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881374 No. 881374 ID: bfb318

Previous Threads/Wiki: http://tgchan.org/wiki/Fen_Quest
Inventory and Other Info: http://tgchan.org/wiki/Fen_Quest_Statistics
Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/Lagotrope

The plans that Zall had for us appear to be plans for an unknown future date.

>"I can ask one of the others for this, Fen." says Aira. "You don't have to spar with me."
"I want to. The only thing else we've been given are jobs that don't pay well or don't mean anything."

Holly hands me a drink. It's just water.

>"You should at least spar someone good." Aira continues.
>"Hey, you." says Holly. "Quit acting down on yourself. Besides, without that excuse, Fen would just get stuck with Orjin running up and down the whole tomb system."
"No one else is around to spar with, anyway, except Sir Mopp, and he's busy. Everyone else is doing work, or... today is the 49th, right?"
>"Yes." Holly answers. "It's mail day, so anyone still around here is waiting at their camp for delivery. That's why it's so slow today, or at least now. Once the letters come in, and people get their spending money, this place will get packed."

The only worthwhile event in the past five or so days, since we came down into this new base, has been the completion of my helmet and greaves. We've been told very little.
Expand all images
>>
No. 881378 ID: 86eb65

Sparing is good for both of us Aira. Its excellent practice and good for teamwork so we know how the other one fights.

Do some sparing and explor the camp later. You want to know where everything is in case of emergency. Never know when assassins after your bounty or a wave of undead might get deposited in your lap. Knowing the terrain will save your ass in that situation.

What do your armor pieces look like? Do they fit nicely and have you had a chance to practice with them? Get some blood drawn on the maw so people know to fear you?
>>
No. 881382 ID: 3abd97

>>"You should at least spar someone good." Aira continues.
I'm pretty sure if you were bad, you wouldn't have made it this far.

We're probably hard pressed to find someone on Fen's level, but it's not as if Aira is bad either.

>It's mail day, so anyone still around here is waiting at their camp for delivery.
Did you already get your mail, or were you going to check after the rush was over?
>>
No. 881385 ID: e1c8f7

Join a fight club.
>>
No. 881386 ID: 094652

Ask if Holly could get your mail for you while you spar. If that's not allowed, just play chess while in line.

Any new missions expected to come up this week?
>>
No. 881387 ID: a10c98

You still look a bit banged up, Fen. Looks like Holly's digs have gotten better, though?

If you're this bored, I assume you've been catching up with everything someone of your rank, and at least the next one up if not the one after that too, is supposed to know?
>>
No. 881391 ID: 8a55a9

>>881385
Forget that, FORM a fight club. Why just gain experience when you can get bet money too? The time is right too, everyone's going to have money burning holes in their pockets!
>>
No. 881406 ID: a363ac

>>881391
why not.
>>
No. 881407 ID: c0641d

IT’S HAPPENIIIIIIIIIING!!! 8D 8D 8D

“... It makes no difference if what you say about yourself is true, Aira. It would just mean that you have more to gain from the experience than I. This is fine by me.” Get up, and motion her to follow. “It is said that to teach is the truest test, after all. Or will you prove yourself wrong?”
>>
No. 881409 ID: deec6e

Hmm. Zall must be, understandably, busy and unable to enact his plans the way he wants to at the moment, but once he's freed up he probably intends get around to it right away. I see no reason why he'd keep you waiting near camp otherwise and probably piss of Sir Orjin with do-nothing tasks.

It gets you extra downtime at least, and on the one hand, downtime would usually be good for getting personal stuff done, but on the other hand, there's not much to do down here but train, and it sounds like that's getting a little stale. Let's hope Zall's plans don't get delayed too long... but in the meantime you might want to change things up a bit.

Grab Aira for sparring - and as she appears to be down on herself and struggling to relearn to fight with only one eye, make up a similar handicap for yourself - an eyepatch that forces you to learn to deal with a new blind zone. This way you can teach each other the tricks for dealing with it - and here Aira should have a head start on you.

Speaking of, how's her eye coming along? Is there hope for an inexpensive recovery?

You could also try training both of your mana sensing - since that's independent of eyesight the benefits are doubly so for Aira. And hey, we didn't think of this earlier, but you've received some moderately strong magical gear now. Couldn't you use that to test your ability to distinguish between magical stuff and not by placing it at various distances, or hiding it within a room and having the other try to search for and find it?

>helmet and greaves done

Neat. How's the quality and fit turning out, by the way? Is the whole set complete now? Oh, and we went with the established high-quality smith and not the up-and-coming novice, right?

>mail day

Intend to check on your mail when it arrives.
>>
No. 881410 ID: 15a025

>New Equipment
How'd it all turn out?

>Mail Day
Anything you know of coming for you?
>>
No. 881413 ID: deec6e

>>881409

Oh right, should've double-checked the Quest Staitics. Full armor set is supposed to be done by the 65th.
>>
No. 881443 ID: eeb7d9

Come on Aria, don't be a slack. You and me both need to improve your sword fighting. It is important as well becouse we are in the same team, and we need to know each other on the fiel, how we react while fighting. Rest assured, i will probably ask Orjin for a sparring session eventually, but now he would probably send me off to do something else.
>>
No. 881445 ID: 0c3c2c

>>881374
Awesome! Time to have a good time improving our friend's skills and becoming a better teacher.

Also, that guy to your right has an eyepatch. He must have a valuable skill or he wouldn't be kept around.
>>
No. 881450 ID: 10c408

>>881445
...That's Aira you are talking about, in side profile. She's not off-screen.

Anyways... If it's a slow day and Aira doesn't want to spar, then there's no reason not to trawl the rumor mill a bit in case Holly knows anything useful.

Or just do the heavy armor exercise that Sir Orjin taught you.
>>
No. 881452 ID: 3cc68c

Fen why have you not used your down time to seduce all the ladies here?
>>
No. 881453 ID: 91ee5f

>>881374
>completion of my helmet and greaves.
Have you tried them on yet? How do they feel compared to what you were using before?

It’s been a while since we talked about it, but did we commission the entire armor or did we only get the helmet and greaves?

>>881445
I’m pretty sure the eyepatch person is Aira.
>>
No. 881472 ID: bfb318
File 152501060509.png - (19.85KB , 800x800 , 1039.png )
881472

"Okay. You can receive mail, right?"
>"That's right, we have it set up like so I can get everyone's."

There are runners that deliver an individual's mail to their camp station, which in our case, is right here, in Holly's tavern that now looks like other tavern's I've seen in the empire. If we or Holly aren't around to pick up mail, it gets left at the mail station, and I hear it takes a long time to get mail from there. I'm expecting something from Cheese, so I want to get it immediately.

"It's good to see how the other fights anyway, if we keep going on missions together. If you were bad, you would be dead, and if you don't think you're good enough, then you just have more to gain from sparring."

Aira grunts. She may be hiding her frustration about how difficult it is to get used to fighting with her eyepatch. We've already done some sparring yesterday.

We've all gotten 10 gold each for successfully delivering a full set of antlers from the white worm. Some of us have been spending it better than others. Aira has used a small portion for a healer's guidance. A wizard would still be expensive, as apparently eye damage is more difficult to repair than a flesh wound. She decided to wait and see if her eye improves, and instead spent much of the money on custom armor.

"Aira, when we spar next, I can use an eyepatch and see if I can't give you any pointers."
>"Okay."
"Hm... Holly, are there fight clubs?"
>"... I'm not sure 'club' is the right word, but there are fighting rings. Don't bother with those, not yet. It's just gambling and nasty business, so don't bring that on yourself while down here. If you want to fight with like minded fighters... I can find a place, just give me time."
"Thank you. Aira, let's spar again."
>"Mail, first."
"Okay."

I continue training my mana sense. I've been doing so whenever I can afford the focus, along with exploring the base. Many people are calling it the Cranium, due to it being a dome structure at the top of the necromile. It was made with utility and storage in mind, which made it easy to take over for the army's purposes. The layout seems efficient, yet much of it looks the same, and with most buildings being enormous collections of inner rooms, the entire place is easy to get lost in. I've studied various escape routes in case I get attacked.
>>
No. 881473 ID: bfb318
File 152501061314.png - (33.27KB , 800x800 , 1040.png )
881473

I think to myself while I wait for mail. It fits well and I'm happy with it so far. I'm glad I chose the high quality smith, even if it won't be another three weeks before I get the full set. I've worn it occasionally to get used to having it on, but I should start sparring with it.

I've gotten jokes from... pretty much everyone about how I keep ending up in the tavern with just Holly and Aira. I think rumors are getting spread behind my back, but I'm not sure what the big deal would be if the rumors were true. It isn't like the people spreading rumors know I'm going after Lily. I haven't seen the construct since she was taken in for questioning, but to see her without a purpose is just inviting complications.

