Kronos 2015/08/04(Tue)16:38 No. 660316 ID: 65a774
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Ugh…

…you were flayed alive… you should feel it… see it with your own eyes. Skeletal arms tearing into your flesh, ripping you asunder... and a laughter… a woman, pure and white, stood above you and simply laughed as you screamed in agony.

Are you alright in there? I think I heard you screaming?

You are fine…

…I…

You will pray to me…

…I’m… b-bleeding?

You will pray for forgiveness…

Kronos?

Or your nightmares will consume her…

W-what?

…

…who said… huh?
Who are you talking to? Are you alright in there?

>>660315
It's Illasia. She's found out Xuv talked to you and you've been investigating things. Question is, did someone sell you out, or did she find out on her own? Also weird that Illasia used an illusion of some skeletal thing to punish you. Isn't that more Xuv's thing?

>Or your nightmares will consume her…
She's threatening to make you kill Briannah in your sleep. You won't be sharing a bed tonight, but I expect you're safe for now. First thing's first, lock your gun away so you're not a threat. Then tell Briannah that if you talked about it, it would ruin your dinner. If she still wants to know, tell her what just happened, and then tell her why.

Also avoid mirrors from here on out. I'm guessing since the image is a reflection of light, they're part of Illasia's domain.

tell Briannah what you saw and heard, might as well.

yeah, masquerading as skeletal to haunt you for talking with a skeleton sounds like a way to attack someone. xuv has no reason to do that. but if xuv is supposed to be forgotten then whoever made them vanish would be upset they were found.

Got a bit of blood on you.

Looks like you're getting dragged into the fresh hell of religious disputes.

Maybe that horrible flaying was Xuv's blessing protecting you from Ilassia's influence.

Or maybe its leftover dungeon mold hallucinations.

>>660318
>Also weird that Illasia used an illusion of some skeletal thing to punish you. Isn't that more Xuv's thing?

Well I believe Krotos said that undead are made when enough life magic is thrown into a corpse so if that's the case it fits.

As for what to tell Brannah, tell her you thought you saw something in the mirror and kinda fell down trying to avoid it. You think that you might still be working some of the crypt spores out of your system.

Ascertain status of life, limb, location and your gun.

No, not that, that's a limb. Check your weapon. Where are you? Did you break a window?

>You will pray to me…
Screw that, pray to the God of Fire. He's the one who had the Phoenix under him. Xuv and Illasia can both be blamed for this. Throw enough Death into the living or enough Life into the dead and you get living skeletons like that. You need to focus on the Four, not the Five or Six now.
Plus, it fits into how your traditions work: The Fire is seen as being holy, not the water, earth, or air.
>Who are you talking to? Are you alright in there?
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just... I think it's left over effects from the poison fumes in the crypt. Hit my head when I fell, but it's nothing major." Get yourself dressed and get out there.

If she suggests you break the dinner to get you some attention, tell her it felt like it happened because you were alone and kind of idle, instead of running around from room to room. As long as she's there, her very presence will keep the haunts at bay (Heh).

Check the status of your gun. Take it apart and upgrade it with anti-undead weaponry. Then add a lazer for faster aim or a flashlight for the dark.

Patrol your castle.

>>660333
Let us not forget that Xuv is a skeleton because Illasia cursed her.

it appears that you have slipped and hit your head on the mirror and are currently bleeding, don't have Briannah lick it or do if you're into that kind of thing

...That woman you saw, it was Illasia. It had to be... Oh, hells. She knows. She knows you're the Phoenix... Wait... No. No, if she did she'd have done much, much worse. Probably would have killed you... More likely she knows you're poking around. That you're looking for and asking about things you shouldn't. She's giving you a warning and a threat. ...And it means she'll be watching you. ...Fuck, for all you know she could be watching you right now.

For Briannah's sake, in case Illasia is watching for the time being you need to at least look like you're doing what she wants. Tell Briannah that you need a few minutes and start praying as hard as you can.

Yank your jacket and shirt off, pull your pants down and look yourself over for any signs of blood or injuries. Check yourself in the mirror, front and back. You have a bloody spot on your head, above your left brow. You likely hit your head on something. Check the counter and the mirror you were looking in for blood spots. Did you crack the mirror when you cracked your head on it?

Okay, after that scream and you talking to yourself you can't just tell Briannah you're okay. But you're not sure you should spill everything to her yet. ...You could just tell her what just happened here, leaving out your prayer. And then you can tie it into what you said to Tim about worries of mind magic messing with your dreams. Yeah, that'll work as a diversion. And it probably was powerful mind magic Illasia used so if you get it checked for immediately the residue may show up and lend credence.

Hurry out of the bathroom and say to Briannah that no, you are not alright. You think somebody is using magic to screw with your head. Get Sisah in here from her post outside the door, and only her. Tell the other guard to find Tim and bring him here; You'll get him to examine your head as well. Then ask Sisah to do a thorough scan of you with her eyepiece, specifically looking for traces of magic that can mess with the mind. Tell her and Briannah what you experienced in the bathroom, and of the worry you told Tim of magic possibly being used to screw with your dream.

Tell Brinnah you're sorry her dinner plans have been screwed up by this. You were looking forward to it.

What'd the voice you heard in your head sound like? And what species did the skeletal hands appear to be? Vark? What direction did the hands come from? From the woman standing over you or elsewhere?

You're going to have to seriously consider doing what Illasia wants. There's too much at stake with Briannah to risk Illasia's wrath falling on her. And really, you don't give a damn about Xuv's prophecy. You never asked for it; It was foisted upon you. You have enough on your plate with the betrothal to Briannah and the fate of Risavia hinging on both your lives and your marriage. As far as you're concerned, the prophecy can go fuck itself.

Wait, where'd Briannah's accent go? Forgot it again, Kaktus?

Kronos 2015/08/05(Wed)10:41 No. 660464 ID: 65a774
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>What'd the voice you heard in your head sound like? And what species did the skeletal hands appear to be?
You… you can’t remember…
>As far as you're concerned, the prophecy can go fuck itself.
As far as you’re concern, you have no idea what’s going on! As far as you know, both Xuv and Illasia might be psychopaths that want to rule the world or something!

>it appears that you have slipped and hit your head on the mirror and are currently bleeding.
…you remember opening the bottle of cologne and just as you were putting it on a sharp smell of death and decay attacked you… then… that thing from the shadows came. But, looking at the mirror, you can see a crack with some of your blood in it. You can’t remember hitting your head, but it’s possible? It certainly feels like you did…
>don't have Briannah lick it or do if you're into that kind of thing.
…you are trying your best to not develop weird fetishes concerning her.
>Ascertain status of life, limb, location and your gun.
You seem alive… and all five of your limbs seem intact. You’re currently in your bathroom, with your gun safely tucked away in the holster inside your jacket.
>No, not that, that's a limb.
But it’s the most important one!
>Take your gun apart and upgrade it with anti-undead weaponry.
…you’re pretty sure you’ll need a whole new gun for that… and you’re not a gunsmith, just a gum marksman.

>Also avoid mirrors from here on out. I'm guessing since the image is a reflection of light, they're part of Illasia's domain.
…right, that means pretty much all the bathrooms in the palace. First doves and now this?
>It's Illasia. She's found out Xuv talked to you and you've been investigating things.
…great, so now you have a vengeful goddess on your heels too? How can this get any better?
>it means she'll be watching you. ...Fuck, for all you know she could be watching you right now.
…you didn’t think that your libido should get any lower, but it did.
>Question is, did someone sell you out, or did she find out on her own?
…question is, does it matter? You’re screwed either way.
>She's threatening to make you kill Briannah in your sleep.
...so no sleeping near her, then. You have a hard time seeing if this is a negative thing or a positive one…

>Start praying as hard as you can.
Sadly, you’re not a very religious man to begin with. A proper prayer require a ritual and a sacrifice, both which you don’t fully know how and what they are supposed to be.
>Screw that, pray to the God of Fire. He's the one who had the Phoenix under him.
While Ifocen sound like a better choice than either Illasia or Xuv, there’s the same problem there.

He’s still in there?
Well, yes, b-
Step aside, I’ll break the door do-
Wait!

>Yeah, I'm fine. I just... I think it's left over effects from the poison fumes in the crypt. Hit my head when I fell, but it's nothing major.
…really? Still?
Do you need medical attention?
Yah aren’t ‘urt to much, are yah?
I have some healing powder mixed from herbs if you need them…
No, I don’t think I’ll need that… but…
>You think somebody is using magic to screw with your head.
Magic?
Didn’t yah ‘ave a mage in here a moment ago?
And I think I need his help again. Let me come out while someone go fetch hi-
BY THE ANCESTORS, WHAT IS THAT SMELL!?
Geez… you reek…
*Gag* I… I think I need to c-check the balcony for a moment…
Smell?


>Get both Tim and Sisah to examine you.
I’m sorry, Kronos, but apart from that awful smell, I can’t find anything magical…
The smell is magical?
Of course not. It’s clearly holy magic. It’s some kind of miracle that it can smell that freaking bad… especially concerning that you can’t seem to smell it yourself… dammit, you stink man…
Hmm… while I can’t find any traces of magic, I have to wonder why you have year old feces, urine and some kind of conduction involving sulfur smeared all over your face?
Sulfur?
… I think it might have been… rotten eggs at one time? Maybe?
Rotten eggs, eh? That sounds like a stink bomb… though I’ve never encountered one that smells this bad..
Still, why is it all over your face?
I… I don’t know?

>Tell Brinnah you're sorry her dinner plans have been screwed up by this. You were looking forward to it.
No, it’s… it’s fine, really… I mean, yah still need to eat and… we ‘ave some time still, eh? …just… take a shower before coming close to me again, alright?

Check your face, is there anything on it?

Might want to put a rain check on the marriage proposal. The mood is dead, buried, and the grave's been desecrated.

>Stink bomb
If this was a prank whoever did it can go fuck themselves. Also don't stink bombs need some kind of canister or something to act as the actual bomb?

Take a shower for now. See if you can't get the smell out.

...Oh, for fuck's sake. It was the cologne, wasn't it? You opened the bottle, pressed your palm over the neck (which trapped the stench) and tipped the bottle up, then immediately put the stopper in, rubbed your hands together and patted it onto your face. That's how it got there. Though, if that's it it doesn't explain how you didn't smell it on the stopper as soon as you took it out. Did you move so quick when you applied it that the stench didn't register in your brain before it was too late?

In case it was the cologne, you better not step any farther into your bedroom lest you track traces of it even more around than you already have. Head back into the bathroom. Ask Sisah to follow, then hold up your palms and ask her to scan them for traces of the same odoriferous substance as is on your face, followed by the bathroom counter and the contents of the cologne bottle for the same. If it is then you'll know it was the "cologne." You'll also know you'll need the bathroom decontaminated top to bottom to get rid of the stench, along with wherever you stepped in your bedroom.

You suspect the reason you can't smell it is 'cause it knocked your sense of smell out. If there anything around here with a strong odor you can sniff to test that theory?

Ask Tim to step out to find a sealed container for the transport of the cologne bottle, if it is the source of the stench, and one for your clothes and shoes to be transported to the laundry. You're sure he'll be relieved to get away from this mighty stench. Make sure to put a note on the laundry one that it has stink bomb residue on it and requires special handling.

If it does turn out to be the cologne, you want it take for alchemical analysis to determine how the hell it smells so bad and what tools and knowledge would be needed to make it.

Who gifted that cologne to you, and have you opened it before this evening? If you haven't, was there a seal on the stopper? 'Cause if it was sealed then whoever gave it to you likely filled it with the stench liquid as a terrible prank, and you'll know who to return it to by dumping it on their head. If it wasn't sealed then it could have been the gift-giver or somebody else who had access to it afterwards.

And all this doesn't explain why you passed out for a minute and experienced a horrific hallucination of being flayed alive by skeletal hands. Was the smell so intense it knocked you out? And so strong it caused the remaining traces of the toxic fungus to trigger a hallucination?

Suggest to Briannah that while you're in the shower she call for nice smelling flowers be brought to the balcony for your dinner to counter any lingering stench. Many, many flowers. Or perhaps incense to burn. Or perfume to spray. Or all of the above. Definitely throw open all the bedroom windows and the balcony door to air it out.

>>660466
>Might want to put a rain check on the marriage proposal. The mood is dead, buried, and the grave's been desecrated.
It's not nearly that bad. The mood's merely been derailed. Once the air's cleared it'll get back on track.

>Holy magic stink bomb
Well, time to toss out the cologne. Seems some priest pranked you and "Contaminated" it.

>>660464
Take a shower. Then maybe see if your nose actually still works.

Kronos 2015/08/05(Wed)15:56 No. 660494 ID: 65a774
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>Check your face, is there anything on it?
There seems to be some kind of… sticky substance between your feathers…
>You suspect the reason you can't smell it is 'cause it knocked your sense of smell out. If there anything around here with a strong odor you can sniff to test that theory?
…your room should smell of lavender, but it doesn’t seem to do so currently.

>It was the cologne, wasn't it?
Cologne?
Yes, last thing I remember before that... horrible vision was applying some cologne to myself.
Let me ch- Ohf, it reeks… it definitely came from in here… ugh, definitely from this bottle…
Throw it away or something!
Let me seal it… there, that should keep the smell at bay… at least the originating from the bottle. Better burn it a bit to make sure…
No fire magic in my room!
Fine…
>You better not step any farther into your bedroom lest you track traces of it even more around than you already have.
Don’t worry, as long as you don’t touch anything. So far it only seems to be centered on your face, with some of it on your hands.
>If it does turn out to be the cologne, you want it take for alchemical analysis to determine how the hell it smells so bad.
Whatever is in that bottle seems to be years old!
While I have to admit it smell absolutely vile, I don’t think it’s something super special. If anything, it’s probably just an extremely odorous old fart stuck in a bottle…

>Who gifted that cologne to you, and have you opened it before this evening?
You… you think you got it from your… father? Or was it your oldest brother? You can’t remember. But you are pretty sure it was the first time using it… which is odd, as the seal was broken on it.
>If this was a prank whoever did it can go fuck themselves.
Whoever did this prank probably did it years ago…

>All this doesn't explain why you passed out for a minute and experienced a horrific hallucination of being flayed alive by skeletal hands.
While I can’t say anything about skeletal hands, I do believe you might have simply have hit your head. When you smelled that cologne you probably lost your balance, fell head first into the mirror, as there’s blood on it, and knocked yourself unconscious for a few seconds. That, coupled with stress, would probably result in that vision you had.
>Suggest to Briannah that while you're in the shower she call for nice smelling flowers be brought to the balcony for your dinner to counter any lingering stench.
Grand idea! I’ll send for someone at once.


>Take a shower. Then maybe see if your nose actually still works.
By the gods, why did your sense of smell return this soon!? WHY!?
>See if you can't get the smell out.
…you think you might be smell free… or at least, you’ve completely covered it with other smells.
>Might want to put a rain check on the marriage proposal. The mood is dead, buried, and the grave's been desecrated.
…Maybe? It might still be salvageable… or at least, end this evening on a more positive note… or maybe it’s better that you wait, you don’t know. Either way, you have to think how to present yourself after getting out of the shower and dressing yourself? Should you continue like nothing has happened or…?

Of course, the bigger question is… was this really Illasia’s doing, or was it just some vivid hallucination? The same thing happened when you met Xuv, after all… of course, you’re not sure if that was real either. It’s possible you’re just going mad and became brain damaged after that fungal accident or something… or alternative, the gods really are jerks who want you as their pawn… either way, things sucks.

Heh…
What?
Oh, nothing… it’s just… there are two beautiful white doves out ‘ere that seems to be nesting… it’s kind of romantic, yah know…
…

>>660494
SPIES! Say nothing about Xuv or Illasia in the presence of the doves.

Definitely continue as if nothing happened. The proposal is on.

...open fire.

You can explain later, but the more they learn, the more the enemy can use against you. Find some extra clips for your pistol, then construct some gadgetry - ask Sisah if she knows any crafting recipes that will disrupt all scrying magic, EMP style.

i do believe that shooting doves will make us look like a nutter in front of Briannah. So we should not do that.

>>660504
It will also reveal to Illasia that we know the doves are her spies. Best we feign ignorance, and just avoid saying anything she could use against us.

>>660494
Give pigeons the bitterest stink-eye you can muster.

>But you are pretty sure it was the first time using it… which is odd, as the seal was broken on it.
Lovely, sabotage. Was that a thing that your brother would do? Or maybe it wasn't meant to keep that long. Trust me, you do not want to know what goes into that stuff.
>It might still be salvageable… or at least, end this evening on a more positive note… or maybe it’s better that you wait, you don’t know.
Lemme put it this way, it's going to be a while before she goes in for a kiss and doesn't regret it, It's probable you'll be shot at, and it might be prudent for the light god to not know the nature of your relationship with Briannah.

Tell her to not let the pigeons crap all over everything.

Right, well chase them away if you can, don't be to adment about it as you'll probably come off as a loon. If asked why just say you don't want them to crap over everything or try and steal food. If they don't leave then just ignore them.

>>660503
Don't shoot at the Doves yourself. You can pay somebody, later, to get rid of them to avoid it being directly connected to you. After all, Briannah seems to enjoy their presence, and we don't want her blaming Kronos for getting rid of them.

Let's not go full on crazy and start attacking birds. Just let the doves chill. You have nothing to hide, really.

...Crap. Those doves might be how Illasia found you out, if they were there when you and Tim popped the book open, or maybe when you hid it, and nesting in a position they could see through the windows. Dammit, you didn't even think of drawing the curtains then. Okay, no talking about anything Xuv or Xuv related you did today while at dinner. Not like you were going to do that anyway.

Tell Briannah it does sound romantic, then ask where the doves are nesting since you don't remember seeing any nests through your windows or when you were on the balcony last. Then ask her to come into the bathroom and give you a sniff. You aren't sure if your sense of smell is working right right now and you want to know if your odor level is acceptable or if you have to go another round in the shower. Tell her you hope removing the stench doesn't come down to cutting your face feathers off since you'd rather not end up looking like a vulture.

Make sure to take a look at the nesting doves once you're out of the bathroom and see how far along their nest is. If it appears they started today then maybe Illasia directed them to watch over you recently. If it looks older then they may have just been there without Illasia's input.

>Either way, you have to think how to present yourself after getting out of the shower and dressing yourself? Should you continue like nothing has happened or…?
Continue on pretty much as you would have before, sword, proposal and all. Say that now that that bit of unwanted olfactory excitement is dealt with, lets get this dinner back on track. Perhaps for a topic at some point you could ask Briannah about her childhood after her father's... passing. Who raised her after he was gone?

What time is it? Briannah told you that she's going to an officers meeting at nine, and you promised to take her to the storehouse after dinner, so how much time do you have for dinner?

>Don’t worry, as long as you don’t touch anything. So far it only seems to be centered on your face, with some of it on your hands.
Um... That means everywhere that had major contact with your hands will be contaminated. So that'll be at least the bathroom doorknob that needs washing off.

>But you are pretty sure it was the first time using it… which is odd, as the seal was broken on it.
So you can't tell whether the contents were replaced after it was gifted or if whoever gifted it to you just reused a empty cologne bottle and didn't replace the seal.

Who do you know who'd be the kind of person to pull a nasty prank like this on you? Or who you pissed off enough to do this? And who had access to your bathroom.

>It’s possible you’re just going mad and became brain damaged after that fungal accident or something…
You could say that, if not for what the Garden said that backs up some of it. So there's definitely something more there than hallucinations, insanity or brain damage.

Here's a theory why you saw Illasia here that also explains how you saw Xuv: When you're either unconscious or asleep in a god or goddess' domain they can slip into your mind. With Xuv it had to be in the crypt, since it was both her domain and part of her prison. With Illasia, it'd be for sure her temples, but it might very well also be nearly everywhere the light falls in Risavia. "Nearly" 'cause the four elemental gods' temples may still be outside her reach.

Unfortunately, if true, this means as soon as you fall asleep tonight Illasia will get into your head again. And once Briannah is sleeping Illasia can get into hers too. That explains her threat of your nightmares consuming Briannah. It sounds like Illasia is going to bridge your dreams and make yours a nightmare of divine proportions.

It was nearly noon when you woke up today, so you probably won't be feeling tired until after midnight, while Briannah has been up since early morning. This means Briannah will fall asleep before you, giving you a window to slip out to see about performing that prayer to Illasia. Think you can sneak into the library then and get a book on Illasian prayer rituals and how to perform them? Actually, you could have a note sent to the head librarian now asking for one to be delivered to your room.

Kronos 2015/08/06(Thu)13:11 No. 660679 ID: 65a774
File 143889190003.png - (34.06KB , 686x526 , 5.png )

>That means everywhere that had major contact with your hands will be contaminated. So that'll be at least the bathroom doorknob that needs washing off.
…and the bathroom floor… and the sink… you probably have to get your servants to scrub down the whole bathroom.
>Who do you know who'd be the kind of person to pull a nasty prank like this on you?
If it is as old as Sisah says it is, then it might have been one of your brothers. You three did pull pranks on each other all the time when you were younger.
>You could say that you’re crazy, if not for what the Garden said that backs up some of it. So there's definitely something more there than hallucinations, insanity or brain damage.
So, there really is some kind of battle between the gods, and you’re stuck in the middle? Swell…
>Here's a theory why you saw Illasia here that also explains how you saw Xuv: When you're either unconscious or asleep in a god or goddess' domain they can slip into your mind.
…but isn’t Illasias domain the whole freaking kingdom!? Can she invade your mind every time you fall asleep!?
>That explains her threat of your nightmares consuming Briannah. It sounds like Illasia is going to bridge your dreams and make yours a nightmare of divine proportions.
Great, so your dreams are just going to get worse…
>Briannah will probably fall asleep before you, giving you a window to slip out to see about performing that prayer to Illasia. Think you can sneak into the library then and get a book on Illasian prayer rituals and how to perform them?
Sneaking away shouldn’t be a problem. You’re more concern about performing the prayer.

