“Close to Orlath is a series of valleys, narrow passes and plateaus” counters your sister “the terrain is easy to defend and hard to attack, if I don’t take it first, then Orlath will.”

“So you’ll attack first, before they can” you say accusingly, “thus starting the war.”

“Not at all” says your sister calmly “I’ll simply conquer another loose coalition of orc and beastmen tribes – outside of Orlaths borders - and then fortify the place.”

“Against Orlath” you say.

“Against rebellion” responds your sister “sister, dear, your subjects love you. Mine do not. In the last year I’ve put down three rebellions, hard” she points into the mass of orcs hauling stone “see that orc with the trophy rack?”

You peer down and see an orc wearing some sort of metal frame on his shoulders, festooned with skulls and horns. He’s bigger than the orcs around him, and is dragging a wagon of building stone uphill, watched by armed guards.

“That’s Warchief Golchek” says your sister, rubbing the side of her face with one hand “hell of a fighter and he got in a few good hits before I took him down. He was one of my best warchiefs, but I made the mistake of letting him run his own war on the border without supervision. He got it into his head that he could be Emperor; he came to me demanding – demanding! – my hand in marriage. I sent him away after yelling at him, he didn’t take it well and led his army against me. Good thing for him I got to him before Sofia – I think she wanted to cut off his- ah, look.”

Your sister pauses, looking thoughtful “The orcs and beastmen are strong and aggressive, if I don’t set them tasks to do, they get into trouble. So right now, I have them building walls.”

“And the shamans and witch-doctors?” you ask your sister.

“Oh them” says your sister “I have them making magic weapons, and warding my strongholds against mystical intrusion – but same basic principle, keep them too busy to rebel. That’s nothing, you should see how much trouble it was to get them to accept the idea of money-lenders and banks, most of them still don’t quite get it and-”

“Yes, but-” you try and steer your sister back to the original topic, the reason you came, the one she’s avoiding.

“-so I set the Steelfist Clan to patrolling the roads” says your sister “If they’re so worried about other clans taking their iron when they move it to the teleportation circle, then they can help secure the roads of the whole empire.”

Ok that distracts you a little, academic curiosity maybe. “Why have you only made your teleportation circles in the strongholds and cities?” you ask “You can just make them on top of the mines and save yourself the trouble.” You will be sure to include teleportation circles close to the mines you have discovered, once you get around to it.

“I want to keep spies away from my mines” says your sister “so all trade – including traders – can only go through a few places, plus it’s another way of keeping my subjects busy, the shamans wanted me to put them everywhere at first, but eventually they saw reason.”

“Plus you keep the shamans busy” you note “working on magical weapons, magically-powered armour...and airships?”

Your sister turns from the balcony and turns to face you “I was wondering when you were going to get around to those” she says, grinning, but it’s a challenging grin, like she knows you’re about to have an argument.

“Don’t you think flying one over Muirens border was a little aggressive?” you ask.

“The navigator got his calculations wrong” she says with a shrug and a smile “I wrote a letter to the Muiren clan leaders explaining and apologising for the mistake.”

“By which time the huge thing had spent over an hour looming over one of Muirens border towns!” you say.

“The navigator was young” she says “he got nervous and with the captain shouting at him, he had to double-check his calculations in a stressful situation. And yes, this means the Muirens had plenty of time to see the rows of cannon the airship carries.” Ah there we go...

“So it was deliberate” you say accusingly “you’re provoking the Muirens.”

“Well” says your sister, drawing the word out “the navigator really did get lost on the test flight, and seemed like a good excuse to use when The Golden Blade took a planned flight over the Muiren border.” Your sister pauses then adds “and please don’t call it huge, it’s named for Sofia – she’ll get upset if you call her fat.”

You throw your hands into the air “great, so you’re provoking the Muirens and the Orlathians.”

Your sister shakes her head “what I’m doing is defensive – preparing for the invasion from both countries by preparing a suitably defensible position, and by showing Muiren they would be foolish to tangle with me.”

You fight the urge to scream in frustration, you can’t believe she was made from you! Instead of yelling, you take a breath, and turn to another topic “so how did negotiations with the red dragons go?”

Your sister snorts “about as well as expected – yes, they hate the Killing Frost and there was a lot of grumbling about *those upstart whites*. They approve of any action taken against the Killing Frost, and some would even join in, but...”

“But” you say with a sinking feeling, knowing what’s coming next.

“But they all want to be included in any war council” says your sister “they’re too arrogant to accept orders and they’ll only follow a plan they helped write.”

As expected.

“Well” you say glumly “thank Infersiax for me anyway.” Your diplomat of choice in this matter was a red dragon who likes to travel, and knows red dragons across the entire plane, she lives in your sisters empire, and was one of the first to agree to join the Empire.

“I will” says your sister “I need to go and tell her that another of her brood – a great-grandson I think – joined up, she always likes to keep track of her descendents.”

“Oh that brings you up to what, fifteen dragons now?” you ask casually. You and your sister have a small rivalry about this matter.

“Twenty-three” says your sister, smugly “putting me two ahead now.”

Wait, that’s not right!

“I might have only twenty-one in Oreia” you say “but Ebonsong, Shahulzer and Nicolvren-”

“Life in or near Dalvin” says your sister dismissively, “and don’t count.”

Damn, she’s got you there, maybe you should be a bit more aggressive in your recruitment efforts.

As if reading your mind, your sister says “you know, you could always follow Galcaneroths suggestion...”

You chew your lower lip, you’ve been thinking about that. One of the black dragons that follows you, Galcaneroth suggested you add dragons to your portfolio – which already includes demons and angels. You could do it you suppose, but you suspect that he simply wants to set himself up as the high priest of your dragon worshippers – and thus be given authority over them. Still, it would bring more dragons to your banner, but also more trouble...

Ever since you took the succubi under your wings (as a deity) you’ve been receiving message spell after message spell from evil gods and demon lords. They all say the same thing in different ways: Stay away from *my* demons and succubi, or else.

The Succubi who follow you are still recruiting new succubi from the Hells, but the number coming to your realm has slowed significantly, due to crack-downs within forces of the demon lords. Some of your recruiting parties have also been hunted and chased, though none of their pursuers were foolish enough to come into Oreia after them. Still, having taken on the succubi domain has won you more succubi followers, and plenty of enemies.

Taking on a dragon domain would likewise win you friends, and enemies.

“I’ll think about it” you promise your sister.

“Anyway” says the Azure Empress, stretching “how did things go on the war-front?”

“Not good” you admit “the nations are falling to the Lord of Life one by one because they feel that it’s not their problem yet, or they think It’ll stop with its most recent conquest.”

“Burying their heads” says your sister, shaking hers sadly “Ah well, all we can do is prepare ourselves for what’s coming, we can’t save everyone.”

“I wish we could” you say, thinking out loud “I wish...”

“Yeah, me too” says your sister wistfully “anyway, are there any other parts of the Empire you want to inspect?”

“None right now” you say with a laugh.
---
You’re back in Oreia, several days later, when you first feel it. You’re reviewing the new spy reports that your Aunt has put together for you, when you suddenly feel powerful and evil magic pushing against your Sanctuary that protects all of Oreia, and pushing *hard*. It’s a touch you recognise – it seems the Killing Frost is still trying to bring its winter to your lands in full, rather than the second-hand effects you are currently feeling.

You ignore the report in your hands and focus all of your energies on pushing it back. It takes a great deal of effort, but you manage to stop any of its bitterly cold magics settle in Oreia. You’re distantly aware of your sister making a similar effort to keep it away from the Azure Empire.

You feel the Killing Frosts mystical cold-front retreating...in the direction of Dornmer...

Whilst you’re thinking of how to approach Dornmers nobles about letting you use your powers to shield Dornmer from the Killing Frost, Aunt Anniya comes bursting into your office.

“Sireyi” she says, blunt and to the point when you’re in private “one of my agents sent an emergency message, and then went quiet.”

Outwardly she shows no signs of distress...but you know your Aunt, she wouldn’t come bursting in if it wasn’t important.

“Who?” you ask and “where is she?”

“It’s Dancia, in Ravenclaw Valley” says your aunt, naming one of the new settlements in Oreia named after the clan that settled there. “She was investigating the possibility of spies, ever since the gold deposit was found.” Ah yes, one of the new mines you’re planning.

This is the first time one of your spies has sent an emergency message. You could respond to it in person, or send someone else, or you could head to Dornmer in person instead.

Although the Killing Frosts magic will take time to have further effect, the sooner it is driven out the better.

What do you do?

>Go to Ravenclaw Valley (with just your aunt? With anyone else?)
>Head to Dornmer, someone else will have to deal with Dancia
>Other (what?)

voting time 20 mins to allow for reading time.

[Meta]

This is the last Paladin of Joy and Mini Palading thread for a while. This quest is due to return in Jan 2016. My next Quest will start 26th or 27th of June. Please see twitter for updates.