>"Mail, Sir Orjin and his knights!" a mountain calls out in the building.
>"In here!" Holly calls.
>>
No. 881474 ID: bfb318
File 152501062110.png - (19.76KB , 800x800 , 1041.png )
881474

Holly collects our mail, handing out the ones for those who are here and storing the rest.

There is a package from Cheese. I occasionally flip the paper to ask Holly help me read some of the words.

>Hi! I'm doing well, thank you for asking! Things are still chaotic at the Fence. Gauche really ramped up security around town, including and especially around himself. Anyway enough about stuff up here. I packaged a small drink from our mutual friend. I hope it reaches you safely, it's the same one you had before. Also, if you didn't find 15 gold in this package, then someone better be dead! It's a lot, so be careful with it, okay? If it's not there, well, I hope someone dies for it, because I did things that maybe someone didn't want me to do to send you it. Don't worry about it!
>Sooo... Garlic Soup's alive? He was my sibling, yes - family sibling that is, not blood sibling. He went missing over a decade ago, but sometimes mutants just go wander off to die on their own. It's polite among many of us, but I guess he'd rather try to shoot for the moon over just giving up and dying. He might even try and recruit you. And he'd mean what he says, too! Not to say you should do it.
>Then again, I might not know him that well anymore. 10 years is a long time. I guess it doesn't matter, he does have to die. If you get a chance to talk to him safely, please send him my regards and tell him we all miss him, even if he can't come back anymore.


In the package is 15 gold and an antidote. I accidentally let Holly and Aira see, though Aira has virtually no reaction.

>"Whoa." says Holly.
"I requested this over a week ago. I don't know how I would spend this much."
>"You can find a way, I'm sure. I'll put it in the bank for you."

There is also a letter from Zizi.

>Hey again bro! I sent a letter last week, and I completely forgot to tell you to write us back even if you don't think you have anything to say! If you already sent mail then this letter was pointless. Dump it, and keep writing every week!

I've already sent a letter back to Zizi, asking more direct questions about what he might know. He should be getting it soon, hopefully, since I paid some money to get a runner to deliver to him. He might know something about Momo. I'll attempt to remember to write him again like he asked later, in case I think of things I'd like to ask him during the next week.

Lastly, a an anonymous package with a thick pair of socks inside.
>Hey, this is your lazy guard friend turned hard worker. My new job's tough and immediately comes with a bad reputation, so I don't want friends or acquaintances to get associated with my line of work. I'm hoping you can guess who I am. It's surprisingly dangerous, not like you wouldn't know about that. So far I've avoided anything worse than getting spat on, although that's happened a lot so far. I'd talk about how you can at least face your enemies, but Krix has a knife with your name on it, so you have to watch your back too. Please respond so I know I can have some faith in the mail system, and maybe I'll talk more about it later if you're willing.
>By the way, they gave me nice socks since it gets cold down here even in summer. I only need the shoes to keep the grime off my feet, and you could use the warmth more. They should last awhile.

>>
No. 881475 ID: 86eb65

Inspect socks for secrets.

Then write a response to each of them before you go eyepatch training.

To Cheese:

Thanks a bunch for the stuff. Everything got here ok so we can trust in the mail at least for the moment. I fought Garlic and managed to really piss off some necromancers by staying alive and ruining lots of there plans. Will tell Garlic hi If I see him again.

I met a southern mage named Momo. Some old girlfriend of my brother who has a beef with the empire. The necromancers gave her access to there power batteries and she tried to throw everything at me. She manged to create a clone of lily after casting a nightmare spell? I really need to know more about how magic works because that was very confusing. The clone is off somewhere with the officers now.

Anyway take good care of yourself Cheese. If you remember our mutual guard friend from the trial see if you can assist him in staying alive and well. And thank you so much for everything. Hopefully will be able to visit after killing all the necromancers. Love Fen.


To Zizi:

The more I live in the outside world the more I realize that you are either the best or worst brother ever. If I keep running into your crazy ex's that I have never heard about I will start leaning more to the latter. Not much to report since the last letter just want to keep in touch. Will probably be involved big time in the final attacks down here so am getting as much practice in as as I can. Tell everyone I love them and am doing great. If you want to send word to Momo do so quick cause there is a decent chance I will kill her at some point. Any tips for sensing mana or using magic? If it turns out you are a secret mage I would not be surprised. Love Fen.


To Sock guard:

Thanks for the Socks. Have ran into a few squads of idiots from our mutual warlord friend. They did not make it far. Will stay on the look out though. If you need anything feel free to ask our mutual dairy themed friend. I am sad to say that your bow was lost during a mission to destroy a giant frost worm death field. But might be able to track it down now that we cleared that out. Anyways we are close to what looks to be the final push down here. Will keep in touch. Love Fen.
>>
No. 881478 ID: 830fb7

>>881475
This sounds good but instead of fighting with an eye patch you should try fighting blindfolded. Sir Orjin basicly told you to practice like this in >>829221 where he said
>>”"You idiots can't sense magic well enough to dodge punches with your eyes shut, can you?” .
So you should start getting your blind fighting practice in becouse you don’t know when it’ll come in handy, plus it’ll help with your mana sense training.
>>
No. 881489 ID: 3cc68c

Fen I can't help but notice that the girl without the huge bounty on her head and no warlord kill squads after her is wearing armor and you are basically naked.

You need to work on your assassin paranoia levels. Safe spots like the bar and the bathroom are the best places to kill someone.

Write some responses to those letters and go blindfold it up to train with Aira.

As for the jokes you might be after Lily but there are plenty of cute girls right here that like you and owe you there lives. Pretty sure kobolds are not horribly monogamous so everyone probably thinks you are hanging out with your harem.
>>
No. 881497 ID: 3abd97

>She may be hiding her frustration about how difficult it is to get used to fighting with her eyepatch.
There's a possible handicap for training or sparring. Practice with different injuries and learn how to cope in case it comes up later. (Cover an eye, plug your ears, bind an arm or a leg, etc).

It wouldn't exactly be fair to practice with Aira while assuming the same handicap as her, though. Real life won't be that kind, and I doubt she'll be able to avoid getting into a real fight before she's healed up.

>In the package is 15 gold and an antidote.
That means Cheese is still in close contact with the other mutants, at least. That vial might have traveled from Erja Nokol to Turtle's Hideaway and back.

>By the way, they gave me nice socks since it gets cold down here even in summer. I only need the shoes to keep the grime off my feet, and you could use the warmth more. They should last awhile.
That's... suspicious as all heck. Examine the socks. Did Moss hide something in them?

>letters
How long do we have till the next time mail is shipped out? We want to keep in contact with people, but we might want to wait for something new to happen before writing the next batch. Presumably Fen's already sent messages on recent events.
>>
No. 881501 ID: 6bcf97

I wonder if you should try sparring with Holly some time? She was in the army. I know she's missing a leg and all but there are a lot of injuries that will disable a limb or two even just temporarily, so it might be worth getting in a little practice with things like fighting with one of your legs tied up or an arm tied down or even with your tail curled up or around so your balance is off. I assume you've been practicing using your sword with both hands. That can fit in with fighting with one eye, too.
>>
No. 881502 ID: 10c408

yeah, I have to agree about the armor. If you got attacked/undead broke in right now you wouldn't be in sooo much shit from enemy forces along with your allies for not having it on.

Investigate socks in private, palm the vial and hope that Holly was distracted by the pile of money you just acquired and won't remember seeing the vial.
>>
No. 881506 ID: eeb7d9

>>881475
This sounds perfect. I would argue that Fen isn't that sassy, but he should start get a sassy attitude, so go right ahead.

>>881489
Well, given the fact that Fen has shown some skill in regards killing people that try to kill him, before and after joining the army, i would like to think that people are taking him more serious. If we get "lucky", people more competent will start to go after him, and no some potato heads. That said, he should start pay more atention and develope a sence of selfawareness. He is an assassin, after all. Kind of.
>>
No. 881507 ID: 0c3c2c

>>881474
Check the socks for secrets. Also, take the gold to the bank ASAP. Also, did the Knight Commander want to know about your universal antidote? I forget.
>>
No. 881538 ID: deec6e

Poor Aira seems a little demotivated. She's racking down on herself, saying you don't have to help her, answering in monosyllables and doesn't even react to the sight of a sudden pile of gold. Did the wizard mention the range in gold it might cost to get her eye fixed? Is the price of fixing it that's got her so down? Or is there something else going on?

>Equipment question

Did we end up returning any of the gear we were given for our commando raid on the Frost Worm, or does Fen still have enchanted arrows and stuff?