>SPIES! Say nothing about Xuv or Illasia in the presence of the doves.
You weren’t planning on doing that in the first place.
>Those doves might be how Illasia found you out, if they were there when you and Tim popped the book open, or maybe when you hid it, and nesting in a position they could see through the windows.
Dammit, why didn’t you draw the curtains on them! Rookie mistake!
>...open fire.
…you’re pretty sure that would just make you look like a madman in front of Briannah.
>Ask Sisah if she knows any crafting recipes that will disrupt all scrying magic, EMP style.
You’re not sure scrying magic like that even exist other than in stories…

>Ask where the doves are nesting since you don't remember seeing any nests through your windows or when you were on the balcony last.
Right behind yah, on the roof.
Hmm… there’s no way they should have seen me from there…
What was that?
Nothing.
>Make sure to take a look at the nesting doves once you're out of the bathroom and see how far along their nest is.
As far as you can tell, the nest seems to be completed. They have probably even laid their eggs.
>Give pigeons the bitterest stink-eye you can muster.
…what are yah doing? Yah don’t like pigeons?
…those bastards crap on everything…
Heh… they do, don’t they?

>Ask her to give you a sniff.
…
…
So, that’s what turns yah-
Just make sure I don’t smell like a garbage pile any longer!
*Sniff* …mmm… lavender? I do like lavender…
>What time is it? Briannah told you that she's going to an officers meeting at nine, and you promised to take her to the storehouse after dinner.
Actually, we need to take a raincheck on that. I need to meet up with a few… friends in a little over an ‘our, so we don’t ‘ave time to visit the storehouse. Sorry.
I’m pretty sure I’m the one who is supposed to be sorry.

>Perhaps for a topic at some point you could ask Briannah about her childhood after her father's... passing. Who raised her after he was gone?
Hmm? Oh, I was raised by my uncle. ‘e was an old war veteran, who had retired after losing one of ‘is arms. ‘e’s the one who thought me to fight and train… ‘ow to become as big as I am, really. While ‘e was a kind man, ‘e… wasn’t the best when it came to emotional matters. Of course, ‘e died when I was 16… which left me mostly alone.
Madam? Sir? Your food…
Ah, finally! I’m starving!
Oh! Is it shellfish a ’la Marie? I love that dish!
Don’t ‘now. I just asked ye chef to make something yah love, so ‘ere we are.
Apparently, he does know me…
Actually, I’ve been curios about something… that religion of ye…
Err… what about it?
Everything, really. I’m not very well read about the subject, what with me not being very religious to start with. There is supposedly five gods, yes?
That’s correct.
I ‘ave to wonder… see, my ‘alf-brother, Belseth, I’ve ‘eard ‘im rant when ‘e’s drunk about this several times but… ‘e only ever mention one god, why is that? And is this god of ye vengeful? Because most of his drunken rantings are about purging the ‘eretics and burning the non-believers… and keeping some kind of death demon imprisoned in the earth or something… do yah ‘now anything about that? Sounds like one ‘ell of a story, at least…

>>660679
Tell her the official story of the five gods, and that you don't know anything about a death demon. It's weird that Belseth is ignoring the other four gods entirely. Even Illasia's version of history admits they exist.

Later, once you're out of earshot of the doves, you can tell her what the death demon actually is. Best not to tell her about Xuv's version of the story, at least until that book is translated.

...also if Belseth is the Dragon hoooo boy we're gonna have issues talking to him. I guess if we can find him a wife without revealing WHY, things might work out? I still don't know how we're supposed to get him a Varkian wife that will bear him a child, as that's impossible. Gonna have to talk to Xuv again somehow.

We're not very well versed in religion either. We've heard of crusades or what have you, but that was way before our time. Purging heretics seems... I don't know, beneath the church now?

We can say Illasia takes center stage when compared to the gods of the four roots, but we don't know why they'd be outright ignored.

>>660679
well if you need a topic changer later you can ask her how she likes Vark cuisine compared to back home. Probably should wait till after she's eaten a little though to actually make the question not seem like a despite grab at a change of topic.

As for the gods question she's ask you. Just tell her what you know about the 5 before you went down into the crypt.

>>660680
>Later, once you're out of earshot of the doves, you can tell her what the death demon actually is.
...going to have to say no to this. I mean we still aren't entirely sure about this ourselves and I don't really trust her with this information yet. When we learn more both Xuv and Briannah then we can spill the beans.

>>660685
Second.

>Because most of his drunken rantings are about purging the ‘eretics and burning the non-believers…
Tell her who the five Gods are, and about how Illasia has been, well, the more active of them. You hadn't really heard of a "Death Demon" before today, though, so there's not much you can say on that.

Since she's asking you to share what you know of your religion with her, afterwards ask her to reciprocate and share what she knows of hers with you.

Ask what Belseth was like before he "saw the light," and what he's like now. And does he take to the bottle too much, and if so is it the same as before he had his visions?

Ask what dish she's eating; It looks like it might be a Risavian one. And as long as you're on the subject, ask what her favorite food is, and what ones she can't stand. Oh, and if Sakkilians in are allergic to any foods, and in general what kinds of tastes they prefer. You're guessing sweeter tastes 'cause their dishes are commonly sweeter.

Kronos 2015/08/07(Fri)10:16 No. 660848 ID: 65a774
File 143896779560.png - (55.08KB , 686x526 , 6.png )

>We're not very well versed in religion either.
I figured, yah don’t act like someone who is very religious, but yah got to ‘now something, eh?
>Tell her the official story of the five gods.
-and then they united and made the people, with earth creating our bodies and strength, wind creating our lungs and gave us a voice, fire giving us creativity and our hearts, water creating our minds and wisdom, while life gave us our souls.
Interesting.
>and that you don't know anything about a death demon.
So, there’s no evil entity that’s an opposite of the five?
No, there isn’t.
…’ow dull. Yah need some kind of adversary if yah want to make something interesting!
It’s an religion, not a book.
>It's weird that Belseth is ignoring the other four gods entirely.
That’s why I’m asking. ‘e seems to love this Illasia gal.

>ask her to reciprocate and share what she knows of hers with you
We don’t really ‘ave a religion like ye do, but I guess yah can count the belief of our ancestors as one. See, after the world first was formed, there wasn’t any Sakkilian, only big and mighty dragons. But, as the world aged and the magic ran dry, the dragon came to the ground and lost their wings. Generations pass and suddenly, there’s only Sakkilians.
So, you’re descendants from dragon?
Not just any dragons, but royal dragons! Ancient ones!
I’m pretty sure those are just a myth.
As for death, we believe in a kind of reincarnation. When we die, our brethren eat both the body and the soul, making those that ‘as passed on a part of us. In the end, we’re simply in an endless cycle, where parts of our souls a reborn anew, paired with the souls of other relatives.
So… if you’re not eaten after your death?
Then yah’re doomed to never come back, are yah?
…I see…
>ask her how she likes Vark cuisine compared to back home.
Considering that I usually don’t eat something as fancy as this, I ‘ave to say that this is fucking delicious.
…you don’t eat this kind of food? Aren’t you royalty?
I’m a bastard, so I’m still stuck in what is basically servant quarters eating cheap food. I’m not used ‘aving an army of servants at my beck and call or living like yah do.
>Ask what her favorite food is, and what ones she can't stand.
Favorite? I guess that would be some kind of big slab of meat grilled over an open fire. Probably a calf or something. Oh, and it should be bloody too. Real bloody. As for food I don’t like… I would say a salad. Sure, some greens on the side is good, but only greens? Ugh…
>Oh, and if Sakkilians in are allergic to any foods, and in general what kinds of tastes they prefer.
Allergic, I don’t ‘now… but we do ‘ave a taste for sweet things. A lot of candy and jelly and stuff, yah ‘now. In fact, they say we eat so much sweet stuff that even the boys start to taste sweet when they finish, eh?
…I didn’t need to know that… at all…

>Ask what Belseth was like before he "saw the light," and what he's like now.
Well… ‘e’s always been a fucking dick, if that’s what yah mean. But to be a bit more serious, ‘e’s always been looking for answers, yah ‘now… to understand why everything is. In fact, ‘e kind of got depressed about the war, the futility of it… the why it even happened. Then suddenly ‘e got this vision and this god ‘ad all the answers. Changed ‘im just over the night, really.
>And does he take to the bottle too much, and if so is it the same as before he had his visions?
‘e started drinking when ‘e got depressed, as far as I ‘now… especially after ‘e’s brother, Brianthor, died. ‘e couldn’t ‘elp but blame ‘imself for that. But I think it has become a bit better, after ‘e converted. Still an arse, though.
Uh huh…


Oh, look at the time. I need to get going soon. We should ‘ave dinner together tomorrow to… I did quite like it.
This time, I’ll prepare it.
I do ‘ope yah make it romantic, heh… Now, before I leave, is there anything yah want to discuss? Otherwise, I’ll see yah at nine, eh?
Wait, what about dessert?
…oh, right, I completely forgot that that is a thing… sorry, no dessert today… but… I’m sure I can give you something sweet if you want too~


It seems like you’re about to get some more free time and you have a lot to achomplish. You should probably see Tim again about the book… he should have found Cain by now. There’s also the whole thing about the prayer… should you pray to Illasia or not? Maybe you should pray to Xuv for protection instead? Or the god of fire? Maybe you should just try to find a priest for help? You did want to talk to a priest of fire after all. Hmm… one thing is for certain, you need to find someone who can tell you more about this whole… thing happening right now. Being stuck between two angry gods who both might be evil is complicated as it is, without being drowned in your own ignorance.

There’s also the proposal, should you do it now? The mood has come back, after all. You’re sure she’s looking forward to getting her sword back… and then there’s the most important thing. Her chest. You’ll have ample of time finding what kind of horrid secrets it contains when she leave, won’t y- wait, did she just say she wanted to kiss you?

>>660848
DO IT. DO IT NOW.
Also take that kiss, I'm sure it'll be quite appropriate after the proposal.

As for the prayer thing, only pray to Xuv if you know how. Otherwise I'd pray to the fire god, to see if they're awake enough to help.
Also only do it after you find out what's in that book. Speaking of finding things out, why sneak a peek at the chest when you can use a favor to find out what's in it? Spend those favors, that's what they're for!

I don't know if you want to put the bracelet around the pommel of the sword when you hive it to her or put it on her wrist or what, I don't know the traditional precedent here.

If you're going to pray to anyone, try one of the other gods. they'll have the least biased perspective. The chest is probably just full of soldiery things, don't worry about that.

>>660853
It'd be difficult to put it on her wrist, since it hasn't been fitted yet.

I wouldn't pray to any of them at this point. Illasia and Xuv you don't know enough about the situation yet to essentially swear your fealty to one of them, and the other four gods are probably not powerful enough to protect you from Illasia if it comes to that, since she has been apparently undermining their power.

Well I mean if you think you can expect a response then go for all four elemental gods, for informative purposes. But otherwise...

>proposal
Mhh, she's on a hurry. Maybe after our dinner?
>kiss
yes.

>but… I’m sure I can give you something sweet if you want too~
But there's something I want to give you.
Then go and grab the sword. We're handing here the bracelet as well right?

>prayer
I say find out more before you do anything that will come back and bite you in the ass.

>what do
Finding Tim couldn't hurt and if we have absolutely nothing else to do we could always hit the range again. Just to let off some stress.

Give her the items before you forget. No kiss. Find a mercenary and get them into the crypts. Read up on Illasia, see if you can find anything that looks like Xuv before she was declared anathema.

>>660884
oh yeah I almost forgot

>kiss
you really comfortable being that close to a Sakkilian's teeth?

Nobody's talking about tongue kissing, and I doubt that's what she's looking for. No teeth involved.

>Maybe you should just try to find a priest for help? You did want to talk to a priest of fire after all.
Talking with the priest of fire is probably the best way to go. They can help you pray if necessary.
>There’s also the proposal, should you do it now? The mood has come back, after all.
...On the other hand, if you prepared some dessert for when she gets back, that would be the best time for it.
Well, you did say you would be the one to make dinner tomorrow already anyways, so it could probably be then.

go book

>should you pray to Illasia or not?
fuck her

So far I'm not liking the idea of praying to illusia, if only because nothing we've heard about her as far as I can tell paints her as anything approaching nice.
Her light only burns and blinds!

>>661084
>>661080
There's this thing called deception.

I'm worried that praying to Illasia will somehow expose us to her control.

Why, yes, she did just imply she wanted to kiss you. You don't quite know how that'd work since you have a beak, but you're sure she'll figure something out.

On second thought, hold off on presenting the bracelet. You wanted it to be romantic when you did, and Briannah just said she hopes you make dinner tomorrow romantic so that'd be the perfect opportunity to pull out all the stops, make things really romantic and special and then present the bracelet. And frankly, if you presented it now it'd feel rushed, like you shoehorned it in on the tail end of accepting her proposal. You'll still return her sword now since this dinner is more in scale with the way she proposed, but your dinner and proposal will be on the scale of a prince to an Empress' daughter.

Ask Briannah to hold that "sugar" of hers for a moment 'cause you have something for her. Say you were planning to present it during the dessert course, but certain unfortunate smelly events seem to have taken that time away from us. Hurry inside and get the sword, then reverently present it to her with both hands, saying you hope she finds it acceptable. Then say you'll take that sugar she was offering and get ready to find out first hand just how Briannah goes about kissing beaked boys.

Once her sugar delivery is complete and the mood shifts down a bit ask her what friends she's meeting, 'cause you didn't know she'd made any here yet, and where, just in case you need to find her. Then wish her well on her friend's meeting and head off to find Tim and Cain.

>Maybe you should pray to Xuv for protection instead?
Two problems with that. First is that you don't know the ritual to pray to her, nor even where to start to find it out. Second is that it likely has to be done in Xuv's domain. Since the only place you know of that fits is the crypt, that presents a problem, what with both the toxic fungus and the increased security on the entrance.

>Or the god of fire?
Actually, you may want to go for the goddess of earth instead. You read that fate was once her domain, right? So if you can get in contact with her she might know more of what's going on with you than the fire god Ifocen. And you also might be able to get the Garden's help with performing the prayer ritual.

>Maybe you should just try to find a priest for help?
Yes, you should. Can you send for one of the earth goddess' priests or priestesses before you go find Tim and Cain? If it's too late in the day for them to visit you can at least send a request for them to tomorrow and get a reply.

>...and then there’s the most important thing. Her chest. You’ll have ample of time finding what kind of horrid secrets it contains when she leave, won’t y-
No opening her chest and poking around in it. That'd be a violation of her privacy. And also, if she is testing whether you won't peek in the chest, she'll have put some way of knowing you opened it on or in it. A few hairs trapped in the closed lid on the back, or a light grease on the lock that leaves a telltale print. So no touching her big chest!

Also, if you did open the chest and find it contains what you fear, what can you do about it? Nothing, that's what. You can't just throw the contents out, and you can't bring up your objections to Briannah without admitting you peeked. So you'd still have to wait until she opened it herself and showed you what is inside before you could object. And if the contents aren't what you fear, then you have to live with breaking Briannah's trust in a small way and worrying that she finds out. You don't want that.

There is something more to worry about Illasia's visions to Belseth: The fact she could do so while he was deep inside the Empire. Either she has the power to project herself into a person's mind far beyond Risavia's borders, or she had one of her followers bring some conduit near Belseth so she could reach him.

Pray to the firebird.
A quick kiss would be sweet, just try not to think of all those teeth right next to your face.

Man up, feather brain! Teeth are sexy.

Kronos 2015/08/10(Mon)10:16 No. 661477 ID: 65a774
File 143922698591.png - (38.49KB , 686x526 , 7.png )

>DO IT. DO IT NOW.
Can’t resist… look at… her big trunk…
>It’s probably just military stuff.
But can you really be sure? Of course, a piece of armor is “kind off” clothes but… hmmm…
>Why sneak a peek at the chest when you can use a favor to find out what's in it? Spend those favors, that's what they're for!
Yeah, that way you can get her to open it for you without… wait…
>No opening her chest and poking around in it. That'd be a violation of her privacy.
…wait, that’s her plan, isn’t it? She wants you to use up a favor… or catch you red handed so she can gain another favor! It’s probably just something mundane in that chest and she made it sound interesting just so you should be curios enough to walk right into her trap! That’s it! Ha! She can’t fool you that easily!

>There is something more to worry about Illasia's visions to Belseth: The fact she could do so while he was deep inside the Empire.
Apparently, her influence is bigger than just the kingdom. Maybe she can spread it with the help of her devotees?
>Well, you did say you would be the one to make dinner tomorrow already anyways, so you should probably propose then.
…indeed, it would probably be prudent to wait for a better time. You don’t need to rush this, instead wait for the perfect moment.
>Find a mercenary and get them into the crypts.
Sending someone like that down into the crypt would probably piss off the priests to no end... and you have to consider that the place is still full off deadly fungus. But… maybe you can talk to someone who can enter it without problem? Your friend the head gardener, Whispers of Growth, is supposed to go down there and clean the place anyway… and being a plant it’s immune against the fungus… you might consider asking it to… keep an eye out for suspicions things.


>Say you'll take that sugar she was offering and get ready to find out first hand just how Briannah goes about kissing beaked boys.
…I… I can’t help to wonder how exactly you would “give something sweet” between a snout and beak…
I was planning on just a peck on the beak for now, but if yah want to tongue wrestle I’m-
N-no, a peck is fine…
Then come ‘ere, ‘eart butt.

*Kiss*

>You really comfortable being that close to a Sakkilian's teeth?
Out of sight, out of mind?
>Man up, feather brain! Teeth are sexy.
You’re not into teeth that have regularly eaten Varkian flesh…
>Fuck her
At least wait to after you’ve proposed to her.

>Ask her what friends she's meeting, 'cause you didn't know she'd made any here yet, and where, just in case you need to find her.
Officers, senators… other important people. I don’t ‘now exactly where we’ll be, but I’m sure yah can ask a servant for directions if yah need me.
>Then wish her well on her friend's meeting and head off to find Tim and Cain.
I’m sure I’ll be fine, ‘usband. See yah tonight… oh, I do ‘ope yah’re well rested, as I ‘ave a surprise for yah when we get back tonight, love…
Err… looking forward to it?

Kronos 2015/08/10(Mon)10:16 No. 661478 ID: 65a774
File 143922699597.png - (33.22KB , 686x526 , 8.png )

>Can you send for one of the earth / fire goddess' priests or priestesses before you go find Tim and Cain?
Before heading to Tim’s study, you make a quick stop and send away two massagers, both asking a priest for some time to talk here in the palace. Hopefully, you’ll get an answer soon.

As you enter Tim’s study, Tim himself is nowhere in sight. Instead, you find Cain hunched over the book you gave Tim, feverishly trying to translate it.

Ah, sir, good to see you again. Tim is currently preoccupied gathering some materials but… I don’t think it will be necessary, sir.
…why won’t it be necessary? Isn’t he supposed to summon that fire bird?
Take a look at this. It’s the translation of the title, sir.
…”My first book of the six gods”? It’s some kind of children book? About the gods?
Six gods, too… It’s kind of odd, no?
I… err… guess?
And look at this, an translation of the incantation for the “summoning” magic, sir.
…”Oh, Ifocen, the one of the holy fire, granter courage and creativity, hear our plea”? Wait, this is some kind of prayer?
Indeed, it’s not a summoning spell, but a simple prayer, sir. Thus, we have no reason to even try them, do we? Should I inform Tim of this?
So… we have six different prayers to six different gods?

>PRAY TO ILLASIA
>PRAY TO XUV
>PRAY TO IFOCEN
>PRAY TO GAISIA, the goddess of earth.
It feels like you’re at a crossroad. Praying to the wrong god will probably have consequences, while praying to the right one will help you keep both yourself and Briannah safe. There’s also the problem of convincing both Cain and Tim to do this, as both of them are needed. Either way, you have a nagging feeling that you’re on the right track, that praying is going to achieve something important… but you don’t know what. So… which god should you pray too?

> granter courage and creativity,
What are the other gods granting? At least try to make an informed decision here. Also, why only pray to one?

Illasia is vicious, Xuv is mad, and I think courage & creativity is what you need most. disregarding some revelation, go with Ifocen.

Until we know more about what's going on let's hold off on praying to Illasia or Xuv. Considering the circumstances we could use a bit of courage right now, so I say go with Ifocen. As for how to convince Cain and Tim to go along say it may be interesting to see what old prayers were compared to current. You know see how the religion has changed over the years.

Well we're pretending we don't know jack about god number 6 and if what Xuv said is true and the 4 elemental gods are in a deep slumber I kinda want to see what happens when we call upon them. Go for the fire bird. Worse case scenario is we just get redirected to Illasia.

Ifocen does sound reasonable, as creativity and courage are both things you could use for the uncertain times ahead. And fire does feel like it would be your element, given your nature.

Xuv and Illasia... Well, Xuv is right out of the question. If anyone found out you've been praying to a forgotten goddess of death, things would not go well. And Illasia... Perhaps she would be a reasonable choice.

Perhaps the spooks we've had that might've been from her have been Xuv's doing, to dissuade you from seeking her out? No, too muddled and uncertain, your best bet might be one of the elemental deities in hopes of more impartial guidance.

Ask Cain if he can keep the book secret. It's basically heresy.

I think if we want to remain safe we're going to have to pray to Illasia. Worst thing that could happen is she'll remove Xuv's blessing, whatever it was.

