“Sireyi...” says Jal, fidgeting.

Sofia waits for a moment then rolls her eyes and says “What Jal is avoiding Sireyi” she explains “Is that we’re both overjoyed to have Mili and Vivi back, and we don’t blame you for anything, but we need to seriously consider the children’s safety.”

“Yeah” says Jal, picking up the theme “Like ‘aving wolfboy and Janksy looking after them.”

“We can’t ask them to look after our kids all the time” says Sofia “Think about it Jal – what if they asked us to look after Rising Moon all the time?”

“Well then Sof, what’s the lay?” retorts Jal

“Guards” responds Sofia, “A dedicated and specially-trained and equipped bodyguard that never leave them alone.”

“Nah” says Jal dismissively “ironshirts is too easy to caper – we ask our friends to take it in shifts: Wolfboy one day, Isla the next and so on.”

“Well” says Sofia “Whoever it is, we’ll also need to consider magical protections. What do you think Sireyi?”

>Ask your friends to guard the children
>Bodyguards (equipment/training suggestions?)
>Isla and I will do some magical protections (what?)
>We’ll hire some professional mages (see Realm sheet for magical protection options)
>Other (what?)

Friends option means that from time-to-time some party members will not be available for adventures.
Bodyguards will cost money, as will hiring mages.

Whatever you choose of course, you also need to decide how to find your Elemental Nodes. Velya told you she believes they are still somewhere in the Tribal Lands.

>Scrying
>Search Tribal Lands (how?)
>Go find Braggedin and Sleekit
>Ask friends to locate them (who?)
>Other tactic (what?)

Sorry I'm late.

>>35298324
>>Other (what?)
We make a dedicated bodyguard angel also put alarm wards that trigger upon sensing demonic or unholy auras.
>Ask friends to locate them (who?)
Ask Shahulzer to try to dominate one out of the five big orc clans. While Jianxi and Sireyi infiltrate another.

>>35298324
Which of those options would getting Advanced defenses (Mundane and Magical) fall under?

>>35298365
>Make an angel
>Zero DP

>>35298324
>Assign Ophinus to watch them.
>We use Planar Binding to summon angels associated with velya.

>>35298324
Having our friends do it is probably the most powerful option but I think what we need is a full time high power bodyguard.

>>35298378
>>35298324
Oops forgot about that. How about making a lasting sanctuary instead?

>>35298378
Hiring mages is essentially paying mages to set up Magical Defences

>>35298324
>>35298365
>Ask Shahulzer to try to dominate one out of the five big orc clans. While Jianxi and Sireyi infiltrate another.
Seconding this

>>35298416
It doesn't move and it's restricted to a 30ft area at this level.

>>35298421
Would a retinue of bodyguards be part of Mundane Defenses then?

>>35298450
But the main danger is them being kidnapped when they are not around anyone. At this point wouldn't this be in their rooms? After they grow up we make an angel as a bodyguard or ask Konig for some protection to 'help' his relationship with Sofia.

>>35298450
>Would a retinue of bodyguards be part of Mundane Defenses then?

Yes - bodyguards would replace the monsters part of mundane defences.

Also, childrens protection will likely change over time, the decision you're making now could easily be a short-term solution whilst you sort something more permanent out.

>>35298475
Let's just get Mundane and Magical Advanced defenses then.

I've already redone the taxes to factor it in and everything.

>>35298473
They don't spend all their time in their rooms.

They like to explore the castle and play with the servants' children.

The children aren't the only people I'm worried about getting abducted.

>>35298324
>Summon two planar guardians, one associated with Velya one with Konig
>Increase overall Mundane and magical detection and defences in the castle

>Infiltrate the big Tribes with Jianxi

>>35298516
Actually, lower that to Intermediate.

I missed the critical line that explains that previous levels need to be purchased beforehand, for some reason.

ok, buying some defences and summoning angels seems to be the popular choices.

I trust Autism Anon to sort the numbers on defences - these will be payed for at the end of the year but in-game construction will start immediately.

Regarding summoning: Wizards/Sorcerers force the creatures to appear and engage in a battle of wills, or bargain to obtain a summoned creatures services.

Priests call the creatures using agreements made between the creature and the priests god, including pre-set prices for services rendered.

With that in mind, who is doing the summoning?

>>35298637
Get Sofia to contact Konig. We did promise to try to repair their relationship.

>>35298637
>Priests call the creatures using agreements made between the creature and the priests god

>>35298637
>Priests

I'd imagine the rate an angel would charge a servant of their god/goddess would be better than anything a wizard could barter for, and I'd prefer to avoid forcing the summoned creature to perform a service.

>>35298637
>Poppy

>>35298637
Priests so we don't get resentful "exact words" guards.

Ok, priests it is.

Please roll me 1d20, high roll good, low roll bad.

Not actually related to summoning.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>35298721

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>35298721
It's to see if we get summoned, isn't it?

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>35298721


>>35298736
I hope I didn't end up being right with that fear.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>35298721

>>35298324
I will, once again, say that sanctuary is an awesome power. If there is any way to give Sireyi's children the benefits without the accelerated aging, it is a must-have. That fake priest wouldn't have been able to even come near them if they had been warded that way.

I also want the options that used to be only for dragon-lairs for our home. Those bound magic creatures, maybe golems, as well as some sort of tracker on anyone important so that they can be found quickly in emergencies.

>>35298763
So, uh, how many threads did you miss?

>>35298450
>It doesn't move and it's restricted to a 30ft area at this level.
Celestial Iron magical item. Already did it once and gave it away. I would just go for something lighter and smaller than chain-mail for our kids.

>>35298776
631. I'm just slow. Started writing before Pally wrote his second update. Why do you think I missed several threads?

>>35298301
Found a typo
>Rank 4 – Your sanctuary cannot be entered by evil creatures of less power than a demon lord of god
should be lord OR god.

You discuss the options with Jal and Sofia for some time and you agree to consider using some of the realms funds to hire professional bodyguards as well as mages skilled in creating magical protections.

After explaining what you need to Poppy she readily agrees “I’ll have some help here by sundown” she promises “And Philly will help too, count on it.”

With your children’s security decided (for now) you seek out Jianxi and Shahulzer and explain your plan.

“I’ve got to be an orc again?” says Jianxi, a grimace on her face “It’s like being a guy – spitting everywhere and scratching, ugh.”

“Shahulzer responds a bit more enthusiastically “Sure” he says, “I can take over one of the five big tribes, no problem.”

The three of you leave your stronghold and you and Jianxi use magic to disguise yourselves as orc soldiers and Shahulzer transforms into his natural dragon shape and you teleport to the Tribal Lands.

You and Jianxi wave goodbye to Shahulzer as he sets of for one of the tribes, you and Jianxi approach the other.

There’re plenty of sentries about but they accept your explanation of being from a scattered tribe and looking for work. You are taken to an orc raid leader who accepts you into his war-party after threatening you and showing you how strong he is by cutting a block of wood in half with a single sweep of his axe.

After being folded into the orc forces and *training* for much of the day, you are considering how best to search out the Elemental Nodes when you receive a message via spell from Isla.

<Come back right away> says the message <Shahulzers found something. Get yourself and Jianxi out now.>

You grab Jianxi and make your excuses and the two of you leave the orc encampment, teleporting back to the stronghold whilst out of sight.

As you appear in the courtyard outside the main keep – your designated spot for teleporting – Isla spots you and beckons you to follow her.

“What is it?” you ask as she leads you through the corridors of your keep.

“I’ll let Shahulzer explain” she says “short version: he’s alive, and he knows where one of the Nodes is.”

She leads you into the infirmary where Shahulzer is lying on a bed in humanoid form, with Poppy and Philly standing over him, his eyes are closed.

As you enter, Philly comes over to you and says quietly “We’ve got him stabilised and I think we can grow his arm back, but he was in a bad way when he got here, and he’s sleeping now.”

“What happened?” you ask

Philly pauses “I’m not sure” she says “He was saying something about fire, and he was covered in burns.”

>Tell me everything he said
>Wake Shahulzer up to get his story
>Probe Thoughts (Shahulzer)
>Wait until he wakes up to hear Shahulzer’s story
>Other (what?)

>>35298799
Lighter and smaller than a chain-shirt would fall under Create Other Magic Item, unless there's a kind of armour that's lighter than that.

Because the only good part of Sanctuary we haven't already purchased is Sanctuary 3, and it was established as being very high priority at the end of the last thread.

I'm not counting the Deific Expansions at this point.

>>35298841
>>Wake Shahulzer up to get his story

>>35298763
>if there is any way to give Sireyi's children the benefits without the accelerated aging, it is a must-have.

Just to be clear: Magic items don't have to have the full or exact versions of powers used to create them.

As long as the theme or overall effect is consistent, the fine details can be tweaked.

I.e. Yes, you can have Sanctuary Magic Items without the aging effect.

“I need to hear this now” you say, approaching Shahulzers bedside, kneeling down you shake him gently to wake him up.

After a few moments his eyes open slightly and look around until they settle on you. They widen a bit more and Shahulzer tries to sit up, but is unable to, without help.

You support him as Poppy and Philly grab more pillows for him to lean against. The sheet covering him falls back to reveal a muscles chest covered in half-healed burns, and a stump where his right arm should be.

