2/4 Fen 2020/01/21(Tue)08:47 No. 953983 ID: 5fc3a0
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We've had less time with the wizards, so the bruises and cuts that Zall gives us are left to pile up faster than they can naturally heal. There's only one reason we've even gotten a break at Holly's place now.

>"Mail!" Holly comes in where Valsano just left. She's collected the mail for us that came throughout the day after yesterday's warp, so that we could collect it all together. "Packages and letters for Dame Frais, Sir Mopp, and letters for Sirs Firzel, Fen and Orjin."

3/4 Fen 2020/01/21(Tue)08:48 No. 953984 ID: 5fc3a0
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I get my usual three from Zizi, Cheese, and Moss. I notice that Cheese's letter has a different stamp imprinted on the paper as Holly hands it to me.

>"I just got this one, otherwise I would've handed it off to you sooner, Fen." Holly explains. "It's from a different mail service, so that's unusual."

>"Hi! It's a little weird for me writing this letter because you just left, but I'm speeding this one along to the warp because I'm going to try out a new mailing service and I want to confirm it works asap! So tell me if it arrived safely. You can keep sending me mail through the usual means."

That's all she says in it. I move onto Moss's.

>"Hello again, I hope this letter finds you while you're still making steady progress. On one hand, the army's campaigns may let you gain a lot of prestige, but if they ever hit a slog, then it's not good for anyone. Except the enemy, ha, but if you care about them, then you've got problems. I won't bore you with my work stories. It's got a bad blend of being tough, and also not worth writing about. Or at least nothing I'd bother putting in a letter. Keep in touch, remember to visit if you get the chance."

And finally, Zizi.

>"Hey bro! You know, ever since you crossed the border, I've been more interested in the going ons with the empire, so I've had the mailmen fill me in on some details. I heard you ran into Butterknife! She's a tough puddle to cross, but if you can beat her, you'll know you've improved a ton in such a short time, so try to get in a fight with her. When you can handle it."

.... 'When I can handle it,' he says. There's something I don't like about the addition of that sentence, and it's because I don't ever remember him advising caution, before.

Kiki also says hello, mostly by way of calling both myself and Zizi idiots.

>"Can I see your envelopes?" says Holly. "The one from Moss, I mean. I want to double check something."

4/4 Fen 2020/01/21(Tue)08:48 No. 953985 ID: 5fc3a0
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She takes the envelope that had Moss's letter and glares it down.

>"... yeaaah. The wax seal here was broken and replaced."

Well, it was going to happen eventually. Ask how she can tell- does the methodology say anything about the person doing it?

Have her check the Cheese letter. Just on the off hand chance this new mail service is a trick and someone else is intercepting your mail and pretending to be cheese. Find out more info about it.

Valsano quip missing could be stress or other drama so make sure to keep a eye out for that.

As for Moss we are assuming everyone is reading our mails anyways so having proof is expected.

Finally we knew Butterknife was nasty with her super speed. So until you make a break thru and can match it be wary. Ideally stay on her good side so you can get a friendly duel someday.


So chat with Holly about messages and send back some generic replies. Just publicly available info and nothing you would want anyone else knowing.

I think it's likely that Cheese using a new mail service is related to Moss's letter being tampered with.

Ask her how long she's suspected your mail has been tampered with and if there's even anything to do about it.

In the letter to Cheese, make references to her letter's contents, just to make sure.

>A Necromancer stole Valsano's funny bone
That, or something has him down. Maybe he's feeling left out of the group? That, or the war he's returning to is real bad down there.

>Seal broken and replaced
Unsurprised, if a little worried for Moss' sake. Not much you can do about it at this point. How can she tell, by the way? Would be useful for you to know, so you could check other letters later. (Perhaps if Cheese's letter service proves reliable, we can route more secure letters through that.)

Anyway, do you have time to write return letters?

>Letter to Cheese
Write a return letter verifying that you got her most recent letter and read its contents. Ask whether the services mentioned there will ever be available to you. (It's probably mutant mail, which is supposedly secure even from the empire.)

>Letter to Zizi
Give him (and Kiki and the fam) the usual salutations and updates on how your life's been going. What does he know about Butterknife, though? Did she wake up early and smell mountain air with him at some point?

>Letter to Moss
Tell him not to worry about you hitting a slog, because it looks like you'll soon get thrown in at the deep end after Zall's reforms. Try to weave in a hint that the seal was broken.

>Wot Next
Back to paining - I mean, training.

Moss's letter has been open? Hmm, although not surprising, it is a problem. Someone must suspect of him already, we need to do something about that. Ask Holly if she has a solution about that. We should also ask Cheese for help about that, she might also know what to do about that, or help Moss directly.

I wouldn't bother asking Zizi for detals. But the fact that he told us to fight Butterknife is interesting. Even more to warn us to be careful with her. Maybe he does have something to tell us about her this time around. She is our next step to become stronger.

>>953984
Moss's letter sounds very different from last time. Either it's forged or he decided he was being watched too closely to put anything suspicious in it. Feel vaguely regretful you didn't visit him while you were in town, but that could've aroused suspicion anyway.
...the phrasing in Moss's letter sounds strange too, like there might be a hidden message in it(if it's not forged). Is there anyone around that specializes in that sort of thing, can we get them to take a look at it? Might want to do that before replying.
Reply to Cheese's letter, telling her that her letter arrived safely.
Tell Zizi you're hoping for some sort of breakthrough so you can stand a chance against Butterknife, but you've also heard that there's no advice anyone can give that would help. It's frustrating knowing that there's a power like that within your grasp but no clues as how to grab it.

>>954011
He probably suspected it would be intercepted and read.

That said, I believe asking for a cryptography expert is going to be a fruitless endeavor.

We're unlikely to find one we can trust unless we take it up with Zall, who will undoubtedly have an issue or three with trying to get him involved in our own problems.

Holly's place is looking kinda fancy, for underground army-base standards. Poofy carpets and everything!

>>953985
"I'm not surprised, given who he works for. I've been assuming the empire reads all my mail it wants to."

That the other letters appear untampered with either means they didn't bother, or that more skilled spies opened them, or that Krix's spies didn't bother to do a good job because he doesn't care if you know, or he's making a deliberate statement by letting you see it.

Would you recognize Moss' handwriting, though? People reading your letters might be less of a concern (that just means you can't share sensitive information) than forgeries or deliberate misinformation pretending to be from someone you know.

>>954055
I don’t think the tavern’s underground anymore, for one. Sir Zall set her up a big topside tavern full o’ spies working for him. She gets to be the boss by pretending she was the one to invest and set it up herself. It’s supposed to be very hush hush.

It’s topside because Zall booted the regular army from underground action after their (many) miserable failures at maintaining quarantine. /end recap

> Damaged Letter
Yeah, I think that's been expected for some time now.
>>953989
Almost certainly; maybe get Holly to help you ask about it?
> Valsano
Yeeahh something's not right there. Have you noticed anything different about him since he got back? Has Firzel?

>>954101
I'm pretty sure that he's getting a bit resentful of everyone still training and not helping as much with the campaign, which is likely wearing away at his morale.

Huh, good eye Holly. I'm guessing the Empire doesn't need to resort to such crude or easily detectable methods, meaning it's almost certainly Krix's doing. Sounds like Moss may even be trying to mention as such in as roundabout a way as he can to avoid detection... Replace 'care about them' with 'worry about them' and 'not worth writing about' with 'not able to write about' and the slog-like way he describes his job makes his request you visit sound urgent.


You're going to need help drafting a reply to that one, you're kind of got a weak grasp in the nuance and subtlety department.

Thanks Holly for noticing someone open the card.

1/4 Fen 2020/01/23(Thu)10:34 No. 954227 ID: 5fc3a0
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"How can you tell this was opened, anyway?"

Holly holds up the paper to me.

>"If you melt wax onto other wax, it creates an obvious seam. This person grinded down the wax to the paper, but it's not a perfect process, you can kind of see how it kind of bleeds into the paper a bit, so the wax can't be totally removed without grinding away the paper itself, so there's still going to be new wax on top of the old."
"Thank you for telling me. I've been assuming that all of my letters have been getting read."
>"I'm glad you've all been writing your letters like it was, but I'm really surprised by it! Breaking into the imperial mail system isn't something that even mithril nobles take lightly, because it's a network made at the emperor's level. Of course, it does happen anyway, but nobles only mess with the mail when they really feel a need to. Whoever opened this mail was probably disappointed by the lack of contents for the risk it involves."
"Moss sounded different, in the letter. It was his handwriting, still."
>"Yeah... maybe you can point that out? It might mean something, but it might not. Think of if you tried to write a letter without my help - it would suddenly sound very different, wouldn't it?"

2/4 Fen 2020/01/23(Thu)10:34 No. 954228 ID: 5fc3a0
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That's true.

"What about my other mail? It's probably being read too, right?"
>"Best to assume so, but it's not likely. Cheese should have a good idea of what mail services she can use safely, and Zizi, well, it probably never even entered the Turtle's Hideaway. And because of how serious a crime it is to break into it, I think Lord Krix only intercepted Moss's since it was so conveniently put out through his home region."
"Who enforces the imperial mail system? Themselves? The dragon knights?" asks Aira, with a light tone of scoffing when she mentions the knights.
>"Well... there's not a whole lot we can do about it." Holly answers. "Just keep writing vaguely. If you need something to say privately, I should be able to find a good private mail runner. Cheese should have one too. They're hard to come by though, they're easily corrupted and not reliable, but..."

She waves the broken envelope. "Maybe I've had too much faith in the mail after all."

3/4 Fen 2020/01/23(Thu)10:35 No. 954229 ID: 5fc3a0
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I get to writing. Holly helps me as usual, since I'm still only mostly literate. To Cheese, I mostly just tell her I did get the letter. To Zizi, I give publically available updates, but I also ask specifically about if he knows anything about Butterknife or her nickname, Butter Knight. If so, I want him to explain every detail no matter how bad he is about details. I add in that I feel that I need some kind of breakthrough in both physical and mental fighting ability, to take on someone like Butterknife.

To Moss, I tell him not to worry about me hitting a slog, as I expect to be thrown deep into the mausoleum after Zall's reforms.

"Should I tell him the seal was broken?" I ask Holly.
>"No, not since he's been saying anything he shouldn't be saying. Best to not tell our interceptors we know we're being intercepted, I think."
"What about a hint?"
>"Eheh, with apologies to Moss, I think that any hint he can pick up on is a hint our interceptor can, unless you guys have made up some secret phrases or similar things beforehand."
"No."

I let her read Moss's letter for any hidden meaning, but she can't find any.

4/4 Fen 2020/01/23(Thu)10:35 No. 954230 ID: 5fc3a0
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Holly helps the others write and send out any letters they want to, as well.

"We should head back up to Sir Zall's." says Frais. "He didn't tell us to, so obviously he wants us to without being told."
>"Ah, about that." says Holly. "Now that we're all done with mail, he asked me to address all of you with this letter he passed on to me."

She pulls out a note, and begins reading after making sure we're all alone and the doors are shut.

>"Hello. Learning how to fight is good, but the lower sections of the mausoleum are more populated than we thought. You'll all need to be able to sneak through areas, so you're all going through assassin training as well as knight training. Before I personally train you any longer, you will need to touch my spine. Upon doing so, you will pass, and we will continue your training as usual."
"What if we just touch his spine without managing to sneak up on him?" asks Frais.
>"He didn't say, but if I had to guess, it means he'll think you don't need assassin training after all. Hold on, there's more."
>"If you want to practice normally, go find the right mentors in the training hall." Holly contemplates the next words, and sighs them out. "Ask Holly if you are interested in a shortcut. Right." She says, putting the letter down. "First of all, I don't agree with Sir Zall's use of the word 'shortcut', because it doesn't guarantee you the ability to hide your mana, it just shows you the example of what it's like. I won't be the one to explain it, I would just point you to the instructor who can perform the method, and I do not recommend it. It's nothing more than keeping you on the brink of death for a moment, close enough that it's extremely dangerous. And once again, it does not guarantee you'll suddenly be a master at mana hiding, it only grants you a better idea of what you're trying to do. For something this dangerous, I'm honestly surprised Sir Zall didn't suggest the option of dunking yourselves in tar pits for the chance to become some all powerful abomination."
>"I'm sure Sir Zall assumes that we already know that's an option." says Dame Frais. "This one is new to me, and I'll still pass, thanks."
>"Same, no way." says Firzel.
"How does staying on the brink of death show us the way?"
>"Eh..." Holly thinks on her words. "I could try and give you the lecture on how souls, bodies and lands interact, but it isn't anything that'll change your mind one way or the other. If you accept, I'll point you to the special instructor who I'm sure would be willing to explain it all. If not, there's plenty of other normal instructors in Sir Zall's training hall. Also, I'll remind you that Sir Zall isn't requiring you to succeed at mana hiding to be sent on missions, or even to train your swordsmanship in his halls. He just won't personally train you face to face until then."

>>954230
we risk death enough that it's not a big deal to do it again when there might be an actual payoff to it

I agree with >>954234, but even if we don't do it for some reason we should probably push Aira to do this for pretty much the same reason, and she's explicitly stated she isn't afraid of getting hurt.

"I'll keep my options open, so I'd like to know at least where I can meet this instructor of yours."

I anticipate that there will be a bit less uncertainty if we choose the unique option here, and Fen tends to think more like Zall than Holly anyway. Plus, we might also get an epiphany about Butterknife's mojo.

We can always try going for the normal route and then try the super dangerous shortcut approach if we're not making any progress.

Tell her that you are fine with risks but if your life is going to be in someones hands you would like assurances that they are not on a enemies payroll.

Still its worth a look if normal training does not help after a few days.

Also get the lecture on how souls and magic and the land works anyways.

I am guessing being on the edge of death allows your soul to loosen up (cause its going to leave your body shortly) and this experience allows you to get a glimpse of the mana that binds your soul and body and the land together.

Piling on risks of death on risks of death isn't great, but Fen is pretty much committed to maximum shortcuts. Besides, getting some kind of more visceral sense of how souls and the land relate to each other might be a step to learning other things.

However, it sounds like something that could very easily leave us open to an opportunistic assassin, so while I recommend going for the option, some sort of security in that regard would be important to go with it.

Hm. As I thought - it's getting grim down there and they need elite warriors to counter the Necromancers' elite creatures.

What's been staring us in the face since the Butterknife debacle and Cheese's admission of Butter's fear of 'easily getting caught' by someone suddenly catching up to that strength is that there appears to be a way - or ways - to 'cheat' in becoming more powerful, suddenly. Zizi may also have had it happen to him, for that matter. There might exist some kind of deep epiphany - or something - that just shifts one's perspective and ability to another level entirely... although Butterknife's way of achieving badass nirvana was so intensely undesirable that Cheese and her family swore a blood oath to just forget about it!

Regardless, this particular method of training mana suppression might be a shortcut along the same line - not to that kind of a power up, but something similar. And since Holly knows about it, there are clearly established principles at work here - she just doesn't seem to approve of the method. And we know Zall wouldn't suggest it if he didn't think it would have a chance of working, despite the risks.

It's a surprisingly big choice - do you train as hard as you can with the others to maybe succeed, or do you accept high risk at the mere potential for a much-needed skill that will enable your further training?

Look at Aira. Ask what she'd like to do. If she says yes to this deal, go through with it with her. Nearly dying can't be fun to do alone. On the other hand, if even she isn't keen, you should probably heed the wisdom of declining. Getting your mana training there is a fundamental thing, it's eminently trainable, and not the kind of power leap you'd need to get to Butterknife's level. It'd suck to lose Zall's training if you fail to train your mana suppression, mind you, since that's not an opportunity that would often come by, and you'd also lose out on some potential Assassin gigs.

All that said it's worth pointing out that getting mana suppression down pat would be real useful, if not essential, when it comes time to infiltrate Lord Krix's household, retrieve your dragoncloth and pour some Tomato soup in his tomato soup (who am I kidding, Gold nobles probably lace their every meal with antidote).

Oh! Did you get the old poison vial refreshed by a wizard, by the way?

I don't mind learning new tricks. We won't necessary use them, but it is always useful to have. And if it helps us to understand how to properly hide your presence, the better.

How have you been doing in your formal training, Fen? You think you need to focus on that still, or we could go with the sneaking training?

Well if you're going to risk death, better do it OUTSIDE the mausoleum. I think you should talk with this instructor before making a decision. Maybe mention to him you've been poisoned recently and if flirting with death again so soon is a bad idea.

>>954230
Hmm... Butterknife seemed really good at hiding her mana, didn't she? Also there was something about increased mana circulation right before some people "get serious" in a fight... I think the breakthrough has something to do with mana somehow, but it must be something that almost nobody ever thinks of trying.
We should try everything we can, have as many different experiences as possible. Try the shortcut, experience the brink of death. I wonder if the secret of the breakthrough involves going further than that and dying, but then coming back afterwards? Like possessing your own body to keep it in a living state while having increased control over it? That would be why it's such a closely guarded secret- one, people would wind up killing themselves trying to attain it for power, and two, it would cause despair amongst those not willing to risk death over it(like Cheese's family). It could also have some kind of drawback when it's used...

>>954230
go big or go not Lily. take the death training

>>954230
Going on the brink of death sounds interesting.
Yeah I'll do it for extra credit.

Back in Shroomleaf, did you ever hear of other Kobolds able to do something like that before? We know from when you were searching for Zall's Knights back in the catacombs of Dragon's Fall that you do have *some* experience with stealth, so it would be best for you to go ahead and try to pick up a new talent.
Also, if Aira does come with you to learn this "shortcut", be prepared for crude jokes about you two sneaking off all the time. Most likely from Firzel, but maybe from Frais as well

>>954279
Normal stealth is something Fen is very familiar with.

Mana stealth is entirely new.

Fen 2020/01/24(Fri)05:52 No. 954291 ID: 5fc3a0
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"I'm interested." I look at Aira.
>"I will do it, too."
>"Really?" Holly asks, incredulously. Frais and Firzel look at us in ways that ask the same question.
"Yes. I am familiar with stealth, but I have never seen anything like mana stealth in the shroomleaf forest. I risk death often enough for less gain."
>"That's, true, but... at least if you died down there, you'd die fighting the enemy or something more... rather, less awkward to tell people how you died. Oh, god, would I have to be the one to tell Zizi? That you died because I told you about some stupid shortcut?"
"No, Sir Zall can inform him. Death is death, and it was all in pursuit of my own goals, so I don't see how the exact method of death would matter."
>".... hm, alright, alright. I'll go make sure the instructor is ready. You're going to be indisposed for at least a couple of days, once you start. One doesn't just go from the brink of death to full fighting condition in a few minutes, after all. After that, if you live, you hopefully can get the hang of mana stealth faster. Is there anything you two need to take care of?"
>"I'll leave my belongings with Mopp." says Aira. "It goes to Fen if I die, Mopp can distribute it if we both die."
"My written will is still up to date, with Holly. Otherwise, I would like to refresh all of my relevant possessions with anti-rot mana. Holly, do you trust whoever is doing this?"
>"I do. Is there anything else to take care of? If not, I'll go get the instructor since I'm sure you'll want to start as soon as possible."
>"I'm going to write a letter," says Aira, "But only send it out if I die."
>"Understood. Fen?"

"See you all in... How long is this supposed to take, Holly?"

"I'm not one to write like it's my last. I trust that someone will inform all relevant parties in time, should I pass, but it shouldn't come to that. See you all in a few days."

"I'll do the same." Though it may take a bit longer since you have multiple people to write to.

A few contingency death letters seem sensible enough, yeah, though really there should be a couple of those in storage already. The main thing is to be as sure as possible Fen's not going to get stabbed by someone after the bounty while incapacitated.

Let's get those letters done right away.

We have spent the past few months with death possible at every moment. Our friends knows our wishes already and will continue on without us if we fall.

Write a quick note thanking everyone for there help and only get it sent if you die.

Also make sure you have a safe place to recover after. Dying to some assassin while you are weak after you do the training is a distinct possibility.

And do not be afraid to back out if you get a bad feeling from the trainer or there methods. Trust your instincts.

>>954291
Let's get this over with. Wish the others luck.

>>954291
Okay, write a letter. "Sorry, I fucked up my training and died." should be sent to everyone if you die.

There are many things you could say in a contingency letter.

You could thank Holly, Frais, Firzel, Sir Zall, Sir Orjin and all your other imperial acquaintances for their friendship, support and/or training.

You could attempt humor, sending a letter to Valsano stating that he should stop slacking off. Making non-stop fun of Death Carrot is a deadly serious mission and he is the best man for the job.

You could tell Moss that you admire his will to stay true to himself and to insist on staying friends, despite circumstance dictating that this would be anything but a good idea.

You could tell your family that you didn't regret pursuing your dream of a life with Lily for a second.

You could tell Cheese that she was a good friend.

You could write Lily and tell that if there was any way for your memories to persist beyond this life... you hope to meet again, somehow, someday.

Ultimately, most of these things do not have to be said. The ones who know you will know your feelings, and the ones who do not know, may be better off not feeling greater loss from your abrupt passing, or your terrible attempts at humor or seriousness.

"I'm ready."

This is why we went out of our way to save Aira. Pain and death don't scare her or stop her.

We don't need any prep, no final goodbyes. Time to go meet death.

I'm fine. Could do with a real good meal before the training though, if possible. Might give me the edge I need.

>>954352
If it doesn't get in the way of the training.

I wonder if we can do both magic stealth training and magic perception trading at the same time. Magic stealth training is probably about sealing his magic flow within himself while magic perception training is probably about pulling in the magic around you to perceive changes. So if we did both at the same time wouldn’t it pull in the magic around him and then instead of leaking out again like normal seal it within him causing a buildup of magical energy. If he learns how to control this energy and incorporate/harness it shouldn’t it become easier to become a mage.

1/2 Fen 2020/01/25(Sat)10:41 No. 954422 ID: 5fc3a0
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I decide to write some letters, but there isn't much to be said. I just write what everyone already knows, and that I died to pursuing my ambition.

"I think that's it."

Holly leads us into another one of the side rooms that was made so we can talk privately.

>"Okay... good luck, you two. If something goes wrong, well, it was a pleasure. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Holly."

2/2 Fen 2020/01/25(Sat)10:41 No. 954423 ID: 5fc3a0
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Soon, a wheeled cart with more food than we could eat is pushed in. Although we've been treated well with our meals, this batch looks like it was supposed to be delivered to a noble's table. It's pushed in by Kylia.

>"Hi, you two. I'm your waitress, as always, but today I'm also going to be - " the door shuts while she continually speaks - "your surgeon, and that's a fact to keep to yourselves."
>"Surgeon?" asks Aira.
>"Yes, Holly told me you're taking the near death experience. The best way I know for that is by poking a little hole in an organ in your gut. Not your stomach, some other sac off to the side that has a purpose that eludes the empire's knowledge. It must be important, because making a hole too big in it will kill you. It's shaped a bit differently and in a different spot between draconics and fields, but the draconic version is consistent for all draconics, and ditto for fields. A small hole in it will do a good - on second thought, how about you two enjoy this meal before I get into the nasty physical details? I'm sure you have questions. At least you should, if you want me to think you're both taking this seriously."

Is it wise to be having a meal before having surgery done on your gut? Presumably there's a reason why if Kylia is bringing food in & going to be operating on you.

What happens if the organ is removed entirely? Or transplanted?

How exactly will we be healed? There don't seem to be any wizards around, unless Kylia has even more secret talents.

Will there be anything to dull the presumably immense pain? And what exactly happens when this sac is hit that puts us to near death almost immediately?

What exactly will happen beyond almost dying? And how will doing this help with our mana sense?

Also, for something a little less important, Where is this sac normally located on fields and draconics? It'd be good to know another vital spot to protect/aim for.

And of course, test the food for anything that's not supposed to be there, because this would be the opportune time to get poisoned.

After that though, enjoy the meal. Unless of course eating could mess with this procedure even a tiny bit.

>>954423
>Soon, a wheeled cart with more food than we could eat is pushed in.
Is there a reason there’s too much food being brought to us? Did you put something in it to make us fall asleep so that you can cut this organ more easily?

>how about you two enjoy this meal before I get into the nasty physical details?
If you’re supposed to do something in our gut, wouldn’t the food just get in the way? Or is the food supposed to help somehow?

>>954423
How did kobolds come across this shortcut if it meant cutting into a kobold and poking a weird organ for no reason at all?

>>954423
Is eating required? Or is that more of a courtesy for someone who could die soon? Also compliment her eyes. They're real pretty.

Does eating help the process? If we can not trust Holly's girls to not poison us we can not trust anyone probably.

So enjoy your possibly last meal.

As for questions.

1. How do you get to the organ and how many times have you done this?

2. What rates of success vs death are we talking here?

3. We are in a active crypt with necromancers who will interfere if possible. Should this even be done down here at all? (remember that Fen is actively being targeted so even if others have done this down here we might not be able to.)

4. Side effects and healing rates once its done?

5. What tools do you use?

6. What sort of experience is it?

7. Could this sort of thing be related to what Butterknife did? She got herself beaten half to death somehow and that's why Cheese refused to tell us?

>>954428
Bored Nobles
>>954423
I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to eat anything before a procedure, or something like that. Unless there's some form of anesthetic built-in with the meal. Be sure to ask Kylia about either before either you or Aira begin.

"Do they even have a name for this organ? I'll pass on the meal until after unless it improves our odds."

"Have you experienced this yourself, how often have you done this before, what's your survival rate, is there any advice based on what those survivors have said afterwards, is whatever you'll be stabbing us with clean, and does the room we'll be in have a lock on the door" all seem like good questions.

Also possibly you should mention to her that time Aira got seriously injured, in case she ends up having some sort of internal scar tissue that misaligned things for her. She was magically healed, so that shouldn't be the case, but it was sort of not the best healing and the same should have been able to be said for her eye, so. It might be important.

>>954423
If the food is important, then would be helpful if we ate more food or less food?

>>954435
>Mention Aira's injury
That's a good point. We should tell Kylia about that, since it might be important.

>>954423
Why the luxurious meal?
What is the survival rate like?
Why does nearly dying in this oddly specific way aid learning mana stealth?
Are there any known long-term effects to damaging this organ? Will it affect your lifespan?
How does one best stay alive through - and recover from - the process?

Does Aira have any questions?

>>954428
At some point someone probably noticed that kobolds with a certain battlefield wound learned mana hiding better than others.

>Bored nobles.
Or that.

>>954430
Don't mention Cheese's family secrets. Though, presumably, had it been this 'easy', Cheese and her family wouldn't have been so horrified by Butterknife's secret and sworn to forget about it. Remember, these are mutants who willingly submerged themselves in Erja Nokol's tar just for the odd chance they'd get stronger or useful. Getting an organ poked and maybe dying for a very useful benefit doesn't seem that much more extreme.

Well i am going to gues that is okay to eat.
I would like to know about Kobolds anatomy and how this operations affects it. I doubt that Fen knows more that be basic of body anatomy.

Oh hey, Fen, Brah, one more thing, what is the most delicious looking thing on that cart? Can you describe it? What place is the recipe from? What's it taste like?

1/5 Fen 2020/01/25(Sat)17:12 No. 954457 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158000115481.png - (28.50KB , 800x800 , 1302.png )

There are many kinds of food on the cart, some more familiar than others, but right now my mind is elsewhere.

"Is it wise to eat a meal before having a gut wound?"
>"No, which is why it's not happening now."
"Why not? I will skip this meal if it means getting this done sooner."
>"... That's some hurry, but no. It's late, and the procedure takes awhile, and you're going to want me to be wide awake and well rested for all of it."
"That is a good point. Then why this meal?"
>"Because Holly is good to you two, that's why, and that's why it would be rude if you skipped out on it anyway. It has nothing to do with the surgery or its the chances of success, but just a little comfort food for the risk this involves. With that said... mind if I eat some, too?"
"Aira and I could not eat all of it. Help yourself." I say, and Aira makes the smallest nod. "Thank Holly for me, I did not realize it was a gift from her."
>"Thanks." She eats some of the food right off the cart, which serves as a taste test against poison anyway.

Aira and I eat, and I keep asking questions.

"Does this sac have a name?"
>"Side-stomach is a popular one. Orvard's Lung is another popular one, even though it's definitely not a lung, no matter who Orvard was."
"What happens if this sac is removed?"
>"You die."
"Swapped between two different bodies?"
>"Both die."
"How will we be healed?"
>"I have healing clothes and salves. The salve is applied to a needle first, just in case there's a mistake while I find it, then healing clothes if things and salves if things either go bad. After a satisfactory experience, there'll be a wizard to come assist and help."
"A trustworthy one?"
>"One of Sir Zall's personal wizard batch, I believe."
"What is a 'satisfactory' experience?"
>"Satisfactory as in you get close enough to the cliff of death that your toes overlook it. Not satisfactory as in pleasant, because this will hurt."
"Will there be much to dull the pain?"
>"No. There could be, but you want to be as awake as you can be to feel your soul try and get grabbed. That part is the 'experience' I'm referring to, by the way, it just happens to be an experience that happens when almost dying."
"I now have more questions, but first, where is this sac located?"
>"On you? Right about here," She pokes her midriff to the side, "About this deep down." She uses her other hand to show a distance. I was thinking it might have been a spot I wanted to protect, but it's so deep down that it would be odd to protect that particular spot of my internal flesh.

2/5 Fen 2020/01/25(Sat)17:12 No. 954458 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158000117108.png - (32.26KB , 1000x800 , 1303.png )

Aira asks one of my own questions.

>"How was this shortcut found?"
>"The experience itself was found by anyone who was on the brink of death and awake to experience it, and given how much war happens in the empire, it's happened on accident plenty of times. Various wizards experimented with ways to do so on purpose, and more safely than simply maiming people haphazardly. Other ways involve a tiny, tiny needle through your head, drowning, or blood loss. The first one is way too unreliable, the second one usually causes passing out before death comes, and the third one takes a long, long time both to do accurately and to recover from. This one takes awhile to do right - technically a single poke to do right, but to get it perfect, I need to poke slightly, then more, then more, and slowly bring you to the brink. Just doing a single poke on the first try is sure to either be too little or too much, but on the plus side, once it's done, the actual damage is so little that the body can heal from it fast. All you need to do to recover quick is some bedrest."
"Is the tool just a needle?"
>"And the healing cloths and salve and other medical tools, that's right."
"What are the chances of the success?"
>"Surviving? Without magic healing, about 8 out of 10 survive, but since we have the best supplies that at our disposal, you two should be looking at a 9 out of 10 chance of survival."
"Any advice on how to survive?"
>"Just do your best not to fall asleep or lose consciousness. If you do, the situation becomes much more dangerous, but I'll immediately start applying healing magic in that case."

3/5 Fen 2020/01/25(Sat)17:15 No. 954460 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158000133847.png - (23.98KB , 800x800 , 1304.png )

Kylia looks at us more pointedly than usual.

>"Just to make sure you understand the most important point, I'm going to repeat it. It's just an estimate, but the best estimate is that there is a one out of ten chance you will die. That's each for both of you. If you have to process only a single thing I've said tonight, let it be that."
"I understand. Tell me about this 'experience.'"

She takes a deep breath.

>"Okay. See, your body keeps your soul from drifting off into the land's own pool of mana. When your body dies, your soul gets let out to either mix with the land, or to run back to its native homeland and get absorbed there. Here's a popular metaphor - imagine your body is a boat, and on that boat, your soul is a puddle of water with its own shape and sense of identity. Your body - the boat - stays afloat and lets your soul, this puddle of water, stay out of the ocean. A dead body, then, is like a sinking ship, where the ocean floods in and mixes with your water, and your water is dispersed into the rest of the ocean as you lose your sense of shape and self.
>"What this procedure is doing is dragging your boat down just far enough so that the top of the boat is exactly level with the water. When it's like that, the ocean can rush in, but only at knee level, and your soul can keep itself from beind totally absorbed while using the boat's railing to keep itself from behind pulled out completely off the boat. Any deeper and the boat will just completely sink, and any less and the ocean can't rush in. That feeling of your water being touched by the ocean is the 'experience' I'm talking about, having your soul mingle with the ocean of the dead, because in a way, that's what mana stealth is. It's letting go of the 'shape' of your soul for a moment so that it resembles the ocean, or removing the metaphor, it makes your detectable mana indistinguishable from the air around it. Remember that even though people call it 'hiding' your mana, you're camoflauging your soul. Let's say you're trying to blend into this wall. Mana stealth would be looking exactly like this wall, but if you were to literally hide your mana, people would see a kobold shaped hole in the wall.
>"Anyways, experiencing this won't show you how to let go of your shape at will, but it will show you what it's like so that you have a sensation to chase rather than just stumbling around blindly hoping you figure it out. That's why it should be done here in Erja Nokol, so you can figure out exactly what this ocean is like, as mana stealthing here is a bit different than mana stealthing in other lands. We can do it in another land if you like, since figuring out how to do here is still easier after you learn how to do it elsewhere, but this is the direct route, and I'd question why you're doing an operation like this if you didn't want to take the most direct route as possible."
"Because our souls are supposed to be trapped here if we die?"
>"If you care about that. It's not like your scattered soul will have a consciousness to care, so it's more if you care about where the remnants of your soul is. It's true that it does take longer for your soul to scatter away in Erja Nokol's ocean, but it still happens." She finishes her lecture.
"And during this experience, could enemy necromancers yank my soul away?"
>"The experience happens so fast that even if they had a soul wizard looking at the right spot at the right ocean, they'd only see your soul poke its feet in for a couple of seconds, and that's it. A southern wizard would have to have been spending weeks to prepare a spell like that, and be able to find your soul poke inside in the span of a few seconds, and it's just too many ifs. It's possible, I understand your concern, but seeing that happen would easily be the wildest disaster I've seen in my entire life, and that's saying a lot."

4/5 Fen 2020/01/25(Sat)17:16 No. 954461 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158000139926.png - (27.84KB , 800x800 , 1305.png )

>"Why," asks Aira almost in the middle of swallowing some food, "weren't we told to 'lose our shape' while meditating normally?"
>"Because it's just a metaphor. If they're told in terms like that, a lot of people get hung up on literally losing their shape or something like that, and end up taking longer to naturally learn it than they would if they weren't told anything. You can't truly understand what you're after here by just having people explain it in words. So I hope you understand why Holly spat out the word 'shorcut', because even with a perfect operation, you won't technically be any closer to mana stealthing like a pro than you were before, you'll just be given a better idea of how to do it. The good news is, though, is that people who do have those tools are able to attain mana stealth much faster, so in a way it is like an indirect shortcut. But once again, you have to survive, and have the experience, though having the experience just means being awake during the brink so that you can actually remember what it felt like, and that's why this hurts by design. Some boats also don't let themselves get to the water line until they're so waterlogged that there's no coming back - that is, you won't be at the brink until your body has inevitably fatal wounds even with healing magic."
"So this doesn't give a sudden power boost?"
>"... no, at least not physically, and not directly. It does make you harder to read, and can be a good stepping stone for your own mana control, so few survivors say that this operation wasn't worth it."

She looks to the side.

>"Just remember that we only have the survivor's opinions on that."
"Have you experienced it, yourself?"
>"I have, with being drowned to near-death."
"Was that safe?"
>"My instructor did a good job at not killing me, and it's one of the safer methods technically, but it took three weeks of being constantly drowned before I was able to stay awake for it. I'm not sure I ever fully recovered, either, but that's too personal and too irrelevant to bother talking about."
"And how many times have you done this before?"
>"This specifically I've done about 50 times, but I've also done hundreds of surgeries involving guts in the same area, so I know the internals very well."
"And how many died of those 50?"
>"...18." She says, after a second's hesitation but with some force behind her voice.
"Does that not mean the chances of dying are 18 out of 50?"
>"Given the circumstances, I'm proud more than half of them survived. Almost all of those 50 were not valuable knights, they were people who were on their final chances of being useful, and it was on par with pawns being thrown into Erja Nokol tar pits for the chance at becoming abominations. They weren't given healing tools or even clean medical supplies, and the stipulation given to me was that they were either going to learn how to mana sense quickly, or die trying, and I couldn't spend much time with any of them, so I just had to poke them quickly as best as I could without going slowly about it. The only reason why I did it was because any official surgeon would've just used the opportunity to experiment wildly on them instead of seriously try to maximize success. You two, on the other hand, will have just about the best available circumstances this side of the shroomleaf forest. I'm confident that if you're going to do this, you'll have a difficult time finding anyone better than me for it."

5/5 Fen 2020/01/25(Sat)17:17 No. 954462 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158000146475.png - (21.83KB , 800x800 , 1306.png )

I mention Aira's past wound and other concerns, but they either get waved off or I'm assured my concern is noted and addressed.

>"Any other questions?" she asks. We remain silent. "Comments?"
"You have nice eyes."
>"Thank you, but I mean regarding the procedure. Any dumb questions?"
>"You're not an official surgeon with the empire?" asks Aira.
>"Oh, no, if I were, then this is where I'd ask for a hefty tip to 'ensure' a successful operation."
"Registered surgeons can guarantee a successful operation?" I ask, incredulous.
>"Anyone can," says Kylia. "And conveniently for them, the dead usually don't get the opportunity to ask for a refund. Oh, Fen, I had a question for you! Specifically, if the worst comes to pass, some might lay the blame at least partially on me."
"I would not blame you."
>"And since I'll do my best and I'm being upfront about the risks, I wouldn't blame myself either, but I'm not concerned about whether or not you or I feel that way. I'm concerned about your brother. If you die, am I going to have Sir Zizi come after me?"
"Hmm... I cannot promise that he won't feel ill will, but he isn't the sort to seek revenge or even harbor grudges. You do not need to fear retribution from him."
>"That's good enough for me, I'll assume you know your brother well enough."

That's a dangerous assumption, but I feel confident enough in that part of Zizi at the least.

Hmm, a one in ten chance of death is honestly a lot better than I expected.

I can't think of much else to do other than rest up though, with the exception of asking this knowledge fountain of a woman about Zizi and why people are so scared of him, other than the obvious.

Have you EVER seen your brother piss off or upset? We are talking about someone that can kill a Dragon Knight. If he seeks revenge, there is no stopping him.

Do Kylia/your foes a favor and ask him next time you can, i am also curious.

She said it'll be painful. Just how much pain are we talking here? This procedure kinda sounds better suited to Aira than Fen when you take into account you have to keep from passing out, since as we've seen she is very resistant to being knocked out.

Also, Fen: reflect on how far you've come, and how much you've learned. How much stronger and faster are you? Have you learned any good techniques?

>>954462
>Any other questions?
How does Kylia know when to stop cutting? Do she just guess or is there a way that she can tell?

Will we need to be strapped down and/or muzzled? If this is going to be painful, we might end up flailing around and screaming, which might make things harder for Kylia to do what she needs to do.

Can Kylia show us what the mana stealth looks like? I want to see if we can sense her.

"Are there any non-alcoholic drinks on the cart? The first time I tried an alcoholic drink, someone had put something in it to knock me out, so I no longer trust any alcoholic drinks."

Will we be guarded during the procedure? I wouldn't be surprised if someone sees this as a good opportunity to try and attack Fen!

>Zizi won't be a problem.
Kiki, on the other hand... think she'd go so far as to leave the shroomleaf forest?

Thank Kylia for her frank instructions, 1 in 10 is closer odds than you'd prefer, but you will still take the chance. Is there anything else you've forgotten to consider?

Ask Aira if there is anything she'd like to ask of you, in case you survive and she doesn't. You have no particular requests of her, but you felt like it would be fair to ask.

Anything else to consider? If not, then just enjoy the meal. It is pretty nice, isn't it?

>>954462
Why don’t you ask about what stories Kylia has heard about your brother? No matter how many times you’ve asked, Zizi never told you anything when he returned home.

>>954469
>How does Kylia know when to stop cutting? Does she just guess or is there a way that she can tell?
That’s actually a good question.

>>954462
You know, I don't think Zizi could seek vengence on anyone as pretty as she is. Still a dangerous assumption though. I wonder, does she know Zizi personally? I know he's a legend, but I can't help but think everyone would underestimate a legend. She's treating him like a real threat.

Even if she's never met him, that must means she's gotten close to where he's done some damage, or knows someone who has.

Strangely enough, you might learn something about your brother from HER. You might want to ask her as your stupid question.

Well, a caveat to add on to that might be that at least he'd probably come visiting. Your family would want your body and Zizi would be the one to get sent to do it. He might take a little convincing, since he hasn't met any of your friends himself, to trust them? But you're sure he'd give a chance for an explanation, and he would believe you died trying to get strong fast.

So, if it's important to stay awake, would it actually be good to take some sort of stimulant? Some equivalent of tea or coffee? Maybe arrange some sort of adrenaline rush? Also, if being generally healthy is likely to help stay awake and maybe make dying a slight less of a risk, would it be a waste to get some healing before the procedure, since it improves general healthiness?

Sometimes I feel I know less about him than I think. He didn't exactly talk about his time in the empire much. It's understandable, but very often turns out to be frustrating.

Ehh, it's not important. Look, It sounds like this process from our end will be difficult, but uncomplicated. Is there anything we can do to help for your end?

>>954471
Who said anything about cutting. She knows exactly where the organ in question is, and how deep it is.

I hope Fen isn't afraid of giant needles.

Thinking on it, a theoretical best option seems like it would be to get someone hopped up on some alertness drug so that they can't pass out, or have a wizard use some similar magic effect since we've seen stamina restoration from them, or both, and then try the drowning option while under those effects. Might be worth a mention just for curiosity as to if that's plausible, though it seems like it would have been thought of.

Follow-up to the Erja thing, though, is there a chance that, going by the ocean metaphor, Erja might be more "turbulent" than the other oceans? Back in the mausoleum pawn days, we saw the dead stirring up ashes with no necromancer directing them. Any manifestations like that have been unnoticeable compared to what the necromancers are doing, here, but you'd imagine the local souls aren't happy. So, what if the ocean here has more waves, as it were? If it rejects you harder, or conversely, pulls more eagerly?

>>954469
>>954471
>How does Kylia know when to stop cutting? Does she just guess or is there a way that she can tell?
She doesn't cut, she uses a needle to poke at the organ.

I think what you meant to ask was, "How does Kylia know when to stop inserting the needle?"

Because if she pokes too much, it causes death, and if she doesn't poke enough, the procedure won't work. So asking Kylia if she knows when she needs to stop or keep going would be the correct thing to ask.

>Breaking into the imperial mail system isn't something that even mithril nobles take lightly, because it's a network made at the emperor's level.
It's not something that has to be taken lightly or heavily for whoever already controls the mail service. If the nobles have to break in, that's because the emperor isn't letting them trivially compete with his own intelligence service's existing monopoly.

So Kylia is a secret surgeon. How long until it's confirmed Holy is a secret ninja?


>If you die, am I going to have Sir Zizi come after me?
At that point, he might as well come after himself, for encouraging Fen to take all the risks he has.

There don't really seem to be any useful questions left to ask- she explained the procedure, and asking further details about exactly how she will do it don't change the odds of success. It just comes down to if we trust her to perform the operation, and if we actually think the operation is worth the risk.

And it's Fen, so of course we're doing this.

1/3 Fen 2020/01/26(Sun)12:32 No. 954519 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158007072886.png - (22.17KB , 800x800 , 1307.png )

Then again, I've never seen Zizi upset. He was never quick to anger before he left for the empire, but when he returned, he seemed more like nothing could get to him. He's never had siblings die, though. Kiki might be truly angry, but... even though she's not a bad fighter, she does not have the level of danger that Zizi does.

"Do you know much about my brother? He never talked about his empire career. I sometimes think I don't know my brother as well as many in the empire."
>"Should I be worried if you're wrong about him seeking vengeance?"

I look at Kylia, again.

"Even if I am wrong about his want of revenge, I cannot imagine him exacting revenge on someone who looks the way you look."
>"Oh? I'll be sure to dress accordingly then, if he does. I've met with people who talked about Zizi, but I should be the one asking you to verify some of the odd tales I've heard about him. Is it true that Zizi is always dirty as though he never bathes?"
"Yes. He does bathe, but I somehow have no memories of him ever being completely clean. Who told you that?"
>"Best I not say."
"Neither I nor Zizi would be offended by whoever said what is true."
>"No, it's not out of fear of offending." Kylia says, with a very clear tone of finality, so I move on.
"What makes my brother so scary, besides the obvious?"
>"The obvious being that he can kill a dragon knight?"
"Yes."
>"Nothing I know of."
"That was my dumb question, then."

She laughs. Not strongly, and she cuts it off short as she sees the face I put on while pondering my next question.

2/3 Fen 2020/01/26(Sun)12:32 No. 954520 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158007074378.png - (30.51KB , 800x800 , 1309.png )

"You said it's painful. How painful?"
>"Very. It's not the worst pain that's out there, it won't even compare to real torture, but it's still enough that you should be strapped down in case you get squirmy and make the wound worse. You can always have me stop at any time, and I'll be talking you through it as we do it. I'll be paying attention to your body to see when it can handle more poking, or when I need to back off to let it heal a bit so I don't go too far."
"I understand. Can you show me mana stealth?"

She disappears from my own sense of mana, as expected. I can't sense her, but it isn't as though my own sense of mana is truly honed as of yet.

I drink some of the non-alcoholic drinks. It was food chosen by Holly, so any alcoholic drinks are few and clearly marked.

3/3 Fen 2020/01/26(Sun)12:33 No. 954521 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158007081773.png - (30.51KB , 800x800 , 1309.png )

"Will we be guarded?"
>"Yes, by a couple and myself. The fewer that know about it, the better."
"Would Erja Nokol's 'ocean' be more turbulent? That is, following the metaphor, would the ocean more aggressively tear me away from the boat?"

Kylia ponders that for a long moment.

>"There's reasons why that would be a concern, and why it wouldn't be a concern. I don't think it'll change the outcome, either way."

We talk for a moment about the drowning option, and about ways to stay awake, but Kylia seems strong minded against that option. Finally, Kylia turns to Aira.

>"Ask me something, Aira! You've had almost no questions."
>"Is that a problem?"
>"Being poorly informed is always a problem."

.....

>"That was my question." Aira states.
>"Okay, okay, I get it.
>"Fen asked every other question I thought of. Are any of the rooms reserved for nobles available?"
>"Sure." Kylia leans in to whisper to Aira. "Just remember what this tavern was made for, so even though the rooms are plenty safe physically, they're not safe to go talking openly in."
>"Why would I talk?"
>"Because I assume Fen's joining you."

Rooms?

>>954519
I thought you had two brothers who die while they were in the empire. Where they anything like you or Zizi?

>>Why would I talk
>>"Because I assume Fen's joining you."
"That's okay, we're less talkative without someone to ask questions of."

Just completely ignore the awkward subject of sharing bedrooms, Fen and Aira have already had that talk. If they share a room here, it's because they're both still paranoid.

Oh really? That means we can hold hands during?

Well, why wouldn't we share a room? Since they're mainly for nobles the beds are surely more than enough for two people. Plus, it's still cold here ain't it?

I do wonder why Kylia thought you and Aira would sleep together though, since I don't think she's seen you two go to bed in the same private room.

>>954521
"wouldn't Holly or Kylia here be better for keeping warm in the night, I am fairly hard and scaly, while they are soft and nicer to touch."

>Assume Fen is joining you.
"Only if she wants me to. Are cold rooms an issue here?"

Wait a minute.... She said she was proud more than half survived and compared the dangerous version of the operation to be like jumping in the tar pits.

Does that mean the tarpits have a survival rate on par with the dangerous version? Man, no wonder so many people jump in there.

Also, Fen likes joining people in their rooms, but is a dedicated Lily-sexual so... Eh, let the doctor fantasize.

... We are besties.

"I think we'd feel safer together, and we won't have much to talk about in there. What's the issue?" Act like she's speaking a foreign language if she makes overt references or allusions.

>>954551
Indeed.

Tell Kylia that she and holly are welcome to join you and aria.

>>954521
>The fewer that know about it, the better.
Then would we need to be muzzled, in case we scream in pain? That way we don't have a bunch of soldiers rushing to our location thinking that there's been an attack of some kind.

1/2 Fen 2020/01/27(Mon)17:36 No. 954629 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158017539175.png - (24.09KB , 800x800 , 1310.png )

I keep thinking about Zizi, and I realize I've completely forgotten about Ren and Len. They were my two siblings who died in this empire's conscripted army, but I often forget this fact, because it was from before I was born. Zizi never spoke of avenging them, and I can't imagine him making any particular effort to do so, although he was very young when Ren and Len died.

I focus back on the topic at hand.

"We're safer in numbers. Is there an issue?"
>"Oh, no, the rumors just seem true, is all."
>"Is that any of your business?" asks Aira.
>"Hm? Hmmmm. If that's your attitude, I can see why the rumors were getting spread like juicy gossip. Normally no one cares at all if a guy and a girl obviously get alone in a room and..." She makes some kind of gesture with her hands.
"Hold hands." I joke.

There's a pause, and then Kylia makes a long whistling exhale. She laughed normally earlier, but now she's doing some kind of stange, alternate laugh that I assume is a northern trait.

>"Okay, okay, I didn't want to make a big deal of it, I just had to indulge myself for a moment there and give you two a hard time."

2/2 Fen 2020/01/27(Mon)17:36 No. 954630 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158017540183.png - (71.69KB , 1200x800 , 1311.png )

We're shown to the room. It's expensive looking, although the walls aren't laden with novelty items. I still have a couple questions for Kylia, but they're smaller questions that can be dealt with tomorrow.

"You are welcome to join us, Kylia." I say, with faith that Aira will voice complaints if she has any.
>"Oh, no thank you, I don't like to be seen in a room with anyone else for more than a couple of moments."
"Why not?"
>"I don't want to give customers any reasons to get the wrong idea about what I do, here. If you need anything... well, you're in Holly's tavern. You can find help, but I should go get some sleep fast. It's a long day tomorrow, and you two should try your best to sleep as well. Goodnight, Fen, Aira."
"Goodnight, Kylia."
>"'night." says Aira.

initiate handholding protocol

I'm curious as to why Aira decided to go along with this as well, since it seemed like she was waiting for you to decided first. Ask if she's worried maybe?

Otherwise just get some rest, the decision's been made, no sense brooding over it.

Seems like Aira has something on her mind. More than the whole going to have a needle poke a vital organ thing I mean. Go see whats up with your friend.

Inspect room for traps, assassins, ghouls, specters, and wraiths.

Then idly poke at the bed ceiling and ponder why it exists.

How comfy! Check closet and drawers for assassins. We already know things can be overheard through here, better safe than sorry. Can't really talk about what exactly you're doing to be doing tomorrow, considering that, but you could have a more vague conversation with Aira about how much and why exactly she's driven to chase along with you on your high-risk pursuits of strength. She is her own kobold, of course, and you think she has good judgement I'm sure, but it might be something considerate to ask about.

>>954630
Aira looks beutiful.

WHOA handholding is so LEWD!

Man, this place is really a lot more luxurious than you've gotten used to.

>"I don't want to give customers any reasons to get the wrong idea about what I do, here.
Fair.

"So do we have any secrets that need discussing for listening ears?"

Aria has been a hell of a friend during your career. Thank her for that. You don't have to hold hands if she doesn't want to, but a soft bed and the warm friend should rarely be declined. Especially in a war.

Get properly undressed and lie down next to her. (Don't forget to keep a sword just shy of in your hand.)
"G'night, Aira."

Ask Aria what she thinks about this ordeal, any remarks? If not, time to restb we are going to need it.

>>954634
I highly doubt any of those things can get in here when the walls have a bunch of highly trained spies crawling around in them.

Make a quick check through the room, see if you can spot the hidden hidey holes and such. Then make brief small talk with Aira while spending a short while trying to detect whoever is inevitably spying on you.

Both of these actions might be useful practice for later, if you're ever in a place you don't trust.

Other than that, rest will be important, so do catch up on it while you can.

>>954630
Okay, so something's definitely up with Aira. However, she's always been the sort to keep to herself. You both have made your decision, its best not to bother each other with pointless discussion. That said, do check the room a bit, and pull down the blanket above the bed for additional warmth. Why someone hung it above the bed will forever be a mystery.

>>954630
Wow, that's a lot of storage space.
Well, bedtime is business as usual I suppose. Though now you have real places to put your stuff, and a comfier bed. Maybe you won't even need to cuddle up for warmth with those covers?

...We forgot to decide who goes first. Eh, we can draw straws or something...

Remember to check the closet and under the bed for assassins. No they aren't there, but the fewer unknowns in the back of your head the better you'll sleep. Try to get comfortable, find the bed is too soft for what you're used to and curl up on a blanket on the floor.

>>954632
I also want to ask that question, but I also don't want to imply her decision is anything but her own or act overly protective, especially since we've made the same decision she has.

You already complemented Kylia, may as well do the same with Aira.

>>954630
Don’t talk about anything that you want to remain private. Especially with Zall’s spies in the walls listening all the time.

"Do you think we are making the right choice? We could probably learn stealth just fine on our own after a few weeks."

Check the room for the usual threats as you chat.

1/2 Fen 2020/01/28(Tue)09:36 No. 954692 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158023298183.png - (19.95KB , 800x800 , 1312.png )

I look inside of this large container I could fit in. There's lockboxes on the side of the bed, too, with complimentary keys. I do it all out of curiosity as much as to check for any secret people, but the room is safe.

Aira's flops backwards into the pillow.

2/2 Fen 2020/01/28(Tue)09:38 No. 954693 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158023311133.png - (14.92KB , 800x800 , 1313.png )

I inspect the bed for any spies inside, undress, and put my sword nearby. Once I get on the bed, Aira is under the covers. I notice they are heavy. The blanket at the top of the bed seems very light, I'm unsure why it is there, but it doesn't seem to be meant to be taken down. I follow Aira under the heavy blanket to speak in hushed whispers.

"Thanks, Aira, for being a reliable friend."
>"Ditto."
"May I ask why you chose to do this with me?"
>"Because it's smart."
"I'm glad you think so, but why do you think so?"
>"... I forget that you aren't as experienced at being a pawn as most of the rest of us. There have been many situations where we had to hide, but failed to do so. Most of the pawns around me died. By comparison, what we're going to do is safe, and will turn those dangerous situations into safer ones. In other words, choosing to do this increases our chances of survival, not harms it. I thought that's why you chose to do it."
"I am in a hurry to get stronger, and will take the chance even if there was also a chance we could learn mana stealth on our own in a few weeks."
>"It's too big of a chance that we'll be in danger before we learned on our own."
"When you put it like you did, I wonder if the others should have joined, too."
>"No, most soldiers assume they are going to die, and they try to control how they die. That's why most of us avoid any risk of dying like how we might. That, or they disagree that the chances of survival increase."
"Why do they assume they will die?"
>"Because if they think they might live, then every moment down here becomes terrifying. You appear to be in it to survive, so I have no idea how you are able to follow the orders we get reliably."

There's a moment of silence as I contemplate if or how to reply to that, before she holds my hand. I'd like to compliment her look like I did Kylia, but I don't think Aira cares about compliments like that.

>>954693
You're right. She's not that type of girl. Rest then, you two will need it. Wonder where her shirt went.

...she makes an excellent spoon.

"I'm not sure I do think I might live. I just think I need to. If that makes sense."

"I sometimes wonder if I'm even capable of feeling fear - if there's something wrong with me because of it. My nightmare made incarnate hardly stirred anything in me. Then again, that apparition wasn't exactly dangerous. That what it was trying to personify was only made clear after its true nature and purpose were already known might have blunted the effect a bit as well. What do you think?"

Y'know, this is the second time you and Aira have slept together in seclusion the night before something highly dangerous, you think she has a confession to make like last time?

Because she does. People who are just friends don't hold hands, Fen.

"Do they worry about how people will view them after they are gone? That dying from a needle lessens there life somehow?"

>>954693
I think it’s time to sleep. Don’t keep each other awake all night, since both of you are going to need your rest for what’s going to happen tomorrow.

>>954698
>People who are just friends don't hold hands, Fen.
I think Aira is just playing along with that joke Fen told Kylia earlier. A guy and a girl obviously get alone in a room and hold hands.

"Let's make a pact. If anything goes wrong the survivor will go beat up a necromancer and force them to bring us back. So if your soul ends up lost and confused in the crypt stay strong so I can find you."

"Of course I will be waiting for you to save me as well."

>>954704
>go beat up a necromancer and force them to bring us back.
That is a terrible idea.

"Maybe I'm not scared of fighting because I grew up with it and it's what I do best. Or maybe it's because of the dream I'm fighting for, which I will fail if I fail the army. I pursue my dream and help my friends along the way, it's a simpler life than it looks."

>>954693
Time to sleep.

>>954694
I wouldn't be surprised if Fen doesn't understand that and asks what an eating utinsel has to do with sleeping next to someone?

>>954698
Fen already told Aira that he has his heart set on Lily, so I'd be surprised if Aira developed an feelings for him at all.

>>954704
That's not funny. Don't even joke about something like that. Nobody would want to be brought back by a necromancer.

>>954693
"Let's continue to not die, then."

Y'know, considering the way her life has changed thanks to him, it's be a little weird of Aira WASN'T into Fen.

Of course if she was she'd never ever admit that to anyone.

Close your eyes.

"I don't have time to fall behind or fail, so I try not to let useless fears get in the way. If I die, I die, but I aim to live. I want to have a chance at..."

Picture Lily in your mind. Recall your last parting hug. Squeeze the hand, almost involuntarily.

>>954693
Massage her hand a little bit brah. Gently. This is either moment for silence, or suggest that fighting for survival gives you an edge in momentum.

So long as it carries forward, so do you. You're riding the waves of life, not death. You're hoping fortune truly does favor the bold. The KObold.

>>954724
She has previously identified as ace, and hasn't yet done anything to indicate otherwise. Fen isn't ignoring signals, he's respecting her stated position.

Well, it sounds like the rank and file take a form of insanity that allows them to cope with the constant conflict between their military doctrine, code of nobility, and survival instinct.

You? Love drove you insane a long time ago. You're working for the chance to savor it.

>>954693
"I see it all as an obstacle that I have to overcome, honestly I don't know how I'd endure all this if I thought I'd die here. You can praise her for her bravery.

>You appear to be in it to survive, so I have no idea how you are able to follow the orders we get reliably.
>There's a moment of silence as I contemplate if or how to reply to that
"I suppose with something to live for, I'm not afraid of risking death. Maybe that doesn't make much sense, but wanting something changed my outlook a lot."

"I don't think i fear death as much as i fear failure. You could say that failure and death are the same thing. But i gues i would rader die than fail in my goal. I don't what will i do if i don't succed. So dying isn' do bad, is just another obstacule."

You probably should give Aira at least a little compliment about her looks, maybe something about how her eye patch looks great on her?

>>954771
Bad idea to mention "eyepatch" and "look" in the same sentence.

This is not the time for compliments, she'll get the wrong idea.

>>954792
I agree

1/5 Fen 2020/01/29(Wed)10:45 No. 954809 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158032352131.png - (10.57KB , 800x800 , 1314.png )

"It's not that I don't think there's a chance I will die, but surviving here and advancing in rank is the only way I will live, not just survive. The fear I feel little compared to the thought of giving up and abandoning everything."
>"Sorry, I had forgotten about you and L." She takes her hand back.
"I don't mind the hand, but..." I don't know how to approach the topic about how affectionate it felt, even if it was just a simple grab.
>"I remembered the joke, but..." Even though she trails off, she's breathing in a way like she's trying to formulate other words. She, too, does not appear to have any idea how to approach this topic, and simply grabs my hand again."
>"Your hands are cold, but just remove them from mine if you find it inappropriate. On the previous topic, you do fear, then? You hide it well."
"All barbarians learn to hide it well, but lately, I have been able to do it so well that it may as well not be there."

I squeeze Aira's hand back. Aira may not make me feel the same way that Lily did, but I like and appreciate Aira enough that it still would feel wrong to push her away at all.

It's a very small hand.

2/5 Fen 2020/01/29(Wed)10:46 No. 954810 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158032357451.png - (53.31KB , 1200x800 , 1315.png )

We sleep, get up, and skip breakfast all without event.

Kylia comes to meet us in our bedroom, and guides us through a tunnel under the tavern. I believe we're going underneath Zall's building, and soon we end up in a dark place that looks like one of those fabled dungeons I've heard stories about. There are no prisoners in the cells, anyway, but Kylia guides us past the area and into a cleaner looking room that's been set up for this ritual. I set my weapons in a box that Kylia gestures towards.

>"Sorry about the interior." says Kylia. She sounds more somber than usual, but it isn't hard to guess why. "I'll get some more candles, and this place is private. Each of you just lie on either of those two beds over there, since I'll be doing both of you at the same time."
"The beds are at a steep incline." I note.
>"The straps will keep you up and on them. If they were flat, it'd be even easier to fall asleep on."
"Will we have to be muzzled, to prevent screaming and getting attention?"
>"No. Sound doesn't travel far here, but moreso, I want you two to be capable of deciding to cancel the procedure at any point before or during. Gags and muzzles make that hard. Although..."

3/5 Fen 2020/01/29(Wed)10:47 No. 954811 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158032365105.png - (41.11KB , 800x800 , 1316.png )

Kylia walks to a box, and from it, she pulls out a long needle.

>"There aren't many more chances to back out before the needle goes in. Any cold feet?"

I say 'no', and Aira gets herself onto one of the beds. I join her.

Moss 2020/01/29(Wed)10:48 No. 954812 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158032370759.png - (68.19KB , 1000x800 , 1317.png )

rolled 85 = 85

---

Fen's survival roll is 1d200. A higher result is better.

>"Gippiks told me you didn't share your lunch with him."
"Huh? Is that guy still going on about that?"
>"Naw, I just remembered, but I never realized how much you ate. Did you have that much lunch when you didn't share?"
"Yeah, what of it?"
>"Heh, just seems a little mean now that I see how much you kept to yourself."
"That'll teach him to forget his own lunch. It's not like he starved, Nawm, he just had to survive 6 more hours till getting to go up to eat a dinner at the palace! I'm sure he complained the entire time to all the starving prisoners."
>"And us, yes. I guess nothing came of it, but be careful not sharing food like that, Moss. Your fellow guards might think you don't care about them."
"'Course I care." I lie, for the most part. This one's alright, mostly. "But I get the good food for lunch, so if I start giving it away to hungry guards, before long the whole floor is going to suddenly start 'forgetting' their lunch."
>"Damn, you really do think low of us, huh?"
"Am I wrong?"
>"Didn't say that. Just sayin', sometimes some people forget things perfectly innocent, and could use a little help for it."
"... you forgot your lunch, didn't you."

5/5 Moss 2020/01/29(Wed)10:49 No. 954813 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158032374916.png - (18.12KB , 800x800 , 1318.png )

>"How dare you accuse me, Moss. I accept food as an apology."

Silently chop a hunk off the second sandwich and pass it over.

The roll was meant to be 1d100, to be clear. The previous spoiler text describing it as a 1d200 was incorrect, but the roll itself was correctly done.

Give him part of one sando.

Give her a taste of your meat.

"An apology, right. Not the same thing as sharing, at all. So long as I'm not gonna suddenly be surrounded by people getting offended at lunchtime, either."

Moss 2020/01/29(Wed)12:01 No. 954819 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158032810895.png - (29.79KB , 800x800 , 1319.png )

I tear off a piece of my untouched sandwich and hand it to Nawm.

"As long as I don't start start 'offending' everyone right around lunchtime."
>"Oh, I won't be sharing this knowledge with anyone, haha."
"Why me, anyway? Am I the only one who remembered to pack a lunch?"
>"First off, you're a big softy and actually gave me something. Second, you bring in the best food. Third, I got told to tell you that a mail runner's waiting in the fourth study room. You have an important priority letter or something. Fourth, I'll pay you back and I trust you to not overprice your own food."

Yeah, alright. Keep it in mind for later, time to go get the important letter and see what shenanigans are afoot.

Lets go meet this mysterious mail man while you finish the half of the sandwich you're currently eating and just the other half, as a test to see what Nawm does with it.

And of course bring your sword in case they're here to merk you for whatever reason.

>>954819
Important priority letter? That's weird. Fen's letters aren't priority, it must be from someone else. Better go check it out. Pack your lunch back up and go see what it is.
Are you in a good position to help Fen when he comes to get the scarf?

Damn they have you pegged to a T. Take your food and eat on the way.

"If by pay me back you mean deliver me a handcrafted lunch you made yourself we have a deal."

Then head off to meet the mail guy. Make sure you properly hand over your shift and follow procedures of course.

>>954825

Yes make her repay the favor in kind.

1/2 Moss 2020/01/29(Wed)13:55 No. 954833 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158033491148.png - (25.46KB , 800x800 , 1320.png )

"I expect to be paid back in the form of your own handmade lunch, Nawm. Get someone to cover for me in case this mail takes longer than it should."

I grab my sword, dodge prisoner's hands, and head over to the study hall. Maybe it's a promotion so that I can actually get in a better position to help Fen when he comes over to get his scarf back. Or at least to a spot where I don't have to dodge prisoner hands.

The 'mail' runner looks to be wearing a year's worth of mail runner wages in cloth.

"Hello. I'm told I have urgent mail."
>"That's correct."

2/2 Moss 2020/01/29(Wed)13:57 No. 954834 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158033502343.png - (14.28KB , 800x800 , 1321.png )

He hands me a few letters. One is Fen's. There's nothing unusual about the letter itself, it's just an update on how he's still alive and working on the Erja Nokol campaign, trying to get into Sir Zall's elite to be sent down in the mausoleum.

The other is from my ex-wife.

>"Hi, Moss. I hope your new job is better than you made it sound. I did mean it when I said I still cared for you, so I'm glad I met someone who knew your address so I could mail you. Please write back to me. I understand if you don't want to talk at great length with me, but I want to know if you're doing alright."

Then the other is from Gahn, a name I haven't seen since Fen stopped at that break town. He wrote in his usual, barely legible handwriting.

>"Hy Moss! I got on with some one at the Fins!" The Fence, I'm sure he means. "He told me allabowt ya! Bin buzy here but you beter beleve Im gonna nab ya when I'm in Graskin nekst! Sed you bin living that hi guard life, so your paying!" He ran out of room on the letter, here.

"That's all the mail?" I say to the overly well dressed 'mail runner'.
>"Haha, well, I was down here anyway, I thought I'd do the job even though I'm no mail runner. I'm here for an assignment for you."
"That is?"
>"My name is Lord Sayanos of Pocktown, and I'd like Fen the Red Maw to die. You may stop making eye contact with me, now."

Tell him you're not allowed to accept such claim without proof.

And if he properly authenticates, ask if he first convened of this with your lord and master, for Warlord Krix is the one who decides if you leave town.

You've nothing to lose by asking some questions here, but you should definitely drop eye contact.

Some questions you could ask are:
Why? Wouldn't Fen murdering Raysan (or whatever his name was) be good for him, since one can can assume he's now the gold noble of that area?

Why me? Since Moss doesn't know about his letter(s?) getting intercepted, Moss probably believes that the last time Sayanos knows he was in contact with Fen was back at the trial.

What's in it for me? Gotta at least know how important this is to him, at least beyond coming here in person.

But no matter what you say (excluding "why me") you have no reason to be deceitful because, lets be honest here, you're not a great liar Moss, and a gold noble wouldn't appear in person if he didn't have all the cards he needed, so lying will only piss him off.

>Why? Wouldn't Fen murdering Raysan (or whatever his name was) be good for him, since one can can assume he's now the gold noble of that area?
Following Rasyan's death, Pocktown (which was an enclave in Krix's jurisdiction) was reintegrated into it (which means this guy can't be higher than Stone). Everyone in Pocktown is pissed at this because, well, Krix.

>>954834
Alright time to treat this guy as a noble. Bow and ask how you may serve. It's not like you're an assassin or anything, so there must be some other angle he wants your help with.

Also, the timing of those other letters is suspicious. I'd bet this guy told them about you and gave them money to buddy up to you and try to get information from you. Well, that or they were told where you were so that they would get back into your life and then make better hostages to ensure you do the job he's asking you to do. Or both!

>>954840
Hmm... wouldn't Fen killing Krix be a good thing then?

>>954834
Agree, but under the condition that you get moved out of guard duty.

By all means abuse this guy's pull to go wherever you want. You don't actually have to do anything if you get to leave in persuit.

>>954843
Yes, but it's assumed Pocktown residents don't know Fen plans to kill Krix, and being caught informing this guy of that fact would be grounds for summary execution. And if this guy is actually a Krix loyalist in disguise sent to "test" Moss, Krix would definitely know he should have Moss killed.

>>954844
>this guy's pull
If this guy really is from Pocktown, then he doesn't have any pull: Krix outranks him.

Hm, I'm wondering if Moss could try and inform the guy with plausible deniability, such as "I'm sure my master will be pleased, and reward me handsomely if I kill the barbarian who has vowed to murder him."

>>954834
Do you have proof of your identity?
Why are you involving me of all people? There are more talented killers associated with the Red Maw over me, not to mention the distance between us.
Is this some elaborate double, triple, or quadruple plot where you say you want to kill the Red Maw, but mean something else entirely that won't really end up in his death?

Moss 2020/01/29(Wed)14:46 No. 954850 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158033798507.png - (18.28KB , 800x800 , 1322.png )

"Do you have proof?" I drop eye contact, and he peels back his cloth to show a stone coin of identification. I stand up straight and forward, other than my head. Between his coin and him coming down here, where the public isn't normally allowed, I'd have to be an idiot with a deathwish to press it further. I already need to start picking my words carefully.

"Why do you want Fen dead?"
>"Do you think we would just sit back and let the person who killed a gold noble go free? Do you know how bad of a message that sends, that murderers of nobles can get away freely? Or the message that those who benefited from Lord Rasyan's passing welcome such a murderer? It's a stupid question, Moss."
"Why did you come to me, for that?"
>"I don't have patience for stupid questions, Moss."
"I'm no assassin, so I assume there's another angle you want my help with."
>"The only 'angle' here is that unlike everyone else in town, Fen doesn't see you as an enemy. So I'm telling you to walk up to him, give him a big pat on the back, and put a dagger through it, or whatever implement you want. You don't need to be an assassin to kill someone, you know."

"... He's paranoid. Really, really paranoid. He said in one of his letters that wears his plate mail pretty much whenever he isn't sleeping, which would definitely include being in an presumably hostile town. Plus, for all he knows, something like, well, this happened, so I'm not sure if he'll even trust me enough to slip a knife in his... Whatevers not armored."

I actually do really like the idea of Moss turning against Fen, but this current "plan" is just suicide.

"There's a reason Fen doesn't see me as an enemy. How much do you price personal betrayal?"

"Fair enough. So assuming I agree how would this work?"

They are either going to bribe you with gold or threaten you with horrible blackmail/family murder. For the moment your best bet is to not assume anything and stay interested but non committal.

Your best bet is to make him think that you are friends with Fen because you are following his rising star. That you follow/like Fen because of the benefits that he could bring you.

We want him to think that you would backstab Fen if larger and more immediate benefits were dangled in front of you.

Now of course if they have a truth mage welp what you going to do.

So stay curious and see where he is going with this.

>>954850
What are the expected consequences of
A not wanting to be stuck in Erja Nokol
B not stabbing a friend in the back

>>954850
>Do you think we would just sit back and let the person who killed a gold noble go free?
Don't say this, but isn't that kind of thinking a bit treasonous? The court decided his punishment. He's been punished, and to imply otherwise is to disrespect the authority of the court, which is (apparently) the HIGHEST authority. I wonder if you can do something with this information...

Anyway, ask him if you can turn this down, because you don't think your chances of success are very high. If this is being forced upon you, ask what happens if you fail but Fen doesn't kill you for some reason.
...that gives me an idea. You could accept this job, make an obvious attempt but fail, and then Fen takes something from your (hopefully still alive)body that helps him get to Krix.

Ok, well unless they want to offer you the choice of a deathwish, disagreeing or going to Erja Nokol, you'll be waiting here for Fen to claim his dragon cloth and when he does he's not gonna be here with peaceful intentions. So there's no need to actually follow through with agreeing.

You're going to have to show a degree of reluctance / feign being convinced before agreeing, since he is asking you to betrayal both a friend and a very dangerous person.

So maybe >>954852 but add "of someone who could easily kill me."

Or just "Why should I betray a friend who could easily kill me if I tried to kill them?" Not mentioning price keeps it from being a matter of sufficient payment, and more a matter of motivation e.g. if they think you're too fearful of being killed by Fen to try.

>>954851
Don't give the enemy information

>>954850
Hmm, guess we have to ask the polite way
Does he have means to both get us in and out of Erja Nokol, while Fen's in the middle of a mission for an army of our Kingdom, whilst being surrounded by talented assassin's that are his compatriots?

Do you have any intel for me about those compatriots? Fen has been smartly sparse with the details in his letters, and I don't see that changing anytime soon, especially if I start prying in them.

What of leave for my current station? Do I have it?

"No, but you do have to be one to just slip past the security measures and armed forces to get close enough to grand knight Zall's subordinates, let alone start stabbing them."

I don't think this guy is who he says he is. If he is, then he's likely to try and kill you if you keep playing dumb.

Lord Rasyan (of Pocktown) held dominion over the eastern district of Turtle's Hideaway, as a gold noble. Warlord Krix is the gold currently in control of the Western district.

Unclear from context if Lord Sayanos is Lord Raysan's successor (and their house got downgraded from gold to stone after the loss of status / perceived weakness from Raysan's ignoble death) or if Lord Sayanos is the stone noble who managed Pocktown under Rasyan.

>what do
Well, I'd like to say something glibe, like "My lord, I'm neither a good assassin to kill a man nobles and actual assassins have failed to kill, nor a good enough liar to play the game where I pretend to agree with your request."

But he's a noble, there's no repercussions for him if he just kills Moss for refusing him, and Moss likely can't deal with the consequences of killing a noble, even assuming this one loses.

So grit your teeth and agree. "I obey, my Lord. So long as Warlord Krix does not order otherwise."

Add one guy to the list of people Fen has to kill. If he makes it back here, kills Krix and reclaims his dragocloth, he'll be a bigger bear than this guy anyways and you won't have to care what Sayanos thinks.

Moss 2020/01/29(Wed)15:56 No. 954863 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158034220354.png - (18.28KB , 800x800 , 1322.png )

"He's a paranoid barbarian. I don't think he'll let me get as close to him as one might think. How would this even work, assuming I agree to this?"
>"You get an escort to Erja Nokol through whatever quarantine is still there by the time you arrive, where you'll find Fen and invite him to drinks, or whatever it is that would make him lower his guard."
"And on success, of personal betrayal of a highly danger draconian?"
>"Then you get paid well enough that you won't need to work for a long time. And if you like work, I can put you in just about any job you could dream of."
"You can pull me out of this job?"
>"I already talked to your captain about pulling you for this assignment. He's agreed. All these questions are making it sound like you're hesitating."
"... I don't think as highly of my chances as you might."
>"You'll have my resources to use. People, spies, money, whatever you need to enact an assassination plan. And that plan can be of your own choosing, so long as I hear of it. You know him and what will get his guard down better than I. I'd suggest you try to succeed, because now it sounds like you're trying to decline."

I'm not seeing a whole lot of ways this can end other than either me tossing out the words "I obey, my Lord," or my corpse getting tossed out.

That is, other than me successfully, somehow convincing this guy that I'm sure one of the worst people he could choose to drag me into hidden assassination schemes.

Okay, so if you stay here: you have to survive until Fen comes for Krix, help him, hope he wins, then you're free. And you have to survive this noble's displeasure (more assassins) at the same time too.

If you say yes: you get sent to the warzone, defect to join Fen and enlist in the army as soon as you meet up. Then not get killed in a warzone, and survive if this noble sends assassins after you for betraying him.

If you actually try to kill Fen: even if Fen doesn't kill you (he totally will, and then he'll feel bad about it) you have to not get killed by Fen's army buddies, his mutant buddies, his brother, or the warzone.

...you've got assassins after you no matter which answer you give. Saying no to Lord Sayanos gets the least scary assassins sent after you.

"I'm sorry, my Lord. I don't believe I could succeed, and even if I did, the war or his brother would kill me."

Honestly, you are going to have to lie to this noble to get him off your back.

And that means bluffing, which I've got two ideas about.

1: lie about the sham trial that lady apanya put on, probably something to do with standing orders you've got from someone who is so far up the foodchain that this guy pulling weight to have you removed is a Bad Idea for him.

2: make up a lie involving the correspondence you've had with Fen. There's hopefully a lot of opportune creativity you can use for your bluff, like saying that Fen's actually going crazy or that Zall has threatened to start chasing down leads to figure out who's head he can actually cut off to stopp all the assassination attempts on Fen even though that's not actually his job.

This isn't a secret you let people walk away from. Sayanos has the situation under his control. Moss has no support. We've given about as much resistance as he probably expects and tolerates, so time to play along. Figure out what's up, leech resources off him, and go to the warzone, since them approaching you instead of someone already close to Fen means they don't have enough influence in the warzone to keep the situation entirely under their control there. If you can get a logistics job in the warzone, it's safer than trying to deal with a noble conspiracy that wants you dead.

So, we need to fabricate a complicated plan to deal with Fen's paranoia and justify taking some resources from them and get a relatively secure job in the army. Gather some information while we're at it and it should be our best bet of getting out of this.

Well agreeing would get you close to Fen. Close to Fen with money and men and resources. You could use those to secretly help him or openly help him for a bit.

That and its probably safer near Fen now that Fen's enemies know about you. If you stay here you will likely end up a hostage to discourage Fen.

(But you would be in undead territory.)

This guy does not seem horribly bright. Fen is a blood knight now right? That is minor noble territory and this guy is just a stone noble. And the idea that you will waltz into a army base and kill a knight and get away with it?

"So how cushy of a job are we talking about? Guard captain with a little house in town maybe?"



Unless you have a strong reason for staying here I think hanging out with Fen and helping him might be best.

How do you feel about faking your own death? He mentioned resources, you'll have an opportunity to learn who and what is opposing Fen. You get 'caught' or 'killed' in your attempt, spill the beans, and lay low far FAR from this shitty job.

Make some demands that are less then reasonable, it may reveal he doesn't plan on letting you live at all.

"No one of my station would rightfully deny one of yours, my lord, except under one condition: that it would go against the wishes of one who is yet higher still. Lady Apanya was the one who suggested my reassignment here, and in truth, if it were not for that then I would not have come here. Perhaps she cares and perhaps not, but for one such as myself the merest off-hand remark of a mithril noble should be as a command, should it not?"

Okay. Refuge in audacity. It's about the only hope you have to maintain your position here, where you could potentially be useful to Fen in giving Krix his bloody what-for. Mainly because what you're about to say could even be so damn true.

"Fine, I wasn't sure where you wanted to go with this beyond some nebulous assassination plan, but if that is all... I will have to decline. Lord Krix would have more than my hide if I let you spoil his own plans. Heh. I'm sure he'd laugh, and then some, if he knew rivals in influence would pay out of pocket for his benefit, but I suspect it would behoove me not to mention any of this ever took place."

Smile stiffly.

"Did you honestly think, my lord, someone with a connection to Red Maw was not already wrapped up in schemes? Forgive me, Lord Sayanos, but you are simply too late for the recruitment drive."

Sigh, and then shrug.

"If you do not believe me, ask yourself this. What would I gain from maintaining connections with Fen at this point? Why would I go out of my way, serving in this place - serving under Lord Krix - being friends with the very Red Maw whose bounty Krix has raised and raised again? It would be dangerous. Risky. Frankly speaking, suicide. Unless... it was sanctioned. Tolerated. In short, whether as bait or blade, Krix intends to use me."

Fold your arms.

"As the only one of his tools, as you surmised, with the prior friendly relationship, Lord Krix already seeks to use me to kill Fen. And if you ruin that opportunity, Lord Sayanos, with your own plot, I am certain Krix will be... displeased. With you - and Pocktown - no longer having a Gold's support, is that ire something you really want to risk?"

Shrug.

"That must be your choice to make. I'm just surprised you wouldn't have waited until Red Maw took first crack at Lord Krix, or the bounty hunters succeeded, making your mission moot. You'd either save money, or one of your rivals would fall, after which you can then try to take advantage."

>>954863
My best play is to depress him so hard that he does nothing.

In all honesty, despite the gains I can make, I really don't want to do it. But I will, because a Lord demands it of me. The reality is that I hope I fail and Fen kills me, as that's the best way this can turn out for me now that you've asked.

I won't betray your plot as I know the risks, I have an ex-wife I somewhat still care about you can hurt if I do midway through. If you threaten to kill her her merely for my failure and death due to my lack of passion towards this goal, then that is a wasted gesture, as one cannot even gain a passion for success from that. I'm already a dead man walking, now that you've asked this of me. Whether I kill him and physically live, or he or one of his friends kills me physically, I am already dead. He may spare me, I suppose, but then I think that will only get me sent here as a prisoner, so I may as way take my life in the medbay upon failure.

If this is the sword you choose to wield my lord, it will swing, but it WILL break, for it is brittle and cheap.

If Lord Krix himself felt that he should take Lady Apanya's suggestion to accept you into service without objection, your being nervous at even the slightest hint of going against her desires is quite justifiable. Would you willingly take responsibility for even the slight chance of displeasing her, Lord Sayanos? I will be nothing if not honest if a mithril noble should ever ask me questions.

Ask him to assure you this isn't some test of loyalty from Lady Apanya. If he asks why, tell him if that's the case saying 'no' to his request is the only way you can see yourself surviving this.

You know what? Do it. Legitimately try and kill Fen.

Think about it. What has he honestly done for you Moss? He's been a decent friend in the, what, day you spend time with him? But other than that, he's solely been a negative on your life.

First getting you involved with the dragoncloth debacle in general, and you could've reasonably been pinned as an accomplice to him by that girl who saw you, Gahn and Fen when he was asking around for Raysan shortly before murdering him in an area you could bet would be argued as in your jurisdiction.

After that you got to chill for a solid week or two before you had to run for what was it, eight hours for the trial about Raysans death, which you were probably only spared the wrath of due to Lady Apyana using it for her own gain. Who also, of course, put you working under the person who seems to be one of the few people you truly despise, being surrounded on one side by those loyal to him and on the other by people deranged enough to call you "chicken fatty".

And for what? A chance he might kill Krix? One man against an army led by someone as strong as Fen is... Aren't exactly good odds. And if he fails, and you're found out? You'll be thrown to the prisoners if you lucky, and will likely become well acquainted with the limits of healing magic, if you get me.

But if you go along with this? You'll no doubt have the resources to deal with one man, and to be protected from the aftermath, be it a legendarily dangerous but fortunately unsubtle brother or vengeful squadmates that wont be able to shirk their duties forever. And in the end you'll be rewarded with the only thing you wanted out of this: A quiet life, perhaps with Nawm or the ocean of women you'll be able to meet.

But if you try to play hero, and use what'll get here to help Fen? There's no end game to that, only suffering. Fen won't care enough to kill Sayanos, but those under both him and Krix certainly will care enough to hunt you for the rest of your days, and who would protect you? Fen wouldn't be able to budget people well enough to save you forever, So how could this end except with you dead? At the very least, remember where not killing Fen when you had the chance got you.

>>954863
Heh, neither character here knows that the army is running an extremely tight ship right now. This mission has zero chance of success because they probably won't even let Moss in.

Tell him you'll obey of course. Then ask him how you're going to escape after Fen is dead. I don't think the army will appreciate you assassinating one of their knights.

1/3 Moss 2020/01/29(Wed)18:50 No. 954890 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158035264947.png - (28.11KB , 800x800 , 1324.png )

I can't spend more than a few seconds thinking to myself, and I'm just starting to get idea about how to fake my own death, or make up speeches I couldn't hope to replicate convincingly.

"You're a stone noble, right?"
>"Yes?"
"I'd need a lot of resources to kill Fen. Even when I met him, there wasn't a single point when he wasn't on guard, and now he has an entire squad around him. A cushy job, you said? Guard captain, in town, maybe with a little house?"
>"Here? I'm sure I could pull strings. In Pocktown? You could have your own room in the palace itself."
"And you say you've cleared it with my guard, but have you also cleared it with Lady Apanya? She made an offhand remark about -
>"I have read the records, and I assure you that Lady Apanya does not give the slightest care about what you do, it was merely a kind gesture to get you to be more useful than some lazy guard in a breaktown."

... I don't know if I agree, but that's a thought to keep to myself.

It's not like Fen is the greatest friend I've ever had, certainly not much compared to all the people this noble can threaten, but all the same this assassination business is beyond me.

"I'm a dead man, then. I'll accept because I'm in no station or position to decline. I'll be your sword, but you should know it's a brittle one."
>"Moss." He puts his hand on my shoulder. "Have a little more faith in yourself."

2/3 Moss 2020/01/29(Wed)18:51 No. 954891 ID: 5fc3a0
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"Ghk?!"

3/3 Moss 2020/01/29(Wed)18:52 No. 954892 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158035272030.png - (22.38KB , 800x800 , 1326.png )

He really just kneed my crotch?!

>"Because if you fail, your ex wife will die, your friend Gahn will die, any other friend you've had will die, all until you either doom every dirt trodding peasant you ever speak to until you kill yourself so you don't have to see it all happen, even though you know it will. And you can bet that at some point during that, someone else will succeed in killing Fen, if not you or another agent of mine, then one of my rivals, Lord Krix himself, or just the war he's in. I'll be sending your escort in a couple of days. Don't try anything stupid until then, like your bad tone I've been trying to look past this whole time. Or, really, anything that isn't saying 'understood, my lord'."

Well, it'll probably be handy for Fen to fake his death at some point anyway, so that's one idea. Think you could contrive to visit the Fence on your way down? I know you don't like her, but Cheese is one of the few people who would and could help you about this.

"Understood my Lord."

All in all that went well. You could have much worse than a knee in the balls and some empty threats to your friends and family. Cause this guy can rant a bit but a Stone noble backed by a nervous warlord is not as scary as crossing a Mythril and getting all your relatives turned into abominations or something.

Only two options really. Side with Fen and help him fuck up your enemies or side with your enemies and probably die faster via backstabbing.

Well then, we're going to have wait to dick over Krix until after making damned sure THIS fucker and his syndicate are eliminated.

Yeah, it's bad, but you could have worse enemies than a guy who's so used to getting what he wants he doesn't recognize a bad idea when he sees it.

Tell Nawm to keep his money, you need him to send some letters for you.

>>954893
This, first of all.

Secondly, we need to get the support of some powerful people in short order, preferably before mister nobility here loses his patience in a few months or whatever. The people i can think of who are both scary enough to help and have even a small chance of actually helping:
Lady Apanya, Zizi, Fen's superiors. Zizi I think will probably help for sure, but I have no idea HOW he'd help, or how you'd even get a message to him. The other two are crapshoots, but all our buds and ourselves are facing death here, so might as well feel it out once you get to Erja.

>>954897
It doesn't have to be Nawn, who is literally the first person we've been introduced to in this thread. I'm sure Moss knows far more trustworthy people to send letters.

>>954892
Well, say the thing.

Once he's gone, inspect your letters again. Check the seals. Were they tampered with? The mail has some protections, maybe you can use that to get rid of this fucker.

"Understood, my Lord."

Isn't that last exchange a good summary of your life recently?
Trying in vain to convince people you aren't better than you look, getting kicked in the dick (this time literally) then being told to do something no sane man should think you could do, but since literally everyone you know is on the line, you have no choice but to soldier on until the next thing finally kills you.

So once again, I say you legitimately try and kill Fen with all the heart you can muster, since you know that anything less is death.

Oh, and go see if the other half of your sandwich is still there.

"Understood my Lord."

He was absolutely going to make that threat about killing everyone you cared about before you made any decision. This was always a "you don't have a choice" choice, he was always going to offer you both the carrot and a stick (to the balls).

Not really much you can do to save anyone, short of getting Sayanos killed before you fail to kill Fen (because, be honest, you're not that kind of person, and even if you were, Fen could take you in a fight). Which will be tricky, with your only noble killing buddy stuck in an underground tower for the moment.

Oh, if there was anything you wanted to do that you couldn't because it would catch up with you eventually, you could try doing it before you leave. Best of a bad situation and all that.

>>954901
There are other things methods that that Moss can pursue than doing as this asswipe commands, damn you. This is not the hill that Moss should willingly choose to die on.

Moss 2020/01/29(Wed)19:48 No. 954907 ID: 5fc3a0
File 158035608099.png - (24.27KB , 800x800 , 1327.png )

"Understood, my lord." I cough it out and I'm not proud of it.

Hours later...

>"Seriously. What happened?"
"Don't want to talk about it, Nawm."
>"Okay, fine, it's easy enough to assume. You pissed someone off enough to send a mail order knee to the balls, and they had to pay such a steep fee that the mail runner bought some fancy looking robes. I saw 'em on the way out, and that was some prime cloth."

I didn't make it back onto my feet until Nawm found me in that room.

I could try to kill Fen. Maybe he would see me. The hardest part would be to keep a calm exterior without him catching on that something's wrong. It's not like Fen means the world to me. The chances of him killing Krix aren't good. I still don't want to.

I don't just 'despise' Krix. I'd happily give Sayanos a heartfelt kiss sooner than I'd give an unenthused nod towards Krix. As bad as Fen's chances are, they're too good to just throw away. Even if I did kill Fen and got away with it, I don't know if I could live with myself, knowing that I went back to 'relaxing' in break towns because I did as this asshole noble commanded, playing their asshole noble games of setting friends killing friends.

In fact come to think of it, I want to be here. I've been too lazy here! I want to work myself into a good position to help Fen raise hell, and make my shitty time as a guard worth it. At this point I want to do it myself if that's what has to be done, and someone has to do it. Krix has to die. Every day, the prison is reminding me of that. I'm not going to Erja Nokol without a plan, and I'm not going to go back to living in a break town.

But I can't deal with this one by myself. I doubt that ass was right about Lady Apanya, but what of it? I can't just go knocking through the mithril palace, walk up to Lady Apanya and demand clarification about it. Did Fen have other superiors? Erja Nokol army leaders are too busy with the war to deal with turtle politics. All they could do is better protect Fen while he's there.

... Zizi? I have no idea where I'd find him. It'd take me so long that Sayanos would figure I'm running away, and start killing.

I can't trust the mail. The seals on my letters were broken already, I eventually noticed. There's supposed to be protections on the mail, but I can't just go telling on them. I'd have to go through layers of people who would kill me for asking the wrong questions first, before I could get to the people who care about the integrity of the mail.

Cheese.

I could run to the Fence and find Cheese. The fence isn't even that far, I could make it tonight and back here tomorrow morning. Someone in the guards might notice, but if I'm quick enough, maybe not. Overthrowing nobles is practically Cheese's job. At least I could get some advice from her. I might not like her, but I'd marry her before giving Sayanos that kiss.

>"That serious, huh." Nawm snaps me out of my thought. "Go ahead and fall asleep on the counter like usual, I'll carry you back this time, promise."

Cheese is your best bet I think.

Nawm seems decent. Want to loop her in? The whole getting tortured to death deal the noble gave you might motivate her. If they are going to target your friends and family why not run away with them.

Anyways see if Nawm can cover for you when you run to cheese. Slow down the drinking so you can make the run.

>>954908
Yeah, gotta agree with this. Trusting Nawm is a risk but this whole plan is a risk, so whats one more?

>>954907
Sounds like Cheese is your only hope. Bring the broken seal letters, she might be able to do something with them.
Except... you need to be able to get there without Sayano finding out. Is that possible? Can you use this guy? Or is it too suspicious that he showed up to rub elbows with you the same day Sayano paid a visit?

>>954907
Nawm, could you cover for me tonight? I need to get out of this place and let loose some steam. This town is getting to me.

>I could try to kill Fen.
Even if you succeeded, do you think his army buddies would let you live? As much as Fen is good at making enemies, he also seems oddly good at making loyal friends.

Plus then you'd have to survive the actual war down there, which would be no joke.

>>954907
>Cheese
That's honestly your best plan if you don't want to just lay back and get sent on the mission. Problem is, of course, Sayanos has the people and resources to watch you, and it won't do much good if you're seen or noticed. You'd need someone you can send to her, or someone to help you cover.

Easy enough to cover for being absent with your fellow guards, just let them believe you're going to spend the night drowning your sorrows in something harder. Or softer, though I feel like I remember some mention of you having better options than going out into town for that. So long as you turn up in the morning and don't look like you're unable to do your job, probably no-one will care.

I noticed that Sayanos only mentioned people in your letters, which he had on him, suggesting he just looked at them and hasn't actually bothered finding out anything much else about you. He clearly doesn't give a shit about you beyond your potential usefulness. It's possible that in the case that, say, you were able to convincingly fake your death, he wouldn't bother following through on his threats. That's one suggestion. Cheese could help you with that, or with other things like convincingly faking a message from Apanya to knock it off. You need someone who can get some things done, though, either way, and Cheese is the one.

Things are a bit odd, though. Let's think on it. First of all, Sayonos presented himself as a stone noble, right? Isn't that weird? He should be in favor of gold nobles getting killed, because it opens up promotion possibilities for him - and it's not like nobles getting killed is that weird in the empire, from the impression I've gotten. Second, he came himself. Nobles don't hoof around the place on their own just to deliver ultimatums like this, do they? They'd get someone else to do it. The only reason he wouldn't is because he can't trust any underling to do it, probably because they might be spies for someone else. And if he had to do it himself, something or someone has to be making him do it, because why would he want Fen dead?

My read is, Sayonos is being pressured by his superior to find some avenue to killing Fen, but has had the details left to him. As part of this Sayonos has been intercepting Fen's mail - a big crime, explaining why he has to take care of implementing anything he finds out from it himself - and discovers him sending friendly-sounding messages to you. Great, he thinks, I'll bully this guy into killing Fen.

I don't think he's as deep into this as he pretends to be. He probably doesn't have much in the way of spies around, and he might be relatively easy to convince you're not worth expending a lot of resources on. You might even be able to turn things back on him if you can find some evidence of him tampering with the mail and get it through a shortcut to someone who cares. Again, Cheese could help you, and if you come to her with "hey we might have a chance to get a noble in the blackmail pocket" she'll be more happy than if you just come asking for help.

So bring Cheese your letters, in case she can find evidence of tampering.

Cheese is your best bet, though the trick is getting initial contact with her without anyone under Krix or Sayanos' payroll noticing.

And while I'm sure you can actually make the trek and back again to her, you'll likely be spotted by someone. Your best option is send mail in an irregular manner that no one would be paying attention to.

A merchant heading to the Fence could probably be trusted enough to drop off a letter for her if paid enough.

If you're going to kill Fen, it won't be because that cocksucker ordered you to. Go to cheese. You'll reduce suspicion by being isolated from whatever she does, that way you can focus entirely on planning your assassination or stalling.

Tell Nawm that won't be necessary, but if anybody asks, you want him to say that he did.

Moss 2020/01/29(Wed)20:30 No. 954921 ID: 5fc3a0
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If I don't run, I send mail, but if they can see me leave town in the dead of night, they can see me send mail. By the time the letters even reach their destination, I may be whisked away to Erja Nokol already.

I'm going to run.

Nawm could cover. She's worked with me awhile. She might not be instantly trustworthy with the biggest secrets I have, but I have no one else here. I wouldn't even need to tell her in the best case, but a run to the fence and back will be cutting it too close, and that's assuming I can find Cheese and tell her everything quick.

"Nawm. I need to go somewhere, tonight. Can you cover for me? I might be late to guard duty, tomorrow."
>"What am I supposed to tell them?"
"... I don't know."

She looks at me strangely.

>"I didn't tell you this, but the fuckin' captain of the guard, upon hearing that a mail runner kicked a guard in the balls before nonchalantly walking off, shrugged and told me to drop and forget about it, because you're a tough guy. Here's the thing, Moss. I don't need or want to hear the details, but you've got to at least warn me if I'm going to be making some enemies by being your accomplice in whatever it is you're doing."

I don't think they care whether you are or not.

"I hate to say it, Nawm, but whatever you choose to do now probably isn't going to make a difference there. Aside from the kick to the balls I just got the old "hey nice friends and family you have" bit thrown at me. I don't know if they think you count but if you don't then they don't care about you and if you do then you're going to want me to get to work making this thing go away. I'll promise you nothing I'm going to do involves any of the local problems."

>>954921
She'll probably be fine.
In retrospect the only people important or relevant to us the blueblood mentioned were the names contained in the letters he swiped. He might not even actually... know all that much?
Or at the very least underestimates the strange friends Fen has made. The fact that he showed up in person, and did the whole intimidation thing in person, as a *noble* just seems shady to me.

And even if she won't be fine, don't tell her that. She's lookin' nervous. The "i will rat you out if you say the wrong thing" kind of nervous.

well unfortunately you have already talked to me and that was all the provocation they required for retribution

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it might be to late for a warning. You might have chosen the worst guy to become friends with Nawm. So here is your warning. I might be getting transferred really quick like to the warfront. I need to leave some messages before I go and I can't do that here."

"Certain mailworkers might already have a nasty package waiting for you if I do not play along actually."

>>954921
If there's no one else in the room, you may as well be frank with her.

"Okay. Then if you want to be extra safe you'll have to kill me right now and disappear from existence, because just by talking to you right now I've doomed you."

>>954921
Tell her she can just say you passed out from drinking and she carried you to bed, like usual. Tomorrow you're late to guard duty because of the hangover, obviously. It's a good cover story.
As for enemies... well, how about this: you pretend to pass out, she carries you to bed, then you sneak out. She has plausible deniability in that case. Also yeah you may as well warn her she might get in some trouble if what you're about to do goes south, but you won't tell her any more than that.

>>954921
I'm warning you, then. You think I wouldn't be in this state, and in need of a chance to duck out for a day, if something wasn't wrong? Yeah, you help me, there's the chance that gets back to who's making trouble for me.

>"What am I supposed to tell them?"
Tell em... I'm laid up because I'm a pussy who can't take a hit to the balls?

>>954921
To answer your question fully Nawm, you're going to need details. If you don't want details, then I'll give you the simplest answer I can give you. Covering for me won't be what puts you in the cross hairs. I'm afraid it's already too late to change that.

Hm, is fog back in season? Because if yes, that would enable contacting Cheese via the crows.

Also easy cover story for Nawn to use. She can just tell the guard captain you got sloshed at the end of your shift again. Only even moreso this time and she can't for the life of her figure out why.

>>954921
Nawm might also be on that noble asshole's payroll, but hey, they do deserve a warning.

Tell them that some asshole told you to SUCCESSFULLY try and murder Fen, and that if you don't do ACTUALLY DO IT, he'll kill everyone you've ever spoken to.