But FIRST we should pray to the fire god, in as private a place as you can manage. See if they can tell you the story of why there are only five gods now. Then we'll know if Xuv is lying to us or not. We should also ask them if we should really pray to Illasia after having that horrifying vision.

Kronos 2015/08/10(Mon)14:09 No. 661499 ID: 65a774
File 143924099310.png - (54.62KB , 686x526 , 9.png )

>why only pray to one?
You have no idea what will happen, if anything, when you pray to one. All you know is that apparently, you can only pray to one of them at a time. Depending on what happens, you might be able to pray to them all.
>What are the other gods granting?
Let’s see… if you remember correctly… earth is strength and diligence, water is wisdom and Intelligence, Wind is agility and quick thinking, fire is courage and creativity and Life is fertility and health. You have no idea what Xuv gives though…

Hey, just out of curiosity, what is this six god?
Apparently, a god of death, sir. She is the one who guided the dead souls to the afterlife, as well as being the aspect of… let’s see what I wrote… the aspect of beauty and love.
…wait, what? A death god that’s the aspect of love?
Don’t ask me, sir. The people back then were apparently crazy. No wonder people forgot about this one.
>Ask Cain if he can keep the book secret. It's basically heresy.
Of course, sir.

>Ifocen does sound reasonable, as creativity and courage are both things you could use for the uncertain times ahead.
Wait, you actually want to try this?
Well, why not?
…because we don’t know if it’s magical or not, sir?
>As for how to convince Cain and Tim to go along say it may be interesting to see what old prayers were compared to current. You know see how the religion has changed over the years.
…really? Well, I can’t stop you, sir…
But I can. Do you really think I would-
I bet there will be some pretty cool special effects. I mean, it is magic in the prayer, isn’t it?
…well, shit, you’re right! Let’s do it!
…err… really?
He’s probably been into the spirits again, just roll with it.
Right… the magic symbol is drawn… the candles is in place… and the sacrifice of something of fire is in place… let’s do this! Give me the transcript of the evocation!
*Sigh* fine…


…let’s see… oh, Ifocen, fe’te ne ragata narida nnneei? Kar d’durka beeerrrr-
berkinka.
Berkinka terka suh. Err… ger… ta…duh? Something... um...
...this is never going to work...
Quiet, you… Ifocen, neer de’ka te-

Kronos 2015/08/10(Mon)14:10 No. 661501 ID: 65a774
File 143924103607.png - (14.44KB , 686x526 , 10.png )

This is all your fault.

You’re the one who did this!

Did you really believe you should escape our wrath!?

The world will burn because of you!

Silence!

We have already decided your fate.

Kronos 2015/08/10(Mon)14:10 No. 661502 ID: 65a774
File 143924104513.png - (26.12KB , 686x526 , 11.png )

-curta bat… … …
…so…?
…huh… nothing? I mean, even the “sacrifice” is still here…
…Kronos?
…w-what?
…are you bleeding?
…huh… no, I… err… w-what was that?
…what was what, sir?

>>661501
...was that a sort of flashback? The conversation the gods had when Xuv was sealed? Maybe Xuv was sealed first because Illasia framed her for something, and then she turned against the other four afterwards and managed to win because there was no opposing element left to counter her power. Or was that an attempt by the five gods to seal Illasia away, and she did something to turn the situation around? Man, this didn't answer any questions at all, or improve the situation any. I guess it didn't make things any worse... although that bleeding is worrying.

Tell them you just had some sort of vision.

I say pray to the earth goddess next, assuming you think you can handle it. I suspect we're not going to get any results the others can see unless we pray to either Xuv or Illasia. Considering it's a ritual that requires two others to participate... actually fuck it, let's go full heresy and pray to Xuv.

Wow we can't do anything related to these gods without spilling blood can we. Seems like someone is being judged for something.

>water is wisdom and Intelligence
Could use some of that, too.

>…what was what, sir?
Angry god saying everything is my fault, the world will burn, we can't escape our fate? I don't think it was directed at me, though. I haven't done anything of note, well, ever.

Although I think we should try the water god next, you're bleeding and you should probably take a rain check until tomorrow.

We should probably avoid ancient prayers for the time being, then. Go for the more modernized prayers once the priests get here.

Take a break, build some countermeasures. You aren't summoning demons but you are invoking something worse. Do not take this lightly.

Did you hear multiple voices or was it just the one?

...What the fuck was that? ...Best guess is that that was a vision of one of Ifocen's memories; More like a "hearing," but whatever. But was it of him speaking to another and their voice for some reason was not part of the "vision," or others speaking to Ifocen? Whether it's the latter or the former makes a big difference. In the former Ifocen is part of a group laying down the fate on one who's made dire transgressions, but in the latter it's Ifocen on the receiving end of that fate. Do you remember if it was just one voice or were there multiple voices speaking?

Dammit, did you remember to draw the curtains before doing all this? Well, if you didn't, do it now and hope no doves saw what happened in here. As cover you can tell Cain and Tim that the light is making your head hurt more.

Tell Cain that you heard someone, or someones, and tell him and Tim exactly what you heard. You think it might have been one of Ifocen's memories, but you aren't sure. It might have been another's memory or maybe the magic somehow caught one side of an ancient conversation. But you're pretty sure it wasn't directed at you 'cause you haven't done anything like the accusations in it... Though... Could it be for something you might possibly do in the future? Or it might have all been yet another hallucination. Ugh, your head hurts...

Don't immediately perform another prayer ritual. That nosebleed does not bode well for what may happen to you if you do do this again right away. For all you know you might have a brain aneurysm if you have another vision so soon after this one. Better hurry over to the medical wing and have a doctor check you out first before you try this again. You can give them the cover story that you got a nosebleed out of nowhere and what with your exposure to the toxic fungus you wanted to be sure it wasn't an indicator of something serious.

Assuming the doctor says you're okay, the next prayer you should try is to... Actually, you'll decide then 'cause you're not sure which one's prayer ritual to next or even if you'll do one at all.

You should take a short nap before you meet up with Briannah to see if you end up having another vision encounter with Illasia. You want to do this before Briannah is asleep so your nightmares don't get to her. Make sure somebody is watching over you in case you have another nosebleed or other medical issue... Actually, in that case taking the nap in the medical wing would make the most sense.

>>661502
Illasia is the chief goddess, right? The elemental gods were likely under her clawed, bony thumbs before you were born.

Pray to Xuv. Do it for Love. That's what's really motivating you, isn't it? Love of your family.. perhaps wanting to have love in your arranged marriage?

Sure Xuv's the goddess of death, but Illasia has already promised you a fate worse than that, hasn't she?

xuv is trapped but not controlled, will be the only one you can contact for real.

say you think something went wrong due to how the gods are arranged right now.

>>661501
wait was this all one voice? Because this sounds kinda like a conversation but only half of it. More of an argument really. I feel like we're missing something here.

Anyway I feel like it would probably be better if we take five for a bit. This didn't really answer any question we had. Plus I don't think it would be wise to try and call up someone again so soon.

Kronos 2015/08/11(Tue)07:25 No. 661693 ID: 65a774
File 143930312622.png - (54.56KB , 686x526 , 12.png )

>...was that a sort of flashback?
It was… something…
>Did you hear multiple voices or was it just the one?
It was just one voice. Manly, deep and fierce.
>You should take a short nap before you meet up with Briannah to see if you end up having another vision encounter with Illasia.
You’re not really tired at the moment. You did sleep away most of the day, after all.
>Dammit, did you remember to draw the curtains before doing all this?
Considering that Tim’s study doesn’t have any windows… no, you did not.

>Tell them you just had some sort of vision.
A vision? Interesting? What did you see?
>Tell him and Tim exactly what you heard.
…the world will burn because of you?
I don't think it was directed at me, though. I haven't done anything of note, well, ever.
Hmm… true…
Still, sir, this is alarming. If it really was the gods talking and not just some hallucination…
Indeed, this is rather interesting, no?

>Take a break.
What? No! We had some kind of effect, didn’t we!? We must try again!
Tim… Kronos started bleeding. I would suggest that we do-
Poppycock, he’s fine. No, we need to see if we can replicate this… let’s try that weird sixth god… I’m actually quite interested in it.
Err… actually, maybe I should head over to the medical wing… have a doctor check me out first…
You’re fine, don’t worry… now, let’s summon that god!
Err… Tim, I don’t think this is such a good idea.
Bah!
Besides, I’m the only one who can read the book. Without me, you can’t do anything.
Actually, I already have a picture of the necessary summoning circle and the candle placement… and considering it worked even after I botched the incantation… wait, maybe that’s why it didn’t work properly… either way, this need experimentation! I’ll draw up the circle, place the candles, sacrifice something beautiful… that is to say, me, and then chant… what was it, Xuv?
Err… Sir? You’re clearly drunk… maybe you s-
Love! She was the god of love, no? Maybe I should wish for love? Love for all of us?
But-
Kronos, don’t you want love? To know how to lay that dragon of yours? To make sure the eruptions comes? That both of you are pleased after the earthquake?
Err…
Either way, I don’t need you. Leave and see your doctor or stay, I don’t care.
Sir? Should we really let him do this?
Xuv… Xuv… almost done, Xuv…
Um…

Tell Tim to calm down. None of us should be messing around with this stuff by themselves, and isn't the incantation a little important to be stumbling over if this stuff does actually works and we weren't just halucinating. I think he should take some time to perfect his recitation before we try this again sometime tomorrow.

Tom, If supposedly, the god of fire made me bleed by only speaking in some kind of vision... What could the Goddess of death do to me? Did you even thought of that?

Tim! Snap out of it!

This definitely feels wrong. The reckless and dismissive way Tim is acting is more than can be explained by him being drunk, isn't it? And how he's suddenly so interested in summoning Xuv feels like there's an outside influence on him, possibly from Xuv herself. ...Oh, crap. The sacrifice to Ifocen may not have been taken 'cause he's "asleep," but Xuv is definitely awake to take hers. That means if she does take it it could at best take Tim's beauty and at worst take him entirely since he's offering up himself! It could kill him! You have to stop this. Try to talk him out of it and if that doesn't work take physical action.

Ask Tim what he had to drink before he arrived. If, based on what you know of him, it's not enough to get him into this reckless state of mind then it's probable something else is influencing him. But even if it is enough drink you still can't rule out outside influence on him.

Ask Tim why he's all of a sudden quite interested in doing this particular ritual. Why not any of the other elemental gods?

Say that if he wants this to be a proper experiment it has to be done when he's not intoxicated so he knows that he isn't botching the incantation. Otherwise he won't know what he actually did, meaning he can't repeat the experiment and get valid data. And for it to be proper he should get the incantation pronunciation down pat as well. If anything he should be practicing the Ifocen incantation until he gets it down pat, then do the ritual again to see if he gets the same results.

Ask him if he thought of the possibility that the reason that the sacrifice to Ifocen wasn't taken is 'cause he botched the incantation, and what may happen if he gets "lucky," gets this one right on the first try and it takes his sacrifice. It could at best take his beauty and at worst take HIM entirely! So can he at least not offer up himself but something else of beauty.

If none of this talk stops Tim then as the last thing to say is to exclaim that you just remembered something you read that is vital he knows: That the Five cast down and imprisoned a evil demon of death within the earth. This goddess could very well be that demon. That she's a fallen goddess who did something so unspeakably heinous that she was imprisoned for it. And that what you heard when he did Ifocen's ritual may be related to it. So does he really want to risk having a probably mad god getting into his head? Or into YOUR head?! Or possibly loosing part of her on not just us three but the whole palace! Maybe even the whole CITY! Does he want to risk that?!

If he starts to chant Xuv's incantation then you have no choice but to take immediate action. Draw your handkerchief, then rush in low and use it to wipe away as much of the ritual circle you can in one pass, knocking away as many candles as you can as well. Tell Cain to tackle Tim and keep him from speaking the incantation while you rush to open the door and yell for Sisah's help, then join Cain in trying to keep Tim from speaking the incantation. When Sisah arrives tell her to restrain Tim and knock him out if she knows how.

>It was just one voice. Manly, deep and fierce.
So it's probable that was Ifocen speaking. It sounds like he and the other gods were laying down judgment on someone. Likely Xuv, but you can't say for certain.

>>661703
Sorry, I mean Tim

>Kronos, don’t you want love? To know how to lay that dragon of yours? To make sure the eruptions comes? That both of you are pleased after the earthquake?
I... I don't think this is Tim talking right now.
>Xuv
Tim, where'd you get that name? I don't recall it in the book.

Ok I think we need to stop him. NOW. Tell him to calm the fuck down. He's messing with something he doesn't even fully understand and he's going in with an already incomplete botch spell that he's only rushing to right down. Stop him before he kills somebody or himself.

>>661712
>Tim, where'd you get that name? I don't recall it in the book.
It might have been in the translation Cain wrote down, or Cain told Tim earlier, but if he didn't do either... Kronos, ask Cain if he wrote down the goddess' name or told Tim it earlier. If he didn't do either then that's a sure indication to stop Tim 'cause he's being manipulated.

>Sir? Should we really let him do this?
No.
>sacrifice something beautiful… that is to say, me
Tim, if you sacrifice yourself, you can't very well catalogue the results, now can you? Also, think for a moment. Don't you remember those holy crusades against the heretics and blasphemers? If this book came from back then, then trying to do the one chant that's new will probably get you burned at the stake.

>>661712
Wait, that's a good point. Something may have possessed him when he botched that prayer. If he hadn't botched it, and got possessed, we could claim it was Ifocen himself, but this could easily be any of Ifocen's servants, or even some demon.

>>661693
Don't let him sacrifice himself, obviously. Don't we have something that can serve as an offering? Some flowers perhaps?

Maybe he'll stop if you promise to tell him what you know about the sixth god.

Kronos 2015/08/11(Tue)13:39 No. 661719 ID: 65a774
File 143932555744.png - (51.78KB , 686x526 , 13.png )

>Tim, where'd you get that name?
From the book, of course.
We spoke about it a bit before you arrived, sir.
>Ask Tim what he had to drink before he arrived.
Let’s see… a bottle of fire spirit… some wine… a few beers… a-
Right, you’re drunk…
>Ask Tim why he's all of a sudden quite interested in doing this particular ritual. Why not any of the other elemental gods?
Well, I already did fire, didn’t I? Seeing as this is some weird god that’s been forgotten or something is quite interesting, don’t you agree?

>Don't you remember those holy crusades against the heretics and blasphemers? If this book came from back then, then trying to do the one chant that's new will probably get you burned at the stake.
Do you really think they still do that!? Last time I checked Risavia has religious freedom. I can pray to whatever god I like as soon as I don’t offend anyone.
>Say that if he wants this to be a proper experiment it has to be done when he's not intoxicated so he knows that he isn't botching the incantation.
Bah! You really think some alcohol will stop me from… err… you know, figure things out, eh?
>Ask him what may happen if he gets "lucky," gets this one right on the first try and it takes his sacrifice. It could at best take his beauty and at worst take HIM entirely!
I don’t believe she would kill everyone who prayed to her, would she? She probably just wants to appreciate my beautiful visage… or ravage me or something, who cares!? The point is… err… it’s pointy. There. Done and let’s do this.
>Tim, if you sacrifice yourself, you can't very well catalogue the results, now can you?
As I said, I don’t believe she’ll eat me or anything… geez, she’s not a Liz- err… Sakkilian… um… yes… Indeed…

>Maybe he'll stop if you promise to tell him what you know about the sixth god.
Really?
Wait… how can you possibly know anything about this sixth god, sir?
Ha! Cain is right! You know nothing! Nice try trying to bluff me, old chap, but I’m not falling for it! I bet it’s the first time you even heard about this sixth god, eh? Eh?
>I think he should take some time to perfect his recitation before we try this again sometime tomorrow.
…nng… fine. Let’s do it tomorrow…
…promise?
I swear on my egg bearing parent grave that I will not do the prayer tonight.
Your parents are still alive…
Yeah… so what?
…either way, I’ll keep an eye on the book for you, sir, to make sure Tim here doesn’t do anything… less than judicious.
Well… there goes my night… you two wanna do something exciting or something?

>>661719
Tim, look at the image in the book representing Xuv. She's got the head of a Sakkilian skull.
We'll need to find something beautiful for the sacrifice, rather than someone.

Ask what the prayer invocation is for Illasia. Just in case.

As for something exciting... is there even anything exciting to do here?

how bout a bouquet of roses? that's lovely and is also a representation of love.

Tell Tim you're sorry for ruining his plans for the evening but what happened with the botched Ifocen summon really spooked you. For his, yours and everyone else's safety you do not feel comfortable continuing any of this until he's sobered up. ...And seriously, why did he get three-sheets-to-the-wind drunk when he knew he was likely going to be practicing unfamiliar magic?

As for excitement, you've had enough for today. You should go to the medical wing to get yourself checked out, and then you'll relax with a book. You still have that Sakkilian courtship book to work on. It'd be good to check it for what they generally consider romantic to help plan your dinner with Briannah tomorrow. And say you'll hit the library and try to dig up anything related to this sixth god. That way if you want to try and stop Tim from summoning Xuv you can bring that book with the bit about the imprisoned death demon in as part of your argument against him doing so.

Suggest that when we do the Gaisia ritual that we do it in a secluded part of the garden and see if it gets the Garden's attention. Tim wanted to speak with it, so that could be his chance, and you have a few questions for it yourself.

Tell Cain you'll take the book off his hands since you have a safe place to lock it up for the night. (Your chest.) That is, unless he has a better reason to keep hold of it himself. You'll also take the notes with the translations for safe keeping.

Better check the time to see how long it is until your meeting with Briannah and the Sakkilian officers. Don't want to be late for that.

Now, lets clean up this summon circle before we leave... Wait a second... There's a thin purple ring under the center candle that wasn't there before. Tim didn't draw it and as far as you can remember it isn't part of the diagram in the book. Ask Tim and Cain if they can see it as well, and ask Tim if he can sense any magic coming from the circle. Then ask if a nearly completed summon circle could do anything at all, with or without the spoken invocation.

>Wait… how can you possibly know anything about this sixth god, sir?
"it sounds like something Briannah brought up, thought if I told him what she told me it might calm him down."

>Let’s see… a bottle of fire spirit… some wine… a few beers… a-
Can you please tell me where and why you thought it was a good idea to get drunk before casting spells which you have no idea what they were going to do. Because even I can tell that is dumb as hell and this is coming from the guy who ran into a crypt full of toxic spores when the damn place was covered in signs warning people about them.

>Well… there goes my night… you two wanna do something exciting or something?
Well we're all here so might as well. Just tomorrow when we try this again Please for the love of the 5 be sober, and maybe practice the words you need to say with Cain before we actually try the spell/prayer. You're a good friend Tim and I don't want to see you get hurt because you rushed ahead without thinking. Trust me it sucks when it bits you in the ass. And if you do show up again drunk I'm going to grab everyone I can find and have them march into your room at the crack of dawn armed with every pot and pan in the kitchen to wake your hungover ass up.

As for what to do now. Ask Cain and Tim if they have any ideas on what they want to do... other then try another prayer/spell. Hell especially Cain seeing as he's the only reason that we can even read the book. Just stop by the medical wing first to get looked at. Hell to make it fun for the other two let them come up with a story for why your beak is bleeding.

Goddammit, you're not taking the threat to Briannah seriously enough. While that possibly wasn't Illasia in your mind when you passed out, it most likely was her. You're taking a serious risk betting that it wasn't, or that it was a bluff, or that "your nightmares will consume her" is something that won't have major permanent consequences the first time it happens. For all you know it'll kill her, or cause serious mental damage, or leave her seriously psychologically terrified of you. Her life and well being is too important to you and Risavia's future to risk this way. You need help, or at least some answers and clarification, to figure out what to do, and the only possible source you know of for that is Xuv.

Leave to the medical wing to get a quick checkup, then get the book and translation notes and come back to Tim, avoiding Cain. Tell him that you changed your mind and that he's right about the sacrifice most likely not being as bad as you thought, though you'll still want to use something other than him as it, and you want to do the summon tonight.

>>661841
good idea

Kronos 2015/08/12(Wed)10:09 No. 661843 ID: 65a774
File 143939938017.png - (31.14KB , 686x526 , 14.png )

>Goddammit, you're not taking the threat to Briannah seriously enough. For all you know it'll kill her, or cause serious mental damage, or leave her seriously psychologically terrified of you.
By the five… you haven’t actually thought about how much danger she can actually be in…
>You need help, or at least some answers and clarification, to figure out what to do, and the only possible source you know of for that is Xuv.
But it’s fully possible Xuv herself was behind the threat! …or that contacting her will make things worse!
>You want to do the summon tonight.
…You have no idea what you want anymore. Contacting either Xuv or Illasia are both giant gambles. Something is bound to happen, but will it be something good or bad? On one hand, they might be the only ones with information… on the other, both of them probably just sees you as a pawn in their game against each other. Should you trust one of them and pray, or not? It’s a hard decision to make… and it feels like Briannahs future hinges on the decision you make…

>Tim, look at the image in the book representing Xuv. She's got the head of a Sakkilian skull.
And I know how Sakkilian rituals are supposed to… err… go down and stuff… they don’t just grab people on the street and gobble them up like that… they aren’t monsters and stuff… I think?
>How bout a bouquet of roses? that's lovely and is also a representation of love.
Ah! Lovely! I need to try that instead!
>Tell Tim you're sorry for ruining his plans for the evening but what happened with the botched Ifocen summon really spooked you.
Eh… it wasn’t really a plan anyway…

>Can you please tell me where and why you thought it was a good idea to get drunk before casting spells which you have no idea what they were going to do?
Considering our plan was to do this tomorrow…
Yeah… I usually don’t rush things like this but… it just sounded like such a neat idea all the sudden.
>Ask what the prayer invocation is for Illasia. Just in case.
I haven’t actually translated that part yet. It takes time, sir, to actually get it right.
>Suggest that when we do the Gaisia ritual that we do it in a secluded part of the garden and see if it gets the Garden's attention.
Hmm… that might be an idea, yes…
Are we really going to pray to all of them?
Why not? What’s the worst that can happen? It’s not like they hate each other or anything…

>Tell Cain you'll take the book off his hands since you have a safe place to lock it up for the night.
Right, sir… here you go.
>You'll also take the notes with the translations for safe keeping.
Here… that should be all of them.
>Now, lets clean up this summon circle before we leave...
Aw, but it was so nicely painted too…
Wait…
>There's a thin purple ring under the center candle that wasn't there before.
Did you two see that?
See what?
There was a glowing circle in the middle of the rune.
…I can’t say I saw anything, sir.
>Ask Tim if he can sense any magic coming from the circle.
…yeah, when you mention it, there was a bit of a pulsing of magical energy there for a while. Nothing really special, as many magical runes and the like absorbs magical energy like that.
>Then ask if a nearly completed summon circle could do anything at all, with or without the spoken invocation.
No idea. Usually not, but sometimes… sure. I mean, I have a theory that we only need the say the name of the god and skip the whole invocation, but that’s still just a theory.
Either way, let’s clean this symbol off the floor.

>As for something exciting... is there even anything exciting to do here?
Of course there is something exciting to do here! Like… errr… and… um… and you know… that?
>Ask Cain and Tim if they have any ideas on what they want to do...
I was planning on drinking and playing cards with my friends… but they all bailed… busy with work, they said…
I was planning on enjoying a good book with a nice plate of exquisite cheese and wine… but it’s nothing that can’t wait for another day, sir, if you have something more interesting in mind?
Bah, I would suggest that we played a few hands while empting a few bottles, but most good games aren’t really fun unless you’re four or more players… so… I’m out of ideas…

>Just stop by the medical wing first to get looked at. Hell to make it fun for the other two let them come up with a story for why your beak is bleeding.
It’s not that bad… is it?
Maybe you just have a cold and your nose is a bit sensitive, sir?
…but if you want an excuse… you fell?
You sneezed really hard?
Oh! You saw your new wife bending over, showing off that glorious-
Speaking of your wife, sir, shouldn’t you be spending time with her right now?
I’m supposed to meet her at nine.
That’s in two and a half hours. That means we got plenty of time figuring out something fun to do!
Like what?
Well… err… raiding the kitchen or something?
…if you want something I can just order it.
But where’s the fun in that?

>Should you trust one of them and pray, or not? It’s a hard decision to make…
probably better to take this one a bit slower then what you normally do and gather more information. Remember last time you rushed into something without all the facts, like the crypt?

>It’s not that bad… is it?
Probably nothing serious but I'd rather just get it checked out to be on the safe side. Father is still a little sore about the Crypt incident and I rather not worry him again, at least not so soon.

As for what to do, is your body guard still around? She could be our fourth man in the card game. Would also be a good chance to get to know her better while relaxing with some friends.

>>661719
...I think Xuv was influencing Tim. I wonder if Xuv was sealed away for a reason. I also wonder if that vision was really caused by Illasia.

Okay, if we take Infocen's vision into account, it looks like Xuv was sealed by agreement of the other five gods. So either Illasia framed Xuv or she's sealed away for a very good reason. Actually... didn't Xuv say that Illasia sealed her away? I think she's been lying to us.

...the Garden seemed to confirm doves are spies, but it also said it LIKED them.

I'm thinking Illasia is the right choice. We haven't heard her side of the story anyway. Fair's fair, is it not?

>both of them probably just sees you as a pawn in their game against each other.
I bet that's how a lot of people see you. Say what you will about your brother's ambition or his methods, I think you can understand where he was coming from.
> But where’s the fun in that?
This isn't a sitcom- uh, one of those comedy plays.

Don't plan on praying to anyone, it looks like they're all bad news and that prayer book is less than helpful. You'll need information some other way.

Remind them you can't help raid the kitchen seeing as your barred from entry there. If Illasia wants us to pray to her the ritual the priest we asked for would give should work rather than trying this old one that could give something away if we truly cannot trust her.

Speaking of the kitchen, why on earth is Kronos offering to cook a meal for Briannah? Isn't that like threatening to kill her?

>But where’s the fun in that?
...The fact that they won't see me and kick everybody out? Seriously, if you want to raid the kitchen, you'll have to do so without me.

Ask Tim if he knows the basic theories behind necromancy, like what kind of magic it's derived from. And also does he know what kind of magic powers the "wild" undead that rise up when the dead aren't properly laid to rest. If he wants to know why you're asking, say this talk of a death goddess has got your mind thinking about it.

>…yeah, when you mention it, there was a bit of a pulsing of magical energy there for a while. Nothing really special, as many magical runes and the like absorbs magical energy like that.
Maybe it stored up some magic from when Tim was repeating Xuv's name earlier. Eh, who knows. Could Tim sense what kind of magic it was or was it just too weak to tell?

>No idea. Usually not, but sometimes… sure. I mean, I have a theory that we only need the say the name of the god and skip the whole invocation, but that’s still just a theory.
That might explain why the Garden said not to repeat Xuv's name, though it also might have been 'cause Illasia might have been listening. Say to Tim that the proper way to test that theory would be to do the Ifocen ritual over again and chanting just his name, but we can try it with at least one of the other rituals tomorrow.

If Tim's theory does pan out, it'll also mean you do the prayer ritual on your own, no translation required, as long as you know the ritual circle diagram, chalk color and what sacrifice to use. So while you have the book draw multiple copies of the ritual diagrams tonight and hide them as backups in case the book is somehow lost.

>Yeah… I usually don’t rush things like this but… it just sounded like such a neat idea all the sudden.
Hm... Sounds like something or someone may have been influencing Tim in his inebriated state since that probably weakened his mental resistance. Odds it was Xuv, but you can't say.

>It’s not that bad… is it?
Well, you did hit your head and pass out for a bit earlier, so better safe than sorry. You can tell the doctor what happened with the stink bomb and you hitting your head, and then you got a nosebleed out of nowhere and got worried so you came to the medical wing.

>Bah, I would suggest that we played a few hands while empting a few bottles, but most good games aren’t really fun unless you’re four or more players… so… I’m out of ideas…
Well, your bodyguard Sisah said she likes to play cards, so maybe we could make it a game of four. Though, with how much Tim has imbibed already he should keep it to a few bottles of beer rather than anything stronger so he'll be in at least half-decent shape come tomorrow.

>Well… err… raiding the kitchen or something?
While you are banned from the kitchen, it would be exciting to try and sneak in and swipe something from the larder. And if you're caught the most they'll do is have you thrown out and maybe tell your father. You can stand a stern talking-to from him. Just make sure you don't touch any cooking implements, lest your cooking curse cause them to explode or something.

Ask Tim if at some point you two can see whether your cooking curse has some magical component, cause you combining milk and cereal and making it spontaneously combust sounds like there's some magic involved.

Tell Cain that you want to arrange a romantic dinner for Briannah tomorrow and you'll need his help to figure out what it'll be. Also tell him that you owe him for all he's done for you these last two days, starting from when you threw that shoe at him. If he has anything in particular he wants, just name it and you'll see to it.

>I haven’t actually translated that part yet. It takes time, sir, to actually get it right.
Then you'll have to remember to get the book and his translation notes out of your chest and back to him first thing in the morning. Also, you should take extra care to keep the key to your chest safe while the book and translation notes are in it; You don't know if Illasia will make a move to take it to try and keep you from praying to Xuv or the other gods. Wear the key on a necklace under your shirt when about to prevent pickpocketing and when you sleep keep it under your pillow so no would-be thief can just take it from your dressing table.

Ask Tim and Cain what's the soonest they think you three can get together to continue this tomorrow. Cain still has to finish the translation, so you figure not until after then.

You're going by the theory that both you and Briannah have to be asleep at the same time for your nightmares to effect her, so the temporary solution appears to be not sleeping at the same time as her. Though, it might be that your nightmares will get her in some way even if she's awake. Taking that into account, your safest option right now would be to stay awake until at least the prayer ritual or rituals are done tomorrow and you might have an idea of how to proceed. It'll suck staying up that long, especially when Briannah gets up at the crack of god-awful and takes you to start your physical training, but compared to what may happen if you fall asleep it'll be worth it.

Best plan for staying up is to avoid alcohol this evening, then knock back a cup of coffee right before you meet up with Briannah. That'll carry you through the meeting and the surprise she has in store for you. Then slip out of bed once she's asleep and spend your time reading books. Get a stack of titles on Sakkilian courtship, culture, and society, ones on the Five and their history, rituals and theology, and anything else of interest. Hide a large sealed pot of coffee in the bathroom and go have a chug from it when you feel sleepy to keep up. You'll keep it in there so Briannah doesn't smell it. And if Briannah wakes up and asks you why you're up, you can say it's a combination of you not being used to sharing a bed with someone, especially a Sakkilian, and the stress of the last two days catching up with you giving you insomnia.

Oh, perhaps you can take the some time overnight to head to the garden and see if you can get the Garden's attention again to ask it some questions about what happened between the gods all those ages ago and why Xuv was imprisoned.

As for who to pray to next... Pray to the remaining three elemental gods first; Start with the water god to see if praying to the fire god first made him angry. Maybe you'll get some clue from them as to whether to pray to Illasia or Xuv from them. But if you don't... You'll just have to cross that bridge when you get to it.

This whole thing is shaping up far bigger and more important than you can handle alone. You have to consider telling Cain and Briannah about your encounter with Xuv and everything that led from it so you can bring them in on it so they can help you. Cain both because he's your oldest friend and confidant and one of the smartest and wisest people you know, and Briannah partly 'cause Illasia's threat directly involves her and she should know what may be coming for her.

>>661851
Actually... didn't Xuv say that Illasia sealed her away? I think she's been lying to us.
Yeah, she did say Illasia sealed her away, but that might mean that it was Illasia as the leader of the Five who decided her fate and they all together put her away. And of course Xuv's lied to us, but about what we don't know.

>...the Garden seemed to confirm doves are spies, but it also said it LIKED them.
It thought that dove was a seagull and it likes seagulls. And it also confused seagulls with dragons. Whether it originally liked doves, seagulls, dragons or a combination of them we can't tell.

>>661852
>Don't plan on praying to anyone, it looks like they're all bad news and that prayer book is less than helpful. You'll need information some other way.
But from where? Both the passage of time and Illasia's actions has done a real good job of scrubbing away any record from then. The only other source of info from that era we know of is the Garden, and that means we have to get its attention again. Maybe if we find another elemental to ask?

>>661853
Except Kronos sent messengers to the priests of Ifocen and Gaisia asking for them to visit, not Illasia.

>>661855
He's going to arrange a romantic dinner, similar to what she did earlier. He's not going to be cooking the meal himself.

Kronos 2015/08/13(Thu)10:17 No. 662034 ID: 65a774
File 143948622508.png - (27.04KB , 686x526 , 15.png )

>I bet that's how a lot of people see you, as a pawn.
Great… another hit to the self-esteem.
>Why on earth is Kronos offering to cook a meal for Briannah? Isn't that like threatening to kill her?
You’re not offering to cook it, you’re just going to arrange it and make sure it’s romantic.
>This whole thing is shaping up far bigger and more important than you can handle alone. You have to consider telling Cain and Briannah about your encounter with Xuv.
And how are you supposed to get them to believe you? This thing sounds completely nuts, after all.
>Probably better to take this one a bit slower then what you normally do and gather more information.
…but where are you supposed to get information? Nobody even knows that Xuv exists!

>While you have the book draw multiple copies of the ritual diagrams tonight and hide them as backups in case the book is somehow lost.
You have to do that later, as drawing a picture of those circles will take time.
>You should take extra care to keep the key to your chest safe while the book and translation notes are in it; You don't know if Illasia will make a move to take it to try and keep you from praying to Xuv or the other gods.
You’ll keep the key on a chain hanging around your neck from now on, that way you can make sure you won’t lose it.
>You're going by the theory that both you and Briannah have to be asleep at the same time for your nightmares to affect her, so the temporary solution appears to be not sleeping at the same time as her.
…but that would mean you’ll need to stay up all night! But you love sleep! Are you really supposed stay up every night from now on?
>knock back a cup of coffee.
You’ve never really liked the taste of coffee… and it’s way too rare and expensive to just drink a cup whenever. Those beans or whatever they are doesn’t even grow on this side of the world, after all.


>Ask Tim if he knows the basic theories behind necromancy, like what kind of magic it's derived from.
Um… from necromantic energy, duh? I mean, it is death magic, after all…
And natural undead?
Oh, those things can be made by pretty much any kind of magic, as long as it’s wild. Basically just a lot of magic inhabiting a shell seeking more magic to feed on… which just happens to usually be living things.
>Ask Tim if at some point you two can see whether your cooking curse has some magical component
I’ve already told you, no, you’re just that horrible at cooking.
>Remind them you can't help raid the kitchen seeing as your barred from entry there.
But that’s the fun part! Not getting caught!
>This isn't a sitcom- uh, one of those comedy plays.
Yeah yeah… just order up some snacks instead, then…

>Tell Cain that you want to arrange a romantic dinner for Briannah tomorrow and you'll need his help to figure out what it'll be.
I can help with the details if you want, sir, but I’ll need some more information.
…like?
What is her favorite dish? What does she like to drink? Favorite starter? Dessert?
Don’t forget about the other details too. You know, like favorite flower, candy and position.
…I’m pretty sure that last one isn’t really… errr…
Of course it is! The location is just as important as the meal itself!
Err… right… location.
>Also tell him that you owe him for all he's done for you these last two days, starting from when you threw that shoe at him.
No need, sir, I’m just doing my job, even though your… eccentric behavior makes it difficult at times, sir.
>Ask Tim and Cain what's the soonest they think you three can get together to continue this tomorrow.
I’m here to serve, sir.
I need to go around and renew some of the fire runes around the palace… that is to say, make sure my good for nothing apprentices does it. I’ll probably be done right after lunch time.
>Is your body guard still around? She could be our fourth man in the card game.
Hey! That’s a great idea! What was her name? Sisah? I’ll go talk to here at once!


>Well, you did hit your head and pass out for a bit earlier, so better safe than sorry.
Well, come back as soon as you’re done.
…oh, that reminds me. I just remembered that I need to pick something up while you’re away sir. I’ll be right back.

…

Back already?
They said I was fit as a fiddle. In fact, they were impressed that I’ve recovered from the fungal this fast.
Good to know, sir. And here, you forgot about these when you changed clothes this morning.
Hmm? Three bottles of… oh, right, these induce vomiting, don’t they?
Wait, why do yo-
Just in case someone tries to poison me. Thank you, Cain.

So, what are we playing? And what are the stakes? I’m a bit low on coin for the moment.
I got deck with both lower and higher cards, so we can play pretty much whatever.
Higher too? The only thing I know you can do with a full deck like that is predicting the future.
Well, I do know how to read the cards, and they say you’ll all get your butt kicked today by me.
Wait, you can actually predict the future with the cards?
Um… well, I do know how to read them, but it’s just mumbo jumbo, you know. But if you want to have your future predicted…
But what are we playing?
And stake? I vote clothes! That’s tame enough.
…Knowing that your species are a bunch of sex maniacs, I’m afraid to ask what kind of stake that isn’t tame…
I’ll have to vote against clothes, rather play for coin, real or no- please put on your belt again, Miss Sisah…
But I want to bet!
We haven’t even started yet…

How about this we play just with chips and every however many turns we agree on the current leader in chips gets to pick someone to receive a card reading, they can pick themself or somebody else, then we redistribute the chips equally and start over?

Reaffirm how screwed you are with an authentic Drunken Card Reading first.

>…but where are you supposed to get information? Nobody even knows that Xuv exists!
Well some people do. And besides we still have those priest you sent letters out to right? If they come by see if you can't get some copies of some of there older rites and history and while Xuv's name probably isn't going to just pop up we know enough that we could probably read between the lines and start piecing together what the hell happened all those years ago. Just think of yourself as a detective... of the gods. Oh and with the sleeping thing, just sleep in a different room tonight. I'm sure Cain could point you to a free room if you ask him, just tell Briannah you're feeling a little restless and then head down to the shooting range to kill some time, then head to the other room saying you didn't want to risk waking Briannah.

>What is her favorite dish? What does she like to drink? Favorite starter? Dessert?
Well she did say her favorite was grilled meat like calf and while she likes vegetables with her meat she hates food that is only vegetables, like salad. She also said she likes Vark dishes simply because she isn't use to fancy food back home and enjoys the chance of pace. Honestly I was think maybe take a bit of a chance and try and get her something new to see if she likes it, like stir fry (if that exist) or something with a lot of meat in it. As for desert maybe just have a bunch of simple yet tasty dishes just for her to experiment on, if she likes any of them we could always have the cooks make more later. any of this sound like a good idea or would you have it that I did something else instead?

Oh and assuming nothing weird happens tomorrow see about finding a nice sheath for the sword so we can hand that to Briannah after the meal.

>Cards
Lets just stick to coins for now and you can spot Sisha some extra money if she needs it. I mean it's not like we're going shopping anytime soon so might as well.

Man Sisah gets quite excited at the thought of strip betting, she's quite forward suddenly!

>>662034
>cards, predict the future
...I want Tim to do that for Kronos. It should give us a clue on what to do.

Just bet with tokens since you're not all rich and not everyone wants to get naked.

>Great… another hit to the self-esteem.
Sugar-coating is for bakers. Consider it another reason to take charge of your life or improve yourself, especially now that the fires of revolution are under your ass.

No fortunes, we've had a bad enough day. Find some poker chips or poker chip substitutes and get to it. Play extremely conservatively to fuck with everyone's head.

Ask Tim to draw the cards and tell your fortune while y'all settle in and get what we're betting sorted out. Then ask him and Cain how much coin they'd each be willing to spend in total on bets for the evening and give Sisah enough to bring her up to the lower of the two... Wait, do you even carry coin on you while in the palace? Are you going to have to go get some or just write I.O.U.s?

Ask Sisah why she's so eager to bet her clothes when we hadn't even decided on the type of bet yet. Also point out that if we were betting clothes she'd be at a disadvantage because she's on duty and should keep her armor and gauntlets on, leaving just her belt and skirt to ante up.

>What is her favorite dish? What does she like to drink? Favorite starter? Dessert?
>Don’t forget about the other details too. You know, like favorite flower, candy and position location.
Well, you don't know what her favorite drink is, nor her favorite candy or starter dish, so you'll have to find those out. You did ask her what her favorite food is and she said she'd guess it's a big slab of meat roasted over an open fire; Something the size of a whole calf. Cooked bloody rare. Really bloody. And her least favorite food is salad or other veggies on their own. She doesn't mind them on the side, as long as the majority of the meal is meat. So she definitely leans towards carnivorous tastes. She also said she likes the fancier, tastier food she gets here over the plain, cheap fare she had back in the Empire. Oh, and you assume she has the sweet tooth that Sakkilians are known for, but you have to double-check on that.

So you're thinking a variety of different kinds of meat dishes that in total add up to about a whole calf. Ones with sweeter sauces and fruit more than vegetables, prepared and presented in a fancier way then she'd get back home. As for dessert, definitely something high class she probably hasn't had before. ...Ice cream, perhaps?

For flowers, she did mention she likes lavender, so bouquets and floral arrangements featuring that would make sense. You'll have to find out if there are other flowers she likes as well, though. As for location... What's the highest balcony in the palace with the most spectacular view at dinnertime this time of year? You want that one unless you find out she likes some other venue better.

Could we get some musicians to play some nice background music at the dinner. Something like a string quartet, or would that be to many? And put them behind a folding screen so we won't feel like we're being watched.

>No need, sir, I’m just doing my job, even though your… eccentric behavior makes it difficult at times, sir.
Even so, make a mental note to buy him a bottle of fine wine and a really nice cheese as a gift.

>Hmm? Three bottles of… oh, right, these induce vomiting, don’t they?
Aw, dammit, you really have to remember to keep those on you at all times from now on. ...And now you have this paranoid feeling you're going to need to use them sooner than you'd think.

>…Knowing that your species are a bunch of sex maniacs, I’m afraid to ask what kind of stake that isn’t tame…
Hm... How much would you bet that the Serpens are either the spawn of Xuv or one of her creations? They certainly have a similar sex drive... Though, they don't really have the concept of love she has as her aspect, do they? So you dunno.

>…but where are you supposed to get information? Nobody even knows that Xuv exists!
Nobody you know of. There may still be those out there who know of her in secret. It's not infeasible a book from the Old Empire surfaced elsewhere with records of her. But that doesn't help you now. Here the only source of info you know of other than Illasia or Xuv is the Garden, and in addition to it being senile it very likely did not know what was going on up in the gods' realm back then. Though, it might remember what happened right before the Fall of the Old Empire or before Xuv vanished. And maybe it'll cough up another book if you ask if it has a history book from back then. Perhaps you can inquire about other elementals either in the palace or nearby you could talk to.

You should also see about getting a look at Belseth. Xuv did say you'd know the Dragon when you saw him, so if Belseth's the Dragon maybe you'll just somehow know it.

>And how are you supposed to get them to believe you? This thing sounds completely nuts, after all.
Yes, it is frustratingly hard to prove visits from god-like beings when they only meet you in your mind and soul. You do have the book the Garden gave you, but all you have is your story of why you came to the Garden and got its attention. And now that you've heard Xuv's name from the book, you can't even say her name and have it checked against the book as evidence.

Kronos 2015/08/13(Thu)15:55 No. 662064 ID: 65a774
File 143950652897.png - (71.68KB , 686x526 , 16.png )

>Reaffirm how screwed you are with an authentic Drunken Card Reading first.
Wait, you actually want a card reading? You know that it’s just poppycock, right?
Eh, why not? It should be fun, right?
I have to agree. Seeing how messed up the masters future actually is would give us all a good laugh.
Well, we weren’t playing anything anyway…

Right… let’s see if I can remember how to do this… it was eight… no nine cards… first, you draw a card which represent what the reading will be about.
Aren’t you just supposed to draw five cards and say something about them?
This version is more interesting… you’ll see. Draw a card, Prince.
The Fool?
Ah… An innocent protected by his own dumb luck. Often representing freedom, spontaneity, beginning a journey, inexperience, chaos, creativity, and infinite possibilities. Hmm… what can this reading be about? The beginning of an adventure you will have?
Dumb luck? Inexperience? Spontaneity? I’m sorry to say, sir, but that does sound a lot like you.
Hey!
Well, either way, it’s about your future in some way. Now draw the next card.

The King of Wands.
This card represent something from your distant past. Something important that will influence your future. Let’s see… The King of Wands represents either a man… a charismatic one at that or a motivation for a new career. Draw another card to see if we can’t learn more about this thing from your past.
…The Devil? That can’t be good.
Ambition, selfish desires and urges, temptations and the confrontation with one’s inner evil. So, This King is a figure from your past… a charismatic man who is very ambitious and who often acts for his own selfish desires… I would suggest that you would keep your distant from this man if I was you. Now, draw the next card. This card will represent something from your recent pass.

Death? I’ve met death?
A symbol of deep change, a metamorphosis. A card about Cycles and regeneration.
So… no death?
Well… death is one of the biggest changes you can experience, no? But let’s see if we can get to know a bit more about this fellow. Draw another card.
Six of Coins.
Ah! A card signifying gifts and help. If you’re struggling, expect this person or event to help you… but if you are good position, be sure to help this person or event on their way. So, I would suggest you find someone who has been through a big change… or an event that has changed something big in the past and either help them or get their help. Now, the next card, please, whom will represent a surrounding influence.

The Hierophant.
And an inverted one at that. Let’s see… A card representing the church. A symbol of obedience, education and relationship with the divine… but it’s inverted so… someone who doesn’t believe in the gods, someone that’s not obedient or connected to the church?
Or a corrupted church… or part of one.
Err… yeah, sure… draw another card, Kronos.
Ten of Swords.
Often representing betrayal, or that something important is coming to an end… belief, relationships, a career… Either someone will betray you or a relationship will end between you and someone connected to the church? Draw the next card, this one will be about the greatest influence of your future.

Queen of Cups.
Oh… a vigilant or matchmaking woman… or a developing relationship or romance. This is clearly about Briannah, no? Draw the next card.
Ten of Cups.
*Snort* …heh… she will bring you a lot of happiness.
…is that really what the cards are saying?
Yes, Ten of Cups represents the pinnacle of happiness, a card about dreams coming true. Relationships will blossom and be filled with harmony!
Pff… really? You’re just making this up, aren’t you?
It’s true! Honest!

So… an evil man from the past will mess things up, something will change or someone who has changed will help you, some corrupt priest will betray you and you’ll be happy with your new wife?
That’s the gist of it, yeah. But it’s just cards, it’s not real. But it was fun nonetheless. Now, can we play something?

…

>Just bet with tokens since you're not all rich and not everyone wants to get naked.
All in!
Kings court, pages high.
Child of a- argh, I’m out…
Playing with pretend markers aren’t really fun…
You’re just saying that because you’re winning…
And now we lost a player too…
Hmm… I got an idea… how about we spice it up a bit while getting Tim back into the game? How about we make every ten chips worth one truth or dare? That is to say, for every ten chips you own, you can ask someone anything you want and they’ll have to answer truthfully, or dare them to do something.
How exactly will that get Tim back in the game?
Simple, as soon as someone is broke, we use our questions or dares we’ve gathered before redistribute the coin again equally among us, starting anew.
Sounds better than nothing.
As long as I get back into the game again.

Hmm… it seems you have enough for six questions or dares… should you agree to these new rules?

>>662064
Death looks exactly like Xuv. ...and the Inverted Heirophant is almost certainly referring to Illasia. Well, I'm switching sides yet again. This card reading is definitely telling us to pray to Xuv. I'd like to do that tonight but I'm not sure we can or really need to.

The Devil doesn't quite look like Xuv, does it? She doesn't have horns. Anyway it obviously refers to your brother. Corrupt ambition. The fallout from his deeds has not yet finished, it seems...

Okay, six questions/dares might be too much. How about every twenty chips instead? Also, establish some ground rules of decency. Nothing that involves removing clothing or leaving the room. Also there should be a penalty for refusing a question/dare. A chip penalty on the next round I suppose.

Xuv may have helped you already, you know. Perhaps that horrifying vision of her stabbing you through the chest was her divine power killing all those nasty spores before they left you asthmatic and ruined for the rest of your shortened life. Maybe you owe her.

Looks like we've found a direction. And don't just say it's just mystic BS, you wouldn't have made up your mind any better anyway.

Distributed evenly, or at the asker's discretion?

6 of coins over death. help from death, help from xuv.

You'd like to modify the rules a bit first. Keep it ten chips per question/dare. Limit dares to at most removing of clothes and at that level its to be kept to within this room. And add the option to refuse a question or dare at the cost of a ten chip penalty next game; Penalty chips to be removed entirely from the game after initial chip redistribution so they don't go to the other players and give them even more of an advantage. This acceptable to everybody?

You'd have to get a book on fortune telling to check whether Tim was making things up there, but that reading sounded a hell of a lot like what's happened to you recently. Cain's spot on about you being The Fool, especially these last two days. The King of Wands overlaid with The Devil was your brother Krotos. Death overlaid with the Six of Coins was your meeting with Xuv and her blessing you, and that you should seek her help and give her help in kind. The inverted Hierophant overlaid with the Ten of Swords either represents Illasia and that she'll betray you, or possibly Belseth. And the Queen of Cups overlaid with the Ten of Cups is totally Briannah, as her presence in your life has already had a positive influence on you with a promise of even more to come.

It's uncanny how close that reading sounded. Perhaps reading a fortune in the cards is a kind of ritual to Fate. That it'll reveal in the cards the threads of fate that run through a person. Or perhaps only for one who lies heavy on the Web of Fate such as you.

That image on The Devil card looked somewhat like the one of Xuv in the book on the six gods, albeit with horns added. It's probably the depiction of the imprisoned evil death demon from the Illasian church's scripture. And the image on the death card looked like Xuv as she was when you saw her, which has to make you wonder where the card illustrator got their ideas from.

Going by your fortune reading, you ought to pray to Xuv for guidance. Of course it'd look to be foolish to make your decision based on the cards, but you're running out of time. It's either take a gamble praying to Xuv, or take a gamble that Illasia following through on her threat won't cause serious irrevocable damage to or outright kill Briannah tonight and you can pray to her or Xuv tomorrow.

As for how to pray to Xuv tonight if you decide to do so... By the time you get through with Briannah it'll be past bedtime and Tim'll be asleep. You could slip out once Briannah's asleep and wake him, but it's unlikely he'd be willing to cooperate. So maybe you could do the prayer ritual on your own. You have the summon circle diagram, you know what the sacrifice is, and if Tim's theory pans out you only need to chant Xuv's name.

Act obnoxious. Make them want to ask stupid questions about you or none at all.

>The King of Wands.
>The Devil
kinda sounds like your brother, Krotos. From what Briannah tells us of him he was charismatic to high heaven but from what we learned he did have some very "bold" desires.

>Death
>6 of coins
...almost sounds like Xuv, and more then just death. She has changed your life and she does need help. Could also be your living brother as well but I'm only saying that because a lot of people seem to associate him with money and with the 6 of coins... probably not him though.

>The Hierophant
>Ten of Swords
This sounds like it could either be Briannah's brother or maybe one of those priest you sent a letter out to. Hard to tell at this point.

>Queen of Cups
>Ten of Cups
ha

then again all of this could just be a load of crap or even have been manipulated but for now who gives a damn, lets just have some fun while there's still some day light to burn. speaking of which

>it seems you have enough for six questions or dares… should you agree to these new rules?
sure why not. I do have some questions I'd like to some of the others. As for what, One for Cain is "why did he become your man servant?" I mean from what I've learned about this guy he has the brains to pretty much become whatever he wanted or at least something far more then just a man servant. I mean I know you two were friends as kids but if he wanted to stick close to you there probably are tons of other jobs he could have chosen within the castle, so why did he chose this job.
Another is for Sisah. Just what did she do to earn your fathers trust. I mean I know she saved you when you where a kid and that probably got her a lot of points with the old buzzard but there has to be something more. I mean she had to do more for the him then just saving you because, as she put it, she was just passing by, saw you were in trouble, and thought that saving you would earn her a quick buck.
You don't have to ask these now but if you do need something to ask later they're there for you.

Kronos 2015/08/14(Fri)12:27 No. 662345 ID: 65a774
File 143958044872.png - (45.52KB , 686x526 , 17.png )

>Death looks exactly like Xuv.
At first glance, you should have sworn it was Xuv that was depicted on that card, but on a closer inspection, it seems like it’s just a generic Varkian skeleton clad in black wielding a scythe. Your eyes must be playing trick on you. Of course, it seems like it’s main color is still purple, but that is the color of death magic…
>The Devil doesn't quite look like Xuv, does it?
It should be a demonized version of the picture in the book.

>The King of Wands kinda sounds like your brother, Krotos.
If what father told you is true, it sure does.
>Death almost sounds like Xuv, and more than just death. She has changed your life and she does need help.
And she is a figure of my recent past too…
>The Hierophant sounds like it could either be Briannah's brother or maybe one of those priest you sent a letter out to.
Either way, not someone you would want on your bad side.
>The Inverted Heirophant is almost certainly referring to Illasia.
Saying that a god is corrupt is a bit… much, isn’t it?
>the Queen of Cups overlaid with the Ten of Cups is totally Briannah, as her presence in your life has already had a positive influence on you with a promise of even more to come.
Well… err… that’s true…

>It's uncanny how close that reading sounded. Perhaps reading a fortune in the cards is a kind of ritual to Fate.
It can’t be coincidence, can it? There has to be some kind of magic here…
>Maybe you could do the prayer ritual on your own.
…You have nearly everything you need to do that, only thing missing is the right incantation… but, if Tim’s theory is correct, you won’t actually need it… hmm… should you pray to her?

>Okay, six questions/dares might be too much. How about every twenty chips instead?
Well, if you insist.
>Also, establish some ground rules of decency.
Can’t we do it the democratic way? Just have a quick vote if something strikes us as too indecent?
No outright nudity, no leaving the room?
Sounds good.
Aw…
>Also there should be a penalty for refusing a question/dare.
Lose some chips the next round?
That would be ideal, yes. So, who wants to go first?
I think I got a few questions.

>Why did Cain become your man servant?
Do you really need to ask, sir?
Actually, I’m curious too.
I’m a man without heritage. My choices are a bit limited thanks to that. My choice was to stay in the palace, live like a king and being around friends while being paid my own weight in gold. I have to say the pros outweigh the cons with a few tons, no?
>Another is for Sisah. Just what did she do to earn your fathers trust.
Let’s see… saving your life, saving his life (even though his beak was hurt), saving your brother’s life… *Cough*killedhimtoo*Cough* and I’ve done a lot of work under the war here. That and I’m loyal to one of this kingdoms most loyal allies, so that’s a plus too.
Wait, you saved Karas?
Wrong brother.
You sa-

That’s enough for one truth or dare. You still got one left, Kronos.
Err… give me a moment to think about it.
Well, I guess I got enough for one question… let’s see… I guess I’ll start by fulfilling Sisah’s wish. Remove a piece of clothing.
There goes my belt…

Right, my turn… I got over eighty chips so… Tim, what is the most embarrassing moment you’ve had?
Um… once, by accident, I held a whole report in front of a hundred people in the nude when I attended collage…
By accident!?
Well, see… it’s not really a taboo for us to not wear clothes on our outside as long as we wear something on the inside and… I kind of forgot about that too… and I didn’t notice it until I was already halfway done… don’t know if anyone else noticed it either… um…
Heh… Cain, same question.
I walked in on Kornos when he had lady company once while bringing him tea.
Oh gods, I remember that.
Didn’t notice he wasn’t alone until I actually went up to the bed and offered him tea…
Really?
Well, it was dark…
Still, I would think that would be more embarrassing for Kronos then you… but speaking of Kronos, same question again!
Err…
And a Dare too! I’ve heard a rumor that you have a heart on your butt, show it off!
Wait, what!?
You heard me!

>>662345
That breaks the no nudity rule, doesn't it? If the painting is around you can show her that, but otherwise it's invalid to show the entire "heart". You can show her the tip of the heart, though. The part that you don't have to take your pants all the way off to show off.
If the others rule that it doesn't break the nudity rule then just show it off while keeping as much dignity intact as you can muster.

Ask her if she knew Krotos. What was he like?

Pray to Xuv tonight. See if you can talk to her and ask her for more details on what happened to cause her imprisonment. We now know that praying to the other elemental gods gives us a vision of the past, so we can fact check her now. Based on how much Xuv is lying to us, we can then decide to pray to Illasia or not afterwards.

>what is the most embarrassing moment you’ve had?
...Well if you ask anyone around the castle they'd all tell you I'm a horrible cook. So a few years back one of our chiefs hears about this and decided to teach me how to make myself a proper meal. I'm sure they meant well but... long story short, the kitchen had to be completely replaced, 3 people had to go to the castle's medical wing form minor injuries, and I was tested for days to see if I actually knew any magic as most people couldn't believe I did what I did without magic.
add whatever details you want to this

>I’ve heard a rumor that you have a heart on your butt, show it off!
Sisah I'm sure nobody else here wants to see my ass... and where the hell did you hear that?

If the dare doesn't get Veto'd as it brakes the nudity rule, and people keep insisting then I guess go ahead and do it. She never said though you had to keep your pants off though so after a quick peek go back to the game.

>>662345
Well.. 'showing it off' isn't the same as 'strip off your pants' so.. a peek wouldn't hurt would it? Besides if she's going to be your bodyguard for the indeterminate future, she will likely see you naked at some point.

... just double check for Doves and a certain stealth lizard, first, and bar the door against intrusion.

Who the heck did she hear that rumor from...? No, wait, you can guess the how, if not the who. Briannah called you "'eartbutt" out on the training field and either one of the palace servants, guards, or a training soldier overheard her and started the rumor. And then it spread like wildfire through their ranks as only palace rumors can until it came to Sisah's ears. That's how it happened, right? ...Or maybe one of the servants came into the studio and saw Briannah's portrait of your backside 'cause she didn't lock it up or even cover it. Dammit, you'll have to ask her about that later. Well, it doesn't matter how or who 'cause the rumor is out and you're not getting that proverbial cat back in the bag.

Okay, you'll show it off, but only to Sisah. We'll go to another room and close the door so nobody else peeks. Then press your legs together so you don't give a back view of your loins, keep your tail feathers down, and then drop your drawers just enough for her to confirm that yes, the white plumage over your butt does indeed form an inverted heart shape. And if she wants she can attest to Tim and Cain to that fact you won't deny it.

As for your most embarrassing moment... Your first and likely last experience with recreational drugs. Hallucinogenic 'shrooms. Fairly strong if you eat one, but you being impulsive you didn't read the directions so you didn't know they take a bit of time to kick in after you eat one. So you ate one, waited a minute, didn't think it was working and took another. And another. And another. And by the time the first one kicked in you'd taken a combined dose large enough to give someone the size of Briannah a nice trip and send a featherweight like you flying to the Moon. You don't remember much after that, just garbled dream bits like gnomes coming out of the walls and trying to pluck your feathers, and you woke up in a bed in the medical wing the next day to your father's disapproving glare. He told you what happened: You'd gone for a jog around the garden while having a conversation with thin air. Sans clothes. Apparently you thought you were invisible and inaudible if you took them off. And when the guards tried to catch you you climbed up the wall into a window and somehow lost them, only to show up in the kitchen, still naked. Where you attempted to cook. This went... Badly, to say the least. A sizable portion of the kitchen floor and wall had to be rebuilt, and it took weeks for all the burnt feathers on your face and down your front to grow back. After that you've vowed not to touch anything stronger than the occasional shot of liquor... And that's not just 'cause your father said there'd be consequences if you did something like that again.

And your question to Sisah is her question to you: What was her most embarrassing moment?

>...saving his life (even though his beak was hurt)...
Wait... Do you remember a Serpens being in his bodyguard detail three years ago?

>...saving your brother’s life… *Cough*killedhimtoo*Cough*...
What? When did she save Krotos' life? And where, how and from whom? And... WHAT?! She's the one who killed Krotos?! She was at the battle where he died?! Why? How? What...? ...Wait, wait, wait... How did she get from saving your father all the way out to the battlefield where Krotos was killed? Or vice versa? But that's assuming that Krotos' assassinations were timed to go off at or close to the time of the battle. There might have been enough time for her to get from here to there or there to here. Well, now you have to ask her about this, but it'll have to wait until after the card game is over and you can get her somewhere private. ...And dammit, she shouldn't have said she killed him, even though she hid it in a cough... And Serpens can't actually cough. Goddammit, Sisah, that's a top state secret you're playing loose with...

>…You have nearly everything you need to do that, only thing missing is the right incantation… but, if Tim’s theory is correct, you won’t actually need it… hmm… should you pray to her?
You wish you had more time to pray to the other gods and maybe find out more about Xuv or Illasia, but you don't have it before you go to sleep and your nightmares presumably get Briannah. You'll pray to Xuv, but only primarily to find out what the threat Illasia made is and how to counter it. ...Dammit, you hope you're not making a terrible mistake.

The card for Death represents cycles and regeneration, right? Ends and beginnings? And Xuv said she's the "end and beginning of all things," so that fits. And didn't the Garden say that a new cycle and regeneration was coming soon? With new gods and new sons? ...You think maybe Illasia imprisoned Xuv to prevent a new cycle? Or maybe it was to try and dodge her fate like she did with manipulating the Dragon, and through him events, to kill Krotos and derail the prophecy?

No, you're not dropping your pants. Eat the chip penalty if the vote doesn't go through.
>but speaking of Kronos, same question again!
Finding out that particular rumor has been spread. A certain Someone must have less discretion than even you.

Alright, last question. Sisah, there's a big war to the south. What brings a mercenary here instead of there?

If you have to show them your butt, be sure to fart while doing it.

Sisah, do you have any daughters?

...Was It you, Cain? (the one Who told her)

>And a Dare too! I’ve heard a rumor that you have a heart on your butt, show it off!
Okay this officially qualifies as the most embarassing thing ever. Not being dared to show it off, but learning that in this short time people already spread the story so much.
>No outright nudity, no leaving the room?
Showing off the naked butt would involve outright nudity, wouldn't it? Only way of avoiding that would be the painting, and that would involve leaving the room.

Kronos 2015/08/15(Sat)10:42 No. 662631 ID: 65a774
File 143966054945.png - (45.00KB , 686x526 , 18.png )

>Pray to Xuv tonight.
Well… it is for the safety of Briannah…
>…just double check for Doves and a certain stealth lizard, first, and bar the door against intrusion.
The door is locked, there are no signs of any super advanced flying stealth lizards nor Doxan, so it seems like you’re not currently being watched.

>Wait... Do you remember a Serpens being in his bodyguard detail three years ago?
Wrong assassination attempt.
But his beak was damaged in that attempt…
Ah, then I must have misremembered. No, I wasn’t here at that time, but I did save him from some Sakkilian ninjas once.
>When did she save Krotos' life? And where, how and from whom?
When he was teenager, from Sakkilians and further north from here.
>Ask her if she knew Krotos. What was he like?
If I may be so crude, I would say that if his ego got any bigger, it would collapse into itself. Maybe that’s why I thought the world rotated around him, because his ego had such a big mass.

>That breaks the no nudity rule, doesn't it?
You don’t actually-
Actually, it does.
>Sisah I'm sure nobody else here wants to see my ass.
I want to see you embarrass yourself…
Either way, no, no showing off butts, please. I can confirm that yes, he has an heart on his butt.
>You can show her the tip of the heart, though.
See? Here’s the tip of it on my back.
Huh… I thought it would be smaller…
>and where the hell did you hear that?
I’ve been standing guard for you the whole day. Do you really think I haven’t been paying attention to you? Your wife did mention it several times when she believed you two to be alone, after all.

>As for your most embarrassing moment... Your first and likely last experience with recreational drugs. Hallucinogenic 'shrooms.
Drugs? Really?
What followed was me running around naked through the whole palace while I believed I was invisible.
Invisible?
Well, armor makes you easier to spot, right? So I thought the reverse was also true… thus, being naked equals being invisible. So there I was, naked, being chased by guard, and I ran right through the grand hall where nearly my whole family where before heading off to one of the kitchens.
Oh, I remember that. There’s a reason why the roof of the palace near the main kitchen is newer then the rest.
…you blow off the roof!?
I’m a lousy cook… luckily, no one was killed… though I did send seven people to the medical wing… noting serious, but still…
Remind me to never let you close to a kitchen.

>And your question to Sisah is her question to you: What was her most embarrassing moment?
Well, there was a bit of a culture clash when I came here the first time, let me tell you. See, where I’m from, it’s just natural to get intimate with your employer to create a more loyal bond. So, the first contract I got here got a bit awkward as I… made myself ready for something else just as my employer whole family came into the room, children and all. Nearly lost the contract right there and then.
>Sisah, do you have any daughters?
Chances are high, yes, but as most of my species I don’t really care about that.

