>>22806284
"Good to be back, I was worried that one of you might not have made it to land."

>>22806284
Time for the biggest of group hugs.

"Good to be back." You say, and pull everyone- including Ariana- into the largest group hug possible. "I was worried that one of you might not have made it to land."
"We got lucky." Tannis said, taking a seat on Ariana. The gryphon managed to somehow look irritated. "Oh, sorry! You're just so fluffy and comfortable."
"... Just be in your other form." Ariana said, with a sigh, and Tannis giggled, turning into a cat and sliding between Ariana's wing and body, head popping out..
"But anyway, we *were* lucky. After the ship broke up, we all ended up clinging to the same bit of debris. We were floating there for hours when out of the sky came Ariana. Then we had to wait *longer* as she flew us three at a time here." Tannis said.
"Armor doesn't float very well, by the way." Lyra said. "I'm lucky that I wasn't wearing it when the storm hit."

>>22806401
"Did you lose it in the sea? We'll need to get you another set eventually."

>>22806423
Change eventually to 'immediately'.

"Did you lose it in the sea? We'll need to get you another set immediately."
"An order knight's armor is her life. We're taught never to lose it." Lyra said, and held up a bundled square of steel, tightly bound with a tether attached to it. "I had it bundled and on hand during the storm. I'm lucky it wasn't *all* plate or I'd had to have dropped it."
Hannah subtly tried to sidle behind Cass.
"So, I haven't been filled in at all." Ariana said. "Other than the storm. What happened to everyone while I was gone? Where'd you get the axe, Kale?"
"... Uh..." Kale said, scratching his head. "I made it, with Veez' help."
"Why, are we going to take the fight to Gabriel?"
"Gareth." Lyra said.
"... Who?" Ariana asked.
Lyra, Kale, and Cass looked to you, while Hannah just looked confused.

>>22806517
"As it turns out, there was an Elf imprisoned near Tannis's cabin. I kind of let her out without realizing she was evil."

>>22806517
"Gareth is an elf, but we'll need to take care of Gabriel soon. He caused the storm."

"As it turns out, there was an elf imprisoned near Tannis's cabin. I... kind of let her out without realizing she was evil. But we'll need to take care of Gabriel soon. He caused the storm."
"... He caused it?" Lyra asked. "Damn him. He wrecked the captain's ship."
"... It felt like fairy magic to me, not what Gabriel uses." Kale said, and layed eyes on Hannah.
That was when you realized that he hadn't been smiling at all since she'd entered the room.
"In fact, I'm absolutely certain it was fairy magic." He said. "So unless Dirae can use it, then-"
"No, no, it wasn't Hannah." Cass said. "Gabriel stole her power. And he has a new shard, maybe. A girl with... who was it, Hannah?"
"A girl with black hair, and chewed up fingers." Hannah said, all but hiding behind Cass. "And they used a knife. I don't know if it was magic, or-"
"... An Athame." Ariana said, quietly. "A wizard tool. Made to steal power from fey. That's the only thing it could be."

>>22806679
"Any ideas has to how we can get that power back? They took her wings."

"Any ideas as to how we can get that power back? They took her wings."
"... We need the dagger." Ariana said. "One second, let me rummage around. We have a really big library."
The gryphon closed her eyes, and suddenly, there was a strange... warping, as if reality was fake, and then there was a knock at the door.

"Hello?" Gabriel said on the other end of the door, in a strangely soft voice. "I'd like to speak to Abel please."

Hannah's eyes widened for a few seconds, and then she jumped, gasped, and took a few steps away from the door.

Cass, meanwhile, whipped out the colt and pointed it at the door, then turned to you, as if asking for permission.

>>22806844
>I don't mean to offend, but I can't understand more than a single word of what you're saying. Usually I can decipher it, but... try rephrasing, maybe?

>>22806810
"I know what you want and you can't have it."

>>22806810
Draw the gun, but don't point it. "Regarding?"

>>22806810
Make sure the bow with the Kraken arrow is just within reach.

>>22806875
sorry been a long day

Point the repeater that double barreled magic gun we made ( I assume we still have it if not the pistol will do) at the door head height motion hanna to open the door slowly

before we do this ask the sword about that felling we just had it cant be normal

ask G how he is as we open the door

You draw the gun, and point it at the door, nocking the kraken arrow in your bow with your other hand. You'd need to drop your gun to draw it, but you had it in reach."
"Regarding?" You ask.
"... This game, we've been playing." He said.
"I know what you want, and you can't have it." You say.
"I'm not devoid of pattern recognition, you know." The voice came back. "I'd like to speak to you alone. I wish to parley."