>Letters

Get Aira and Holly to help you write a few letters in response. Remember that the army is probably going to be reading these letters, both incoming and outgoing, so there's a limit to what you should say directly. Mentioning the simulacrum is probably out since it's not exactly common knowledge that Shup's fiancee has a doppleganger now.

To Cheese:

- You are glad to hear that she, and also Sir Gauche, remain well and safe. Is there special cause for concern about their safety? Offer thanks for the coin - that should be enough - and the information on Garlic Soup. If she could include a a description or a sketch of how they used to look in her next letter you'd appreciate it, since you haven't actually met them in person, only through possessed undead.

- Relate your experiences and give her the gist of what is going on. Of mutant note is the other necromancer called 'Death Carrot'. Would she know of them? Additonally, has she heard of this southern wizard Momo 'The Conjurer of Nightmares'? Apparently she would've been active in the Empire around the time your brother was in the army.

- Verify that Krix is sending down desperate bounty hunters and that getting tarred for the offense of trying to kill you does not appear to be a deterrent. Tell her to pass along word if she gets wind of the Warlord doing anything else - like starting to send actual competent people.

- She may have noticed the legibility of your letters of late. You're currently borrowing the skills of a friend who has proven themselves quite dependable. They will be passing along your belongings to Cheese should you die or disappear down here, since apparently planning on dying is a thing.

- Wish her well and best of luck with mending Fence, from her barbarian friend.

To Zizi:

- You're still fine and things are going about as well as they could, you think You've lost some aquaintances, but you expected as much out of war, and you're starting to earn a name for yourself outside of being a gold noble's killer.

- Say that tales of strangeness in Erja Nokol are not unfounded and relate some of the more fantastical things you've seen.

- Mention pointedly that you met Zizi's 'feathered girl' during your getaway from the clash and ended up splashing her with some burning oil to drive her off. She seemed disappointed Zizi hadn't even mentioned her. You are equally disappointed someone who could conjure up your worst nightmare failed to make an appearance in Zizi's tales.

- Apparently your worst nightmare is unreciprocated love. Southern magic is strange stuff.

- Tell them you love them and miss them, but that you do not regret leaving home. It's been strange and different, and at times difficult, but it has also been good and interesting. You've learned a lot.

To Moss:

- Letter arrived fine, gift included. You can appreciate the socks as it's certainly been cold down here - and then some - although it almost sounds preferable to the kind of heat he gets to deal with. You sympathize and wish there was more you could do for him. Share some of your experiences and stories, but try to leave it vague, as if the respondent isn't you, but some soldiery acquaintance. You don't know if someone on Moss' end is reading Moss' letters, after all.

- Say that you've already had a run-in with a very blunt knife that was so badly handled that it ended up in the tar. You'll stay on your toes, however, in case Krix sharpens the next one.

- Report that you've lost the bow he borrowed you in a skirmish. You'll still repay him - in fact, you've done well enough that if he needs some spending money you can pay it down. ((We technically still owe Moss 40 silver - or 1 gold - for the bow that we got way back in Thread 2.))

- Wish him best of luck and that you hope to see him again someday. You'll owe him a drink for the socks at the very least.
>>
No. 881550 ID: b1b4f3

>>881475
I don't think "sock guard" is friends with Cheese. Probably best not to imply that.
>>
No. 881551 ID: 3abd97

>>881538
I think you're crossing into TMI, there. We do want to share essential information our allies, and not neglect them either, but you have to account for the fact the army might be reading our mail, or it might be intercepted by others. Don't want to go giving out all the details like "exactly how and why someone's complicated southern magic backfired". I don't think it would cheer moss up to hear what happened to his bow, or our plans on playing him back (we should just do that at some point, not talk about it). Etc.

The other thing is everything we're putting on paper is something we're choosing to tell Holly. And while she's pretty solidly in our corner, some secrets might be best told to her before she finds them out in dictation?
>>
No. 881557 ID: deec6e

>>881551

Winding back mentions of love and southern magic would be fine if it's an issue. I'd forgotten Holly doesn't know about Fen's ambitions to seek to marry Lily - I tried to keep it obtuse, but more discretion wouldn't hurt.

I find it likely that the army might know about Fen's infatuation by now, having interrogated Simu-Lily. And Holly DOES know about the existence of Simu-Lily, since she's reported in on her to Fen earlier, so whatever the story is on there being a copy of Lord Shup's fiancee around, she'd know it.

I had forgot the fact it might get intercepted by not-army types, though, which is a good point.

On paying Moss back, fair point. I'd suggest sending the money right away, excepting the minor worry that a Krix guard being sent money out of nowhere from Erja Nokol from might seem... worrying to anyone on Krix's team if it's actually intercepted. Maybe we'll just test the waters with 'safe' letters and give the money to him later.
>>
No. 881573 ID: 91ee5f

>>881474
Whenever you write back to Moss, don’t address him as Moss, since he purposefully didn’t put his name on this letter. Instead, call him Sock Guard, and then remember to send him the silver you owe him for giving you his bow, along with an apology for taking so long to pay him for it.
>>
No. 881604 ID: bfb318
File 152504741628.png - (15.18KB , 800x800 , 1042.png )
881604

I pocket the vial.

"Holly, I'd like help writing letters again."
>"Drink, please." says Aira, who I'll have to keep waiting again.
>"Sure, Fen, I'll start, but remember the next warp isn't until the 55th. Mail won't go out any sooner if you mail it now."
"Okay."

I'll tell Cheese thanks, and some light details about fighting Garlic's monster along with Momo, who created a clone of Lily. I need to know more about how magic works. She should take care of herself, and that our mutaul guard friend should be helped if she's in a position for it. Still, she should remain out of unnecessary trouble. I also ask if she can give me a sketch or more information on Garlic Soup, or if possible, Death Carrot. I reiterate I'd like her to be thorough. On top of that, I want to know if more reputable assassins after me. Holly tells me I probably shouldn't mention Lily yet, so I omit that. Instead, I end the letter saying I've written a will, as apparently the empire's people has plans for dying.

I consider asking her to verify she got my information about how Zall is trying to gather antidote making abominations, but she must have seen it if she otherwise got my letter. Zall has wanted to know more, but he didn't force me to give up information about how I got the antidote, and is instead simply trying to find those mutants himself to put into the army.

To Zizi, I ask him if he's a wizard, because he wouldn't have told me if he was. Also, that I've ran into Momo, a feathered girl, who claims that she has dated him. I would like to know more about this, please do it before I come home prematurely just to find out, because this is important to me. Also that I hope he does not mind if I lit her on fire with a bottle, but I may run into her again, so if he has anything to say to her, he can let me know. It will take awhile for me to get used to this mail system. I end the letter saying to tell everyone I love them, and that my worst nightmare is apparently unreciprocated love from the one who I love.

To Moss, who I call sock guard. I thank him for the socks, as it has been cold here. I sympathize with him, and wish there was more I could do, at least now. I also mention I do have to stay on my toes, as blades against me may be sharpened. We may be on a final push down here, and I will keep in touch and purchase him alcohol if he still enjoys bad tasting drinks when I see him next. Also, I think I paid him back for the item in question, but just in case I ask him to confirm that he received silver from me.

Now that I think about Krix's assassins, I should start wearing my armor all the time.

I move to the farther corner of the room and inspect the socks, as it is an odd, if thoughtful, gift. I unravel them and reach inside. There is a key, and a note that says 'floor 5.'

I also fill the letters in with details they don't already know that I can talk about, and keep it especially vague in Moss's sake.
>>
No. 881605 ID: bfb318
File 152504747050.png - (27.18KB , 800x800 , 1043.png )
881605

If I think of anything I said in a letter I shouldn't have, I can have Holly change it.

I leave my gold with Mopp, who moves it to a more formal bank for us for safekeeping.

Aira and I go into one of the rooms adjacent to the tavern to spar. Holly will start being busy working the tavern, so she'll have to give us advice about fighting with one leg later. Since threats won't wear an eyepatch for Aira's sake, I first spar with her normally, with my helmet. My first idea ended up having too large of a gap for the eyes for anyone's recommendation for me, so I got something between that and what Veiza had, and made it colored to be more fitting for the remaining pieces.

"Are you feeling alright, Aira?"
>"Yes, you haven't been striking me hard."
"I mean that you have been quiet and subdued lately. You were talkative after getting the antlers."
>"This is how I normally am. The antler run was not usual. It won't get in the way of my fighting."

She's at least right about that. Despite looking demotivated, she is fighting well.

Then I do blindfold myself some for magic sense, as well as cover just one eye. We also emulate different injuries by binding each other's limbs in specific disabling ways so that we can only fight with one arm or one leg.

