>>572142
Tell us about The Lady.

If she has such power to have made you, then it is odd none have heard of her.

>>572142
Nice, respond to horrible atrocities with more horrible atrocities. Very smart, that's sure not to backfire horrendously on you in any capacity.
In any case, there is a binary of outcomes to this, both culminating in death for everyone involved.
What would your grandmum think of this nonesense, honestly?

1/4 Mayli 2014/05/15(Thu)12:33 No. 574577 ID: 155119
File 140018241436.png - (164.51KB , 840x600 , 144.png )

>>572143
>>572144
>ignore Peller
>>572153
>would you die for Stalagmite

I'm not ready for this. I can't...

>"You are right. You can't. Give up, girl. Something involving this Stalagmite is troubling you, something you are trying to suppress. I do not know why, but I really would like to know what it is. Neither of you will speak, so I will find out on my own. If you surrender to your fear of me, I can dig the rest of my way into your mind, and it will be over. No more worries."

No, I'm not afraid of you, dammit.

>"Yes, you are."

No. No...

My sword flies out of your grasp, floats over next to him, and drops to the ground.

My heart. It hurts too much. I'm about to pass out.

>"Just stare into my eyes. This will not last long."

Big Boss, you have to do something. I don't know... what's happening right now.

2/4 Mayli 2014/05/15(Thu)12:37 No. 574582 ID: 155119
File 140018264150.png - (47.17KB , 840x600 , 145.png )

>"You know, Big Boss, what I said about our empire - there is more to it than you think. See, the weakness of us caler allowed our Lady to unite us so easily. She gave us something to believe in, an idol to worship, direction that our people have never had before. The destruction of this continent is not happening because our people want revenge. Instead, the Lady has convinced us that those who do not worship our idol are not fit to live, and that only caler are fit to worship our idol. Now you understand what Dyda Empire wants."

>As for the Lady, there is something different about her. I do not understand her, but she does not have the same reason for wanting what our people want. I believe that she is actually after revenge for the caler, but I do not know. Regardless, she does have a way to destroy all that populate this land. That is guaranteed.

>Hmm... This appears to be a city in some cave, probably in the Deln'r mountains. This girl knew enough about Dyda Empire to have a dream where we attacked. Interesting. The stalagmite in the middle of town seems important. Let's see what is inside."

3/4 Mayli 2014/05/15(Thu)12:38 No. 574584 ID: 155119
File 140018271014.png - (28.89KB , 840x600 , 146.png )

>"What is this?!"

4/4 Lumin 2014/05/15(Thu)12:38 No. 574585 ID: 155119
File 140018273391.png - (102.28KB , 840x600 , 147.png )

zzz...

LUMIN. Wake the fuck up and get to the council immediately, they're all DEAD and Mayli is in the clutches of some superpowered psychic who is in the midst of ripping the secret of Stalagmite out of her head!

>>574585
WAKE UP LUMIN! Mayli is in some deep shit right now at the council building and seriously needs your help.

The short of it is a large psion from the Dyda Empire is scouring Mayli's mind for information on Stalagmite.

So get your ass over there now!

LUMIN, ASS ON FIRE MODE, RUN LIKE THE FUCKING CLAPPERS. don't think just do. bust in to the council chambers and attack the big red guy.

*Tap face against face to wake up*

[bite hair, tug ] emergency! (share entire encounter) Get Domino and Veliss!

It might take some extra time to get Veliss but you need every advantage you can get. She's a mage, and might be able to protect you enough that we can do more than stand around paralyzed while he picks our brains.

There's also a good chance she's alot more sensible than anyone else we know. She did get herself a room and (hopefully) got some better rest than we did.

1/2 Lumin 2014/05/20(Tue)13:38 No. 575138 ID: 99747f
File 140061829480.png - (117.46KB , 840x600 , 148.png )

>>574586
Huh? Wh...zzz

>>574588
Guh, what are you...

>>574627
What?

>>574664
What?!

>>574821
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING?!"

>"Whoa, Lumin, what's wrong with you?"

"Fuck, this is bad."

I try to manage a whisper.
"Domino, somebody from Dyda attacked and killed the whole council and Mayli's in there!"
>"What now?!"
"Mayli and I - our cap crawlers had a mental swap again. Some kind of mage attacked and is rummaging through her mind right now and finding everything out about Stalagmite."
>"You can't be serious? What the hell are we gonna do?!"

Okay Lumin. Just calm down. You do better in these situations when you're calm.

Deep breaths.

Alright. You're gonna get her out of there.

"We're going to go find Veliss. A mage attacked, so she might know what to do."
>"She's at that inn not too far away, aint she? Let's go."
"Hopefully she hasn't left yet."

The two of us head over to the inn. We pass people cleaning up from the festivities last night and preparing for another night of them. This place won't be very festive anymore when everybody finds out what happened.

2/2 Lumin 2014/05/20(Tue)13:38 No. 575139 ID: 99747f
File 140061831417.png - (82.46KB , 840x600 , 149.png )

At the inn, Veliss is at the end of the bar finishing breakfast. I whisper to her. Dread grows on her face as I tell her about the council and about Mayli.

"What should we do, Veliss?"
She takes the last bite of her breakfast and appears to calm herself a bit.
>"Okay, we shall tell nobody of this yet. I have an idea. Lumin, that dream you had yesterday morning - tell me about it."
"I... No, it's too embarrassing."
>"Then just tell me one thing: was it related to the other dream you had, the one about Dyda Empire attacking Stalagmite?"
"Uh, yes actually. That was the worst part. The dream about us being attacked seemed to take place right before the dream that... I refuse to talk about."
>"I see. I thought that may be the case after you and Mayli said that you saw each other's dreams yesterday. Listen, Big Boss and Otacon clearly have some kind of mental connection. You may have actually been sharing the same dreamscape."
"Sharing?"
>"Yes, I think so. The chronology seems skewed, but I think you two were essentially sharing a dream."

