Garrin 2023/04/02(Sun)09:39 No. 1060338 ID: 9b127b
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Garrin returns to find Reefa enthralled by some wild tale about violent vegetables, Vivian chattering away doesn't address on his return either.
He clears his throat to get their attention'Your highness Garcio will be taking over here, I have a crucial matter to attend to'
The Princess barely looks up 'Oh yes, of course. You are free to go'
The conversation continues as Garrin leaves, he nods to Garcio as he passes and the knight takes his seat.

Garrin grabs the small loiterer who squawks in protest 'Hands off old man!'
The knight looks down at the small man ' you've just been enlisted to the royal army.'
'What?!' the tavern goer gasps in shock.
Garrin plops a helmet onto his head, 'make the best of it.'

* * *

Exiting the tavern a heavy rainfall has started.

Get to Xiatzu, quickly. You may want to hurry inside given this horrid downpour obscuring vision.

Hmm rain. Never good. Means either romance or hard fight ahead. Unless our new ward secretly has the hots for us we're in for a big one. Welp to Verdant Field. Ask for the name of this new fighter on our side as you go.

>>1060339

Agreed. Let's go straight to Xiatzu without any detours.

Garrin 2023/04/12(Wed)17:55 No. 1061256 ID: 9b127b
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Garrin has to get to Xiatzu as quick as possible 'We must hurry soldier!' he states.
His small ally chirps indignantly'I'm not a soldier I'm Coi-Shi A mighty sorcerer!'

Garrin ignores his please and rushes forward.

* * *
The wind picks up as the storm grows heavy.
They have to cross Belgate bridge to get to the Verdant Field Inn

'Where are the guards?' a tiny squawk is heard above the wash.

A good question Garrin thinks 'I don't know...' The guard should be on watch all night, perhaps the took shelter in the tower but why then would they leave the gate open?

shortly after a second question is voiced'What's that light?'

Another good question'I don't know...' it might be a torch light, but there should be lights all along the building, could the harsh storm have blown the rest out?

there is wrongness here, but Garrin has precious little time to investigate.

Quickly, into the gatehouse for shelter and to see why the gate is open.

Ask if Coi-Shi knows any spells that could be of use in this situation. Like ones that would point out people or sense people or...fireball in case of emergencies. Depending on what he knows he might be extremely useful.

>>1061283
Agreed, this is smart

Try to get a spell list from Coi Shi while you move. Go inside, and try to get to the bottom of this without dying if you can.

Best case, it's nothing.
Worst case, the undead are attempting a preliminary invasion step. Perhaps by destroying the bridge.
It's worth investigating.

Garrin 2023/04/23(Sun)08:31 No. 1061960 ID: 9b127b
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Garrin hates shouting but it's the only way he can be heard against the wind 'A sorcerer huh?' Garrin is no novice to magic, he wonders if there's any truth to the scamps words.

the small Yengu screeches back 'Yes! I am lord an master of fire!'

'Ah an elementalist' this makes sense self trained sorcerers and battle mages flock to elemental powers they are destructive, flashy, and outside of causing large amounts of damage and spectacle they are largely useless.

Large waves crash against the bridge, the weather is starting to get out of hand... destructive and flashy, just the sort of thing a powerful elementalist could conjure.

Uh...have him cast a massive fireball at the building at the bridge then? Probably won't destroy it but it will mess with anyone hiding there waiting to attack. If it does destroy it well we're pretty high up the chain and can just blame our cameo friend on the action.

You should get a clear view of the situation before you go in and throw around fireballs.

Let’s not throw any fireballs just yet, but stay cautious. Maybe we could get Coi-Shi to use his magic to keep warm after being in the rain that’ll give him some use.

Garrin 2023/04/29(Sat)18:18 No. 1062360 ID: 9b127b
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Garrin Carefully enters the tower, a light shines from the floor above.

now out of the rain Coi-Shi conjures a spark of flame to dry himself off.

the wind and rain continue to howl.

Quickly warm up, then put it out. Don't want to get spotted.

I suppose we should sneak to the light above then as that would be where an enemy would be encamped.

Put that out, we need to move quickly and quietly.

>>1062361
Yeah, damp clothes might be bad for a fight, but an ambush would be worse. Go fast to get the worst of the liquid, but keep your head on a swivel.

Garrin 2023/05/12(Fri)15:43 No. 1063638 ID: 9b127b
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'Put out the light' Garrin hisses at his companion, the elementalist silently does so.

as Garrin reaches the ladder he begins to hear guttural mumbling, this bothers him for a reason he can almost remember.

against his better judgement he climbs the ladder.
as he reaches the top he is greeted by a face he could never forget.

'Second Acolyte.' the large face croaks, Garrin is unsettled that it recognizes him

but why shouldn't she, as a fellow servant of Kalez. 'fourth acolyte' he responds averting his gaze from Laterna's hypnotic lure

'You shouldn't be here.' she states.

'Neither should you, I thought you were banned from all cities after that tidal wave' Garrin retorts.

'things are different now' she states.

'hmmf.' Garrin snorts.

an uncomfortable silence follows

Things wouldn't be related to bandits attacking the city, would they? I am on a mission transporting... precious cargo and wouldn't want to lose it in the approaching storm. We insist that our plot takes priority, being second acolyte, and if this plot cannot be delayed, that we at least be told what to plan around.

Ask their business here and if they are why the guards are gone. State your business afterwards if things seem on the level.

>>1063657
We don't need to state our business in specific terms. Just enough to leave things as they are.