>>22806956
"You want to talk alone? Do you take me for a fool? I leave and for all I know you'll have your goons capturing my friend. You'll talk here and now."

>>22806956
"If you want to open negotiations you'll have to give Hannah her powers back."

>>22806956
"Perhaps if you had tried peace an attempt or two ago I would have gone with you. If you want to talk, you can do it here."

"You want to talk alone? Do you take me for a fool? I leave, and for all I know, you'll have your goons capturing my friends. You'll talk here and now."
"You have an instant 'I win' button there, with your gryphon and her Gifts." He said. "I can't capture shit."
"If you want to open negotiations, you'll have to give Hannah her powers back."
There was a moment of silence, and Hannah's eyes widened.
"Very well." He said. "I have the resevoir of power right here. I'm opening the door."

Slowly, carefully, he pulled open the door, and he stood there, alone, his shoulders hunched, objects of all sorts festooned to his thin armor. He glanced at everyone- who all had their weapons in reach, save Tannis and Hannah, who was peeking out at him.

Carefully, slowly, he grabbed at a small knife on his belt- made of stone, it looked, and there was nothing out of the ordinary about it. He set it down, and took a step back. Hannah gasped, and took two steps forward- though something seemed strange about the way she was acting.

"There is her power." He said. "Now, would you like to speak alone?"

>>22807125
"No. I wouldn't like to, but I will."

>>22807125
"...very well. Where did you have in mind?"

>>22807125
"is this alright, Hannah?"

"Is this alright, Hannah?"
"... I... It's alright." She said, reaching down and touching it. As she did, you felt a very minor pulse from the fairie, and saw sparks dancing from her fingertips to the knife. "This... this is it. This is my power."

You look up to Gabriel.
"Very well." you say. "Where did you have in mind?"
"Just the room across the hall." He said, shoulders still slouched as he walked away, opening the door. "I just don't want anyone to listen in on us. We'll be close enough that if I attack you, you can yell or something. And vice versa."

>>22807246
Follow him for now.

It's a trick. He's found a way to get past Ariana's void

>>22807246
"Alright."

>>22807246
Give Cass the sword, then follow him.

>>22807325
But then we wouldn't be able to negotiate.

It's a good idea though.

"Alright." You say, and follow him, taking your gun and bow, just in case, as he made his way into the other room. You follow him, and see him pulling off all of the random objects on his thin armor, dumping it on the nearby bed, and sat down with a sigh.

"So." He said. "You've a girl that can make everything vanish, your own forged, and you've killed me pretty much every single attempt I've ever made. Hell, I even pulled out Dirae and that did nothing. You even got ... her helping you. Had a hell of a time finding you when I have her blabbering in my ears. Ended up looking into the source and finding that ship captain, to find you."
He quirked his lips and shrugged.

"Anyway, You win." He said. "I'm done. The Avatar's yours for the end of time, and I won't try to get it anymore. I'm even considering taking a page out of your book and erasing my memories next time around."

>>22807366
Then what are you here to talk about?

You do know what I've been talking about with Stirge, yes? There might not be a next time.

>>22807366
"This... certainly isn't what I expected."

>>22807366
"Good. I wish you luck in that next life. I suggest trying to find a normal life for yourself.

That being said, Stirge seems to believe that there won't be a next time. That this is the last in the cycle."

>>22807366
"This isn't a negotiation. You're...surrendering? What do you want?"

>>22807366
What happened? Why are you giving up so easily? I want to know more, of what we are.

"What happened? Why are you giving up so easily?" You ask.
"... Do you have any idea how demoralizing it is?" He asked, and started laughing. "I show up some tens of thousands of games ago out of the blue, introduce myself, and you don't remember me. I brew up a plan to come up with my own games exactly like...home, find out I don't have the power, and ask you for it. Then I fight you for it. Over and over and over again."
He sighed.
"I see why you erase yourself, now. Memories weigh you down, eventually."
"This isn't a negotiation." You say. "You're... surrendering? What do you want?"
"Well..." He said. "If what Stirge and Dirae were talking about before, and this is the last time... I figured I'd go all out this time."
He gave you a grin.
"But not against you, for once. This time... I'm actually going to play the game, instead of trying to butt heads with you."

