>>152929
I don't know. I haven't tried it. I get out my arrow with white magic in it. It's still shimmering faintly. I try to absorb the mana in it. I don't think I still see it shimmering.

Thought so. Most excellent, you might be able to store up white magic in things and take them later. What are you wearing right now?

>>152937
I'm wearing my leather armor right now. It's the only thing I have to wear. I can't go out to buy any more clothes because I'm broke and there's no stores nearby.

Put white magic in your clothes. You will look most excellent. Oh, do it on your date with Xom too, I'm sure you'll look better all shimmery.

>>152939
Yes, Xom would like that! I put a little white magic in my clothes. I use up the remainder of what little mana I have left to put some in the arrow. I can't tell if any of the two are shimmering.

Maybe it's inefficient. Oh well, maybe Nir can do something like it with his hat?

>>152941
Rojo:"Nir, are you able to put mana into your hat?"
There's a short pause.
Nir:"I don't know if it works or not. Sorry."

Well it's probably safer to do with white magic. You two rest up, can we see what Carg's doing?

>>152974
Okay, we'll rest until both Carg and the lich arrive. Or should I try sending you to Carg?

Indeed, see if you can send us over. If not, Arkan works too.

>>152977
Okay, I'll try sending you to Carg, then if that doesn't work, I'll send you to Arkan.

...

...

It's kind of fun watching those two do stuff. That explosion there was funny.

But Nirblilm got hurt.

>>152993
Hurt? What's hurt?

...Are you unable to feel pain

>>152996
That's correct. Master Nirblilm told me that.

What do you not like?

>>152998
I don't know everything I don't like. But I do know I don't like waiting. It gets boring.

What would happen if someone stabbed your eyes?

>>153017
I think I wouldn't be able to see then. Why do you ask?

Do you want to keep your eyes?

>>153033
Um, Yes. I want to keep them Why are you asking me these things? It's confusing me.

Explaining what pain is to someone that can't feel it is difficult!

Basically pain is the essence of what you don't like. You can't feel it, but almost everyone else can, including Nirblilm. When his hand exploded it hurt. A lot.

>>153065
So, I don't like waiting around and doing nothing, and that pains me? Got it.

>>153073
Now that that's settled, what do you want to talk to me for? The deer walks up to me.
Deer:"Pardon me for asking, but I would like to acquire the knowledge of who has produced you?"
What is it talking about?

She wants to know about your master. Also, she has agreed to be known as Dedea.

>>153233
All right.
Arkan:"My master is Nirblilm."
Dedea:"Nirblilm? Is It perhaps the unabridged title of that of the one named 'Nir'?"
Okay, I think Dedea's speaking a different language. I don't know what it's saying at all.

>>153246
An 'unabridged title' is someone's full name. You could say it's the opposite of a nickname which is a short version of someone's name.

So basically she's asking if Nir is your master. That is not the case. Tell her that Nir has the same name as your master, but they are not the same entity.

>>153251
If you say so.
Arkan:"Not master Nir has the same name as Master Nir. They're not the same... uh... entity. Whatever that means."
Dedea:"I see. Arkan, May you be willing to inform me of the purpose of your creation?"

>>153256
She's asking why you were built.

An 'entity' is like... a person, basically. Something that can think. Except, the definition of 'entity' is very specific. It doesn't refer to personality or anything. It's just the physical presence of that person.

A 'purpose' is like... what something was made to do. Or it's what someone decides they're going to do with their life. It's a reason for living.

'creation' means... well, making something.

Were there any other words you didn't know?

She's asking why you were made.

>>153260
I'll try to remeber all of those words.
Arkan:"I was made for protecting this tribe from enemies. So far, none have attacked."
Dedea:"What do you devise you can accomplish if no adversaries make themselves known?"
Arkan:"Stop using big words. It's confusing me."
Dedea:"I am most sorry, but I am afraid I will have to decline."

asking what would you do if nothing shows up to fight, the tribe never gets in danger and you just stand here for years with nothing to fight.