The game goes on, and after several more embarrassing stories and dares it start to draw into a close. There’s still half an hour until nine and your meeting with Briannah, so you have time for some last minute preparations if you are so inclined. Should you go and pray to Xuv right now before you meet Briannah, or should you wait? Maybe you should clean yourself up a bit before you go, as you smell a bit of alcohol at the moment, but then you won’t have time to pray? Or maybe you should just play another hand with your friends and relax?

>>662631
Clean yourself up. Have Briannah join you for the prayer.

>>662665
Can't do that for two reasons. First, if Kronos cleans up there won't be enough time for the prayer. Second, Briannah is presumably still in that get-together with her friends and probably won't leave.

Pray first, leave medical ward and/or rise from a shallow grave, borrow some cologne that isn't a stink bomb, meet Briannah.

Don't pray to Xuv now since there's a fair chance that you'll end up getting much more than a nosebleed when you do; You might end up seizing on the floor like back in the crypt or something else that'll put you in the medical wing. There's also the matter of you still not being so sure you should pray to her or not. For all you know Illasia will sense your prayer to Xuv and drop the hammer on Briannah for your insolence. Or something else terrible will happen if you do.

Instead pray to the three remaining elemental gods, or at least one, preferably Gaisia, to try and find out more of Xuv or Illasia. You have Cain's translation notes with the ritual instructions and what the sacrifices are, and you already know their names, so you can attempt it. And if you decide to pray to Xuv afterwards you can do so later tonight, after Briannah goes to sleep. You probably aren't going to be sleepy until late anyway since you got up late.

But if Cain hasn't translated at least one of the remaining three elemental gods' prayer rituals yet, pull him aside and give him the book and his translation notes and ask him to get on that. Translate just the basics of how to make the ritual circle and what their sacrifices are, skipping the whole invocations, and bring the translation to your room when he's done. You can do them later tonight, after Briannah's asleep.

Right before you do start chanting for the prayer tell Sisah through the door to knock five minutes from now and if you don't respond to come in and get you. That way if you do end up in a medical situation you won't be laying on the floor for who knows how long until she checks on you.

Grab a bottle of cologne you know is good and bring it with you. Apply it right before you go to meet Briannah to cover the trace smell of alcohol.

Before you do the prayer pull Sisah in somewhere private and ask her what the circumstances around her killing Krotos were; The where, when, and either who ordered it and why or why she made the choice to do it.

probably should clean yourself up a bit. If I remember right didn't you only take a quick shower and drown yourself with lavender scented something? So unless you don't mind smelling like lavenders for the meeting a quick shower might not hurt. Thank everyone for there time and hell we should see about maybe trying this again sometime.

Shooting range. Grab multiple pistols.

Read up on Sakkilian assassin squads and how to defend against them.

Shoot some doves when nobody's looking.

>>662668
Briannah will be back by the time Kronos finishes washing up. There's no reason to not pray with her, other than "Maybe" it would be a bad idea, but... Kronos needs somebody in on it, as well as somebody to watch over him. Who better than his fiancee?

As for how to bring it up, he can mention the whole religion thing, and how she asked about there being something more than just the five gods: Apparently, there was another, but she was betrayed by one of the other five. Do not say which one. If she asked, just say something like "If the prayer works, maybe you'll get your answer."

>>662837
>Who better than his fiancee?
Someone who he's actually known for more then 2 days and likes him for more then "he reminds me of Krotos."

If you want to bring someone in on it fine, even though I feel that it would end in with people just thinking we're mad if we're lucky. But try and go for someone we can actually fully trust.

>>662837
>Briannah will be back by the time Kronos finishes washing up. There's no reason to not pray with her, other than "Maybe" it would be a bad idea, but...
That won't work 'cause by the time Kronos finishes washing up it'll be too close to nine 'o clock and the meeting him and Briannah are going to. And since that meeting is for Sakkilian officers to discuss the "bandit" issue from the southern Dynasty and similar, as a general Briannah is probably obligated to attend.

>>662839
>If you want to bring someone in on it fine, even though I feel that it would end in with people just thinking we're mad if we're lucky. But try and go for someone we can actually fully trust.
That'd be Cain. He'd be the first and possibly only choice if he's the only one Kronos can fully trust. He's also probably suspicious that something more has been going on with Kronos recently than just his usual eccentricity and impulsiveness.

>>662952
I agree, Cain is the one I would trust with the truth. He's vital to translating old texts, something awfully convenient that I think is there to make us suspicious of him. But my gut says he's trustworthy.

Kronos 2015/08/17(Mon)12:39 No. 663410 ID: 65a774
File 143984037807.png - (63.32KB , 686x526 , 19.png )

>Shooting range. Grab multiple pistols.
You definitely don’t have time for that, even if it would be nice to let off some steam.
>Shoot some doves when nobody's looking.
Would that really be a good idea? If they were spying on you, it would just make Illasia more cautious about it.
>Read up on Sakkilian assassin squads and how to defend against them.
That, on the other hand, is something you should do when you get time. Who knows what kind of assassination attempts will await you?

>Tell Briannah about your meeting with Xuv.
She’ll think you’re completely nuts if you tell her something like that!
>Tell Cain about your meeting with Xuv.
Cain, on the other hand, would… actually, he would also think you’re nuts, but at least he’ll not judge you to harshly…
>Borrow some cologne that isn't a stink bomb.
By borrowing Cains bottle, you managed to suddenly transform from a smelly, drunk bird to a nice smelling, drunk bird. It’s like magic!

>Pull Sisah in somewhere private and ask her what the circumstances around her killing Krotos were; The where, when, and either who ordered it and why or why she made the choice to do it.
After his attack on the Sakkilian high command, I was ordered to intercept him and take care of him by your sister. Apparently, she had found a lot of proof that he had tried to have her killed.

>Bring Cain with you when you Pray to Xuv.
Sir, why do you want to pray to some kind of death god?
Um… I’ll tell you later.
Still, sir, I have to advice against it…
>Pray to Xuv, leave medical ward and/or rise from a shallow grave.
Xuv…
…
Xuv…
I can’t really see what this will accomplish, sir?
Xuv…
…
…

…nothi-
AHAHA! I AM FREE! Finally, I will have my revenge! The whole world will burn!
W-what!?
The world will be cast into eternal darkness, and I, Xuv, will rule all that exist! You will cry in happiness as I devour your souls and- nah, just kidding.
…w-what?
But seriously, I have to disappoint you. I’m still stuck down in that prison of mine, so this booty call won’t work.
…err…
Actually, I’m surprised. I haven’t actually been summoned in… what… thousands of years? Where did you even dig up this summoning rite?
But… you’re still down… then… how?
Oh, I’m using someone else to talk to you right now… let’s see… a human I think? But that’s not important right now… what’s important is what you want, because I’m guessing this isn’t a booty call… is it?

What did you do to me, what do I do about Illasia's threats against my fiancee, why were you really imprisoned, and what is the significance of why I heard from the fire god?

>>663410
Tell Xuv about the vision you had in the bathroom. Does she have some way of protecting you and Briannah from Illasia?
Also ask her about the vision you had when you tried to summon the fire god. What were the circumstances surrounding her imprisonment? Did Illasia put the four elemental gods to sleep all at once, or one at a time? Does she think trying to summon the other elemental gods is a good idea? You were bleeding from the nose afterwards. (we should do it anyway, I just want to know what she says about it)

After this, remind Cain that Xuv is the goddess of love too. He'll come to an acceptable conclusion.

>Actually, I’m surprised. I haven’t actually been summoned in… what… thousands of years?
yeah well that's probably because Illasia had her followers lead a purge a long time ago where they hunted down heretics and burned any heretical books. You're followers and script were most likely among them.

>Oh, I’m using someone else to talk to you right now… let’s see… a human I think?
You better not be hurting him!

right as for what to talk about, let her know what you've learned about "the dragon" and how he is a stern follower of Illasia to a finical level, ask what happened when you where torn to shreds back in your room and what it meant when it was said that your nightmares would kill Briannah, and since she seemed to know about your families fates, ask how they were fated to die. After she tells you that last part tell her exactly how Krotos tried and failed to win the war.

and I guess we could answer a few of her questions as well, I mean it's only fair.

Tell Xuv you're tired of angry gods threatening your life and the lives of those you care about! Tell her you don't want to be involved in her stupid conflict! Get mad!

Xuv's speaking through Cain? Has she possessed him?! Glance over to him to see how he's acting. Inform Xuv that this human's name is Cain and he's important to you, which makes him important to her. If he's harmed by being her conduit here you are going to be seriously angry at her. And how come she sounds like herself and not him? Is it that she's not actually physically speaking through him and it's more like she's using him as a kind of psychic relay or some such? And ask how much, if anything, Cain will remember of this; You'll need to know that to know whether to bother with a cover story.

Worrying about Cain done with for now, ask Xuv how long we'll have to chat before the rite runs out and, more importantly, if Illasia can in any way detect this little summon. You'd figure she'd have set up some way to sense for the signatures of Xuv's rites, if not across all of Risavia then at least here, in the palace, right over Xuv's prison. You figure she would be keeping an extra eye on this location for any oddities that may indicate Xuv has wormed her way out.

Now get to the primary reason you summoned Xuv. Tell her in detail of what you think was a vision from Illasia, starting with the stink bomb cologne bottle that caused you to hit your head and pass out briefly through to what you believe was a threat made by her against Briannah if you don't pray to Illasia. Does Xuv think that Illasia could get into your head this way, and if so does it fit with her style? And if so then there's the question of how Illasia knew to target you. Does it mean your cover was blown less than a day after your meeting with Xuv? So much for being insignificant keeping you out of Illasia's view, eh? But the bigger question is how to protect Briannah and yourself from Illasia if this threat is legit.

>Where did you even dig up this summoning rite?
Hold the book the Garden gave you up to Cain so she can see it. Tell her it's funny she should mention "dig" 'cause you got it from the earth elemental that's the palace garden, or living in the garden's soil, you're not sure which it is. Anyway, you went to it for some corroboration of what she said since its the only thing around old enough to remember when she was free. Unfortunately the poor elemental's mind has been slipping away for a long time and in its mental confusion you could only get corroboration on a few things. But when you drew her symbol for it that reminded it of this book it found and it gave it to you. You guess the book was buried in the garden for some reason long, long ago and the elemental found it.

>Actually, I’m surprised. I haven’t actually been summoned in… what… thousands of years?
That actually is odd. You'd think that in all that time at least once another book like this with her summoning rite would have gotten into hands that could read and perform it. Perhaps others did try it but they were too far away from her prison for it to work. Ask her who summoned her last, where it was and what it was about.

Out of curiosity ask her what the sacrifice for this summon was, and what she likes as sacrifices. And does "sacrifice" for summoning her and the other gods really mean sacrifice in that it's taken or something else?

Tell her that you and two friends performed the prayer rite for Ifocen earlier. You think it tried to put you in the position Cain is now as the conduit, but all you heard was what you think was one of Ifocen's memories. Tell her what you heard then and ask her who he was speaking to and in relation to what.

Just so Xuv knows, informer her that your species, Vark, is descended from the Highborn. And that the Sakkilians are very likely the descendants of the Ker'lacka. Their origin mythology points to them being descended from royal dragons that lost their flight and power as the magic dried up.

Tell Xuv what you found out about Belseth. It's near certain that Illasia has gotten to him, what with the vision that saved the Zadian Empress and the one where he sent a letter to the Empire's generals warning them. He converted to the Illasian church soon afterwards. And he's here, in either the palace or the capital, right now, appointed to a position in the Illasian church. He's going to be trouble, you just know it.

Ask Xuv for some clarification on the Dragon and his Highborn wife. Going by the fact he'd have to sire the Phoenix King with a Highborn, that is, a Vark, would that mean that he'd have to be a Vark himself or is there some prophecy magic bullshit that allows for interspecies offspring? Also, just who is fated to become the new god taking Illasia's place? Was it the Phoenix King or the Phoenix? There was some confusion on that with what she said earlier.

Also, ask Xuv to tell you what the earliest part of the Fate Spider's prophecy said of Krotos. Perhaps if we find the earliest point that what actually happened diverged from the prophecy we can find a link back to the Dragon. Like, in the prophecy was your mother killed or did she live?

Tell her what you've found out about Krotos and how his plan failed and how he ended up being killed. How he was massively charismatic and ambitious and seemed to have no issue with assassinating your father or siblings or his partner in the plot, Brianthor. How much did this diverge from the prophecy. Does she think Illasia played a part in making him the terrible scoundrel he turned out to be or was that part of his fate from the start?

Xuv said she was the mother of ten thousand young, so out of curiosity ask her what her children looked like and what special talents they had from being her offspring. Maybe you'll recognize them as one of the species that's in the world now.

Ask Xuv to tell you exactly what blessing she gave you and what her gift to your wife-to-be is. And no being cryptic or saying it's a surprise. You've had enough of that bullshit. Also ask just how your meeting with her happened. Did she teleport your actual physical body down into her prison or were you there only in mind or spirit? And you woke up afterwards in the medical wing where you were told you were exposed to hallucinogenic toxic fungal spores in the crypt and came a feather's breadth from dying. So was it her that kept you from death? Did she do something to get the guards to investigate the crypt to find you? And did you have to be near death to meet her? And there's also some oddities around then as well, like the crypt guard being dosed with a sleeping poison and the crypt gate lock being broken after you entered it. Did she have something to do with that?

>The world will be cast into eternal darkness, and I, Xuv, will rule all that exist! You will cry in happiness as I devour your souls and- nah, just kidding.
Chide her for even joking about that kind of thing. Yes, your expression must have been priceless to see, but she's on thin ice with you as is and scaring you doesn't help. You're one edge enough already about all this without her adding more.

I spotted "SHE WILL EAT YOUR SOUL" hidden in the scribbles on the left page of the Xuv ritual back here >>/questarch/659682. Nothing we can really go on in-quest, and it smells rather like a red herring, but it's something to keep in mind when dealing with Xuv. I also spotted a few other things in the scribbles which I lay out at the top of >>/questarch/659749. We can keep an eye out for those as well.

Tell Xuv that you couldn't find any credible record of what happened to the Old Empire and nearly no record of her or her imprisonment. All that you could find on the Old Empire was myth and legend, and for her the only thing you found was in Illasian scripture of a nameless "evil death demon" the Five imprisoned beneath the earth. The passage of time and Illasia's direct actions appeared to have wiped out nearly all records of Xuv even existing and what happened to the Old Empire.

Ask Xuv to tell you the circumstances that led to her imprisonment and how and why it happened, as well as the real cause of the fall of the Old Empire.

Tell Xuv that you're having real issues with believing what she's told you about the prophecy, what the Web of Fate says, and her imprisonment since... Well, you only have her word on them and you can't corroborate them on your own. It's not like you can check the Web of Fate yourself... Can you? Is there a ritual a mortal can do to get some idea of Fate? (Don't mention the fortune reading just yet and see if she says to read the cards.) But the major sticking point is that, as far as you know, there's no records you can get at of what happened in the Celestial Palace all those centuries ago that led to Xuv's imprisonment. And the only people that know what happened for sure are the six gods, four of which are asleep, and the two left have reason to deceive you to their own ends if they are hiding something. Basically, for all you know Xuv was imprisoned for doing, or would have done, something horrific and Illasia is acting the way she is to make damn sure Xuv doesn't get out. You just don't know.

Maybe if Xuv could point out something you could find or someone you could speak to of what happened back then that's impartial in the matter you could trust her. But as it is you're going to take what she says with a massive grain of salt and suspicion.

>...because I’m guessing this isn’t a booty call… is it?
...Could it be if you do the rite with Briannah taking Cain's plac-NO! BAD THOUGHT! BAD! Damn your horny perverted loins putting that idea into your head! Possession like that is WRONG... Unless the possessed consents befor-NO! Dammit, what is wrong with you?! Even if it is possible, giving Xuv a body, even temporarily, just screams "BAD IDEA!" And doubly so if it's Briannah's body.

This bad thought does bring up a question about the biomancy runes on Briannah's prosthetics. Is it possible Illasia could tap into them to in any way sense what's around her and possibly eavesdrop? Or do so if they've been modified to allow Illasia to? 'Cause if so then Briannah might be a walking surveillance conduit for Illasia, at least while she's wearing the prosthetics. And the same question goes for all the other biomancy and light runes and such around the palace that fall in the aspects of Illasia. You want to know if you're going to have to watch your tongue around every magic lamp here for the foreseeable future.

And on the subject, what possible methods does Illasia have to eavesdrop on or detect you? Was what Xuv said about doves and pigeons being Illasia's spies true or a joke? Are there any other critters she uses as spies as well? Or perhaps some things? You suspected mirrors since they reflect light and that's her aspect, but you have nothing to base it on. And will there be any magic residue on you or Cain that Illasia can specifically identify as coming from Xuv?

>Sir, why do you want to pray to some kind of death god?
She's also the goddess of beauty and love, so say you wanted to see if she could do something about love for Briannah. Or with Briannah...

List of questions:

1. Who are you using?
2. How do I reach you again? (Need a better communication system than Summon The Devil For Tea And Crumpets)
3. Instructions for making prepared magical ammunition (or other crafting recipes)
4. Ways to hinder Illasia
5. Should I kick the ass of the dragon if he's under Illasia's butt?
6. Can you give me something?
7. Need some kind of badge proving that I'm sponsored by you
8. Weaknesses of Light-based enemies
9. Why should I help you?

Kronos 2015/08/18(Tue)14:02 No. 663717 ID: 65a774
File 143993175404.png - (32.38KB , 686x526 , 20.png )

>You better not be hurting him!
Of course not. Do you really think I would still be imprisoned if I could actually affect the world outside my prison? I’m just borrowing him a bit. In fact, he won’t even notice a thing.
>And how come she sounds like herself and not him? Is it that she's not actually physically speaking through him and it's more like she's using him as a kind of psychic relay or some such?
I’m speaking directly into your mind, yes. I just need a suitable and willing body to possess nearby so you can actually communicate with me.
>ask Xuv how long we'll have to chat before the rite runs out and, more importantly, if Illasia can in any way detect this little summon.
No idea on both counts.
No idea?
I’m not who I used to be, after all.

>Tell Xuv you're tired of angry gods threatening your life and the lives of those you care about!
Though luck, then. Gods are assholes and won’t give a rat’s ass about you or those that you care about. Being an endless being does give you strange morals, after all. I, at least, care about love, and thus I want to see everyone you love survive this for your sake.
>Tell her you don't want to be involved in her stupid conflict! Get mad!
I don’t see how you got any choice, do you?
>Why should I help you?
Because I’m pretty sure Illasia will soon “remove” the whole royal family to give power to her own pawns. It might not happen this generation, but don’t you, as a prince, have a duty to protect your country from a hostile takeover, even if it will happen in another life time?

>Tell Xuv about the vision you had in the bathroom.
Really? That doesn’t really sound like something Illasia would do. She’s always been a scheming sort… on that always pretends to be good and perfect. I thought she would come to you and try to win you over to her side by pretending to be the good guy and not doing so obviously evil. Maybe she wanted you to believe I did it… or maybe she’s just losing her touch?
>Does she have some way of protecting you and Briannah from Illasia?
I think I can do something… but if you want to protect her while she sleep you need to be close to her.
So… you want me to sleep with her from now on?
Why, yes.
>ask her about the vision you had when you tried to summon the fire god.
…that’s odd. That sure does sound like Ify, but… it sounded like a memory, didn’t it? But I can’t remember ever hearing him say that.


>What did you do to me?
Why, I gave you a gift! It’s a sup-
>And no being cryptic or saying it's a surprise. You've had enough of that bullshit.
Fine, I moved the fear you had for Sakkilians and made your attraction to your wife override it. Gave love a bit of a push, nothing more. Don’t worry, you’re not feeling anything you wouldn’t feel otherwise.
And that gift to Briannah?
Made sure you’ll be able to please her when it counts.
>Hold the book the Garden gave you up to Cain so she can see it. Tell her it's funny she should mention "dig" 'cause you got it from the earth elemental that's the palace garden.
An elemental? Huh, those things started getting mad even before I was cast down, so I’m surprised they are still around. Gloomy bunch, kept jabbering on about the end of the world or something…
>Out of curiosity ask her what the sacrifice for this summon was, and what she likes as sacrifices.
I’m guessing those flowers was what you were trying to “sacrifice”?
Err… yes?
It would count as a thing of beauty, yes. The whole thing with the gift was just something we put in when we had tons of worshippers. After all, we shouldn’t go around blessing everyone, should we? So, give us a gift, and we’ll bless yah.
So, they aren’t necessary?
Actually, with the prayer you used, it is. It needs a certain component to work, which is to say the gift to the god.

>why were you really imprisoned?
I already told you, Illasia ambushed me and cast me and my tower of awesomeness down into the earth because she is a jealous bitch. She wanted to be the biggest and most popular god, but I was in the way.
>As well as the real cause of the fall of the Old Empire.
No idea. I was quite surprise when I was able to catch a glimpse of the world again and notice that the freaking celestial city in the sky was gone, let me tell you. My guess is that Illasia messed something up.
>Did Illasia put the four elemental gods to sleep all at once, or one at a time?
No idea. Wasn’t there for that.
>Does she think trying to summon the other elemental gods is a good idea?
Hmm…as you seemed to get some kind of memory or… dream, maybe, from it… I should say, sure, why not? I mean, maybe we can get something we can use against Illasia from it.
>You were bleeding from the nose afterwards.
Huh… that’s… I don’t know why that happened but… maybe you shouldn’t do it? It would suck if you bite the dust before I can watch you bang your wife.
…
Kidding, just kidding, geez… don’t look at me like that.
>Ways to hinder Illasia?
Depends on what her plan is, really. Can’t say anything right now.
>Ask Xuv for some clarification on the Dragon and his Highborn wife.
I’m a freaking god. Do you really think species are a problem? Find that wingless dragon a bird wife and make them bang. Then we get a nice egg and *boom*, instant empire, just add water.
>Should I kick the ass of the dragon if he's under Illasia's butt?
As long as you get him to mate, I don’t really care what you do to him.

>Since she seemed to know about your families fates, ask how they were fated to die.
Let’s see… liver failure thanks to old age and abuse of alcohol… stroke thanks to old age and stress… heart attack thanks to old age and abuse of food…
Wait, who’s who?
I’m sure you can figure it out yourself.
>Is there a ritual a mortal can do to get some idea of Fate?
Err… that’s not really my forte but… I’ve heard something about bones, big balls of glass and cards?
>Instructions for making prepared magical ammunition
Can’t you just use the grand autariala forge to created objects beyond the eathererial void?
…the what in the what what?
*Sigh* I keep forgetting how primitive you are now…

>Can you give me something?
I’m a voice possessing your friend. What do you think? Only thing I can give you is sound advice.
>How do I reach you again? (Need a better communication system than Summon The Devil For Tea And Crumpets).
What? What is wrong with this? That summoning ritual was a piece of cake, right? Though, I don’t think I can do this more than once per day but… it works, right?
>Maybe if Xuv could point out something you could find or someone you could speak to of what happened back then that's impartial in the matter you could trust her.
Well… most people is kind of dead, right? Let’s see… you had the elemental, right? They are still there… and the other gods… maybe one of them are still awake? Or maybe… oh! I got an idea! Why don’t you go talk to-

… … … …
…why are you staring like that, sir?
No reason… err… what time is it?
…according to my clock, about thirty seconds since you last asked, sir. There’s still twenty minute before nine, sir. So, are you going to continue shouting in vain, or should we do something a bit more… I don’t know, sane?

>>663717
Tell him the ritual worked, actually. This time you got a direct line with the goddess of death and love. Ask if you can count on his assistance tomorrow with the same thing, since apparently the ritual requires at least two people. Also, I suppose Tim can come along next time, since it seems to be safe.

Okay, time to try to figure out who Xuv was about to tell you about. What creatures can live for extremely long periods of time aside from elementals? Alternatively, creatures which can pass down memories. ...hang on, can necromancers talk to the dead? Maybe if you can find one they can summon up some long, long-dead soul and find out some long-forgotten information. I mean it's not like you're trying to animate a corpse so it's not evil or anything right?

For now let's go to the meeting. Xuv just warned us that the entire royal family is being targeted so keep alert.

right... well thanks for the help. You feeling alright by the way? You kind of blanked out there for a second. Thought you might have had a vision or something.

Anyways may as well clean up a bit now seeing as the took almost no time at all. You can think as you bathe.

>should we do something a bit more… I don’t know, sane?
My standards on sanity have been forcibly relaxed, gimme a break here.

You should be able to change clothes and put on some cologne.

>should we do something a bit more… I don’t know, sane?
My standards on what is sane have been forcibly relaxed, gimmie a break, okay?

20 minutes, that's enough time for someone of our speediness to at least change clothes and put on cologne.

>So, are you going to continue shouting in vain, or should we do something a bit more… I don’t know, sane?
Actually, this already succeeded. Thank him for being willing to help you--Xuv mentioned that she was only able to talk through a willing host during these ancient rituals. Although, that does mean he was possessed by her for a minute. You'd understand if he'd rather avoid being there for the ritual in the future.

Wait, you forgot to ask her to give Cain a "boost". Next time.

So, what's next on the agenda? All this ritual summoning has likely screwed up your schedule.

Don't tell Cain that the ritual worked. You want to keep that you contacted Xuv under your hat. Instead tell him that you think it did something 'cause it felt like time stretched out there, but you didn't make contact with Xuv. Say that maybe Tim's theory was wrong and the whole invocation has to be spoken, or you messed the rite up in some other way, or that maybe Xuv just isn't there. You'll just have to try this later with Tim doing the full invocation and see if that does anything.

>Because I’m pretty sure Illasia will soon “remove” the whole royal family to give power to her own pawns. It might not happen this generation, but don’t you, as a prince, have a duty to protect your country from a hostile takeover, even if it will happen in another life time?
You said the Illasian church has grown quite powerful, economically, socially and politically, right? And it's still growing? So even leaving aside Illasia herself calling the shots, it's a big potential threat to the royal family and Risavia if left unchecked. If the upper echelons of the church get Krotos level ambitious they could make a move to take over and make Risavia effectively a theocracy.

You ought to dig up anything you can on the rise of the Illasian church, how much wealth it has accumulated and what ways it's gathering power unto itself. Then you can bring it to your father's attention, ask what he thinks and if the church needs to be reigned in.

>...I thought she would come to you and try to win you over to her side by pretending to be the good guy and not doing so obviously evil. Maybe she wanted you to believe I did it… or maybe she’s just losing her touch?
Or it's part of a deeper plan. Dammit, you think you might have figured it out. Illasia was setting it up to see if you'd go running to Xuv for help to gauge how much you're on her side. Think it through: How did Illasia even know to jump into your head, and how come she was there ready to do so? It's 'cause after what happened in the crypt she knew it was possible Xuv made contact with you, so she tailed you in some way. And then you went to the Garden and got the book and that "possible" went to "probable." So now she needs to know how much you trust Xuv and making the threat she did was how she planned to do it; She probably originally planned to do so after you went to sleep, but you knocking yourself out momentarily presented a sooner opportunity. If Xuv shows up to protect you and Briannah tonight, then that means you likely prayed to Xuv and Illasia will know you're on Xuv's side and bring her full scheming attention down on you.

But even if that wasn't Illasia's plan, having Xuv protecting you and Briannah will surely signal that you're with Xuv and important to her and blow any chance of avoiding Illasia's full attention out of the water. In hindsight, you should have figured this out and that the safest action was to not pray to Xuv or Illasia. Illasia knows how important Briannah's marriage to you is to the future of Risavia, as well as if she did any permanent harm to Briannah it'd turn you against Illasia. She would have at most terrified you two, but not done any lasting damage.

Maybe you can still delay Illasia's full attention falling on you if you pray to Xuv again before you go to sleep. If you can talk to her for even a moment you can tell her to not protect you and Briannah tonight. But if you can't do that then maybe if you don't sleep by Briannah's side that'll keep Xuv from getting from your dreams to Briannahs and you can speak with Xuv then to get her to break off. Unfortunately that'll only work if Illasia goes to Briannah's mind first and not yours but it's worth a shot.

>…that’s odd. That sure does sound like Ify, but… it sounded like a memory, didn’t it? But I can’t remember ever hearing him say that.
You have an idea who Ifocen was speaking to: Illasia. That he and the three other elemental gods caught up to her and were passing judgment for her imprisonment of Xuv and the cataclysm it'd mean for the world. And since the four of them are "asleep" now and Illasia is still loose, that means they probably failed to do whatever they were going to do to her.

>Huh… that’s… I don’t know why that happened but… maybe you shouldn’t do it? It would suck if you bite the dust before I can watch you bang your wife.
As much as you don't want to risk another's life by having them take your place in the ritual, there's too much riding on you staying alive. Next time you do the elemental god's prayers, make sure you're the one doing the chanting or reading the invocation.

>Let’s see… liver failure thanks to old age and abuse of alcohol… stroke thanks to old age and stress… heart attack thanks to old age and abuse of food…
All three of these could end up being your father, could they? And which ones do you think Keras or Kira would end up with? Well, whichever one is which you should take actions to make it so all three of them don't end up dying by any of those ways. After all, you are in the palace all the time with not much to do, so why not make it your job to watch out for your father and siblings' well being?

>>663946
Forgot this: In the time you have remaining set up and do a prayer to one of the three remaining elemental gods, preferably Gaisia. Cain will be the conduit for it and you'll chant.

I don't think we should do any other elemental rituals until tomorrow. That nosebleed did not seem healthy.

>>663966
Same

Hmm, I see a problem with Xuvs' plan. Kronos, do you even know any Varkian girls? Much less any that would be hot for militant religious ex-barbarian lizard D?

>>663976
...Well, he does know his sister Kira, but she's the crown princess. Not only is she almost certainly married by now 'cause she's the crown princess, there's also the matter of a duty to produce a heir to the royal bloodline which would likely rule out interspecies marriage. Also the odds she has the hots for "lizard D" is likely quite, quite low.

Besides Kira, there doesn't seem to be many Vark women in Kronos' life, does there? That is, other than his servants and the well-paid "courtesans" he's called on whenever he got carnal urges. Perhaps one from either group?

>>664005
Dude, Xuv outright told us that the union would produce a child.

>>664006
Yes, I know she did, but how would Kronos convince anybody else that thanks to divine prophetic magic whatevers a specific interspecies marriage would produce offspring? I doubt there's any way he could and he'd sound like a total loon in the attempt.

...But maybe they don't have to actually get married to fulfill the prophecy; They just have to hook up at least once. That would actually be much easier to arrange, and made even easier because everybody knows interspecies couplings have no chance of offspring.

>>664017
So you're saying is get both of them drunk and in a room together.

...actually it's a moot point isn't it? The king told us that the rest of the royal family are all taken already. That's why Kronos got set up with Briannah, he was the only one left.

...or was he just the only male left?

>>664018
Uh... That might work if they have the hidden hots for each other, but I wasn't really thinking of Kira there. More like Kronos just has to get the Dragon to lay with any Vark gal. It could even be a professional "courtesan" like the ones Kronos called on many times after he came of age.

>>664032
What if the Dragon's life was being ended by Illasia as Krotos's was, and he decided to make somebody else the Dragon of prophecy? For all we know, Briannah is the new Dragon and the egg will be from her and Kronos. That would be a freaky turn of events.

Ignoring that insane theory, though, we just need to keep our eyes open and see if there's another "Dragon." We may have to play matchmaker (Even for one-night stands) multiple times if more show up.

>>664162
I would think Illasia would consider the Dragon, being unbound by fate, too valuable to just get rid of after she's found him and gotten him under her sway. And she also knows if she did kill the Dragon it would just be reborn who knows where and she doesn't want to have to track it down again so soon.

Kronos 2015/08/23(Sun)11:28 No. 664665 ID: 65a774
File 144035451862.png - (52.01KB , 686x526 , 21.png )

>Don't tell Cain that the ritual worked. You want to keep that you contacted Xuv under your hat.
While you generally don’t wear a hat to keep this under, you can shut up about it.
>Okay, time to try to figure out who Xuv was about to tell you about. What creatures can live for extremely long periods of time aside from elementals?
Um… gods? There aren’t really a lot of really old things around anymore. You’ve heard stories about all kind of ancient beings that lived in the past, in the time of the old empire, though. Like ancient dragons, archwizards and even undead creatures.
>...hang on, can necromancers talk to the dead?
Not really… most of the dead don’t really have a lot to talk about, seeing as their souls are already gone by that point. You do know for a fact that Lorentian Kingdom have a way to make people into sentient undead, but even those fall apart after just a few years. Apparently, it some kind of bid for immortality or something… but it’s obviously not working.
>Xuv mentioned that she was only able to talk through a willing host during these ancient rituals.
Wait… would that mean Cain was willing to be possessed? It doesn’t seem that he even noticed it? Maybe he simply was willing to help me and Xuv used that?
>Kronos, do you even know any Varkian girls? Much less any that would be hot for militant religious ex-barbarian lizard D?
…you’re a bit low on female acquaintances, true, but maybe you can hook him up with a courtesan or something…

>You ought to dig up anything you can on the rise of the Illasian church, how much wealth it has accumulated and what ways it's gathering power unto itself.
Knowing if they are primed for a coup would be good to know, yes…
>Dammit, you think you might have figured it out. Illasia was setting it up to see if you'd go running to Xuv for help to gauge how much you're on her side.
…crap. If that’s true, it means you just ran headlong into her trap. This isn’t good, is it? Hopefully, you’re just being paranoid and the head god didn’t just trick you into becoming a heretic…
>Maybe you can still delay Illasia's full attention falling on you if you pray to Xuv again before you go to sleep.
But Xuv said she should only be summoned once per day?
>Next time you do the elemental god's prayers, make sure you're the one doing the chanting or reading the invocation.
While that might keep you safe, what about the others? Hmm…
>All three of these could end up being your father, could they? And which ones do you think Keras or Kira would end up with?
The alcohol one is definitely your father… and Karas has a sweet tooth the size of a mountain. Kira, on the other hand, is nearly always working. She would probably be stressed out, yes…

>My standards on sanity have been forcibly relaxed, gimme a break here.
Of course, sir… but just to be sure, if you start seeing the walls bleeding or hear whispers from evil demon gods, please do tell me about it. There is medication for that sort of thing nowadays, after all.
I’m not going mad, Cain…
Of course not, sir, you’re rich after all. It’s called eccentric if you’re rich, after all, not mad.
>You feeling alright by the way? You kind of blanked out there for a second.
I’m fine, sir… if anything, I’m pretty sure you were the one blanking out, sir.
>Thank him for being willing to help you.
I’m here to serve, sir.
>Ask if you can count on his assistance tomorrow with the same thing.
…I’m here to serve, sir… even if I would advise against these eccentric games of yours, sir.


>20 minutes, that's enough time for someone of our speediness to at least change clothes and put on cologne.
You make a brief stop by the showers, before quickly throwing on a new pair of clothes and make sure the cologne still smell nice. Afterwards, you head to the private room Briannah told you to meet her in.

Ah, there yah are, love.
Is this really necessary!?
Oh, ‘ush yah. We were going through the basic facts again anyway.
Prince Kronos, let me present to yah… Major Qelba…
Ugh, more birds…
We’re standing right here…

Major Xarrin…
It’s a real pleasure meeting yah, Kronos. I suspect yah don’t remember me greeting yah after dinner yesterday, but that’s to be expected. Now, let me just say you tah really make a lovely couple be-
Can you wait with the ass kissing until after the meeting?
Ah, of course, general.

General Thalia…
Greetings.
General Calcias…
It’s an honor.
And lastly, Major-
Not important.
Hey!
I can’t see why we need this whelp to sit in on our meeting!
Now, now, Qelby, General Briannah invited ‘im ‘ere ‘erself to sit with u-
Well, “General” Briannah should use a bit of a sounder judgment.
I have to agree on the point of questioning why he is here.
I can’t see why it would matter. If anything, an outside perceptive can prove invaluable.
I thi-
This is an outrage, having some spoiled noble sitting in on an important military-
Wait, important? Weren’t we just going to meet up over tea and-
Shhh.
None of this matter, as I outrank yah, Qelba.
Don’t yah forget that yah’re simply baring an ‘onor title, bastard…
*Sigh* yes, I remember…

>>664665
As one half of the glue holding the alliance together in the hopes of fighting off mutual enemies, don't you think it is appropriate to be involved with the military?

>I have to agree on the point of questioning why he is here.
Diplomatic reasons. That's a nasty subject, so let's talk about breaking things and hurting people, or whatever else comes after the words 'important military'. And tea would be nice too, is Cain around?

That's @#$%ing adorable. A boor, a kiss-ass, and a rich kid walk into a rape bar. Stop me if you've heard this one. Actually, stop me, I don't want to discuss this disturbing madness of upper-classmen any longer.

They were probably selected as diplomats because all the competent military didn't want to be responsible for the following fiasco. Begin negotiations by slapping your wife.

Proceed to address each guest as a "pathetic, howling excuse of military cannon fodder". The moment they shout at you, argue that being the diplomatic envoys of a spoiled prince is probably the lowest on the totem pole you can get in the military without having your death certificate signed two months in advance.

The angrier they get, the more they'll let their true colors and intentions slip. You don't have to worry too much about an international incident, these guys are expendable / uninfluential and everyone around them knows it.

(Also ask Xuv if she can give Briannah boobs)

>>664672
Wat. Let's not do any of that.

>>664673
Oh I don't know, after playing Dickless here for the whole time, doing something this audacious sounds rather appealing. Who knows, if we don't die/cause a war, it might increase Kronos' confidence around these people.

Mostly though, I just want to see what happens.

Ask the introduced Major his name.

>>664713
Unintroduced, that is. And might be a she.

"I'm here to learn just how bad my country is being threaten as I live here and while I may not be in a position to rule I still do care about the welfare of my homeland's people. So If you want to continue wasting time debating whether or not I have the right to be here I can have some of the servants run and grab snacks and maybe a deck of cards for everyone to play around with seeing as you're determined to waste time, or you could grow up, deal with it, and we can all get on with this meeting."

Also who is they guy they all seem to be ignoring?

...Wow. You don't know how things are done in the Empire army, but in Risavia if a major talked to a general like that they'd be reprimanded so fast their tail feathers would fly off. That Briannah isn't means she either can't do so or won't for some reason. You'll have to remember to ask her about that after the meeting, along with why a person who dislikes Varks as much as Major Qelba got assigned here instead of someone more diplomatic.

>>664734
Did you misread the situation? Major Xarrin has no qualms with Kronos being here, General Calcias thinks it might be a good idea, and Major Qelba's objections don't matter 'cause Briannah can order him to comply. The only one who's questioning of him being here may matter is General Thalia and I'm pretty sure she'll be okay with it once Kronos explains why he wanted to be here. And the meeting still has a whole hour, so there's no rush. So there's really no need for Kronos to talk to them like that, especially in such a condescending way. He'd come off as a spoiled brat of a noble if he did speak like that to them and we don't want that.

Introduce yourself to the major that Major Qelba so rudely kept interrupting. And if he keeps interrupting, point out how rude he's being.

Now, as to why you're here, tell them you've been told that the alliance between Risavia and the Empire is vital to both of their futures, so you want to find out just how dire the situation we're both facing is to really hammer home how important your marriage to Briannah is in keeping that alliance. Not that you didn't consider it important before, but you want to know just how important it is.

Once you're settled and have a cup of tea, when you get an opening ask them if they've been having any troubles getting recruits; You've already noticed that the palace guard seems to not be as numerous these days. You ask 'cause you have a theory that after seventeen years of so many of the sons and daughters of Risavia and the Empire fighting and dying on the battlefield instead of raising families that we're now on the leading edge of a dip in the population of young adults. If true this means we may be facing a rising labor shortage over the next fifteen or so years and that's going to bite into getting our armies back up.

Is General Calcias sporting a mustache? I didn't know that Varks could grow a mustaches, or at least something that looks similar to one.

>>664671
Don't talk down to the officers by belittling their professions. Kronos is trying not to come off as a spoiled noble here and saying things like that definitely won't help him.

>>664672
...There is so much wrong with this post I don't even know where to start. I'll just say do ABSOLUTELY NONE of this.

>>664673
Emphatically seconding not behaving like a physically and verbally aggressive lunatic.

>>664682
Oh, you can't imagine what would likely happen? Well, I can: The majors and generals would demand Kronos be expelled from the meeting and would not have anything to do with him again. Briannah's standing with them would take a hit since she's the one who invited Kronos, leading to her being pissed off at him. And Kronos' crazy actions would be reported to his father, probably leading to Kronos being watched all hours of the day for his safety and that of others since he's obviously gone mad from the stress. There, now you know what kicking over the apple cart will get us. Happy?

Kronos 2015/08/24(Mon)09:15 No. 664809 ID: 65a774
File 144043290630.png - (94.44KB , 686x526 , 22.png )

>Ask Xuv if she can give Briannah boobs.
…while breast on a lizard would look odd… you do prefer… hmm…
>They were probably selected as diplomats because all the competent military didn't want to be responsible for the following fiasco.
Weren’t pretty much anyone competent killed off in the war? And you’re pretty sure they aren’t really diplomats either…
>Begin negotiations by slapping your wife.
Depending on which side you mean, the answer is either never or only in private.

>I'm here to learn just how bad my country is being threatened as I live here and while I may not be in a position to rule I still do care about the welfare of my homeland's people.
Hmfp… and what can yah ‘onestly do that would change anything but worry for worry’s sake?
Now, now, I’m sure Prince Kronos can aid us in one way another. ‘e’s such a resourceful man, after all…
>As one half of the glue holding the alliance together in the hopes of fighting off mutual enemies, don't you think it is appropriate to be involved with the military?
Hmm… it would be symbolic if anything else… fine, you can stay, as long as you behave, my prince.

>Ask the unintroduced Major his name.
Oh, ‘is name is-
Enough of these constant interruptions! Are we ‘ere to discuss the current situation or not!?
But I-
Now, now, Qelby, calm down. ‘ow about yah come ‘elp me get the drinks? We have both wine and tea, if anyone wants some.
Hmpf… fine…
I’ll take a glass of wine.
Wine would be good.
Tea, please.
I’ll take a cup of tea too.
:NonsSB: Wine, if tha-
Doggone it, was I demoted to arrant boy when I wasn’t looking?

So, Kronos, yah asked me ‘ow things currently where, correct?
That’s right.
Then let me explain the current situation. ‘ere is a map of the southern parts of the Risavia Kingdom, though it is a bit out of date. See these three towns?
Yeah? Small towns, only one having a populace over a hundred.
Current populace is zero for all three, as two years ago they were all completely wiped out by “bandits”.
Oh, right, I heard about that.
Then, when yah managed to gather enough troops to rout them, ye scouts noticed the Hiver Dynasty to ye south ‘ad started gathering a large force of thirty thousand men in this fortress at the border.
That’s not good.
Luckily, for yah, we decided to send some aid, reinforcing these key location with ten thousand of our foot soldiers, bringing it up to a force of fifteen thousand strong.
Don’t forget that we aided your empire just as much in those trying times…
Of course… now, this year just as the snow started to melt, most of the Hiver forces marched toward the border of Lorentia to the east, the nation they are already in war with. Apparently, they had noticed the Dynasty’s scattered forces and taken advantage of it.
So, crisis averted?
Not yet. There are still about ten thousand men stationed at that fort… while we outnumber them, we cannot leave the border undefended, nor can we attack to start a war.
Making this a very tense staring contest in the end, really. ‘ere, ye drinks.
Wine for the “general” and tea for the “prince”…
Thank you… *Sip* Now, any questions or should we continue, Kronos? We ‘ave a lot of… “interesting” logistic problem to discuss, after all…
That reminds me, what ever happened to that missing food supply we sent?
Eaten by rats, apparently…
Really? That’s it?
They were really big rats…

>When you get an opening ask them if they've been having any troubles getting recruits?
Indeed, at least on the Varkian side of things. There seems to be no end of the foot soldiers we get from the empire.
Doesn’t that mean we’re facing a risk of rising labor shortage? I mean, if there isn’t enough people…
That’s why we’re not recruiting from the Varkian side as much any longer. We need the people to rebuild at the moment.
We Imperials on the other ‘and, we were already overpopulated before the war started. That’s one of the reasons why the war even began… to many people *Cough* on to little space.
This all means that most of the grunts ‘ere are now Imperial soldiers, while the leadership is Risavian.