>>22807366
Maybe you'd be willing to give up some answers on what exactly is going on, everyone else seems content just leaving me in the dark.

>>22807473
>>22807480
gonna repeat this one.

>>22807473
"That's it? Where are you going to go now?"

>>22807473
Then how am I meant to end this particular game? I thought I beat you and it was over. How can we escape if the game doesn't end?

>>22807473
"...Okay. Is that all?"

>>22807473
"Any chance you could enlighten me on the background of all this, a little more?"

Who is CHARON?

>>22807473
"And what is the game?"

>>22807473
"When you say, 'ask me for power', are you referring to the first time we met after I got the sword?"

"Maybe you'd be willing to give up some answers on what exactly is going on? Everyone else seems content on just leaving me in the dark."
"I would, but... But the bleedthrough is already pretty bad, so if I tell you more, this entire game will collapse. And I want to have my fun before I die again."
"When you say 'ask me for power', are you referring to the first time we met after I got the sword?"
"No." He said, his eyelids lowering. "I'm referring to the first time I spoke to you, after we ended up here. After I came back from the nothingness, the static of thought."
"... Who is CHARON?" You ask, unsure where the words came from.
He shot you a grin. "See, Bleedthrough! If I told you, it'd be game collapse, all that stuff. Can't tell you. The real reason is that he may or may not be the key to defeating me, but who knows for certain?"
"That's it? Where are you going to go now?"
"Back to my mountain base." He said. "I've an army, after all, and what else can you do with an army but to conquer! With the way your games work, I figure I'll have a nice thirty years of world domination before some youngster faces and slays me. Might as well go out with a bang."

>>22807608
Your just going to kill all the people in your way?

>>22807608
"Well, good luck then, I guess."

>>22807608
Can you tell me about the previous games?

Do you know what the outsiders are? They've been quiet for some time.

>>22807608
Wow, okay, wow thats some straight up villainy right there. Well you see this is a parley and Im not going to kill you here, but I really can't allow that to happen either.

>>22807608
"...Are you sure that's the best idea? It'd probably be better if you didn't."

>>22807608
"It's quite possible to enjoy a quiet life as well, you know."

>>22807608
"So have you always been the antagonist?"

"You're just going to kill all the people in your way?"
"... They're not *people*." He said, and chuckled. "Well, except for Dirae, Stirge, you, me, and the two seeds. But you like to pretend they're real, so... yeah, I'll kill some of 'em, I guess. A lot of them, actually."
"Are you sure that's the best idea? It'd probably be better if you didn't. It's possible to enjoy a quiet life as well, you know."
"Quiet life isn't my style." He said. "... But you know what? Since this might be the last game, according to Stirge... I'll play it in my real body."

He took two steps back, and shot you a grin. Reality warped, and then... shattered, into small shards, shifting and twisting and vibrating at incredible speeds... and when it was done, Gabriel was gone. In his place was a tall woman, very similar to Stirge, with dark blue hair tied into a braid and a pure white shirt and breeches.

"And now, just to see if I still can't say my name..." She said, her voice familiar, very familiar, and closed her eyes. She said a single word... and nothing happened, save for her wincing.
"Guess not." She said, and shot you a grin. "Anyways, I'd best get the seige of Amberway under way."

>>22807780
So just checking, you know I'm IN Amberway and will stop you, yeah?

Can't you start somewhere else?

>>22807780
"This hasn't really solved anything."

>>22807780
"Well, see you when you officially get here, I guess."

>>22807780
"Erase your memories now."

>>22807780
This isnt really a parley, you just want to laugh at me, don't you?
<shoot fem|gabriel in the jaw, scar her up nicely>

"This hasn't really solved anything." You say.
"Oh, no, it actually solved the one thing that would impede me." She said, and shot you another grin. "Now that I'm not worrying about getting the Avatar... I can kill you, now."
Her hand whipped toward the pile of objects on the bed, and you had but a moment to react as she reached for a weapon.

>Wat do?

Rolled 8

>>22807921
Reshape reality to fit our whims.

Or maybe just shoot her, I dunno.

Rolling for whichever works.

Rolled 22

>>22807921
Shoot her in the hand.

Rolled 92

>>22807921
Shoot her in the face I guess.