Veliss gets off her bar stool.
>"Lumin, how much do you know about magic?"
"Nothing. I know nothing"
>"Then consider this a short lesson: It is easier to use magic to enter the mind of another when they are asleep. This mage probably put Mayli asleep before entering her mind. This means that Mayli is basically dreaming right now. If you go to sleep, Lumin, you might be able to enter that dreamscape because of the connection between Big Boss and Ocelot. You understand?"
"Maybe a little..."
>"Do not worry. Just find some place and go to sleep. Try to find that mage, and Mayli too. Do what you can in there to at least stall his progress. I have a plan for the meantime. Now do you understand what to do, Lumin? Same goes for Big Boss. We will not have a lot of time. If you have any questions or other ideas, tell me now. Otherwise, say that you are ready."

>>575139
>Otacon
Oops. Too much Metal Gear lately.

>>575139
Do you think the mage will suspect that Lumin is there to stall him? In other words, will it be obvious to him that we aren't just a figment of Mayli's subconscious but rather someone who figured out how to enter her dreams and stop him?

Is there any certain way we should act, just in case?

sounds like a plan, but you awake people should do things too.

1/2 Lumin 2014/05/21(Wed)12:35 No. 575226 ID: b22445
File 140070090994.png - (17.82KB , 840x600 , 150.png )

>>575150
"What if he figures me out, figures out that I came in to stall him?"
>"That is possible, but I do not know how likely. If you are worried, then just be careful, Lumin, and you should be fine. And act natural, like a normal part of the dream."

>>575154
"What will you and Domino be doing?"
>"Like I said, I have a plan for while you are asleep. But it's a secret! Do not worry, it will not affect you. Domino will help me."
>"Help you? Alrighty."

>"So are you ready, Lumin?"
"I think so. Is there a chance that I won't actually end up in the same dream as those two?"
>"There is always a chance, but I think the chances are low. Those cap crawlers seem capable of some amazing things."
"Alright, then I'm ready."
>"Finding a spot as close to Mayli as possible is a good idea I think."
"Should I plop down right next to the council building?"
>"Just keep from snoring."
"I don't snore."

Domino turns to leave.
>"Alright, let's go get that bastard!"
The three of us leave the inn and head to the council chambers, not a word between us. The foot traffic has died down and hardly anybody is outside; it clouded up and is about to rain. I find and sit down at a place near the building where I won't get rained on. I'm still rather tired from boxing last night, and it doesn't take me long to drift off after closing my eyes.

2/2 Lumin 2014/05/21(Wed)12:36 No. 575227 ID: b22445
File 140070097288.png - (4.17KB , 840x600 , 151.png )

It's pitch black. I can hear running water and the faint sound of a familiar voice.

>>575227
Whose voice are you hearing? Start walking slowly toward to source of the voice. Hopefully the voice is near a source of light, too, so we can orient ourselves.

>>575227
Fumble about blindly.

>But it's a secret!
Of course it is. The enemy is probing dreams for information, and we're entering the dream. If you knew, there's the chance we could give it away.

>Whose voice are you hearing?
And what are they saying?

>I can hear running water
What kind? Is it the trickle of a stream or a brook? A faucet? The loader rush of a river? Waves by the sea, coming in and out?

1/2 Lumin 2014/05/25(Sun)22:57 No. 575941 ID: 9cc7e8
File 140108384889.png - (16.58KB , 840x600 , 153.png )

It's a louder rush, sounds like the river that flows through the west side of Stalagmite. That must be where I am. But I still can't see a thing. I bumble around trying to make my way towards the voice, which is too faint for me to understand.

Okay, I can see some source of light now, coming from behind a corner near the voice.

"Who's there?"

>"Lumin, it's me."

Wait...

I turn the corner.

2/2 Lumin 2014/05/25(Sun)22:59 No. 575942 ID: 9cc7e8
File 140108394338.png - (123.30KB , 840x600 , 154.png )

"...Mom?"
>"Yes, Lumin. It's your mother."
"..."

She's wearing a smile on her face. And has a cap crawler in her head.
>"Heavens, Lumin, it's been so long since I've seen you. You've grown up. I wanted to see it."
"Mom, I have to go. I don't have time for... dreams."
>"What do you mean? What's wrong?"
"I have to go. I'm sorry."
>"But I'm not part of this dream, Lumin. It's really me."
"Stop it."
>"I have a cap crawler, Lumin, just like you. You heard what your friend Veliss said about you and Mayli's cap crawlers, about how they have a connection. Well mine just popped out of my head a few hours ago, Lumin, and now we have that connection too!"
"Mother, stop it, please."
>"C'mon, Lumin. It's true. We have that connection, and now I'm inside this dream with you. Don't you believe your mother?"

I don't understand... And I feel like I can't move.

>>575942
[lick the fake mother's eye. If that doesn't work, use a tooth bullet on the same location]

Guilty information. She couldn't have known what Veliss told you. Let's keep going, Lumin.

The problem is that Cap-Worms don't naturally have our look because we were granted a few things specially.

Who are you really?

>I don't understand... And I feel like I can't move.
Classic mental defense. Minds protect themselves. Mayli (or Pellar) is resiting your entry, by giving you a reason not to go deeper. Something that you want, that you wish could be true.

The only way forward is to deny her. It'll be hard and terrible to do, but minds don't fight fair. They hit right where it hurts.

1/2 Lumin 2014/05/31(Sat)16:37 No. 576677 ID: ec1b4b
File 140157947209.png - (122.60KB , 840x600 , 155.png )

>>575943
>bullet tooth
Wait, you don't have anything like that.

>>575943
>lick eye
I don't care if she's not real. I'm not going to do something cruel to my own mother like that.

>>575981
>So wait, not all cap crawlers look like you and Mayli's? How would you know that anyway?

>deny
"Mother... there's so much wrong here. And you're not even acting like yourself anyway. You would be more surprised to see me than you are. It's not you. I know it isn't."

She frowns. I shake off my hesitation and almost walk away when she responds.