>>153265
Oh. Okay then.
Arkan:"I don't have a clue. I was made to fight and protect the tribe."
None of us say anything for a while.
Dedea:"Perhaps we can ruminate what to accomplish if said events transpire. What other competencies do you include in your repertoire?"

>>153275
She said
"(Maybe) we can (think of) what to (succeed at doing) if (that happens). What other (skills) do you (count as being part of) in your (list of things that you can do)?"

>>153286
Arkan:"I really don't know what else I can do."
Dedea:"Are you able to discern falsehoods in established facts? Are you able to withhold important facts within your knowledge? How keen are your eyes?"

>>153289
She said

"Are you able to (see) (wrong things) in (known) facts? Are you able to (not give away) important facts within your knowledge? How (sharp, or focused) are your eyes?"

>>153291
Arkan:"Um, I think yes on the first 2 questions. I think my eyes can see things good. Why are you asking me these things? It's confusing."
Dedea:"I am striving to aid someone I hold knowledge of. That person would like to accomplish so much more than what it was initially created for. I have the conjecture to believe I will be most pleased by the concluding result."
She starts to rub up against me.
Dedea:"Arkan, I fear this settlement of kobolds holds no excitement for you. May I ask you to allow me accompany you as we attempt to accomplish our ambition?"

>>153298
She said
"I am (working) to (help) someone I (know). That person would like to accomplish so much more than what it was (first) created for. I have the (something you think is true) to believe I will be (happy with) the (end) result."

and
"Arkan, I fear this (tribe) of kobolds holds no (things that are interesting, or fun) for you. May I ask you to allow me to (go along with) you as we attempt to accomplish our ambition?"

I won't bother to directly translate 'ambition' into simpler words since it can mean a few things. Ambition can mean the emotional drive to seek greater things. To improve yourself, or others... or to gain money or status. It can also mean the goal itself.

So basically she wants to help someone she knows, because she thinks they want to do something more than what they are doing now. She thinks it will turn out well for her.

She wants to team up with you to do that. Maybe she thinks there are things that you can fight, in order to help her?

>>153304
>>153305
So, She wants to team up with me to help protect someone? Should I say yes?

>>153311
Can you even try to do other tasks besides protecting the tribe? How much free will do you have?

I think you could help her, so long as it does not keep you away from the tribe for very long. You should always be here when Nir is asleep. Or when Rojo is. There should always be two people on guard, is what I'm saying.

Maybe you could ask her who she wants to help. She didn't say who it was.

>>153312
I don't know what other things I can do, and if today showed me anything, it was that I'd be very bored for a lot of the time.
Arkan:"I can help you as long as it doesn't take me far away from here. I need to be here when Not Master Nir or Rojo are sleeping. Uh, who do you want to help anyway?"
Dedea:"That is most unfortunate. I believe you will not be able to better yourself while in the proximity of this kobold settlement. I also believe the guidance spirits will not offer any succor. I believe they postulate you as puerile and irrelevant. You should send them off to someone they conclude as more knowledgeable."

>>153327
I'm not going to translate that fully.

She basically said that she thinks you won't be able to better yourself while you're here. She thinks that we see you as... a kid, and not needed here. She wants you to send us to someone who knows more than you, for some reason.

I suppose technically you are a kid, being born only yesterday. I don't think you're strictly needed here most of the time and your style of fighting can't really be taught... but your resistance to magic could really come in handy, and against multiple opponents like say a group of bandits, Rojo and Nir would have some trouble. It's just impossible to predict when or if a force like that would attack. It could be years before you get the pleasure of fighting.

If you choose to leave, and we won't stop you, please visit occasionally? Or at least, set up a location where we can meet you if we need your help?

>>153377
So, in order to fight better, I need to go with Dedea? Got it. Who should I send you to? Wait, I see that one bird person coming here with someone riding it. Do you want to go to him?

>>153385
Sure, why not.

Good luck traveling with Dedea!

>>153412
Okay then. See you later.

...

...

Was that a fuckin Deer of Death I fuckin saw?

yeah, we also got Xom to make it talk. also be glad it's leaving right now because they HATE liches because they have lived past their normal lifespan.