“Sireyi...” he whispers.

“Easy” you say “At your own pace.”

“I flew down on the tribe” he says “and told them...to bring out the chief.” He pauses.

“Go on” you say encouragingly.

“The chiefs shamans” he says slowly, “had one of the Elemental Nodes and hit me with a burst of fire: I’ve never felt heat so intense....”

“You did very well at getting away” you say.

He shakes his head slightly “I didn’t escape – I was let go.”

You feel a chill go through you “Why?” you ask.

“I was told to tell you” he says “Gorrask the Mighty, Servant of Urgorg, bids you enjoy your final days – for soon they will end.”

Well, that’s that.

“I didn’t see him” says Shahulzer, his voice weak “Just the chieftain and the shamans – but they claimed to be speaking to him through the Node.”

You recall the Elemental Nodes did have a communication function.

>Tell Shahulzer to rest
>Ask him questions (what?)

Vote on overall options/choices will be next.

>>35298971
>Tell Shahulzer to rest

>>35298971
>Tell Shahulzer to rest

>>35298971
>>Tell Shahulzer to rest

>>35298971
>Tell Shahulzer to rest

Welp, took too long to find them.

“Get some rest” you tell Shahulzer “you’ve earned it.”

His eyes close slowly and he slips into slumber.

“What do we do now?” asks Philly “Those Elemental Node things seemed pretty powerful.”

“Get everyone together” you say “We need to discuss this.”

With your companions assembled in one of the keeps larger conference rooms (you’re starting to think of it as your war room) you explain to them what’s happened.

“Well that’s torn it” says Jianxi, speaking first “If they can almost kill Shahulzer with one blast of fire, what can we do?”

“Sireyi knows the Nodes better than anyone” says Isla loyally “I’m sure we can create a defence against them if we try. Plus we have the Tomes of the Necromancer-Kings.”

“Magic is all well and good” says Matthias “But they had close to 300,000 orcs and beastmen at last count, we need an army.”

“Yes” agrees Sofia, nodding “We go to the King – Gorrask threatens the Kingdom, not just our Barony.”

“But that means lot of people will die!” exclaims Demihydria “I should ask the Forest King and Queen to help.”

“People will die anyway” says Two Blue sadly “the thing to decide is how to make it as few as possible.”

“Six boxes, six deaths” says Jal, pulling a knife from its sheath and testing its edge “A quick in an’ out assassination and snatch is the key.”

“Just murder them?” says Nicolvren, looking shocked “Really?”

Philly nodes “Better six deaths, than thousands – this could make the war 50 years ago look tame in comparison.”

Poppy looks uncomfortable “I think we need to pray on this” she says “There’s so much we don’t know.”

As your companions argue over the best response, you wonder what to do.

>Try to build a defence against the nodes with Isla
>Sireyi reads the Tomes (which?)
>Isla reads the Tomes (which?)
>Go to the King for help
>Ask the Forest King and Queen for help
>Assassination it is
>Steal boxes by stealth (no killing)
>Pray
>Other (what?)

The 3 Tomes are: Arcane Magic, Necromancy, and Mechanical Magic

Also please make an intelligence check 1d20+7

Important vote so discussion encouraged.

Intel-gathering + indirect actions (pray, scry, read Tomes) can be happening whilst main vote is ongoing.

Rolled 11 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>35299117

Rolled 8 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>35299117
>Assassination it is
These guys are definitly evil, so killing them is perfectly alright.

>Isla starts reading the Tome of Mechanical Magic

Rolled 13 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>35299117
>>Pray
>Assassination it is

>>35299126
I really don't trust the tomes.

>>35299117
>Assassination it is
Iif it saves the lives of ten-thousands on both sides, killing some evil dudes seems legit to me.

>Steal boxes by stealth (no killing)
A different group

>Isla>Mechanical Magic

>>35299133
I wouldn't read the Necromancy one, in any case. But we can't find out anything without trying.

>>35299117
>Isla reads the Tomes (Arcane and Mechanical)
>Try to build a defence against the nodes with Isla

Isla is already our Arcane main and our first Paladin, so maxing her arcane mastery isn't a bad idea.

The mechancal magic is just so that we can make cool things everyone can use.

Also, instead of assassination, a simple kidnapping should suffice.

>>35299143
Definitely going to have to oppose reading multiple tomes at once.

>>35298881
>you can have Sanctuary Magic Items without the aging effect.
As I'm not quite clear on that: Can Sireyi make holy items are not constrained by the restriction to armor and weapons she has when making normal magical stuff? And how close to armor does an item have to be to count for that? Could a bracelet with a protecting effect be considered armor, or does it have to be a full-blown arm guard?

I'm confused. I think making a small wearable item to increase the defenses of our children (and possible making more for our friends) is an awesome idea. Others seem to consider this stupid, but I don't get why. The effects I'm going for would have come in handy so many times, I feel like I'm missing something huge.

>>35299143
>>35299150
I have to agree with this one, we should first look carefully for any influence they might have.

>>35299117
>Sireyi reads the Tomes (Necromancy)

No one else (besides isla) should be trusted with this knowledge. Since necromancy is a matching theme with life, it fits Sireyi the best.

>Assassination/Infiltration it is
>Warn the King anyway

Fuck owning a favor tot he fae court, but letting the nation's King know what's happening is a good idea. Just in case.

>Success
Thanks to your new powers, sometimes you can make deductions from very little evidence, and still be reasonably sure they are correct.

5 tribes and 6 Elemental Nodes with no obvious sign of Gorrask mean he’s probably controlling the 5 tribal leaders at a distance – each one of the chiefs or their shamans having one of the Nodes, with Gorrask having the 6th and ruling from the shadows – unusually sneaky for a beastman, or a follower of a warrior-demon.

If the shamans can all use some (or all) of the Nodes powers then either they discovered this on their own (possible, but unlikely) or else someone else is helping them. It probably isn’t Urgorg, as he’s more of a warrior than a sorcerer.

So there is probably someone else (a mage, a demon lord, an evil god?) involved.

Further, since the Nodes can be used to communicate, stealing one back will alert the holders of the others, and Gorrask, unless you take all 5 at once, or in very quick succession.

You’re not sure you have enough information to make a plan that won’t result in people dying.

>>35299117
>>Pray

>Steal boxes by stealth (no killing)
Where possible. If we are detected, we fight our way in and out. I suggest two or three infiltrators with a comm line to others outside. As soon as they call or the communication spell is capped, they move in.

>>35299156
Nobody thinks it's stupid, we didn't want the aging effect but that's become a non-issue.

The problem is there are three item creation skills: Create Sorcerous Item, Create Magic Arms and Armour, and Create Other Magic Item.

Small items with that effect would fall under the last one, and it's not one which we possess currently.

It's likely not that easy to circumvent.

>>35299162
If by 'matching' you mean 'antipode', then yes.

I agree that Sireyi should be the only one to read that tome if it gets read, but disagree with reading it at all when we still have no idea how they work or really any knowledge about them at all.

I can't see it containing much in the way of useful information anyway.

>>35299169
>take all 5 at once, or in very quick succession.

>>35299117
Go to the King. Get help, but not an army. There have to be some good royal infiltrators. I suggest we form groups who try to retrieve the nodes simultaneously, by whatever method they are most suited to.
examples:
>Jianxi, Matthias and Jal go stealthy
>Royal stealth group
>Full dragon assault by the hellworm as distraction, less stealthy group moves in.
>Sireyi tries to negotiate with one of the orcs, kills everyone when it inevitably doesn't work.
Stuff like that.

>>35299156
>As I'm not quite clear on that: Can Sireyi make holy items are not constrained by the restriction to armor and weapons she has when making normal magical stuff?

No, Sireyi can make holy magical items and ones using celestial iron, but only of the types of magic items she can already make.

>And how close to armor does an item have to be to count for that? Could a bracelet with a protecting effect be considered armor, or does it have to be a full-blown arm guard?

At its smallest it would be a breastplate or a full helmet.

>>35299200
>Splitting the party
Aside from that, Shahulzer is currently severely wounded from a single blast of the fire node.

>>35299193

They work by jamming their information inside the reader's head and then becoming blank. The writer of the books explained how they worked, remember?

It's a one time power up, bsically.

>>35299117
>Sireyi reads the Tomes (All)
I think its definitely best that Sireyi reads the books as opposed to anyone else.

>>35299237
>The writer of the books
Who we are assuming told us everything we'd need to know because...?

I'm not saying he's lying, just that his inhuman viewpoint might've caused him to fail to mention possible side effects which he considered irrelevant which would be pretty damn relevant to us.

Besides, even if that didn't happen, he also mentioned that the knowledge might change people, and the one I'd most be worried about that would be from the Necromancy book.

>Autism Anon
If you are reading this, I would like to vote for whichever skill Sireyi needs to make miscellaneous magical items.

>>35299193
>Nobody thinks it's stupid
The general lack of response other then one guy asking how many threads I had missed made me think there was something fundamentally wrong.

>>35299218
>At its smallest it would be a breastplate or a full helmet.
Aww.