>"You're right. Of course it's not me, Lumin. And you know that it's your own fault, too, don't you?"
"Yes."
>"You want to believe that it's really me. You wish it were that simple, for me to have something that would just lead me to you."
"Why wouldn't I wish it were that simple?"
>"Because it's foolish. You know it's foolish, Lumin, to grasp at every possible solution, every possible idea that may let you find me. In the very back of your mind, Lumin, in a place with secrets that lie only with you, the disappearance of your mother still obsesses you. Every piece of information that enters your head, you immediately think about how it might possibly help you find me. Even when you aren't aware of it, it happens."
"Yes, I know. I know all of this. Stop tormenting me."
>"You're tormenting yourself. Lumin, what's the real reason you didn't want to take your father's locket?"
"...Because it's his. It meant a lot to me that he had it."
>"No. That's not the true reason."
"Alright... It's because I was afraid that... keeping a picture of you might cause me to forget what I'm supposed to be doing. It might cause me to stop with the mission so I can try to find you."
>"Where would you even look, Lumin?"
"I don't know! Just stop! I don't need this!"

I angrily rip the torch off the wall and start to walk away with it. No, I don't want to look at her any more. I hide it well, but what she says is true. Listen, Big Boss, if I ever try to look for my mom, no matter what reason I may have, then stop me. Please, I want to keep my mental health.

Just... gotta find Mayli. Don't think about mom. Don't turn around. Don't think about her. Just get out of here.

2/2 Lumin 2014/05/31(Sat)16:38 No. 576678 ID: ec1b4b
File 140157952967.png - (44.18KB , 840x600 , 156.png )

As I get further into town, I start to cool off from that ordeal. And I also realize that this is still the same dream where Dyda attacks our home. So me and Mayli are supposed to be sharing the same dreamscape, but does that mean that the same dream is supposed to happen in it every time? I just gotta get to the Column, the only place I remember seeing her in... this part of the dream.

I bypass all the commotion and approach the big stalagmite where the Column is. Okay. I peek inside to see what's in there.

There's some really huge guy. Oh no, that has to be him! But that means this worked then, right? That's actually him and not just me dreaming? How could I know for sure?

He's got his back against the wall and is staring at the Column. And he's huge! I don't think anybody else is in here.

What's the plan, Big Boss? We've go to handle this just right, and I'm not even sure what we should do exactly.

>>576677
We DO have a tooth weapon though. Mayli's worm has a long tongue, your worm has a tooth. This mind-swapping thing shouldn't be swapping physical abilities.

Sneak up then stab the fuck out of him before he can use any magic. What other plan would we have against a magic user? I'd like to save the tooth for a surprise attack. If your stabbing doesn't do the trick, try to goad him into getting closer. Then we can use the tooth when he thinks he's won.

>>576678
Can you get a better view of his face? Keep quiet and double check your surroundings. If he begins to react or takes notice of your presence, act as you would as a guard of Stalagmite, just following orders to protect the Column.

>>576680
See
>>564616
Pick one ability
Pick one cap crawler to receive the ability
>>564960
"It is a tough choice, I can tell. The tongue for Ocelot sounds like what you want most."

Stealth is the natural weakness of spell-casters, and in some cases just about their only one.
>>576681 seems like a good plan; if you go with that make sure to take the necklace off first. (No, you wouldn't be able to pass as them with it for reasons that we should probably talk about later when you don't need to focus.)

>>576680
No, that was one change between both crawlers, not one each.

>>576685
>>576684
Oh, so Big Boss has no ability. Nevermind then.

>How could I know for sure?
Well, technically, you can't. This is a dream, so perceptions are kind of suspect.

Lumin 2014/06/03(Tue)09:35 No. 576952 ID: 420292
File 140181333090.png - (28.17KB , 840x600 , 157.png )

>>576685
>necklace
I pull and tug on the necklace, feel around for a latch to undo, but I can't get it off. This happened last time, where it refused to come off my neck.

>>576681
Alright. The big stalagmite has 3 entrances, usually guarded of course. I loop around and check each entrance for anything notable and to get a better idea of what's inside.

So far, it just looks like it's him in there. He's just staring at the column, too. His back is pretty far against the wall for sneaking; I don't know if it would work. And I don't know if a head-on approach would be any better. Dammit, I may just have to go with somethi-

>"Good, we beat them here. Alright, Lumin, you know what to do when they arrive?"
"What, what the hell? Iona?"
What's she doing here?
>"Is something wrong?"
"Yes, what are you doing here?"
>"We were to meet here at the stalagmite. You better not be having second thoughts!"

Oh that's right. Iona and I are supposed to be traitors in this damn dream, and we're supposed to go to the column for her to destroy it. That's what happened in the dream the first time, and it's supposed to happen again. But that mage is in there this time.

Is there a way I could maybe use this dream Iona to get to him?

Sure, tell her that big mage guy is trouble and might ruin our plans.

yeah, she will see the big guy and we say he's trouble.

>>576952
I'm not sure if telling Iona that the mage is a bad guy is such a good idea. We're supposed to be betraying Stalagmite to the empire that the mage is from, after all. If you tell her this guy is trying to stop us, but then she sees that he is from the empire, it could easily backfire.

I would just say that the mage was sent to help our plans along and that we should go speak to him before continuing.

Say that you haven't been having any second thoughts but the big guy is deviating from the plan and wants to take the stalagmite for himself. Ask if she can try to talk him out of it while you check the perimeter (then sneak around the other side while they argue).

Lumin 2014/06/11(Wed)22:18 No. 578298 ID: a58cd9
File 140255033313.png - (38.23KB , 840x600 , 158.png )

>>577019
"Uh. No, I'm not having second thoughts. But, Iona, somebody powerful from the empire is in there with the Column. And he's going to betray us!"
>"What? That can't be!"
"It's true. I heard him murmuring to himself in there. He wants to gain control of the Column instead of destroying it so he can enslave this city."
>"But where would that even get him?"
Um...
"I don't know, Iona, but you need to get in there and find out. I'll stay out of sight in case you need backup."
>"You're sure about this?"
"I wouldn't lie, Iona."
She sighs.
>"Okay."