I’ve got a cold and didn’t get much sleep last night. If I seem dumber than usual then that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

[End Meta]

>>40595580
Hiya Pally!
>Go to Ravenclaw Valley
With a few guards and your aunt I guess.

>>40595580
>Go to Ravenclaw Valley
>Send a message to Sofia about the situation with the Killing Frost, so she can prepare our discussion with Dornmer

>>40595580
>Go to Ravenclaw Valley
>Send a message to Sofia about the situation with the Killing Frost, so she can prepare our discussion with Dornmer

>>40595580
>Go to Ravenclaw Valley
>Send a message to Sofia about the situation with the Killing Frost, so she can prepare our discussion with Dornmer

>>40595580
>Go to Ravenclaw Valley (Aunt, Guards at best someone familiar with the Ravenclaw Clan)
>Send envoys to Dornmer to initiate diplomatic talks, inform Sofia and Poppy too
We won't solve the issue with Dornmer anytime soon either

I was just thinking that we may want to try and do something about the rift between Blue/General Sofia and the children. I think that if Mili was somewhat more aware of the actual scenario with Blue and General Sofia she would be a lot more likely to treat them as her actual mother.

While it would likely be awkward for the parents I think that Mili would be a powerful force in making things work. In the spirit of fairness of course.
Oh, and am I the only one who thought that the multiple Islas could be due to her having read the 4th Book that we ended up not grabbing?

>>40595580
>Go to Ravenclaw Valley
>Send a message to Sofia about the situation with the Killing Frost, so she can prepare our discussion with Dornmer

>>40595693
>I think that if Mili was somewhat more aware of the actual scenario with Blue and General Sofia
She is completly aware of the actual situation.
Its just pretty hard to grasp for a 8 year old child, when she gets older she will understand it more.
And Blue is actually a lot more different from Sireyi than General is from Sofia.

>>40595693
>Oh, and am I the only one who thought that the multiple Islas could be due to her having read the 4th Book that we ended up not grabbing?
The multiple Islas are because the LoL used a Simulacrum spell on the SimulacrumIsla, I don't know why you think the fourth book is involved with that?

>>40595737
>She is completly aware of the actual situation.
I did not get the impression from
>You don’t know what to make of *General* Sofia. You’ve been told that her and Aunty Empress were made from parts of your Mama’s but...Aunty Empress is obviously not Mama Sireyi – she has blue skin for starters, and horns, and her wings are different.
that that was the case. If she was fully aware that General Sofia was an actual copy of the other Sofia, memories and everything, I feel like it would be likely she would consider her much more of a mother. Its not massively important, I just was thinking that nurturing the familial love between everyone would be a good idea if possible. Nothing can mend awkward distances quite like the love of a child and I'd like to see everyone as happy as possible.

The scene where Mili called General Sofia "Mama Sofia" and she cried made me feel too much not to want to make it better.


>>40595737
>I don't know why you think the fourth book is involved with that?
Iirc it would have allowed us to have multiple bodies while maintaining a single consciousness. I figured it would be something Alt Isla could get up to.

I'm off to work but I just want to ask if anons think it's worth explaining to the king how our sanctuary works and asking him if he wants to work for us?
I know this could be taken the wrong way but he's a reasonabal man and we lose nothing by making the offer.

>>40595808
>If she was fully aware that General Sofia was an actual copy of the other Sofia, memories and everything, I feel like it would be likely she would consider her much more of a mother
The thing is, she does know that. She just doesn't really understand the implication of it and is far too young to have it really be explained to her.

This isn't really a thing we can do aynthing about outside of Mili PoV. If we keep voting along those lines, Mili will start realising that General is her mother too, as much as Sofia is, and maybe even Blue. But beyond that, there isn't really anything that could be done about it, since Sofia, Sireyi and Jal don't discourage that view, and I can imagine Jal outright encourages it already.

I do want them to see them as their mothers too, I felt really bad for Bloue when Mili called her Aunt, but we can't really do more about that from Sireyis PoV than we already did.

>>40595808
>Iirc it would have allowed us to have multiple bodies while maintaining a single consciousness. I figured it would be something Alt Isla could get up to.
She doesn't really need it, since the LoL can already do that and just tuahgt it to Isla.
And as far as we know, the old guy never finished the book anyway.

>>40595881
It doesn't really matter if he is a reasonable man or no, the nobility would not accept it, and it would be guaranteed to cause a civil war in Dornmer when the King bows to the Demon Queen.

>>40595808
Milerna understands the situation about as well as a nine year old can. I don't think there's any awkward distance between Sireyi and Bluey.

>>40595892
The nobility don't need to know. Something something wellsprings.

“We need to go and check up on her, immediately” you say to your aunt “but I also need to send a quick message to Sofia.”

You scribble a note on a piece of parchment and as you and your aunt head out to find some of the royal guards, you hand it to a passing servant “please, take this down to the mage on duty – this message needs to go to Baroness Sofia.”

“Of course my Queen” says the young demon girl with a curtsey, taking the message and hurrying off.

“What was that?” asks your Aunt, checking her knives as you go.

“The Killing Frost” you say, your mind working, both of these things happening at once, is Oreia under attack? “It made a spirited attempt to freeze Oreia, again, and I think when I sent it packing, it dropped its magic on Dornmer instead. I’ve told Sofia what is happening and asked her to start talking to the other nobles and the King about it.”

“I see” says your Aunt, pouring some sort of sticky liquid on one of her daggers as the two of you head to the guards station “well, it had to happen sooner or later, I guess.”
---
With two-dozen of the royal guards in tow you and Aunt Anniya teleport to Ravenclaw valley, specifically the area for the new mine, where Dancia was working.

The site for the mine is set at the top of the valley, huts and smelters where under construction, but only exploratory digging had started.

But what you see when you get there...

The stone smelter buildings are piles of rubble, the wooden huts are burning wrecks. And all around you are bodies of your citizens.

It’s clear that some put up a fight, here and there are groups of bodies, with weapons in their hands. Some were killed as they tried to fly away.

You can sense traces of evil magics, necromancy in particular.

“Spread out” says the lead guard to her command, to you she says “your majesty, please let us search the site first.”

You don’t think they’ll find anything, whatever happened here is over. Your Aunt stays with you, but you can see she is distressed, pacing back and forth.

It’s not long before your guards declare the site safe, and tell you that they’ve found Dancia. They’ve found no survivors, they tell you, but they have found over a hundred bodies, the guard commander tells you grimly.

You and your aunt hurry over, to see...the remains of a succubus, torn asunder, but held tightly in one of the hands is the sending stone all of your spies carry.

Between her and the mining site is another group of succubi, all holding weapons.

“She was trying to get away” says your aunt sombrely “and they were guarding her escape.

The bodies look mangled, as if hit with great physical force, and the injuries inflicted with blades are very large, as if done by giant-size weapons.

You look down the valley, you can’t see any signs of trouble at Ravensclaw Town itself but...perhaps best to check.

“We need to find out what happened here” says your Aunt, carefully examining Dancia’s remains, her emotions once again locked behind a facade of professionalism.

Indeed you do, but how?

>Check on the town
>Examine the magic in the area
>Resurrect Dancia
>Resurrect the others
>Other (what?)

>>40595930
>The nobility don't need to know. Something something wellsprings.
Covering Dornmer in our Sanctuary is not something we can hide, its a massive effect. At the very least the mages and priesthood would instantly know.

>>40595882
Hmm... Well while it may be a little late (due to coming hiatus) its good to at least keep it in mind for Mili I guess. Idk, I still feel like we could do something, but i'm not sure what.


>>40595882
>And as far as we know, the old guy never finished the book anyway.
Indeed. He hadn't managed to work out all bugs with the spell essentially. But from what I understand the book would still have worked, but might have had unpredictable effects. Anyway, was just thinking it could have been a possibility. But the Simulacrum would be a simple possibility.

>>40595943
>Check on the town
>Examine the magic in the area
>Resurrect Dancia
>Resurrect the others

>>40595943
>Check on the town
>Examine the magic in the area
>Resurrect Dancia
>Resurrect the others

>>40595944
Just say we magnified the effect of the Wellspring of Life in Dalvin to cover the entire Realm using our divine power. That would explain away both the result and why any attempts at detection reveal that it's a Sanctuary-like effect that's covered in Sireyi's divine essence.

>>40595943
>Resurrect Dancia
>Resurrect the others
But be careful, one at a time for the first few, to make sure there is no necromantic trap here

>>40595943
>Check on the town
>Examine the magic in the area
>Resurrect Dancia
>Resurrect the others

>>40595975
>Just say we magnified the effect of the Wellspring of Life in Dalvin to cover the entire Realm using our divine power.
The Wellspring in Dalvin is Velyas.

>>40595892
I was thinking it would take time for them to come round so bring it up now.