>>22807921
Rolling for pocket sand!
and rushing to grab gun

Rolled 72

Draw the Avatar, and try to Disarm her.

>>22807921
Run out the goddamn room.

Rolled 90

>>22807976
rolling again

>>22807982
Actualy you know what, i'll change my vote to this from >>22807946

>>22807921
"You don't learn do you?"

>>22807921
"Who are the two seeds?"

"You don't learn, do you?" You ask. You draw your revolver, and pull the trigger. The bullet slammed into her forehead, just as she flickered out of existence, taking the pile of objects with her.
"Oh well." She said, as she flickered away, a hole in her head, and was gone.

Lyra and Cass smashed into the room. Lyra's shield up, and Cass's spear at the ready.
"Where'd he go?" Cass asked, looking this way and that. "You kill him again?"

>>22808058
Apparently it's a Her now, no surprise there. She's decided to wage war on the world with her forged, starting with Amberway.

On the upside, that was probably the most civil I've ever seen Gabriel.

>>22808058
"I'm... not sure. I shot her, but I don't think she actually died."

>>22808058
I think so, though he's decided to be a she from here on out. And she's decided to stop going after me or the sword specifically.

Unfortunately she's decided she's going to try to destroy Amberway.

>>22808058
"Gabriel's a she now. Also, she's decided world domination is a better way to pass the time than stealing my sword."

>>22808058
"Nope. He's a her, apparently. And she doesn't learn anything, so I'll still need to kill her eventually."

"Gabriel is a She, now." You say. "I shot her, but I don't think she actually died." You say, and put the spent casing in one of your pouches. "She's decided to stop going after me or the sword specifically... but unfortunately, she decided world domination is a better way to pass the time than stealing my sword."

"... that's not a good thing." Lyra said.
"What do we do?" Cass asked, and grabbed yours and Lyra's wrists, pulling you back into the room with everybody else. They were on high alert, having heard the gunshot, and the air around Ariana was quaking, shaking, as she was ready to use her Void.
"...I-Is it over?" Hannah asked, the stone knife in her hand.
"Bad news." Lyra said. "Gabriel intends to rule the world."
"... Yes, that's pretty bad news." Kale said. "Can one man do such a thing?"
"... With enough Forged, probably." Cass said.
Kale nodded, and he tightened his grip on his axe. "Then what do we do now?"

>>22808195
Well they're coming to amberway first, so we can either stay and try to fight them, which will probably fail, or run.

I don't think we should fight until we know how to defeat the forged.

>>22808195
"She said something about a mountain fortress, so I'd assume we'll have to go there to stop her. Lyra, do you think the Order would take you seriously if you warned them that someone's going to try to use the Forged to take over the world?"

Rolled 82

>>22808195
We should warn the people of Amberway if we can. Before we decide if we are going to help we should see what resources Amberway has for a defense. I have no intention of getting caught up in a loosing battle.

>>22808283
>sorry left my dice on.

"She said something about a mountain fortress, so I assume we'll have to go there to stop her." You say. "Lyra, do you think the Order would take you seriously if you warned them that someone is going to try to use the Forged to take over the world?"
"I don't know." Lyra said. "The stories say that the only person who learned to make the Forged was killed years ago. Nobody else knows how to use them since. I don't think they would."
"We should warn the people of Amberway, if we can." You say.
"And what do we say? The Forged are coming? Nobody would believe us." Cass said. "The forged have been all deactivated and gone for centuries."
"... Galatea." Tannis said, suddenly looking up. "We have the maenads. We can go tell them, and Galatea would believe me."

Gabriel has a staff that lets him control them, presumably in his mountain hideaway.

>>22808367
"It's the best plan we've got."

>>22808367
I still think we should just run. We can't really hurt forged without sacrificing ariana to evil. It isn't worth it.

"It's the best plan we've got."
"I have a better one." Kale said. "We go to Skiitara right now. Talk to the principes about Gareth. Kill Gareth, then we talk to the emperor about the Forged. I'm sure they've developed weapons against them by now."
"But what about Amberway?" Tannis asked.
"Amberway is doomed." Kale said, his voice low, and his eyes steely grey. "If we try to stay, we'll die with it."
"We can't just leave them to die!" Tannis said.
"Then we tell your maenad to leave too." Kale said. "Talk everybody into leaving before they get here. Or even talk them into submitting."

