tippler 2022/11/19(Sat)20:11 No. 1049667 ID: 9ea24b
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>Several reasonable ideas
“Why doesn’t the great dragon fly out to the ocean and kill a bunch of fish if she’s worried about the ecological impacts?” you ask.

Siraman shrugs. “Who knows?”

“Or, or, just grow a bunch of crops and livestock here and eat that?”

“She certainly could.”

You glare at Siraman and stand up. “Why haven’t you done anything to help?”

tippler 2022/11/19(Sat)20:12 No. 1049668 ID: 9ea24b
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“I did help, I gave her the crystals by request.” Siraman says mildly. You start walking towards your cave and Siraman follows.

You shake your head in frustration. Siraman makes it seem like the only thing hurting the dragon is the dragon herself.

Siraman has to crouch to get through the tunnels that lead to the center of the mountain. There you find a merry scene with many different colors of dye splattered everywhere as kobolds work to finish the decorations.

tippler 2022/11/19(Sat)20:12 No. 1049669 ID: 9ea24b
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Worm notices your arrival and darts across the huge cave, weaving between legs until she can leap into your arms. You notice the kobolds have also attempted to bring in grass and other cushioning for seating.

-Go greet the human visitors at the south side of the mountain
-Stay here and arrange the musicians, food, and bouncers as they arrive

you, sadly, are not the best at human relations, and also you at very least have one reason to stay here in telling Rhorta what the wizardly wizard had to say, not to mention that it gives time to Think, you can't very well go down there AND ask the dragon, as that is very much not the time nor place to do so

Stay here and arrange. We can ask Siraman to greet the humans since he's human too. Kind of like a weird Kobold human ambassador kind of guy.

Stay here and arrange, this is going to be a great party! Even if a bittersweet one.

tippler 2022/11/20(Sun)16:15 No. 1049698 ID: 9ea24b
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>Stay and supervise
You send Siraman with a group of kobolds to help at the south cave entrance while you reunite with Weasel. The first group of guests that are due are the other kobold families, who filter in through the other tunnels carrying covered pots filled with hot food.

tippler 2022/11/20(Sun)16:15 No. 1049699 ID: 9ea24b
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Here’s a handy top-down diagram of the den. Where do you instruct the kobolds to place their food? What do you chat about with the guests?

Set up the food table next to where the kobolds congregate on the opposite side form the seating, to encourage mingling. Chat about... what a fancy party you've put on for guests and how much there is to enjoy. They'll think it's cute.

looking at how the place is set up, I feel the musicians can perform where the dragon's hoard used to be like a stage since it is at a spot where the grassy seats are at and where they can be seen easily by everyone, especially those who are sitting and eating.

that said, the food can be placed on the painted boulders... as long as the paint isn't still wet. Otherwise, ignore me.

chat with the kobold families about how life is treating them and yourself, and tell the other kobolds that helped make this festival possible they did a great job! Maybe see if you can find Worm a kobold friend her age to play with too so she won't get bored while we partake in boring grown-up conversations.

tippler 2022/11/21(Mon)17:51 No. 1049781 ID: 9ea24b
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>Table
Sadly, such a marvelous invention does not fit through narrow tunnels.

You point the incoming kobolds towards a relatively flat patch of stone floor between the grass seats and the resting decorators, on the west side of the den. Worm makes a bid for freedom and food, but you hold her slippery form firmly.

The general atmosphere seems cheerful and lighthearted due to the recent influx of gold. You chat with a few heads of households about the fancy party and their plans for winter. It sounds like some kobolds are planning to go to the human village to spend their new riches.

tippler 2022/11/21(Mon)17:52 No. 1049782 ID: 9ea24b
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You’re a little offended that your kin aren’t more concerned about the dragon. Ah well, at least they seem excited about the feast.

>Have the musicians perform at the ex-hoard spot
Good idea, however the next attendees to arrive are…

>Bark and beer and bouncers
The traitor kobold struggles to roll a heavy barrel into the den from the south tunnel. You direct the hoard of idle kobolds to go help him and the other tavern employees. Rhortra and Meli bring up the rear, helping move the ale with their stout strength.

Where do you position the alcohol and gnolls?

Gnolls at the entrance, alcohol by the painted boulders. It's on the rocks, get it? ...No, you probably don't.

