>>5761

Power that rivals that of the infamous Stormprague.

Equipment and a small strike force of elite elven warriors should serve nicely. In fact, we happen to have a rather noble elven paladin in mind...

We need something or some way to break that sword's curse.

He needs to prepare for the invasion.

Then when we get to attacking the skullking (after getting more allies of course) we want him and his armies by our side.

And i guess if they have kobold sized mithril chain it could be useful, but that's not really the important thing here.

On a side note, which weapon is Mudy best with? Or don't we remember? Maybe a generic request to arm yourself since your gear was destroyed in the last battle could work, and let us check several weapons and see what feels best.

>>5762
"Herf-a-derf duka duka duka blarg ducktits."

A pimpin' hat.

Never hurts to have good instruments. Since our sword swinging skills are ... well it never hurts to have good instruments.

>>5761
"Your Highness, the greatest service you can provide is to defend your kingdom to the absolute limit of your capability. I would advise you to start sending scouts, and whatever magical tricks you can, to gain a more current picture of the deployments of the Skull King."

Oh and maybe safe passage for our friends, that could factor in.

I'm going to go ahead and second manpower. Anyone who wants to join, really, or the king thinks would be valuable to us.
We can't exactly recruit the entire army, but he can probably hand us a few people. Or at least put out a call for heroes.

>>5761
a method of incredibly powerful CURSEBREAKING.
we kinda need to save Raital from the sword.

>>5771
And then the chorus:

"Duck-tits, woo-OOO-ooo..."

Reaver!mE1ODcDVTM 2009/07/13(Mon)16:12 No. 5782 ID: fb5d8e
File 124752673630.png - (50.41KB , 800x600 , 293.png )

Mudy takes a deep breath.
>"Your Highness, the greatest service you can provide is to defend your kingdom to the absolute limit of your capability. I would advise you to start sending scouts, and whatever magical tricks you can, to gain a more current picture of the deployments of the Skull King."

The king raises his hand.
>"Nay!"
, he objects,
>"Thou had just requested aid and thus it shalt not be refused now. Thou art noble, hero, and thus does thee deserve mine aid moreso."

Seeing how he's stuck Mudy humbly requests a mere three things; A weapon, manpower, and a masterfully made instrument.

>"So be it!"
, the king exclaims. He claps his hands and immediatly two servants arrive.
>"To thine name thee may call these two artifacts.
>Brightstrike, yonder shortsword imbued with the light of the stars, forged with the light of the moon.
>And the Requim of the Bane Sidhe, a mystical flute whose tales are legendary and unexplained, its forces shrouded by the arcane and divine."

Reaver!mE1ODcDVTM 2009/07/13(Mon)16:13 No. 5783 ID: fb5d8e
File 124752679152.png - (52.35KB , 800x600 , 294.png )

>"As for thine request for manpower, a man of great power has just arrived, and shalt be accompanying thee to his death."
The king nods to a person standing behind Mudy.

Reaver!mE1ODcDVTM 2009/07/13(Mon)16:14 No. 5784 ID: fb5d8e
File 12475268829.png - (30.08KB , 800x600 , 295.png )

>"Knight of the Silver Leaves, Sir Bladetree the Evenhanded!"

The elf's eye twitches.
>"..Y-you..?"

>>5783
It's the real prince guy from way back, isn't it.
Try as hard as possible not to make a gay joke.

>>5779
Do we need to? It's a blade of betrayal, after all - it will make her butcher her family. Till she comes for us, we are good.

>>5784
I wonder if "he" is a reverse trap. We should talk to him later, tell him we're no longer trying to seduce the princess... and maybe that she's not a princess at all.

>>5784
HEY BLADETREE THAT SHICKSA WE WAS AFTER HAS A DICK DONTCHA KNOW

>>5784
"If you're going to curse, do it quietly. If you're going to curse -someone-, curse Fate."

>>5787
Well we want to survive, so while we might be able to let her betray de Skullking for now, we should get something to free her if/when it's needed.