>>40595943
>Resurrect Dancia
>Resurrect the others

>>40595980
That doesn't make the story less plausible since it still has an effect similar to how we're using our Sanctuary and we are a Paladin of Velya. If anything, saying we magnified the effects of a Wellspring of Velya with our divine power is more plausible. Might help out her religion in Dornmer as well.

>>40596006
>That doesn't make the story less plausible
Yes it does. Ther eis no way the priesthood and mages won't be able to tell the difference between our divine energies and Velyas. Considering they are very familoiar with the latter.

All of the things.

Please make me a Willpower roll 1d20+17

Rolled 13 + 17 (1d20 + 17)

>>40596047

Rolled 18 + 17 (1d20 + 17)

>>40596047

Rolled 14 + 17 (1d20 + 17)

>>40596047

Rolled 19 + 17 (1d20 + 17)

>>40596047
I feel like we are setting a problematic precedent here, but I can't really not do it.

>>40596013
And that can't be explained away as having magnified it with our Deific Power rather than Velya's, resulting in the effect feeling like our own divine essence?

What if we actually just magnify the radius of the effects of Velya's Wellspring? At least to cover all of Dalvin.

We could end a civil war in ten minutes with no casualties anyway, if it comes to that.

>>40595956
>Idk, I still feel like we could do something, but i'm not sure what.
The only way we could actively do something about it, is if Mili would ask Mama Sireyi about the situation more to understand it better.

>>40596071
Well, if we have the option I'd like to try that.

>>40596070
>And that can't be explained away as having magnified it with our Deific Power rather than Velya's, resulting in the effect feeling like our own divine essence?
No it can't, because it doesn't matter how plausible our excuse sounds. The majority of nobles in Dornmer hate Sireyi and are waiting for any excuse to start shit about it.
This gives them more than enough reason to do so.

>>40596070
>What if we actually just magnify the radius of the effects of Velya's Wellspring?
Thats a thing we should definitly try.

>>40596070
>We could end a civil war in ten minutes with no casualties anyway, if it comes to that.
No we couldn't without Sireyi going FAR off the deep end.

>>40595956
Would Bluey even be upset about being aunty instead of mama? One of her things is that she wanted to be her own person, being Sireyi's sister lets her be the best aunt and spend time with Mili and Vivi without compromising that.

General Sofia still wants to be mama, definitely, but I don't think Bluey's torn up about being aunty instead.

>>40596106
I'm not sure.

>>40596047
Pally, can you tell of if Bluey is even upset about being aunty instead of mama?

>>40596106
>Would Bluey even be upset about being aunty instead of mama?
Definitly. Blue loves her children just as much as Sireyi and the Sofias.
It was brought up multiple times, we know for a fact Blue feels herself as Milis and Vivis mother.

>>40596085
Deific Teleport Spam the rebel nobles directly into the royal jail, then talk down the armies (assuming the soldiers are even willing to continue to support their imprisoned masters). Making them rout without killing anyone by buying and utilizing Voice of Command/Strident Command and spamming it might also work.

>>40596121
>Pally, can you tell of if Bluey is even upset about being aunty instead of mama?

Yes, but she prefers not to show *weakness* of any kind.

>>40596134
>Deific Teleport Spam the rebel nobles directly into the royal jail
What do you do with the nobles, and their families?
And the other nobles upset about this blatant display of our overwhelming power?
And all the other Kingdoms when they hear about this violent coup on our part?

>>40596140
Thanks for the quick response

>>40596134
>everything exists in a vaccum and actions don't have more far reaching consequences
I'm sure all the other gods will be completly okay with our violent seizing of power in Dornmer.

Or we xould just fortify in-depth and pursue a stronger military build-up before doing some negotiation. While we are God we can still fuck up.

>>40596166
Our military power isn't really relevant here.
As sad as it is, our only real option is to negotiate until the desperation in the population reaches such a point that even the nobles can't publicly refute our saving intervention anymore.

Once again we need to negotiate with the other gods about this, to get their priesthoods backing.

>>40596134
>“Gods live apart from mortals for many reasons but this is one: you could change the most stubborn mind with only small portion of your power – tyranny is so very, very easy under these circumstances.”

>>40596182
As a fall back mostly, also a deterrent as any military campaign to our land would bleed them dry.

>>40596225
I'm not sure how a land that has been under the effects of Verdant Presence for over a year is going to bleed anyone dry.

>>40596238
By having a army with strong natural regeneration

We can always use our 20 good girls and fuck them up.

“I’ll be right back” you promise Aunt Anniya and your guards “I need to check on the town” you take flight.

“Your majesty please!” says the guard commander, as your guards try to keep pace with you, and fail.

“Just a quick flyby” you promise, easily out-distancing them. The town of Ravensclaw is several miles away, you can make that distance in under a minute.

You fly over the town, it’s mid-morning and everything seems normal: the town citizens are walking and flying around, there’s no signs of conflict or panic, and no unusual magical auras.

You head back to your aunt, and a disapproving group of guards. You’ll have to apologise to them later.

You kneel down beside the remains of Dancia and focus your divine powers on restoring her, knitting her flesh and calling her back from death.

The parts of her reform and re-grow, until her body is perfectly healed...and utterly still. You probe further until you realise - her soul has not returned to her body.

It takes only a moments concentration to realise that her soul is not in your heaven either. As a worshipper of yours, Dancia’s soul should have gone straight there.

With a sinking feeling you try bringing back some of the other succubi, with the same results: you can heal their bodies, but their souls are long gone.

What could cause this?

You examine the place, both with your sight, and your mystical senses.

“A number of giants” says your Aunt, as you all search the site “twenty, maybe twenty-five.”

You nod in agreement “using necromancy spells” you say, examining the arcane aura on one of the bodies that doesn’t seem to have any visible injuries “including soul-stealing.” Well, that explains why you can’t resurrect any of the victims at least.

One particular mass of fading arcane energy catches your eye, you take a moment to examine it, to your aunt it probably looks like you’re staring at empty space.

>>40596238
Loss of men, material, morale. While they would certainly not starve, our neighbors have limited supplies of the above three. If they see that there is no profit in attacking us they may be more "receptive" to overtures of peace.

“Sireyi” she says, laying a hand on your shoulder “what is it?”

“A gateway” you say “or rather, the remains of one.”

“Where the giants came from?” she asks. You nod, you’ve seen this sort of magic before.

“Can you follow it?” asks your Aunt

“Yes” you say “but if it’s what I think it is, there will be an army on the other side.” Your mind flashes back to the encounter in Ebonsongs mine, and the giants you encountered there.

“Your Majesty” says one of the guards, bringing you a chunk of rock, with gold and silver veins in it “look at this, it feels...odd.” She is one of your more magically talented guards, so you examine the stone. There are traces of transmutation and necromancy magic on it. As you watch, all of the remaining gold veins in it turn to that weird silver, which radiates faint necromancy.

“What now?” asks Aunt Anniya.

You want to get your citizens souls back, but tangling with thousands of giants with necromantic magics might be beyond even you.

What do you do?
>Re-open the portal, go through (with whom?)
>Get Isla, see what she thinks
>Talk to someone else about this (who?)
>Other (what?)

>>40596288
>Get Isla, see what she thinks

>>40596277
Okay.
So those giants can somehow not only penetrate our Sanctuary. But also do so undetected AND use Evil magic within it both unhindered and undetected.

Thats, thats a thing.

>>40596288
>Get Isla, see what she thinks

>>40596288
>Get Isla, see what she thinks
I'd like to end up going through though with
>Re-open the portal, go through (Bluey, Isla, Abowese perhaps?)

File: 1348812746943.png (977 KB, 1600x1200)

977 KB PNG

>>40596288
>Get Isla, see what she thinks


>mfw Sireyi is about to carry out her first demonic invasion

>>40596326
>>mfw Sireyi is about to carry out her first demonic invasion
More of a strike team than a invasion, we can't hope to defeat them with military might.
There are literally hundreds of milions of them.

>>40596336
>>40596326

Speaking of which, should we bring the scythe? I imagine that it would be incredibly useful since its lethal to mortals which would speed things up a bit and possibly make our intrusion somewhat quieter

>>40596288
>Get Isla, see what she thinks
>Talk to someone else about this(Our mother)

>>40596304
The Raksha did it too somehow, our Sanctuary seems to be useless at its primary function, although I had thought that was because they were Evil Outsiders and got through with the loophole we leave for sucubi.
No idea how the giants did it.

>>40596148
>What do you do with the nobles, and their families?
Imprison them, maybe try to talk things through with them. See that their families are treated with respect and taken care of, though their families may or may not be allowed to continue managing their lands. They'll live comfortably regardless.

>And the other nobles upset about this blatant display of our overwhelming power?
Mostly fear, possibly gratitude later on, when the winter is far less harsh and the benefits of our Sanctuary are made apparent.

>And all the other Kingdoms when they hear about this violent coup on our part?
The ones that already hate us, the one that only wants to turn us against our sister or the one that only cares about profit?

