“I am confident they will succeed” you tell Kaela, though whether you’re trying to convince her, or yourself, you’re not sure. The Heart of Azulkire and the Soul Gem are both back up plans, the main plan is the Reaper Blade, that you plan to retrieve yourself. And you’re going to start today.

As if she knows what you’re thinking, Kaela asks “who will you be taking with you, your Majesty?”

“A small group” you say “I’m not going there with an army, that would be...unwise.”

“Oh?” asks Kaela, raising an eyebrow.

You explain “I visited the plane a few days ago in disguise and asked some of the locals about the place and then flew over the land the Reapers Blade is supposedly lost in.”

A half-smile forms on Kaelas face “I take it your bodyguards approved of this?”

“Anyway” you say, side-stepping around half-finished abandoned snowman your daughters were building earlier “The Reapers Blade was the weapon of a God called Ilnost. He was killed hundreds of years ago by a rival god and the remains of his powers still affect the land he was killed in. It used to be a country called Hamatura; Ilnost was their head of a small pantheon that ruled the entire plane.”

“The people there didn’t see death as a thing to be feared” you say reflectively “but rather as a part of life. It was common for them to be raised after death as undead, though only the wealthy or powerful raised as fully intelligent undead. The poor were raised and used as labour but still treated with respect by those living. They worshipped their ancestors as well as the gods, and would often call entire generations of ghosts to attend important ceremonies.”

Kaela looks baffled “But...why?” She asks “dead is...dead.” As a long-lived race without much of an afterlife, the idea must seem strange to her.

To avoid a long discussion you simply say “That was their religion. Anyway, with their Gods dead and gone, the undead still exist across the plane, but concentrated in Hamtura – the place where the pantheon made its last stand. The living mostly exist in fortified towns and villages or live a long way away from Hamatura, seeing it as a cursed place now. At night the undead are far more active and aggressive - they have gone from revered ancestors to crazed monsters. Being caught outside at night is a death sentence for ordinary people.”

“But not for you, your Majesty” points out Kaela “you could simply fly to the Reapers Blade, collect it and come back.”

“I could” you say “if I knew where it was – scrying proved fruitless. All of Hamatura is covered in wild magic – arcane magic there proves difficult to control – and something else” you pause, reflectively “when I went there the necromantic energies in that place were strong, overwhelmingly so. I think *any* magic used in that place might be twisted towards necromantic ends. My own control over my magic is sufficient, and my Sanctuary can hold back the effects of the place, but I worry about other magics used there outside my Sanctuary. And scrying for a powerful artefact of necromantic magic just revealed....hundreds of potential locations.”

“Well then” says Kaela “fly in there with your bodyguard and your Sanctuary, search the place and bring it back.”

“The whole place is covered in thick fog” you reply “reaching over a mile high, we’ll be flying low or walking, as for bringing my bodyguards...I scouted the edges of Hamatura and discovered that divine magic, and many of my own powers swiftly attract large swarms of undead. If I used a lot of powers there then we’ll have to fight every step of the way. But a small group can travel stealthily, and using my powers sparingly I can avoid notice” I hope, you add silently.

“If your presence will attract so much notice” says Kaela “why are you going at all?”

“The Reapers Blade” you say “as a weapon of a death god, it could be harmful to its wielder – I’m confident that holding it won’t hurt me, but others I don’t know about.”

Kaela thinks for a moment “so who will you take?” She asks.

Well, there’s a question...

Who will you take?
>Pick 3 allies

Party size limited to Sireyi plus three others. Feel free to pick unstated NPCs such as your mother, or the angels under your command.

Also
>Taking any extra weapons, magic items or gear?

[Meta]

Realm Paste updated with Oreia and Azure Empire. Both nations have some NPC dragons to be added.

This thread happens after the Azure Empress met the merchant and at the same time as the Belt Notchers went to retrieve the Soul Gem – they took several weeks doing so.

[End Meta]

>>40125887
> Isla
> Jal
> Sophia
Family trip!

>>40125887
If we have any magic items in store that protect against disease and negative energy, now would be the time to take them with us.

FUCK YEAH! PALADIN OF JOY QUEST!
teehee, 69

>>40125927
I think I'll support this.

>>40125887
>Jal
We need someone who doesn't need magic
> Isla
To understand all the magic
>Mum
to know all the lore about this place
I think reading the Book might be a good idea.

>>40125887
>Syberis
>Isla
>Sofia

>>40126020
I think you need to stop trying to get people to read the book.

>>40125927
I was about to oppose this, because it would leave no one back home to deal with politics if we are gone longer, but if we are gone longer Sophia and Jal couldn't deal with the really bad stuff anyway.

And I love the idea of adventure with the wifes too much.
Also it would be good to have people with us we can completly trust.
>>40125887
Seconding waifu party
And the protective items suggestion, don't want a repeat of the parasite incident.
We really need some more powerful equipment for them.

>>40126040
Just leave a handful of Eladrin in charge, Rulership is part of their shtick.

>>40126020
>>40126036
He really does, the books are for our children to read.

>>40126061
We don't someone for Oreia, it got a parliament, Dalvin would need someone, but we got mom for that.

>>40126020
>I think reading the Book might be a good idea.

If you mean the Book of Necromancy, then that's an option, though it will take a week or more, even with your intelligence

Extending voting time for 5 minutes from now due to suggestion so anons can

>support/oppose

reading the Necromancy Book

Votes thus far appear to be

Jal 5
Isla 4
Sofia 4
Syberis 2

>>40126083
Definitly oppose. There isn't even a good candidate right now.

>>40126083
Who would even read it?
I don't want to cram another book into Islas head, and Sireyi has a prohibition against making undeads, that would be just a waste.

Nah, the books are way too good as plot devices to be used up like this.

>>40126083
ehh why not, read it!
also I'd vote for Matt, Jal, and ebby

>>40126083
We can spare a week, yes on Sireyi reading the book so we don't need to risk anyone else if we need to take that understanding somewhere dangerous.

>>40126118
>has a prohibition against making undeads
fuck we do?

>>40126083
I'd rather not. And there is no reason to think it would even help against the dangers specific to that place.

>>40126140
How about you read the charsheet and familiarise yourself with the character one of these days?
We have it as second Doctrine of Velya taboo.

>>40126118
>Nah, the books are way too good as plot devices to be used up like this.

Excellent.....

Ok, writing Sofia, Isla and Jal

>Taking 3 wives with you on a trip
>maximum nagging.jpg
>Are you sure you're reading the map the right way up
>I wanted to stop at the last town
>etc

And no reading the Book yet

>>40126157
I'm giddy like a kid about the things you could do with those books Pally.


Although I still favour the Paladin of the damned idea.

>>40126118
IIRC, as a Life Goddess, she finds undead to be really, really creepy, so she probably wouldn't want to make them even if she didn't have that prohibition.

>>40126154
Ehhhh it ju- I really don't wanna.....

>>40126178
A argument could made that Undeads would be a fitting choice for Sireyi, since good undead exist, under the whole death part of life thing.

But the chance is gone anyway.

>>40126157
What sort of things fall exactly under "base income"?
And what does the azure empire have in that regard Oreia doesn't?

>>40126203
>A argument could made that Undeads would be a fitting choice for Sireyi, since good undead exist, under the whole death part of life thing.
Undead is the plural and singular of undead. Not undeads. Good undead existing doesn't make them fitting for a Life Goddess when their entire existence is abhorrent to the Life domain. Death is a part of Life, but undeath is an abomination as far as Life is concerned.

>>40126261
More population, higher taxes.

>>40126261
>What sort of things fall exactly under "base income"?

Basic is taxes only

>And what does the azure empire have in that regard Oreia doesn't?

Higher population, and higher taxes.

>>40126286
I don't really see anything them as more abhorrent to the Life domain, than demons would be to someone with the angels domain.

>>40126316
You know what'd be fun?

Taking an actual necromancer along for the ride.

>>40126355
right?

>>40126157
Do churches in Large Realms also have the 1/Stronghold restriction?

How do we acquire new Strongholds?

The espionage school doesn't currently have a price or upkeep cost attached to it.

>>40126355
The only Necromancer that matters is Aboswe, and she hasn't finished with retrieving the Gem. Worst case scenario we buy Life to the Lifeless and spam the fuck out of it.

>>40126355
you know what would be even better?
Helping Bodkin

>>40126386
>can't even spell his name

File: Bodkin_archer.jpg (9 KB, 235x214)

9 KB JPG

>>40126386

“I’m going to take Jal, Isla and Sofia” you tell Kaela “before we go, we’re going to grab some protections against negative energy, as well as diseases.” Your trip into Hell with Jal weighs on your mind. As tough as your wives are...in many ways they are still ordinary mortals.