Agreed on putting them on the painted stones so no minors get into them. plus keeping them seperated from the food won't easily compel people who are visiting just to eat to also drink something alcoholic too.

We don't really need the bouncers at the entrance, it's not like this party is reserved for club members since everyone is welcome to this party. the bouncers are here to just kick out any drunk and rowdy guests and stop fights before they start. I suggest placing the bouncers somewhere around the middle near the bonfire, so that they can keep a close eye on everything around them.

Yup, bouncers up front, booze at the back. Such is the circle of life.

Bouncers either at the entrance or around the edges, or around the campfire looking outward but I doubt gnolls like that much heat. Bark might suggest on the rocks for the joke

tippler 2022/11/22(Tue)17:42 No. 1049933 ID: 9ea24b
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>Alcohol on the rocks
Bark explains the joke to you after you instruct him to take the barrels over to the painted rocks. You stare him down until he slowly backs away.

>Gnolls around bonfire, one facing toward south entrance one facing towards ex-hoard
You want the gnolls to have good coverage of the den, so you have them circle the bonfire. Meli makes a small complaint about the heat but doesn’t argue.

tippler 2022/11/22(Tue)17:42 No. 1049934 ID: 9ea24b
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With food and drink ready, the kobolds start to serve themselves while you wait for the other humans.

At last the old shaman pokes her head into the den, leading a procession of men and women, most middle-aged. You spot Gregory, the crack of dawn tree thwacker among them.

Time for the final placement, you’ve already decided the musicians should go on the ex-hoard, where do you place the shaman and head of households?

By the seats, to enjoy food and music and soft mossy floor cushions.

On the big X painted on the center of the room. Right under the hanging boulder.

>>1049945
this

>>1049945
Sounds sensible to me!

tippler 2022/11/23(Wed)09:38 No. 1050024 ID: 9ea24b
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>By the seats
You lead the humans to the grassy seats on the north side of the den so they can enjoy the music, food, and mingle with the kobolds. You finally lose your grip on your daughter and Worm escapes, darting into the crowd to steal food off of people’s plates.

The musicians both get a mug of ale then begin playing merry tunes. The sound echoes slightly in the den, but you’d say the overall acoustics are above average.

tippler 2022/11/23(Wed)09:38 No. 1050025 ID: 9ea24b
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You finally get a chance to rest and grab some dinner for yourself. There are uncountable unique dishes besides the usual Thanks Meal fare of fowl and tubers. Baked trout, venison jerky, sour sauces made from wild berries, hot teas, little cakes made from foraged greens. You load up a wood slab with food and fill a small carved cup with rich ale before finding Weasel and eating by her side.

tippler 2022/11/23(Wed)09:38 No. 1050026 ID: 9ea24b
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After you’re done, you assemble a few plates for the gnolls and the musicians. At this point you’re exhausted from all of your preparations. The party seems to be in a steady state so you take a moment to rest and listen to the flow of conversation.

tippler 2022/11/23(Wed)09:38 No. 1050027 ID: 9ea24b
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After everyone is done feasting, the pots are cleared away and some kobolds start the ritual Thanks dance around the bonfire. The music picks up and a few humans join in, dancing in their own ungainly way. The dancing is a bit more exuberant than usual, probably due to the influence of the ale, but no one is so drunk they need to be removed.

tippler 2022/11/23(Wed)09:38 No. 1050028 ID: 9ea24b
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You’re sitting peacefully when you spot a dark red shape with eyes of gold creeping into the den from one of the tunnels. The great dragon is lingering on the fringes, watching the party like you.

Let's go talk to her about feelings, the origin of kobolds and her guilt.

Then gather everyone around in a circle around her and sing a song about the intrinsecal of value of life.

>>1050028
Go talk to her.

>>1050028
Go talk to her.
Considering she's the oldest person we know, and was pretty much always there since the beginning for however long Germ has been alive, seeing her and knowing she's gonna go is probably hurting him on the inside.
We're gonna miss you oh great dragon.

>>1050028
Oh and ask the dragon why couldnt we grow crops and cattle for her, or why she cant go deplete fish in the oceans?