I just want to be clear that I'm only playing devil's advocate. Nobody needs to get upset.

>>40596161
I think Konig and Velya would get it, the former knows well that the nobility can be incredibly stupid and the latter would get that we're just trying to help, even if it's a little forceful.

Yerra and Mazon would probably give us the benefit of the doubt, Yerra in particular due to our actions with Ebonsong.

Delax would be exactly as shit as before, but this might give him ammunition in the future.

I can't really theorize on the actions of other gods.

>>40596366
The giants are an offshoot of demonkind (or rather, their servants who draw their power from them), so they definitely exploited that loophole.

The Rakshasa used a stupid cat trick, or Mili went a little too far into the mountains and left the Sanctuary.

>>40596367
>Imprison them, maybe try to talk things through with them. See that their families are treated with respect and taken care of, though their families may or may not be allowed to continue managing their lands. They'll live comfortably regardless.
You make the mistake of assuming we deal with reasonable people, we do not as we know.

>Mostly fear
Which obviously wont cause problem sin the longterm. Such as increasing the demon cultist problem in Dornmer.

>The ones that already hate us, the one that only wants to turn us against our sister or the one that only cares about profit?
There is the one we have a proftiable trade relationship with and a fledgling military alliance.
It will also not help keeping the other ones peaceful, for that matter.

>>40596367
>I think Konig and Velya would get it, the former knows well that the nobility can be incredibly stupid and the latter would get that we're just trying to help, even if it's a little forceful.
>Yerra and Mazon would probably give us the benefit of the doubt, Yerra in particular due to our actions with Ebonsong.
They give us the benefit of doubt this time.
They will do so increasingly less the more often we pull this sort of thing.

>>40596380
>The giants are an offshoot of demonkind
Unless they are succubi, that doesn't matter. Our sanctuary only lets evil algined succubi in, not demons in general.

writing getting Isla

>>40596380
>The giants are an offshoot of demonkind (or rather, their servants who draw their power from them), so they definitely exploited that loophole.
They would need ths succubus subtype.
I'm willing to assume Rakshasa, being natural shepshifters, 'might' be able to fake that somehow.
The giants should have registered the very moment they transformed back into giants, if transfomration could fool the sanctuary. The magic of a evil god might be able to do that.

>>40596395
>You make the mistake of assuming we deal with reasonable people, we do not as we know.
Not sure how them being reasonable or not matters since they're behind bars at this point.

>Which obviously wont cause problem sin the longterm.
Longterm result might be gratitude as the winters start hitting neighboring countries worse and worse.

>Such as increasing the demon cultist problem in Dornmer.
Amongst the nobility? If there are demon-worshiping nobles, then it's even worse than I thought. If there aren't, I don't see why a peasant would have that much of a problem with it. If anything, the peasantry would be grateful for the nobility no longer making betting pools for whether their children will freeze to death or starve to death first.

>There is the one we have a proftiable trade relationship with and a fledgling military alliance.
Who worship a chaotic Storm Goddess, IIRC. They might be used to shit like this, though probably on a lesser scale.

>It will also not help keeping the other ones peaceful, for that matter.
Probably not, though it might cow Muiren.

>They will do so increasingly less the more often we pull this sort of thing.
Not planning to do it often, just getting a little tired of the nobility's borderline suicidal hatred.

What was that saying about hatred? Holding onto it is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die?

>>40596465
>>40596380
They might have their own Succubus equivalent, depending on when the offshoot happened.

>>40596530
>Not sure how them being reasonable or not matters since they're behind bars at this point.
You intend to imprison their entrie families?

>>40596542
>You intend to imprison their entrie families?
Oh, I thought you were talking about talking to the nobles.

No, I wouldn't imprison their families, beyond maybe estate arrest if they act troublesome.

>>40596530
>They might have their own Succubus equivalent, depending on when the offshoot happened.
Those would be demonblooded, not succubus-subtype.
The original guys were demonblooded, who then mixed with giants. They are now giants, demonblooded at best.

>>40596567
>>Those would be demonblooded, not succubus-subtype.
Demonbloods descended from Succubi, who are probably responsible for most demonbloods in the first place, might still register as Succubi for the purposes of the loophole if their demonic blood is strong enough, and they might have a spell to draw out that heritage and make them register as it for supernatural purposes.

>>40596326
Do they even count as demons theologically anymore since we took the domain? I assume our succubi no longer detect as evil (demon) anymore, unless it counts if you're a demon biologically as well.

“We need an expert on all things magical” you say to your Aunt.

“I wasn’t away you were on such good terms with Yerra” she says with a sideways glance.

“Yerra who?” you say with a grin “I’m talking about Isla.”
---
“It definitely an interplanar portal” says Isla, examining it “but...how?”

“That’s what I was thinking” you say “my Sanctuary should stop this sort of thing.”

“Hmm, maybe not” says Isla “most magic is neutral, if not cast by someone with a strong inclination towards good or evil.”

“Murdering a hundred people and taking their souls is definitely evil” you point out.

“I mean” says Isla “a device or circle could be used, made by someone without any strong morality. Your Sanctuary is not the only impediment to magic that relies upon good or evil, a clever mage would make sure that such a spell could go as many places as needed.”

Well, there is that.

“But how could they come through” you say “hiring another mage to create a device or cast the spell is one thing, but they shouldn’t have been able to enter.”

“That I don’t know” admits Isla “now you also said you found some strange metal?”

Your guards have gathered up the rest of the transformed gold – not much. They have also inspected the diggings. It seems a lot of the gold still in the ground has been turned into this strange necromantic metal as well.

“This” says Isla, examining it “this looks like some sort of magical metal.”

“No, really?” you say with a smile

“Oh hush” she says “I mean, as celestial iron is to angelic magic, and storm silver to storm magic, this is to necromancy.” Her expression changes, losing her look of academic interest as her shoulders slump “I think I know what the giants used the souls for” says Isla softly.

Oh...

“Can we...?” you start to ask.

“I would know where to begin” says Isla “not unless we have access to their research on how they make this stuff."

>>40596615
>might still register as Succubi for the purposes of the loophole
They definitly don't. Demonblooded and demons are distinct as far as the sanctuary is concerned.

>>40596626
>Do they even count as demons theologically anymore since we took the domain?
The good and neutral aligned succubi wouldn't have a problem, but the loophole would still need to exist for the evil aligned succubi.

“So” says your Aunt “what now?” She and your guards are still with you.

What now?
>Now we go through (who? with what gear?)
>I want to speak to someone else first (who?)
>Other (what?)

>>40596644
Wait, is Isla saying the giants transformed the souls of the succubi into that soulsteel, or just that they generally do that and the souls might still be with them?

>>40596626
They do detect as evil to other gods and their servants. For now.

>>40596640
>Succubus having adorable half-demon daughteru means she either needs to leave Oreia or abandon her daughter

>>40596668
>Wait, is Isla saying the giants transformed the souls of the succubi into that soulsteel

Yes

>>40596678
Then why would we follow them?
If the souls, in that state, are already right here?

>>40596686
Because we can't undo it and Isla would need their research to figure out how to undo it.

>>40596644
>I want to speak to someone else first
>Velya nd our mother about info on the giants plane.
>If we go through, we don't go from here. if we only need to know their research info, we shouldn't risk directly following them

>>40596644
>I want to speak to someone else first (who?)
A certain little someone who started reading a book containing all the knowledge about necromancy.

>>40596686
>Then why would we follow them?

They invaded your lands and killed your people

Isla needs their knowledge to have any chance of undoing what they did

To find out why they did this, and left a lot of the metal here, in the ground.

>>40596644
>>40596678
Well shit. Not really a rescue mission anymore...

This is probably the best thing to do right now. >>40596697

>>40596644
>>40596711
Seconding >>40596707 as well.

>>40596644
>I want to speak to someone else first
>Ask isla if there might be something in the Tome on this
>Mother, and ask our own angel host if they know, or know someone who might have had interaction witht these giants
They raid a lot of other planes, there are definitly others who know more about them

And we need to know why they attacked us. They avoid gods usually, and they are far too powerful for the LoL to have forced them, so why us and now?

You guys, we should ask Mili how to unfuck their souls. Remember how she solved that extremely difficult problem?

>>40596644
>>40596697
Second.

>>40596707
Pretty sure she's at Paladin school and she only read a portion of the book.

>>40596732
She only read a small part of the tome though, so its very possible that wasn't in the part she read.

>>40596740
>>40596744

>Pretty sure she's at Paladin school and she only read a portion of the book.
She is not. And of course its entirely possible that she doesn't know. Its also entirely possible that she does. We lose nothing by checking.

>>40596644
>>40596697
>>40596707
Yeah maybe consulting Mili and see what she 'knows' may help.
We may still go through, since taking care of the Killing Frost's allies to make him easier to kill was on the to-do list anyways.

>>40596744
>>40596740
We can let her read the rest if she doesn't know, and I don't see how her being at Paladin school would impede us, or someone else, like Phili, asking her about this necromantic iron.

