>>1105725
Do we have anything we can gift him?
Other than those raw magic crystals I can't think of a lot. We haven't really had the time to gather anything but raw materials for the most part.
And I hardly think he'd want any of those creepy idols we recently unearthed.

Muschio 2025/04/02(Wed)23:18 No. 1105751 ID: 46e818
File 174366108874.png - (15.19KB , 800x600 , 2288.png )

>"Ah, and of gifts, forgive me forgetting. I have something else for you here, with me, Prince.
>This trinket was difficult to acquire. I regret that in purchasing it, I was rewarding the man who'd plundered it. But I hope by bring it to you, that deed's evil is now lesser."

Muschio 2025/04/02(Wed)23:25 No. 1105752 ID: 46e818
File 174366155095.png - (16.66KB , 800x600 , 2289.png )

>"Here. I have it.
>This necklace belonged to your great, great grandmother. Pure, flawless platinum. The gem, I have heard, is green garnet -- your family stone, I believe.
>When your throne was lost, your castle was not officially sacked, but much went missing when Rimontaggio's soldiers and mercenaries stormed the grounds. History disappears into hungry pockets.
>I wish I could have salvaged more, but let this be a gift to the new Malto kingdom."

Ah, another gift to screen. It's probably safe to touch since he's touching it just fine, but I wouldn't put it on until one of our trusted mages examines it. Is it even your style to wear jewelry? Also I guess Finesse could check it for hidden mechanisms.

Thank him warmly, if you can remember enough to consider it genuine. If not, then I guess you'll just have to thank him amicably and admit you do not remember seeing it.
We really should give some sort of gift of our own at this point, what do we have that would be appropriate?

I have a bad feeling about this...

Does that thing spark any memories boss?

>>1105754
>>1105755
This man makes my skin crawl like crazy, but I don't think he's going start handing out poison or cursed jewelry.

>>1105752
It is...an incredible honor that you would think so highly of us. That must have cost a small fortune, for a man you last saw as a babe, without an army or even defined kingdom. One with only hopes and a few loyal allies. True, a few powerful beings that we either owe much to or will in the future, but who is to say what their desires really are?

In any event we thank you from the bottom of heart for this gift.

>>1105752
A Grant gesture indeed. But caution above all, be sure to take it with your wooden hand Boss.

It is possible that this man is exactly what he claims to be, and we're just being worried because we are surrounded by enemies and nobody has ever been this friendly before. Certainly not someone so rich.

Ask him, how did he hide his loyalty to your family? He seems to have done well for himself, and being loyal to a fallen king would have caused trouble for him.

Muschio 2025/04/03(Thu)15:50 No. 1105768 ID: 46e818
File 174372061382.png - (10.91KB , 800x600 , 2291.png )

E N O U G H.

Muschio 2025/04/03(Thu)15:57 No. 1105769 ID: 46e818
File 174372102227.png - (13.63KB , 800x600 , 2292.png )

I understand the importance of wariness. I know that I have foes to watch for, even assassins.

But dinner parties and hosting guests -- these are things expected regularly of nobility such as myself.

At the least, wait until we have been given reason to be suspicious. This man has been vouched for by Lady Mondegreen, verified by my own passing questions about her (which you insisted I test!), and warned only as generous and talkative to a fault.

If this is not enough to put me at ease, what will be? Wariness is one thing, but I simply will not survive jumping at every shadow. If I cannot sit calmly through a single dinner with a single puffy, loud old man, then my future rule will be difficult indeed.

These two have not yet given me anything but assurances of trust. I would not trust him with my life, but surely we can save our fears for when we have been given reason, not merely when an old woman helps her companion to some currants.

Well, ok then.

Does it spark any memories though?
It looks like the kind of thing youd have reached for as a child if being held while it was worn.

Oh, if he comments on or reacts to you psychotically staring into space for a moment, you may have to partly explain the orb and the shards.
So you dont look like a nutter.

>>1105769
Right. (I forgot we asked Mondegreen about him, so that would mean we're in the clear) So, do you remember it? And do we have anything to give in return? Such a gift cannot be accepted without *something* in exchange, even if it's relatively minor.

>>1105769
Introduce Finesse and Pendle
also, dang, were they so hungry they ate even the plates and cutlery?

>>1105776
They eat fast indeed ;D

Who could be afraid of dis fluffy boi accept his gift and hug him like a giant teddy

>>1105769
Well, the man has good taste in ladies at least, you have to grant.

Muschio 2025/04/04(Fri)14:57 No. 1105841 ID: 46e818
File 174380385545.png - (10.02KB , 800x600 , 2293.png )

"My apologies, Mr. Rabas. I was lost in thought.
I do not recognize the necklace, but I thank you for recovering it."
>"Ah, well I can't say if your mother ever wore it, but I know an heirloom like this belongs with its rightful owner, not some scoundrel who sacked the castle. I do wish I'd not had to pay him for it, but to see its reunion, a small price."

"Ah, and here -- I've asked two of my finest officers to join us for dinner."
>"A pleasure to meet you."
>"Good afternoon."
>"Ah yes, lovely! Greetings to you both!"

Muschio 2025/04/04(Fri)15:04 No. 1105843 ID: 46e818
File 174380426379.png - (17.89KB , 800x600 , 2294.png )

>"Prince, you certainly keep an interesting--"

>"..."

Okay, before he asks, Pendle was possessed by a demon but Muschio ripped it to shreds.

Finnie, what did you do.

Muschio 2025/04/04(Fri)15:07 No. 1105845 ID: 46e818
File 174380446687.png - (16.89KB , 800x600 , 2295.png )

>"...pardon me, but are you Finesse seng Barr?"

Barr was her father's name, wasn't it?

Ask if there's a problem.

>>1105841
Ask only that he shares the name of the cad at some point.
So you can treat him accordingly if ever you happen upon hi-
>>1105845
-...
Huh.
This is going to be interesting.
A loquacious fellow like this will have tales to tell and ive always been interested in finesse's lineage.
Lets see how this goes.

I think we're about to learn how old Finesse is

Also can we have a quick mental inventory of anything we could gift back to this guy? If he went through all that trouble to return a family heirloom we are bit obliged to give a reciprocal gift.

>>1105845
This is the first time he's stopped smiling since he got here.

What's with the expression, Rabas?
Did the Barr family fleece you in a game of cards or something?

Maybe she has a fan. Y'know on top of however many we in the vault count for.

>>1105845
Oh no!
Better hide the butter

Don't worry, Mr. Rabas. Finesse is madly in love with Muschio so won't ever do whatever it is you're thinking she might be planning on doing to Lord Muschio.

>>1105982
Some might say unrequited love is just as dangerous as hate.

Muschio 2025/04/09(Wed)14:18 No. 1106031 ID: 46e818
File 174423353466.png - (11.31KB , 800x600 , 2297.png )

>"...yes, that's me."

Muschio 2025/04/09(Wed)14:24 No. 1106032 ID: 46e818
File 174423385042.png - (15.92KB , 800x600 , 2298.png )

>"Oh, forgive me! I felt for a moment as though I'd seen a ghost!
>You may not remember me -- it's been an age -- but we've met before. It was in... Haliyesz-Carnin, I think. Pleasant little town, just outside Red Mesas territory. A tragedy what happened to it.
>I was just a young man, then. I was looking for someone who could fix -- I think it was a music box. So long ago, now. Damaged badly.
>You had it singing for me again by evening.

>I remember it even now, because of our conversation. Like a river, side to side, one way and another. You spoke of monster portals, and it caught my interest. I was a fish on a hook.

>My god, but you haven't aged a day! Good for you, my dear! Saghir!"

>>1106031
Y'know, it's presumably just a thing on our end, but we can't really see past this guy's glasses to get a good look at his expression, boss.
He's obviously a bit dumbfounded, but... in a good way? A bad way? It's tough to tell on our end.

Goblins can live a long time, we hear.
Oh, tell him you have a monster portal. You recently got someone a little different out of it.
...wait, Finesse is a monster portal expert?

>>1106032
Seconding >>1106035
Bring up finding a monster portal of your own, but gauge Finesse's reaction to talking about this. If she's uncomfortable with this topic try to lead the conversation somewhere else. Maybe bring up the amulet and ritual room you found.

>>1106032
A wise man once said,
"the eyes are the window to the soul"
It would be wise, to see what his eyes "say" while he prods for information while bringing up the past.

>>1106032
Hm.
Not unflappable but quick to recover.
Finesse was a good choice i think all the same.

I wonder how the song went.

Muschio 2025/04/09(Wed)18:12 No. 1106044 ID: 46e818
File 174424757733.png - (11.40KB , 800x600 , 2299.png )

>"No, I-
>I'm sorry, I don't remember. I'm sure it must have happened, but as you say, Carnin was... some years--"

>"Ah."
Pendle snaps to attention suddenly, like he's realized something.
>"Sir Rabas, forgive me if I'm out of turn asking, but as a lifelong traveler, you must be familiar with many folk religions... and in many smaller regional dialects, yes?"
>"Hm? Well, you must speak many tongues to truly take in the world as it is. I'm no true polyglot, but I've heard much."
>"Sir Rabas... ah... well, I'm not sure if I should ask, now?"