You start to gather up your allies, explain the mission to them, get your supplies, and head out.

When you arrive at the Forest of the Six Elements, you find Isla scribbling down complex calculations upon pages upon pages of parchment, plotting out how to do....something. It looks pretty big.

You sneak up behind her and embrace her, kissing her on the cheek “don’t work too hard” you whisper in her ear, and explain your plans to her.

“Sounds fun” says Isla “I’ll grab a few things and meet you at Dalvin Keep.”

You teleport to Dalvin Keep and you find Jal climbing the walls whilst Sofia is in a meeting with the villages mayors of Dalvin.

“What’re you doing up here?” you ask Jal as she shifts her grip on the wall, halfway up the tallest tower of the keep “and why aren’t you using your, ah...other limbs.”

Jal is climbing the tower wall, using just her hands and feet, with no ropes or magical assistance.

“Gotta keep in practise” she gasps, pulling herself up to a ledge to sit for a moment and get her breath back “not that I don’t appreciate the view” she says, staring straight at your chest as you hover close to her “but have I been particularly good lately or sumfing?”

You laugh “Actually” you say “I was wondering if you wouldn’t do me a favour...” you explain about the Reapers Blade, and your plan.

“Sounds peachy” says Jal “You get the supplies, an’ I’ll get the Bossy One. Oh and...catch me if you can!” Jal leaps away from the tower, into thin air.

You swoop down and easily catch Jal, depositing her safely on the ground, as you head out to buy basic supplies, organise camping gear and get some potions and antidotes from Poppy.
---

You and your allies stand at the border of Hamatura. All around the land looks wasted and devoid of life: plants are grey and sickly, the grass is brown and sparse, and the soil thin and dry. The sky is overcast and grey. Ahead of you looms a wall of fog.

The only animals in sight are rodents, and insects, lots and lots of insects, crawling, flying, chirping insects.

You could easily bring life to this land by activating your Sanctuary, but for now you keep it dormant within you. Your scouting mission earlier taught you that it tends to draw undead to you, and whilst a swarm of lesser undead is not threat to you, more powerful undead might be able to sense it too.

“And to think” says Sofia “I left a meeting over water rights...for this.” She looks around, a clear expression of distaste on her face.

“Cheer up” says Jal, grinning “Jus’ like old times – the open road, adventure, excitement, no bloody politics, it’ll be fun!”

“And undead monsters” says Sofia, giving Jal a Look.

“Only once we get further in” says Isla, helpfully “the really dangerous ones are unlikely to be near the edges.”

“Thanks Isla” says Sofia “That makes me feel so much better...”

And with that, you all set forth into Hamatura.
---
The thick fog surrounds you, keeping visibility to thirty feet or so. To your senses the magic in this place is not so much wild as it is...broken. Fragments of magic and spells long cast swirl around you like ghosts. Dry, dead grass and plants crumble underfoot and you can occasionally see small rodents watching you. Due to all the ambient energies, your ability to see magic is nearly useless – all around you can see the colours of magical auras. A general miasma of necromancy dominates, but you can see various other types too. It also has the effect of obscuring genuine magical auras as well, unless you’re right next to them.

>>40126396
Well I just feel like a silly bidlly now.

The three rats sat on a dead log watching you walk by could be just rats, or they could be spies of a vampire or a necromancer. You’ll need to be on guard against tricks and traps.

“reminds me of ‘ome” says Jal, quickly clarifying as Sofia glares at her “I mean, ah, the street I grew up in, cept, ya know, no ironshirts.”

Sofia takes a deep breath, as Isla prepares to get between them.

You hear a faint noise up ahead.

“Quiet” you say, all of your companions fall silently in an instant, too experienced to risk their lives with chatter.

You freeze in place and strain, listening carefully. You hear it again.

“-elp! Please help us! Anyone!”

Sounds like someone is in trouble.

What do you do?

>We all rush ahead
>We all advance cautiously
>Someone scouts (who?), the rest remain here
>Other (what?)

>>40126493
>We all advance cautiously
This is just as likely aimed at luring someone in as it is at luring us away from the rest.

>>40126493
>We all advance cautiously

>>40126381
>Do churches in Large Realms also have the 1/Stronghold restriction?

Yes

>How do we acquire new Strongholds?

So far the Azure Empire has acquired its through conquest. A cost for building new ones will be added in son.

>The espionage school doesn't currently have a price or upkeep cost attached to it.

Added, thanks for spotting

>>40126493
>We all advance cautiously

>>40126493
Well, this is clearly a trap and an obvious one. Just ignore it.

>>40126493
>Someone scouts (Us), the rest advance cautiously.

>>40126546
Is ordering new buildings IC solely done by Sireyi/Blue?
Because I would like a church of Sireyi one day, but obviously Sireyi wouldn't build herself any churches.

>>40126593
Risking our companions to lose the protection of the sanctuary is suboptimal at best.

>>40126607
>Is ordering new buildings IC solely done by Sireyi/Blue?

And Sofia

>>40126348
I'm fairly sure that the Life domain causing Sireyi to feel disgust towards undead has appeared in-character, and the closest thing Life currently has to an offensive power only affects undead.

>>40126623
Admittely I didn't think Dalvin would be building anything new for a long time.
I meant more if the padliament of Oreia does that sort of thing, since they keep bullying Sireyi about that castle.

>>40126617
Given the 3 votes for staying together it looks like most people agree.

>>40126639
Disgust is taking it too far, she said they make her vaguely uncomfortable now compared to before where they didn't bother her.

>>40126642
parliament mini quest when?

>>40126668
I think Pally doesn't want to risk writing a smut quest here.

You motion your wives to follow you as you head forwards cautiously. The sounds of yelling and battle become clearer. Eventually the fog clears enough that you can see what is happening.

You come across a road with a caravan of carts, and one expensive but battered carriage. They are arranged in a tight circle and men, women and even children are wielding spears, pitchforks, clubs and improvised weapons against a swarm of emaciated, pale humanoid figures.

The attackers red eyes, pale skin, claws and fangs leave you in no doubts about their identities: a pack of ghouls.

In total perhaps thirty people are defending the caravan against almost two hundred ghouls. Towards the rear a massive ape-like monster of a ghoul crouches, barking guttural orders. The ghouls are surrounding the circled carts.

“Well” says Isla, raising her staff “this brings back memories, doesn’t it Sireyi?”

You recall the first time you fought at Isla’s side – the bandits you faced, and the caravan worker who tried to summon a pair of demons. Not everything was as it appeared in that fight.

Sofia and Jal already have their blades out “I’ll smash through the middle” suggests Sofia “Sireyi you fly overtop and blast any that try and get in the circle, Jal pick off any on the edges, Isla you try and funnel them into a smaller space – walls, acid fogs, whatever you’ve got.”

“And who gets the big one?” asks Jal, indicating the massive ghoul.

The ghouls are attempting to swarm the defenders – thin folk in ragged clothes, save for one dressed as a nobleman, who seems to be directing the attack. You wonder at what possessed these people to travel through such a dangerous land.

What do you do?
>Attack (options in next post)
>Wait
>Leave, not your fight
>Use spell/power (what?)
>Other (what?)

>>40126642
>I meant more if the padliament of Oreia does that sort of thing, since they keep bullying Sireyi about that castle.

They'll might if Sireyi has no strong preferences (i.e. if players don't want to pick what to buy), but they are unlikely to build something againsyt Sireyis wishes.

>>40126668
When you convince enough anons to ask for it

Seriously though, what would that look like?

*You want to get this bill passed, do you:

A) Engage your opponents in debate
B) Bribe them
C) Rally popular support
D) Sex them into submission*

>>40126776
>Sireyi Smash
on the big one

>>40126776
>Leave, not your fight
Keep our priorities straight, we are here for the scythe. Also, it's not rape if it's an elf.

>>40126776
>Follow Sofia's plan, but avoid using divine magic or abilities. Use arcane spells like Meteor Swarm and Chain Lightning instead.

>>40126848
Or anything that isn't this. Play the fucking character.

>>40126828
All of the above
of course
and if they come to your quests they're already asking for it.

With no clear consensus I'm extending the vote by 5 minutes.

If there is still a tie after this time, I'll chose the course of action.

>>40126776
Seconding >>40126852

>>40126829
I don't think killing one guy is going to turn the tide, even if he is an exceptionally large fellow.

>>40126848
>Abandoning a group of people including children to the mercies of the undead because muh pragmatism
Seriously anon? Even Bluey probably wouldn't do that, and definitely not Sireyi.