Talking to Velya and your mother it is

And Mili?

>Y/N

5 minute vote

>>40596769
>N

>>40596769
>Y
If she isn't at paladin school

>>40596768
>We can let her read the rest if she doesn't know
Yeah, no.

>>40596769
>Y

>>40596769
>Y

>>40596769
>N
Normally I'd say yes, but now that someone already brings up making her read the rest, not gonna risk that vote.

>>40596769
>N

>>40596768
>Let's break character and let our daughter read the incredibly dangerous book instead of doing so ourselves if it comes to that
No.

>>40596769
>Y
I'm fine with leaving her knowledge from the book at where it is for now, if it comes down to it.

>>40596769
Y
>>40596778
Why the hell not? Also, what's the issue with her being at paladin school? Is our agreement with Konig, that he broke a couple of times, worth more than lives and souls of our followers?

>>40596804
While I agree with you on the rest, I'm fairly sure we can't actually read the rest. The books aren't just books, they are powerful enchantments that forcer the knowledge into your brain, I'm fairly sure only one person can read one book, since you can't read it a second time.

>>40596769
N

>>40596812
>Why the hell not?
>Why should Sireyi not make her little daughter read the dangerous book of necromantic knowledge after reading a full book made even Isla go crazy for a while
GEE I WONDER

looks like it's Mili as well.

>>40596812
Obvious reasons, first and foremost that it's such a massive breach of character that I would be very surprised if it didn't get vetoed.

>>40596804
>>Let's break character
>“Really” she says “You get necromancy spells and the first thing you do with them is save dozens of lives” she kisses you on the forehead “I will never forget seeing that Mili, never.”
Not seeing it.

>>40596836
>Being proud of her daughter for overcoming the book's evil influence after reading a small portion
>THIS MEANS WE CAN THROW HER INTO EVEN MORE EVEN INFLUENCE HURR DURR
Fuck off.

>>40596836
Because reading it was still risky as hell, there was no guarantee for Sireyi Mili would handle it this well, and getting more of it shoved into her head increases the risk to Mili.
And Sireyi will certainly not risk Milis mental well-being for this.

>Let's break character and let our daughter read the incredibly dangerous book instead of doing so ourselves if it comes to that
You don't even know how the fucking book works. Thats just sad.

Also, I like how you completely ignore Sireyi's and Mili's reactions to the new powers. What do you know, things are actually working out rather well.

>>40596853
Yeah, fuck all those souls, Sireyi doesn't give a shit about them. They are just simple no-named soldiers. God forbid our little honey-bun Mili gets a headache from worrying too much.

>>40596850
Wait a moment.
The books influence is not evil.
Its dangerous and abusable knowledge that gets put into someones head and wants to be used.

It's certainly dangerous as hell, but not evil.
I'm not even against Mili being allowed to read a bit more of it later to let her get used it over time.
Its just that it would be absurd for Sireyi to put Mili at this risk for this right now.

>>40596890
We have alternatives that don't involve Mili reading the book but do free the souls you strawmanning ass-clown.

>>40596856
We still shouldn't just make her read the rest.
Maybe if she asks to, but otherwise don't rush into it.

>>40596890
>Yeah, fuck all those souls, Sireyi doesn't give a shit about them.
The knowledge of the tome is not the only way to save them, spare yourself the sad strawman attempts they impress no one here.

>>40596898
Knowing Mili, she probably will.

>>40596898
And then Sofia would probably veto that.

>>40596917
I'd even vote for it if we were in Mili PoV.
But it doesn't make any sense for Sireyi to want to put Mili at this risk.

>>40596898
Considering we all knew what the book was and sought it out and decided to read it after hoping the chance would come up ever since we found the books and we control Mili. I'm like 110% sure Mili will ask to read the book again.

>>40596856
>You don't even know how the fucking book works. Thats just sad.
We've never tried to read a book that had already had a small portion read, and I don't recall any explicit mention of how it works in this regard. It could do nothing, or it could give us all the knowledge Mili didn't get.

>Also, I like how you completely ignore Sireyi's and Mili's reactions to the new powers.
Being proud of her for using them responsibly doesn't mean she wants to risk her daughter's mental health.

>What do you know, things are actually working out rather well.
She only read a small portion of it, there's no reason to suspect it would continue to do so when a full book overcame Isla, a much stronger and more experienced mage.

>>40596891
It tried to make her rip out the souls of mages to fuel her power shortly after reading only a small piece of it, and we know the books try to force their knowledge to be used.

I guess she can overcome that kind of thing if she only reads a little bit at a time, but how do we know it doesn't work like how the Rite of Kinship works, where it gradually overpowers her with it's influence?

>>40596953
>It tried to make her rip out the souls of mages to fuel her power shortly after reading only a small piece of it
No, it didn't. We rolled poorly on the will-save so Mili is obsessed with necromantic knowledge, she 'wants' to use it.
That hasn't anything to do with evil influence of the book, and more to do with the knowledge in the book being easily usable for shady and outright evil stuff.
The book itself doesn't try to make her do anything, its not a mind-altering influence beyond by itself, as Pally had confirmed back then.

>I guess she can overcome that kind of thing if she only reads a little bit at a time, but how do we know it doesn't work like how the Rite of Kinship works, where it gradually overpowers her with it's influence?
Well, Isla read one too.She would know, although her judgment on the mater is obviously not completly reliable.
I could see Sireyi and Isla convincing Sofia to let her read a bit more of the book after some timeskips when Mili has shown she can handle it, and hasn't falyed anyone alive in the meantime.

“As much as I’d like to take the direct approach” you say “it would be foolish to jump into this blind. I believe that these giants have raided other planes before, so Velya and my mother will probably know something about them.”

“If we need an expert on Necromancy...” says Isla

“Only if necessary” you say to her “Aboswe hasn’t seen her sister in a very long time, they have a lot to catch up on.”

“...Mili has a head for things like this” finishes Isla. Huh, that’s true.
---
“But why can’t my friends come?” asks Mili, as you pick her up from the Elders Circle, where she has been spending time with Vivi.

You exchange a look with Isla “it’s an important secret” you say “please, just trust us Mili.”

“Ok Mama” she says happily, as you take her to Velyas Heaven.
---
Once you’ve explained things to Velya, and Syderis has had a chance to play with her grand-daughter you all sit on the hillside in Velyas Heaven to talk, and examine the strange metal you found.

“Ah” says your mother, examining the stone “Incarnium Steel, yes this I’ve seen before.”

“What can you tell us about it?” you ask. Isla and Milerna are with you. Your aunt is managing Oreian affairs in your absence.

“The giants” explain Velya “are called the Sakheran. They used to have gods, who disappeared, long ago.”

“Because the Sakheran killed them” adds your mother.

Velya gives her a scolding look, and indicates Mili, who doesn’t appear to be listening, her attention solely on the rock with silvery metal veins held in her hands.

“Their gods disappeared” says Velya “There are theories as to why, but what is known is that the Sakheran avoid gods, but are also very resistant to divine magic, and even many deific powers.”

“So why did they come to my realm?” you ask. Velya and your mother exchange a look, and both shrug.

“The gold perhaps” says Isla “you make celestial iron out of ordinary iron, perhaps they make Incarnium Steel from gold?”

“Gold captures and spreads the rendered essences evenly” says Mili “use of other metallic substrates results in an alloyed metal, which must be separated from its base part. What's a sub-straight mama?”

Here’s a pause, and then Isla asks Mili “Do you think you can help me get the souls *out* of the metal?”

Mili shrugs “I dunno” she says “how did they get in there in the first place?”

You look at Isla, you know what she’s thinking. It’s what you’re both thinking. Mili didn’t read the whole book.

“So” says Syderis “I take it we’re going to go and talk to these giants then? I’ll go get my armour.” Velya gives her a frustrated look.

What are you going to do?

>Go visit the Sakheran (with who?)
>Go and talk to Sofia...about Mili reading the rest of the Book of Necromancy
>Someone else can try reading the Book of Necromancy (who?)
>Other (what?)

Note this is not the *final* vote on Mili reading the book. Sireyi wouldn’t allow it without Sofias permission.

>>40597088
>Go visit the Sakheran
>With Isla and our mother

>>40597088
>Go and talk to Sofia...about Mili reading the rest of the Book of Necromancy

>>40597088
>Go visit the Sakheran
>With Isla and our mother

>>40597088
>Go visit the Sakheran
>Isla, Syderis
Wait, is this a second group of evil giants or did you mix up the name?

>>40597088
>Go visit the Sakheran

>>40597088
>Go visit the Sakheran (Isla and Syderis)
>Go and talk to Sofia...about Mili reading the rest of the Book of Necromancy

>>40597088
>Go visit the Sakheran (Syderis,Isla, Aboswe if she is free)

>>40597088
>Go visit the Sakheran (Isla, Syderis)

>>40596990
The books do have mental influences, IIRC. They want to be read, and they try to influence their reader to use (or abuse) their knowledge in every situation where it would be remotely applicable. They can also amplify negative traits in their readers.