It's clumsy work, and we find that it's effective to simply tackle the person since their balance is so bad.
>>
No. 881606 ID: bfb318
File 152504748719.png - (53.83KB , 1200x800 , 1044.png )
881606

On my turn, while my arm is tied up to emulate it missing, Aira pushes and pins me onto the wall right about the same time the door flies open. Orjin starts yelling before the door's more than halfway open.

"Fen and Aira!" The door slams on the wall. "I left you explicit orders to fuck the enemy up, so explain to me why you are in the process of fucking one another! Aira! Report!"

I am beginning to understand why these rumors have had weight lately.

>"Sir, I am almost fully used to fighting without my left eye."
"The hell happened to healing it?! Did Fen's dick poke it out or something?!"
>"Sir, I have not nor do I have any intention of exposing my eye - "
"Fen! Report!"
>>
No. 881608 ID: 86eb65

Practicing how to fight in all conditions sir.
>>
No. 881613 ID: 10c408

"Sorry sir, couldn't locate the enemy or any fucks!"
>>
No. 881614 ID: 3abd97

>"Fen! Report!"
My nickname is "Red Maw" not "Eyefucker", sir.
>>
No. 881615 ID: b1b4f3

>>881613
I like this.
>>
No. 881616 ID: bb78f2

>>881606
Functionally, we're prepping for fighting without limbs should we lose use of one, sir. A healed eye isn't going to do much if it goes out again, so resources and time were probably best spent on better gear and practicing with significant disadvantages in place.
>>
No. 881618 ID: 0c3c2c

>>881606
"Training how to fight in injured condition, sir!" After being shot in the foot and Aira was shot in the eye and Holly losing a leg we're all trying to improve to the point where suffering a critical wound like that doesn't impede combat functionality.
>>
No. 881623 ID: eeb7d9

Sir, we are simulating combat with missing or unusable parts of our body. There is a chance that we might be injured in mid battle and it might be a good to know how to respond in such scenarios. We have been fighting in the best conditions, but it could happen that that scenario is not posible and we should be prepared for it. Aira's hurt eye is a good exapmple. She basicly has a blind spot, easy to take advantage of.
At the same time we are lerning how the other one fights, making it easier to know how the other would react in a fight and be able to act on that.
I reaaally doub that you will be able do spill all this mouthfull without being cut off, but if you do, say it loud and clear, facing Orjin.
>>
No. 881624 ID: a363ac

>>881606
"We are practicing our bondage maneuvers SIR!"
>>
No. 881625 ID: eeb7d9

>>881614
This is very important too. Try to say it at some point.
>>
No. 881627 ID: 094652

"Sir, we're practicing how to fight with our pants down and our limbs in five pieces. We just want to know how to defend ourselves when injured and without support - nothing serious, just some basic shove and push techniques against things that don't give a @#$% about the [Geneva Convention] - like zombies."
>>
No. 881630 ID: deec6e

>Floor 5 key

My guess is that this is the key to one of Krix's personal rooms in his fortress. Moss is thinking ahead for when you get out of here - you should bank that key as well, really.

>>881606

Deadpan response. Fail to acknowledge the fuckery, as you have no fucks to give.

"Sir, sparring is going well and Aira is showing improvement. We're currently changing up our routine to simulate fighting when disabled in other ways, since we may not always be given the luxury to get used to it. If you're here to give us orders, I'd say she can easily take on most duties, if not hard or pitched combat. I am ready for duty."

Start loosening the bond on your arm and turning to address Sir Orjin.

"As for healing her eye, Aira spoke to a wizard, sir. Apparently healing eyes is hard and expensive so she'd like to wait and see."

Fail to realize the accidental pun you just made.

"On the topic of injuries, how is Mowbow doing, sir? Has he crawled out of bed to escape being found by you every morning yet?"
>>
No. 881650 ID: 6bcf97

"Enemy not cooperative to being fucked up, sir, decided to practice how to fuck them up more effectively when better opportunity presents itself."
>>
No. 881653 ID: 8a55a9

Sparring, sir, until the enemy presents himself.
>>
No. 881717 ID: 830fb7

>>881606
Trying to practice fighting with my eyes closed sir and We are also practicing so that if we become injured in battle we can still fight to aid you sir.
Nothing like a constant state of combat/practice to keep your edge sharp.
>>
No. 881728 ID: e1c8f7

"Preparing for anything!"

Also this
>>881614
>>
No. 881730 ID: bfdaf0

>>881618
>"Training how to fight in injured condition, sir!"
This is the most Fen-like one.

>Not Eyefucker
DON'T. ABSOLUTELY DON'T. Orjin can and WILL nickname you Eyefucker for that.
>>
No. 881741 ID: a363ac

>>881614
do dis
>>
No. 881742 ID: 91ee5f

>>881730
>Orjin can and WILL nickname you Eyefucker for that.
I agree! Don’t say that! No one will take us seriously if we get called “Eyefucker”!
>>
No. 881784 ID: bbfc08

the enemy is yourself
>>
No. 881795 ID: b1b4f3

I wonder if you could ask Orjin, seriously, if he could put a stop to these rumors. You haven't had sex with anyone since you left your homeland.
>>
No. 881796 ID: eeb7d9

>>881795
I was actually thinking the same. Not only for Fen, but for the sake of the girls as well. I think that they are the more prejudiced by this. We might actually ask him that letter personally.
>>
No. 881797 ID: 10c408

>>881795
Yeah, that's going to blow up in our face faster than the eyefucker suggestion would.

Orjin has no control over the rumor mill and probably doesn't care
>>
No. 881802 ID: 6bcf97

Almost any attempt to repudiate nicknames or rumors results in them getting stronger.

Also, honestly, kobold imperial military culture doesn't really seem to have any problems with sex, given that we haven't seen any official action or precaution against the possibility and prostitutes are apparently a-ok given that they're fully permitted so long as they go through the same screening as anyone else that comes down here. The only negativity in any mention of sex so far is in the implication that it's possibly getting in the way of duties. It's probably not really a problem for Fen or either Holly or Aira. Even if it was, we don't have any options for solving it that wouldn't be more likely to just make it worse.

Also also, this is just how Orjin talks, it doesn't mean anything. He probably says the same when he barges in on any one-one-one training session, regardless of the participants.
>>
No. 881808 ID: bfb318
File 152513167291.png - (17.85KB , 800x800 , 1045.png )
881808

Aira move off of me so that we can report.

There are many things I could say, and most would end poorly. Maybe everything would, since this is Sir Orjin.

"Sir, we are training to fight in injured condition."
"How about you defeatists train to not get injured in the first place?! Why's there a target painted on your food flapper?!"
"Because sir, my nickname is Redmaw. Not... "

No. Anything else is going to backfire. I didn't ask for nicknames, but if I have to have them, I don't want it to be something crass like Eyefucker.

"Not - "
"Not what, Dickeye?!"
"Not anything like that, sir."
"Don't you worry your sensibilities, you'll always be Dirtfucker in my head! Zall says you might want to be a greater blood knight!"
"I am interested in - "
"And I told him you're too shitty a fighter! If you're still interested, see him at after the 22nd hourglass is empty! Otherwise, don't bother him! That's after bedtime, if you haven't paid attention to how we tell time down here. Aira! The offer's repeated to you, and all you other glorified pawns. I'm going back out to do work, there's reports of an abomination down on year 120!"

Instead of calling out floors or names, the army's taken to calling depth levels 'years', since the necromile isn't as well structured as the tombs above us, and almost 100 feet of earth sinks into Erja Nokol each year. We're currently located at year 152, in that sense. The garrison at the surface, then, is up at to the present year, 242.
>>
No. 881810 ID: 86eb65

Well figure out the current time and if you need a nap before the meeting.

Then go talk to the others and keep on doing your stuff until visiting Zall.
>>
No. 881811 ID: 6bcf97

>see him at after the 22nd hourglass is empty

At where, sorry?
>>
No. 881812 ID: b1b4f3

Well if you attempt to become a greater blood knight they'll probably train you for it. On the other hand we also want to find out what that would mean for Fen. More fighting against stronger single opponents is a good thing, to train for the arena.
>>
No. 881815 ID: 91ee5f

>>881808
At least we know the mouth part of the helmet works. Now Fen can talk without his helmet muffling his voice. And he can eat and drink without leaving his head unprotected.
>>
No. 881816 ID: 4606b3

He does have a point about the red being a target. If I were you, I'd paint that a much darker red. It'd match real blood better, too.
>>
No. 881820 ID: 56e50f

Looks like you have a date.
Say thank you for the info. Pass it along to your peers when you can.
>>
No. 881822 ID: 0c3c2c

>>881808
Thank Sir Orjin and prepare to go see Sir Zall.
>>
No. 881823 ID: 3abd97

Well we have a meeting tonight, then.