>>40126776
>Attack (options in next post)
>stay cautious with the caravan travelers
Can't be illusions, since we got free true seeing

>>40126941
>I don't think killing one guy is going to turn the tide, even if he is an exceptionally large fellow.
The sooner it's out of the way the less it can kill.
Also we can kill it without using too much magic.

Attacking by going with Sofias plan, with Sireyi using arcane magic.

Please roll 5d20 for
Sireyi
Sofia
Isla
Jal
and Sireyi (again)

First 4 are combat rolls, last is for something else

Rolled 6, 6, 12, 15, 11 = 50 (5d20)

>>40126993

Rolled 13, 14, 20, 18, 6 = 71 (5d20)

>>40126993

Rolled 8, 15, 1, 20, 4 = 48 (5d20)

>>40126993
Is our Halo currently out? Would that also act as an undead magnet?

>>40127031
>Is our Halo currently out? Would that also act as an undead magnet?

Not currently, and it might - you don't know.

>>40127003
>>40127007
>>40127031
13, 15, 20, 20, 11,
not bad but the dead are coming I fear.

>>40127057
11 was probably the Willpower roll to keep control over our magic, since it was Sireyi's roll and we aren't using any divine abilities.

Sofia's powers might draw them here, though.

“Sofias plan sounds good” you say “lets go!”

You take to the air as Sofia charges forwards, with Jal at her side. Isla hangs back and starts casting her spells.

Sofia slams into the rear of the ghouls, swinging her longsword, carving her way through them, and leaving behind a trail of bodies. Jal stick at her back, finishing the wounded ghouls she leaves, and stopping any from attacking Sofia from behind. Very quickly the two are almost through the ghouls lines.

Isla casts her spell and a wall of magical energy circles around most of the caravan, blocking the ghouls from attacking and reducing the front the defenders need to protect.

[Isla AE 83/86]

Isla yells out a warning between gritted teeth “Sireyi this is making casting difficult!”0

You fly high over the battlefield and unleash a barrage of fireballs from above, seriously taking down swathes of ghouls.

[Sireyi AE 93/97]

Isla is right: as you cast your spell you feel the arcane energies try to fly apart under your control.

[Wild Magic: Isla triggers Perils of the Arcane on if two 1’s are rolled for her, Sireyi if a single 1 is rolled for her.]

As you watch a trio of ghouls drag a young woman from atop a cart, bearing her to the ground and...ignoring her?

From your vantage point high up, you can see her crouched on the ground, the ghouls rushing around her. That’s strange...

Sofia and Jal are almost to the caravan, a single line of ghouls stands between them and the defenders. You are overhead and Isla is hanging back.

Thanks to Isla spell the ghouls are only able to attack upon a narrow front, the defenders and the ghouls both start to bunch around that spot.

Actions?
Sireyi
>Spell/Power
>Other (what?)

Sofia
>Melee attack (target?)
>Spell/Power
>Other (what?)

Jal
>Melee attack (target?)
>Other (what?)

Isla
>Spell/Power
>Other (what?)

Battlefield
1 Ghoul Lord

163 Ghouls

30 Peasents
1 Nobleman

>>40127200
> Melee attack Ghoul Lord

>Jal and Sofia keep atackin all ghouls closing in on the caravan

>>40127200
Sireyi
>Fast as the Stormwind/Static Fist 2 Ghoul Lord

Jal/Sofia
>Attack Ghouls, melee
Isla
> No spells for now.

>>40127200
Sireyi
Save woman
Sofia&Jal
keep up the good work
Isla
Hold off for now.

>>40127200
Changing to
>>40127283

>>40127200
>Divebomb into the largest cluster of Ghouls, Cast Dead Again.
>Fast as the Storm Wind
>Earthed Lightning: Lightning Fist: Ghoul Lord

Jal/Sof
>Get to the caravan then hold the gap

Isla
>Missile Storm on the weaker ones

>>40127283
Static Fist doesn't stack, doesn't chain, doesn't add damage and only inflicts a -2 now.

>>40127306
From what?

Sireyi goes for Ghoul Lord, Jal and Sofia keep it up, Isla holds (for now)

Please roll 4d20

>>40127322
Presumably, the previous vote that wasn't less than a minute ago and wasn't the thing he was changing to.

Rolled 8, 18, 11, 5 = 42 (4d20)

>>40127358

Rolled 19, 3, 14, 2 = 38 (4d20)

>>40127358

Rolled 1, 9, 8, 13 = 31 (4d20)

>>40127358

Good thing Sireyi wasn't casting a spell...

>>40127444
I think you mean 'Unfortunately'.

I know you, and I know you've got something planned for this.

I can't wait to see what it is.

>>40127444
I'm wondering why the sanctum doesn't remove the wild magic effect afterall, after Sireyi already scouted the place and said it would keep it in check.

>>40127507
Sireyi does not currently have her Sanctuary active. Sorry if this wasn't clear.

Would anons like to activate it?

>Y/N

5 minute vote.

>>40127538
Y

>>40127538
Would this take it away from our realm?

>>40127538
>N
That makes sense, but I suppose it would just lure in more undead, and we don't really need magic that badly right now.

>>40127566
>Would this take it away from our realm?

No

>>40127504
I wonder if he got a whole new "necromantic perils" list for this or just makes something up.

>>40127538
N
Lets save it for when we actually need magic.

>>40127538
>>40127574
Still going with No but good to know.

>>40127585
>I wonder if he got a whole new "necromantic perils" list for this

Thanks for the idea!

Hmm. Does Deific Power expended for internal uses (such as XP acquisition) still act as a giant undead magnet?

You dive down and slam into the large ghoul at full speed, knocking it down, both of your fists dancing with electricity that you discharge into its body.

[Sireyi AE 91/97]

The monster picks itself up and though it seems slowed by your attack, still manages to rake you with its claws. Thanks to your armour and your natural toughness it only draws a tiny amount of blood –your recuperative abilities quickly repair the damage.

Jal and Sofia hack through the last line of ghouls and standing shoulder to shoulder with the defenders.

And that’s when things start to go wrong.

As one, the defenders suddenly stop fighting the ghouls, and both ghouls and the former defenders swarm Sofia and Jal under.

The *defenders* reveal claws and fangs and attack both your wives, who are simply buried underneath a mass of bodies.

You duck under a wild swing from the massive ghoul you are fighting and prepare to fly to their aid, only to see Isla cast a fireball spell directly at the mass surrounding Sofia and Jal – trusting in their resistance to magic to protect them.

[Isla AE 75/86]

The ghouls and their allies fall back, burning and screeching, and Sofia and Jal stand up, ready to fight back to back, bleeding from cuts and scratches, but alive.

[Sofia HP 107/114]
[Jal HP 23/40]

You see Jal bleeding from a wound in her neck, and a red stain around the mouth of one of the *defenders* vampires?

With all the necromantic energies swirling around this land, no wonder neither you nor Sofia picked up on the nature of the caravan of people. Still, now that they are revealed, your task is clearer, but....your skin crawls at the thought of vampire children...an image of your own children flashes through your mind.

You push away your worries and concerns and focus on the battle.

Actions?
Sireyi
>Spell/Power
>Other (what?)

Sofia
>Melee attack (target?)
>Spell/Power
>Other (what?)

Jal
>Melee attack (target?)
>Other (what?)

Isla
>Spell/Power
>Other (what?)

Battlefield
1 Ghoul Lord (lightly wounded)

151 Ghouls

27 Vampires (?)
1 Nobleman (?)

>>40127737
>Fast as the Stormwind/Lightning Fist
>Fly over and lift Jal and Sofia away from the vampires and leave

>>40127737
Oh hell no.

>Expend 4 Deific Power for 40 Angelic XP
>Purchase Living Storm Style 3-5 (-47 Angelic XP, -1 General XP)
>Go *directly* to Sofia and Jal
>Speed of the Storm
>Live Like Lightning
>Fast as the Storm Wind
>Live Like Lightning again
Tempted to apply SotS bonus attacks, but too many targets and I don't know how many we'll hit.

>>40127721
I can already see this arc ending with Sireyi creating vampire-angels.

>>40127737
>FatSw, grab none-winged wives, leave

>>40126561>>40126848
I don't want to say I told you so, but I fucking did.

>>40127836
Oh wow, you saw the blatantly obvious, have a cookie.
Doesn't matter you dipshit. It was worth checking out for the tiny chance it was actually people in need. Thats how Sireyi does shit.

