
Do we need to roll? If so here's mine.

Rolled 63

>>32641749
>>Cutlass+Dagger +? Weaponeering
Gotta go for the classic seafaring weapon.

Rolled 87

>>32641749
>Cutlass+Dagger +? Weaponeering

>>32641860
>>32641884
>>32641953
>>32642168
>>32642044
>Popular vote: Cutlass+Dagger[Weaponeering-Success!]

You pick up the blade, an another, shorter one that's a good approximation of your grandfather's dagger. You pace through he form, trusting some adjustments you make here and there, but Shep occasionally steps in and makes a change or two as well. Finally, once you run through the form properly, he nods slowly, and calls for partners.

You know who yours will be as he says it.

“Gerrin, Gerrin, Gerrin. Shall we dance?”

Immediately, he whirls about, spinning a broadsword. You barely raise your guard in time, and smashes your weapon aside, but not you. You respond with a couple of prodding stabs, which he flicks away, his broadsword a blur of motion. As it smashes into you again and again, You thank the heavens you picked a sturdy cutlass over a rapier. And because of it, you get more and more used to his blows, and can retaliate in kind. Slowly but surely, the match becomes even, and your precise moves and blocks, slow the momentum of his sword and him as well. With it, his time grows increasingly off, until you see an opportunity and dart in as he swings at a feint, whirling around his body, ending with your cutlass at his neck, dagger in his gut. The look on his face is a mix of disbelieve and anger, and you ask him one question.

“Will you yield?”

You see him drops his sword-then lean back for the headbutt.

You respond in kind, beating him to the blow. As he goes down, a smile begins to form as you realize your victory-then disbelief, as your legs give out underneath you, and you begin to lose consciousness.

That's a fighting technique you probably shouldn't use.

The world goes white, then....nothing.

Seafarer of the Stars Quest will resume noon EST, next Saturday.

Hey, sorry for the abrupt ending, but I'm running low on steam, and would rather wait and give you guys a good show later than a mediocre one now. Moreover, this allows me to fit more into the masquerade and whatnot, and plan ahead some more.

Questions? Comments? Criticism? Don't be shy, I could use it!

>>32642793
Not a bad ending. Decent stopping point really. I'm definately looking forward to seeing this play out, since I'm too new to know about the original quest.

So, uhh, who archived this quest? Please don't do that. i mean, it's nice and all, but it kind of sucks i can't provide a proper summary and tags now.

>>32643227
Don't know who did it, but there was a troll archiving earlier.

>>32642793
Some basic background info would be nice.

On repeat for the entire thread

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlBp0GoxL5M

File: 1393359060402.png (41 KB, 249x196)

41 KB PNG

>TP thread while I'm offline

oh you guys

>>32643227
>>32643460

Ack, apologies.

I only meant to do an early archival.

>>32642716
Oh god...the headbutting legacy continues...

On the upside, I'm quite happy that I picked out the name for our MC. Gerrin Rookmore...c: