1: You'd be better off staying put and preparing. Don't wake focks

2: Assuming you don't wanna just ask Serah what she wants, I'd go armor on.

3: Again, Dotti should get to choose, but if we have to then I say anthro.

>>1093157
After taking a work shift to think it over, yeah, I'll go with Himitsu's plan.

What if Dotti dug a small tunnel, just big enough for a fairy and fox? The elves know someone is using the bunker, but not how many. The two smallest could hide in the tunnel, with the entrance hidden by some loose rocks, and then be free after the rest of the party is captured. How hard would it be for a fox and fairy to sneak through elf territory?

If Serah's armor is going to be confiscated anyway she should wear it for a more favorable first impression.

If not digging let Dotti rest, full strength for whatever happens.

>>1093165
Doubling down on this, can Kayk shapeshift into something cat-sized?

Very sound thinking.

I still remember the old ways and ancient wisdoms
"Thou shalt not split the party" was one of the main commandments.
But...
Even in defiance of this, it may be a good way to put some vulnerable people out of reach,

Unless the elves have better detection magics than we have obfuscation magics...

Alternatively, if we want less people captured, they could just hide here until the Censors leave. Buuut I favor not splitting the party, tbh.

Wait a second. Let's see if I have this analyzed properly. What they know is that somebody busted in here. What they don't know is how many have. So. Hide everybody but Rae in the tunnels. She achieves her goal of finding her bro. Everybody else is undetected, just as planned.

>>1093266
Theyll know by basic tracking theres more than one non elf here.
Some are going to have to be caught so they dont search too hard for others who hide.
If they only find rae, theyll know for sure

1/2 Raelynn 2024/06/23(Sun)19:47 No. 1093319 ID: 9f8647
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The party is going to be captured. The question is, how do I prepare for that?

I briefly consider asking Dotti and Landi to hide in the bunker in a tiny fox tunnel. While it’s impossible to hide Kayk’s arrival even with my skills (try covering up all of those broken tree limbs on touchdown), it’s trivial to hide Landi and Dotti. However, if Dotti or Landi are spotted skulking around our warcamp, my people will shoot them full of arrows without a second thought. Dotti might be able to escape with a good deal of luck and illusion magic, but Landi isn’t good at stealth at all, and I don’t trust her to coordinate with Dotti in a pitched fight without resorting to her summons, which will draw even more attention. I decide to tell Serah to keep the party together, come what may.

I can’t wait for my Circle to find me. I can’t come crawling out of this hole looking like a weakling. If they’re going to take me seriously, they need to respect me as a threat. That also means keeping them off-guard. I know for a fact that none of them have seen an anthropomorphic fox spirit, so I’ll tell Dotti to take her half-human form. What she wants is irrelevant; what matters is making sure she plays her part and doesn’t get trapped in a warded cage.

Speaking of playing her part, it’s time for Dotti to do her digging duty. I get up and walk over to the napping fox and kneel down. I don’t need to wait for if Landi can get Pierre or Kayk through the portal; if Dotti takes too long to dig through, none of that will matter.

“Wake up, Dotti,” I command. “We need your help.”

Dotti’s ears perk up. She gives a big yawn and rolls over. “M’tired. I’z cozy. What help?”

“I need you to keep digging through to the other side of those tunnels,” I say. “We need you to-“

“Sleep!” Landi interrupts me.

“What?” I hiss.

“We need you to rest up and be ready to dig as hard as you can,” Landi says. “You’ve had a big couple days meeting Petra. We gotta rest up while we can.”

“Just because you’re a lazy fairy doesn’t mean everyone else can slack off,” I snap at Landi. “You don’t know what’s at stake. Don’t make me go to Serah over this.”

Dotti looks up at me, to Landi, and back again.

“Okay,” Landi says. “Let’s go talk to Serah, then.”

Dotti looks to me, and… there’s fear in her eyes. Why is she afraid?

“Fine,” I say, turning on my heel. Dotti curls up in a ball and nods off again.

Damn it, Landi! You’re going to ruin everything. Like always.

2/2 Raelynn 2024/06/23(Sun)19:48 No. 1093321 ID: 9f8647
File 171919732974.png - (80.26KB , 560x483 , LF8 10.png )

I explain to Serah that my people respect warriors, and that we’ll need to present ourselves as capable, competent threats, and not pampered nobles. She should show herself as a dangerous adventurer, and we shouldn’t come groveling out of the bunker begging for clemency.