>>35299232
And? He went for full frontal assault and didn't know being hit would hurt that much. Stealth would hopefully mean that is not an issue, also people can dodge or use specific elemental defenses as per Isla's suggestion.

>>35299259

So, we will never read the books because we are afraid of any possible side effect? Why even have them, then?

Anon, please, Sireyi has a very high Willpower. She won't be corrupted by knowledge.

You decide that praying to Velya is a useful course of action right now.

Velya answers you almost immediately “Yes my saint?” she asks.

You tell her what’s been happening and she listens carefully.

“I agree” she says “far too subtle for the follower of Urgorg; someone is helping them, but I am not sure who.”

“Me either” you admit “And I’m not sure what to do other than hitting all of them at once as fast and as hard as possible.”

“Not a bad plan” says Velya “whilst I’m not sure of who is helping Urgorg, this sort of manipulation and trickery is very much Salvastis’ style – and he has reason to want to trouble you.”

“You really think it could be him?” you ask.

“I think it could be, yes” says Velya “Though I am not sure. If it is, ruling from behind the throne is very much his style, as is luring his foes into traps – I advise the utmost caution when trying to retrieve the elemental nodes.”

>Thank you My Lady (end conversation)
>Ask other question (what?)

>>35299284
We had actually agreed to having Isla read the Magitech one.

If anyone ever reads the Necromancy one its Sireyi.

Do not underestimate the demon-fueled orcs. Regardless what course we will take, this will not be a walk in the park. They will no doubt have plenty of magical and mundane protections in place, and we can be thankful they sent Shazzie back in one (slightly smaller) piece rather than just his head on a pike.

>Work with Isla to try and find a way to counter the elemental nodes
>Send Demihydria and Matthias to talk with the Forest King and Queen
>Sofia could visit the giants, maybe Bokin's dad knows something from his shamanic powers
>Philly and Poppy will pray on their own no doubt.

>>35299257
No, the only one I wouldn't be completely opposed to Sireyi reading would be the Necromancy book, if only because she's the most mentally resilient and the only one I'd trust with that knowledge.

>>35299271
The guy's plan explicitly stated a full dragon assault by the hellwyrm for one of the camps.

>>35299284
I never said she'd be corrupted, I said the knowledge itself might fundamentally change her viewpoint of reality, simply by virtue of knowing what she would know.

I'm not saying we never read any of them, I'm saying we don't read multiple books at once and don't start with the most likely to fuck with the reader's perception.

>>35299294
>Thank you My Lady (end conversation)

>>35299284
My thinking as well. Whatever happens, we are (for the most part) in control of Sireyi. Due to that, our high will and the unlikeliness of Pally giving us an item that just takes all control away from us, I think Sireyi is the best choice.

>>35299294
>Thank you My Lady (end conversation)

>>35299304
I'm fine with not reading them all right now. But since they are single use I think its best if only Sireyi uses them.

>>35299316
So, in other words, the only reason you want Sireyi to be the one to read the books is because you think that there's no possibility we'll lose any control, meta-wise.

In spite of the fact that we've lost control to some degree for doing stupid shit in the past (not that this is necessarily stupid).

>>35299426
>no possibility we'll lose any control, meta-wise.
More like she has the lowest possibility we'll lose control, meta-wise. As well as in character. What mortal does a Paladin trust more than yourself after all?

Ok, whilst I try and understand the overall plan...

The Tomes, who is reading them?

Arcane Tome
>Isla
>Sireyi
>Someone else (who?)
>No one (yet)

Mechanical Tome
>Isla
>Sireyi
>Someone else (who?)
>No one (yet)

Necromancy Tome
>Isla
>Sireyi
>Someone else (who?)
>No one (yet)

Each tome will take 2-3 weeks to read fully - each tome must be fully read to get its effect.

Due to Sireyi and Isla having Giants Endurance they can try and read the Tomes faster (with little/no sleep) in a week or so. Doing so will save time but increase the likelyhood of side-effects.

So for those reading Tomes

>Normal pace
>Speed read

>>35299383
Concentrating all of our power into a single character, in this case Sireyi, is a fairly bad decision, as was demonstrated during the Doppelganger fight.

I'd much rather give the 'safe' tomes to Isla and avoid reading the Necromancy tome at all.

>>35299449
Paladins aren't paranoid schizophrenics Mathrian, they actually trust the people they love.

In-character, we trust Isla completely.

>>35299465
Arcane Tome
>Isla

>Necromancy Tome
>Sireyi

We don't have a gadjeteer to give the mechanical tome, so I guess it should go to isla too?

>>35299465
>No one (yet)
>Isla
>No one (yet)

>Normal pace

>>35299465
Arcane Tome/Mechanical Tome
>One, and only one, of these is read by Isla at this point

Necromancy tome
>No one (yet)

>Normal Pace
It might screw with the enchantment otherwise.

>>35299486
>Voting to read multiple tomes immediately, once of which is (possibly) mindfuck.txt
Please no.

>>35299465
Arcane Tome
>Sireyi

Mechanical Tome
>Sireyi

Necromancy Tome
>Sireyi

Normal pace


>>35299474
Uhuh, OUR character. The main character.

I do believe you misunderstand "trust the most." You can trust others implicitly while still trusting yourself the most, without being a paranoid schizophrenic anon.

>>35299465
Arcane Tome
>Isla

Mechanical Tome
>No one (yet)

Necromancy Tome
>Sireyi

>>35299465
>Mechanical Tome
>>Isla

>normal pace

Sireyi has other shit to do right now.

>>35299510
So you want Sireyi to spend the next 6 weeks reading bookds instead of retrieving the nodes ?

>>35299510
I'd have respected your argument more if you had voted for Sireyi to read just one book at this time, instead of immediately going full-greed on us.

You also ignored that power-concentration isn't a great idea at this point.

Heavily opposed to this.

>>35299541
Meh, Better than others doing so. I'm pretty much in the Sireyi or Wait camp. I don't mind if the others fail.

>>35299554
Eh, its an individual vote I believe. I don't mind if we don't read the books yet.

Ok,

Whilst I’m tallying the votes for the Tomes, this appears to be the plan:

Warn the King of Dornmer and request help in the form of scouts/royal infiltrators/whatever sneaks he has.

Hit all 5 camps at once to steal the Nodes: killing the chieftains if needed, but primarily retrieving the Nodes. These attacks will use whatever tactics are most suited to those taking part in the attack (i.e. pure sneaking for Jal or Jianxi, dragons being used as diversions etc).

If (post-Tome reading) you and Isla can come up with some sort of defence in a short space of time, then great, otherwise it’s not the main priority.

If anyone wants to suggest modifications, now is the time, otherwise I’ll start writing this up.

>>35299572
Regardless of whether Sireyi reading the 'safe' tomes instead of Isla is a good idea, she's the most powerful character and we need her in order to retrieve the nodes, a far more pressing situation since the books aren't going anywhere.

This is one reason why too much power concentration can be a really bad idea, that character becomes too important to have any down time.

>>35299603
>Hit all 5 camps at once to steal the Nodes
I'm not sure about all 5 at once, I think that would be stretching our force to thin. 2-3 should be enough.

>>35299603
Unless I've miscounted:
Sireyi reading Necromancy is tied 3-3, breaking in favor of not reading it at this point.

It's not immediately relevant knowledge, Sireyi is more valuable elsewhere and the book isn't going anywhere.

Isla reading Mechanical or Arcane is tied 2-1-2, since one guy didn't care which of the two it was, just that she read one which wasn't Necromancy.

Breaking that in favor of Arcane, as it seem more immediately relevant to the node defense.

Ok, so I'm counting the votes as Isla reading 2 Tomes (Arcane, Mechanical) and Sireyi reading the Necromancy one.

All at normal speed (takes 5 weeks in total).

Please roll 3d20 (Isla - Arcane, Isla - Mechanical, Sireyi) for results, high is good.

In the meantime, you'll be having a chat with the King.

Rolled 6, 10, 11 = 27 (3d20)

>>35299685

>>35299685
I think there was a large consensus on not reading more than one book.

>>35299684
>>35299696

My apologies, recounting, please no rolls at this time.

My apologies, I believe Autism Anon to be corect.

Please roll 1d20+5 for Isla's Willpower as she reads the Arcane Tome.

No other Tomes are being read at this time.

Rolled 19 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>35299749

Rolled 18 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>35299749

Rolled 2 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>35299749

>>35299304
>The guy's plan explicitly stated a full dragon assault by the hellwyrm for one of the camps.
As a distraction, as in drawing as many troops while still staying mobile enough being able to disengage as soon as it isn't needed any more. Shelzy was hit by surprise, not thinking the node was that powerful. That will not happen again. It will still be dangerous, but so is every plan.

Also: magical protections against the elemental node. Should be enough to survive a hit or two.

>>35299541
Sireyi is not the only one who can act. Also, I'm sure she can spend 20 minutes every day being kept up to date on events or sending missives.

>>35299818
>Sireyi is not the only one who can act.
She is however the only one who can safely go up against someone using a node.

>>35299603
>If (post-Tome reading) you and Isla can come up with some sort of defence in a short space of time, then great, otherwise it’s not the main priority.
Isn't elemental defence usually one of the most basic there is? Is there no item that gives protection from fire, for example? Not saying immunity, but even just enough resistance to survive a hit and retreat to the healers might be enough.

>>35299837
We do, however, need to prepare for any assault anyway. Also, while it takes 6 weeks to read a book and they must be read fully to gain the benefits, there is no reason Sireyi couldn't take a day off for the assault.

>>35299843
>Isn't elemental defence usually one of the most basic there is?

Yes

>Is there no item that gives protection from fire, for example?

There are, yes.

Shahulzer is incredibly resistant to fire as a result of being a hellfire wyrm.

And a single blast of the Fire Elemental Node almost killed him.

Ordinary magical protections will grant some protection against the Nodes, and might save lives, but Isla and Sireyi might be able to come up with something better.

>>35299603
I assume we'll be scouting the camps out before the concerted attack?

Making a defense should probably be a higher priority, since a lack of node defense seems like the kind of thing that results in character death.

Probably too late, but oh well, I blame late breakfast.

>>35299862
The assault isn't taking place until after the books are read. If it wasn't, there wouldn't be any point to reading the books being brought up as related to solving this crisis.

Whilst Isla spends her time reading the Tome of Arcane Knowledge, Shahulzer recovers and the rest of your companions prepare for the coming conflict, you visit the King of Dornmer.

Once again, discussing your realms royal subsidy is a convenient excuse to get a private audience.

After appraising the King of the status of your realm, you explain the current situation to him.

“I think it best if I ask my advisor Edver to join us” says the King with a concerned look “Much of what you’re telling me needs a wizard to understand it I fear.”

You tell your tale again to Master Edver, the Kings advisor – an older wizard with a long beard.

Master Edver nods thoughtfully after you’ve finished telling him what these Elemental Nodes are.

“I agree with Baroness Sireyi” says Master Edver “These devices are too dangerous to leave in the hands of the savages, they must be retrieved.”

“I concur” says the King, to you he says “I am detailing 200 of the Kings Rangers to help you – they specialise in scouting and fast attack, and have items given to them by the court wizards to allow them to fly and move unseen.”

“Thank you your Majesty” you respond.

“And” says the King “I’ll be giving you command of the Ivorek”

“The Ivorek?” you say

“Yes” he says, nodding “You recall that flying warship you returning in from the other plane? We’ve been refitting it and it is now a royal vessel, named after King Ivorek, my ancestor. To retrieve these magical artefacts, it is at your command.”

“Furthermore” interjects Master Edver “These artefacts are of importance to the nation, I will have 20 of the court wizards accompany you to ensure they are safe to return to the capital.”

Wait, the capital? It sounds like Edver is ready to confiscate them.

>As you wish your Majesty (ends audience)
>Ask for more forces
>All the Nodes are mine
>Can’t I keep some of the Nodes (how many? Which?)
>Other

>>35299968
>All the Nodes are mine

>>35299968
>We can leave one of the nodes with the royal court, but more would be too dangerous, given what they can be used for.

>>35299968
>>35299992
I'm not willing to budge on the Lightning Elemental Node but the other ones I wouldn't be uber pissed about letting go.

>>35299968
>All the Nodes are mine
Not dealing with this, these things are way too dangerous.

>>35299968
>>All the Nodes are mine
They will, however, be used to defend the Kingdom, as we are sworn to protect it.

Also I would allow the wizards to inspect them and try to replicate their effects. That is something that will be necessary for the necromancer artifacts to be useful.

>>35300051
Not necessarily, it's possible they could use Arcane rather than Divine Energies, they don't actually need the nodes, as far as we know.

I'm kind of worried about the Huroni blueprints hidden in the nodes, to at least the same degree as I'm worried about the necromancer-king artifacts.

Aren't most of those at the bottom of the sea, anyway?

Ok, roll Fellowship 1d20+14

Also vote on,

Use Angels Voice in the presence of the King?
(adds +10 extra to Fellowship check - I'll add it on manually)

Y/N

Rolled 14 + 14 (1d20 + 14)

>>35300143
>Y

Rolled 8 + 14 (1d20 + 14)

>>35300143
N
Even if we can get away with it.

Rolled 15 + 14 (1d20 + 14)

>>35300143
N, he may not take kindly to that.

Rolled 7 + 14 (1d20 + 14)

>>35300143
>N
This wouldn't be an option if it wasn't a trap.

Seriously though, it probably counts as mental alteration of some kind, albeit mostly benign.

>>35300143

Y

Use it, we need them

ok, voting closed, writing.

“The Nodes are mine” you say to Master Edver “I will of course allow the Court Wizards to examine them if they so choose, but they belong to me.”

“Oh?” he says, stroking his beard “And what is the basis of your ownership?”

“I found them” you say “on another plane.”

Master Edver shakes his head “dubious legal grounds for ownership when the security of the kingdom is at stake your Majesty” he addresses the King, who looks thoughtful.

“I would of course use them to defend the Kingdom” you say “as I am sworn to protect it.”

“And yet you lost these powerful artefacts” points out Master Edver “And they are now in the hands of the Kingdoms enemies” he addresses the King once again “Sire I believe these would be best kept in the Royal Treasury – they could be used under the direction of the Baroness should they be needed, and kept safe when not in use.”

The King looks thoughtful as he considers both arguments, then speaks.

“Your ability to keep these artefacts safe has been called into doubt” he tells you gravely “Nevertheless I am willing to grant you another chance – if you retrieve these artefacts they are yours to keep, but should you misplace them again, they become royal property.”

It seems that’s as good a deal as you’re going to be offered.

You thank the King for his time after he dismisses you, and you head home – the Kings forces will follow you shortly.

Returning to your Barony to begin final preparations for the attack you discuss with your companions how many of the orc and beastman encampments you want to attack, as well as checking on Isla’s progress with the Arcane Tome.

Isla is in her workshop. “Look what I’ve created!” she says excitedly, showing you a simple copper bracelet.

“Um, it’s very nice” you say

“No look at it magically!” she insists.

You oblige her, focusing your powers and examining the simple copper band....that is a focus for incredibly complex magics.

“Isla...this....” you say, somewhat stunned.

“Yes” she grins at you “It will protect completely against a magical attack using the elements!” her grin fades slightly “Unfortunately they are only good for one or two attacks” she says “And they take several hours each to make.”

“Well” you say “Make as many as you can, we may need them.”

“Of course” she says, leaning in to give you a quick kiss “I’ll be here if you need me.”

You now need to plan out your attack...

“I think hitting 2 or 3 at once prevents splitting our forces too far” advises Matthias.

“No” says Poppy, shaking her head as you are once again all sat in your war room “That way the others will go into hiding, and we’ll only retrieve half of them.”

All of your companions chime in with their own suggestions, until it’s down to you to decide.

>Hit 5 locations at once
>Hit fewer than 5 (how many?)

Isla's character sheet updated: +4 Willpower, +3 Magical Knowledge, XP cost of learning spells reduced, new spells will be added over time.

>>35300413
>Hit 5 locations at once

>>35300413
>Hit fewer than 5 (how many?)
>3

We don't have enough companions for all 5, it just risks losing all of them.

>>35300413
>Hit fewer than 5 (how many?)
>We might be able to handle 3.

>>35300413
>Hit 3 at once.
>After that, if there have been few or no losses, everyone groups together to attack one more.
My reasoning is this: If we have enough forces to succeed against all locations, then we will have such an easy time against only three that we can try to quickly get one more.

If we have trouble even hitting only three, so that banding together for a follow-up strike seems unreasonable, we would have had even more trouble hitting all 5.

“We’ll hit 3 at once” you say “if things go well, we can launch follow-up attacks against the other two locations.”

Matthias nods, Poppy grimaces “Ok Sireyi” she says “I’ll follow your lead.”

With your number of locations chosen, you now need to divide your forces.

You have yourself and your companions
>Sireyi
>Isla
>Grax
>Jianxi
>Twoblue
>Demihydria
>Sofia
>Jal
>Matthias
>Nicolvren
>Shahulzer
>Ebonsong
>Philly
>Poppy

Shahulzer has recovered in the past 2 weeks.

Four angels have been summoned to watch over your children – they are from the lower ranks of angels but are still very capable. They are polite to everyone, but whenever they see you, they bow. Because of these, you don’t feel any real need to leave behind any of your companions to protect Mili and Vivi.

You also have
>The Ivorek (formerly a Drache Military Airship)
>200 Royal Rangers
>20 Royal Mages

Split your forces

Group 1
>detail forces

Group 2
>detail forces

Group 3
>detail forces

The more forces are in a group, the higher the chances of success.

I have to leave for a short time; I will be back in 1 hour.

Please discuss what tactics each group will use, in that time.

Default tactics are assumed to be: distraction by some of the forces, whilst others try to grab the Node.
Clever tactics will increase chances of success.

We have 200 flying rangers and 20 wizards, we have the manpower to do this.

>>35300704
Should we just hit all 5 sites? Royal rangers and mages should not need us to hold their hands.

>>35300636
Group One
>Sireyi
>Jal
>Sofia
>Twoblue
Sireyi can extract all of them easily, Sofia is a strong divine empowered fighter and Jal/Twoblue cover our sneaky department.
Group Two
>Matthias
>Poppy
>Jianxi
>Nicolvren
Jainxi is the stealing responsible here,Matthias is strong enough to overwhelm aopponent without raising alarm, this is however the group most likely to get into a full fight, thats why Poppy goes with them for healing. Nicolvren is to fly them out.
Group Three
>Demihydra
>Isla
>Philly
>Grax
Isla and Philly can handle most fights with Grax as frontliner, Demihydra can handle the stealing thanks to her control of animals, raise a bit of a commotion in the camp with some animals, and a few can figure out where the Node is, and everyone goes in disguised as animals to retrieve it.


The three groups try to get to the nodes in a stealthy manner, once either all three nodes are obtained or any group has been discovered,
>>Shahulzer
>The Kings contingent

Hit the other two camps hard and fast while our groups teleport over there.

>>35300636
>>35300809
The team build is fine, but the end plan is not. The two kings teams, half forces each, should try to infiltrate too, they don't have the manpower to storm a camp of aseveral thousands of beastmen.

>>35300809
>Didn't assign Ebonsong

Group 1:
Sireyi wouldn't be able to get away that easily, there's risk of node blasts and the fact that we can't carry that many people at once.

IIRC, it was two people maximum and that slows us down by a huge amount.

If you meant teleport, any caster could do that, and probably better than Sireyi, since her Teleport is (E)

Jal I can understand, but Twoblue isn't sneaky. At all. She's got a lower Agility modifier than Sireyi and no skills relating to it.

Group 2:
Matthias' strength doesn't matter, a sneak attack could do the exact same thing, and if it breaks out into a fight, I'm not certain Nicolvren will be able to get away safely, because archers and node blasts.

Poppy is a good healer, but there's only so much one can do against an effectively endless tide of orcs and beastmen.

Group 3:
Isla and Philly aren't that powerful, magic tends to be fairly loud, Grax isn't abnormally powerful for his race/class and the nodes are under heavy enough guard that your animal-centric plan to steal the node probably wouldn't work.

Having Shahulzer and the Kings contingent remain in backup to hit the other camps rather than supporting any discovered allies is pretty stupid, given the risk to our allies.

That end part in particular is nonsensical from a strategic viewpoint, 2/3 groups don't even have a teleportation option that doesn't take tens of minutes.

>>35301057
>Isla and Philly aren't that powerful
None of our companions are, which is a problem, but nothing we can do about right now, factually, besides Shahulzer, those are our most powerful companions.

> I'm not certain Nicolvren will be able to get away safely, because archers and node blasts.
Its still better than having to rely on teleport, and we need some extraction option.
Also, none of those should get into full blown fights, these are provisions for the worst case of that happening.

>If you meant teleport, any caster could do that
Yes, but we only have so many casters. And Sireyi is one of them.

>>35301057
>nd the nodes are under heavy enough guard that your animal-centric plan to steal the node probably wouldn't work
That remains to be seen in what fashion they are guarded. Which the animals can definitly find out.

>>35301108
We just got twenty highly-trained royal mages.

I meant powerful as in they can't take out the literally thousands of orcs and beastmen that going into a 'sneaking mission' with intent to start fights would draw.

Be more clear about what's supposed to be happening, it reads like there are planned fights, even though fights are basically lose conditions in the sneaking mission.

I might just be reading in a bad-wrong way since I've been up for forty hours at this point.

>>35301131
I'd assume whatever methods of guarding are being used, there are physical guards, and they'd notice animals walking in and taking the nodes.

If they're stupid enough to leave their posts because some animals are causing mischief, I'll probably laugh.

>>35301215
Its pretty obvious to everyone that a fight is a lose condition, so I'm not sure what you mean. But even then, a fight can happen, so precautions need to be taken for that possibility.
There is a good reason why all of them have someone capable of casting Illusions and disguises.

>>35301215
>I'd assume whatever methods of guarding are being used, there are physical guards, and they'd notice animals walking in and taking the nodes.
You are misunderstanding here, the animals go in to disguise our team moving in, once they are in the tent, they transfrom back, overwhelm the enemy and move out again. The other animals are only there to create confusion and distract from the potential fight in the command tent.

>>35300636
I need more information on the camps, surrounding environs and nearby terrain features if I'm going to make an actual plan.

Back, reading plans

>>35301380
Each of the 5 camps (3 of which you'll be attacking) are large sprawling affairs without any sort of organised layout.

2 are on hillsides, 3 are in valleys.

The chieftain and shamans tents are roughly in the middle of the encampments.

>>35301271
Okay, okay, time for some more constructive behavior, or my terrible, half-dead attempts at it.

Send at least one, preferably two or three, rangers with each group; they're well-trained in stealth and will probably be fairly helpful, especially to group three.

Send at least one, preferably two, royal mages with each group; they're fairly experienced casters and likely know a non-(E) teleport.

Aside from that, they can probably cast other useful things, and would allow for a more definite way to communicate with other groups in the event they're spotted.

Change Shahulzer, the Airship and the rest of the King's Contingent over to support, have them move in to assist any group that gets spotted rather than rushing the remaining camps and possibly resulting in our allies dying.

Maybe assign a role to Ebonsong, maybe being Close Air Support for the King's Contingent in the event that they need to move in.

>>35301442
What about the areas adjacent to the camp? Any of them near a forest or anything that might provide similar cover?

>>35300636
>>35300809
>>35301502
I can get behind these modifications.

>>35301502
>What about the areas adjacent to the camp? Any of them near a forest or anything that might provide similar cover?

Two of the camps have small woodlands with stunted trees - not much, but enough to hide a small group.

One has a lake nearby: Anyone with a waterbreathing spell or similar could end up in the middle of the camp without coming out of the water.

The other two are in bare rocky country - the irregular rocky mountainsides offer some cover, but not much.

The most popular option appears to be a combination of
>>35300809
and
>>35301502

Writing, I'll give it another 5 minutes in case anyone wants to make any changes though.

Having divided your forces you all get in position and coordinated by telepathic links you all start to move in towards your targets at once.

You have Sofia, Jal and Twoblue with you, as well as 3 of the Kings Rangers, and 2 Royal Wizards.

You approach the camp from out of a scrubby, stunted forest with just enough cover to hide your small group.

Ahead of you is a vast encampment with tens of thousands of orcs and beastmen. You could provide a distraction by attacking the camp whilst your companions try to locate and retrieve the elemental node, or you could all sneak closer whilst disguised as a group of orcs using a spell. Or you could do something else.

Across the telepathic bond you know that the other 2 groups are also approaching the camps, whilst the bulk of your forces are in reserve aboard the Ivorak.

>Attack camp (Sireyi)
>Infiltrate (disguise)
>Other action (what?)

>>35301710
>Infiltrate (disguise)
>As two seperate groups, you go alone and the others go as one group from another direction, so you can make a distraction if it becomes necessary.

>>35301747
Sounds good

“Sofia” you say “You lead them around that way, and I’ll go in this way – we’ll work our way to the centre and see if we can’t find the chieftain or shamans.”

“Alright Sireyi” says Sofia with a nod “good luck.”

Infiltrating the camp disguised as an orc is surprisingly easy – with so many here they all seem unsurprised by the presence of strangers.

Soon both you and Sofia’s group are deeps inside the camp, only a few hundred yards away from the chieftains tent, and the shamans tents.

Orcs and beastmen pass by you without giving you a second glance.

Will you (or Sofia’s group perhaps?)

>Sneak into Chieftains tent
>Sneak into Shamans tent
>Create a distraction without revealing yourself (e.g. start a brawl or a fire)
>Reveal yourself and attack
>Or do something else (what?)

Unless specified I am assuming it is Sireyi and not Sofia’s group taking the action.

>>35301880
>Look for a somehwat queit spot between the tents and use True/Arcane Sight

>>35301880
>Create a distraction.

>>35301929
seconding >>35301929
this may allow us to tell where the nodes are

>>35301880
>Sneak into Shamans tent

>>35301962
Am I being paranoid when I think that that course of action might lead to the shaman detecting our casting, informing the other shamans and everything going tits up for all three groups?

I'm too dead to tell the crazy paranoia from the grounded paranoia.

>>35301929
Nice idea, roll Willpower 1d20+16

Rolled 11 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35301994
Eh, thats not TOO paranoid, but if they can detect that then they can detect our disguises.

>>35302009
rolling

Rolled 14 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35302009

Rolled 15 + 16 (1d20 + 16)

>>35302009

>>35302009
Why do we have our halo out?

>>35302041
We don't. Our Halo would be 26, no ?

>>35302041
Fair point, I forgot about that. You don't have your halo out, readjusting rolls manually.

>>35302107
No, base Willmod is +11, Lightning Halo adds +5 Willmod (+10 Willpower/2) to spell-related rolls.

You find a semi-secluded spot and you cast your spells allowing you to see what's truly there, as well as arcane auras.

You wander past both the chieftains tent and the shamans tents, looking casual.

Your spells reveal a complex and interesting set up.

In both the chieftains tent, and in one of the shamans, is a metal box the size and shape of an elemental node.

Thanks to your magic you are pretty sure the one in the shamans tent is the real one, whilst the one in the chieftains tent is a fake, albeit a good one, with a convincing magical aura.