Iona rushes in there with haste. I loop around to the other side as quick as I can, leaning against the wall and waiting for an opportune time to attack. I can hear the mage's low voice.

>"This makes no sense. There could not possibly be traitors to this city that wish to help Dyda Empire."
>"Of course there are, now explain yourself."
>"Explain myself?"
>"You plan to betray the empire!"
>"What?! I plan to do no such thing!"
>"There is no point in denying it."
>"I do not need to defend myself to somebody in a drea- HACH!!"

I drive my knife straight into his back. He struggles and falls to his knees.
"It's time to let Mayli go, you bastard."
He elbows me off of him, sending me stumbling backwards. The mage turns around and speaks with the same low tone, as if he hasn't been hurt all.
>"And who might you be."
"The last person you want to piss off."
>"Hmm, is that so? Well, that was a good strike. I am losing a lot of blood."
"You need to let Mayli go. When we leave this dream, you need to let her go and get out of Terry."
He looks over at the column.
>"...Tell me what this thing is, boy."

>>578298
Haven't we said no enough today? Besides, it doesn't matter. It's about to explode. Actually, I wonder if we could further injure him by telling him to go touch it to find out? Then when it explodes he'll be right next to it.

Let's definitely say what it's not. It's not a weapon, so it's of no use to him.

>Tell me what this thing is, boy
A dream.

>>578327
best option

Tell him it's the source of our power, bonding to the race of he who last made contact with it.
Let him enjoy a last moment of 'awesome power'.

Lumin 2014/06/12(Thu)11:22 No. 578340 ID: ad11b5
File 140259733646.png - (36.58KB , 840x600 , 159.png )

>>578327
"A dream."
>"HAHHAHAH, that is a LIE! I know more about this thing than you, boy! I was just curious to see how much you did know."
"What do you mean you know more?"
>"Hehheh, you are clearly from the real world. But how do you know about me. I know I have not been caught."
"Big Boss here told me. Now why don't you answer my question?"
>"Big Boss. Are you saying that Big Boss is in your head now? Then your presence must be from some cap crawler related phenomenon."
"Answer my question!"
>"How interesting. Why do you wear Daya Empire's clothing, boy? I can see it, barely."
"Dammit, why won't you listen?"
>"You and the girl whose head I'm in right now, you both must be from this city, this Stalagmite. You clearly want to protect it. So why do you wear our uniform? Hmm, I think I understand. I believe that you know how weak you are. You know yourself to be a helpless fool, so unfit to protect your people that you may as well be a traitor."
"No, I'm not putting up with you anymore!"

I lunge at him and swing my knife at his throat. He grabs my wrist and stops me, squeezing it tight.
>"Big Boss, I have one final question. I want to know where you really stand with these people you are attached to. If it came down to it, would you let Mayli die if it meant protecting Stalagmite?"

>>578340
Of course not. Even if we determined that to be the best option, there is absolutely no way Lumin would heed us. So we'll go with the second best option, which is saving both Mayli and Stalagmite. Even if it means risking our life, it's worth a shot if it means keeping such a backwards-thinking empire from their violent and unnecessary goals.

You do get the whole physically attached part right? First of all we don't have a choice in the matter. Second of all they have proven themselves to be good people worthy of our respect. And third any time you get a choice like that from someone with a knife at your throat its no choice at all.

>HAHHAHAH, that is a LIE!
Well, no, it was a fun mix of literal non-answer and figurative answer. Because "A dream" is literally what it was, but not what he was asking. But at the same time, the spire is a dream- the dream of their city and their lives made manifest. Something they can't do without.

...dialog is completely wasted on this boob.

>Big Boss here told me
>Answer my question!
Um, we're not supposed to be here for answers. Or so you can accidentally let the enemy know more about our capabilities. And as for answers, I would characterize his "I know more than you" as a taunt to be ignored unless it's substantiated later.

>Big Boss, I have one final question.
Seriously, don't answer him. It's not worth engaging his stupid self serving head games. We've tried that already.

He doesn't get the luxury of knowing what his opponents are willing to do before they do it.

If he wants information from us, he has to give us some too. What does he know about the obelisk? (don't call it by the name you have given it)

1/3 Lumin 2014/06/23(Mon)15:25 No. 580413 ID: 4c09db
File 140356235818.png - (27.44KB , 840x600 , 160.png )

>"Tell me what Big Boss said."
>>578469
"Only if you tell me what you know about the Obelisk!"
I force my hand from his grasp and take a few steps backwards.
>"You mean the Column?"
"Ugh, why are you such a pain in the ass?!"
He stands up and starts walking towards me.
"Hey, get back!"
>"Have you ever heard the Legend of the Palace, boy?"
"What? Legend of the Palace? When I was a kid, maybe. What does that have to do with anything?!"
>"It has to do with everything."

Behind me, Iona touches my shoulder.
>"Lumin, what are you two going on about?"
"Not now, Iona."

Berrilik sighs.
>"Listen, boy, I am not interested in you. I am only interested in that worm coming from your head. Though it uses your brain, it is clearly much smarter than you, much better than you. You are simply its host. But inside this dream world, I have none of my power. And I found out plenty from here, so I am leaving. Do not expect to see your friend alive when you wake up. You should have had a better plan before trying to stop me."

He snaps his fingers.

2/3 Lumin 2014/06/23(Mon)15:26 No. 580414 ID: 4c09db
File 140356237824.png - (141.57KB , 840x600 , 161.png )

hm?

...Have we said before that we're sick of you?
Because it need be said, we're all sick of you.
Neat trick, shifting targets of your mind-dig.

Ok either something very bad has happened or he is messing with your head to try and get you to do something stupid.

Also the possibility that we still could be in the dream.

No idea what to do now. Nothing we have will work against a mage/psion.