>>5784

"I greet thee Sir Bladetree and thank you for your help the first time we met. I would welcome it most fondly again. Someday I must repay your favor. Thank you kindly King for these gifts for I must go now. I have a friend to rescue and a demon to vanquish."

I am sure Sir Bladetree and company will get along like house on fire.

>>5791
So, take a careful approach here, don't hurry - we could go find us a kingdom or an army or some other trouble in the meanwhile.

>>5791
I think logically the sword would go after the closest people.

and the skullking is very very far away.

Barring that, the skullking would rock her.


Advise the king to seek aid from nearby kingdoms or something. Surely the skullking has a bigger army if he was planning world domination.

>>5795
What if it goes after the closest.. emotionally?

>>5796

Thats still Mudy.

Thats like...Double mudy.

"Good King, there is one more item I require.

The hat and robe in which I...dramatically made my entrance in. I know not of what your people did with them. Please, they hold a significance most dear to me."

>>5796
Betrayal is about loyalty mostly, so it'd be reasonable it'd go after the ones she has been loyal to the most. Which suits us just fine.
Well, it never hurts to be on the save side, agreed.

>>5798
Bladetree is holding the robe and wizard hat.

>>5795
She might be going against her big brother. Or being a Blutjaeger she might have some degree of resistance to the curse.

Reaver!mE1ODcDVTM 2009/07/13(Mon)16:36 No. 5802 ID: fb5d8e
File 12475281783.png - (52.56KB , 800x600 , 296.png )

The king raises his hand again.
>"Now go, noble hero!"
His voice begins to boom and echo through the hall again.
>"Go forth and succeed in thine quest! The royal family of Moonshine has faith in thee."

Mudy and Bladetree bow deeply, then leave the throneroom.

>>5802

"...So, since you'll be adventuring with us, we should probably get a good idea of what you're capable of. What are your skills?"

>>5784
Smile charmingly at the elf, in a 'told you I was the hero' sort of way.

Deftly lift the flute to your lips and experimentally play a few notes.

Reaver!mE1ODcDVTM 2009/07/13(Mon)16:40 No. 5806 ID: fb5d8e
File 124752844617.png - (41.91KB , 800x600 , 297.png )

They shortly find themselves outside the massive palace. Sir Bladetree gives Mudy the cloak and hat he left on the churchfloor.

Mudy politely greets the knight.
>"I greet thee Sir Bladetree and thank you for your help the fir-"
>"Knight of the Silver Leaves. Slay a dragon. Vanquish an undead curse. ESCORT A KOBOLD?"
Bladetree sounds tired and agitated.
>"Well, where to, prince? The king has given me my command, and thee art now mine leader. Where to?"

>"If you're going to curse, do it quietly. If you're going to curse -someone-, curse Fate."
, Mudy retorts.
Bladetree remains silent.

With Bladetree's status as Knight, Mudy can now go anywhere.

>>5806
Go find a strip club. Be the star of the show and have Gunther and Hans back you up.

>>5806
>"If you're going to curse, do it quietly. If you're going to curse -someone-, curse Reaver."
Fix'd

>>5806

"Now we go to see my wonderful companions, I am sure you will just love them."

>>5806
We can read, right? If so...

"First, I think it's long since time I visited a library. I've been working with a dearth of information for far too long."

Meet up with the group, watch hilarity ensue.

>>5806
"We are going to find allies to defeat the Skullking of course. But first we will meet my companions."

Reaver!mE1ODcDVTM 2009/07/13(Mon)16:54 No. 5813 ID: fb5d8e
File 124752923924.png - (34.99KB , 800x600 , 298.png )

>"We are going to find allies to defeat the Skullking of course. But first we will meet my companions."
, Mudy answers.
He leads Bladetree out of the courtyard and through the streets where festivities came to an abrupt end, leaving everyone quiet and deserted compared to before.

Mudy's companions are not at the exact same spot anymore.

>>5813
Inquire the nearby locals as to your friends' whereabouts.

Probably the dungeons if they were made.

>>5813
Search the bars, since we all know Axebeard's nose will lead her to the sweet, sweet scent of ale. If they're not there, then grab a pint for you and your new elf buddy - something to break the ice with.

Wait, we forgot to ask the elf king for money. Crap.

Suggestion 2009/07/13(Mon)17:08 No. 5820 ID: fb5d8e
File 12475300903.png - (44.37KB , 800x600 , 299.png )

Mudy decides the best way to find his party is to search through all the bars in the area.
Not after long he and Bladetree are confronted with a tavern that is unusually loud and hectic for the time of day, and especially now that festivities has ended.
Singing and laughing, as well as several cries of intense pain, burst through the door and windows of the building.

>"Ruffians."
, Bladetree complains.
>"A bad sight in any place of Moonshine, sire. They drag down the great principals of our forefathers."

>>5820
"And just the kind of place we'll probably find our compatriots."

>>5821

And then enter the bar.

>>5820
"There's a war brewing, sir knight. I can't afford to choose companions for their table manners."

March in. Duck the guy being thrown through the door.

Suggestion 2009/07/13(Mon)17:36 No. 5825 ID: fb5d8e
File 124753178945.png - (46.93KB , 800x600 , 300.png )

>"There's a war brewing, sir knight. I can't afford to choose companions for their table manners."

Mudy and Bladetree enter the bar.
All the noise and commotion seem to come from just three people.

Axebeard is laughing to herself louder than ever before, as Totenkopf and Darkmoon are yelling at eachother.
>"I thought you was beink disgustink dumb brat!"
>"AH.. AH THOUGHT YYYOU WERE A SHTUPID OLD WOMANN!"

Gunther and Hans are staring at the ceiling in complete silence.

>>5825
See what Hans and Gunther are staring at. Goddamn.

>>5825

"Greetings, lads! How's the ale treating you?"

Say "Consider this your greatest challenge, sir knight."

Approach the others. Say "Hey. I saved the princess and the entire kingdom from a spell that clouded their minds. The King gave me a weapon and a magic flute for my trouble, and also tasked a knight to help us. Sorry I took so long."

Are Ivar and Rune anywhere to be seen?

Suggestion 2009/07/13(Mon)17:52 No. 5831 ID: fb5d8e
File 12475327246.gif - (42.37KB , 800x600 , 301.gif )

Mudy approaches Hans and Gunther to see what they are up to.

>animated

>>5831

"...I'll just...leave you two to your business..."

Turn to the others. "So, I found us a new comrade."

>>5831
Jesus fuck try not to shit our little kobold pants holy hell....

>>5831
Oh god, quickly avert gaze upwards.

>>5831
OH JESUS FUCK
WHAT
WHAT

Make this face: "D:"

>>5831
"...excellent. Carry on."

Totallynotsamefag!!V1AJL5LzHl 2009/07/13(Mon)18:04 No. 5845 ID: ec1a70
File 124753345831.gif - (1.07MB , 250x187 , AHHHHH.gif )

>>5831

Suggestion 2009/07/13(Mon)18:06 No. 5847 ID: fb5d8e
File 124753360123.png - (46.87KB , 800x600 , 302.png )

Mudy turns to his other three companions. Ivar and Rune are no where to be seen, as usual.

>"Greetings, lads! How's the ale treating you?"
, he exclaims.
Axebeard lowers her laughter to a chuckle.
>"Lad! Wonderful, lad! There be somethin' 'bout this brew that brings out ta best in me!"
, she responds.

Totenkopf and Darkmoon don't seem to be paying attention.
>"If you vhasn't grown up so different I would feelink like I am cradlerobbink."
>"WAIT.. DOESH THAT MEAN YYYYOU'RE SHTILL THE SHAME PERSHON I HATED..?!?!"

>>5847

Sit down next to Darkmoon and Toten and order a pint for yourself.

"I never really got the chance to ask the two of you about your past."

>>5847
Introduce Bladetree to Axebeard.

>>5847
Ask Axebeard what she's drinking, then get a pint for yourself.

The booze is drugged, expect a surprise attack immediately.