Well it's more like they think they're cowards.

Anyway, it turns out Deers of Death are not inherently hostile or anything.

>>153423
What the fuck, I leave for a fuckin day and I fuckin see a fuckin deer of death in the fuckin tribe! Fuck, is Nir and Rojo alright? I fuckin swear, I will fuck that deer up if it fucked with them!
>>153424
What? Did it fuckin brainwash you or something? Or are you that stupid?

no, it turns out there are normal deer of death, like that one. and batshit insane monstrosities that suck out peoples souls. they are both made by the same god but the monstrosities are what heppens sometimes.

Dude, they're just reapers. They guide dead spirits to the next life. They're actually created by some kind of powerful being... and sometimes the process goes wrong. All the nasty rumors about Deers of Death have likely been created because of failed converts. It appears their minds become corrupted if they're not strong enough. Mary Shaw? VERY likely a failed convert.

Before you ask, no, we're not dead spirits. We're some kind of magical entity.

Say, Arkan said something about you carrying someone on your shoulders. Who is it? The lich?

Oh yeah, and Nir pet the Deer. She decided to be called Dedea.

Just in case we meet her again. Apparently she wants to borrow Arkan for something.

>>153431
>>153432
>>153434
Fuck... Okay, but don't ever fuckin scare me like that again. And the fuckin lich is riding on me

>>153437
Really? Riding on you?

That does sound like something Nir would do. Did you try asking him about why he's named the same?

>>153439
I asked, but the fucker wouldn't fuckin tell me. He said it's some sort of fuckin secret.

>>153446
I knew it. Well, I suppose all will be revealed in time.

Well I suppose there's nothing else you could ask that wouldn't be better asked by a group. Go to the meeting place.

>>153450
Yeah, I fuckin guess so.
>>153455
Okay. I land and walk into the fuckin shrine. I set the fuckin lich down safely. After a fuckin while, Nir and Rojo enter the fuckin place.

>>153457
Ahh, we should probably go to Rojo to make sure she doesn't get too paranoid and shoot arrows all over the place.

>>153458
yeah, she will look at him and go 'omg i must kill teh eval!'

>>153458
>>153460
Man, she needs to calm the fuck down! Maybe you can fuckin help.

...

...

I see the lich. I wonder if I should get my white magic arrow ready.

>>153466
Just have it in a spot where you can quickly reach it. No need to make the first move.

So, let's get this meeting started. We're to ask the lich what his group's goal is. Also, why he became a lich in the first place.

I wonder if sending us to him would be a good idea...

>>153467
Rojo:"What is your group's goal?"
Lich:"Group's goal? My group's goal is to ensure the safety of this tribe. I've set multiple scrying points to watch over this tribe. In addition, I've sent a construct named Arkan over here to kill anyone who dares threaten the tribe, Aunt Rojo."
I think I detected some arrogance when he said that. How disgusting.
Rojo:"Why did you become a lich in the first place?"
Lich:"In the first place? I became a lich to ensure the tribe's protection. I've been living for over 4000 years in order to see this tribe safe."
>>153469
You don't know how much I'm against that idea.

>>153476
Ask why he wants to protect the tribe so badly.

Ask Nir how long the tribe has been active. Have they been around for 4000 years?

For all his planning he sure didn't let himself known to you that he was on your side. Ask him what he offered you to eat when you first met.

>>153477
Rojo:"Why do you want to protect the tribe so badly?"
Lich:"So badly? I'm a fellow kobold. If you were a kobold from this tribe, you'd do anything to keep it from being attacked."
Rojo:"Wait, how long ago did this tribe start?"
Lich:"How long ago did this tribe start? I don't exactly know, but it was a really really long time ago."
>>153478
Rojo:"What did you offer me to eat the first time we met?"
Lich:"The first time we met? Oh, that was so long ago I don't remember. And I don't see the point of that question."

>>153480
So he is claiming to be Nir.

Ask him how he can prove that he is the same kobold that stands here right now. Plus... how the hell did he get sent back in time?