>>22808522
"I agree with Kale, we can't fight the forged."

>>22808522
Kale is right. The forged have been fought for a long time and nobody really knows how to defeat them and Gabriel has an army of them. Amberway is lost.. unless.. Ariana, would anyone back in sanctuary be able to help?

>>22808586
>haven't been

>>22808522
"Kale's right. We need to tell anyone who'll listen to leave."

>>22808522
I agree with the handsome elf, we warn them, but leave. We have his enemy to destroy first.

>>22808637
seconded.

"Kale's right." You say. "We need to tell anyone who'll listen to leave. We can't fight the forged. Nobody really knows how to defeat them, and Gabriel has an army of them. Amberway is lost... unless... Ariana, would anyone back in sanctuary be able to help?"
"... Maybe." Ariana said, craning her neck upward. "I could talk to the crones. But... if they don't believe me..."
She shook her head.
"Here's Astora's plan." Ariana said. "Most of us need to go *now*. Someone and my familiar can stay behind and warn people, then fly and catch up."
"I'm going to stay." Tannis said. "Since the undercity is entirely dug up, we can get anywhere by going below, so we can spread the news, and maybe even shelter people down there."

>>22808684
Hug Tannis and give her a quick kiss. "You be safe now, don't get caught."

>>22808684
Lyra, do you know where Ciros is?

>>22808684
"Good plan."

>>22808711
Gah, Able, stop kissing EVERYONE you man-slut.

>>22808782
not on the lips, just on the head. Manslut can't really be helped though.

"Good plan." You say, and turn to Lyra. "Lyra, do you know where Crios is?"
"No, he never stays in one place." She said. "I don't have a clue."
You pull Tannis into a hug. "You be safe, now. Don't get caught."
"I won't." She said.
You turn to Cass, and find her looking worryingly at Hannah, who was asleep on the bed.
"It's late." Cass said. "This will be a fun walk. Trudging through the forest overnight. We should set out now."

>>22808782
What if that's the answer? We have to kiss Gabriel. She wants the dick.

>>22808782
*Abel

>>22808841
"Just like old times, romping through the swamps and forests, eh?"

>>22808848
I'll second that, if it comes to it. Maybe that's how we break out, we're not meant to Slay Gabriel...

>>22808841
We can carry Hannah, she's pretty tiny isn't she?
Grab some foodstuffs from the inkeep before we go.

>>22808848
Let's slay her with our 'sword'.

>>22808841
"You should find a courier for that book, Lyra."

"Just like old times, romping through the swamps and forests, eh?" You ask.
She laughed, softly, and gently picked Hannah up, her tail whipping this way and that.
"Just like old times." She said.
"You should find a courier for that book, Lyra."
"You're right, I should." Lyra said. "Ariana, you can carry two people, right?"
"Yeah, I can." Ariana said. "Especially if Tannis is in maenad form."
"Then I'll find a courier." Lyra said. "And come back here to catch up with Tannis and Ari."

>>22808939
"Be safe sis." Then ruffle her hair.

>>22808939
"Take care and keep safe. If you see any of the forged, just run, okay?"

"Take care and keep safe, sis." You say. "If you see any of the forged, just run, okay?"
"Okay, you too." She said, and kissed you on the cheek. "And if you see any of the forged, use that big boomstick on them, and tear 'em a new one."
"Alright, I'm off." Tannis said, turning into maenad form, and leaping onto the windowsill. She nodded to all of you, then leapt out. Lyra, for her part, quickly donned her armor, throwing a robe on over it to hide her affiliation. She gave you a grin, a nod, and walked out of the room, hand on the hilt of her sword.
"Let's go already." Kale said, his eyes still a steely grey. "We're burning starlight."
"Good luck, you four." Ariana said, and you made your way out of the inn.

"We should go to Dalruan next." Kale said. "And go straight to Nerull."
"I admit that I don't know the free cities very well, but wouldn't going to Dalruan mean we have to go through the marsh?" Cass asked. "Wouldn't it be easier to go straight north to Neras, along the road?"
"... Wait." Kale said, suddenly "Time is an issue. Why don't we buy horses?"

>>22809122
We have enough gold.

>>22809122
"That's not a half bad idea. I have no idea how much they cost though. I don't know how to ride, either."

>>22809122
You're being awfully grim, Kale, lighten up. It's not good travelling company.