“That means I should remain in my armor, even for diplomacy,” Serah says. “Landi, if you would?”

“One wardrobe change, comin’ up!” Landi swaps out Serah’s dress to her armor in a waterfall of sparkling dust.

“Thank you, Landi. Now… If we follow your advice to its logical conclusion, we would need to have Kayk in her true form as well, so we would present a more dangerous threat. Unless we leave the bunker now and have Kayk transform (and potentially reveal our position to the Censors), then the only realistic way to have her transform without being attacked is to get her into the tunnels in her lizardfolk form, then leave the tunnels somewhere else, have her transform outside.”

“I’m confused,” Landi says. “Couldn’t we just… you know… fly away once she does that?”

I pause.

“Raelynn?” Serah asks. “Would we be able to escape, if we do as Landi says?”

“Yes,” I say softly. “We would probably be spotted by a scout when we leave the tunnels, but…”

“Unless one or two of your Circle’s scouts are enough to ground a dragon,” Serah says, “We could take off if Kayk transforms quickly. Would a scout shoot to kill targets of opportunity, if they were obviously trying to leave?”

“Yes,” I say quietly. “They’d shoot you, Serah. Or Pierre. Almost certainly.”

“I’ll ask Dotti to make Pierre invisible, then. She should be able to handle a single person well enough. Can your Circle’s scouts pierce Dotti’s illusion magic?”

“I…” As much as I trust Serah, I’m not comfortable telling a human noble our military capabilities. It’s just not done. “I can’t say.”

“You can’t say? Or won’t say?” Landi shoots back. “Rae, what’s your problem? This is Pierre’s life. If Dotti can’t protect him, just say so, and we’ll make other plans so he doesn’t get fucking arrow’d. This is important.”

“You don’t understand!” I say, voice rising. “Of course it’s important, but this isn’t about Serah’s silly dress, Pierre’s uselessness, or Dotti’s bleeding naptime. This is the first time I’ve been in my people’s power for years. You don’t get a say in this!”

What am I even doing? They don’t need to be here for this. In fact, Serah has a point. They should just fly away and leave me to solve my problems my way.

Yes, that’s the way. Landi won’t ruin this. Serah won’t make it about her. Dotti won’t cause any chaos. Kayk won’t get her family involved. Pierre won’t need protection.

This is something I need to do myself.

It’s for the best.

You have one chance to change Rae’s mind.

You should answer Serah's question, Rae. Your friends have done more for you lately than any other family.

Screw honor.
Your brother is planning to summon soul-devouring demons. If he has his way, he'll raze the kingdoms and forests into deserts as if they'd never existed. If you seriously think he'll duel you in a fair fight, I have a bear claw I'd like you to stare at.
This is war. And no hero has ever won a war alone.

You will die.

Objectively speaking, trying to do this by yourself won't end in any other way. You are not good enough to deal with your brother on your own under the current circumstances. You might be able to beat him in a duel, and you could conceivably best him in a more tactically favorable position. Within the current set of circumstances though, there is no chance of you even possibly succeeding.

He has the home-field advantage. You may have lived here once, but any information you have could be out of date.

He has followers. Not only that, but opposition to his reign has been silenced. You will not find allies among your people.

And if we're being painfully honest, he has already won the mental game. He's in your head without even knowing it. With your mental state the way it is, you won't be able to fight in top form. Your weakness will not go unnoticed, and it will be taken advantage of.

It may sound cruel, but these are the facts of the matter. You are not good enough by yourself.

Your allies have their faults, granted, but they introduce uncertainty to the situation. Your brother and his followers will need time to determine how to deal with them. They might make the wrong choices with some, having to improvise in the face of the unfamiliar.

Your brother and your people know you, at least to some degree. Just as you will anticipate them, they will anticipate you. If you go in by yourself, you will lose the information game. With your party however, it may just give you enough of an advantage to turn the situation around.

Let me reiterate: Going in alone is suicide. You have no advantages in the current situation, whereas your brother has many. Your current party, for as obnoxious and disastrous as they are, are currently the only advantage you have.

Do NOT overestimate yourself.

Dont forget that while it is dishonorable for you to reveal elven secrets, your brother is doing something far more dishonorable by summoning demons for power, and potentually ending the world.

even if they were to leave you to solve your problems yourself, who knows what Pierre's bad luck might do to the party if you aren't there to protect them.

Consider that the reason why you need them with you is because they've had your back when during your own hardships. Youve had their backs all this time, and you need theirs when you go face your circle and you brother.

Also think about the things Pricilla told you: "faith is a willingness to accept and move forward, even in the face of uncertainty. It takes bravery to have faith.” and "peace is often kept through upsetting means, and she (Eirene) understands that. Nature is violent, and it takes enlightenment to overcome it. Not everyone is enlightened."

I think this applies here too. You need to have the bravery to have faith in telling your friends the truth so that you may get their help for peace. And as Pricilla said, peace is often kept through upsetting means. Telling your friends about your circle's tactics and secrets is going to be upsetting, very upsetting for your honor as a member of the circle. But to prevent the demon summoning to protect the peace of the world, you'll have to make this sacrifice. Think hard about what matters here.

Not sure if Taranis can hear us from here since he's out keeping watch, but if he can, I would love for him to send Rae an emoticon of a symbol of the Church of Eirene, and/or a dove or something. Remind her what really matters for the fight for peace against your brother's action.

Raelynn, I think you’ve grown too accustomed to being the straight man while Landi rambles nonsensically. So accustomed, in fact, you’ve been blinded to the fact that right now, those positions have reversed. You care about your friends! Ditch the whole “emotions are for the weak” facade for a second and THINK! These people have zero clue about this whole thing with your brother because you’ve been so cagey about the whole thing. If they knew, they wouldn’t abandon you if you PAID them! They’d be by your side helping you deal with your problems like you’ve done for them COUNTLESS TIMES because they CARE about you! Himitsu is right in that you cannot do this alone, but even if you could, you shouldn’t HAVE to.

Just for posterity, let’s go over your current plan.

1) Send your friends away without you with limited information. (They could die. I’m 90% sure you’re confident that unless you spill what your people are capable of, at least one of them WILL die.)

2) Confront your people, alone. (Couldn’t they just refuse you an audience with your brother altogether? What if they kill you on the spot?)

3) Confront your brother, alone. (See >>1093326)

4) P-Profit? What happens once your brother is defeated? Will you be stuck in elf land rebuilding society or something? That sounds like strenuous busy work you would HATE! “OhHhHh I have one gajillion contingency plans to delegate that to someone capable or whatever” FINE! But you’re still resigning yourself to a life hovering over their shoulder paranoidly ensuring that they don’t take the same path as your brother, miserable in the forest forever, with no way to contact Serah, or Kayk, or ANYONE! Your friends!

In conclusion, this whole plan of “I’m going to push away everyone close to me and completely disregard their wellbeing and my own.” Is NONSENSE! So snap out of it, RaeRae!

These are your friends Raelynn, they'll help you, if you let them. Tell them what's going on. If you try to do this alone you will fail, not because you are weak, but because no one is that strong! It's pushing allies away that is a weakness. Trust them the way they trusted you in guiding them here.

>>1093321
Hey, if you look weak, then they'll underestimate you. Your *brother* will underestimate you. Then you can kill him easier. Consider the surest path to success, regardless of your pride.
Also uh I thought we couldn't fly anymore due to the storm?

...say, if Serah gave you some potions, would you be able to keep them for the duel?

Raelynn 2024/08/18(Sun)19:36 No. 1096045 ID: 9f8647
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I don’t answer Serah’s question, even with Landi’s insistence. Serah’s gaze is icy cold.

Good. The more she distances herself from me, the better for both of us. I turn away and pace to the other end of the cavern, leaving them to sit in silence. I can feel their eyes on my back.

I need to do this myself. There’s no one else who can handle the responsibility without getting hurt. I’ll be doing them a favor, sending them away. They’re not ready for what it means to be captured by my people. I can’t tell them my plans- they’d insist on staying to protect me, as if I’m some child who needs watching over.

I feel a brush against my senses. Taranis. He’s sent me… an image? The symbol of the Church of Eirene. What does that have to do with anything, other than that she’s the only human who knows why I’m here, and why I fight?

That priestess doesn’t know anything. She’s a peace-loving weakling who lost a fight against Taranis. I can’t rely on her advice. I can’t just have faith. How can she possibly give me advice? What’s that worth, without knowing me, really? It’s worth nothing. Nothing at all!

I send Taranis back a mental image of a wall, telling him to shut up. He ignores me, and sends back an image of… myself? Huddling around a campfire with Serah, Dotti and Landi. Back from when he first met me.

Is he telling me to talk to them? No. Opening up to Serah, pouring myself out in front of these people, one of whom I’ve barely met… it’s not right. This is against everything I’ve been taught. I’ll never be respected again. It’s for their safety. They won’t listen to my commands. They’ll question me. Familiarity breeds contempt.