>And I told him you're too shitty a fighter!
Hence training.

>>881816
Eh. I think the color's fine. If we're worried about sticking out, especially in low light or the dark, how white the rest of the stuff we're wearing is more of a concern.
>>
No. 881824 ID: deec6e

>>881808

You're definitely going, even if you have to lose sleep. There's no way you're letting slip an opportunity to get Sir Zall's recommendation for becoming a Greater Blood Knight and/or useful training for that purpose.

Finish up with Aira - or cut it short so that you don't exhaust yourselves for whatever's going on this evening - and go see the rest of Sir Orjin's glorified pawns. That'd be... Firzel, Bolk, Valsano and Mowbow. The latter was badly injured and may not be up for training or a midnight meet.

Wait, Firzel and Bolk didn't participate in the commando raid. How are they doing?
>>
No. 881828 ID: bb78f2

>>881808
So I guess we need to get to year 5 then for Moss's key, right?
>>
No. 881846 ID: 86eb65

>>881828

Oh right the key thing. Ask Holly and Aira about it. Is it a lockbox key or what? Maybe Moss wants you to get something from his bank or who knows what.

Anyways ask the girls cause they know civilization and you are never figuring this out by yourself.
>>
No. 881848 ID: b1b4f3

>>881828
No. Year 5 is under the necromile for sure. The key Moss gave Fen has nothing to do with this mission, it's for when Fen gets out and needs to steal his dragoncloth back.
>>
No. 881871 ID: 4606b3

>>881823
Once he has the rest of the outfit, though, which is predominantly shades of brown/grey/greenish, the red will stand out a lot, and will be a liability for stealth purposes.
>>
No. 881872 ID: 10c408

>>881871
We're not outdoors for camouflage purposes and the undead don't give a shit about operating in the dark. Just ask poor lady Cassa what happened to her face.
>>
No. 881920 ID: 23a0fd

Not only should the red paint be a darker shade, it should also NOT follow the separation between the helm and the jawpiece. It should go a bit higher, maybe with a sawtooth shape, to confuse opponents about where the separation is, rather than highlight it.
>>
No. 881928 ID: 8a55a9

Offer assistance, otherwise prepare yourself to meet Zall.
>>
No. 881930 ID: deec6e

>>881928

I'd forgotten that Cheese told you to maybe be on the lookout for other abominations, so volunteering to join Sir Orjin for this scouting trip might be good. Assuming the mission won't make you miss out on Zall's evening meeting.
>>
No. 881952 ID: eeb7d9

I had forgoten how hard is to talk to Sir Orjin. Thank him for the tip of the "targuet" in the helmet, we will work on that later, maybe a darker red would help. Ask him what would he sugest to improve our fightting to be less shitty at it.
I say you should keep training until the meeting with Zall, if Aria is up for it. If not, do what you usually do to kill time.
>>
No. 882000 ID: 3abd97

>>881920
>It should go a bit higher, maybe with a sawtooth shape
Conflicting priorities. The whole point of the red piece is to capitalize on our reputation by having our image play into it, and a solid color block does so subtler and cleaner than a more realistic depiction.

Obviously this isn't maximizing camouflage or distraction, but you can't serve both purposes at once, and rep building is one of the things Fen needs to do.

A clean piece of single color is also better than an irregular, seam crossing, or realistic depicting in that it's easier on the armorer to produce and for lago to have to draw over and over all the time.
>>
No. 882010 ID: bfb318
File 152522044204.png - (20.49KB , 800x600 , 1046.png )
882010

"I volunteer to join you for this scouting trip, if it means I don't miss the meeting with Sir Zall."
>"It could, so you aren't comin' to this one!
"Okay. Where is Zall??"
"In his office, dumbass!" Orjin says, storming off.
"Where - "
>"Let's ask Holly." says Aira.

Aira and I go back to sit at the bar. It's just after midday, so there's time to kill. I'll consider making the red paint on my armor darker.

"Will you go to see Zall?"
>"I will. I assume you are?"
"Yes."

Valsano finishes taking off his armor, sits by us, and grabs a drink from Holly all in the same motion.

>"I hope it's not to get respect from Sir Orjin, cause I doubt he'll treat us any different."
"No. I want to advance. Are you going to see him?"
>"Yeah, I think I am."
"How is Mowbow, by the way?"
>"Living. I think he's just fine as a lesser knight, the senseful bastard."
"Senseful?"
>"Greater knights, greater danger. Course, I'd be with him, but under Sir Orjin? The man's trying to get us killed anyway, rank or not, so I may as well get more money. Plus, we didn't join the assassin knights to live long healthy lives, assuming we're intelligent beings, which we might not be."
"Where is Bolk, anyway?"
>"Bolk said right off the bat he didn't want to be a greater knight, so of course that idiot was the one Sir Orjin voluntold to go accompany him to go abomination hunting. Poor bastard had it made as king of the pawns, then we removed the pawns."

He smells of alcohol already.
>>
No. 882011 ID: bfb318
File 152522046498.png - (37.84KB , 800x800 , 1047.png )
882011

There isn't much else to do but kill time, so I spar more with Aira, and Valsano joins us later once he's at least moderately sober. Ultimately, we just try to kill the time in useful ways until the three of us go to Zall.

Dame Frais and Firzel join us as well, and we enter together as a group. Sir Mopp doesn't join us, as this offer pertains to blood knights and other combat focused knights, not quill knights.

Zall calls us one by one. After Dame Frais goes in, I'm called next.

>"Fen, hello. You were rushed quicker than anyone in your squad from pawn to knighthood, but in the need for effective fighters, I don't care. You can be promoted to greater knighthood right now, if you wish."
"What does being a greater knight mean, exactly?"
>"You get paid more, and I send you into the necromile. This is largely a formality, because greater knights are complaining to me that I am giving a handful of lesser knights more chance to prove themselves than I am greater knights. Therefore, if you are a greater knight, they lose their grounding to complain."
"Sir Orjin does not think I have the skill to become a greater knight."
>"Given the circumstances, I also don't care about his opinion. You may become a greater knight at any point so long as the war continues. As soon as you are promoted, I am sending you into the necromile. Either you survive and prove you're worthy of the title, or you die won't dilute the overall quality of greater knights. This offer stands any time, so feel free to come back in a week or two. As an alternative, if you agree to be promoted but wish to hone your skills first, I'm willing to supply tutors to help your swordsmanship. After a few weeks of tutoring, you will be promoted and sent below."
>>
No. 882013 ID: 86eb65

That sounds perfect. Tutor me up so I am not just throwing my life away and I will take the job.
>>
No. 882014 ID: b1b4f3

Oh, if it's just a formality forget it. No real point in advancing if it gets you thrown into the fire before you're ready and won't get you anything special afterwards to boot.

You probably want your full armor before you go into the necromile. Until then you can hunt in the layers close to it.
>>
No. 882015 ID: b1b4f3

>>882013
She said IMMEDIATELY.
>>
No. 882017 ID: d2e2ce

>>882015
Zall is male and the offer doesn't need to be accepted immediately.
>>
No. 882018 ID: 6bcf97

Hmm. How long was it for the armor? Three weeks? Tell Zall you've been told your armor will take that long, so you'll take the offer of being tutored for that long plus a day or two to get used to the armor. Ask him about the possibility of more mana sensing training during that time, too, and what helpful things you could theoretically buy within that time if you theoretically had, oh, say, about 30 gold. Theoretically.
>>
No. 882019 ID: bfb318

The last paragraph has been revised to state tutoring more clearly.
>>
No. 882020 ID: 3cc68c

We trust Orjin's judgement so take the training and then promotion. Will make sure you are ready without wasting to much time.
>>
No. 882026 ID: eeb7d9

Ask him if you can somehow be tutored long enough for your armor to be ready for use. Not only you would be better prepared in experience, but in equipment as well. This would be the best case scenario of course. If this is not posible, i guess that the second option is good as well.
Now everything it's going to get harder though. How do you feel about this, Fen?
>>
No. 882027 ID: 8a55a9

Accept the tutoring and train hard. You may find you're confident in your ability sooner than you think, and it'll also give the smith a chance to complete more of your armor.
>>
No. 882028 ID: 56e50f

>>882011
Accept the offer. Say you would like to get at least one week worth of training before going, but you're not fussed if you go immediately.
>>
No. 882029 ID: 0c3c2c

>>882011
I recommend the tutoring.

It'll also give you a chance to buy a gorget. You kind of need SOMETHING to protect your neck, it sticks out like a sore thumb with the rest of your body covered in heavy armor.