Ignore him. or just do whatever you feel like doing. Punching him in the face, dancing because you can, etc, etc.
Point is, this sucker's harmless outside what harm any illusionist can do. And he's got to run out of power sometime. But since we're in the illusion, we've got nothing to fear.
And here's the beauty of it-because he can screw with us to the point of us not being able to tell dream from reality, he can't convince us to work with him. And he needs us to work with him, or he just gets stonewalled again.
He can't even threaten us with pain, because for all we know it's just an illusion. Can't kill us because he needs our co-operation.
In short? He's got a losing battle of fustration ahead of him, because he's good at the mind-shenanigans, but only has shock and awe to use offensively.

Okay first things first. Check your surroundings. Is anything out of the ordinary? Anything that might suggest this is all an illusion? If not, then its time to fight or flee. If this isn't a trick, then shit has gotten extra real, and could get realer if you don't act quick.

he doesn't know the other two were up to stuff. to get from the room to here immediately after waking up would have required teleporting. but why menace from over there? because he wants to scare you into a crying mess instead of actually trying to fight him. because if you try to fight him you will see it's still in the dream world. he probably just pulled us into his head where he has more power, but still not absolute power.

>>580415
His powers operate entirely on fear. Do not fear. He probably isn't even as big as he looks.

1/3 Lumin 2014/07/02(Wed)21:21 No. 582560 ID: 241798
File 140436129382.gif - (20.65KB , 840x600 , 163.gif )

I... couldn't save her? I seriously couldn't save her? No, Big Boss, you're right, this has to be more nonsense. Just an illusion.

>>580421
>trick
>>580424
>illusion
>>581076
>no fear

I stand up and start walking through the rain towards him. "I'm not falling for your tricks."
>"Heh, If only it was a trick. I wish there was more time to have fun with you and this girl. But no, I am too busy today, and it is time for me to clean up and leave. This is real, boy."
"I don't believe you."
>"Oh? Then I suppose the only way to convince you is to send you to the afterlife, where this girl is."
"I suppose so." I pull out my knife, gripping it tight.
>"Haheh, you think you can kill me?"

Before he can keep me from moving with more of his magic, I switch my hold on the knife and throw it straight at Berrilik's face. It goes for one of his eyes, but right before it hits, it stops, flips around, and flies straight back at me. With no time to react, I can only gasp as it pierces my throat. Blood starts flowing. I fall to my knees. Dammit, what other option did I have?

2/3 Lumin 2014/07/02(Wed)21:22 No. 582561 ID: 241798
File 140436132501.png - (229.12KB , 840x600 , 164.png )

The rains begins washing my blood away. I can't breath or stand back up. Why... I couldn't beat him.

>"Of course not, boy. I am not to be underestimated. As long as I know you are there, as long as I can see you, beating me is impossible."
He walks towards me, looking down.
>"Do not be so sad. When we march up to the mountains from that fortress south of here, the rest of the world will die a much sadder death than you. Goodbye, boy."

It's just a trick. Please let it be. This feels like I'm dying. This really feels like I'm dying, but I can't just let this happen. I... haven't even found mom yet.

3/3 Lumin 2014/07/02(Wed)21:22 No. 582562 ID: 241798
File 140436137690.png - (76.67KB , 840x600 , 165.png )

Wait. I'm... waking up again.

>"Lumin? Lumin, what happened in there? Hurry and tell me! Any useful info?"

>>582560
I keep forgetting to say when stuff is animated. Because this is animated and not just an empty picture.

Describe what happened to him. He will have a better idea what to look for than us.

As much as we might like to, do not go running to save Mayli. Unless we can find a way to negate whatever magic he uses we can't fight him yet.

While he gave you the oh I am leaving speech and such he revealed that he is very interested in the info you have and what we are. He won't risk killing you or her until he can learn what he wants.

So most likely he will try to take her with him so he can learn more somewhere safer. If you go running after him without a plan he will just have two prisoners.

>>582562
Berrilik was trying to uncover the purpose behind the Column in Stalagmite, through the nightmare Mayli and I had the other day. We were able to get him out of the dream before he could gather any useful info but he led us through another illusion as if I had awoken. Afterward he walks out of the council building with the head of Mayli. Please tell me that that hasn't actually happened. It was absolutely horrid.

We discovered that skull-hat mage is an overpowered asshole who is apparently only vulnerable to sneak attacks. Countermeasures to pursue: illusion detection, anti-magic, invisibility, ranged weapons.
So anyway, we learned that the Dyda Empire are mostly idiots with a few very powerful mages, they want to murder absolutely everyone else, and they have taken an interest in the Column.

>>582562
Their army is in a fortress to the south. Unless that was misinformation...

Also we'd better go check on Mayli.

>As long as I know you are there, as long as I can see you, beating me is impossible
Well, unless he's lying through his teeth to mislead us, his overconfidence just revealed a weakness. He's vulnerable to attacks he can't anticipate.

Lumin 2014/07/08(Tue)17:37 No. 583450 ID: 1dd632
File 140486622491.png - (96.57KB , 840x600 , 166.png )

"Veliss, what's happening?"
>"Please, I need to know if you found out anything useful."
"He... killed Mayli."
>"Killed?"
"He killed her, and then me. I don't know what's happening."
>"But was there anything that mage said? Anything that we can use?"
"He said they would march up from a fortress south of here."
>"A fortress? Ah, that is great, the exact kind of thing I wanted to hear! Lumin, Mayli is not dead!"
"She's not?"
>"I can explain later. We need to get to the council chambers right now."

She gets up and rushes to the doors of the council building. I don't know what's going on yet, but I get up and follow, jogging through the rain. Veliss cracks the door and peeks through it, then walks inside. I go in after her, closing the door behind me.

Mayli! She is alive! Oh, please let this not be another dream of some kind. Mayli's sword is in her hand, and her head is low.
>"He got away."
Veliss widens her eyes.
>"What? How?!"
>"I don't know! I did what Domino told me. I swung right at Berrilik's head the moment he moved, but he vanished. Right after that, the window there flew open."
>"Invisibility!"
>"Huh?"
>"He can do invisibility too! Damn that mage!"
Mayli scratches her head.
>"He was invisible?"

Veliss turns around with her arms crossed, angry.
>"How does he know so much? I know of three people who can do invisibility!"
Mayli puts an arm on her shoulder.
>"Veliss, are you going to explain all this to us?"
>"Yes, but... I need a few minutes to think. Where's Domino?
>"Peller is still alive barely, so Domino went to get a potion for him."
>"So one of the councilmen lived? I will check on him then. You should talk to Lumin. It seems he went through the most to help save you."

Veliss walks over and kneels down to the floor next to Peller. Mayli puts her sword away and walks over to me.
>"Is she right? You had to go through a lot?"
She looks real nervous.

Hmm looks like there has been a bunch of mind fuckery going on here. Who knows what really happened versus what was all a stupid illusion.

Until we can be certain the bad guy is not hiding somewhere listening in make sure to be careful with what sort of details you talk about.

So ask her exactly what happened first. We can compare it to what we thought we saw and check for inconsistencies. Then after comparing that with physical evidence left behind we can work on figuring out what sort of magic was used.

Also if you need to cry a bit and go on a hugging spree its ok. That whole thing was pretty traumatic.

1/2 Lumin 2014/07/16(Wed)20:31 No. 584407 ID: 1fbab5
File 140556786718.png - (95.23KB , 840x600 , 167.png )

I take a few steps forward and wrap my arms around her. "It wasn't too much. As long as you're okay."
She sighs.
>"...I felt so helpless. Usually, I don't hesitate to cut down such a nasty foe, but there was nothing I could do this time... Thank you, Lumin. And you too, Big Boss."
A few tears start falling from her eyes. I'm praying that this is real.

Mayli's right, too. We're far from done, but we wouldn't be this far without you. Thank you, Big Boss.

"You know, I never actually apologized for punching you so hard in that fight yesterday."
Mayli gives a nervous laugh.
>"Don't be silly. Heh, I stood nothing of a chance anyway."

Just before I start to pull my arms away, Domino comes through the door.
>"Uh, where's the big guy?"
>"Escaped."
>"You're jokin'!"
>"Sorry, but no."
Domino scratches his nose.
>"You guys havin' a hug?"
>"Yeah."

Veliss walks over, her face still angry.
>"This is a good healing potion you have?"
>"Some of the good stuff."
>"Where did you get it?"
>"You know... places."
>"Alright, hand it here."
Veliss goes over to the councilman and pours the potion into his mouth with caution.
>"Peller should be fine, but it will be a while before we can speak with him, especially since he lost so much blood."

2/2 Lumin 2014/07/16(Wed)20:32 No. 584409 ID: 1fbab5
File 140556793639.png - (193.14KB , 840x600 , 168.png )

"Veliss, I really need to know what happened here. I need the reality of this whole thing cleared up."
She still looks just as angry.
>"Ugh. I suppose you do, huh. What a catastrophe this has been. Alright, Lumin, Mayli, Domino, listen here and I will explain this situation."
She sets the potion bottle down and stands up, then clears her throat.
"Wait! What if Berrilik's still here. You don't want him to hear this, do you?"
>"I strongly doubt he's around. Trust me. Even so, I doubt I will say anything that he has not figured out already."
"Oh, continue then."

>"Alright. First of all, we mages theorize that dreams are not simply fabricated worlds that exist within our minds. Instead, they are actual worlds that our minds create and then enter. But others can enter them as well. This is usually done using magic, but it has become apparent that cap crawlers posses some dream sharing abilities. Berrilik used his magic to force Mayli into a dreamworld which he then entered. Lumin also entered that world using Big Boss. This, Lumin, you knew already. Here's the part you didn't know: when you and Berrilik woke up from that dream, you were not actually awake. You instead woke up into a dream that I used magic to create and send you both into. Remember how I said I had a plan? That was it."
"So... when I thought that Mayli was dead... That wasn't him trying to trick me?"
>"No. That was me tricking him. The dream I sent you into looked just like the real world, and that's what you both thought it was. Out here, I sent Domino to wake up Mayli. She was not dreaming for long. Instead, she was standing here, waiting for Berrilik to wake up so he could be stricken down."

Well... that sure is a lot.
>"Does anybody have any questions? If not, we need to think of what to do next."

Well we need to get some sort of protection from his mind powers. As it is if we run into him again we stand no chance.

After that we need to find more info about this Empire. He revealed a lot to us with the little he talked about so we know that they are only a threat because of there new Empress. So finding out more about her would be the next step.

So mage wards first and then information gathering.

>>584409
Okay, that makes sense. But there are some questions that I'd like to have answered.

1. Are these dream worlds rigidly subject to the same physical laws as the real world? Or can they be manipulated by the creator?

2. How exactly does waking up work while in a dream world? Death seems to be one option. But Berrilik managed to escape your world, Veliss, so there must be other methods for waking up. Or is it just that keeping an entire other consciousness sealed in a dream world is extremely difficult to maintain?

For future reference is there any way to tell if you are in a dream that looks like the real world? After that lets discuss how to fight against mages in general.

>>584409
whoops, I forgot to mention I made this a favicon. It's over in questdis, go approve or disapprove so lago can install/not install it

Lumin 2014/07/18(Fri)11:33 No. 584586 ID: 1fbab5
File 140570838812.png - (66.30KB , 840x600 , 169.png )

Mayli walks up to me and I turn towards her.
>"You thought I was dead?"
"Well... yeah. Berrilik killed you in the dream that Veliss made."
>"That son of a bitch!"
"It's alright, calm down!"

I turn back to Veliss. "Ok, how can we protect ourselves from Berrilik's mind powers?"
>"Honestly, I have no clue. Normally, being awake is all you would need. See, the primary theory that encompasses all magic states that everybody's brain has a field of energy around it. Magic is the ability to manipulate that energy to do different things. If you are awake and not using magic, then that energy sits around your brain and protects it from outside forces. When you use magic, or when you sleep, that energy is focused elsewhere; you become susceptible to mental attacks."
Veliss looks at the floor.
>"I do not think I have ever heard of anybody being able to pierce the field of somebody who is not asleep or using magic. I do not know what to tell you."