They’ll pity me.

No! I don’t need their pity. I’m no weakling. I’ve trained for this since I left. These last few months, seeking out the strongest to duel against. My new mutagen, sharpening my reflexes to react far faster than any normal elf, even my companions among the Circle. I can handle this, even if my brother has planned something I’m not ready for.

I’m strong enough to do this alone. My mother believed in me so much that she passed on when I promised her I would do this. I can do this, no matter what advantages my bother has, no matter how many followers he calls on. I’m not the weakling they cast out. I’m not!

But… no matter how strong I am, can I really handle anything? Do I really think going in alone is anything but suicide in the long run?

No! It doesn’t matter. I’ll beat my in the duel. I’ll… I’ll kill him. Take my birthright of Imbolc. Then I’ll be done. I’ll have proven myself, and finished things without revealing my secrets.

I just need to accept that I might die, that’s all. As long as I kill my brother and stop those soul-devouring demons, nothing else matters. Yes, that’s the most important thing. I’ve expected to die young, just like my father. Just like everyone else I’ve ever known. Do I really want to live a shriveled, decrepit life like that elf in the caravan I met when I was guiding everyone to the Terrorscale lair? A coward’s life, hiding from the world, separated from my people? No!

Focus, Rae. Focus! Get your thoughts together. You can do this. You can do this! You can do this!

I… I can’t do this. I know where it ends.

And… I don’t want to die.

I don’t want to die!

I don’t want to die!

This is all too much. I need to keep silent. I can’t break down. No, not now. I need to help Landi and Dotti figure out a way to get Pierre around the rocks in the tunnel so we can all escape into the tunnel system, and be ready for a fight.

Am I going to cry? I can’t cry. Not here. Not now. I need to stay focused, but I can’t. There’s this great, gaping wound in my chest and it’s ripping me apart.

I… feel so lonely.

1. Do I call for Taranis? I shouldn’t. I can’t! He’s our only scout outside this cavern. It’s foolish!

2. Please, Gods, ancestors, anyone who is listening… give me the strength to push through this. I can’t break. Not now.

Calling for Taranis will leave the party BLIND to the outside world.

Giving Rae STRENGTH will allow her to focus and motivate the party to immediately get into the tunnels. If Raelynn does not get the party moving now, they will NOT make it into the tunnels before the Circle finds them here.

However, moving into the tunnels and being on guard means that Rae will have no time to TALK...

>1 Do I call for Taranis? I shouldn’t. I can’t! He’s our only scout outside this cavern. It’s foolish!

don't call for him, keep him scouting. Also, he's already been helping you plenty with some advice.

>2. Please, Gods, ancestors, anyone who is listening… give me the strength to push through this. I can’t break. Not now.

That's what your friends are for, to help give you strength. You can't just rely on the gods or ancestors or spirits alone to help you here. Serah and her party grew stronger, braver too. They are capable to help you. Heck, they've already been helping you all this time. if it wasn't for Serah, you wouldn't have had been given that cat mutagen, or useful items like armor. and Landi and Taranis helped pull you out of your depressed state earlier.

Remember this: your old circle can't do everything on their own individually, they rely on each other to succeed. Even they know that teamworks helps them pull through. That's why you gotta do the same, but rely on your own friends in the adventuring party who stuck by with you for so long and helped make you stronger in their own ways to succeed against your circle and your brother

your friends are not as weak as you think they are. Pushing them aside is an insult to all the growth they went through

Call that bird. Get them in those warrens so Kayk can transform.

>>1096047

As he says, even your circle work together.
Despite his clains of personal strength, you dont see your brother running around on his own.
He has folk at his command...

And...
What is your party but a circle of another kind?
Perhaps even a better kind in a way.
Every member is here by choice and should one leave, the party still would look out for them.
It expects only honesty, loyalty and support.
It hever asks more than you are willing to give.

Your strength is theirs and theirs is yours.
Knowing this and choosing not to let them lend their strengths to the task is intentionally holding back on applying the fullest of your ability to succeed in your goal.

You don't need gods or ghosts to lend you strength Rae, you have friends. One friend in particular sees what you're going through and wants to be there for you.
Let the bird in.

>>1096045
1

Got a plan but you may not like how it goes. Since it's a huge bluff. Hide everybody but Kayk in the tunnels. Emerge with Kayk and have her go full dragon mode. Declare to the scouts that unless your bro accepts your challenge your dragon ally will burn his circle's territory until he does. He must face you in a place you both agree upon so that you can veto places that leave you at a disadvantage. General hope is he falls for the lie of using a dragon for harassing while underestimating you while you have equal footing.