Accept his offer of tutoring and a promotion. It will let you finalize a few things and regain your edge before re-entering the crypts.
>>
No. 882030 ID: 91ee5f

>>882011
Tell Sir Zall that you wish to hone your skills before being promoted. You’re also waiting 3 weeks for the rest of the custom armor that you ordered because it wouldn’t feel right to commission it and not wear it into the Necromile.
>>
No. 882031 ID: 91ee5f

>>882029
>neck protection
I think that might be a part of the rest of the armor that Fen ordered.
>>
No. 882034 ID: bfb318

Get on board the tutoring while waiting for armor train.
>>
No. 882036 ID: 6bcf97

Yeah if you do accept the tutoring make sure to tell him you're perfectly willing to be called on short notice if there's an urgent need for more people down there.
>>
No. 882037 ID: deec6e

>Valsano drinking during midday

It's probably fine, but you might want to keep an eye on his intake.

>Tutoring or immediate promotion

You very much wish to become a Greater Knight as soon as possible and to prove yourself to any naysayers. However, Sir Orjin has expressed doubts, and Sir Orjin's judgement, while harsh, is typically fair.

However, you also understand Sir Zall's need for bodies on the field and you trust in the value of his offer. Training for a week or so with competent teachers - maybe some of the more coolheaded Greater Knights, who can evaluate our worth to their comrades and show us what we are to measure up against - will have to make what difference it can.

That said, this may split the unit cohesion that Sir Orjin's lesser knights have been building. May you request that members of Sir Orjin's squad discuss whether to accept training as a group? You would not hold back someone like Dame Frais if she feels ready to move on wihtout further adieu - but for someone like yourself, Valsano, Firzel and Aira, assuming you will still be part of a squad as Greater Knights, having an already established unit cohesion could make a difference in a fight.

As a point of curiosity, who else will be doing the sponsoring? You presume he has someone, like another Grand Knight and a Gold Noble, lined up to allow for this to be done legally and that they're signing off on this on his recommendation, same as last time.
>>
No. 882038 ID: 094652

Your team is still 'injured', the other knights see you as a promotion target, and Garlic Soup has put a hefty bounty on your ass that won't go away until he does. Train until you've faded into obscurity, then make a comeback with stealth and profit.
>>
No. 882044 ID: b1b4f3

Oh derp I didn't see the second offer. Taking tutoring before being sent down seems fine.
>>
No. 882045 ID: 6bcf97

>>882038
... I don't want to sound like I'm being contrary, but you've actually made me think of several reasons to go down sooner rather than later. First, Zall's favor is based on Fen's achievements, and what he's willing to give (the tutoring, but also the protection from Fen's political enemies/assassins) might fade the longer Fen goes without proving his worth. Also, putting himself out of reach of lower ranked members of the military - who have more reason to want the rewards for killing him and less loyalty to the rules that say they shouldn't - will make assassination attempts less likely, as will simply being higher rank in the first place, since they won't be tempted to think of themselves as Fen's equal.

On the other hand, a good few of the greater knights are undoubtedly loyal to the man gunning for Fen in the first place, and are more likely to actually receive protection from the consequences of their actions.
>>
No. 882052 ID: bfb318
File 152522728767.png - (31.10KB , 800x800 , 1048.png )
882052

"I would like to take the tutoring offer, as my armor will be completed in a little over two weeks. I'm willing to be called on earlier too, if you need an urgent need for people."
>"Good. Sir Orjin is extraordinary at physical training, and his pawns are among the best, but he has little idea how to teach technique. Let's arrange for four weeks maximum of training. Report to Greater Knight Hydril tomorrow morning, you can find a map with his name on it in the lobby. You may quit at any time for any reason, even if just because your armor is complete. Once the training stops, you'll be promoted immediately. Hydril can also stop your training at any point, and if he does so, you'll also be promoted then. I will give Hydril himself the authority and the orders to promote you, as I may not be around to do so. Do you have any questions?"
"Would it be possible for me to train with my squad members? I fear we may lose our teamwork otherwise."
>"Understand Fen, that your cohesion was half of the reason why your group alone was sent to retrieve the antlers. If I just wanted individual fighting talent, I would have sent a squad of greater knights down there. I won't break up Sir Orjin's team. If they accept the tutoring offer, they will join you."
"Is there another person involved in my promotion? That is, I understand I need 3 recommendations from grand knights or gold nobles."
>"I will get you your recommendations. Your promotion will be legitimate."
>>
No. 882053 ID: b1b4f3

>>882052
Thank you sir, I won't let you down.
>>
No. 882056 ID: 86eb65

>>882053

All that needs to be said really.
>>
No. 882057 ID: 91ee5f

>>882052
>Let's arrange for four weeks maximum of training. Report to Greater Knight Hydril tomorrow morning, you can get a map with his name on it in the lobby.
That’s important, don’t forget about grabbing that map!

>"I will get you your recommendations. Your promotion will be legitimate."
Bow to him and say to him, “Thank you, sir. I’ll do my best to not disappoint you.”
>>
No. 882059 ID: 56e50f

>>882052
Say thank you. You'll get right to work.
>>
No. 882061 ID: 3abd97

>>882053
Pretty much this. Express gratitude, and be polite. Zall's being more than reasonable and fair.
>>
No. 882062 ID: deec6e

>>882052

Say you are satisfied with these measures and will train hard while you have the opportunity.

It's curious, though. Zall feels confident he can get the two other sponsors, meaning he probably has assurances from someone already, but does not admit to who they will be. I wonder if one of them is Warlord Krix - trying to get Fen killed by moving him to the front line before he's ready will backfire bad on him, especially if he hasn't realized Zall's throwing extra benefits like decent training Fen's way.
>>
No. 882063 ID: 0c3c2c

>>882052
Do not let him down. Prepare to begin training immediately!
>>
No. 882104 ID: eeb7d9

"I can't thank you enough, sir. I won't let you down. I will start my training immediately."
>>
No. 882139 ID: c0641d

How much free time will we have for regular duties, socializing, missions, and mental training?
>>
No. 882140 ID: 91ee5f

>>882139
I think we should be asking Greater Knight Hydril that question, since our free time all depends on how often and/or intense his training sessions will be.
>>
No. 882174 ID: bfb318
File 152530012007.png - (32.84KB , 800x800 , 1049.png )
882174

"Thank you, I'll do my best not to disappoint." I say, and bow. I think any questions I have about the training itself will be best asked to Hydril.
>"You'll meet expectations just by being alive the next time I see you. Please send Aira in as you leave.
"I understand."

I do so and stop at the lobby. There's a map of the necromile in here as well. It's already covered in more detail than I could ever memorize, yet there's so many blank spots. Two tough looking guards make sure no one steps too close to it.

By the time I finish training, the map should be much different.

Aira comes down soon after. I notice that Dame Frais is already gone.

"Hello, Aira. Did you take his offer for tutoring?"
>"Yes. He made it sound difficult."
"He did, and also sounded like going down unprepared would be a death sentence."

Aira glances at the necromile map.

"We should go to bed once the others share their news."
>"Okay."
>>
No. 882175 ID: bfb318
File 152530013312.png - (47.32KB , 1200x800 , 1050.png )
882175

Firzel comes down next.

>"I guess we're in training together again, huh?" Firzel says.
"Yes, thankfully."
>"It's a step back though, isn't it? I thought we were done with training! And if he's like Sir Orjin... that's two Sir Orjin's in my life, and I don't know if I can handle it."
>"Sir Orjin only yells now. He hasn't followed through on threats." says Aira.
>"Yeah, not since we were in training.

Valsano comes down after a moment.

>"Hah, you suckers actually went for training?"
>"Yeah, and you're a sucker too, Valsano, so we're all in?" asks Firzel.
>"Nah." Valsano continues. "Not this time."
"Why not?"
>"Because like I always said, I got no luck. And Lord Hydril? Well, he's a real purist of a solder. No nonsense, no tolerance."

Valsano doesn't remove his clothes, but he pats his chest where his scar was. I recall it being a strong point of shame for him.

>"He'd just kill me, and you know what else? He's a relative of the local Mithril, so he'd get away with it, too."
"Was there no other tutor?"
>"Nope. Well, maybe there was for you guys, but you know, Zall isn't fond of my type, either. But you know what? It's not so bad."

He shows off a shiny emblem.

>"Now it's Sir Valsano to you guys, specially you, Firzel!"
>"Haha, okay, Sir High and Mighty Valsano."
>"That's better. Now you lesser beings better not be going to bed anytime soon, because tomorrow I'm going off to the necromile in advance for our squad. Unless I survive long enough for you guys to catch up, this'll be the last we see of each other."
>>
No. 882177 ID: 6bcf97

Thanks for the tip on Hydril's personality. It's true, chances are you probably won't ever see him again, except possibly as a zombie you have to kill. Best hopes and all, but you'd better wish him well. Maybe be the designated driver and be the one who makes sure your group doesn't stay up too long and gets at least a decent amount of rest.
>>
No. 882178 ID: 8a55a9

Should you give him some antidote...?
>>
No. 882179 ID: b1b4f3

>>882175
>done with training
Welp he's gonna die. You're *never* done with training, no matter how good you get.