In each tent are 4 beastmen, invisible, and polymorphed to look like the fast hunter demons you saw the skull pillar summon. In addition each appears to have a limited teleportation spell that makes them swap locations with another target – chosen when the spell is cast.

This is a complicated set up that would fool many into thinking that the nodes were guarded by demons, or fake demons, that can swap places with an ally (perhaps a true demon?) in an instant.

You wonder at what sort of twisted mind would set up a set of fake and double-bluffs like that – clearly someone with too much time on his hands.

You relay the details of what you’ve found to the other groups, in case they’re facing something similar.

In any event foes of this type aren’t a threat to you, but the noise of battle could draw others.

How will you handle it?

>Create a distraction without revealing yourself (e.g. start a brawl or a fire)
>Reveal yourself and attack
>Try to take the *demons* out quickly and grab the node
>Fly in quickly and grab the node before they can react
>Other (what?)

>>35302265

Damn, that's some dedication on part of the beastmen. Are they brainwashed, or just disciplined?

I wonder what sort of distraction might work without immediately putting the orcs on high alert. A brawl might be better than a fire for that...
In any case, the "demons" should be neutralized quickly enough that they don't know what's happening.

>>35302265
>Try to take the *demons* out quickly and grab the node
I worry that a distraction may cause them to raise their guard.

>>35302265
>Try to take the *demons* out quickly and grab the node
Any distraction to small wouldn't draw out the guardians, and any too large would make them just more wary.

Rather than get complicated you decide to simply take them out quickly. You wander up to the tent and once happy that no one is watching, you duck inside.

The four guards instantly come alert and move towards you, but you avoid looking at them as they stalk quietly towards you, pretending you can’t see them...yes, a little closer....that’s it...

The four guards are now bunched up and close enough for you to hit, but haven’t even drawn their weapons just yet, in fact it looks like one is about to try and flick your ear – perhaps they are used to using their invisibility to torment luckless orcs and beastmen sent into the shamans tents?

You could use a small lightning storm to drop them, but some of the other shamans tents are occupied – the magic may be noticed.

Or you could use your halberd to take them out – as long as you do it quickly, or you could do something else.

>Lightning Storm
>Halberd
>Other (what?)

>>35302499
>Halberd

>>35302499
How much does sound escape a forcecage ?

>>35302571
Very little

>>35302499
>Halberd

>>35302571
>>35302594
Hmm... that might actually be rather viable then.

>>35302635
It has the same problem of it being possibly noticed, though.

>>35302635
I'll give it a few minutes in case anyone wants to switch from Halberd to Forcecage then.

>>35302635
The only problems are, which I only realised in hindsight, that we don't know where they get teleported and to a lesser extent, the disguised casting.

ok, roll 1d20+11 to see how fast you can cut these beastmen down.

Rolled 11 + 11 (1d20 + 11)

>>35302707

Rolled 2 + 11 (1d20 + 11)

>>35302707

Rolled 11 + 11 (1d20 + 11)

>>35302707

As the beastman leans in to flick at your ear you bring your halberd blade up under his chin, opening his throat.

Before the other 3 can react you cut down another one.

The last two just manage to draw their long notched blades as you cut one of them and the last manages to take a single swing at you, which you easily brush aside and then end his life.

It wasn’t pleasant, but it was the quickest way to do it, and avoids you having to fight an entire army.

They died without managing to raise the alarm, it was over that fast.

You examine the elemental node on its stand and once happy that it’s not trapped or alarmed you grab it and head out.

[Wood Elemental Node retrieved]

With your task here done, you and Sofia’s group leave as quickly as you can without attracting notice and you send a telepathic message for an update from the other 2 groups.

Roll 2d20 to see how well they’re doing (group 2 and group 3 respectively)

Rolled 2, 8 = 10 (2d20)

>>35302808

OH JOYOUS OCCASION, IT'S PALADIN OF JOY QUEST!

Rolled 1, 1 = 2 (2d20)

>>35302808

Rolled 3, 4 = 7 (2d20)

>>35302808

>>35302808

Somebody send help, please, the rolls are terrible right now.

>>35302836
>>35302841
>>35302856
Oh shit.

File: Absolutely happening.jpg (95 KB, 360x270)

95 KB JPG

>>35302836
>>35302841
>>35302856

>>35302836
>>35302841
>>35302856
I can't stop laughing.

Rolled 16, 2 = 18 (2d20)

>>35302856
>>35302841
>>35302836
Damn.

At least it wasn't a critfail?

Well eff me with a fistful of radishes, ok dice-gods, writing.

>>35302902
I have the radishes. When and where, pally?

File: boner, horse.jpg (15 KB, 328x441)

15 KB JPG

>>35302963
>>35302902
Can I watch?

The reports are not encouraging.

-It’s all gone a bit wrong here- reports Matthias –Still, at least everyone else is going to get out ok. It was nice knowing you Sireyi and thanks for believing in me.-
-Who knew they made demons that big?- he asks almost conversationally.

Isla likewise seems to be having problems.

-We- -diffic- -loody- -esquid- -off- -burn- -ou- -ucker- -burn- sends Isla. Seems she keeps losing concentration when trying to respond to you.

What do you do?

>I’ll help one group, reserve forces help the other (specify which you help)
>I’ll help both (which first?)
>Other (what?)

>>35302998
>I’ll help one group, reserve forces help the other (specify which you help)
>We help Silas group, its the weaker one, reserve forces help Matthias.

>>35302998
>I’ll help both (Isla first)
Isla seems like she is in the most immediate danger. We can have the reserve forces assist Matthias.

>>35302998
>Help both groups
>Sireyi rescues Isla
>Other group rescues Matthias

It sounds like Isla is in the most immediate danger. You order your reserve forces to help Matthias as you, Sofia, Jal, Twoblue and the Rangers and Wizards with you teleport to the camp by the lake that Isla was leading her group against.

You appear on the lakeshore, hopefully far enough away from the camp not to be noticed if Isla’s group hasn’t aroused their sus- actually, it seems that doesn’t matter.

The entire camp of orcs and beastmen is alert and a mass of troops are heading for the lake where you can see Grax, Philly and Demihydria are fighting for the lives, already heavily outnumbered. One of the rangers and one of the wizards with them are still fighting – the rest have fallen.

Isla is...having a moment it seems.

Isla is flying over the lake, her clothes partially torn off and you can see multiple circular wounds across her exposed flesh.

Also flying is a giant lake squid, held suspended in the air by arcane forces. In fact with your spells still active you can see all arcane energy in the area being drawn into Isla – far more than she should be able to handle.

Isla is screaming at the squid as it seems to be desperately trying to get back in the water, its limbs flailing.

“Try and bite my arm off will you?! Think that’s fun do you?” Isla screams, arcane energies boiling and sparking around her “How about I pull your limbs off one by one you miserable little-” She proceeds to call it names in languages you don’t recognise.

Maybe that Tome had some sort of effect on her after all. One of the squid’s limbs stretches and appears to start to tear away from its body as the squid continues to flail its remaining limbs, helplessly held in Isla’s mystical grip.

What do you do?

>Attack the orc/beastment forces on the lakeshore – give Philly and the others a chance to escape
>Grab Isla – she’s not in her right mind
>Teleport/Ride the Lightning away with Philly and the others
>Other (what?)

Both of the wizards with you can cast Teleport relatively quickly (no E).

>>35303286
Attack the orcs. Saving the group comes first, then the node.

>>35303286
>Grab Isla – she’s not in her right mind
If possible I want to get her to to refocus on assisting Philly while we try and get retrieve the node

>>35303286
>Lightningbolt on the squid

>>35303423
The squid isn't even a threat. It's about as far from a threat as you can get, given that it's being held in the air and dismembered.

>>35303438
We have no real assessment on how long she can keep that up.

Awaiting tie-break

>>35303472
It's a squid, anon.

A squid.

It's just a wild animal.

>>35303286
Changing >>35303423
To
>>35303374
>Attack the orcs. Saving the group comes first, then the node.

>>35303286

Cast a powerful, mighty storm on the orc/beastmen on the shore to allow our allies retreat.

We should wrap this up quickly because Matthias sounded like he was gonna die any time now, and if he does, Jianxi will fucking murder us.

>>35303548
We've got a small army heading to reinforce him, he sounded less like someone about to die and more someone prepared to die fighting.

So urgent, but less urgent than this situation.

>>35303588

He was saying goodbye.
I don't like it when people who are under orders to regroup and get debriefed are saying goodbye.
I don't like it at all.

You fly as fast as you can over to Philly and those fighting alongside her and drive the masses of orcs and demons back with storms of lightning – leaving dozens dead around them.

“Fall back!” you yell down to Philly as lightning dances around you.

She gives you a wave and then casts a spell to heal the injured wizard with her, then they all disappear.

It’s just you and Isla here now – plus Sofia’s group a ways along the lakeshore – only a few orcs and beastmen are heading in their direction and Sofia and Jal easily dispatch them.

As you watch a group of shamans come forward, one holding a elemental node high over his head.

You could try and grab it, or just blast the shamans with lightning, or maybe do something about Isla.

Over the lake Isla is tearing the limbs of squid with magic and alternatively ranting and laughing at it.