Nod at her in regards to this.

Then say you're fucking off to go meet with a spook so you can become a spook as well and kill that asshole noble. And also Krix, maybe.

If she stabs you, then you weren't getting out of this alive anyway, whereas if she doesn't, at least she got warning before a million assassins came out of the woodwork.



....Also why would your presence in Erja Nokol NOT immediately trigger Fen to raise his guard as high as it can go? You're a random guard, why in heaven's name would you be in Erja Nokol?!

>>954946
Because a certain set of arrogant vengeful assholes just don't care enough to wait for a better opportunity.

Not an answer to the question, but Moss should recognize the only result he can live with is killing lord Sayanos.

"There's a decent chance you're already implicated, because we hang out and they've threatened to kill all my friends. I'm gonna talk with someone who knows some shady shit to deal with it, but it's a long shot. Now, do you want details? It probably won't help."
Don't give her more than she wants, but let her know it's bad. And if she has a conceivable way to lie low, to maybe get it ready. But this conspiracy is big enough to fuck with mail, and is fucking with (Moss's) mail, so good luck with that.

"You're already on the chopping block if I can't contact 'that person' to put a stop to this. It's one of those 'everyone you even remotely like' kinds of threats."

If she's still on the fence: "... And I'll share my lunch with you for a month for nothing in return, assuming they put me back here afterward."

Cheese can probably provide you some dash of hard booze you can splash on yourself a little to help sell the "went out to get really smashed and sleep face down in a gutter" story, if that's what you want to go with.

1/4 Moss 2020/01/30(Thu)12:31 No. 954972 ID: 5fc3a0
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"... you're already talking to me."
>"Yeah?"
"I've been threatened with anyone I've ever spoken to being killed."
>"Must be a strain on their resources, finding out every correspondence."
"Do you take nothing seriously?"
>"You're not the first person to get snagged up in weird politics, Moss, but unless it was a message from Lord Krix or a mithril noble who came down, they'll have trouble touching me. Even if Lord Krix doesn't directly see us, we're palace workers. People don't fuck with us that easy, not without consequences. I have faith things would've been different if we found you in a dead position instead of a fetal position. You got family out of the palace?"
"And friends."
>"They'll have a tougher time, but you don't need to worry about me. Most of us don't have people outside the palace we care about, because they end up in dumb shit like Alpuna. And now you. Stop caring about people outside, and you'll find you're safe as hell as long as you mind the prisoner hands."
"No."
>"Then I'll go ahead and tell them you couldn't handle the nut pain, and sloshed yourself way too hard last night."
"Thanks, Nawm."

She carries me out anyway, just in case there are spies looking at my movements.

"You can drop me here."
>"Oh, wow, you actually didn't fall asleep. That's good because I was about to drop you anyway. Stop eating so much, chicken fatty."
"I'm all muscle, Nawm."
>"Then next time someone kicks you in the balls, just remember to flex their foot right back off your crotch, chicken muscle."

2/4 Moss 2020/01/30(Thu)12:32 No. 954973 ID: 5fc3a0
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I say farewell and get some of my belongings.

There are a handful of tunnels under the palace that nobles from Pocktown should have no idea exist, even if Pocktown is part of Krix's territory now. Normally they creep me the hell out and I think some ancient prisoner is going to leap out and attack me. Right now, I'd welcome it.

3/4 Moss 2020/01/30(Thu)12:33 No. 954974 ID: 5fc3a0
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It doesn't happen, so I take an exit to a small farm building where its inhabitant wisely keeps his eyes pointed elsewhere while I run out.

It feels like I run for several hours, and I have to stop at every fork to relight my torch to read the signs and make sure I'm going in the direction. The wind rustles the crops, and it's hard to tell if bandits are going to poke their head out. I'm not afraid of local bandits, as they're only dangerous if they get the drop on me. So I keep my wits and sword about me so that it doesn't happen.

4/4 Moss 2020/01/30(Thu)12:36 No. 954975 ID: 5fc3a0
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I keep running until I'm pretty sure the Fence is close. I never approach that town if I can help it, so me willingly run at it like this is a good sign of the times.

But before I reach it, I hear someone move through the crops out in the bend in front of me. I keep my sword out, since it looks like I'm bandit hunting after all.

I turn the bend and find Cheese staring back at me. She looks at me like I might not exist, but I must look the same back at her, because I was not expecting her out here.

>"Wow. You actually were out here."
"You sound like you knew."
>"I did."

She points up.

>"It's a nice night for flying, if you get me, and you're on the hot list of people who I get told about if they make any weird movements. I thought I'd come out to meet you, since, uh... once you were in the Fence, how were you gonna find me?"

I didn't even think about that.

>"So what're you doing out here?"
"I was trying to find you."
>"I could take a guess why, but maybe it's better if you just told me."

"I got mail delivered from a stone noble today. He ordered me to go sneak up to Fen and kill him or everyone I knew would get killed. So here I am. I hope you can figure out a plan because I would rather not get stuck with Fen fighting undead while dreaming about the fate of my soon to be dead ex wife."

Paranoia check first. Go poke that giant butt and make sure its Cheese first.

Then tell her your story quietly and quickly. We have a little extra time to spare with her coming out here to meet us. But assume you have unfriendly folks in the crops and need to keep a secret.

No need to hide anything but keep terms vague on the off hand chance other people have birds on the payroll.

put your light out, it's making you visible like a star in the middle of the road.

Ask her something only cheese would know, then just stick to the relevant facts.

After that inquire about how safe you are in the middle of the road like this.

>>954975
“A Stone Noble calling himself Lord Sayanos of Pocktown, personally delivered a message to me saying he wants me to go kill Fen because I’m supposed to be a friendly face that can get him to let his guard down.”

“I tried telling Sayanos it wouldn’t work but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. When I finally said yes, he fucking shoved his knee into my nuts and threatened to kill anyone I’ve ever spoken to!”

“So, yeah, is there anything you can do to help?”

>>954975
Be careful- you threatened Cheese the last time you were together, and she knew you were coming. She may not be as alone as she appears to be, or may have something prepared in case you were coming for her, rather than coming to her for help.

Well, hopefully. Because if she doesn't have her shit together after the mess she was last time, she's not really gonna be much help, here. Moss did not think kindly of Cheese by the end of thread 3.

Tell Cheese you got noble problems, and she's the only one anywhere near who might be able to do something about it. Lord Sayonos wants to ship you off to Erja Nokol, where you're going to fail at killing Fen either way, at which point you'll be no good helping screw over Krix, and no matter what happens there, Sayonos is gonna end up killing people you care about.

Lord Sayanos of Pocktown, or a noble claiming to be him, ordered me to kill Fen. He seems to think Fen trusts me enough to get close to him and wouldn't be convinced otherwise. He's threatened to kill anyone I've talked to if I don't go through with it, naming my ex-wife and Gahn in particular, likely because he's been going through my mail and those people sent me letters. I need my friends protected and Sayanos dealt with, else I'll be a useless asset or a dead one.

Sayanos says he doesn't like the message that Fen being allowed to live sends, implied he has co-conspirators and assets including People, spies and money. I dunno how much of that is true, he's got that detachment from reality entitled people sometimes have.

>>954975
Honestly, the best thing you can hope for is that Cheese can help you, you can go back to your job, and you don't have to go to Erja Nokol.

>>954975
Tell her some stone noble is trying to get you sent to Fen as an assassin. He's threatening your friends and family to force you to do it. Also he's been opening your mail. You need her help to either get rid of him or otherwise keep him from forcing you to do it, which would probably involve moving your friends and family to a safer location like for instance the palace, and making sure you can't get moved out of your job there.

>>954975
You know, good thing you went to Cheese after all, if you didn't, she would've warned Fen and it would be over the minute you stepped foot into his eyesight, then your loved ones would have practically been killed by Cheese's own hands without her knowing the extent of what she did.

We know you and us don't like each other, but we both like Fen (maybe Cheese more than us, to be frank, he's been a knight to her and he's really only been an affable citizen to us), but thanks to him, stone nobles of Pocktown have cornered me into assassinating him. Could... could you come up with a plan so a few extra innocent people don't have to die? I would like to live, but like, it's not necessary if you dislike me that much or if it's too hard to spare both me and my friends and family.

It would be really satisfying if this plan involved killing that stone noble in the balls at one point.

Be really great.

>>954983
Pretty much this.

It's too convenient that she just popped out of nowhere, It could be her but most likely isn't.
Before you tell her anything you got to make sure it's actually her. Then communicate it in written notes, making sure to burn them with your torch after she reads them.

"Ok, first, you're sure we're alone? Ok. I know you don't have much reason to like me, so let me start by saying we might be able to catch a stone noble out in tampering with the mail, and he's one who's against Fen. Ok? Right, now-" And then explain everything to her.

Turning it around on him with blackmail sounds like a good first plan. Second best plan would be Apanya finding out about it and caring enough to deal with him. That's unlikely so third plan is to maybe somehow fake Apanya telling him to knock it off. Fourth plan is you fake your own death and hopefully he doesn't care enough to follow through on the threat. Fifth plan is helping Fen fake his death so he can surprise Krix better later.

Sixth plan is uuuh you actually dying, maybe, don't mention that one to Cheese but she might think of it herself.

Oh and for your confirmations that it's actually Cheese ask her something only the two of you would know like what happened to your tent the second to last time you spoke.

1/4 Moss 2020/01/30(Thu)15:44 No. 954993 ID: 5fc3a0
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"How safe are we in the middle of the road?"
>"Very safe, trust me. I got someone in the crops. I'd introduce you, but you'd probably gawk and I don't wanna have him deal with gawks, sorry. We're safe with him around, just don't shout your story and you'll be fine. Er, catch your breath if you need first."

I do need to, I can barely see right. In fact I need to make sure it's Cheese.

"It's odd that you came out to see me."
>"Okay let me speak clearer. I got word you were coming, and I realized you didn't have a way to find me when you were in town. So I came to find you, because I don't like to be seen in town."
"Can you tell me something only Cheese would know?"
>"We parted ways with you telling me how much you hate my guts! Oh my gods Moss this isn't the mausoleum, they can't make fake Cheeses."
"..."
>"Sorry, sorry. Er um also I don't feel bad about you saying how much you hated me. I don't like me either! But I like you! Er not like - I mean you're decent - look I didn't mean to make the conversation bad, but our last conversation made me even more surprised you came here to see me now. It must be bad."
"You're the only one who can help this. A noble delivered my mail today, telling me to go kill Fen, because I'm a friendly face and apparently that's good enough."
>"Yeahhh... thought so."
"You knew?"
>"Well not knew, but... did you meet a 'Gahn', tonight? Large field kobold, looks like he's from Poluputus, kind of fuschia colored?"
"No?"
>"Wait really? He was... was in the fence, last morning, talking in a place he shouldn't have been talking. He also got the ol 'do what I say or we kill everyone you know' tactic, but for him, he was going to go to you and make sure you actually went to Erja Nokol without running off. He didn't say way too much past that or who put him up to it, but he said he was going to meet up with you that evening, which would've been several hours ago."
"I got a letter from him, saying he would 'nab me when he's in Graskin next'."
>"... Graskin? Why Graskin?"
"Because that's... er, wait."

Tunna. I work in Tunna, Graskin is where the mithril palace is, and where the gold of that region works, but not Krix.

>"Moss is that alcohol I smell are you drunk?! You work in Tunna!"
"Not drunk enough! I may have wrote to Gahn while drunk, saying I worked in the Graskin palace."
>"Well that's a mistake turned relief! Geez, okay, well he looked like he was actually going to do it. Follow orders, I mean."
"... really."
>"Yeah. I'm sorry, but the guy's got a full on family. He sounded like you wouldn't like it, but that Fen was worth everyone else the two of you were friends with."

2/4 Moss 2020/01/30(Thu)15:44 No. 954994 ID: 5fc3a0
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I sit down and put the light out.

"... Can you prove he said all of this?"
>"No, but if you go back to Tunna, Gahn should eventually show up once he figures out you're actually there. Unless he's the fastest giver-upper in the empire."

I may not like Cheese much, but that isn't impossible. Gahn could've legitimately tried to convince me to try killing Fen. If Sayanos tried the same tactic, then Gahn would have to succeed or else see all his loved ones die. If I refused him...

It's fortunate that I missed him.

>"So uh, did the mailman say he was with Lord Krix?"
"No. The mailman was the noble, as it turns out."
>"Wha?"
"It was a stone noble himself, delivering my mail."
>"Lord Krix was sending out nobles to do messenger work now?"
"Is he? As far as I can tell, 'Lord' Krix has nothing to do with this."
>"Really. Then... whooo sent the message?"
"Sir Sayanos."
>"... Sir who? Hold on, I think I'm remembering. Sayanyyyyy Pocktown. Pocktown?!"
"Yes, Sir Sayanos of Pocktown."
>"Him?! Oh. Oh my god. No no no no."

3/4 Moss 2020/01/30(Thu)15:46 No. 954995 ID: 5fc3a0
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Cheese stares at me, then looks away and starts making a noise. Giggling? She's giggling?

"Is something funny?"
>"Sorry, sorry. That's just... that's too good! No way, that's just too good! He's a stupid idiot who's power tripping. I can't believe he's still alive! He's harmless, Moss!"
"He kicked me in the groin."

She breathes in.

>"I'm sorry, sorry! I mean, for a stone noble, he's... destitute. He can order people around, but it's borrowed resources! This is so much better than if it was Lord Krix. You see... you remember Lord Rasyan of Pocktown? Sir Sayanos is his nephew or half brother or something I don't care, no one cares anymore. But Sir Sayanos is just holding onto the title of Pocktown mayor while Lord Krix's council figures out who they actually want to have the title. If you want my guess, Sir Sayanos is being given a chance to prove himself to keep the title."

Cheese looks at me again.

>"He kicked you, as in he showed up in person? That means that either his messenger network is spread so thin that he had to be his own messenger, or he couldn't get even get approval to send his messengers into your work area! He's so weak! I can intentionally go noble poaching for once! Wait no, we can do something. Moss, want to come poach with me?"
"What? Poach?"
>"A soft way of saying cold blooded murder. Let's get breakfast, Moss! There's a good place in the fence you can show your face in without being seen with me, if you catch my drift."