Rolled 37

>>22809122
rolling to summon a 4x4 with a full tank of gas

>>22809197
Lets not say this, this is his warface

"That's not a half bad idea." You say. "I have no idea how much they cost, though. I don't know how to ride, either."
"Better idea." Cass said. "We get a wagon instead. The oxen in atlask didn't like me, and I don't think horses will, either. But we could use a wagon."
"That is a better idea." Kale said.
You give Kale a glance.
"You're being awfully grim, Kale. Lighten up. It's not good travelling company."
"... You're right." He said, and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, they were a doe's brown again, and he was grinning. "We'll need to stop near my barrow on the way, though. I have some things to bring, especially paperwork. And my book, that's most important."

The four of you (Five, with Gearworks) made your way to the stables, where a very sleepy young man sat there, half asleep.
"Uh... hullo?" He asked. "Did you want to... buy something, or... flee through the night?"
"Oh, yes, we're doing the fleeing thing." Kale said, with a grin. "We're not exactly human and we heard the order is coming by. We need your fastest horses strapped to your best wagon."
"Well, m'dad would definitely be upset if I sold his prized horses for less than ten gold." The lad said.

>>22809331
How about your next fastest horses for 5 gold?

>>22809331
"I'm not sure your father will mind when you're fleeing from the impending attack."

"How about your next fastest horses for 5 gold?" You ask.
"Well... you are fleeing." The lad said. "It'd be smart if I kept it marked up at 10 gold, you know?"
Kale sighed, and you felt his glamour raise, honing in on his voice.
"... But you don't want to do that." Kale said, as you felt... power pushing through his voice, depleting his own energy rapidly. He was exhausting himself. "Five gold is a rather good number, you think."
"... It is, actually." The boy said. "Five gold for our fastest horses."
"Pleased to hear it." Kale said, a hand on his temple and his eyes swimming with bronze light. "The wagon, too?"
"Of course, sir." The lad said, as though he didn't notice anything strange.

"... you said that very convincingly." Cass said, sitting in the back of the wagon, calling forward to Kale, who was driving it. "That was really interesting."
"That was Glamour." Kale said, and took a deep breath. "We need to get to the barrow before I get too tired."

>>22809521
"How long out are we?"

>>22809521
You just need to stay awake till we get there, and you can sleep on the way out.

>>22809521
"If it helps, I can drive for a while, Kale."

"How long out are we?" You ask.
"We should get to the barrow before sunrise." Kale said. "With my guidance, the horses shouldn't need roads. We can stay there for the night, but you three need to make sure I don't get... distracted for too long."
"If it helps, I can drive for a while, Kale."
"You don't know the way." He said. "We need to turn off the road soon."
As he said that, he pulled on the reins, and the wagon shuddered off the road, making it's way into the forest proper.

Time passed, Kale's head bobbing.
"You just need to stay awake till we get there, and you can sleep on the way out." You say.
"First of all, I can't sleep." He said. "Not by choice. Second of all, there is a wellspring of power within the barrow, which I can use so I'm no longer incapacitated. Glamours like that don't fit my origin at all, so it was difficult."

>>22809677
"...I see."

>>22809677
"It probably would have been easier if you told him a story to do so, convinced him he was a character in a story or just told one with a moral of kindness to strangers, you're better at stories than just straight compulsion.

But it would have taken longer."

>>22809677
Ok, what are we looking out for when we get there? We can help you collect things.

"It probably would have been easier if you told him a story to do so, convinced him he was a character in a story, or just told one with a moral of kindness to strangers. You're better at stories than just straight compulsion." You say. "But it would have taken longer."
"Probably." He said. "But belief is one of the things I can't do. I'm to entertain, not trick. I chose the fastest and most efficient option."

"Okay, what are we looking out for when we get there? We can help you collect things."
"A book." He said. "Leatherbound, with a lock on it. Nobody but Abel touch it. It reacts badly to... magic that isn't mine. An enormous, bright grey box, tightly wrapped with rope and ribbons. It's heavy, but it isn't magic of any sort. That should be all I need. I will simply relax in the spring during that time, and recuperate."

>>22809802
How do we know if we need to pull you out?

>>22809802
"Why is it that me touching it won't cause any problems? Magically speaking I'm a giant oddity."

>>22809802
"Oh, one of those Skitaraan things that shock you? I know roughly what to look for."