Hmm. A no-nonsense trainer... sounds like an opportunity to sharpen yourself to a razor's edge and strengthen your discipline. Unfortunately Aira is going to have a lot of trouble at first before she gets her eye back in working order because I doubt this guy is going to cut her any slack. Firzel might have ideological trouble at first.

Worst case scenario is that he tries to kill you because you're a wanted man, not being afraid of Sir Orjin. Let's hope it doesn't come to that, since... well, you'd have to fight back of course.
>>
No. 882187 ID: 91ee5f

>>882175
>I thought we were done with training!
You’re never done with training. Even if you get to a high position of power, you keep training, otherwise you’ll lose all the skills you’ve learned.

>Unless I survive long enough for you guys to catch up, this'll be the last we see of each other.
Tell him that if he survives long enough for us to catch up to him, that’ll be a reason to celebrate when we all get back. And if he’s an undead the next time we see him, we’ll do him a favor and put him out of his misery, so that he’s not being controlled by a necromancer anymore.
>>
No. 882193 ID: 3abd97

>"We should go to bed once the others share their news."
I guess Fen's habit of making double entendres without realizing it is contagious. Poor Aira's spent too much time with him.

>Now you lesser beings better not be going to bed anytime soon
If the plan in to stay alive, I'm not sure staying up late the night before starting training or deploying deeper into the necromile is the best plan.

Congratulate him on the promotion, and we can stay up... for a little while.
>>
No. 882199 ID: deec6e

>>882175

Not that surprised, really. Valsano has been pretty up front about wanting to cover himself in glory and/or die with honour to make up for his failing.

And Hydril's an officer of the old school and a well-connected one, huh? Well, it is what it is. We'll have Aira and Firzel with us, so at least we won't be alone. And Valsano will have Frais and Orjin. It's not a bad split-up, really. 50-50.

Give Valsano a friendly clap on the back and congratulations on being the first of the pawns to reach Greater Knight. Say you'll stay up for at least a little while longer to say proper goodbye - but you'll have no alcohol, and suggest some moderation from the others as well. From the sounds of Hydril, he's gonna have your asses if you turn up late, hungover and exhausted on the first day of training... and besides, you want to take the training seriously, even from day one.

Really, if Valsano wants a proper party, he can stay alive until the rest of you become real grown-up adults. A celebration of everyone's promotions at the same time type of deal.

Admit you'll miss the big lug... then CONSIDER the option of passing him half a vial of antidote with instructions on how to use it. He might have more use for it than us, stuck as we are in the training camp, and we can proooobably write to Cheese and ask surreptitiously whether she can arrange an actual stable supply of it.

If the idea has merit tell him that if he - or Orjin or Frais, really - gets poisoned by anything down there, he should feel free to use the vial. If not, he can keep it safe for you until you join up again.

Also ask him, "Say, did Zall tell you who else was sponsoring you?"
>>
No. 882218 ID: bb78f2

Valsino, don't joke about that so lightly. I want to see you again. You better not die, or I'll kill your undead ass.
>>
No. 882221 ID: eeb7d9

>I thought we were done with training!
Wow, so inocent. As long as there is someone more stronger than you, there will allways be training. And that is fine by me, lets you forget that you are about to die in a warzone for a while.

>>882199
I really like Valsano, and i like the idea of giving him the antidote, but i am sure as hell that we will need it as much as him. And just the half of what you have might not be enought for either of you. So just tell him to NOT get hit by an arrow. And if he says something dumb, tell him to NOT GET HIT BY AN ARROW. Make him understand that.
>>
No. 882222 ID: 3abd97

I don't think giving him the antidote is worth it. Poison isn't so much the danger so much as he's going into direct conflict with less training and without his peers at his back, which that doesn't fix.
>>
No. 882233 ID: 56e50f

>>882175
We should drink to that.
>>
No. 882337 ID: bfb318
File 152537230588.png - (22.79KB , 800x800 , 1051.png )
882337

"Don't joke, Valsano. I don't wish to have to fight your undead form."
>"Who's joking? Death is a reality down here."
>"I would rather we all plan on staying alive, so I don't want to stay up all night drinking, whether I'm going into the necromile or just training. We can have a better party when we all make it out alive."

It's tempting to hand him half a vial of antidote, but I decide against it. Maybe I can ask Cheese for another

"Just don't get hit by arrows. Did Zall tell you who else was involved with making us greater knights?"
>"Didn't even ask." says Valsano.
>"Anyway, you can stay up for a little while, right? We can still get a full night's rest before training." says Firzel.
"Yes, I can. And Firzel, training does not ever end. You will die if you think training is ever over, and simply stop learning."
>"... geez, barbarian, I meant training was over as in doing activities for the sole purpose of getting betters. Obviously we'll get better running into combat, but that's not the only point of running into combat, at least for most of us. You know what I meant!"
>"You gotta talk real carefully around the shroomleafers!" says Valsano. "Very literal except when they're not. It's like a whole different language."
"It's not a whole different language."
>"This is what I'm talking about!"
>"Come on." says Aira. "I have fur, and it's cold for me here."
>"Now Aira's speaking the language of common sense."
>>
No. 882338 ID: bfb318
File 152537231998.png - (29.74KB , 800x800 , 1052.png )
882338

We go back. Valsano immediately gets some rounds for everyone currently at the bar, making the place much louder.

I won't be able to watch his intake, I guess. I just hope that he doesn't have access to this much alcohol down in the necromile. I still hope that he has access to some.

Holly hands me a drink that she's made for just me, which has just enough alcohol to where I can say it's an alcoholic drink to appease Valsano, and enough overpowering ingredients that hide the alcoholic taste. She also gives me a cup that allows easy drinking with my helmet on.

>"Hm, assassins coming in." she says.
"Do you know them?"
>"They've come in here before. They seem legitimate."

No one is batting an eye at them. Valsano even waves them in like they were friends, although they don't appear to recognize him.
>>
No. 882340 ID: d2e2ce

Aww, she got you a sippy cup. How nice of her. Stay on guard with these, but no point seeking trouble.
>>
No. 882342 ID: b1b4f3

>>882338
Can you keep track of them with mana sense? That seems like the least embarrassing way to keep your guard up.
>>
No. 882344 ID: 86eb65

This will be the first downside to your stylish helmet. A normal armored guy at the bar would not be recognized. But they will realize you are the red maw shortly.

Might not be a issue but keep your sword loose in the scabard.

That being said they might ignore you or even be fans depending on who they are. Not everyone is out to kill you. So don't stab anyone if they just come over and slap you on the shoulder and offer to buy you a drink.
>>
No. 882346 ID: 0c3c2c

>>882338
Remember, your entire organization is called 'assassins'. Just because these three guys who came in at once and all dress the same are too doesn't mean they're necessarily here to kill you.

...That said, keep your earholes open for them and don't accept any drinks they give you.
>>
No. 882348 ID: b7a158

If they are here to kill you- and start sizing you up, be sure to show them how tough you are by drinking out of your sippy cup in an intimidating manner.
>>
No. 882349 ID: 6bcf97

If they're "legitimate assassins", professional enough to be recognized by everyone as such, then they're presumably in the army's pay and not supposed to kill you. Heck, if everyone knows they're assassins you might as well strike up a conversation and ask them for tips on how to assassinate people/avoid being assassinated.

Still, better finish however much of your drink you want to have right now, and not drink any more in case someone slips something into it. It might not necessarily be poison: even something that makes you a little more groggy or clumsy will keep you from making a good impression on your new tutor and help strip you of your protections from your higher-ups who care about you. If I was a real professional, patient assassin, I would work to make you vulnerable and minimize the consequences to myself before trying to finish you, so you need to be on the lookout for sabotage as well as straight-up murder. A professional assassin would probably spend a good length of time observing you first, too.