Invite her to sit next to you. You want some baked trout? A dragon’s gotta eat.

go sit by her, simply ask "why?", She's the only one who knows and Siraman, being a Wizard, probably still left something out

after you're done talking to her, ask her to join the party, everyone came for her after all.

tippler 2022/11/23(Wed)14:22 No. 1050046 ID: 9ea24b
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>Go talk to her
You’re immediately alert and on your feet, hurrying to the great dragon. She still looks tired and sad, but seems at least a little more relaxed.

There’s a pain in your chest, hurt and resignation. The dragon is going to die. Siraman gave you an explanation for her death, but you want to hear it from the dragon.

“Why don’t you want to live anymore?” you ask.

tippler 2022/11/23(Wed)14:22 No. 1050047 ID: 9ea24b
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The dragon blinks and averts her eyes. “What I did to those humans was unforgivable, Germ. I could have just flown to the ocean or worked a little harder for my energy, but instead I slaughtered a whole city.”

“Okay.” As someone who has recently grown to have a teensy bit more respect for humans you can kind of understand. “How long ago was this again?

“About two centuries, it’s been sustaining me until now.”

At eight years of age, you can’t comprehend such a long stretch of time. Humans must have a lot of juice in them, or the dragon really did kill a whole bunch.

tippler 2022/11/23(Wed)14:22 No. 1050048 ID: 9ea24b
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“There’s still a little baked trout left, why don’t you come sit with me on the grassy seats? We can enjoy the music and the warmth from the fire.” you propose timidly.

She shakes her head, but you sense a moment of weakness.

“You don’t have to dance or talk to anyone. Come join the party.” you plead. You take her large paw and lead her back to your spot.

What would you like to do and say before the dragon bids her final farewell?

She’s changed as a person, and you will miss her.
Just hug.

Tell her the wizard wanted to help her. She can be forgiven, by the very people she's wronged, and has already made steps to redeem herself by giving away her hoard.
Why not devote her life to helping humans and monsters live together in harmony, instead of simply dying? Like a sinner joining a convent.

Tell her that she needs to forgive herself, as even if she can't forgive herself for what she did, you and all these people can and have forgiven her, as they all came all this way here to give her thanks for her gifts, and for protecting the kobolds, and for being the one to bring everyone together in a truce to the different species here for many years to come.

>>1050048
Fuck man this is makes me tear up a bit. This is like saying good by to your mom/grandma when she's in bed.

>>1050053

^ This and this v

>>1050050

tippler 2022/11/23(Wed)18:07 No. 1050065 ID: 9ea24b
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You tear up as you sit next to the dragon. You hug her arm and sniffle pathetically. She’s so warm.

“Siraman wanted to help you.” you say.

“He’s a strange one.”

“He wanted to help his friend!” You tug on her arm. “He knew what you did and he still believed in you.”

“He wasn’t there. No living humans remember the destruction.”

“Y-you can still forgive yourself. You can still protect the kobolds.” you sob. “Please, please stay.”

She just shakes her head and smiles sadly.

tippler 2022/11/23(Wed)18:07 No. 1050066 ID: 9ea24b
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After half an hour, the dragon stands and walks to the impromptu stage. The musicians shuffle to the side while she clears her throat. When she speaks, her voice is amplified to fill the den.

“Thank you humans, gnolls, and kobolds for this beautiful feast. Thank you especially to Germ the kobold for organizing this event and bringing everyone together. I hope that it has built bonds and goodwill between species.”

Her body flickers and the crowd gasps.

“Be kind to each other.”

tippler 2022/11/23(Wed)18:07 No. 1050067 ID: 9ea24b
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The dragon dissolves into red mist that glows briefly before dispersing. You cry and cry.

Weasel finds you and holds your shaking shoulders. Worm even returns from where she was hiding after gorging herself and peeps in surprise at the sight of her father so upset.

“Papa, papa.” she squeaks. She shoves herself bodily against your chest. You cling to her.

The party disperses, with many kobolds bidding their new friends goodbye. You can’t bring yourself to talk to anyone. Weasel takes you home to the cave and your nest.

The feast was a success and everyone thinks you did a great job. Though the dragon may be gone, you’ve earned a good future for your family.

tippler 2022/11/23(Wed)18:07 No. 1050068 ID: 9ea24b
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Thank you for reading Bold Request.

>>1050067
fucking crying bro

Perhaps talk to her with Rhorta, she seemed to have opinions on this, and also hug her

man I just do NOT have good luck with my posts timing today

It was a pleasure, folks.