"Then how can we at least fight him?"
>"I'd say... stealth is the only possibility, attacking him before he knows you are there. That is all I can think of now, anyway. This is such a strange situation. One of the Unity's goals is to make sure that we mages uphold peace. The idea of actually fighting another mage... I am not much help there."

"Hmm. More on the dreams, then. Do dreamworlds have the same kind of laws as the real world, or are they different?"
>"They are vastly different."
"But can we manipulate the laws?"
>"As far as I have discovered, when dreams are shared, one person will fill the dream with random, familiar things. The only manipulation I have been capable of is changing who will continue filling the dream."

"Alright. How did Berrilik escape your dream?"
>"I am unsure. He must have found some inconsistency and was able to wake up."

Mayli is behind us pacing.
>"I wonder why he ran away instead of killing me."
>"Because that is what a weasel does when it has been caught."
"Is he really that powerful, though? Are you sure most of it wasn't just tricks?"
>"As far as I can tell, he knows more than any mage I have ever seen."
"Wow..."

"What can we do to tell if we're in a dream?"
>"If you do not know magic, then I think the only way is to enter an already existing dream knowing that you are doing so. This is not reliable, I know. Hopefully, I will be able to help you with anymore dream issues."

"We need to figure out who this Empress of theirs is."
>"Empress? It seems that the world has not heard of Dyda Empire, so I am unsure if we will be able to find anything on their leader."
"You might be right."

>BANG BANG BANG
Somebody's knocking at the door!
>"Hey, it's the doorguy. I was sick this morning. Anybody even in here?"
The door opens.
>"What in the..."

What's he looking at?
Please let him not start raving like a madman at stuff that isn't there.

>>584586
He's probably looking at all the corpses.

Hey, why couldn't Mayli have just killed Berrilik while he was still asleep?

Even if everything he does is just mental tricks he is still very dangerous. Maybe if we could figure out a way to give you our immunity it would help.

Ask the Door guy what he sees exactly. Just in case.

>"Hey, it's the doorguy. I was sick this morning.
YOU HAD ONE JOB DAMNIT!

Ok, the big problem is that that was just one guy and we couldn't do shit and there are apparently more of them. Then there's the fact that they have so much information about everything and we have jack squat.

Lumin 2014/07/21(Mon)13:05 No. 585149 ID: 1fbab5
File 140597312329.png - (63.71KB , 840x600 , 170.png )

>>584632
>stuff that isn't there
>>584634
>just in case
Dammit, I've been trying my hardest, but all this dream and illusion business really is too much! I don't want to have to keep worrying about stuff like this at every turn, but I guess you're right. I need to ask.

And you have a couple good questions too that I'll have to ask Veliss later.

"Wait, doorguy, what do you see right now?"
>"What? I... the council... how?"
Ok, I think he just sees the dead councilmen.
"The council was attacked by a mage. There was one survivor who we're trying to save."
>"Attacked? Why?"
"We're going to save this councilman, and he'll tell everybody what's happening. Don't worry."
>"You guys are crazy, I..."

He's backing away. It looks like he's about to turn and run, and who knows what will happen after? Damn, should we stop him? And how would we? He's on the other side of the room.

>>585149
Tell him to wait, we can't cause a panic! If he wants you to explain, tell him more. Just give him the down-low, leave out most of the details.

Also it occurs to me that the mage may have fled because we're actually still stuck in a dream and he's still trying to find out how much we know about Dyda. No idea what we'd even do to escape though. Hell, it's even possible that he got into our dreams when we were sleeping LAST NIGHT, and the council is still alive.

We don't need him running off and causing a panic but if he gets away there is not point in chasing him. If he does he will probably alert whatever the authorities are in town. Might be some misunderstandings if you just let him run for it.

Try to take charge of the situation. Tell him the mage just escaped and he needs to alert the local police so they can be on the lookout. Then tell him to run to the hospital as fast as he can to get some healers. We stabilized who we could but could use a proper doctor to make sure.

Do not threaten him or even get any closer to him. You want to make him realize you just got here first and are not the cause of this.

>>585149
Be like "This is your fault! You were supposed to be watching the door!" He will stop to defend himself from your accusations and you can explain.

a tongue to the eyeball will make him forget this happened.

>>585229
Ooooh, good idea.

>>585152
I feel that at this point it's best to just continue as though we aren't in a dream world, because that line of thought really has no end or solution.

If we are still in a dream, there's really nothing we can do to help ourselves out of it. And even if we manage to get out of it, the world we wake up in could also just be another dream world. We'll just be locked in dream speculation and paranoia and never get anything accomplished.

Lumin 2014/08/05(Tue)13:45 No. 588234 ID: 0a9472
File 140727154624.png - (60.02KB , 840x600 , 171.png )

>>585152
>>585256
Please... let's not worry about dreams anymore until it becomes a problem again.

>>585229
>>585231
You can't do that when he's on the other side of the room. And I'm not chasing him. He'll run off.

"Listen. We were the ones that met with Peller last night. You remember us, right?"
>"I'm not good with faces."
"Please. Stay here with us and we'll explain what happened. This is your fault anyway."
>"What? This isn't my fault!"
He takes a few steps forward and sits down at the table.
I give him a quick rundown, being thorough by showing our papers from Stalagmite. He seems to accept what I tell him, though he's still nervous.
>"So how is this my fault?"
"It's not. I just wanted you sit and let me explain."
>"Oh, well damn. But as the doorguy, I do feel somewhat responsible. I... I'll help you all if you need."