Tell him he really -REALLY- sucks at this. The point of the question is to establish his identity. Tell him he's gotta prove it somehow, and calling you Auntie isn't good enough.

>>153481
>>153482
Rojo:"You really suck at this."
Carg:"Please refrain from insulting my master, please."
Rojo:"The point of that question was to establish your identity. How can you prove your the same kobold standing right beside me? Calling me Auntie isn't enough!"
Lich:"Isn't enough. Very well, Aunt Rojo."
He reaches into his black robe. He pulls out a small shovel. It looks exactly like the one I gave Nir...
Nir:"That looks like the same shovel Rojo gave me."
Carg must've stolen it for the lich somehow.

>>153484
...Carg wouldn't. Surely not. Our Nir probably still HAS it. Heck, you could go ahead and ask him to check.

Uh, how is that thing 4000 years old though? Wouldn't a shovel just disintegrate after that long?

Ask him... if he can remember anything from this far back. Anything at all. Like, something that happened in Magun's tower.

>>153486
Rojo:"How can you still have it if it was over 4000 years old?"
Lich:"Over 4000 years old? I had Xom enchant it. It means a lot to me."
Rojo:"Nir, go check to see if you still have your shovel."
Nir:"Okay."
Nir leaves the shrine.
>>153488
Rojo:"Can you remember what happened this far back? Like what happened at Magun's tower?"
Lich:"At Magun's tower? Um, let's see... I recall someone attacking someone else there."
Nir returns.
Nir:"It wasn't in my hut."
I KNEW IT!
Nir:"It was in my sister's hut all dirtied up."
Oh, gods damnit.

Well ask Nir if he trusts him. He's a good judge of character.

>>153494
Well, there you go. Carefully inspect the two shovels.

You know, after cleaning young Nir's.

Oh, I have another idea. Ask old Nir if the guidance spirits still assist him.

>>153497
Rojo:"Nir, you should clean your shovel."
Nir starts rubbing his shovel on his robe.
>>153496
Rojo:"Nir, do you trust this lich?"
Nir:"I really don't know, Aunt Rojo."
>>153498
Rojo:"Do the guidance spirits still assist you?"
Lich:"Still assist you? No they don't. I created the guidance spirits about 4000 years ago. I left them here at this shrine about 40 years ago while everyone was asleep. they're rather forgetful. I had to re-introduce myself a bunch of times. I guess my guidance spirits were a failure."

>>153504
What? but... We're not! We don't forget things! I'm certain that there is some kind of fragmented segment of us that does things, and retains memories by itself.

Ask him when the scrying points were set up. And who Mary Shaw and Kasparov are.

>>153507
Rojo:"Where are the scrying points you set up?"
Lich:"Set up? I have 2 in this shrine, 4 outside the huts, and 1 each in all the huts."
Rojo:"Who are Mary Shaw and Kasparov?"
Lich:"Mary Shaw and Kasparov? Mary Shaw was my finest. Kasparov was an illusionist. He hasn't turned up in a long time. I wonder where he is..."
Carg:"I have absolutely no idea, master. He really shouldn't be wandering around without your permission."
Lich:"Well, I'll have to punish him for goofing off when I see him again."

tell him that mary shaw has been kinda trying to kill Nir with her dream scream soul stealing.

>>153515
Rojo:"Mary Shaw tried to kill Nir by dream soul stealing."
Lich:"So that's who she chose first. It's terrible, isn't it?"

>>153529
Yeah. So why is she apparently his finest? She's trying to kill him via time paradox.

Now, I repeat: Ask him WHEN the scrying points were made. We really do need to know...

Ask him what the hell is going on? How is he condoning dream rape? And why was he using a failed deer of death?