>>22809677
Exa there are other elves there no?
Just in case, I say we take caution because they will recognize we have elf power and we don't want Kale knowing that.

"How do we know if we need to pull you out?"
"I'll get out on my own." He said. "The spring isn't dangerous in any way."
"Why is it that me touching it won't cause any problems? Magically speaking, I'm a giant oddity."
"You're human." Kale said. "It's only fey or witch magic that bothers the magic there."
"Oh, one of those skiitaran things that shock you? I know roughly what to look for."
"... What?" He asked. "No, you'll get trapped in the book's memories if someone with too much magic touches the book, and if that happens, I'll have to waste my wellspring to pull Cass or Hannah out. You aren't talking about a princeps' seal, are you? Where would you find one of those?"

>>22809802
Who have we got with us by the way? Cass, Kale, anyone else?

>>22809935
>You've got you, Kale, Cass, and Hannah. Tannis, Ariana, and Lyra are back in Amberway.

>>22809931
Whelp, were boned. We cant touch the book in the slightest

>>22809931
"Uh, that was Tannis' grandmothers book that zapped me. She showed me back in the cabin."

>>22809962
I'd guess Gearworks could pick it up for us.

>>22809931
Fuck, Leez's gift might interfere with this.

Let's have Gearworks do it, he ought to be able to not get messed with.

>>22810024
Isn't the powercore for Gearworks magic? That might cause issues.

>>22810024
yes I am sure the robot powered by magic will be total fine
find out more about the seal

the we got to tell him about the gift

>>22810063
Maybe, but maybe is better than definitely.

>>22810085
he might be able to pick it up, we can just find it and leave it for him.

>>22810085
Gearworks will probably set off the trap, but it sounds to me like there's a good chance the trap won't even effect it.

"Uh, that was Tannis' grandmother's book that zapped me. She showed me back in the cabin." You say.
Kale looked back at you for a moment- and then grinned.
"Then we can get help for certain." He said. "We have the descendant of one of the nobles with us, and that's definitely worth a glance. With it, and Tannis, we might even get an audience with the emperor himself. Woah, now."
Slowing the horses to a stop, he slid out of the wagon, and took a step toward a large, gnarled bush.

"I am Kale, of flower and dew." He said, and the bushes parted, revealing a cave. He climbed back into the wagon, and eased them in.

The cave was strange- it was long, and much too wide, and leaves lay across the ceiling, holes between them letting light through. You could faintly hear the trickling of water, and Kale gave a relaxing sigh.
"Oh, by the way, no mortals have ever seen this place before." He said, as he led you to the largest cavern.

Cavern, of course, is the wrong word for it, as it was open to the sky, showing you the stars. All made of roughly hewn rock and some living wood, you saw shelves of all sorts, a leaf bed, random objects everywhere, and sitting on a dais, a small burbling brook, falling into a strange chamber set into the ground. It... felt like Kale. like his Origin, your boon knew intuitively.

"I'll find the box." Cass said, setting Hannah down on the bed, before looking through the shelves.
"I'll rest." Kale said, and made his way toward the spring.

>>22810145
Let's look for the book. If Gearworks can't fit inside here we'll have to think of a creative way to bring it to him.

>>22810145
"I'll uh, also look around."

>>22810145
investigate the brook

"I'll uh, also look around." You say, and you do so. you look from place to place among the shelves, here and there- and of course, instantly, you find a simple book, with a lock holding it shut- but the lock didn't seem to have a keyhole. You look around, and behind the horses, Gearworks continued following you, squeezing in through the tunnel to the cavern proper.
"I found that box you were looking for." Cass said, and hefted up a long, thin box, shaped almost like a staff- save for the fact that it was only half as long. "It seems kind of heavy, though."
"It's supposed to." The floating kale said, in the water. You took a few steps closer, and investigated the brook- it was coming from somewhere above, perhaps from the surface.
Kale opened his eyes, and molten bronze eyes looked at you.
"It's my Origin." Kale said. "It... secures me. Who I am. gives me power. An elf born in a wildfire will gain strength from being within a wildfire. I was born of this spring."

>>22810331
"Nice place you've got here, Kale. Very...tranquil."

Does Kale know what Leez' boon to us was? I can't recall from the synopsis.

>>22810361
No, he doesn't. We don't think he'll react well.