So are the top 3 acolytes the inner circle? How many acolytes are there? Oh, she's why the rain is so bad, yeah? What else... Her hypno-lure - that is likely why the guards are missing. What orders did she give? Should you be talking about this stuff so close to a non-acolyte (Coi-shi)?

Garrin 2023/05/15(Mon)19:21 No. 1063856 ID: 9b127b
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Of Kalez' five acolytes Laterna is by far the most powerful.

Garrin's eyes try to avert from the Lure but it's shine is oppressive

Laterna is the most powerful. between her mind molding and elemental destructive force she could easily be first acolyte if it weren't for a lack of control

Garrin tries to focus 'What ever task you are on, as second acolyte I must demand you end this storm, you could wash away this whole town!'

Mistress believes in me. Laterna states.
Garrin can't think, he can barely hear anything Laterna is saying, the rain is too loud it- the rhythmic rain! the sound It's dulling his mind... and yet it's so soothing... Laterna is the most powerful.

Laterna speaks again'Mistress says I don't have to listen to you anymore, why is that Garrin?' for better or worse Kalez is the only being Laterna fears.

>>1063856
Call your boss and have her fix this.

Because you need your ears cleaned, you soggy witch!
Where is Coi-Shi? We need a fish fried, stat.

SLAP YOURSELF AND FLEE! Once you're out of visibility continue this with yelling. How long ago did she hear from Kalez? We got a comm from her hours ago, she wanted this place unharmed! Our enemies have powerful mages. Her orders may have been falsified! Just illusions! Should she refuse to stop, get Kalez herself. We know she seeks to keep this bridge in one piece.

>>1063857
Right, because the last time we talked with Kalez went so well.

It's clear she's weaving some sort of pacification spell into the rain. Whether we try to fight her or negotiate, we need to take the rain out of the equation *now*. Maybe the firebird has some flame aura spell that would evaporate the rain before it huts us?

The lure seems to be the issue, so get rid of it. Rip it off, slice it, just remove the lure from the equation.

See? This is why we fireball the tower instead of investigate. Anyway retreat. Retreat with our bird brethren as quickly as possible.

We can’t flee we have to protect Xiatzu! Slap yourself once or twice and push Laterna back. Make sure to get yourself up from the ladder and invite Koi-shi up for numbers. Demand Laterna stops the rain at once or you’ll have to use force, you are on very important business after all.

Garrin 2023/05/17(Wed)20:07 No. 1063995 ID: 9b127b
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Garrin knows he has to get away from the lure, and from the rain... the washing sound of the rain.
He needs to flee get away from her power.

no. Xiatsu needs him if he runs the assassin will get to her... the assassin?
yes Garcio said she was being hunted didn't he?

Garrin squints his eye so he can't see the cursed light. the little yengu man, power to fight power.
Coi-Shi! I need your fire! Garrin can barely hear himself over the rain, the unending rain
the light shines through his closed lids, and for some reason he is less worried.

a sweet voice is talking to him now, Laterna is trying to get his attention, Garrin? Garrin are you alright?

Garrin opens his eyes and sees Laterna is still standing over him.
He looks into her soft gentle face, what was he doing here? he was looking for a woman, was it Laterna?

Garrin you need to focus, we're all very worried about you Laterna is very concerned and her kind bubbly voice is tinged with a rare sadness we're worried you don't like us anymore.

His mouth moves as if to say something, but stops. why does he have to be defiant or rude? his friends are just trying to help right?

Part of me wants to trust this fibsh, but now is the time for SUSPICION!

Boobs later swords now

>>1063995
Grab the lure with one hand (blocking its light) and pull down her shirt with the other.

>>1063995

WILL SAVE! Grab the lure and punch 'em in the mouth! You can do it, in spite of your countless failings that have taken place today.

Oooh. Ooh she's good. Using our one weakness against us. The ladies. I uh..what were we doing? Tugging at her clothes, right, yes. Show her that you like them still. I'm sure Coi-shi would say something if we were in trouble.

>>1064004
This, maybe we can use Lantera’s shock to turn around the situation.

Grab her tits! Stick your face between them! Boobs boobs boobs!

>>1064006
Seconding this, tell this fish to quit with the mind tricks right now.

Garrin 2023/05/25(Thu)09:43 No. 1064539 ID: 9b127b
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Garrin grabs Laterna's shirt she smiles warmly 'so you do want to stay friends? that makes me soooo happy!'

while preoccupied he quickly tries to grab the lure!
It slips through his grasp!
'Ah! no touchy!' Laterna cries, and before he can react Laterna's mouth clamps down on his arm and there is pain. immense pain.

In for a penny, in for a pound. Redouble the efforts to get that lure! Clearly we’re being tricked with an illusion since the bite marks aren’t matching up, so focus!

Call your companion for assistance if you get overpowered by her

Your senses are being tricked, but not all of them. Your sense of feeling is clearly still accurate. There's also clearly a mental fogging of some sort, as otherwise you would immediately deduce that this was an illusion.

Here's what you do. Close your eyes, throw a punch forward to try and free your arm, and then shout for your companion to launch his flames at the person in front of you.

Bad fishy! Go for a throat punch. Focus on your pain.

Well, if the lure is the issue take a page from Oglaf. Focus on the boobs, while ignoring the medusa eyes shiny lure. Lower your hood further if you have to do so.

>>1064547
I like this plan...but there might be a better target. Use the hood to cover Garrin's eyes and then grab the lure with his beak. His head's close enough that he should be able to bite it off before she intercepts it.

>>1064541
Get Coi-Shi to cover up the lure with his helmet!

Force face against the boobs to hide from the lure. Ask for Coi-Shi to help push her over but do not use fire on her. She still works for your boss and also you are very close to possible splash damage.