>Grab Node
>Lightning Storm (shamans)
>Grab Isla
>Other

>>35303674
>Grab Node
First things first

>>35303674
>Grab Node
MINE!

>>35303674

Obliterate the shaman holding the node, then airsprint to recover it before another picks it up.

>with my luck they will absorb the blast anyway

Node.
Use node to scare beastmen and orcs?

ok, roll Agility 1d20+4

Rolled 18 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>35303851

Rolled 15 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>35303851

Rolled 4 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>35303851

Rolled 1 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>35303851

Rolled 10 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>35303851

You dive down at the shamans, prepared to simply rip the node out of that shamans hands and fly away with i- oh water column!

As you head for them a huge waterspout leaps out of the lake at you. You easily dodge it and the vast column of water crashes into the masses of orcs and beastmen, that was close that could have knocked you for, wait, what?

As the water touches the orcs and beastmen their flesh runs and melts, dissolving into water, leaving only their weapons and armour behind.

You are very glad you dodged that waterspout.

You swoop down and pluck the Water Node from the grasp of the shaman and fly back up as his outraged shouts follow you, as well dor several spells and curses from the other shamans – none of which hit you.

With the Node in hand, now is the time to- Oh, Isla....

Having torn the squid into pieces Isla’s gaze, dancing with multi-hued magic, has settled on the orcs and beastmen.

“You won’t bow?!” She shrieks “Then die screaming!”

You could let her get it out of her system, simply teleport away with her, try to block her magic with your own, or maybe calm her down.

Sofia’s group are still easily dealing with any orcs and beastmen that wander their way, and they have 2 wizards with them, they can leave at any time, and are just waiting for your signal.

>Just watch Isla and do nothing
>Teleport away with Isla
>Dispel her magic
>Talk to her
>Other

>>35304048
>Talk to her
No time for this, there is a second group to take care of.

>>35304048
>Teleport away with Isla
Teleport to Matthias. He may still need the backup and we need to get that third node.

>>35304048
>Talk to her

ok, roll that Fellowship 1d20+24 to calm her down

Rolled 12 + 24 (1d20 + 24)

>>35304162

Rolled 4 + 24 (1d20 + 24)

>>35304162

Rolled 19 + 24 (1d20 + 24)

>>35304162

File: 1382715417890.jpg (23 KB, 640x480)

23 KB JPG

>>35304162

>+24

You fly up to confront Isla.

“Isla, it’s me, Sireyi” you say “we need to get out of here.

“All insects!” screeches Isla “You will bow before my might!”

“Isla...” you try again “Remember me, I told you all about my childhood that night at in Alsterport, remember?”

“Sireyi...?” says Isla slowly “What’s happening? Did we get the node?”

“We did” you say, showing it to her “now we need to get out of woah-”

You dart forward and grab Isla as she closes her eyes and plummets from the sky, her wings slack.

You rise back up with one arm wrapped around Isla, the Node under the other arm.

“So sleepy” whispers Isla in your grasp “Go’nighty sleep....”

“You do that” you tell her, as you swoop down to Sofia and deposit Isla in Jals arms, and your group teleports to where Matthias was infiltrating a camp.

You take in the scene before you. You, Sofia and your companions are on the side of a mountain, overlooking the battle.

The camp of beastmen and orcs is in a frenzy as the Ivorek hovers overhead, firing cannons down at them.

Shahulzer flies over the mass of orcs and beastmen, blasting them with hellfire and avoiding blasts of fire coming from a tiny group of orc shamans – you can just make out one holding what looks like the Elemental Node of Fire.

What appears to be most of the Kings Rangers you were given to command are trying to stage a fighting retreat whilst vastly outnumbered by thousands of orcs and beastmen.

Thanks to your keen vision you can see Poppy with them, healing those that get hurt. You can also see Nicolvren dragging Jianxi away from the fight.

Towering over the battlefield is a vast column of twisted flesh, like a pillar made of leering demonic faces with hundreds of long arms with clawed hands at the end, it’s over 300ft tall.

It is bent almost double as half-way down it you can see Matthias in wolf form tearing at it, trying to keep its attention away from the Kings Rangers, and your companions. He is covered in blood but is fighting as hard as you’ve ever seen him fight.

What’s the plan?

>Drive the orcs and beastmen back from your allies with Lightning Storm
>Grab the Elemental Node
>Attack the pillar of faces and arms
>Do something else (what?)

>>35304480
>Grab the Elemental Node
Then turn it against the Pillar

>>35304480
>Grab Node, use against Pillar
Where is Ophinus ?

>>35304529
Ophinus is with you, I've just been forgetting to mention him.

Rolled 1 + 24 (1d20 + 24)

>>35304503
>>35304529
Using Elemental Nodes we don't have a connection to is risky, it could backfire horribly.

Banishment overcharged with all of our Arcane Energy might be a better option, since it is a demon.

>>35304538
Have Ophinus heal Matthias for what he can while we grab the node.

>>35304554
Thats actually a good idea.

File: 1405900905391.jpg (50 KB, 254x210)

50 KB JPG

>>35304463

Holy shit man.

Get in there and smite that shit! Preferably take the Node first.

We should totally figure out a way how to smite evil with ranged attacks using elemental nodes.

>>35304480
>>35304529
Adding send Ophinus to heal Matthias
and changing
>use Node
into
>Grab Node, overcharged Banishment

>>35304575
Agreed

>>35304574
>Using Smite
If we were going to bother with melee, I guess.

As it is, our Willpower-based abilities are more potent, and almost all of them are ranged.

Smite from ranged wouldn't be a very good investment of XP, and there's no reason it would require the elemental nodes being involved.

Ok, roll 2d20, first is to grab Node, second is to cast Banishment.

And vote on extra Arcane Energy used.

Rolled 16, 4 = 20 (2d20)

>>35304667
30

Rolled 2, 9 = 11 (2d20)

>>35304667
All of it.

>>35304667
In character, how difficult do we think it would be to banish this demon? Would we have any idea if it would take ALL of our power to do so? Or just a fraction?

Rolled 17, 12 = 29 (2d20)

>>35304667

60

>>35304696
Not a type you're familiar with, and your demonologist (Isla) is enjoying a well-deserved break right now.

So, after seeing the effects on Isla, are we still up for having Sireyi read the Necromancy tome ?
I admit, I kinda want to before our sibling steals it.

>>35304712
I certainly am. Can't think of anyone better to read it.

>>35304712
I'd kind of prefer just burning it.

We should definitely investigate what happened with Isla before we consider reading it, and in the meantime, we just need to keep it somewhere secure.

If you are around AA, how does the XP budget look like for giving some improvements to our other companions ?
We could definitly use giving Sofia, Ophilia and some others the HP enhancement. At the least.

>>35304712
>I admit, I kinda want to before our sibling steals it.
You've doomed us all.

>>35304760
By HP enhancement, do you mean Angelic Toughness?

That would require us getting ranks in the power before we can bestow it; Isla has special access to it due to being turned into a part-angel, IIRC.

I set aside 10 XP for Jal and Sofia in case you guys wanted to do something like this, which I'm planning on doing for all future Allied XP spending.

>>35304712
Could we give it to the goddess?

>>35304873
>due to being turned into a part-angel
Thats was the idea, we wanted to get more DP anyway.

>>35304873
I meant Giants Endurance and>>35304901
what he said.

>>35304658

There can't possibly be anything wrong in finding a way to give our lightning attacks some extra holy kick vs demons.

>>35304901
Transforming them into part-angels instead of simply bestowing gifts might require Deific Power.

>>35304955
Sofia already has Giant's Endurance with Divine Warrior at rank three, Ophilian would have it if it were available to priests.

I'm uncertain how Konig would react if we make Ophilian a paladin of Sireyi, but he'd likely be angry.

>>35305031
>Ophilian a paladin of Sireyi
Ah I had forgotten about that, my bad.
Yeah that might not be okay with him, nor Ophilia for that matter.

You head straight for the shamans, they see you coming and the one with the Node turns his attention from Shahulzer to you.

Twisting and turning in the air you dance around the blasts of fire he sends your way and swoop down and pluck the Elemental Node from the shamans grasp, you climb up high out of range of their more ordinary spells and curses, and then turn your attention to the demon Matthias is battling.

You cast your spell and empty almost all of your arcane energy into a single focused effort to banish that...whatever it is.

It resist, boy does it resist - clingingly stubbornly to this plan, but with a final surge of effort you cast it back into Hell.

[AE 18/71]

Matthias drops from a great height but appears to land on all fours, mostly unhurt by the fall – as you watch he lopes towards the mass of orcs and beastmen surrounding the rangers and your allies.

Fortunately, with the giant demon gone, and with the elemental node in your grasp, the tide starts to turn and with your powers, and those of your companions, as well as the Ivorek and the royal wizards you are all able to retreat from the battlefield in good order, having retrieved 3 of the elemental nodes.

However...

When you investigate the other 2 camps, they are in disarray, dozens of tribes warring against each other, and no clear leader in sight.

It is trivial to search for the remaining Nodes as there is no focused resistance to your presence. It seems the Nodes, chieftains and shamans from the other two camps have simply disappeared.