It sounds like you need to hug a bird, Raelynn. Call Taranis in, and he will give you strength. Your friends will help as well. The major issue here is time. I really really really want Raelynn to express all these feelings with the group, but the circle is approaching. We need to get into those tunnels and at least far enough that they’ll lose you. Definitely find a spot for a RaeRae mental health stop ASAP, but we gotta keep the group safe. I can only hope you hold up ok till then, Raelynn. Hang in there!

>>1096056
This guy is right, being strong doesn't mean being alone. Let others be your strength today, and don't for a second be such a fool you think that means you're weak.

Raelynn 2024/09/22(Sun)13:34 No. 1097660 ID: 9f8647
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Please…

I’m trapped. Trapped in this bunker, trapped by fate, by circumstance, by my promise to my mother, by my obligations to my Circle. I’m not strong enough to fight. I can’t run anymore.

I’m terrified that I don’t have the strength to… do anything. I can’t even respond to Serah and Landi’s questions. This isn’t who I want to be- this isn’t who I need to be.

I see the bunker’s door in my mind’s eye. Taranis is sending me a picture- is he telling me to flee? No, he’s… I focus my scarred vision and peer through the solid earth to see my companion hopping on the other side. Did I really call out to him without meaning to?

I don’t care. Without a word, I stride over to the door and tap the sigil to unseal the concealed entrance just enough for him to enter. He leaps into my arms, a bundle of feathers thankfully not wet from the storm.

A wave of relief washes over me. I’m not alone. I have at least one companion, no matter how bad things get. He’s been there for me, and I’ll be there for him. We help each other, even though he’s not a elf of the Circle, and I’m not a bird.

“Rae?” Landi asks, fluttering across the room. “Are you okay?”

Maybe… if I imagine Landi is a tiny bird, it would be okay to ask for her help, too.

“No,” I whisper back. “No, I’m not.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

No. But…

“A bit.”

Serah joins us. A bigger bird, to be sure, but a stronger one. I think Taranis’s thinking might be rubbing off on me.

I tell Serah and Landi about my mother. About the war I trained for, about my greatest failure. The expectations I failed. My exile. My brother. The things he’s done, the lines he’s crossed. By the end of it, I feel empty, like I’ve been turned upside-down and poured the acid in my guts onto the floor.

I didn’t cry. That’s all that’s important.

Landi doesn’t judge. She joins Taranis and sits on my shoulder, tucking herself under my braid, sharing her warmth.

“Rae-Rae,” Landi says, “You’ve been carrying so much on these shoulders… Fuck, girl. Just… Dotti doesn’t know about the soul-devourers coming back, does she? This is gonna be a shock to her… Fuck.”

Serah, for her part, is even paler than normal. That icy stare is gone, replaced with a look of horror. Of course- it’s natural to be horrified at my brother, he’s-

“I’m so sorry, Rae,” Serah says. “I didn’t mean to suspect you. I thought… Well, you carried yourself so well, I had no idea you were suffering like this. If there’s anything we can do- anything at all- please, let me know, and I’ll make it happen.”

Now is when I have to fight back the tears. Thankfully, I do.

If I ask for help… what do I ask for?

>>1097660
Sudden realization. The Censors will want to stop the soul devourers, won't they? That would be a higher priority than retrieving their runaway. If we can somehow tell them about this crisis without letting them have immediate access to Pierre, they might call off the search in favor of squashing the devourer threat. Would the Censors be able to stop your brother on their own? Or... would you be able to work alongside them?

>>1097667

Honestly, there is absolutely something to be said for pitting the Censors against the Circle on this point. I don't know if we'll be able to pull that off now, but it can at least be a long-term point of consideration.

For now, you need a plan. If there's anything you can rely on Serah for, it's navigate social situations. Tell her what your concerns and expectations are for how your people will act, and ask her to decide for the group how you'll engage with them.

Ask for Serah's expertise and planning. Now that you're all on the same page you can get her opinion on how to proceed. An outside perspective never hurts.

>>1097660
Bravely done rae.

>>1097670
Agreed.
Fresh perspectives.
New vantage points to view the situation from.
Give that beautiful bird tanaris a scritch while you listen to their takes
Its good for both of you and he deserves it.
then you can decide a path with a calmer mind.