I can't recall the exact thread Pally said this is, and Moe is down.

>>40597088
>>Go and talk to Sofia...about Mili reading the rest of the Book of Necromancy
Anti-lich Paladin a go!

>>40597131
>I can't recall the exact thread Pally said this is, and Moe is down.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/36199687/#p36203660

>>40597088
>>Go visit the Sakheran
>>Isla, Syderis

>>40597131
>>40597143
Sorry, linked to the wrong post, but its the right thread.
Its not mental-influence per se. Its just the effect of having all that awesome knowledge to use to solve your problems with

>>40597143
>>40597161
Thanks anon

>>36207600
Pally's post
>Given that an obsession with Necromancy and the Undead isn't really warping someone's personality, I'd say that it's possible this is the case.
In the context of my post, this is what I meant:

High roll - nothing noticeable

Low roll - personality warping (amplifies some existing negative traits) + Obsession with necromancy and undead.

Negative traits means things such as short temper, desire for power etc - if they exist in the first place.

Isla always did desire power, because to her power = freedom.

What are Mili's negative traits? too early to tell.

>>40597183
>What are Mili's negative traits? too early to tell.
She is definitly stubborn like her mother.

>What are Mili's negative traits? too early to tell.
Too much pure love for Paladining and protecting her friends?

>>40597199
Which one?

>>40597205
All six of them.

ok, headfirst into danger we go

>>40597225
>Drache 2.0
>Welcome back to Namek edition

>>40597225
You might overlooked it
>>40597113
>Wait, is this a second group of evil giants or did you mix up the name?
Thats kinda important if this are the giants we found in Ebonsongs lair, or a different group.

>>40597113
>Wait, is this a second group of evil giants or did you mix up the name?

I might have forgotten the name I used before. Retconning to new name

>>40597253
Ah okay, I like this one better anyway.

“I think paying them a visit sounds like an excellent idea” you say to your mother, who then gives Velya a triumphant smirk. Velya rolls her eyes.

“Are you going on a trip?” asks Mili “Can I come?”

“No” you all say together.

“Ugh!” says Mili, folding her arms and frowning at all of you
---
Back at the fading residue of the portal, you, your mother, and Isla are all prepared, having collected your weapons and equipment.

“Ok, and that should...do it!” says Isla.

In front of you the portal opens into a dark cavern on the other side.

“Go, quickly!” says Isla. You all rush through, only for the portal to close right behind you.

“Cutting it a little close Isla” you say

“I had to” she says “a short opening shouldn’t be detected, but a longer one is much more likely to be.”

You’re in a dark cavern, carved out of rock into a corridor, and made for beings much taller than yourselves.

You all advance cautiously, through a confusing maze of caverns, until you hear the sounds of...something up ahead. Sneaking closer you see a hunchbacked giant, pushing a hardcart full of rocks shot through with metal. Even bent over, this thing is easily 25ft tall.

“What now?” asks Isla

“We could follow him” you say “he might be going to some sort of smelter or central hub.”

“Or we could stop him and question him” suggests your mother.

What do you do?
>Follow
>Question
>Other (what?)

>>40597374
>Follow

>>40597374
>Follow

>>40597374
>Follow

>>40597374
>Follow

>>40597374
>Follow

>>40597374
>Question

Please roll 3d20 for sneakan

Rolled 2, 11, 7 = 20 (3d20)

>>40597474

Rolled 20, 5, 20 = 45 (3d20)

>>40597474

Rolled 19, 20, 9 = 48 (3d20)

>>40597474

>>40597481
>>40597482
Well then.

>>40597481
>>40597482
Okay, well played Dice Gods.

So there are such a think as ninja-angels it seems, ok, writing

“We’ll follow him” you say to your wife and mother “see where he leads us.”

You all trail along behind him, creeping from shadow to shadow. The hunchbacked giant seems oblivious to your presence as you follow him for what feels like hours.

Eventually your patience pays off and you are led to a large central cavern.

You see dozens of passages leading off from this place and hundreds of giants walking on different levels. Walkways cross over the middle of this place and gsome giants push carts for of stones, or gold coins or precious metals. Other giants are warlike groups, raiding parties properly. Still others lead rows of humanoid prisoners on chains. You see humans, elves, orcs, and other species you do not recognise.

You look around for any sort of hint as to where to go next. All around you the air hums with arcane magic from all of the schools, though necromancy does dominate.

“Ok this is risky” whispers Isla, “If we get caught...”

“We’re doing fine so far” says you mother, as you continue to watch the giants.

“This place is covered with wards” says Isla “getting out of here if we’re spotted will be a nightmare.”

Finally you spot what you’re looking for – a giant carrying a staff glowing with arcane energy, and carrying several books hanging from his belt, a wizard of some kind.

What do you do?

>Introduce yourself
>Sneak after the wizard
>Follow other giants (description?)
>Free the prisoners
>Other (what?)

>>40597579
>Sneak after the wizard
>Make sure to remember the path, so we can come back for the prisoners

>>40597579
>Sneak after the wizard

>>40597579
>Sneak after the wizard
>Make sure to remember the path, so we can come back for the prisoners
We have the Storm Node with us, right?

>>40597579
>Introduce yourself

>>40597618
We do, its only loaded with one storm right now though.

>>40597579
>Sneak after the wizard

>>40597639
We could make some storms if we had to. Hopefully the storm it has is enough to utilize it's mass plane-shifting ability.

>>40597675
>is enough to utilize it's mass plane-shifting ability
It doesn't have one.

roll me that 3d20 for sneaky please

Rolled 20, 17, 12 = 49 (3d20)

>>40597700

Rolled 16, 11, 9 = 36 (3d20)

>>40597700

Rolled 12, 10, 15 = 37 (3d20)

>>40597700

>>40597696
>>34033227
>They used spells that are similar to those in use today, but using the Elemental Nodes and suitable power sources they were able to transport hundreds, sometimes thousands of people across planes at once.
We used that ability during the Battle of the Island of Storms.

>>40597775
No we didn't. We used Sireyi Planar Shift spell.
The Storm Node might be able to do something like that, but we haven't unlocked that ability, there is a list of what we can use it for in Sireyis charsheet.

“Let’s follow that one” you say, pointing at the wizard.

“Right behind you” says Syderis.

The three of you stay hidden in the shadows of this dimly lit mine, always keeping the wizard in sight.

He seems to be some kind of authority figure: he inspects carts full of stone, pokes and prods the slaves, and barks orders at some of the giants.

Eventually he leaves the main cavern. You follow along behind him until he reaches a small cave with a door. As he opens the door you get a look inside: it seems like a typical wizards study. A messy desk and piles of books, as well as half-finished magical knick-knacks fill this space. The giant enters and shuts the door behind him. At the base of the door it doesn’t line up perfectly with the rock, you could probably squeeze in without having to open the door.

“Ok, now what?” asks Syderis “we go and question him now that he’s alone?”

“Or we wait until he leaves and take his books” suggests Isla “I could probably shrink them down.”

“We wouldn’t know if we had what we needed” argues your mother “we need to talk to him directly.”

“He probably won’t be friendly” you muse.

What do you do?

>Talk to him
>Use spell/power (what?)
>Wait until he leaves, steal his stuff
>Other (what?)

>>40597808
>Wait until he leaves, steal his stuff

>>40597808
>Talk to him
>In Half-Dragon form

>>40597808
>Wait until he leaves, steal his stuff

>>40597808
>Sneak in
>Anti-Magic Field(R)
>Restrain him
>Start questioning

>>40597808
Seconding>>40597883

>>40597844
>>40597883
Not sure using detectable abilities in an enemy stronghold is a good idea.

>>40597906
I considered that, but in the end I figured its worth the risk to know the things he might be able to tell us.
We want to know a lot more things than just the soulsteel part, but yeah, its risky.

>>40597808
>Wait until he leaves, steal his stuff

ok, safe boring option it is

>>40597920
Hmm, maybe. And the spell is (R), if they missed a gate, they'd probably miss it.

I'd third it, but unfortunately, I spent too long contemplating.

>>40597947
I'm sorry Pally, I tried.

>>40597956
>I'd third it, but unfortunately, I spent too long contemplating.
M-maybe we can convince people to vote for waiting for him to return and ambush him?

>>40597808
>Wait until he leaves, steal his stuff
While knowing how to turn incarnium steel back into souls is our primary objective, we'll probably want as much info on them and their magic as we can get. We don't want them to simply come back and do it again, after all.

>>40597975
We also want to know why they overcame their dislike for dealing with gods and their followers to attack us at all.

>>40597985
So how do we talk to them about that?

>>40598008
I found it worth trying to restrain and question him, but I suppose we could play it safe and find a way out first and come back later to find out that part?