Still, you retrieved 3 of them, and all of your companions are alive, as are the majority of the Kings Rangers and Royal Mages.

Aboard the Ivorek, you head home...

You are Sireyi, but not Valyenya....

SHE is away – you saw her leave onboard the airship, along with all her companions.

You’re standing in the town of Dalvin, concealed by a spell, looking up at HER stronghold.

A few minutes ago your saw your children, Mili and Vivi, climbing on the battlements, two men – ha, yes, they looked like men, their guardians, but not to your sight.

You wonder how everyone around you can be so blind – can they not see the angels?

Best to avoid them for now, as much as you want to see your children - you don’t want to tangle with two full angels just yet.

But the stronghold itself...

You could use your magic to slip in amongst the wizards building their arcane defences and plant your own alterations, allowing you to bypass the defences as if they weren’t there.

Or you could poke around in the stronghold whilst SHE is away, you think Isla took some books from the...the...your mind shies away from the name of your creator, a painful and unpleasant thought.

Or perhaps the people of this town...your touch dominates whereas HERS redeems, it wouldn’t take much to turn some people here into your tools, eyes watching her at all times.

>Sabotage magic defences
>Explore Stronghold
>Search Isla’s workroom
>Turn town residents to your side
>Do nothing, not the right time yet

>>35304712

I do. It's even more important that she does now. We can't let this power go to waste or let weaker minds have it.

>>35305075
>Sabotage magic defences
So we can visit our children at any time.

>>35305075
>Sabotage magic defences
Children!

>>35305075
>Turn town residents to your side

Can't give her the book

>>35305085
Yes, of course, it's all about strength of mind and not a necessary side effect of the process by which knowledge is absorbed.

Don't make baseless assumptions about why that happened, we're investigating before we do anything more related to those tomes.

>>35305133
It might actually be a side-effect of having that knowledge at all.

>>35305061
>Still, you retrieved 3 of them,
Now that we have these we can track the rest through the nodes themselves, at least.

>>35305133
I'm cautious about the Tome thing too, but the best way to find out in what way it fucks with the mind, would be to investigate it personally.
We should talk to Isla about the experience beforehand though.

>>35305075
>>Explore Stronghold
>>Search Isla’s workroom
Need more information.

>>35305111
This then visit Isle workshop.

>>35305075
>Sabotage magic defences
Afterwards we can
>Turn town residents to your side

>>35305204
>>35305217

Nah, I'd rather not risk the book being stolen. I doubt the clone would know anything about it besides POWER, anyway. Let's pelase avoid it for now?

>>35305161
I was thinking that it's more a mental imprint of some sort, a second personality that slips it's way in through the knowledge amalgamation process.

>>35305179
If by 'investigate it personally' you mean 'read the tome' instead of 'try to actually study the tome before reading it', I'll have to disagree.

>>35305251
I don't think its anything that intrusive, I do think that it might be the result of having the knowledge not any secodnary enchantment effect.

We should read it right now. Talk to isla, try to see if we can detect anything about the magic working on it. But, yeah, I do want to read it.

Sabotage it is, writing.

>>35305279
See, the thing is, there's a very good in-character reason to not read it immediately.

We just saw Isla go berserk as a result of reading that tome, it makes sense that we'd investigate as much as possible before reading the tome.

There's no real reason to not investigate, and there's no reason investigating would mean we don't read the tome, unless we find out it would actually do something bad.

It doesn't matter right now, though, since the thread's going to end after Evil!Sireyi's bit.

>>35305373
Oh no, I do agree we should investigate as far as possible before reading it. I just mean that we might only find out so much without actually reading.

With all the workmen milling around, and the mages preparing the defences one more person isn’t remarked upon. Cloaking in concealing spells you are just another workman – when you want to be, or sometimes you’re a maid, or a cleaner, either way, you are not remarked upon.

You spend several hours working on the keeps defences – in many places improving upon the work of those hired to protect it. You smile, SHE couldn’t do this, but you’ve had time to do some reading at the mages guilds – you know a lot of magic she wouldn’t dare to learn.

But here and there....you make sure that with the proper command words, the right type of spells...you can get in and out any time you want.

You pay particular attention to Mili and Vivi’s bedroom: You want to make sure the defences here are as strong as possible, and that you can kiss them goodnight when they go to sleep.

Finally you are satisfied with your labour.

Listening to the guards it seems that SHE has retrieved some of the Elemental Nodes, and is on her way back aboard an airship and will be back in only a few hours.

You could do one more task here, or maybe it’s time to leave.

>Search Isla’s workroom
>Turn town residents to your side
>Turn Keep servants to your side
>Time to leave
>Do something else (what?)

>>35305448
>Turn town residents to your side

>>35305448
>Time to leave

>>35305448
>Turn town residents to your side

>>35305448
>>Turn town residents to your side

>>35305448
>>Search Isla’s workroom
Let's do some looking around.

You leave the stronghold and, pretending to be just part of the crowd you explore the town of Dalvin.

This place is both strange and familiar to you: you know it intimately from HER memories, but this is the first time you’ve explored it.

You talk to the people, cloaked in your illusions, and ask them about HER.

To them, she is a kind and benevolent ruler, a hero, an impossible ideal, a living connection to Heaven for her people.

“Finest vegetables” says one merchant “only the finest here – why the Baroness Angel herself eats my vegetables” he claims.

“Truly?” you ask.

“Oh indeed” he says “I deliver to the keep weekly.”

Yes, he’ll do.

You reach out as if to pick up one of the cabbages, and then seize his wrist.

Powerful and corrupted energies flood into the merchant and his skin turns pale.

He lives decades in an instant, but does not age. Throughout all that time he is taught a harsh lesson over and over again: you have a multitude of ways to hurt him, and no matter how small his rebellion, no matter how trivial his defiance – you always found out.

You accomplish a lifetime of brainwashing and indoctrination in an instant.

He does not speak to you: he won’t, unless you tell him to.

“I want to know everything you see and hear at the keep” you say to him quietly.

“Yes mistress” he says meekly “As you command mistress”

“Apart from that” you command “live your life as if nothing has changed.”

“Yes mistress” he says.

You move on, you have other spies to recruit...

And with that, I bring this thread to an end.

Thank you for playing, you’ve been great players, and very patient when I had to leave.

I’ll remain around for a while to answer questions.

XP will be spent at the end of the year, but if you want to start planning, current totals to date are:
General 33
Paladin 39
Angelic 25

Next thread will be politicking with the nearby barons, some social activities with your friends and (if I recall correctly) visiting your family.

>>35305795
Thanks for running Pally.
I'm excited to see more of NotSireyi.

>>35305795
Thanks for the thread.

I must say, the vibe has changed quite a bit. Instead of feeling like everything will be alright, there is now the bitter hint that people could actually die. I'm not quite sure which one I prefer.

Oh and:
>Purchase Create Miscellaneous Item or how it's called.
I think we can increase the party survivability, and therefore effective power, several times over with a few weeks of work.

>>35305864
It has become more difficult, which I actually like.
Now there is a stronger sense that we can actually lose, which makes victory sweeter for me.

>>35305795

Cheers for the thread, OP!

Also I submit to the Anonymous that we should definitely visit our not-sister and see how her democratic empire is doing - in person or in dreams at least.

>>35305795

I think we made a list yesterday for this already.

oh and next thread in 14 hours or so - check twitter for 1 hour warning.

>>35305916
That's right - but yesterday you didn't know how much you had to play with, now you do.

It may rise from here to the year end, but won't fall.

>>35305795

Paladin:
>Blessed Health 3 -12 PXP
>Sculpted Life -6 PXP
>Root of All Life (+ Expansion) -9 PXP
>Sanctuary 3 -12 PXP

Angelic:
>Angelic Toughness +2 -6 AXP
>Angelic Charm +2 -4 AXP
>Angelic Regeneration +1 -3 AXP
>Call Down the Thunder to Me -4 AXP
>Lightning Immunity -8 AXP

General:
>Remove (E) from Teleport -3 XP
>Remove (E) from Break Enchantment -3 XP
>L5: Gate, Protection from Spells -1 XP
>L4: Chain Lightning, Planar Binding, Antimagic Field -1 XP
>Aspect of the Dragon 3 -15 XP
>Create Other Magic Item -10 XP

Paladin XP broke down so nicely.

Sanctuary 3 put into Permanent Sanctuary.

That should combo with out new natural healing rate of 1 HP/round to let us regenerate 5 HP/round, due to the quintupled natural healing rate effect of Sanctuary 3.

CDtTtM and Lightning Immunity are so we can draw Not-Sireyi's Lightning attacks to ourselves without any risk, assuming that ability works on spell-likes, which it should, given that our Lightning counts as magic in basically every other circumstance.

COMI counts as a draconic ability, so this would also allow for Ebonsong to age-up for people that requested that without naming any draconic abilities in particular.

Keep in mind, this isn't necessarily locking in these abilities as what the real purchasing will be; it's entirely possible I'd want to exchange X for Y if the amount of XP I had in a certain category increased.

Nothing else to mention and no more ulterior motives, so I'm off to bed.

>>35305936
This is factoring in the +50% XP from Angelic Brilliance being maxed out, correct?