We want certain information about the Czar to spread. Tell Rabas about how that crazy tyrant has done things to his subjects, and how he's planning to use a religious object/ritual/symbol to do the same to everyone else. But keep the amulet itself a secret, at least for now.

>>1106044
Just ask for Pendle. Bring up the amulet and it's god.

>>1106044
Encourage Pendle to speak.

Normally Finesse's lack of memory could be concerning but it was probably more important to him than her. On the other hand I wonder if Mr Rabas was not being entirely truthful about why he recognized her? Eh, it's probably fine either way.

Agreed.
Pendle speaking here will be good.

As to finesse, if the topic rolls back to her, see if details of the job rather than the social situation spark a memory.
Finesse may be more likely to recollect a task over the person who brought it given her expertise.

>>1106044
Pendle already dipped his toe, he may as well dive in.

We may ask him; there are precious few people who could help us with such a thing.
On the other hand, he is rather talkative. Will he be able to keep a secret?

Muschio 2025/04/10(Thu)12:33 No. 1106062 ID: 46e818
File 174431363240.png - (12.64KB , 800x600 , 2300.png )

>"I... yes, very well, I--
>Have you heard--

>Hm.

>... Odu Rumux?"

I'm guessing Rabas has perfect recall. A blessing and a curse!

Pendle 2025/04/11(Fri)12:06 No. 1106108 ID: 46e818
File 174439841632.png - (8.50KB , 800x600 , 2303.png )

>"Are you making fun of me?"
"What?"
>"My hands??"

Pendle 2025/04/11(Fri)12:15 No. 1106109 ID: 46e818
File 174439891945.png - (10.42KB , 800x600 , 2304.png )

"Ah? No, I-- no, I'm asking about the deity we've all been concerned with. 'Odu Rumux'. It means 'A Speaking Body'."
>"No, it doesn't."
"Excuse me?"
>"No, I mean, in a directly literal way, sure. But it's only 'body' broadly. Together, it's -- it means someone who speaks with their hands."
"Ah??"

She pauses, considering.
>"A more accurate translation for Odu Rumux would be... 'He Who Gestures'.
>Or 'The Gesturer.'"

>>1106109
Okay so Finesse is familiar with the language. Well maybe you two together with Mr Rabas can figure out the thing.

...wait a minute, *we're* hands. Pendle, what's that name for?

Maybe we should have lead off with shield of comose
or, you know, ask everyone else here about these names before this point

Pendle 2025/04/11(Fri)16:21 No. 1106128 ID: 46e818
File 174441367625.png - (17.69KB , 800x600 , 2305.png )

>"My dear madam seng Barr.
>Please, never be ashamed of yourself. You are as god made you.
>As are we all."

Pendle 2025/04/11(Fri)16:21 No. 1106129 ID: 46e818
File 174441370055.png - (22.06KB , 800x600 , 2306.png )

>"And we are none of us made perfect."

Pendle, if you knew roughly the focus of Odu Rumux's attention at this point how would you go about verifying it? We have reason to believe Muschio is tied directly to the deity, or something in his bedroom at least. Many hands tore the demon apart when it attacked his mind as he slept.

>>1106129
who could harm such a beautiful man

Don't want to assume too much but it looks like his thick skull got into a disagreement with a blade once.

oh no he's hot

>>1106131
>"He Who Gestures"
>Many hands tore the demon apart when it attacked his mind as he slept.
Bro is absolutely not beating the godhead allegations.

I'm beginning to like him.
Not just because he chose to offer kindness and respect to finesse.
I mean, that did help a lot but, i'm starting to just want to hear him talk.
Guy could make narrating a shopping list fun.

>>1106124
>>1106140
In the battle against the demon.
Hands were the weapon that slew him.

>>1106129
Those are eyes that have seen stuff

>>1106129
Muschio, you didn't happen to bank that toy off is forehead on the way to the fire, did you?

Pendle 2025/04/14(Mon)11:30 No. 1106257 ID: 5dd6e5
File 174465540317.png - (14.03KB , 800x600 , 2307.png )

The hands... The Gesturer. The pit -- the mountain...!
"I--
I have to return to my work -- immediately. There's-- no, this is--"
The pain surges through my broken body and I nearly fall over, clutching at my wooden supports.
>"Pendle! Goodness!"
"It's urgent!"
Finesse helps me find my feet -- my foot -- and with a blurted apology to our guest I stumble off to my room.

>Prince Malto calls back.
>"And what's so urgent?!"
"I need to get my work in order. This is immense -- I must be sure!"