Or maybe...
WE ARE SUCH IDIOTS
I just realised we could have far more easily grabbed one of the giants that are currently with the Killing Frost. Thats way easier than infiltrating their plane and we would grab someone we know for a fact has a idea about why this attack happened.

>>40598036
We can do that when we come back.

Set a trap to lure one or two away, and capture them to question them.

>>40598057
Yes, buit we should have just done that to begin with instead of walking into the obvious trap.

“We don’t want to start a war here” you say “let’s just wait until he leaves, and then take what we need.”

“Alright” says Syderis “”We’ll do this your way, my dear.”

It takes a few hours, but eventually the giant wizard leaves his study on some errand and you all sneak in. With Isla’s help you start stuffing all of the shrunken items into the bags of holding you bought with you.

As you put each book in the bag, Isla casts some sort of divination spell on each one, growing increasingly frustrated each time she does so.

“What’s wrong Isla?” you ask

“It’s not here!” Isla groans

“What isn’t?” you ask

“How to make this metal” she says “my spell is looking for how to make the metal, it’s not in *any* of these books.”

“Well then” says Syderis “plan B”

Isla opens one of the books “maybe I can extrapolate *how* to make it from how it’s used” she says, skimming through the books.

“We don’t have much time Isla” you say “he could come back at any moment.”

“This won’t take long” insists Isla “there must be something in here I can use to-oh no....” her voice trails off.

“What’s wrong Isla?” you ask, as Syderis watches out for anyone approaching.

Isla shows you the page, something about using Incarnium Steel in conjunction with Abyssal Brass to- then Isla taps the passage.

“Most important secret of our people” you read “anyone who discloses it must die and those they have told me be hunted down and killed, lest the Empire fall.” Your heart sinks a little.

“If we find out how to make this stuff” says Isla sadly “and the *how* is probably in one of the books on his belt, then they’re going to come after us.”

“He’s coming back” warns Syderis.

Your mind spins through the possibilities, the risks of each one. With what you have Isla and Mili *might* be able to free the souls of your subjects trapped in the metal, or they might not.

You’re confident that together you can overpower one wizard, but if you take the secrets of this metal, you could have an invasion on your hands.

What do you do?

>Cut and run with what you have
>Wait for the wizard; take the books from hs belt
>Other (what?)

>>40598081
But where's the fun in that?

>>40598156
>Cut and run with what you have
This is a empire with hundreds of milions. If they invade Oreia ALL of our subjects will die.
Hell, I'd even rather vote for Mili reading the damn book before that.

>>40598156
>Cut and run with what you have

>>40598156
>Wait for the wizard; take the books from hs belt
We need to know.

>>40598156
>Cut and run with what you have

>>40598156
>Wait for the wizard; interrogate him.

>>40598156
>Wait for the wizard; take the books from hs belt

>>40598175
>This is a empire with hundreds of milions.
Did we ever get figures on their numbers in-character? Because it seems like more zeroes get added to the numbers every time it's brought up.

>>40598156
>Cut and run with what you have
Yeah, and now we found the obvious trap part.

>>40598156
>>Wait for the wizard; take the books from hs belt

>>40598219
No it doesn't? its always been hundreds of milions because thats the number Velya gave us.

>>40598156
>Wait for the wizard; take the books from his belt

>>40598219
>Did we ever get figures on their numbers in-character?
We did, literally the emoment we learned about them.
Actually its bilions, because the hundreds of milions are just the giants themslves, not counting their slaves.

>>40598156
>Cut and run with what you have

>>40598156
>Cut and run with what you have

>>40598156
>Cut and run with what you have

doing a runner it is, writing

“If we start a war, thousands will die” you say “we leave with what we have.”

You grab Isla and the books you currently have and hide behind the door as the giant comes in. As soon as his attention is once again firmly fixed on his current experiment you all beat a hasty retreat back to the central cavern.

“Wait Sireyi” says Syderis “the slaves.”

You look around the cavern from your hiding place: there are hundreds of giants here, and around the same number of slaves.

As much as you want to save them...maybe you are unable to.

What do you do?

>Rescue the slaves (stealth? force?)
>Just leave (no rescue)
>Other (what?)

Apologies for short update, forgot to include this in previous.

>>40598347
>Just leave (no rescue)

>>40598347
>Rescue the slaves (stealth)

>>40598347
>Just leave (no rescue)

>>40598347
>Just leave (no rescue)

>>40598347
>Just leave (no rescue)
And give them a reason to come for us again and slaughter our people?
Sorry, but no. We made that choice already when we learned about them.

>>40598347
>Rescue the slaves
They're already at war with us and they're working with the Killing Frost. This won't change anything.

>>40598347
>Rescue the slaves (riot to cover our tracks)
or stealth. that works.

>>40598347
>Just leave (no rescue)
As sorry as I am.

>>40598347
>Rescue the slaves

>>40598377
We have no idea why they attacked us, for all we know it could have been a false flag by the LoL to get us at war with them.
Actually thats pretty likely.

Voting NOT to free the slaves?
Grow a spine, anon. You know Sireyi wouldn't just leave it at that.

>>40598398
We have avoided every possible risk, why should we change now?

>>40598347
>Just leave (no rescue)

>>40598347
>Rescue the slaves

>>40598347
>Just leave (no rescue)

>>40598347
>>Just leave (no rescue)

>>40598397
We saw them with the Killing Frost, and even if that's correct, they probably wouldn't go to war over a few hundred slaves.

>>40598347
>Just leave (no rescue)

no rescue today

>>40598415
Because it's immoral to simply look the other way? You aren't even doing a small thing like unlocking their chains and letting them do the rest while you leave.
Do you even paladin? Mili would be disappointed.

>>40598347
>Just leave (no rescue)

>>40598398
>You know Sireyi wouldn't just leave it at that.
She would.
She wouldn't risk the souls of the milion Oreian citizens for a few hundred.

The same reason why we didn't come for this place the moment we heard about it

>>40598435
So you assume. And just increasing their raids would be bad enough.
They can flawlessly bypass our sanctuary and murder hundreds of people without us even noticing.
I don't want anymore contact our struggle with them than at all necessary until we have dealt with the LoL or found a way to keep them out of Oreia.

>>40598463
Too risky.

>>40598463
>Because it's immoral to simply look the other way?
You do realise we already did that before with this plane when we visited it the first time?

And you consider it moral to sacrifice the lives of the people of Oreia just because so Sireyi can feel good about herself?

>>40598482
How do you know they'll just attack?
Seems like they're just raiding. If they could afford to go to war at a drop, they'd probably have just attacked already, and wouldn't be allying with KF.

“I’m sorry” you say with a shake of your head “we can’t.”

“If we don’t save them now” says Syderis “their souls will be consumed to make more-”

“I know!” you whisper harshly “but I have an entire nation of people to look after mother! You said yourself that these giants killed their own gods – do you really think I can take on their entire empire single-handedly.”

There’s a long pause whilst you and your mother stare each other down. She gives in first.

“You’re right, I’m sorry” she says looking away “I just-”

“I know” you say “I want to help them too, but we can’t, not right now”.

The three of you sneak back to the portal, which Isla briefly reopens, and you all escape.

Over the coming weeks Isla reads through all of the books you’ve taken, discovering many of the secrets of the Sakheran, but not how to free souls trapped in the metal they made.

In that time you suffer no more raids from them, that you’re aware of.

---

And that’s it for the main quest, please wait patiently for Mini Paladin.

>>40598582
>How do you know they'll just attack?
>Seems like they're just raiding.
Their last raid cost the lives and souls of a hundred people. How is that not already bad enough exactly?
We don't know why they even attacked us to beginw ith despite their dislike for interacting with gods.

>>40598468
A way to keep them out of Oreia would be to set all inter-planar transport magic in our Sanctuary as evil, but that comes with it's own set of problems.

>>40598596
>Over the coming weeks Isla reads through all of the books you’ve taken, discovering many of the secrets of the Sakheran, but not how to free souls trapped in the metal they made.
I'm tempted to ask for a vote on letting Mili read the rest of the book, in light of the new information.
I'm DEFINITLY bothered by just being timeskipped despite the fact there would still be stuff we could do about this in those weeks.

>>40598596
>but not how to free souls trapped in the metal they made.
So no progress at all.
Way to go, anons.

>>40598624
>I'm tempted to ask for a vote on letting Mili read the rest of the book, in light of the new information.
I'd rather wait until after the hiatus to start something like that.

>>40598596
>Over the coming weeks Isla reads through all of the books you’ve taken, discovering many of the secrets of the Sakheran, but not how to free souls trapped in the metal they made.
I realise its a update before hiatus, but since anons had several more ideas how to get more information, it seems a bit odd to just be told we can't do more about it.
If I had known we don't get the option to explore different avenues, I would have voted for ambushing the wizard.

>>40598641
Its better to get this done and over right now. The hiatus will be much longer this time.