>>1097667
Corruption has consumed the Censor Church. They won't just 'do their jobs'. They could ignore the soul devourers entirely to continue pursuing the low-hanging fruit... or even worse, successfully capture the soul devourers and breed them to conduct human soul experiments.

Your objective should be to inflict conflict, as much as possible, between the elven extremists and the corrupt priests. Give the task of monster slaying to beings you can trust to do actual slaying.

Help getting everyone out of here, fast.

Raelynn 2025/01/13(Mon)00:00 No. 1102267 ID: 43bfa4
File 173675520823.png - (49.14KB , 600x550 , LF8 13.png )

“I don’t know how to protect you,” I say, voice hoarse. “My clan… they hate outsiders. Especially humans. They know we’re here, in this shelter, with a dragon- there was no way their sentries could have missed Kayk at full size, moving at that speed, even in this storm. We can’t leave now, with the Censors overhead. My clan will see that I’ve led you here- and drawn two Censor war parties on top of that. They’ll be out in force, and my brother… he’ll use this to build up his own standing by showing how we- they- need to bring every elf together against you, the Censors, a dragon…

I’m supposed to duel my brother to fix everything, according to Mom, even though… I was exiled, and… shamed, and… now I’ve brought so much trouble back with me. The second we step out of this shelter, either the Censors or my clan will be on us with drawn steel. And if we stay in the shelter, the Clan’s druids will summon miasma and call up the tree roots to incapacitate all of us. Serah, I… I don’t’ know what to do. I need your guidance. Please.”

Serah puts a hand to her chin.

“Why do you think your people would be so quick to assume you’ve betrayed them?” Serah says.

Ailín’s voice echoes in my mind.

What will you do, Ráichéalín? Share our secrets with outsiders? Lead them to our beds, as a traitor to your kin?

“I… I have,” I whisper. “I shared things I should never have. Our ways, our secrets, our plans. Serah, the things humans did to us… we swore never to trust you again.”

“Does your clan have magic that lets them hear and see us now, in this shelter?” she asks. “Perhaps Pierre’s anti-magic can block it, perhaps not.”

“No. The tree roots are only enchanted to let them know if the shelter’s in use or not, and the sector watchman will know if it’s scheduled to be in use by our people. Which it isn’t.”

“So since your clan can’t hear us… they can’t be one hundred percent sure you’ve decided to trust me, can they?”

“No,” I say. “I suppose not.”

A slow, sly smirk spreads across Serah’s features.

“Based on what you told me… your brother won’t be here today. He’ll want to build his reputation by squaring off against the Censors, at least until they retreat,” Serah says. “We have a dragon, and facing down against one is certainly a bold move. But we aren’t going anywhere until the Censors leave, and he knows it.

No, your brother will be using this opportunity to test you. To test if you’ve decided to let me in on your clan’s workings, and how much you trust me. He’ll do it by sending a lieutenant out, probably. Someone you know, who has an emotional connection to you, so they have a reason to not kill you by ‘accident.’ Then, your brother will ask how we as a party react to your clan’s tactics, and he will see if we take countermeasures against them. If we show signs of being prepared, you’ve clearly informed us how to fight back, and he has proof you’ve broken the code of silence. If we aren’t prepared, the ambush won’t go well for us, and your brother gets to capture or kill us as he sees fit. No matter what happens, he gets what he wants.”

“Fuck!” Landi groans. “We lose no matter what! I’m totally going back in a lantern, aren’t I?”

“Most likely,” Serah says. “Don’t lose hope, though. If we allow ourselves to be captured, and thereby convince Rae’s clan that she’s kept the code of silence, we keep Rae’s risk to a minimum, and they won’t know we’re working so closely together.”

“We can plan around their plan!” Landi gasps. “It’s like chess!”

“Exactly,” Serah smiles. “Rae, you said your clan will knock us out with miasma and bind us with roots inside the shelter. What if we leave the shelter immediately after the Censors depart, hopefully quickly enough that they don’t spring the trap?”

“Then my clan would know we have a way of seeing outside the shelter, and would assume we know they are outside waiting. They would resort to lethal force immediately because they would assume that the element of surprise would be lost.”

“So we should let Taranis out right now, before your scouts have a chance to arrive. Then we stay here a so long that it appears like we are waiting out the Censors, as if we are scared. That will lead to the miasma. Is it strong enough to knock out a dragon in lizardfolk form?”