Muschio 2025/04/14(Mon)11:41 No. 1106258 ID: 5dd6e5
File 174465607132.png - (15.07KB , 800x600 , 2308.png )

>"There are fingers on the scales of the world, Prince!
>The gods themselves may be intervening on our quest!"

Muschio 2025/04/14(Mon)11:50 No. 1106260 ID: 5dd6e5
File 174465665115.png - (17.92KB , 800x600 , 2310.png )

>"Your friend may be correct, Prince."

...There's a lot we could say, but we've forgotten so much and I'm not sure what our position was anymore.

For now, Ms. Bojack is running with us. We start our communions from there, and see where they grow.

Well. Shit.

How can we make sure they tip in our favor?

>>1106258
Time to see if our guest can facilitate more contacts, so we can gather more intel. In both the material and the esoteric.

Take a gigantic bite of a stick of butter and say "Damn, that's crazy."

>>1106260
Has he noticed something else god-related?

Your friend is more than correct, prince.
Take into account everything we've learned so far about this god.
It's the god whom Red Fang thought would be the one to betray him, the god known for protecting the weak and ugly, the one who speaks in hands.
Whether you realize it or not, you've been following this god's ideals for a while now. Killing Red Fang, protecting the Timore Woodlands, and those hands you used- we used -against that demon. The abyss waiting for you within your own mind...
Muschio, Big M, I think this god might be much, much closer to you than you might think.
Very, very close indeed.

"My apologies ser. I had wished for you the chance to converse with pendle further, but inspiration calls. She is a capricious mistress but when her voice reaches you it is best to pay heed."
Or words to that effect.
I know hes already fine with it but formalities and politeness matter to those who warrant it.

Muschio 2025/04/15(Tue)13:17 No. 1106306 ID: 5dd6e5
File 174474824792.png - (17.13KB , 800x600 , 2311.png )

"Please forgive my friend. He's a man of great inspiration. When a fey mood strikes, it must be chased."
>"I understand completely, Prince. Especially where the matters of the Gods are concerned.
>...which brings me back to the matter of my gift."

Muschio 2025/04/15(Tue)13:18 No. 1106307 ID: 5dd6e5
File 174474829840.png - (6.87KB , 800x600 , 2312.png )

>"My helpers have gotten it into place, so I ask for your attention.
>Please, behold this tapestry, which I was able to save from the sack of Castle Piacevole!"

Muschio 2025/04/15(Tue)13:18 No. 1106308 ID: 5dd6e5
File 174474833079.png - (12.82KB , 800x600 , 2313.png )

The enormous tapestry unfurls, long enough to drape across the floor.

>>1106308
>>1106308
...Hmm. Might have to shorten the length of those... I don't actually know what they're called. Banner-holder tassel thingies.
Or better, hang it so that it's displayed on the ceiling, and you can look up at the art like in a chapel.

More immediately important, though, is the banner itself. The trees remind me of what we saw in your dreams, of what your ancestor saw on the warpath, but besides that, what is up with that striking flourish in the center? It's so vibrant to our eyes, a bright blue that reminds me of your hair, but More.

Distinct trees, must be a location of significance?
Regardless, a massive tapestry is just what the room needed, very cool.

>>1106308
Cool. What does it depict? Must be something important for us to see its color.
Also I guess we're gonna need to bring out a bigger ladder.

>>1106308
There's a blue halo that looks similar to the halo that demon had.

Rabas seems knowledgeable, ask him if the name "Ysir" means anything to him or if he knows where this location on the tapestry is. Might as well start with him trying to figure out what that dream from earlier was about. Especially with it taking place in wherever this tapestry depicts.

>>1106308
Is that a sigil? a rune?

>>1106308
You may have to stand and approach to take in the full effect. What gathers on the ground may be as important as the rest...
Until we have a wallspace large enough to fit.

Curiously broad trunked trees.
Distinctive.
If this is indeed a real place depicted thats going to be the first clue to location.
That is, if such a place even warrants investigation.
This is currently only an impressive gift.
It may hold more significance more than that already worthy quality.

Does it remind you of anything?

>>1106352
Blue like the energy that ripped the demon apart. If it was a demon, maybe what destroyed it and what's depicted here... is an angel.

The exact meaning of a symbol should be of lesser concern. The tapestry looks more like a divinely inspired treasure map!

Muschio 2025/04/16(Wed)14:32 No. 1106376 ID: 5dd6e5
File 174483913623.png - (13.37KB , 800x600 , 2314.png )

Those trees, that aperture in the hillside with the spears around it...
There's no denying it. This is the place I saw in my dream.