>>40127836
You realise basically everyone knew this?
Do you still not grasp this thing called role-playing, where you do what the character would do?
Like taking a risk to not have abandoned people that might have actually needed her?

OK so its grab everyone and leave. Writing, no rolls required.

Spend XP as per
>>40127791
at the same time?

>Y/N

5 minute vote

>>40127817
That's an off the wall idea anon, what inspired it?
>>40127737
Save our wives

>>40127886
Don't see it as relevant right now, but I want that stuff anyway, so we might as well.
> Y

>>40127886
>Y
I still want those high level MMA powers.

Kinda regret not changing my vote from that to the one that used LF. I wanted to fry the vampires with Lightning Fist as a parting gift. Especially the one that bit Jal.

>>40127886
>Y

>>40127922
We might want to check out Jal No, not like that Jal. I have no idea how vampirism works in this setting.

>>40127950
Assuming the absolute worst case scenario and she is turning into a vampire with no way to stop it, there's already a Life power that would let us turn her back.

>>40127975
Why would we want to turn her back?
She does keep complaining about not feeling special enough, and I'm sure Sireyi could get into biting.

>>40128002
>Assuming the absolute worst case scenario
That was in regards to the metaphysics of vampirism.

>>40127886
The mage guild in the realm sheet says it requires a Church of Yerra, could that be reworked to take into account Oreias situation?
I see no reason why Oreia or the Empire would need a Church of Yerra to build magic schools, it would be harder sure, but it should be possible.

>>40128002
>She does keep complaining about not feeling special enough
That stopped after Sireyi finally got it through to her that she didn't need to have some special talent or bloodline or something for Sireyi to love her, IIRC.

>>40128090
Empire can substitute something else already.

I'll figure something out for Oreia.

You reach deep within you, using your divine powers to further the growth of your own abilities. In your mind the secrets of the Living Storm style become crystal clear.

[XP spent]

Now that this trap has been sprung, you have no intention of staying. You fly over towards Jal and Sofia yelling “pick-up!”

They both thrust hands into the air and you grab them both and fly upwards, gaining in height rapidly.

As you do so you feel a stinging pain in one wing, looking down you spot the vampire *nobleman* preparing another spell. Fortunately the black sludgy mess on your wing is quickly shaken of, and your partially-dissolved feathers and skin quickly re-grow. Ugh, necromancy spells.

You lift both Sofia and Jal up and they wrap arms around you, and you take a firm grip on them. You can feel Jals body against yours, burning hot.

Isla joins you in the air and you outpace the ghouls and vampires, not stopping until you are a safe distance away.

You all land in a defensible-looking ruin.

“Jal?” asks Sofia.

“Mmmmok” slurs Jal, her eyes unfocused. You and Sofia share a look and then you both lay hands on Jal, pouring healing magic into her.

Jals wounds close and her temperature comes down. Straightaway she seems healthier, and she shakes her head to clear it “what happened?” she asks.

“You got bitten by a vampire” says Sofia, stroking Jals hair out of her eyes “How do you feel?”

Jal grins and says to Sofia “So I guess I need ter be extra careful when the next time I bite yer on the-”

“Jal this is serious!” says Sofia, stamping her foot “Sireyi you could feel it too, couldn’t you?”

You nod grimly “Jal” you say “You were already starting to transform, we cured you but....”

“But?” asks Jal, her grin fading.

“I sensed something very strong” says Sofia “an ordinary vampire bite takes days to turn you, but this place must make ordinary undead much more dangerous.”

“It’s more than that” you argue “I sensed an...awareness. I think something *knew* that Jal had been bitten and was intentionally trying to turn her quicker.”

“Some vampire lords” says Isla “have powers that allow them to act through their slaves.”

“Yes” you say, nodding “some sort of elder vampire knows we’re here.”

“Then we need to move fast” says Sofia grimly.
---
The four of you travel through the ruined land of Hamatura for several days. It soon becomes clear that this place is ruled by the undead, and that the living fulfil only three roles: slaves, food, or collaborators.

Everywhere you go, even the living people you find try to trick you, steal from you, or sell you out. Life here is hard, a lesson you learn brutally when a young orphan boy in rags that you gave food to leads a patrol right to your resting place.

It wasn’t a hard fight to get away, but it reminds you not to take anything for granted.

You are also unable to locate the Reapers Blade. The farms and villages you visit in disguise have plenty of legends about the dead gods, but nothing solid. Finally, you come to a much larger town.

The town of Talonkir is ruled by Lord Talonkir, according to the farmers living in the area. He is a vampire lord with a reputation for manipulation and treachery. But as Isla said....

“We need to find out exactly where the final battle occurred” she says as the four of you are huddled around a small camp in the forest

“Trusting a vampire though,” says Sofia “and one known for manipulation.”

“All of the knowledge of well, anything” says Isla “is hoarded by the rulers of this place, if we want to find out anything, we need to bargain with one of the people who rules this place.”

“Or” says Jal “We just half-inch it – old legends yeah? In the library, I sneak in, take his books, and then yer read them in yer own time.”

“No!” protests Sofia “Jal that’s too risky!” Sofia turns to you “I think” she says carefully “that a show of force will convince him to tell us what we need. I know” she adds, as Isla starts to speak “yes, this will draw a lot of attention, but then we get out as soon as quickly as we can, ok.”

You consider their suggestions. So far you have no leads on the Reapers Blade, and its clear the ordinary folk know nothing. Only the vampire lords, or other, fouler things that rule this place can provide the clues you need, but how do you want to approach them?

A trade or bargain could result in you falling into a trap of some kind.

Stealth would put Jal (or whoever sneaks in) at a lot of risk.

With your powers you can overwhelm an ordinary vampire, no matter his power, but doing so might draw the attention of other creatures.

Or you could avoid dealing with Lord Talonkir and keep looking elsewhere.

What do you do?

>Bargain
>Jal sneaks in (or someone else?)
>Intimidate him
>Avoid this vampire, keep looking.
>Other (what?)

>>40128587
>Intimidate him
How many planes do we need to do before people take the hint not to mess with us?

>>40128587
>Intimidate him
I can't think of anything an elder vampire would want that we would (or should, at least) give him, and I don't want to risk being deceived and one of the waifus potentially getting hurt during a sneaking mission.

>>40128587
>Bargain
Worth trying as I see it.
Otherwise stealing seems good too, show of force is pointless, it both risks breaking our oath and might just make him more stubborn in opposing us out of principle.

>>40128587
>Jal sneaks in

Show of force it is, writing.

>>40128694
There are actually reasons to not try bargaining first this time. Stealing is even riskier.

It wouldn't break our oath, we're totally seeking a peaceful solution. Just a slightly more aggressive and threatening peaceful solution.

The vampire trying to refuse the person that could not just end him permanently in an instant but forcibly turn him human again instead of just giving her some information, yeah, that's a smart decision.

Could we threaten to give him back his humanity?

>>40128749
There is not a single advantage in threatening over bargaining and threatening if that fails.

>>40128749
>It wouldn't break our oath
Note how I said it risks breaking our oath, not breaks it.
If we actually attack him, we would totally break our oath because we did not seek a peaceful resolution before resorting to violence.

And it doesn't really matter before the fact it literally didn't cost us anything to at least try not being murderhobos, we could have just threatened him just as well if he offered something unacceptable.

Doesn't matter anymore, you idiots took the eayy way, and the easy way never works in this quest.
Its part of the entire point of it.

>>40128824
There's far less risk of him managing to set or spring a trap. While we couldn't be majorly harmed by a trap, our waifus are less durable.

Also, there's no price other than 'free' he could name that I'd be willing to pay, so we're really just saving time.

“Sofia is right” you say “tomorrow morning, we’ll walk up to the gates and ask to see Lord Talonkir, and keep escalating things until he gives us what we need.”

“This is going to end badly...” predicts Isla.
---
The next morning, as planned, you all head up to the front gates, the guards at the gate step forwards, ready to subject you to whatever indignities a person must normally endure to get inside the safety of the walls.

Some flashy spellwork from you and Isla convince them that they’re better off getting someone more senior.

They summon the guard captain, and you repeat yourselves.

Before long, you’re facing off against Lord Talonkir in his own hall – you’ve torn his front gates off, knocked down most of his guards, and now you face the vampire lord himself. At his side he has a pack of dire wolves and a several older vampires – you can sense strong arcane magic coming from them – his own personal coterie of mages perhaps.

“Well” he says, glaring down from the dais he is stood upon “you have my attention – what do you want?”

“I need information” you say “give me what I need, and I’ll leave you in peace.” Jal, Isla and Sofia are at your back.

