>>453681
When will the lessons start, what will they consist of, and how long will they last?

>>453681
Do we need to provide our own equipment? If so, uh, what do we need?

"Does the pope shit in the woods?"

Story Seeker 2012/09/11(Tue)17:47 No. 453697 ID: f09b71
File 134741087678.png - (143.60KB , 700x700 , 3-65.png )

>>453692
I do not know what a pope is, nor do I know why I would ever ask such a thing!

"When will the lessons start?"
>"When you're not eatin', sleeping, frolicking with that naked girl in there or playin' some bardy instrument, you're gonna be with me. I ain't your mother, so I'm not gonna look over your shoulder bein' your personal agenda."
"Annnd, what will they consist of?"
>"You tryin' to live. And maybe someday you can manage to get a decent attack in."
"And how long will they last?"
>"Till we run outta healing magic, till we run outta stamina rejuvination potions, or till I say so!"
"And, do I provide my own equipment?"
>"Hell if I know, ask Zirkala. I'm sure not gonna get your what ya need, so get and bring what you want. On second thought though, ya may want a shield after all. And for fuck's sake you better not show up in that dress."

Which leads to a good question! I will certainly bring a lightweight sword, a shield and my magic armor, but I must think of what else I may wish for!

>>453697
What? No. You bring your sword and nothing else. Fighting naked will give you a damn good reason not to slack off on your defense.

...are you actually wearing a dress?

I'd suggest headgear of some sort but it would be good if you got a horn broken, so headgear would be counterproductive for advancing your manliness. I fully expect that you WILL get a horn broken during this training, but don't mention it to him; that complicates the issue.

You could try bringing a fake instrument, just so you have practice maneuvering in combat with it. The extra weight could throw you off otherwise once you start carrying it around, and you need to learn how to maneuver without breaking it. The fake instrument should be as inexpensive as possible, since it'll probably get broken.

Come to think of it maybe you shouldn't carry around a violin, since those are so easy to break. A flute can be made out of metal, so that's much more sturdy. Or maybe you could carry around the violin in a reinforced case? That would solve that issue.

It's just a saying no one understands that means yes. Yes, you have questions.
I believe pope is another word for bear.
Might want a crossbow, a club, brass knuckles and a bad attitude!

Training in normal gear is fine, but if we could get heavier armor, or perhaps just some chains, to weigh us down while fighting, that might help us build muscle faster.

On the other hand, let's not start out that way since I reckon we don't need a handicap against this guy.

Oh right, we were also going to train with the bow. I imagine he might have input there. Ask him about archery.

> I must think of what else I may wish for!
Wish for?

Magic accessories. Boots or speed or running. Rings of nimbleness, dodging, dexterity, etc. Anything to increase your speed and odds of dodging attacks.

Although, since this training is all about building up your natural abilities, trying to get through it with gear kind of defeats the purpose.

Yeah, train with the stuff you have for now, you can add or remove a few things later if you're really getting beaten to a pulp or start doing well and need more of a challenge.

I would, however, suggest getting something to protect your feet. Don't want to suddenly stomp on a rock while dodging all over. May also want to look into strapping something spiky to your tail, either to improvise lashing around or just to discourage him from grabbing it.

For some strange reason I am compelled to go against learning how to fence properly and just go for being skilled with a longsword (long for us that is)

Something about fencing doesn't mix well with violins for me.

>Something about fencing doesn't mix well with violins for me.

Obviously we just want to weaponize the violin itself. Forget sword-staffs, we'll get a blade-bow.

http://tinyurl.com/bplo6p9

As cool as all that is, we are a classier kind of bard so using your bow to hack things up is kinda bad. Certainly don't bring the violin we don't yet own to combat training, that's just asking to get it broken.

Bring water. Bring lots and lots of water. Touching this guy is gonna singe and we are gonna end up touching him.

>I must think of what else I may wish for!
I want to say a magically protective cloak. What kind of protection should include making us harder to hit and harder hurt, and maybe some resistance to the elements and magic. Or at least some resistance to fire. Or whatever she can do for us, as long as it isn't so heavy as to slow us down it'll be a bonus.

>>453800
As neat and fancy as that sounds, if we come at him with that he'll smash us to a pulp just on principle. I won't blame him for it, either. Let's keep our weapons serious and our instruments out of melee.

1/2 Story Seeker 2012/09/11(Tue)23:57 No. 453828 ID: f09b71
File 134743302608.png - (83.77KB , 700x700 , 3-66.png )

>Are you actually wearing a dress?
Certainly not! I am thinking that Ralex may think that anything that isn't armor is a dress.

"Oh, I was also planning on bringing a bow! Could you teach me how to use that?"
>"Yeah. A real weak guy's tool, but even I can't deny they're damn good. Specially for little guys like you."
"Alright, but for now I was in the middle of a lesson with Muo, so I wish you goodbye until I locate you for training!"
>"Yeah."

>Fight naked
I think I will side with my other thought that I do not need any negative handicaps against this monster! But also with no positive bonuses, so I will pass any magical aids other than the mentioned healing, although I may keep an eye out regardless in any magic shops!

Although I must buy this, I will be sure to go shopping for many things to see what costs what! For now, it is food lessons with Muo. I do wish more valuable lessons in life were learned through doing effectively nothing but eating and drinking!

2/2 Story Seeker 2012/09/12(Wed)00:00 No. 453829 ID: f09b71
File 134743320315.png - (141.08KB , 700x700 , 3-67.png )

After learning more arbitrary manners Muo keeps insisting are important in some upper societies, I set out for the commons after getting my gold! I give a greeting to the Drake along the way, and retrieve Clunker for some protection in the commons.

>"Alrighty kid, let's spend some'a that gold ya got. How're ya doin' anyway?"
"I am faring well, and how have you been, under the drake?"
>"Best lovable job I ever had. Goblins brought a whole feast! Gonna get fat if I don't watch myself."

We search for a couple of hours, leading to the discovery of prices for many things. Although I have been told things like armor and weapons are dependent on how well raids and banditry jobs have gone, and since those vary so much, prices may flip drastically from day to day.

After I paid the drake back, and after those earlier expenses in the commons and expenses for a week of training, I now have 3900 gold. Zirkala technically exchanges it to give me 30 pieces of platinum and 900 gold, but I will refer to most things as all gp as a token of my appreciation to all things simple! The training was expensive! I believe that Zirkala is charging me for the extra cost for summoning Ralex so early. Perhaps it costs a steady stream of valuables? Either way, I expect it to be worth it!

However, I remind myself that I am putting 2,000 aside for Muo. Although then again, I do plan on getting the extra 1,000 for the week long disease, and so may only need to set aside 1,000 for now, minus anything I plan on donating to the drake!

Current GP: 3900
Iron Longsword (Long for a kobold) - 120 gp
Rapier - 600 GP
Small Shield (Wooden) - 20 gp
Small Shield (Copper) - 200 gp
Silver Flute - 100 gp
Violin - 200 gp
Tiny Crossbow - 200 gp
Bolts - 2 gp per
Training Bolt - 1 gp per

Magic Ring of Moderate Stamina - 900g
Cloak of Fire Protection - 1600 gp

Custom Orders:
Spiked Tail Bands - 200 GP
Kobold Copper Helm - 150 gp
Kobold Copper Greaves - 150 gp
Plain Kobold Sized Shoes - 50 gp

For being the third richest kobold Zirkala has ever seen, it seems that only a few magic items plus perhaps a full set of armor would clean me out!

You should get an actual nice frilly dress to show Ralex that you're not afraid of him and show him that a real man can fight in a dress.

Must have
--
Muo - 1900 (do this in case of shenannigans that cause you to lose the bet, if need be you can resell something though you will lose money)
Cloak of Fire Protection - 1600 (If you want to survive training)

Total 3500

For training
--
Iron Longsword - 160
Tiny Crossbow - 200
Small Shield - 20
20 x Training Bolts - 20 (try to reuse these if possible)

Total 400 gold
--

After the week is done and you've won that bet you should buy:

Spiked Tail Bands - 200
Copper Shield - 200
40 x Crossbow Bolts - 80
Muo - 100

Total: 580
---

Which leaves 420 for travelling expenses... not great but I'm sure you'll be able to make this trip profitable as long as you survive.

>>453829
Things to get:

>Violin - 200 gp
First things first. Make sure its nice and sturdy.

>Rapier - 600 GP
Let's go with the rapier, it's a better fit for your abilities. It rewards speed over strength compared to the longsword, and has the benefit of style. (800 gp total)

>Tiny Crossbow - 200 gp
>Bolts - 2 gp per
>Training Bolt - 1 gp per
Ranged weapons are good, but even buying training ammo can get expensive. To mollify that let's do target practice against big stacks of hay that we can recover ammo from. Get 50 of each kind. (350 gp, 1150 gp total)

>Small Shield (Copper) - 200 gp
>Spiked Tail Bands - 200 GP
>Kobold Copper Helm - 150 gp
>Kobold Copper Greaves - 150 gp
>Plain Kobold Sized Shoes - 50 gp
A full set of armor is a good idea. Maybe we can have them fancied up a bit? Not sure how effective those tail spikes are, but we should press every advantage! (750 gp, 1900 gp total)

That leaves an even 2000 gp, in case unforeseen sexual shenanigans somehow occur. If they do not we can spend the extra grand, but we don't need to yet so why risk it?

Thoughts on other items:

>Silver Flute - 100 gp
I know we choose the violin, but do those kobold lips even allow for wind instruments?

>Magic Ring of Moderate Stamina - 900g
What does this do, exactly? Make it so you can take harder hits? Probably not worth it just yet but if we get the extra 1000 we could come back for it.

>Cloak of Fire Protection - 1600 gp
Eesh... I can't justify that expense yet. We're not supposed to be getting hit anyway, so we'll just have to live with a few burns.

>>453834
He can do without the cloak, since fire should only be a problem on flesh-to-flesh contact anyway.

>>453835

I agree with nearly every word of this, but the ring might be worth snatching up immediately, depending what it does. The week's almost up, and I don't forsee a sudden loss of willpower at this point.

>>453829
>drake
DUDE NO. Please tell me Clunker knew already.

Shopping:
120g Longsword
200g Crossbow
40g Boltsx20
20g T.Boltsx20 (we can reuse these, so 20 is plenty)
200g Copper shield
100g flute (seriously, don't try for a violin right off the bat, it will be horrible and everyone will hate you)
150g greaves (will train your leg muscles!)
50g shoes

total: 880g

Are those tail bands actually worth having? They sound more ornamental than functional, being spiked bands.

Don't get the fire cloak- suffering burns during training will toughen you up, and it doesn't seem like it would be useful that often in general adventuring. Same with the stamina ring, although THAT might be useful after training is over.

Do they have any strength-boosting magical items here? That would also be useful for when we leave. Also after training is over and you've broken one or more horns, buy a helmet.

>>453842
Rapier, not longsword. And you do get a violin right off the bat because that's the only way to learn to play a violin.

Why is everyone recommending we buy armor when we already have magic armor?

Oh, and let me explain why I chose the longsword over the rapier-
Rapiers weren't used in the military. It was an artful, but weak weapon used by civilians for dueling mainly, but also self defense. Against any foe that we seek to kill rather than just fend off, the longsword would be much better. As a side bonus, it's also much cheaper!

Get the fiddle and the blade, they're the two most important things. A rapier is a duelist's weapon, you may well encounter real combat against people in armor, so go for the longsword. The fact that it's cheaper is only gravy.

As for the rest, get fully outfitted in armor. We'll want to train with full armor so we're used to it, though you should also do some naked training too just in case you need to do naked fighting in the future. You are a bard, after all.
Pick up the crossbow and a full quiver each of training and fighting bolts. We only need one quiver of each because you'll easily be able to retrieve all your training bolts, and with luck you'll be able to retrieve most of your fighting bolts each time too.
You ought to set aside the 2000 to pay Muo, because even though you expect to get that extra 1000, it's not guaranteed until you've got it. That leaves enough for the ring of stamina if we want it, which could be okay but it's not really mandatory. It does have a substantial benefit that we'd be able to train for longer, but on the other hand we want to raise our stamina too, and artificially boosting that is likely to reduce the rate at which we can improve.
The cloak is beyond out budget, but it's a bad idea anyway because if we use magic as a crutch like that we're never going to develop natural fire resistance.

>>453845
We have armor, but it's only partial. Our extremities are yet unarmored.

>>453853
>A rapier is a duelist's weapon, you may well encounter real combat against people in armor, so go for the longsword.
A far point, but both have their advantages in different situations. How about we get both? We can pass on the tail spikes so we'll still have 2080 remaining.

>>453829
Thing to consider: Lady Drake's worshippers have seen Clunker guarding the cave entrance. Some may see you with him now.

For the longsword/rapier issue.. get the longsword for now. You may very well end up learning how to deal with a broken weapon with your current trainer. Who's to say he won't cost you a fortune in repairs and replacements? It's doubtful he'd care about such a thing.

Errr we don't need armor, we already have a set. The only thing we don't have is shoes and armor for our tail.

We shouldn't get more armor because we are a fast moving dodger. More armor will just weigh us down. Plus it's copper. Screw copper.

Definitely get the violin. Hard or no, we aren't going to magically be skilled in music, ever. Also, a flue is untenable. We need to be able to speak as we play, we are story seeker after all, not music player.

I'd say get the rapier. Not just cause it matches us better, but because it's stylish. I'd prefer a small steel wakizashi to either (short blades are best for the little guys), but we work with what we've got.

Get the ring. I know it's expensive but more stamina will help us when we are in trouble and when we are in bed.

@inventory Story Seeker 2012/09/12(Wed)18:57 No. 454046 ID: f09b71
File 134750142657.png - (75.49KB , 700x700 , 3-68.png )

I will purchase a copper shield, but forego any other armor for now! I have gone shoeless for so long, I do not think I am in any danger of stubbing my toes so carelessly anyways. I will purchase more extremities when I feel like I can afford to be slowed down for training sakes!

Both a violin and flute are purchased as well, along with cases for both.

I get one crossbow, 20 bolts and 20 training bolts which should be able to be reused. And I will pass on a rapier for the moment, in favor of the tried and true longsword.

With that, I have... 3,020 remaining.... I think I will get armor after all! Shoes and greaves and a helm, leaving me with 2,670, enough to leave with Muo and have some traveling expenses myself, especially if I can pull off the extra 1,000 gp! I will see if the ring is still around after the 1,000 bonus.

>You mentioned drake!
Uhhhhhhhh ohhhhhh. Well, uh, he doesn't appear to have noticed anything when I did say it! Perhaps he did know already? On the other hand, he may have just assumed I said dragon, so I can't simply ask him!

Just watch yourself in the future! A bard may learn many secrets, but it's moot if he just goes around spilling them willy-nilly!

>>454044
We've seen him to be rather observant before. He probably noticed. Whether he thought anything of it, on the other hand... Actually, considering how observant he is, he may have figured out that the drake's a drake. I mean, he has to have realized by now that he's eating most of the dragon's food, so it wouldn't make sense for a dragon to survive on the amount she eats.

We could be subtle and ask how the dragon is doing. We asked how he was doing, but not her.

>>454046
Maybe he doesn't know the difference between a dragon and a drake. He isn't educated, at least I don't think he would have read a bestiary or a dictionary. They sound pretty similar, a drake may be slang for dragon for all he knows.

Go around the issue, ask him what he thinks of his employer on a personal level. Or at least, beyond the eating part. He isn't one to at least not drop a hint as to the truth. Or we can just ask her ourselves if she let him know.

Anyway if that's all then we should be off. How much of this week long prohibition is left, anyway?

How about suggesting to Clunker that he hire his own assistants in exchange for food, to avoid getting fat. With the amount of grub that's coming in, he could probably get an entire band of scruffy goons in to do the dragon's errands, while he manages them.

>>454055
I'm more than willing to bet Clunker's figured it out on his own. (At the very least he's smart enough to have noticed the drakon doesn't eat as much as she should).

He's also plenty clever enough not to go messing up his meal ticket.

...so what ever happened to pranking all the other indigenous cave races? We not messing with the slimes, golbins, 'bolds, ect. after all? Was the lizard mission enough?

Good on the gear, but I should point out that a bow is about 5 times deadlier than a crossbow, and we should look into getting a decent one. Crossbows have that one shot and you are done problem.

As for the deception, don't even bother. The only way it can go bad is if he starts blabbing to everyone that it's only a drake, and I don't see that happening.

>>454121
Well, considering that our bard here is not the strongest in the world, while he could use a bow, he probably wouldn't be doing much damage with it. However, anyone can use a crossbow, of any size, so despite the fact that they take a bit to reload, he would be able to use it and still have an effective ranged weapon.

Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)03:17 No. 454145 ID: f09b71
File 134753144023.png - (64.29KB , 700x700 , 3-69.png )

>Look into getting a bow
Perhaps eventually when my agenda is not so filled! While there are certainly advantages to a bow, it requires far more training than the simplicity of a crossbow.

>What happened to pranking all the other cave races
Hm... I may need to ask Zirkala about that, I had forgotten entirely!

"So, Clunker! Tell me, what do you think of Lady Dragon?"
>"Oh, ya know. Gives me food, an' that's what it comes down to. Real mean words, but a darling otherwise. Acts all large, but deep down, she got the personality of somethin' tiny."
"You don't say."
>"Yeh. Real protective of her hoard. Never even let me so much as look too hard at it. Preeetty weird considerin' she's always all giddy when other people compliment her on her hoard. Kinda funny. She don't eat much either. Tells me she's not some dragon that needs much food at all, but that ain't like any dragon I've ever known 'bout. Get what I'm sayin'?"

Clunker's a smart fellow indeed. Tell him to keep it quiet, for the sake of his cushy job, if not his life.

>>454145
Clunker's p. smart.

1/2 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)03:51 No. 454164 ID: f09b71
File 134753346036.png - (110.71KB , 700x700 , 3-70.png )

"Yes, I do believe I get what you are saying, Clunker! Perhaps we should change our conversational venue?"
>"S'cool, sure."

He keeps on guarding my body as we return to the vicinity of the lich's territory, where he turns to head back to the Drake.

>"Welp, I got me some important duties I've gotsta munch on, if ya catch my drift. Have fun with whatever yer doin' with all that armor."
"Goodbye, Clunker! Oh, and you may want to hire your own assistants if there is too much food!"
>"Neh. Ain't gonna share, an' the dragon never did sound too keen on havin' too much friendly company at one time. Ya should come by sometime yerself, though."
"Certainly!"

"Maybe she just doesn't want to outgrow her cave too soon."

Anyway yeah, looking into further pranking plans isn't a bad idea. Nice to have excuses ready for when training gets too tough, and hey, maybe you can multitask.

2/2 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)03:51 No. 454166 ID: f09b71
File 134753346843.png - (116.14KB , 700x700 , 3-71.png )

And with that, I run to greet the lich, asking of her about the other errands!

>How long as passed on the week long trial?
This is the second day, and it is getting quite late in the day!

"Hello again, Zirkala! I am wondering, were there not more tasks that needed to be done with the other races of these caverns?"
>"Ah, you remembered. Yes, I was content to do the rest of them myself, but if you insist, you may perform tasks. The lizards were the most dangerous, so the others will not be as valuable, aside from your own kind. Nevertheless, I will pay 1,000 if you choose to find the ghouls in the kobold village, due to the chance that you may be ostrocized even further. Slimes are 500 gold, and goblins will be 800 gold. Remember that you did the lizard errand in exceptional time, and any of the others could be far more involved, so don't assume that these tasks will just take a few hours out of your day.

Finding tattoos on slimes seems like it'd be the easiest thing in the world to do, and you're taking Muo back that way anyway aren't you?

We should probably get some lessons in before we go off on more adventures, since he's already summoned and everything.

>>454166
The images have the prices for kobold and goblin mixed up.

Slimes sound like the easy choice here. (I think we should never do the kobold one, for some reason I just don't like it)

Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)04:22 No. 454181 ID: f09b71
File 134753536215.png - (124.79KB , 700x700 , 3-72.png )

>Price mixup
I have rearranged my mental image accordingly!

"It sounds as though finding a tattoo on a slime would be very easy, am I correct? I may go bring Muo there anyways!"
>"You are correct, but a slime would absorb any ink over time, and so they are marked differently. The slimes, therefore, were handled quite differently. All three of them are the exact same mass as each other. Some slimes are set sizes, some are not, so the ghoul's inability to change sizes is not enough. You must find three slimes that are both all the same size as each other and cannot change their mass, even if they appear to ingest water. This method is flawed at its core, but I did not plan on losing my connection with the ghouls. Do you understand, and still wish to take this errand?"

You're friends wouldn't be ghouls right? Please don't tell me they are consistent with any of the ghoul descriptives?
You haven't even been horrifically dominated by Sili or had a threesome/play wingman with Reed yet! Hell, if Reed is a ghoul, your abstract decision complex's first meeting with him will not be on pleasant terms and he looks like a cool bro.
Life is so short and you have wonderful things to do with people!

>>454181
Hmm I dunno, would Muo have an easier time identifying them? I don't much see a way to test for it ourselves unless we flood the place and see who bloats.

The kobolds have the problem of being too close to home, and the goblins have the problem of being honry bastards that would cure that disease too early.

I say we stay here and train, unless Muo is very confident that she can sniff out the ghouls. Maybe she can have a different kind of job for us later.

You know, I'm not sure we can really afford to be associated with trouble in our own village, or the mysterious death of 3 'bolds. Besides, with our luck, the ghouls will all end up being people we know.

1/2 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)10:16 No. 454261 ID: f09b71
File 134755659408.png - (178.24KB , 700x700 , 3-73.png )

"I think, Zirkala, that I will stick around and train!"
>"So be it. Ralex is in the barracks down the hall. Have fun."
"Thank you."

And so is it! I suit up for fighting, and show up to training.

"Hello, Calex! Are you around? I am ready --"

2/2 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)10:17 No. 454262 ID: f09b71
File 134755663874.png - (99.37KB , 700x700 , 3-74.png )

BAMF

>"Doesn't look like it."

Fair point! Equipped but not prepared, shall we say.

...perhaps not.

Lesson 1: Your opponent isn't always going to give you a warning.
Lesson 2: Doors and corners are dangerous. You can be jumped when you go through or around one.

lesson 3: a person who is going to attack without warning, is not going to wait until you recover. Do not reflect long, get ready.

"Will there be actual lessons, or will you simply be beating me up? Because getting knocked out for the day doesn't sound like a very long lesson!"

Quip as you pull your sword and try to be some kind of a threat.

>>454265
I think SS should learn to adventure and train like he's in dark souls.

When you approach any corner or doorway, be careful, and on the lookout for threats

When you enter a new area like a room, the outside, or anywhere else you couldn't see before, immediately assess the area for threats, potential ambush points and defensive points that you can both use, and that be used against you.

Never let down your guard until you KNOW there are no threats around. Always be ready to either block or dodge, and always have a safe direction you can dodge firmly in mind. Do not wait until trouble has already come up to decide how you would handle it. That's the path towards jumping of a cliff to avoid an attack.

When you first encounter an opponent, stay defensive until you learn how they fight well enough to safely attack

1/2 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)16:14 No. 454338 ID: f09b71
File 134757804940.png - (166.92KB , 700x700 , 3-75.png )

"Uh, are there going to be actual lessons, or will you simply be beating me up?!"
>"The beating is the warmup, kobold! I don't care how much gold you gave Zirkala, you have to fight me to earn your lessons!"

2/2 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)16:14 No. 454339 ID: f09b71
File 134757806746.png - (111.78KB , 700x700 , 3-76.png )

8 hours later, back at the study...
Well that sure was a long time.

>"Uhh, are you sure you don't want me to heal you?" Muo asks.
"Nahhh, he said something about training? Building character or something, so he wouldn't heal me after the last fight. He said he'd give me lessons, but he mostly just beat me up while telling me what to do! I got pretty good at dodging at least, and he did offer some good pointers!"
>"Aren't you in pain?"
"Excruciatingly so!"
>"Did you get a single hit on him?"
"Not once!"

You're never gonna break a horn if you keep wearing that helmet during training.

Now would be a good time to practice learning your instrument.

Wow, harsh. I suppose it has some merit in a limited time frame though. I would hope that we at least get patched up enough to be fighting fit for the next lesson. As for attacking, it may be a good idea to attack his hands and arms directly instead of trying to get past them. It's a valid technique against the pugilist sort.

...How dd you get a black eye through the helmet? Did he punch it off of you?

Excellent, your training is going well for the first session. Next you need to work on avoiding some of those blows.

Haha, don't expect to land any hits any time soon unless you get better at dodging.

>>454342
probably agrees that healing before a fight is okay, but you gotta take your licks not just heal them as soon as you get them.

this is actually a lesson as well, being able to deal with and ignore pain will let you fight longer then the other guy.

Yeah... cycling your lessons is probably better for your health. Try some etiquette, some playing, some fighting... when it gets to be too much, road trip time.

Also, you should pick Muo's brain some on the whole slime ghoul bit.

The real thing to wonder here is if there's any kind of training that doesn't involve getting hit in the face repeatedly. So far etiquette and dodging seem to consist of trying to avoid the same thing!

1/3 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)17:18 No. 454360 ID: f09b71
File 134758192543.png - (86.42KB , 700x700 , 3-77.png )

>You'll never lose your horns if you keep wearing that helmet!
I rather like my horns!

>How did you get a black eye through the helmet
I... don't remember! After an hour or so, everything started becoming a daze. Perhaps I should sleep on it, he kept my long into the night. Wait, I think I remember something about that....

SOK!

Right, he did punch it off of me! The sound is still fresh in my mind, actually. Really smarted, too. That hit is probably why I can't remember it too well!

2/3 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)17:19 No. 454361 ID: f09b71
File 134758196235.png - (120.11KB , 700x700 , 3-78.png )

Then he, uh, ate it? Am I remembering that right?

3/3 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)17:22 No. 454363 ID: f09b71
File 134758213628.png - (136.06KB , 700x700 , 3-79.png )

Yes, followed by chewing it up and spitting molten copper at me! That took a couple healing scrolls, there. It was all less than graceful, to make an understatement!

>You're going to lose your horns!
Uh oh.

Regardless! I think I will cycle through training. Manners, music, and fighting. However, there may be something I'm forgetting to do during the week! I will pry Muo's knowledge of the slimes should I change my mind and head there.

>>454363
Well, at least Sili will like your soon-to-be-broken horns then. Maybe this training is the type of safe danger she's into, because I don't think your teacher will purposefully kill you at least. You might want some pointers from her too. She has to know some things.

>>454363
You might want to check your friends for tattoos, just so you know if they're gonna die or not.

>>454362
Oy, destruction of items wasn't part of the deal. I wonder if we can get compensation... well just as long as he doesn't eat the rest of our stuff we should be ok on that end. The helm probably makes dodging harder anyway.

If you're going to be traveling with Muo, perhaps some lessons on etiquette can be delayed until later? It isn't like you'll have this fire gnoll hanging around with you to train with.