>>22810331
Does Veez have to start a fire every time she needs to recharge?

"Nice place you've got here, Kale. Very... tranquil."
"... I was born here." He said, quietly, and looked up.
"Does Veez have to start a fire every time she needs to recharge?"
"Wildfires can't be started, or they aren't wild." He said, with a strange smile- one that would be a grin, if he weren't so relaxed. "But no, we only need a 'recharge' when we reach too far out of our origin."

>>22810428
"Ah, I see."

>>22810428
Can I drink from the brook?

"Ah, I see." you say. "Can I drink from the brook?"
"Go ahead." He said. "It's simply water to you."
You lean down and take a few sips- and the water is cooly refreshing. Kale closed his eyes again, and stretched.
"Anyway, I believe I'm restored." He said. "Did you find that book, yet? That's all we need, and then we can sleep for the night."

>>22810428
Scruffle his hair.

"Are you sure you don't need anything else? We have plenty of space in the wagon."

>>22810541
"Yep, the book's on the shelf over there. I'll be honest with you though, I don't want to touch it at all, I've woken up with a gun in my hand, so that must be *some* form of magic, right?"

>>22810541
"I found a book, locked with no mechanism to open the lock."

>>22810541
The book's right here. Forgive me, but I'll not take chances with being sucked into memories. That's all too familiar an experience and I don't much want to do it.

Are you sure we should stay? We were in a hurry just before.

"Yep, the book's on the shelf over there. Locked with no mechanism to open it." you say. "I'll be honest with you, though, I don't want to touch it at all. I've woken up with a gun in my hand, so that must be *some* form of magic, right?"
"... Good point." He said, and shot you a grin, slipping the book into his hands. He untied the box Cass had found, slipped the book inside, and tied it shut again.
"Are you sure you don't need anything else? We have plenty of space in the wagon."
"This is all I forsee needing." He said, hefting up the box.
"Are you sure we should stay? we were just in a hurry just before."
"We were, but now we're hidden unless I will us to be seen." He said. "Which I'm going to do when Ariana arrives overhead. This is a perfect location to wait for them to catch up."

>>22810541
Pick up the book.

Right here Kale.

>>22810657
Never go full retard.

>>22810650
If you say so, Kale. But no getting distracted.

Back in Atlask you mentioned a book you were writing, could I read it?

File: 1359244557371.gif-(1.86 MB, 202x175, baby'sfirstwarpjump.gif)

1.86 MB GIF

>>22810668
Full retard engaged!

>>22810650
Kale, we really have to go.

>>22810650
"Excellent. Is there any more you can tell us about Skiitara?"

>>22810650
Wait here, if kale says its safe then its safe, also means that when we inevitably have to return to rescue people that Ariana doesnt have to catch us even further from the city.

"If you say so, Kale. But no getting distracted."
"Now that I'm here, I don't think it's much of an issue." He said. "I'm... more focused than I thought."
He took a deep breath.
"Back in Atlask, you mentioned a book you were writing. Could I read it?"
"It has no mechanism to open it." Kale said, and looked down to the box. "The book you found for me and the one I am creating are one and the same."
"Excellent." you say. "Is there any more you can tell us about Skiitara?"
"... There is." He said. "I could tell you lifetimes about it. But... from here, we go to Dalruan, then Nerull, then Skiitaris, where the palace resides. That would be faster than telling you."
He sighed. "And I want to be Kale right now."
He looked down to the box.
"Because I don't think I'll be able to, much longer."

In the sky, you saw a gryphon, screeching out of the sky.

With a single, raised hand, Kale brought forth a glamour, shooting a spear of light upwards, so that Ariana could follow it down.

His eyes were a steely, heartless grey.
A cold grey- and for a moment, you saw something ancient hiding behind them.

>End of thread!
>My twitter is @futureexabyte , and I fuck around on the IRC pretty much constantly (#Exabyte on Rizon.)

>>22810837
Thanks for running, Exa!

>>22810837
i appreciate the hosting Exabyte.

>>22810837
Is this what Leez was talking about when she said Kale might die? Does she want us to protect the Kale part of Kale?

>>22810837
>Archive description: We meet up with everyone, Gareth parleys with us, and we creep out of Amberway under nightfall.
>Gareth

Are you trying to tell us something, Exabyte?

>>22811273
Aw, wait, fuck. I MISLABELED IT.

>Kale is Kristoph.