>>153530
Rojo:"When were the scrying points created?"
Lich:"Created? About 30 years ago, when I first set up my place."
>>153531
Wait, this is the person who's responsible for Mary Shaw? Should I attack him?
Rojo:"What the hell is going on? Why are you condoning dream rape? Why are you using a failed Deer of Death?"
GAAH! I... I can't breathe... He has... a black tentacle around my neck...
Lich:"Of Death? Aunt Rojo... Do not piss me off. Do you have any proof I'm using any Deer of Death? Have you even heard the stories of them? You insult me very much... And after all this time away from you, I would think you would still trust me, but I can see you've only turned into a paranoid bitch."
The lich releases what I think is a black magic tentacle from my neck. I can breathe now.
Lich:"I never said I condoned dream Rape at all. What I did just now hurt me more than it hurt you. I will not say I'm sorry. You deserved it. Apologize right now, or I'll forever tear you apart from this tribe."
The lich sighs.
Lich:"If I was able to cry, I would."
Is... Is this lich really Nir?

Nir would never do that to you. And he knows deer of death aren't bad, evident from when he FREAKIN' PETTED ONE. But you can't take him out now, play along.

>>153544
But... he sounds so hurt...
Rojo:"Nir... I'm so sorry... I didn't know. I'll try to be more accepting from now on."
Oh gods... I was thinking of attacking my adopted niece... My best friend... My first friend... How could I be so fucking stupid?
Carg:"Hey, fucker! You made Rojo cry! Fuck you!"
Lich Nir:"Well, you got rude all of a sudden."
Carg:"I may be fuckin rude, but if you fuck with my friends, I'll fuck you up!"
I... I... I don't know what to do...

Simple answer: Do nothing. Just let Carg speak.

>>153556
Lich Nir:"And what will you do if you attack your own friend?"
Carg:"What do you fuckin mean?"
Lich Nir:"I'm Nirblilm. Nir. Your friend. From an alternate timeline."
Carg:"F... Fuck you..."
Lich Nir:"Even if I wasn't your friend, and you attacked and destroyed me successfully, I can still come back."
He raises his hand. A ring is on it.
Lich Nir:"This can bring me back. It's my phylactery. If I'm destroyed, this phylactery becomes indestructable. Absolutely no one can steal it right off my finger, so destroying it is also out of the question. I no longer need your services. Your out of the group, Carg. I'm leaving."
The lich Nir walks out of the shrine.
Carg:"YOU CAN'T FUCKIN KICK ME OUT! I FUCKIN QUIT! FUCK YOU!"
Carg walks up to me.
Carg:"Do you need a fuckin hug?"
I... I don't know if I do or not...

Tell him you'll be alright. Ask lich Nir what happened to HIS tribe.

>>153574
Rojo:"Ah... I'll be... I'll be alright..."
I get up and rush out toward lich Nir.
Rojo:"Wait! What happened to YOUR tribe?"
He stops. There's a very long pause.
Lich Nir:"I was the only one left."
He sprouts a couple black magic tentacles and uses them to rush out into the forest. He's gone. I see Dedea and Arkan come out of the forest.
Arkan:"I heard someone scream."
Dedea:"I insist we have no reason to continue our involvement with this tribe."

man, all this time-travel bullshit is confusing as hell.

>>153601
It's beginning to irritate me a little as well. I just don't know what to do anymore. Who should I trust? Was becoming a white mage really the right thing to do? I really don't know anymore.
Carg:"Get the fuck up, Rojo! Let me fuckin hug you. You need it."

Yeah... let Carg hug you, you DO need it. Send us to Dedea, alright?

>>153603
O- okay... I'll let him hug me... And I'll send y- you to Dedea...

...

...

Arkan is really trying my patience. There is no possible justification in returning to this kobold settlement. I surmised we would depart here to uncover the motives of Him.

Well, a lot of people here are definitely looking into it as well, so if you go sojourning you should come back intermittently. Maybe we'll have something more to talk about?

>>153614
Oh! Guidance spirits! I am most sorry. It was unknown to me that you were currently present. ...You state everybody is currently investigating the aforementioned piece of information?

Dedea 2010/03/28(Sun)07:14 No. 153620 ID: 34470e
File 126978565511.png - (75.40KB , 500x353 , chapter 4 end.png )

Perhaps we can come to an agreement. Let us all try to fulfill the same obligation concurrently?