>"Remarkable, isn't it? It's a new tapestry. Mostly new. I would estimate two decades old, at most. I'm not sure it was ever displayed in the castle, given its fine condition."
"What is it depicting?"
>"Ah, this is a story told much where I'm from.
>The Miracle at Mudthrush Cave."

Muschio 2025/04/16(Wed)14:37 No. 1106377 ID: 5dd6e5
File 174483944971.png - (19.08KB , 800x600 , 2315.png )

>"Prince Muschio, your great uncle -- your mother's uncle -- Calvario, his name was.
>A vicious man, they said. Bloodthirsty on the battlefield. I met him once, you know, at a gathering. He was so fragile, so quiet. Nothing like his legend.
>Ah, but I forget my story!

>Calvario was chosen by the king to lead a military force and destroy a troublesome infestation of monsters at Mudthrush Cave. Rather, Ogres, it was, who had taken up home there.

>He and his men were ready to charge, but then -- ah, then! Just moments before the battle began, before his very eyes...
>The miracle.

>A brilliant blue flash.
>A divine light shone down on them from the heavens. And every man, to the last, stopped in his tracks and laid down his weapons, right there on the battlefield.

>That night..."

Muschio 2025/04/16(Wed)14:38 No. 1106378 ID: 5dd6e5
File 174483949358.png - (19.46KB , 800x600 , 2316.png )

>"They say he saw the face of God."

Ogres, huh?
We should ask Dompag if he knows anything about this event when we get the chance.

>>1106378
There's a lot of ways to interpret that. What god? A supreme being, or an embodiment of some aspect of the world? What did he see?

>>1106382
Sounds like a solid idea to me.

Boss, you know anything of your uncle Calvario?

Muschio, I... I think I understand.
We may have been a part of you once, but we may also have existed longer than that. Far, far longer.
Inherited by the Maltos. Passed through bloodborne contact.
The witch who cursed you... she didn't give a crap about a fallen prince. She wanted us. And when she realized we wouldn't go with her, she threw us back in your face.

>>1106378
Mudthrush Cave? We should go visit that place soon.
Hmm, why is the tapestry so long though? Half of it depicts the river. Is there some hidden information along the lower half? Or is that not a river, but a road leading out of the cave?

Hm.
Two decades old at most.
The subject a great uncle, matrilineal side, of fighting age during events.
Still doesnt narrow the time scale down too much, but even so, this is an old story thats probably holding on to being considered living memory by a couple of long lived species and stubborn elders.
A treasure of a gift indeed.

At least the name of the location is known.
For one thing, deific phenomena will be of import to pendle. Maybe enough to warrant an expedition. At the very least an additional direction to his research.

Oh, good idea.
Dompag may indeed have a take on it too.

This is one impressive gift. Just one glance and it's captured our attention. We ought to express our gratitude, before we go off diving into the investigative work of figuring out its implications.

Makes me embarrassed that we don't have anything nearly as thoughtful to reciprocate with.

Muschio 2025/04/17(Thu)14:43 No. 1106411 ID: 5dd6e5
File 174492619309.png - (13.30KB , 800x600 , 2317.png )

"What did he see?"
>"You'd have to ask him, I'm afraid! I only know the stories, and they mention the light."
"Is he still alive?"
>"I met him only once, and it was before the Miracle. There have been sightings, but...
>The story tells that Calvario and his men left the battle on the spot, and abandoned their entire mission.
>The king was furious at the news. He wanted someone to bear responsibility for the failed campaign.

>The story tells that some became wandering monks, proselytizers, ascetics. Others went on to live humble lives farther afield. As I say, sightings, here and there.

>But none of the men ever returned to Piacevole."

>>1106411
Hmm. I wonder if Ridder, having previously been a knight, might have some idea where the missing soldiers went. Or have his forces aid in scouting efforts to find the soldiers. We also have other groups at our disposal, more contacts we could use for info gathering to find a good lead.

Odd, almost every one of these strange dreams has something consistent to them.
Invervention, perhaps divine in nature.
A group of goblins stuck in a mine being saved by Baron Malto, perhaps even the followup with finesse is a part of it, she seemed to be talking to an entity called Mojo that we were in the role of. Then there's the dream of Openda being saved from a falling pipe, and now a dream of one of your relative doubting his campaign moments before witnessing god and turning away.
Each one, an act that would make sense for a god such as Odu Rumux. Each one tied back to you and the people you lead.
These visions of yours Muschio, they're divine in nature, and show that this intervention in your quest has gone on since before you were even born.
Perhaps even this can be seen as protecting another one of your subjects. Dompag could have lived there at one point, and would've died in the attack.

As stated, this god has been by your side and mirroring your will for a very long time Malto.