“And if I don’t?” asks the vampire, garbed in enchanted plate armour, and with a heavy sword belted at his waist.

How do you respond?

>Use power/spell to scare him (what?)
>Threaten him (generic? specific?)
>Attack (options in next post)
>Try to bargain
>Other (what?)

>>40128953
Eh, how would he be more able to set up a trap compared to threatening him? Its the same thing, when it comes to trap chan es, in both cases we need to meet him and have him give us what we want , which is all the chances to spring a trap in both cases. the opposite, if we threaten him it just gives him more reason to do so.

>>40128970
>Want to go back to being human? I can full your land with so much life energy it could save you.

>>40128952
>If we actually attack him, we would totally break our oath because we did not seek a peaceful resolution before resorting to violence.
If we say "hey, give me stuff or I'm going to kill you" and he refuses, we can attack him without breaking our oath. We already know this.

>And it doesn't really matter before the fact it literally didn't cost us anything to at least try
I'm not willing to give the vampire time and there is *literally* no price I'll ever pay to the vampire.

>Doesn't matter anymore, you idiots took the eayy way, and the easy way never works in this quest.
>Ablooblebloo, I lost a vote so you're all idiots and this is never going to work

>>40128995
Presumably, we'd have actually arranged a meeting instead of tearing our way into his fortress, giving him more time to prepare.

>>40128970
>Simple. I'll turn this town into a puddle of molten rock, move onto the next undead lord, and ask the same question. I have no qualms and plenty of experience ending the reign of immortal tyrants with extreme prejudice.

>>40128970
Oh wow, look at that, its literally the same thing just now we pissed him off. Stroke of genius.
>Threaten to turn him and his retainers mortal again

>>40129049
>I'll turn this town into a puddle of molten rock
Can we pick something that only hurts the bad guys please?

>>40129094
Wait, you mean there are living people here? Well...shit. Let's do the 'Threaten to make him mortal again' thing then.

please roll 1d20+17 to intimidate

Rolled 14 + 17 (1d20 + 17)

>>40129136

Rolled 13 + 17 (1d20 + 17)

>>40129136

Rolled 15 + 17 (1d20 + 17)

>>40129136

Not bad rolls

Spend 1 Deific Power for a 20?

>Y/N

5 minute vote

>>40129223
>N

>>40129223
>Y

>>40129223
>Y
Sure, thats whatit there for, and its not like we neec to fear we attract undeads right now.

“I could turn you mortal again” you say “and just throw you out into the wilderness, see how long you survive, or I could burn this entire place down – including the stone, and sift through the ashes for the answers I need.”

As you speak you stare him straight in the eyes, willing him to believe in the sincerity of your words, trying to *make* him believe you. You use a tiny portion of your deific power to make him believe you.

[-1 DP]

As you do so, you feel in the distance, another deity do...something in response. It seems like your use of power has not gone unnoticed. Ah well, you can worry about that later.

Your stare-down lasts for a long time, but Talonkir looks away first.

“That depends” he says evenly “on exactly what you want to know?”

“I need to know about Ilnost” you say “specifically: where was his final battle?”

Talonkir snorts “a treasure hunter then” he says “all of the old relics where looted long ago, Slagredeth has most of them – seek it out if you wish to confront the deep wurm for its baubles.”

“Where do I find this Slagredeth?” you ask.

Talonkir gestures off to the west “about three hundred miles that way” he says “under the Spine Mountains, and about a mile below ground.”

More caves, lovely...

You have no reason to trust this vampire, he could be sending you off on a fruitless chase but....you don’t think he is lying to you.

What do you do?

>Leave (exclusive)
>Ask about Slagredeth
>Ask about the Reapers Blade
>Ask about the final battle of Ilnost
>other (what?)

>>40129393
>Ask about Slagredeth
>Ask about the final battle of Ilnost
Do not mention the blade, at all.

>>40129393
>Ask about the final battle of Ilnost

>>40129393
>Ask about Slagredeth. What's his interest in the relics, what does he specialize him, is he a diplomatic sort, etc.
Much as I know Pally wants to go into Lore, we ARE on a timetable

>>40129393
> You didn't answer my question of where it was
>Ask about the final battle of Ilnost

>>40129393
>You didn't answer my question of where it was
>Ask about Slagredeth
>Ask about the final battle of Ilnost
Another deity knowing we're here is either very bad or very good. What direction did we feel the deity in relative to the direction we're being directed in?

>>40129393
>You didn't answer my question of where it was
Shit, that's right, he didn't answer. Adding to >>40129463

>>40129541
>What direction did we feel the deity in relative to the direction we're being directed in?

Same direction

“You didn’t answer my question” you say “where was the final battle of Ilnost?”

Talonkir shrugs “about two hundred miles north of here. You can’t miss it, the giant hole in the ground marks the spot, but there is nothing there – it has been picked over many times by treasure hunters and other fools. If you seek the treasure, then you will find it with Slagredeth, though you’re more likely to find your death at his jaws than anything.”

You’re not sure...something, some feeling tells you that visiting the site of the final battle itself may be useful to you.

“And Slagredeth” you say “tell me about him?”

“A deep wurm” says Talonkir, at your look of incomprehension he adds “a dragon, one that digs rather than flies. Slagredeth is ancient – he fought at Ilnosts side but fled during the battle, only to return and feast upon the corpses of dead gods. Now he lives deep underground, and rules over a kingdom of dark elves. For hundreds of years he has stolen or bought every scrap of treasure that came from the battle.”

Oh great, a dragon that might have be a demigod, and has an army of dark elves at its command, this just gets better and better....

“How did Ilnost die?” you ask “I mean, what could kill a god?”

Talonkirs smirking visage becomes somber “giants of some sort” he says “they never told anyone why they came. They simply went up to the Great Hall of the Ancestors and started looting the graves. The guards that tried to stop them were slain by shadows and black lightning. The grey-skinned monsters defeated anything sent against them. Finally the gods themselves fought them” his eyes lose focus, was he there?

“Great rents opened in the air” he recalls “gateways to another plane, and we heard a howling, like thousands of souls being tortured at once. Some...things came through and fought the gods, when they were gone, the gods lay dead.”

“What sort of things?” you ask.

“Terrible things” he whispers, he’s not looking at you any more “some looked like beasts but were not, others looked like nothing I’ve seen before, or since, one was...a man sheathed in silver metal, that was the one that slew Lord Ilnost. That is all I know, now get out!” He returns from his memories and his last words are a yell.

A silver man, huh, you’ll have to watch out for that. And grey-skinned giants you’ve encountered before.

“Thank you” you say, there’s no harm in being polite after all. You feel Talonkirs glare upon the back of your neck until you have left his hall.

As you’re leaving the town Isla asks “so what now?”

“We go for the wurm” says Sofia “it likely has the Reapers Blade.”

“Yeah but” says Jal bleakly “last fight against a dragon-demigod didn’t go so well.”

“We still won” you point out.

“This one has an army” points out Jal.

“And maybe it doesn’t have the Blade” says Isla “after all, it’s been collecting *everything* found at the site, it must be searching for something – likely the Reapers Blade itself.”

You reach the edge of the forest, and look back at the shape of the town, just visible in the thick fog.

You could head straight to Slagredeths lair to confront him, or...you look in another direction, the battlefield might hold some clues as to the Reapers Blade. Or perhaps you should confirm Talonkirs story with another vampire lord?

What do you do?

>Head to Slagredeths lair
>Head to the battlefield
>Find another vampire lord
>Other (what?)

>>40130016
>others looked like nothing I’ve seen before, or since, one was...a man sheathed in silver metal, that was the one that slew Lord Ilnost
Grey Giants confirmed working for Galactus.

>>40130016
>Head to the battlefield

>>40130016
>Head to the battlefield
I do enjoy how you link hanging plot threads into newer ones, Pally.

>>40130016
>Head to the battlefield

>>40130016
>Head to the battlefield
It's not like the Dragon's going anywhere, right?

>>40130016
>Head to the battlefield
We won't lose much by checking, especially if we're going at Sireyi's top flight speed (faster than the speed of sound, IIRC). Who knows, maybe Ilnost's last fuck you was hiding his blade in such a way that only a God of Life or Death could find it.

>>40130103
Well, no, but he's going to prepare for us or interfere now that he knows we are here.

>>40130116
I'm not sure her wives could handle Sireyis top speed.

Weren't we going to discuss whether or not to have/had/gotten/get the Succubus domain next time we had a thread as Sireyi?

>>40130041
...oh no, anon.

It's much worse.