“I… don’t think so. Probably not. It’s not lethal for humans, and my clan is immune. They’ll expect the hardier members of the party to be awake, but bound by the roots. They’ll bet that Kayk will be able to break free, and they’ll have all their efforts outside to bind her with more powerful spells that have line-of-sight, then try to mind control her once she’s fully bound, or failing that, knock her out. They won’t let her transform into her full size.”

“I have an idea,” Serah says. “They’ll notice I’m an alchemist. It wouldn’t be unusual for me to have basic countermeasures to miasma, either via potions or some mutagen they don’t know about. If you help me, I can prepare something for the party to take that’ll help us weather it. If I pretend to be struggling against the miasma, and the rest of the party acts as if they’ve fallen unconscious (except for Kayk), then I can put on a show of ineffectually fighting back and protecting Kayk, ‘affected’ by the gas as I am. That way they’ll be lulled into a false sense of security. A plan that goes too well isn’t very realistic, is it?”

“What about me?” I ask, confused. “What should I do? Should I attack you as you fight, as proof I’m still loyal to my clan?”

“I mean this in the best of ways, Rae,” Serah says, “But you would make a truly awful double agent if you did that. It would be incredibly transparent that you would be trying to get into the Clan’s good graces.”

“Very suspicious,” Landi says. Taranis nods in agreement.

“What’s more realistic is if you simply pretend to be affected by the gas, and let things play out. You would only ‘wake up’ when the fighting is done. That way you don’t have to commit to choosing a side, or risk being burned by a dragon.”

“But… you’d really be… out there with just Kayk,” I say.

“Yes,” Serah says. “Only Kayk and I can realistically resist the miasma, and you need to play the part of the conflicted-but-loyal exile. “I will tell Dotti and Pierre to act as if they are unconscious. It’ll be safest for them that way. Especially Dotti.”

“Serah… they’ll respect the fight you put up, but… they’ll... Serah, they’ll take your weapons, your armor… they won’t treat you like humans would, Serah! You don’t have to fight. Just pretend to be knocked out, and… and I’ll protect you and Kayk.”

That’s a lie, sort of. I’ve already realized I should be protecting Pierre and Serah first and foremost.

“This is my responsibility,” Serah says.

If I agree to this plan, Serah will be at risk of injury and will be treated as a warrior-prisoner, not a Lady. She will not enjoy it at all, no matter what she claims.

Do I agree to Serah’s plan? It’s well-thought-out, but it puts her at risk and I can’t do anything until the fighting is over.

1. Yes
2. No

Yes, go with Serah's plan

>>1102267
1

I think Serah’s plan is the only effective answer here. It’s okay and perfectly normal to be afraid, cuz this plan does involve a lot of danger. That being said, the best play here is to put your faith into Serah, and trust she can handle herself (alongside Kayk.) Serah is strong. Serah is resilient. Serah is clever. You’ve seen her exhibit these traits before, looking back. You’ve already trusted her with all this information and that’s a HUGE step! It’s amazing! From here, the next step is to trust that Serah can help you, if you’ll let her. You’re doing great, Rae Rae!

We're missing one thing. So what are we doing for a cover story since the elves will make inquiries? Gotta make sure our stories line up.

I still think plan: sneak out the back tunnels is better.

1) She's drawn up something that could outwit your brother, that's the best you've got.

>>1102272
1

1/2 Raelynn 2025/01/31(Fri)20:34 No. 1103134 ID: 833743
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I don’t like sending Serah and Kayk out to face my Circle alone, but they won’t really be fighting. At least, that’s the theory. I know them better than that, though… they’ll want to test Serah’s mettle. She could be really hurt, and she won’t be able to rely on Landi’s summons during that brief moment, or else my Circle would know we had time to plan ahead.

Serah’s plan isn’t safe, but no option is. It also gives me total freedom to operate by not letting my Circle know I’ve betrayed their confidence.

I…

I don’t want to think too much about that. I have to focus on what comes next. Keep moving forward, Rae. That’s how you’ll reach the end.

“I’ll go along with your plan, Serah,” I say, giving Taranis a stroke on the head for reassurance. “Don’t do anything rash… please.”

“That’s my job!” Landi chirps. “Hey, what if I buff everyone up beforehand? Give Dotti some magic armor so she doesn’t have to worry too much about being arrow’d? Think of how surprised everyone would be to see a heavy-duty magical-armor fox!”

“Can you actually Godmother a set of armor onto Dotti?” Serah asks, her eyebrow cocking.

“Well, no. That’s more of a Godmothering 301 class, you know? But I can still give her some magic force-shields that are kind of the same thing, right?”