>>454366
Why? Isn't like we're going to save them or anything.

>>454363
That thing isn't a teacher. It's a barely restrained psychopath. It doesn't matter how good a teacher he could be, if he rings your bell so hard you can't remember half of it.

You might as well tell the Lich that bringing him in was a mistake. You need someone more.. natural, to learn the BASICS from first.

>>454416
>won't be saving our friends
It will soften the blow. Plus, we can maybe say goodbye.

Suggestion 2012/09/14(Fri)15:02 No. 454598 ID: f09b71
File 134766015990.png - (76.50KB , 700x700 , 3-80.png )

That helm did cost me, actually! I take a visit to Zirkala.

"Hello, Lady Zirkala! I have lost my helm, that Ralex person chewed it up and spit it back out at me!"
>"Yes, he does enjoy throwing some flare in a fight. No pun intended."
"Well, you see..."
>"Yes, fine, you may have your helm, but I will not replace it twice. Take a chance with it, or leave it behind for when you hopefully aren't fighting fire elementals."
"Thank you! Also, it is my concern that this person is, ah... well, I don't want to be crass by saying that he is a barely restrained psychopath, but..."
>"What? Crass? Those are the nicest words I've ever heard about him. He won't kill you, but he's a ravenous monster. I didn't defeat him because I've got a heart of gold, but I certainly did the world a big favor. Nonetheless, if you can even almost defend yourself against him, I think you'll be able to handle a bandit or two on the overroads."
"True as that may be, I am concerned that he expects me to know the basics of combat, when in fact I feel there are fundamentals I should be knowing."
>"Hm... that is a fair point. I suggest you still train with Ralex, as I have firsthand experience knowing that however questionable his methods are, the people who training under him were exceptional. Nonetheless, perhaps they did have formal studies beforehand? Well, you have time. I can teach you for a more modest sum, as those skeletal guardsman you've been passing on your way in could teach you. That, or you can find someone else or practice on your own. Another concern of mine is that a week is not long at all. If you insist on travelling with Muo, I may ask if she would stick around for a few weeks longer until I get some task for you to do on your way to Muo's home. I will handle that, though, for now, you concentrate on your studies."

Sili may actually be willing to teach me the basics in this regard. On the other hand, she is a trapper, and, well, us kobolds aren't known to be the highest prowess of fighting, so I do wonder if that is the best choice. Although I am tempted to see who are the ghouls, as while I may not like knowing it, I would like to say a proper goodbye!

Sili might get you losing your 1000 gold disease, too, if you go for lessons this week. Still, I think she'd be a good person to learn from, if for learning a variety of fighting methods, if nothing else.

>>454598
I think we should take the offer of basic training from the lich, and talk to Muo about her itinerary. If she doesn't mind staying an extra week, then let's do so.

>Sili might get you losing your 1000 gold disease
I don't think there's any immediate risk of that! SS would have to work pretty hard to bed Sili at this point. Well, unless people beaten up by fire elementals are her secret fetish.

I'd say we should accept the skeleton basic training, and talk to Muo. She's only bound here a week, but might be willing to hang out longer. That course will probably necessitate planing some additional shenanigans though- Tom's not gonna want to sit around doing sensible training and preparations for the journey. We'll need to get some "Chaos for the Chaos God!" going on.

A trapper is going to know a lot more than a skeleton about how to come out of a fight in one piece. I say go for it.

Oh also leave the helmet off when training, obviously.

>>454598
We shouldn't pass up on any training from Ralex, anything else we can learn from anyone simply does not compare. However, you'd get a lot more for your time and suffering if you were not so clueless going in! Especially since you can't practice attacking if all you can do is barely defend.

How about a bit of the best of everything: Have the lich oversee and advise you in weapon practice against her skeletons. Afterwords, wield those lessons as best you can against Ralex, with only weapons and the magic armor equipped.

Training with Muo can be put off almost entirely for now, replaced by lich/skeleton lessons. Talk with her about waiting for you bit longer in exchange for you entirely funding her trip. She and Tom should agree to that. You can study the finer things with her later.

Oh c'mon, she's sweet on you, and this'll assuage her previous fear you are gonna get yourself killed. Just because you are a big shot doesn't mean you shouldn't still be involved with your tribe.

Train with Sili.

+1 for sidled training. Just seems more practice. Do hang out with the trapper chick though and let her know what you're doing. She'll have to respect you now.