And that silver guy is a god damn fucking asshole cuntmeister supreme. Fuck that guy. Fuck him right in his tight little ass, like a greek serving boy.

>>40130257
I thought so, but apparently not. Pally has probably planned a plot thing for it, since its connected with Oreian issues and has heavy story implications.

>>40130257
>>40130306
Feel free to discuss it out of character.

I expect it will come up in-character at some point, but not until this side-quest is done.

>>40130016
>Head to the battlefield
Is the battlefield love?

>>40130353
This isn't PRQ, so, no.

>>40126871
I'd be down for pretty much what ever pally does

>>40130347
Let's wait for the thread to end, when we can start spending XP without worries.

>>40130404
We should probably discuss realm spending then as well.

Next update will be the last one, then we shift to Mini Paladin.

So feel free to discuss stuff.

>>40130474
Will there be a thread tomorrow?

>>40130404
While we are at Xp spendingour party sheet needs the XP for the companions updated, would be nice to buy some stuff for them, especially Isla finally needs those 5th rank spells.
>>40130436
Not really much money to spend, but we can make plans, I suppose.

>>40130489
Yes

And monday

>>40130521
I've got a particular plan in mind that would drastically increase our Revenue, but it doesn't allow for much other spending. Not that that's a huge problem, since we're mostly locked out of buying the good stuff due to a lack of Strongholds and limited wealth.

>>40130741
If it involves improving infrastructure and mining, I'm game.

>>40130474
I got to get going, thanks for running pally, you've been aces.

“We check the battlefield first” you say “a few hours won’t make much difference, and at least we’ll know that it’s not there.”

Ugh, another long walk” says Jal, shifting her pack “Ah well, best get to it....”

You and Isla share a look “actually” you say with a grin “now that we have a destination in mind...”
---
You speed above the fog, Sofia and Jal held in your arms, Isla desperately clinging on to you, as you fly, very, very fast.

“Go faster!” yells Jal “faster!”

“Jal you’re crazy!” yells back Isla “I don’t know how I’m hanging on at this speed!”

“Hnnnnn!” responds Sofia, her eyes screwed shut, her arms tight around your neck.
---
A short time later you descend towards a large crater, here there is even less vegetation than normal, and not even insects can be found here.

The four of you wander around the edges of the crater, within it you can sense strong necromantic magic, and stepping into the crater feels deeply uncomfortable for you, and when Isla tries it, she falls down, her skin going pale – you pull her back and heal her before any real harm is done. But at least then you know the crater itself is dangerous.

You all search the edges of the crater, but it seems the place has been thoroughly picked clean.

Even within the crater there is nothing – perhaps the craters deathly effect does not harm undead.

But stretching your arcane powers out, it becomes clear that there is something *beneath* the crater, something that feels like a storm.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” asks Isla, as you announce your intentions to try and bring it to the surface.

“Maybe not” you admit “but if its, I dunno, a trapped storm elemental or something, maybe I can talk to it.”

You walk out into the crater, wincing with every step, until you’re directly over it.

It feels like a storm so maybe....

You reach down towards it, trying to connect to it as you would a storm.

It moves towards you again and you jump back, then it goes still.

Carefully at first, and then with more confidence, you realise that you can make this strange blue metal move at your will, as if it were lightning.

You practise moving the house-sized lump of metal around, stretching and squeezing it into different shapes, and then something happens.

A muscular man tears his way out of the thing and lies on the ground gasping for several moments.

“What else is in there?” asks Jal with a laugh.

The man, clad only in a loincloth, staggers to his feet and looks around himself “free?” he mumbles “am I free?”

“I’m Sireyi” you say “who are you?”

The man turns to look at you, long shaggy brown hair in his face “I am Voken-Yanos” he says simply “I’m going to kill you now.” And he takes a step towards you.

---

And that’s it for the main quest. Mini Paladin soon.

>>40130828
Thanks for playing!

>>40130775
Improving infrastructure, kinda, but there aren't any real rules for mining operations yet. If there's a way to throw money at establishing a mine, I can think of a few ways to get a hold of the money necessary.

>>40130875
Yeah, good luck with that buddy.

>>40130875
>The man turns to look at you, long shaggy brown hair in his face “I am Voken-Yanos” he says simply “I’m going to kill you now.” And he takes a step towards you.
Shit, have we heard that name before?

>>40130912
The .moe archives have no mention of that name on any thread in /tg/ beyond right now, so I doubt it.

You are Milerna Jalweyen, angel-blooded and born paladin of Konig. You are 8 years old, and are attending paladin training at a church of Konig school.

http://pastebin.com/RE8br4uf

You have returned to Paladin school after spending time with your grandfather, Konig. He was really big, and impressive but....your Mama Sofia said he might visit, and that sometimes he wanted things for his own reasons, and not just because it was best for you.

It’s late at night, and as you walk slowly up the stairs to the room you and Chesi share, you recall your first meeting with Grandpa Konig...
---
A short flash-back follows. The only thing set in stone is that Konig grants Mili a special power, and teaches her how to use it. How you get there, and how Mili reacts, is up to the players.
---

A few days ago, some angels appeared to you when you were alone, and said it was important that you go with them. You didn’t recognise them, but they seemed nice, and they said that they worked for your grandfather.

They took you to a really big golden castle in a ginormous city, and there is where you first met your grandfather, Konig, God of Paladins and Warriors.

He spoke to you in a rich-looking room, and offered you ice-cream and candies. You think Chesi will be sorry she missed this!

“And how do you like your school?” your grandfather, after giving you time to try some of the treats he has offered you. The two of you are alone.

How do you respond?

>My friends are great
>I like learning stuff
>Some of the instructors are horrible
>No talking, there is ice-cream to be eaten! (exclusive)
>Say other stuff (what?)

Haha, 69!

>metal
>sealed under a wasteland of incredibly potent necromantic magic
>wants to kill Sireyi at first sight and without any hard feelings (or any feelings)
Is he the blade? Cause that's something a god killer by nature might do,, I think.
>>40131031
>No talking, there is ice-cream to be eaten! (exclusive)

>>40130912
Possibly based on Janos Audron from the Legacy of Kain, who in the series was a guardian of the reaver blade

>>40131031
>I like learning stuff
Like fighting and how to protect our friends. Not horseback riding though.

>>40131031
>My friends are great
>Some of the instructors are horrible
The two options that most align with Konig's master plan. And learning is for nerds.

>>40131031
>My friends are great
>I like learning stuff
>Some of the instructors are horrible

>>40131031
>My friends are great
>I like learning stuff
>Some of the instructors are horrible

>>40131076
That's the worst reason to vote for something I've seen in a long time. Almost to the point that I want to vote for no talking out of spite.

>>40131031
>No talking, there is ice-cream to be eaten! (exclusive)

>>40131106
Woah, man, calm yourself. You are sounding a little mad for no reason there.

>>40131031
>No talking, there is ice-cream to be eaten! (exclusive)

>>40131070
>Not horseback riding though
Do you think that's an angel thing? Like, angelbloods have flying instincts and that interferes with learning how to ride animals?

>>40130912
Might have smething to do with that naming custom we heard from Chesi about? Where demons take sometimes double names?

>>40131156
We aren't at a choice that matters and you are already in favor of Konig's kinda-dumb plan and voting with that as your primary motivator. I will be as mad as I want to.

>>40131031
>My friends are great
>I like learning stuff
>Some of the instructors are horrible
>Are you sure they are supposed to be there?

>>40131198
>in favor of Konig's kinda-dumb plan
The plan isn't that bad, as far as we know. Just, very "greater good", which kinda pisses me off, even if I see his point.

Looks like the 3 dialogue options won, writing.

>>40131031
>My friends are great!
>Some of the instructors are horrible and don't seem like proper paladings at all

>>40131031
>My friends are great
>I like learning stuff
>Some of the instructors are horrible and insist on lying about who saved people.

“I met some friends” you say “they’re great, not only do I have Chesi to talk to but also Thomas and Michael and Jenny and Sera and Gilyan and together we fought a monster and...” you tell your grandfather all about your adventures together “and I like learning stuff” you say “weapons and battles and magic and stuff, but not horse-riding” you say “horses are weird and they move all wrong.”

Your grandfather chuckles “I suppose they do” he says “is there any other parts of your training that you don’t like?”

You think about that “some of the instructors are horrible” you say “not Aunt Philly – she’s nice, but some of the others, they...” you tell him about how mean some of the instructors are, and how they’ve punished you and your friends unfairly.

“That’s very wrong of them” says your grandfather seriously “they shouldn’t be doing that” you nod and take another spoonful of ice-cream – this is the second best ice-cream you’ve ever had!