>>5847

huh, i was wondering about them being weirded out about how Darkmoon is old enough to have babysat tote.

Oh yes right.

1) introduce bladetree
2) get him drunk
3) get drunk.

"Just try to stay out of trouble for awhile, alright?"

Go to the library to look up vital background information.

Suggestion 2009/07/13(Mon)18:28 No. 5861 ID: fb5d8e
File 124753491781.png - (36.89KB , 800x600 , 303.png )

Mudy joins his gang at the table, gesturing to Bladetree to do the same.
He introduces him to Axebeard, who introduces herself back with excitement.
>"Good ta have ye with us, lad! Ta Prince be a good leader, ah'll have ye know!
Now, ye both gotta try some 'o this brew."

>"Yes, please."
, Bladetree responds,
>"I could use a strong drink."

With Bladetree and Axebeard getting along nicely, Mudy turns to Darkmoon and Totenkopf.
>"I never really got the chance to ask the two of you about your past."
, he says offhand.

The two end their struggling.
>"Vhat? Vhy you are beink interested now, prince?"
, Darkmoon asks, giddy from her drink.
>"Vhat are you vhant to be knowink?"

>>5861
> "Vhy you are beink interested now, prince?"
"Because this is the first moment of downtime we've had where someone wasn't dropping in to unexpectedly potentially kill us."
"Where are the two of you from? How did you join the Skullking? Or Calavera?"

>>5861

"Well, why don't we start at when the two of you first met and work our way forward from there?"

>"Vhat are you vhant to be knowink?"

CAN ELFS AND GOBLANS HAVE BABBYS

Suggestion 2009/07/13(Mon)18:49 No. 5879 ID: fb5d8e
File 124753614596.png - (37.66KB , 800x600 , 304.png )

>"Because this is the first moment of downtime we've had where someone wasn't dropping in to unexpectedly potentially kill us."
, Mudy responds. His interest seems to go over well.
>"Where are the two of you from? How did you join the Skullking? Or Calavera?"

Darkmoon laughs.
>"Calavera, tat assvhipe."
She shakes her tankard.
>"It vhas vhen my oma makink allience with Skullking. Tey send me to be helpink vhareffort as diplomatic action.
>Calavera vhas master at strategizink. Best vharlord Skullking had, so I vhas put vhith him. Vhas good vhork, but Calavera so annoyink.
>Ten little Totenkopf.. or I should sayink.. 'Nhk'Tok'Han'Yharl'-"
She bursts out in laughter.
Totenkopf does not seem amused.
>"Damned woman.. Don't shay my nnname when you.. just laugh at it..
>My mother wash in love with a human, sho she made a deal with shome devil, blah blah, firshtborn child, everyone shcared, damned Shkullking thinksh I got talent in dealing with the Underworld, Calavera takesh me in to mentor me."
>"Be mentorink for nothink. All hard task raisink you vhas beink my responsibility."
, Darkmoon adds.
Totenkopf snarls,
>"And you sure were a bitch about it."
Darkmoon simply hugs him in response.

>>5879

"And when did the two of you start...you know?" Cross your fingers. "Feeling that way about each other?"

>>5879
"Wait... you *raised* him? How old are you two?"

Suggestion 2009/07/13(Mon)19:03 No. 5894 ID: fb5d8e
File 124753702819.png - (39.38KB , 800x600 , 305.png )

Mudy begins to feel a little uncomfortable.
>"And when did the two of you start...you know?" He clears his throat to avoid their questioning looks.
>"Feeling that way about each other?"

Darkmoon hits Totenkopf on the head with her tankard.
>"Vhen leetle brat becomink handsome smart younk man."
Totenkopf grumbles.
>"I wasn't SUCH a brat."
>"You vhere beink vhorst kid ever in existance."

Mudy takes a moment to let it sink in.
>"How old are you two?"
, he finally asks.

>"I am reachink 923 sprinktimes soon."
, Darkmoon responds dryly.
Totenkopf grunts,
>"Eleven."

WHOA

>>5894

"...That's...uh...well done!" Pat Toten on the back. "You don't waste any time, do you?"