>>40598596
>that you're aware of.
That just means it's totally still happening wherever we turn a blind eye to for long enough, and our people are dying by the hundreds. Great.

>>40598596
And that's what you get by not committing to anything and trying not to take any risks.

>>40598641
>I'd rather wait until after the hiatus to start something like that.
I dislike being told Sireyi just waits weeks sitting on her hands not doing anything about the souls of her people being trapped.
Its not like Isla researching is the only thing we could do in that time.

>>40598667
It'll be the same choice, now or then.

>>40598686
Wasn't even talking about that part.

Very well, would you like to take an in-character vote to see if you can find out how to free the souls by other methods, including having Mili read the rest of the book (assuming Sofia agrees)?

>>40598676
Nah, fuck off. The reason we did that was because other options existed. hell, the moment we found out Isla can't do it with the info she had, we could have gone in a second time with a better plan to prevent them from finding out we did it.

>>40598697
Absolutely

>>40598696
I wonder how many people will remember this thread, though.
>>40598697
Sure

>>40598697
Nah, whatever, I never liked those demons anyway.

>>40598697
I'd rather wait until post-hiatus. I've had enough of stressful votes for one day, and it doesn't make any difference.

>>40598697
Yes

>>40598697
Yeah, its what Sireyi would do.
As player I realise it comes down to the same thing as taking the book, but Sireyi doesn't know it.

The trick here was obviously that the Killing Frost/LoL told the giants we have their secret and this raid was to find out if we do, to make us go there in the hopes we would give the giants reason to invade us, because otherwise they want no trouible with gods.
As long as we don't do anything about it, the giants will stay away, the moment we free the souls, the LoL tells the giants thats the prove.
Its all rather transparent, but nothing much we can do about it.

ok, writing out another update, please wait patiently

>>40598697
Yeah, I can not have Sireyi not do anything about it for weeks.
That seems like a absurd notion to me.

>>40598746
I suppose a option should exist for Sireyi to try reading the Tome herself, or a line making clear we can't/can, since some people brought that option up and we don't know for sure if its possible.

>>40598697
Yes.

>>40598613
I don't think that will work. Keeping out evils tuff should have kept the giants out to begin with.
Apparently they have some ability/magic to completly negate our sanctuaries effects.

>>40598784
IIRC, the tomes can only be read by one person before disappearing. It should have tagged Mili as its only possible reader.

>>40598808
I still think that was loophole exploitation.

>>40598824
Given the motivations of the person that wrote them, I don't think it would attach itself so completely to the first person to read a part of it, though the magic does fade after it's been read all the way through.

>>40598824
We know the books can only be read full one time.
We do not know if all the information in them can only be read by one person.
Its 'likely' but we don't know, so I find it might as well get a line adressing that.

So what DID we learn about the giants and their magic from the books anyway, even if it isn't the knowledge we were specifically looking for?

>>40598824
It's possible that just the magic in the pages Milerna read is gone.

>>40598847
>>40598853
Does the parts that Mili read still exist or have they disappeared too? Because if the book is still complete, that would be a serious design flaw; everyone could read it all except for the last page.

>>40598847
>I still think that was loophole exploitation.
Can't be, Sireyi and Isla both know all the loopholes, and they had no explanation how they did it either.
Its likely Pally just handwaved it to make the narrative work, but IC we still need to do something about it.

>>40598847
>Given the motivations of the person that wrote them, I don't think it would attach itself so completely to the first person to read a part of it
Since they were actually all intended to be read by the same person, the write wanted to make a arcane educated superman afterall, its actually very likely it would attach itself like that.

>>40598877
The knowledge you read gets put into your head per enchantment, I don't think most of the info in the book is actually physically written into it.

Whilst Isla reads through the books taken from the Sakheran wizard, and consults the mages guilds across Dahandran you try your own methods of finding out if you can free the souls trapped in the Incarnium Steel.

You could try experimenting with it, trying to free some of the souls through trial and error. Aboswe and Isla could certainly help you out there.

You could organise another raid into the Sakheran plane, risky though that might be.

You could try reading the Tome of Necromancy yourself (or have Isla or Mili read it) – you’ve no idea if its effects are now restricted to Milerna or not.

You could also try something else.

What methods do you try?
>Trial and error
>Another raid
>Read the Tome (who?)
>Other (what?)

Pick any and all that you want. Some will be covered in an update in this thread, some will be post-hiatus.

Those that gain half-or more votes will be used. If the Tome wins an overall vote but there is no clear winner on who reads, then a follow-up vote will be called for.

Voting time 10 minutes, but may be extended depending upon write-ins.

>>40598910
>Another raid
>Read the Tome (Mili)
There we go

>>40598882
>Since they were actually all intended to be read by the same person, the write wanted to make a arcane educated superman afterall, its actually very likely it would attach itself like that.
It's also a pretty big design flaw and I can't see much reason to magically lock them like that.

>>40598910
>>Read the Tome (Mili)

>>40598910
>Have Jal try to find out if any of the envoys to the giants are wizards
>Ask Syderis to find planes that are reguarly raided by the giants, maybe we can grab one of them there
>Read the Tome(Sireyi tries, if it doesn't work, ask Sofia about Mili)

>>40598910
>Read the Tome (Mili)
Isla already read a tome. Let'd not stack them all on her.

>>40598910
>Trial and error
>Read the Tome (Mili)

>>40598910
>Another raid
If Read the Tome wins, I'd like to count as a vote for Sireyi, but I don't want to be considered a vote for the Tome in the first place.

>>40598910
>Trial and error
>Read the Tome (Mili)

>>40598910
>Trial and error
>Read the Tome (Mili)

>>40598929
Its not a flaw at all, you assume he WANTED them read by a large number of people.

>>40598910
>>40598940
seconding

>>40598910
>Read the Tome (Mili)
I think this is our best chance of success and advanced us down a path that Mili has been doing well at

>>40598910
>Trial and error
>Read the tome (Sireyi)

>>40598910
>Trial and error
>Another raid
>Read the Tome (Mili)
Everything, Pally.

>>40598929
Without locking the tomes, everyone could read them and share 95% of the knowledge in them.

>>40598910
>Trial and error
>Have Jal try to find out if any of the envoys to the giants are wizards
>Ask Syderis to find planes that are reguarly raided by the giants, maybe we can grab one of them there
>Read the Tome(Sireyi tries, if it doesn't work, ask Sofia about Mili)

>>40598910
>>40598940
Second, though people seem to be more obsessed with Mili getting the tome, so it's unlikely that the actually pretty decent write-in options are going to have a chance.

Faggots.

>>40598942
Literally nobody has brought up giving the tome to Isla.

>>40598910
>>Read the Tome (who?)
Milli. She is the only one who has shown an affinity.

>>40598993
>Literally nobody has brought up giving the tome to Isla.
Pally did. It's in his post.
And the write-in is shit.

>>40598910
>Read the Tome (Mili)

>>40598993
>Literally nobody has brought up giving the tome to Isla.
Pally has, actually.

>>40598910
>Trial and error
>Another raid
>Read the Tome (Mili)

>>40598910
>Have Jal try to find out if any of the envoys to the giants are wizards
>Ask Syderis to find planes that are reguarly raided by the giants, maybe we can grab one of them there
>Read the Tome(Sireyi tries, if it doesn't work, ask Sofia about Mili)

>>40598910
>Read the Tome
Mili

>>40598882
>Its likely Pally just handwaved it to make the narrative work, but IC we still need to do something about it.
QM fiat in order to give us an overwhelming reason for Mili to read the tome.

>>40599048
>QM fiat in order to give us an overwhelming reason for Mili to read the tome.
That seems implausible, he could have done that from Mili PoV far easier.

>>40599058
This is the only way that wouldn't involve him breaking Sireyi's character, and Mili can't access the Tome without Sireyi at this point.

ok, closing vote and attempting count

>>40599072
Considering that reading the tome comes with a huge upsetting of the balance of Little Paladin Quest, since it makes Mili absurdly powerful, I kinda doubt that he wanted her to read more of it at this point.
And other ways existed. Mili could have asked in Mili PoV and Isla pointed out that having incomplete knowledge is dangerous and so on.

>>40599084
Reading the Tome is the only thing that won due to samefagging driving up the vote numbers, thankfully.

What the fuck were people thinking voting for Trial and Error...

>>40599072
>This is the only way that wouldn't involve him breaking Sireyi's character
It involves however Sireyi needing to force her own wishes over Sofias, again.
Which isn't exactly a ideal state of affairs, esier ways to do that would have existed.

>>40599129
I'm sad the "look for alternative ways to grab a giant wizard" didn't win, it was the best option if the necromancy tome doesn't have the answers.

>>40599129
>What the fuck were people thinking voting for Trial and Error...
>"If I add Trial and Error when I vote again for Mili reading the Tome, it looks less suspicious than adding an additional > before the vote."

>>40599129
I'm still chuckling at the 19 votes we got.