“They should stop being mean to you” says your grandfather, mussing your hair with one hand “and to other people, I intend to put a stop to that, I was hoping you might help me.”

“What do you mean?” you ask, curious.

“Some of my church” explains your grandfather “do what I want them to, and some...do not. I have a lot of things to do and it keeps me very busy, I was hoping you could help me, by watching for those that are being mean to people, would you like to help me Mili, would you like to help fix my church?”

This sounds important! But also a lot of work for just one small paladin-in-training.

How do you respond?
>Sure
>That sounds like your job, not mine
>Why? (the favoured response of children everywhere...)
>Other (what?)

>>40131449
>Sure

>>40131449
>Sure
>uhhmm..
>Why? (the favoured response of children everywhere...)

>>40131449
>>Why? (the favoured response of children everywhere...)

When in doubt look to grandpa with big eyes and ask why innocently.

>>40131449
>Why? (the favoured response of children everywhere...)
Okay, I know what Konig's plan is, but is he not going to let Mili at least reach her late teens before starting reformation? Is he retarded? No, seriously.

>>40131477
Seconding.
>>40131488
What's wrong in starting now? She is like a young sleeper agent, keeping her eyes and ears open and learning to identify corruption.

>>40131449
>Sure

>>40131488
>but is he not going to let Mili at least reach her late teens before starting reformation? Is he retarded?
He might be looking for a unbiased account, realistically Mili can't be free from church politics anyway, and this way there is no chance she has any preconcieved notions about whats mean and what not.
Otherwise he might as well let Sireyi do it, he is looking for a fresh perspective.

Its not a 'fantastic' plan, but I see the sense in it.

>>40131449
>Sure
Why not? Seems weird not want to help with somethinthis important.

>>40131488
>Okay, I know what Konig's plan is, but is he not going to let Mili at least reach her late teens before starting reformation? Is he retarded? No, seriously.

Why now? Likely because she has seen how corrupt it is and also how some of them are targeting her.

He is backed into a corner by the politics of his church on this plane.

>>40131449
>Why? (the favoured response of children everywhere...)

>>40131488

He's probably not going to get her to do any serious stuff until she's older, but he may have her get started on learning about what exactly she's going to be fighting against while she's still in training.

>>40131488
I don't know about retarded, but it does piss me off that the first time he bothers to contact his granddaughter at all is because he wants her to do something for him in regards to his church's corruption.

>>40131651
>but it does piss me off that the first time he bothers to contact his granddaughter
Okay, I don't like Konigs behaviour much either, but blaming him for this is pretty unfair considering that its most likely Sofias fault he couldn't be in contact with Mili before now.

>>40131672
I can't really hold Sofia to fault for that since he did alienate her pretty severely. He could've contacted her at almost any time since her arrival, or contacted her now but not asked her to do this quite yet.

>>40131712
They argued when they first met as Sofia is as stubborn as he is. She chose to not have any contact with him any more, and Sireyi never nudged Sofia to try to amend things.

>>40131712
>I can't really hold Sofia to fault for that since he did alienate her pretty severely.
When I said 'fault' I didn't mean to imply it was bad or something from Sofia. He totally deserves her scorn, I'm just saying it wasn't because he didn't 'bother' to contact his (sort-of)granddaughter.

>>40131742
Sending Sofia horror nightmares of her children dying to make her break up with Sireyi was a absurdly awful move he has yet to make amends for.
I'm all for not mindlessly hating the guy, but Sofia being stubborn has very little to do with how their relationship has soured.

“Yes” you say instantly, a good paladin always stops bad people. Then you think a bit and ask “why?”

Your grandfather is a while in answering “it’s a long story” he says, and then tries to explain. A lot of it doesn’t make sense about “needing a powerful church to combat evil” and “courting the nobility and royalty to ensure political power” and “compromises to be made for the greater good but now reform is needed” but he does explain what he wants you to do.

“So all I have to do” you say “is spot the bad people, and then tell you about it?”

“Yes” says your grandfather “That’s all” that doesn’t sound hard.

“Is this like tattling?” you ask suspiciously “because I don’t tattle.”

“Isn’t the *no-tattling* rule friends only?” asks your grandfather with a smile. Ooooh, he’s got you there, you think maybe....yes?

Whilst you’re thinking about that, your grandfather adds “I will teach you to see the truth of all who follow me – be they bad or good. All I ask is that you tell me honestly when you see someone who is bad, I will take it from there. But I won’t force you, are you up to this Mili?”

Are you up to spotting the bad guys in your grandfathers Church?

>Yes/No

Extra
>That’s it
>I’ll do it, but I want... (what does Mili want?)

>>40131742
> first met as Sofia is as stubborn
*and Sofia is
In short, they are both idiots who refuse to talk to one another.

>>40131742
They argued because Konig wanted Sireyi to take Sof and the Horn and abandon the Island of Storms to the mercies of demons, as well as the plane itself, IIRC

But I was mainly talking about the nightmares. How did you forget about the nightmares?

>>40131777
>Yes
>But I also want something for Chesi. Something cool!

>>40131777

>Yes

>>40131777
>Yes
>Ask him if he's fine with Chesi.

>>40131777
>No

>>40131777
>Yes

>>40131777
>Can I ask my friends for help?
It might be best if he says no but I want to ask.

>>40131814
Add that too.

>>40131777
>Yes
>Ask him about Seras angel ancestors

>>40131790
Sofia was perfectly right in telling Konig to piss off in their first conversation, he really did not make imself look good there, nor in any interaction afterwards.
I'm willing to believe he does actually care fopr Sofias well-being, but he has a horrible way of showing it.

>>40131777
>Can I ask my friends for help?
>Ask him about Seras angel ancestors
>Ask him if he's fine with Chesi.
>But I also want something for Chesi. Something cool!

>>40131777
>Yes
>I’ll do it, but I want, Aunt Philly explained to me that your church doesn't like people. So you gotta promise if I help you, you give Chesi a fair chance at being a palading!

How much do we know about god stuff?

>>40131962
That our dad-mom is one. That's about it.

>>40131959
>me that your church doesn't like people
Was supposed to be demons, no idea how that happened.

>>40131937
This is good. Covers our bases I say.

So its a yes, but a somewhat diverse view on what to ask for.

I'm writing that Mili wants *something* but isn't sure what yet, so will ask for a gift later.

>>40131990
I think there is a fair consensus on wanting something for Chesi.
I like >>40131959
btw, shame it came so late, would change >>40131891
for it.

>>40131777
>I want Chesi to be my Guardian Angel!

>>40131980
Actually, does Mili know about her biological parentage? I get that she considers a lot of people as her moms, but does she know that her birth mother is Sofia and her birth father is Sireyi?

>>40132010
>I think there is a fair consensus on wanting something for Chesi.

really?

Because I'm seeing an even 4-way split on what to ask for. I could be wrong though.

If players want me to ask for a more structured re-vote with defined options I can do

Hold a vote on what Mili wants now?

5 minute vote

>Y/N

N = putting a favour from Konig in the bank

>>40132044
>N
Bank it.

>>40132044
>really?
>Because I'm seeing an even 4-way split on what to ask for. I could be wrong though.
Couting it, you're right. I guess I just didn't notice the "no opinion" ones as much.
My bad.

>Y

>>40132044
>Y

I don't think Milli would be one to hoard favours. Either ask for something specific now or
>do it for free

>>40132044
>Y

>>40132044
>Y
Either take the favour, or don't take it.
I don't think Mili would do "you owe me" to grandpa Konig.

Ok, vote in 5 minutes

We have 4 write-in options plus doing it for free will be a 5th option.

Please write-in an additional options you want included

>>40132137
Is it intended that Faian-Throkos is listed under "Groups"?

>>40132137
I'm not sure what the options actually are, unless questions count as favors.

>>40132044
Y

>>40132199
Pally will list options once we're done coming up with them.

>>40132137
I WANNA MAKE CHESI AN ANGEL that's assigned to us.

>>40132199
I assume the favor is being told about these things, since its pretty important.
>>40132206
He is referring to pally saying there are 4 write-in options already.

>>40132214
Chesi doesn't need changing at all.
Why would Mili even want that?

Mili will ask for

>I want my friends to help me too
>I want to know about Seras angel ancestors
>I want Chesi to be a real palading one day
>I want something cool for Chesi
>I want Chesi to be my guardian angel
>Nothing (do it for free)

5 minute vote

Please pick only 1

>>40132157
unintentional, should be under people, thanks for spotting

I am rewording the questions as *favours* because if Mili just asks then as questions, she will not receive full answers - she'll just get the brush off.