1/4 Suggestion 2012/09/15(Sat)00:54 No. 454827 ID: f09b71
File 134769564805.png - (66.91KB , 700x700 , 3-81.png )

"Well, I will not skimp on my training with Ralex, but perhaps you would be willing to oversee me, and give me pointers?"
>"No. Let me tell you something. I do not like magic. But you saw my mortal form, and I should hope you do not think that I beat him in hand to hand combat like that. In short, I am a mage, not a fighter. Yes, I have basic knowledge, but it has been ages since I have done anything of that sort, and have forgotten any conscious awareness of techniques needed to teach. In any case, I am busy."
"Very well! I think I will get some help from Sili, but I may take on the offer of skeletal training if it does not pan out! Perhaps I will go soon, despite my wounds."
>"I am impressed. I was under the impression mortals needed sleep. It is the middle of the night, after all. And after so long training, even with stamina potions, are you not tired?"

2/4 Story Seeker 2012/09/15(Sat)00:54 No. 454828 ID: f09b71
File 134769566347.png - (81.56KB , 700x700 , 3-82.png )

fump
The next thing I know I am in bed, and I am asleep!

3/4 Story Seeker 2012/09/15(Sat)00:54 No. 454829 ID: f09b71
File 134769569998.png - (106.81KB , 700x700 , 3-83.png )

As I had a quesetion for Muo, it is almost convenient that she finds her way to me while sleepwalking. I am not surprised. I am probably the warmest thing around here! Er, wait...

"Muo, are you okay?"
>"Mm? Oh, yeah. Uh, I sleptwalk right into that fire elemental. He laughed pretty hard, saying I was welcome to stay in his bed! But he was practically on fire, so I left. Sorry!"
"Quite alright! Would you be willing to spend an extra week or so here?"
>"Hmm. Sure? I'll not be around as much, I might have to go visit the slimes and spike their ponds or something more imaginative, but I'm not in that much of a hurry."
"Excellent, thank you!"

4/4 Story Seeker 2012/09/15(Sat)00:55 No. 454830 ID: f09b71
File 134769571291.png - (161.16KB , 700x700 , 3-84.png )

I head off to Sili after getting a healing scroll for Muo, careful about any lizardmen. I do not see any, so I sneak in and hop into Sili's house.
>"Yapper, what are you doing?!" "Greeting! Lizardmen look for me?" >"Yes, fool! What you do? No, no want know. You steal armor?" "I tell you later! Armor got fair and square. But first, need train!" >"What?" "I need train. For fight." >"You are hurt." "Yes, and hope to to avoid that in future!" >"I will train Yapper." "Thank you! Say, that was easy. Afraid you disagree!" >"Idiot Yapper. Been waiting years for Yapper to stop being dumb and ask to learn fight."

Gotta ask the lady why.

>I do not like magic
>I am a mage
D:

The sads!

>learn how to fight
Training not just getting smacked in face a lot, I hope?

Thanks Sili!

Don't get caught staring trying to see if she has tattoos, kid.

show her your moves
THEN
show her your moves~~~~

>>454830
Tell her you're just as dumb as ever, but now you need to learn to use this sword and crossbow so it can't be helped.

>>454844
Those would be overly expensive moves, I fear. At the very least it can wait a few days, I'm sure.

So get to it! Train train train. Of course, this is a different kind of training. You have to not hurt her, so you need to do a more normal training routine.

Be sure to flirt lots.

Oh man! She wants to beat you to a jelly. Be ready for even more bruises! Maybe some of the (minimal) dodging you picked up from Angry McElemental will work?

>>454827
That may explains why she likes peaceful solutions... has forgotten to fight and does not like magic...

>>454829
fireproof beds!
(stone-blankets)

It's made no sense to me why she's so nice, being a lich and all. Maybe if she doesn't like magic this was something that was done to her and she's just making the best of it.

But training! Leave the scabbard on your sword and get to it.

Chapter 3 End Suggestion 2012/09/19(Wed)12:35 No. 456119 ID: f09b71
File 134808334229.png - (136.37KB , 700x700 , 3-85.png )

"Good! Hope by not smacking face all time?"
>"Not all time. Only some."

She does help significantly, helping me with things like basic postures and balance and that sort of stuff. With this, I will learn moves, but of course in the interest in finance, will spare from showing her my moves. And although she insists that I learn how to move with my body first before armor by taking it off. While that makes me nervous, she does not appear to have any indication that she would want bedside training sessions! Or at least enough that I can postpone any such investigations until this week is up.

And someday I may ask Zirkala about her odd dislike of magic. But for now, she, and I, have a busy week and can't worry about asking or explaining such things!

>>455903

The formula for becoming a lich doesn't even require human sacrifice or excessive cruelty, just being in a large but unprepared adventuring party. Enough corpses accumulate fighting the right monsters, and you're golden.