>>5894
It's not so odd. Elves live a LONG time. Goblins not so much.
In fact, Darkmoon will probably still outlive Totenkopf, even with the age difference.
Best not mention this.

>>5894
Why is Bladetree grinning?

Emergency! Emergency! Questions about our question mark of a backstory incoming!

Abort! Talk about something else!

"Wow. Well, what's important is that you like each other."

Consider.

"In the meantime, I think I need to start planning our next move. Where can I find some maps and books around here?"

>>5898
>In fact, Darkmoon will probably still outlive Totenkopf, even with the age difference.

But Toten is a powerful mage. His magic would extend his lifespan enough that they could live happily ever after ~<3

Suggestion 2009/07/13(Mon)19:19 No. 5913 ID: fb5d8e
File 124753797336.png - (38.91KB , 800x600 , 306.png )

>"Wow."
Mudy pauses for a moment.
>"Well, what's important is that you like each other."

He takes a moment to contemplate and collect his words. There's just this itchy feeling that makes him want to visit a library.

>"In the meantime, I think I need to start planning our next move. Where can I find some maps and books around here?"

>"The Institute of Silver Leaves Tree of Knowledge Royal Library, ofcourse!"
Bladetree cries out, his voice brimming with excitement.
>"But more importantly, this brew is amazing! Thou must try it, prince Mudy! Thou must!"

Meanwhile, Axebeard has begun pleasantly laughing to herself again.

>>5913
Goddamn try some of that brew. Shit looks delicious.

The Li'bary will still be there later.

>>5913

"Sorry, maybe later. I have to do some research."

Call Ivar and Rune to accompany you to the library.

>>5913
Option 1: Finally look up and see what they're looking at.

Option 2: In order to foster further party cooperation and goodwill, take advantage of Bladetree's drunkenness to set him and Axebeard up.

>>5913
For some reason, I don't trust the ale...

"I ... I will, later."

Mudy looks like he weighs maybe ten pounds. He'll pass out from, like, one mug.

Extricate self from bar. Go to library.

>>5918
I don't trust a little kobold to stay sober after a single drop of it.

In before mudy swinging on the chandelier

>>5920
I find something off about it, though...I don't know, just probably my paranoia creeping up again.

>>5913
COnvince goldwomb that half-elf-half-dwarves are a bad idea.

>>5927
> Convince Goldwomb that half-elf-half-dwarves are a good idea.
fix'd

>>5927
Ignore this - convince Axebeard that a half-elf-half-dorf is an AWESOME idea.

We might want to consider checking to make sure the bartender doesn't have a forked tongue.

"Where are Ivar and Rune? And what's up with Hans and Gunther?"

Suggestion 2009/07/13(Mon)19:38 No. 5938 ID: fb5d8e
File 124753910145.png - (37.40KB , 800x600 , 307.png )

Mudy eyes the tankard nervously.
>"I ... I will, later."
, he declines.
>"I have to do some research."

He quickly leaves the bar and his jolly fellows behind to escape the numbing alchohol.
He calls out for Ivar and Rune - They're outside already.

>"Young master, we have passed ze library on our own way here."
, Ivar begins, with Runy finishing,
>"It is only a few streets away. We can take you zere right now."

Throw one last look over shoulder to make sure that the bartender isn't grinning evily.

If no evil grin is found, head straight to the library and start looking up all of the shit we've been faking knowledge of up until now. A map would be a great start.

>>5938

Go find that library and look up information on the Skullking and his empire. "Know thy enemy."

Suggestion 2009/07/13(Mon)19:52 No. 5948 ID: fb5d8e
File 124753994024.png - (40.17KB , 800x600 , 308.png )

The brothers lead Mudy to a large round building sporting simple decoration. Physically it is nothing amazing, but Mudy feels that thousands of years are written down here. Generations come and go, empires rise and fall, and all is recorded by the Institute of Silver Leaves.
Mudy just knows this building oozing with knowledge is going to give him all the answers he needs.

>END CHAPTER 12