>>40132137
If you need a fifth we could try and get something for one of out mums.

>>40132242
>I want Chesi to be a real palading one day

>>40132242
>I want Chesi to be a real palading one day

>>40132242
>I want to know about Seras angel ancestors
>I want Chesi to be a real palading one day

>>40132242
>I want something cool for Chesi

>I want Chesi to be a real palading one day
OOC, we already know Konig is fine with Chesi. IC, I don't really want to spoil Chesi's own efforts and merits through the power of nepotism.

>>40132242
>I want Chesi to be a real palading one day

>>40132242
>I want Chesi to be a real palading one day
Something cool for Chesi might be good too though.

>>40132290
Wait, I didn't see the 'only one'.
That sucks.

>>40132242
>I want Chesi to be a real palading one day
Now why would you vote for that? I would assume that Chesi would like more to become a paladin through her own efforts rather than because she "knows a gal who knows a guy".
>I want Chesi to be my guardian angel

>>40132297
>IC, I don't really want to spoil Chesi's own efforts and merits through the power of nepotism.
Hence why my write-in was to ask him to give her a fair chance, rathzer than making him promise to make her one no matter what.
I very much hope Pally preserves that disctinction, because I completly agree on the nepotism bit.

>>40132242
>I want Chesi to be my guardian angel
Daaaw, fuck. My heart.

>>40132242
>I want Chesi to be a real palading one day
Does that involve mindrape? I hope it doesn't involve mindrape. It seems like something that would be up to Chesi rather than grandfather.

Maybe if it's phrased as question? But then again we have no reason to doubt that since she's already studying with us.

>>40132242
>I want Chesi to be my guardian angel

>>40132242
>I want Chesi to be my guardian angel
Chesi will become a paladin if she works hard and impress Konig. It's the only real way for one to become a REAL paladin.

>>40132325
Also, Chesi is going to be Sireyi's paladin, not Konig's.

>>40132242
>I want to know about Seras angel ancestors

>>40132242
>I want Chesi to be a real palading one day
The write-in its based on was clear enough that its not about nepotsim, and forcefully transforminmg Chesi into a angel is fucking wrong.

>>40132325
Why would you vote for getting Chesi turned into an angel?

>>40132242
>I want something cool for Chesi
Let Chesi be Sireyi's paladin instead of Konig's. Why schakle her to him when Sireyi is a much better deity?

I *think* asking about Chesi being able to become a paladin (through her efforts, not nepotism) won, but some votes are a little tangled.

Please check my count.

>>40132394
Not counting double votes its 5/4 in favor of palading.

>>40132325
She wants to be the first *Succubus* Palading.

Asterisks placed for importance.

>>40132417
Don't we already have those in oreia?

>>40132383
>Let Chesi be Sireyi's paladin instead of Konig's.
Thats pretty much Chesis choice.

>>40132455
Nope. Sireyi has not made any succubus paladins.
Her only paladins are Blue and Isla.

>>40132455
Nope. Priestesses, yes, but no paladins.

>>40132417
As far as I remember, she wants to be the 'best' succubus paladin, I'm not sure she knows she would be the first.

Actually we're not sure she would actually be the first.

>>40132455
No we have an army (sort of) but no paladins, we do have Palading so I understand how you got mixed up.
>>40132394
Please let Chesi be one of mums paladins not grandad.

>>40132564
>Please let Chesi be one of mums paladins not grandad.
She might still be, this favor is really just getting Konig to give Chesi a fair shot. Even if she could become a palading of Konig, nothing would be stopping her from deciding she likes Sireyi and her religion better.

>>40132600
All is good with the world then.

So, does anyone have ideas for the Oreian counterpart for the Shamans Camp(Church of Yerra?
Some place where succubi gather to talk about magic. A spa?

>>40132600
That sounds like a massive waste of a favour then.

>>40132394
I find it odd that the Elemental Forest gives discounts on Mystical Martial Arts, but you can't use the bonus XP from them to purchase the techniques, is there a specific reason for that?

>>40132673
None of the favours are really major stuff, and Chesi being able to be what she wants to be is important.

>>40132673
The way I see it the favour is just something that Mili cares about a lot that Konig can make happen, and thats definitly the case here.
In difference to us, Mili has no idea Konig is largely okay with Chesi.
Although we honestly don't know how okay, its very possible he might not have made her his paladin.

“I’ll help” you say simply “but I want., um...” you think hard “I want to know f Chesi can be a palading” you say “not because of being my friend only, but because of hard work and being the best palading-cadet ever, is that possible?”

Konig smiles and nods “yes she can” he says “now we have a lot of work to do...”

You spend the rest of your time learning how to use the power your Grandfather gave you. It was complicated at first, but you have the hang of it now.

Grandfather has the 7 Ideals of Konig that include things like doing good, and treating people properly and um....

Anyway, you’re learning them in class, you have them written down somewhere!

Whenever you see a follower of Konig you can *see* how many of the ideals they follow, and how many they do not.

Konig tells you that this power does not work on those who do not follow him, or upon children.

Konig also tells you to pray to him regularly – and to tell him who is failing to follow the ideals. He also says that grown-ups may not believe you if you tell them about this, and the bad ones might try to hurt you, so keeping it a secret is best, though he doesn’t say anything about not telling your friends.

[Meta]
The 7 Ideals are:

Self-Control – No letting your emotions rule you
Hard Work – No being lazy
Kindness – Don’t be an asshole to people
Humility – Being proud of what you’ve done is fine, being overly proud, or proud of things you haven’t earned is not
Diligence - Actively Opposing Evil
Authority – Respect legitimate rulers and governments
Honour – act honourably, no lying, cheating etc

Mili will *see* if people have lived up to these ideals, or failed to, according to Konigs (biased) definition, not an objective or absolute definition.

I don’t want to start a debate about what the ideals mean, how they relate to the real world etc. I only intend for these to be things Konig cares about, and how he defines them.

>>40132673
That's why I didn't vote for it but it won so I'm doing what I can to keep our next paladin.

I will include a note in descriptions of Konigs followers, if I forget, or if you want a readout of an NPC, just ask.

Mili cannot see the results for those under the age of 16 (or equivalent for non-humans) – Konig accepts ignorance as an excuse for children failing to follow his ideals.

It only works on followers of Konig.

It can only be blocked, or its use detected by deific power or similar.

It does not explain *why* they fail to meet Konigs standards on the ideals.

It represents an aggregate of their actions regarding the ideals throughout their adult life.

[End Meta]
---

You trudge up the stairs to your room and open the door quietly, you see Chesi asleep in the bed you share.

You yawn and undress, putting on your nightdress, learning how to use your power was tiring.

Apparently you’re not quiet enough.

“Mili...?” you hear a sleepy voice say, that’s your only warning.

You turn around only to see Chesi charging at you full speed, knocking you to the floor and ending up lying on top of you. Her wings are spread above you, her tail is lashing in excitement and her horns are out.

“Mili!” she yells happily, hugging you tightly, pinning you to the floor.

“I’m happy to see you too Chesi” you say “but ow...”

“Sorry!” she says, getting off you, and pulling you up “Mili what happened to you?”

How do you respond?

>I missed you (hug? kiss?)
>I can’t talk about it (don’t tell Chesi)
>I met Konig! (tell Chesi everything)
>I’m tired, lets sleep (exclusive)
>Other (what?)

>>40132394
I assume the 3/year restriction has already subtracted the petitioners Blue wants to send to the forest, or is it 3 including those?

>>40132761
>I missed you (hug. kiss
I imagine kiss on the cheek is a thing in Oreia?
>I met Konig! (tell Chesi everything)

>>40132682
>is there a specific reason for that?

Mostly fluff - I want the Mystical Martial Arts to be a learned thing rather than innate (Sireyi being an exception).

The discount is to reflect a talent for it, not being allowed to buy it straight off is to prevent instant mastery.

>>40132762
3/year total: including those you send, and those the Azure Empress sends.

>>40132794
>I imagine kiss on the cheek is a thing in Oreia?

Yes

>>40132761
Backing
>>40132794

>>40132761
>I missed you (hug kiss)
>I met Konig! (tell Chesi everything)

>>40132761
>I missed you (hug, kiss (cheek))
>I met Konig! (tell Chesi everything)

>>40132804
Maybe only allow the 1st or 2nd rank to be purchased with bonus XP, then?

>>40132761
>I missed you (hug and kiss)
>I met Konig! (tell Chesi everything)

>>40132852
>Maybe only allow the 1st or 2nd rank to be purchased with bonus XP, then?

Good idea