“I… think my Circle would treat a fox spirit more cautiously if Dotti was in her anthropomorphic form,” I say. “We all know to kill a feral fox spirit on sight, but we’ve never encountered one stuck halfway between human and fox. One of my more spiritually-inclined Circle brethren would be very interested in her. Maybe I can ensure Dotti is treated well. Maybe.”

“Very good,” Serah says. “It will be difficult enough telling Dotti that we’re likely going to fight soul devourers similar to those that hurt Petra. We’ll want to keep her calm when she wakes up from the miasma, if at all possible.”

2/2 Raelynn 2025/01/31(Fri)20:39 No. 1103137 ID: 833743
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“Hey, this plan, Serah,” Landi interjects. “What happens after, you know, we get captured?”

“Raelynn will know what to do,” Serah says. “Past that point, there’s almost no ability to plan.”

“That’s not super reassuring,” Landi whines.

Serah looks like she’s about to ask me something, and I know what the question is.

Do you want us to put you in a position to duel your brother?

I don’t know. I… I’ll know if it’s the right thing to do once I see him again.

Maybe he’s not gone. Not yet.

“Planning too much might actually hamper our ability to improvise,” Serah says. “Taranis, I understand that you can communicate mentally over a certain distance. Can you expand that spell to include us?”

Taranis nods. Odin’s pleased with his work, apparently, and is willing to let the team be honorary tweet-ers.

“It’s limited to mental images and a few quick sentences,” I say. “And there’s a chance that if we communicate too much, one of my Circle mates who’s a diviner could sense Odin’s influence. It would be very small, but it would be there.”

“Then we should plan for emergencies,” Serah says. “Think of a signal that Taranis could give to Kayk to order her to transform into her full form, regardless of the risk. We’ll need that ability.”

“And me!” Landi says. “I can summon Big Sodium if things get real hairy. If I get the signal, I’ll do it, no matter how risky. I trust you, Rae.”

Those are good ideas for Kayk and Landi… I should think of an ultimate last-resort command I can give to Dotti, Pierre and Serah.

Choose one ultimate last-resort command for each remaining member of the Party. They will do it, regardless of the risk to them at the time.

Dotti: Unleash Abomination-Slayer stance, take as many of those soul-eating freaks with you.
Pierre: Push your power past its limits, disrupt like there's no tomorrow. Don't stop till you pass out.
Serah: Drink all the potions.

Considering Dotti is the most vulnerable among us I think her panic button needs to be for her to cause a distraction, something that won't get her killed but might pull heat off of everyone else.
Pierre, assuming he's not near Dotti, could try sucking magic out of any enemy casters. They won't know he can do it, so he should be able to get away with it. If this coincides with Dotti's illusion they might blame it on the illusion. Assuming they don't have anyone who can see through illusions... Actually, I wonder. Can Dotti create an illusion of something that could cause Pierre's antimagic effect? That way them acting in tandem would create a convincing threat.
Serah... uh, she'll be captured and stripped of her gear so she won't have any potions. I don't know what she could do, except maybe feign an illness? Maybe if Dotti creates an illusion of a monster, it could attack Serah, and she could play along?

>>1103162
What if she illusioned a soul devourer? That might cover for his draining.

As for Serah, if she could hide a potion or mutagen on her person. But even if it wouldn't be found in a search, what one potion would even make a difference?

Serah could full well have a mutagen up her sleeve, but even if she can, I’d like to propose a second emergency protocol for her. We need an “I have zero clue what to do next or have otherwise been rendered helpless, you’re in charge until further notice, Serah” button. Odds are we won’t even use this, but we’re preparing for worst case scenarios here. There may be a moment where Serah will have to take over for us in leading this mission, and if that happens, the transfer of power needs to be expedient. The emergency options for the others seem pretty well ideated upon, so I’ll leave those be for now.

Alright, here's the best I've got:

Pierre: If the last resort has come up, then the party has failed to keep you safe, and you are better off without us. Take the first chance that you can to run away.

Serah: Invoke whatever power house Kensington may hold, and make as many checks as your family can cash. Put whatever it takes onto the negotiation table if it means you get to breathe another day.

Dotti: Create an opening for Pierre to escape. Make the biggest spectacle you can with your powers, and demand the attention of every single elf in this forest.

>>1103544
Have dotties distraction purely illusory in nature as forest fires could go badly for all
All else sounds good.

Maybe include the tag in command option for serah as mentioned above.