Veliss cleans the blood off Peller's face and leans him up against the wall.
>"Listen everybody, I don't know when Peller will wake up, but we need to figure out how to break this to the public without causing a panic. That is step one here."
>"Step one?"
Mayli crosses her arms.
>"Step one is stopping that bastard before he kills us all! He said that we'll all be dead in only a few days. We can't worry about stuff like panics. We have to track him down now!"
>"Mayli, please understand-"
>"No, Veliss, we don't have that kind of time. Everybody's here, the councilman is going to be fine, so we need to figure out how to get this guy already and then get him!"
>"We cannot go rushing into things..."

They won't stop arguing.

a panicking army is useless!

>>588234
Cut the shit, you idiots. Step one is preventing a panic so people don't start looting and rioting in the face of one guy slaughtering almost the whole ruling body here.
Step TWO is coming up with a plan to face off against OP wizardman, who has so far shown himself to be super fucked-up AND stronger than all of us combined.
Now calm down and let's THINK.

>>588234
Step one is scouting the enemy fort. We can do that without alerting the whole town.

>>588234
I have to agree with Veliss on this one. The "few days" thing was probably just a bluff to get US to panic and slip up with our plans. So, yes, let's calm down and just think things through before acting.

As far as breaking the news to the people of Terry, I think it would be best to call a town meeting. An emergency election of councilors should also take place at this meeting. The citizens Terry seem to value its community so I doubt breaking the news this way will cause a panic. Stationing some guards around the mass of people might be a good idea just for the worst case.

Lumin 2014/08/08(Fri)11:31 No. 588730 ID: 73ad01
File 140752270723.png - (109.20KB , 840x600 , 172.png )

"Mayli, calm down! I know you're probably angry and want to get this guy, but Terry in a panic would be the worst thing."
>"Ugh... okay. I guess I am pretty frustrated."
Mayli takes a seat.

"Veliss... why couldn't Mayli have just killed Berrilik when she woke up? He wouldn't be a problem right now if she had."
>"But then we wouldn't know where Dyda was, now would we?"
"I hadn't thought of that..."
>"Lumin found out that Dyda is supposed to be in a fortress south of here. Has anybody heard of such a place?"
Mayli perks up.
>"Oh, you mean Unstable Stone? It's a fortress south of Terry that takes about two hours to reach on foot. It was abandoned when I was a kid living here. I wanted to sneak out of the house and go explore it, but I never was able to."
"What's with the name?"
The doorguy stands up, still a little nervous.
>"It's always changing hands; you never know who's gonna be in charge of it at any given time. That's why it's unstable."
"So where exactly is it?"
>"You have a map? Any good map should have it marked."
I take out the map I left Stalagmite with. Yep, it's right there, just south of Terry. This must be the one.

>>588243
This is a really good idea.
"Somebody should go scout the fort. That, we can do without worrying about Terry."
>"Hey, you're right!"
Veliss smiles.
>"I say we split this into two efforts then: one that scouts the fort, and one that helps ensure the people of Terry stay calm."
"Not a bad plan. But who should go scout the fort, and who should stay here?"

>>588730
Lumin and Domino should be the scouting team, since Domino knows the area well and Lumin is a good fighter if things get rough. Mayli and Veliss are also probably the best of the four at keeping people calm and explaining the situation to the citizens of Terry.

Lumin 2014/08/15(Fri)16:15 No. 589583 ID: 14a6aa
File 140814450990.png - (152.96KB , 840x600 , 173.png )

"How about me and Domino?"
>"Me? You want me?"
"You know you're way around. I don't want to get lost."
>"Ha! Let's do it then!"

Veliss walks over to Mayli.
>"Are you alright helping me with things here?"
>"Yes."

"I think we have everything we need already. This is just going to be a scouting mission."
>"Then we should head out, buddy."
"Bye everyone. We'll be back."

As I turn to leave, Mayli puts her hand on my shoulder.
>"Be careful. Please."
"I will. See you soon."

Domino and I head out, making our way to the gates. The rain has stopped. I don't know if it will pick back up.

We leave town, headed south. I put on my clothes from way back in Stalagmite. My skin is kind of bright, and I don't want to be seen.

>"Ya know, this fortress is one of the last ones around up north. It's the only one in this region that you'll find on maps, anyway."
"I wonder how many of them are at this fortress. It wouldn't be much of an empire if they only had one fort."
>"I dunno, Lumin. The whole thing gives me nasty-sour feeling, though. And I never even saw that mage."
"Are you scared? Have you dealt with something like this before"
>"Well have you?"
"I've dealt with some stressful times as a guard, but nothing even close to this."
>"Hmm. I used to be kind of a coward. I imagine I'd be be pissin' my pants if this happened to my younger self. At this age though... I simply don't want to be a coward. But I do want to know one thing: If shit goes south, is it gonna be an every-man-for-himself situation, or are we gonna try and help each other even if it means them catchin' us?"

we're a team, and a team sticks together. especially since an army has enough guys that they can catch one and still have guys chasing the other.

>>589583
Lumin isn't the kinda guy to abandon someone to save his own bright skin. I would hope that you return the favor since it's certainly the best chance of survival for the both of us.

Lumin 2014/08/30(Sat)16:43 No. 591879 ID: a818e1
File 140944218072.png - (78.70KB , 840x600 , 174.png )

"Do you think I'm going to leave you to get killed?"
>"Well... Ya gotta watch out out for yourself, ya know?"
"That's not something I'd do. And it may not make a difference either way if they have enough people after us."
>"I s'pose that's true."
"You wouldn't run off on me, would you?"
>"Heh, in my younger days maybe."

The two of us keep walking south until Domino finally tells me that we're getting close. I see the fortress over a hill once we come upon it. It looks like a circular fortress with a large building in the back. I pull out my spyglass from Stalagmite and look at what we're dealing with.

"Wow, the Dyda are here, alright. It looks like they're on high alert, too. Berrilik must have come back and told them to start patrolling."
>"Hell, what do we do then?"

look around for any weaknesses in the defenses, a weak gate would mean a battering ram would be a good idea to bring, and so on.

>>591879
Your best bet is probably a sewer entrance. Finding our way through the sewers will be a challenge, but I think we can manage.