How frequently have 'interesting' things been happening to supply shipments?

Anyway, please continue.

That sounds like it would cause some tension within our forces.

So if the red and the blue are the Varks and the empire's soldiers, and the green are Hivers, do the grey represent mercenaries or our Serpens allies or something?

So you're literally hiring an army of conscripts, placing them right next to predicted enemy lines, and outnumbering local forces 2-to-1.

That just screams 'powder keg'.

You know that this is going to end badly for everyone involved. Even if you had an army of 50,000 conscripts you'd still be screwed; the Hiver faction used petty warfare and raids to prevent intel on their main forces, who knows what level of tactics and weapons technology they have?

Which means that you're basically pitting an army of mediocre people against a larger army of possibly better-than-mediocre people. There's only one way for you to win this kind of nightmare; destroy their think tank.

You can hire some Black-Ops teams to infiltrate the Hiver faction, but there's an even bigger loose end that you can manipulate:

Illasia.

You have credible information about the church of Illasia, and how they're players in this game. It's to be expected that a large organization which the masses are convinced are neutral would take advantage of the situation, but you're now convinced that they have a much larger game plan in mind. The problem is, their win conditions are vastly different from yours.

If they get their hands on the Empire's technology, everyone but the church loses. And possibly the church as well.

So, that's the game plan. Let them think you're stupid by sending defensive support to the main forces, and infiltrate various factions to find the lines of control. Snap those and the Hivers will lose cohesion and die. You're going for the church.

>>664819
The Hiver nation doesn't worship Illasia, they worship a war god that demands all non-Hivers be sacrificed to its glory.

>>664809
Alright I'm guessing blue and red dots are Varkian and Sakkilian forces. Green dots are Hivers... but there are two colors left and only one military force named. Is Lorentia purple or brown? Who's the other one?

Also they said Lorentia was to the east but I think that's west.

Kronos 2015/08/24(Mon)12:58 No. 664852 ID: 65a774
File 144044631552.png - (102.41KB , 686x526 , 23.png )

>Also they said Lorentia was to the east but I think that's west.
Whoops, it supposed to be to the west from the start. (I also think I might have reversed the positions of both countries bordering Risavia too… but, oh well…)

> I'm guessing blue and red dots are Varkian and Sakkilian forces. Green dots are Hivers... but there are two colors left and only one military force named.
The purple ones are *cough* Lorentian troops… while the grey ones *Cough*Cough* are their undead minions… geez, I must ‘ave swallowed wrong or *cough* something…
>So you're literally hiring an army of conscripts, placing them right next to predicted enemy lines, and outnumbering local forces 2-to-1.
Not conscripts, but actual well trained soldiers.
They might be a bit green still, but they are well trained. They just need some more field experience, that’s all.
>That sounds like it would cause some tension within our forces.
They are surprisingly loyal as long as we pay them well.
Loyal? Yah ‘now nothing of loyalty or ‘onor. We imperials are willing to die for the will of the Empress! Personally, I wouldn’t even dream of disobeying ‘er… thus why I am ‘ere with you birds…
Erm… so, yes, so far they haven’t made any trouble and have been quite willing to follow our orders.

>How frequently have 'interesting' things been happening to supply shipments?
Not more than *cough* usual… there’s always problems with the supply line *Cough*…
> You can hire some Black-Ops teams to infiltrate the Hiver faction.
BAH! Deceit is for the weak!
You really think we don’t already have spies and scouts in place?
Yah should face the enemy in the field and fight with ‘onor!
Now, now, Qelba, we all ‘now ye stance on all things stealthy.
Spies, poison makers, infiltrators… we should ‘ang the lot of them.

>Anyway, please continue.
As yah all can see, our biggest concern at the moment is this Dynasty force attacking this Lorentian town near the Risavian border. We do not ‘now if the Lorentian Forces stationed there will ‘old-
*Cough*Wheeze*
Are yah well, general?
*Cough*Cough* I-I’m f-fine *Wheeze* Just… *cough* f-fine *gasp*
…should we take a break?
N-no *Cough*Gasp*
That doesn’t sound normal at all!

Crap. Give her some antidote, quickly, nobody touch the wine.

If she starts bleeding from her face, induce vomiting. Sakkilians have a gag reflex, right? ...that's the solution for all the poisons we know about, actually, maybe we should do that regardless. Find something that we can make her puke into.

Oh for the love of the 5

Ask Qelba where he got that wine from. Also who else drank that wine and how are they doing right now. Try asking Briannah how she feels and get one of those antidotes we've been carrying on us ready... and probably should find a bucket or something as well since it makes you throw up.

Seriously? They went with poisoning?

Hmm, they have overpopulation problems... do Sakkilians just ignore assassination attempts in hope of culling everyone who isn't smart enough to defend themselves?

Eh, I'm being paranoid, but this does seem too easy. Just stuff her mouth with antidotes. Be sure to give her a tummy rub.

See if it's just something lodged in her throat first, as if it's not a poison, making her vomit would be a bad idea.

Gods dammit! Briannah has almost certainly been poisoned, probably via the wine; She started coughing shortly after drinking it. And going by what you read yesterday (>>/questarch/653171) she appears to be exhibiting symptoms of Blood Blossom poisoning! If that's it you have little time to counter it by inducing vomiting, but even if it's not Blood Blossom from what you read most of the other ingested poisons can be countered by puking them up. Thank your lucky stars Cain remembered to get you those three bottles of vomit inducer you forgot about after you changed clothes... And then you changed clothes again before coming here. You remembered to transfer the bottles when you changed, right? RIGHT?! Oh, gods, I hope you did.

Rush over to Briannah's side while quickly telling everybody to stay where they are and not drink or even touch the wine. Shout for Sisah and the guards to get in here. In case this is just a respiratory or other medical condition like allergies Briannah didn't tell you about, quickly ask her if it's anything like that. If it's not tell the guards we have a probable poisoning attempt on Briannah. If it is tell them it's a medical emergency. Either way you want them to send a runner to get an emergency medical team then lock this room down. Nobody and nothing leaves, and nobody besides you and Briannah are allowed to move or even touch anything without being ordered to; Everybody is a suspect right now, whether this appears to be a medical condition or not.

Tell Briannah to sit down so you can get a look at her eye; If she objects then take on a stronger tone and all but order her to. Check her eye for signs of bleeding while you give her your handkerchief, telling her to cough into it hard and give it back. If there's blood spatter on it or bleeding from her eye then you can confidently say it's Blood Blossom poisoning. But even if there's no signs of Blood Blossom you'll still induce vomiting. While you bring out a bottle of the vomit inducer order whoever is nearest a vase, urn, or other large container to grab it and bring it to her. Don't wait for them to arrive before giving Briannah the bottle and tell her to down it, warning her it'll make her puke everything up including any ingested poison. Make sure to stand behind her when she takes it so you don't get caught in her "cone of fire." Hold her shoulder as well to try and

Once the immediate issue of Briannah is taken care of, ask if anybody else drank any of the wine, Vark or Sakkilian. Did they drink anything else? Where's that major Qelba kept interrupting? What was he (or she) doing? Did he (or she) drink anything?

Bri seems to be the only Sakkilian drinking wine. General Thalia is the only other person drinking it and seems to be alright..

Induce vomiting immediately. If you don't have those potions you may need to reach into her fangly mouth and poke at the back of her throat or something. That makes people gag, right?

>>664899
>Bri seems to be the only Sakkilian drinking wine. General Thalia is the only other person drinking it and seems to be alright.
but didn't Kronos say that something that would kill a Sakkilian would still make a varkian ill?

>>664899
The Sakkilian major that we didn't get the name of also asked for wine. Dunno if he or she got it. We also don't know what Qelba and Xarrin chose to drink.

>>664902
No, he read that most poisons that'd kill a Sakkilian would also kill a Vark. It's the ones that'd kill a Sakkillian but not a Vark would still leave a Vark ill. And Blood Blossom is in the latter category, leaving the Vark with a high fever and weakened body which might be fatal if they're already weak from age or illness.

Don't overreact or anything, but just be prepared if the symptoms get worse.

>>664895
Addendum: Check Briannah's nostrils and mouth for blood before checking her eye since if it's Blood Blossom poisoning those two are more likely to bleed first.

She's either having an allergic reaction or she's been poisoned, call the healers. Preferably healers long under your own employ - loyal ones you can trust.

Use the potion that induces vomiting in the meantime.

Kronos 2015/08/29(Sat)11:18 No. 665561 ID: 65a774
File 144087231162.png - (34.58KB , 686x526 , 24.png )

>Call the healers.
Y-yes, of course! I’ll get r-right on that!
>Check Briannah's nostrils and mouth for blood to see if it’s blood blossom.
You can’t see any kind of blood or other odd fluids. She is starting to turn a bit pale, though…
>Try asking Briannah how she feels.
*Wheeze* g-g-get*Cough*ard*Gasp*bre*cough*cough*

Briannah falls to her knees, as she starts to panic from the inability to breathe.

>In case this is just a respiratory or other medical condition like allergies Briannah didn't tell you about, quickly ask her if it's anything like that.
‘er ‘ighness isn’t allergic to anything nor does she ‘ave any other condition that should do something like this.
Doxan?
No time for reunions, Prince. She’s suffocating!
*Garg!*
>See if it's just something lodged in her throat first.
This is clearly some kind of poison effect! Get away from ‘er and I’ll try to-
Wait, I think I know what to do. Quick, grab something she can puke in… anything!
…right away, sir…

>But even if there's no signs of Blood Blossom you'll still induce vomiting.
When you tell Briannah you have something that will help her, she visibly calms down and let you pour the vomit inducer into her maw, which she greedily gulps down to the best of her abilities.

*BARF!*

Luckily, Doxan was right on time with an empty urn in hand.

*GASP!* WHEEZE* ugh…*gasp*…
Who should have done this!?

>Also who else drank that wine and how are they doing right now.
Oh no! I did!
And so d-
Don’t worry, it seems the only glass with poison in it was Briannah… it seems to be a substance called Chocking Willow… wait, what is this? Why is the same substance coated on your pocket, Major Qelba?
W-what? I d-don’t ‘now what yah’re talking a-about…
Don’t move an inch, Major…
Here… there’s a small bag full of… chocking willow?
T-that’s n-not mine!
Hey! You were the one who came with her drink! It has to have been you who poisoned it!
:XarringSB: This is an outrage!
T-t-this must b-be some k-kind of misunderstanding! I w-would n-never-
They are going to ‘ave ye ‘ead for this, traitor…
I’M NO TRAITOR! I was set up!
…interesting… why doesn’t he have any on his hands?

>Ask Qelba where he got that wine from.
I-it was right o-over there… w-with the tea…
They brought it in before the meeting… both of them ‘as been before being delivered, so they should be poison free.

>Be sure to give her a tummy rub.
T-tha… y…h…

…in the corner of your eye, you spot a single white dove flying away from the windowsill.

Indeed it was a set up. From a mysterious origin.

Sisah brings up a good point, before we immediately charge Qelba as a traitor check everyone's hands for any trace of the poison.

littlebeast 2015/08/29(Sat)12:36 No. 665573 ID: 99cfa8

>>665570
Make sure you check Xarrin, specifically, since he was the other fetching drinks.

Also, Major Unimportant, just because he'd be ready to overlook.

Hopefully it wasn't done by the dove, because hoo boy is that gonna make you look crazy to put out as a theory.

>>665561
If this is a setup, then it was someone who was near enough to Qelba en route to stash the poison on him and poison the wine glass. That narrows down the suspects, but since Sisah can detect the poison she can check everyone's hands and clothes if necessary. Whoever has traces of it on their hands is the poisoner. If NOBODY has traces... then someone did it and escaped. I mean, c'mon. The guy being implicated is well known for despising spies and assassins. If he wanted to kill Briannah he'd do it more directly, like by ambushing her with a band of mercenaries or something.

My guess is that the Major was considering it, but he didn't actually do it or else there would be some trace residue on his hands or coat sleeves. Check around for anything that he could have used to move the poison, including powers and one-time enchantments.

There's too much floating evidence and not enough time. Dismiss the case to throw Illasia off, and get started on preventing the next attempt.

Detain him, for his safety and others, not quite sure which, yet. This doesn't leave the room, everyone hear? And for the love of all that is good, someone hurry with the doctors!

Just detain him for now and launch a proper investigation. Not going to say we know the guy well enough say he's innocent but from we have heard of the guy he's so damn honor bound that he POISONING someone just strikes me as odd to say the least. Besides what would he have to gain if he did poison Briannah and it seceded?

That dove showing up here could easily be a coincidence since the palace seems to have loads of those flying white rats nesting about, but you have the feeling it wasn't. Either Illasia was watching to see if whoever was her agent here succeeded in poisoning Briannah, or she caught wind of the poison plot and wanted to see if it worked. ...Or maybe the dove somehow was involved in the poisoning attempt. Well, whether she was involved or not, all you can do right now is follow the trail of Choking Willow and see where it leads.

You'd think at first that Major Qelba did it, since the pouch of Choking Willow was in his pocket and he started stuttering and acting very nervous when Sisah found it, but the lack of traces of poison on his hands rules him out... Unless he somehow cleaned his hands after applying it, but you doubt he could have done that without anybody noticing. So it's likely it was slipped into his pocket by another, either after they poisoned Briannah's wine or before the meeting in order to frame him for the poisoning. There may be another with the same skill as Doxan, or even better than him, who did this. Though, you would very much like to know why Qelba started stuttering as soon as Sisah found the poison in his pocket.

Ask everybody besides Sisah to stay where they are; You don't want them spreading around any traces of Choking Willow that may be on the floor. Also ask them to keep their hands where we can all see them; You don't want anybody surreptitiously wiping or cleaning traces of the poison off their hands. Ask Sisah to scan the whole floor for traces of Choking Willow, followed by the counter where the wine was, the tables, the doorknobs and then the hands, clothes and shoes/feet of everyone here. And when you say "everyone" you mean absolutely everyone, including Doxan, yourself and Briannah; You want to be absolutely thorough here.

It's unfortunate that Sisah handled the bag of Choking Willow since how you can't get a swab from her hands for later poison analysis to rule out her possible involvement. For now you just have to trust that she didn't have a part in it and what she's saying her scans indicate is true.

About how big and light is the bag of Choking Willow? You think a dove could have carried it in?

Ask a couple guards to help Briannah up off the floor and over to lay on a couch or at least into a chair so she can be more comfortable while she recovers. Get Briannah a cup of water to rinse her mouth out with; There's usually a tray with a pitcher of water and some glasses at meetings, but if there isn't ask a guard to go get one. Make sure Sisah scans it before Briannah drinks it. And stay by Briannah's side the whole time, holding her arm to comfort her.

Whisper to Briannah at some point that you both have Cain to thank since he's the one who remembered to bring you the bottles of vomit inducer this evening after you forgot them in your clothes from last night.

After this episode you're certainly going to put books on poisons at the top of your study list. Memorizing a comprehensive list of known poisons for both Sakkilians and Varks and their counters will likely save your life or Briannahs'.

Also, how's Briannah holding up?

Qelba is know for despising assassins and stealth., Briannah herself told you his loyalty is why he was trusted to be here despite his hatred for Varkians. Give him the benefit of the doubt; believe him when he says he was set up until you have more proof.

He has no traces of poison on his hands. Have Sisah look around for discarded gloves that do have traces of the poison.

Be sure to examine every detail of the crime scene before jumping to conclusions.

>>665634
Also check the hands of anyone who's wearing gloves right now in case they put them on after adding the poison. Oh, and also empty out everybody's pockets.

Kronos 2015/09/01(Tue)09:24 No. 666266 ID: 65a774
File 144112468566.png - (40.19KB , 686x526 , 25.png )

>About how big and light is the bag of Choking Willow?
It’s a small linen bag, probably doesn’t even weight more than a kilo.
>Memorizing a comprehensive list of known poisons for both Sakkilians and Varks and their counters will likely save your life or Briannahs'.
There’s bound to be thousands of different poisons! There’s no way you can memorize them all.
>Ask a couple guards to help Briannah up off the floor and over to lay on a couch or at least into a chair so she can be more comfortable while she recovers.
She’s already recovered enough to crawl back into her chair… though it doesn’t seem like she’ll be getting out of it any time soon.

>Ask everybody besides Sisah to stay where they are; You don't want them spreading around any traces of Choking Willow that may be on the floor.
I don’t think we have a choice, considering this is now a crime scene and we’re all suspected…
>Ask Sisah to scan the whole floor for traces of Choking Willow, followed by the counter where the wine was, the tables, the doorknobs and then the hands, clothes and shoes/feet of everyone here.
There are some traces of it the counter where the wine was, but all hands and other limbs are clean on everyone.
>Make sure you check Xarrin, specifically, since he was the other fetching drinks.
H-hey…
Hmm… no, nothing…
>Also check the hands of anyone who's wearing gloves right now in case they put them on after adding the poison.
See, clean as a whistle.
I can’t say I agree, but no traces of poison here either…
>Oh, and also empty out everybody's pockets.
Lint… coins… pipe… glasses… no poison.
>Check around for anything that he could have used to move the poison.
Oh, I got something. There are traces of poison in the trash can! It’s faint, put it’s there.
…old food, pieces of paper, ‘alf used candle… did the assassin use a piece of junk to ‘andle the poison with?

>You would very much like to know why Qelba started stuttering as soon as Sisah found the poison in his pocket.
‘ow am I supposed to react when someone find a bag of poison on your person while someone very important to the Empress ‘erself is dying in front of yah!?
>The guy being implicated is well known for despising spies and assassins. If he wanted to kill Briannah he'd do it more directly, like by ambushing her with a band of mercenaries or something.
Indeed… if I wanted ‘er gone, I would challenge ‘er to an duel!
>Detain him, for his safety and others, not quite sure which, yet.
Understandable… I do ‘ope yah ‘ave a cell for more noble captives…
Guards, take him away for further questioning.
Yes, sir.

>Also, how's Briannah holding up?
ugh… a-apart from f…f-feeling c-com…complete ssshit I’m j-just d…d…dandy…
Well, at least you’re good enough to talk…
>Get Briannah a cup of water to rinse her mouth out with; There's usually a tray with a pitcher of water and some glasses at meetings.
T-thanks…
>And stay by Briannah's side the whole time, holding her arm to comfort her.
She wags her tail a bit when you grab her arm and sit down next to her…

>And for the love of all that is good, someone hurry with the doctors!
Sir, can you please move aside so we can take a look at the patient.
Oh, of course.

…

So… how is she?
She’s doing rather well, sir. We’ll need to escort her to the medical wing, give her some healing magic and some rest, but she’ll probably be her normal self by tomorrow, sir.
That’s good to hear.
Oh, and she requested that you visit her later. She wanted to talk to you about something.
Noted.

So… it seems this meeting is over. You should stay and try to find any new clues about the poisoning… or leave it to the guard to take care of it. Maybe you should follow Briannah and keep her company… but you’re not even sure if they’ll allow you to keep her company while they are treating her. You guess you should also do the other things you planned before bed… like the weird prayers to the other gods and stuff like that.

Go out into the city, find some mercs to hire. You need defensive units to defend against further assassination attempts. If you're worried that they might turn on you, just show them Xuv and promise them power.

i guess. maybe ask xuv to 'take her time' getting to you if someone does something that results in you dying.

>>666266
So, the poisoner used a piece of paper to move the poison. Folded in half to guide it like a funnel. Hang on, who was near the trash can? Can we retrace everyone's steps to eliminate suspects?

Honestly if it's not Qelba then it has to be Xarrin, the only other person who was near the drinks when they were being poured. He asked Qelba to come help him, and he was sweet-talking both Kronos and Briannah the whole time... can we check his background? Any spy experience? Relation to anti-varkian groups? Oh well put him in jail too since we can't really prove it. Tempting to put them in the same cell, see if the innocent man can get the guilty one to crack.
...it really doesn't make sense that the poisoner would put the poison back in their pocket afterwards, either. They'd ditch it in the trash, at least.

I wish we could check for fingerprints or something.

ok before everyone leaves the room, at least tell me what the fifth guy looks like. The one that everyone seemed to ignore and barely even acknowledged his presents. We can ask Briannah later for the guy's name. Not to sure what we can do to help with the investigation but might as well stay to see what we can find. What with the super eye body guard and whatnot. Then we can visit Briannah in the medical wing.

Investigate what happened.

>>666266
Where did Major Unimportant go?

Oooooohhh, wait I know how to deal with this. Tell Qelba how we think Xarrin is the poisoner and was trying to frame him, but we have no proof aside from him being really the only other person who could have done it. Suggest he challenge Xarrin to a duel, that will solve the problem.

>>666490
I feel like the flamboyant asskisser is too obvious as well. We need more evidence.