At some point in the evening you might try stepping outside (but not going far, just pretending) and see if any of them try to follow you. Someone might want to just try observe where you sleep, or keep your things?
>>
No. 882350 ID: da1ce9

>>882348
This would be, on the contrary, a good way to look dumb. Good if they're hostile, bad if they're friendly.
>>
No. 882351 ID: a62780

>>882338
They're not part of the army? Does the military itself outsource like that often, or allow the more likely event of some person/squad hiring mercs for extra muscle?
>>
No. 882364 ID: eeb7d9

Let's just see what happens. Usually, if there is trouble, it comes looking for you. You just have to pay attention and avoid it, as always. But do try to relax. I really doubt they will be looking for troble with anyone just because. Even if they are here for you, they can't just come in and attack you.
>>
No. 882373 ID: 8a55a9

you're drinking a fruity cocktail out of a sippy cup, you should be making every effort to not get noticed right now.
>>
No. 882375 ID: 2baeb6

>>882338
Keep your mana sense on and your ears open. Just don't make it obvious that you're on high alert.
>>
No. 882387 ID: 3abd97

>>882338
One downside of this bar is sitting with your back to the door, but at least you've got a barkeep who looks out for you.

There's... not a whole lot you can do but be alert? We have no evidence they're here to cause trouble, in general, or for Fen specifically. And this is a public place, at least so far as the local military is concerned. It's possible they're agents of one of several forces who might like to see Fen dead, but we don't have the clout to strike at potential threats preemptively with impunity.

>She also gives me a cup that allows easy drinking with my helmet on.
Also won't spill easy in a fight, or if you have to bash someone in the head with it! ...well, it's only wood, if you bash hard enough you're gonna break it.
>>
No. 882396 ID: deec6e

They're elite soldiers. Fen joined the Assassin branch of the Dragon army, after all.

To quote Holly from Thread 4:

>"Oh, yeah. That branch, heh, the thing is... it was founded on the idea that there are some really tough fighters that are best taken out with a bit of poison in the food or while they're asleep, rather than on the battlefield where they're most dangerous. Cept, the empire hates that crap. They were seen as cowards. So even though they're called 'assassins', there's a lot of training to just one on one combat. Course, only idiots think they don't slit a sleeping warrior's throat now and then, but if you want to get a big name by taking down a big name, that's a good path. But that's what makes that a dangerous thing - you're sent, often alone or just with a few others, to take down names that are big for a reason."

>"There's subdivisions in each branch. I recommend the Lower Knights, a little division of the Assassins that gets sent in pretty hard for the smaller mission. The good thing about smaller missions is that they're still tough, but if you succeed, you won't have any glory hunters trying to take your credit. Then later on, maybe the Ram Knights or Nightfangs, but by then you'll probably have a better clue."

Finish your drink and keep half an eye on them while you ask Holly about the Assassin rank. Does Holly know which subdivision these guys are from and what that division does? And maybe she can tell you a little bit more about what she knows of the Nightfangs or Ram Knights, finally.

Say that last part loud enough that the other assassins overhear you. Maybe they'll volunteer some information.
>>
No. 882531 ID: bfb318
File 152547009555.png - (20.72KB , 800x800 , 1053.png )
882531

At this point, I habitually use mana sense at all points. It is not very useful yet, but for training purposes, I always attempt it. I can't sense them at all through mana alone, so I mostly keep wary.

I take a drink from my cup, then Holly takes it. Although I wasn't planning on having anymore...

"Why did you take my cup? I was done, but I did not say anything."
>"It's, uh..." She leans in to whisper. "A fruity cocktail out of a cup like this isn't very Red-Mawy."
"I do not understand what is wrong with it."
>"I'll explain in detail later, but sometimes we like things difficult up here."
"Do you know who those assassins are?"
>"Other than assassins? No, I'd have to see their emblem to see."
"I remember you talking about Ram Knights and Nightfangs."
>"Oh, yeah. Functionally, they're both no different than other knight or assassin divisions, but who runs them and what they can accomplish defines them. Ram Knights are excellent vanguard knights, and Nightangs, well, a sneaky lot. So they get missions that suit them. If you want to be in a vanguard, you can join any knights, but Rams are the best standard for it."
"And right now we're under the Lower Knights, correct?"

Two of the assassins are talking with Valsano. Another is looking over the room.

>"Actually, no. Once Sir Orjin got rid of all the pawns, Zall put him under his own knight's banner."
"Which is called?"
>"You know? I don't really think Zall named his own knights, I think it's just 'Zall's Knights.' If a new grand knight replaces his station, it'll be that knight's knights."
"I was also not aware we changed out from Lower Knights to Zall's... knights."
>"People who aren't formally in charge of a squad don't often get told. Really, you just follow what your boss does. If your boss dies, you either get a new leader in your squad, or find another."
"Does Zall have a boss?"
>"Sort of. It's supposed to be a dragon knight. In practice, it's the region's rulers."
"I'm confused about how the army is ran."
>"That's normal."
>>
No. 882532 ID: bfb318
File 152547010404.png - (23.61KB , 800x800 , 1054.png )
882532

The assassin looking over the room finds me. I make sure my sword is loose in my scabbard, but there's something inoffensive in his casual position. I study it for a moment and note that he's a decent distance away from me, both of his hands are visible, and he has an open stance towards me.

>"Hey, if it isn't Red Maw."
"Are you here to start a fight?" Holly makes a face I can't describe.
>"Hah! No. I'm an assassin, not a bounty hunter." He flashes his emblem. "And if I were a bounty hunter, well, I could find other walking piles of gold that aren't in a quarantine. My name's Esscaf. Hey, bartender, throw me a drink, something for a buzz."
>"Coming up."

He puts his hand out to shake mine while Holly turns to make something.
>>
No. 882533 ID: 0c3c2c

>>882532
Politely greet them. Request information as to their involvement in this campaign. Make small talk as to how dangerous this place is.
>>
No. 882536 ID: a363ac

>>882532
don't shake his hand. "no offense but I am not in a position to trust even a handshake at the moment"
>>
No. 882541 ID: 86eb65

That looks more like he is holding the hilt of his weapon than reaching out to shake hands.

Regardless you are heavily armored and have gauntlets on. And are trained in unarmed combat. Unless he has a poisoned ring on his hand it should be safe.

So shake hands but watch for suspicious rings and other goings on.

Then ask him what his squad has been doing.
>>
No. 882543 ID: 0d45a9

>>882536
I think a handshake should be safe as long as Fen doesn't let his guard down. He's wearing gauntlets, so they can't do much with a handshake other than use it as a distraction.

Shake hands I think, his stance seems to be deliberately such to indicate that he's not going to be a threat. Maybe ask what branch he's from.
>>
No. 882547 ID: 3abd97

>>882532
Shake his hand and introduce yourself. "Fen".

We're in full armor, he's not, if the shake is meant as a trap, we can crush his hand and slam into him.
>>
No. 882548 ID: 6bcf97

You're wearing your gauntlet, a handshake is very unlikely to accomplish anything. Though, now I think of it... I don't think we've seen that many handshakes? And under this Empire I'd assume the old "checking for weapons up the sleeve" function of it, which applies very much here.

So give him that handshake where you grasp each other's wrists.
>>
No. 882551 ID: 0d40c7

extend hand forward
>>
No. 882552 ID: 10c408

Make small talk, don't shake his hand. Confess that you aren't feeling like shaking hands since the last attempt at your bounty.

Essentially, bluff him out. Yeah you'll be fudging the truth a bit but it'd absolutely suck if you die because he pulled you off of your chair and then shanked you through a weakspot on your back.
>>
No. 882556 ID: 91ee5f

>>882532
Shake his left hand by using the wrong hand (the right hand), instead of the correct hand (your left hand).
>>
No. 882561 ID: b1b4f3

>>882532
So he's purposefully trying to set you at ease. Well, you know where the other two are so I guess he really does just want to talk to you.
Shake hands, ask why he was looking for you, if not for your bounty. If he's got questions about what you've seen in the tombs you've already made your report.
>>
No. 882562 ID: f3fe9b

Handshake should be fine. If he tries any silly shit go for a headbutt.
>>
No. 882606 ID: c0641d

Go for the wrist shake to check for weapons up the sleeve; it’s probably what he was expecting regardless of his potential motives. If he tries to pull you off your balance when you go for the shake, use the momentum to pivot around his outside and deck him in the temple with your free hand.

Otherwise, introduce yourself and ask why he wished to see you. (Actually, do that even if you do end up in a fight.)
>>
No. 882610 ID: eeb7d9

>"I'll explain in detail later, but sometimes we like things difficult up here."
You imperials are no fun.

Wait, we are under a Dragon Knight? That is not something to scoff off.

I say we shake his hand. Firmly. I can't say that i recognise the emblem though.
Ask him what kind of missions he has been doing. If he has something interesting to tell about his time here.
>>
No. 882613 ID: d2e2ce

>>882610
>Wait, we are under a Dragon Knight? That is not something to scoff off.
Yes it is, literally everyone except the emperor and themselves are under dragon knights. That's how the chain of command goes.
>>
No. 882617 ID: eeb7d9

>>882613
Maybe i have more in common with Fen that i thought then.
>>
No. 882623 ID: deec6e

Aw, Holly's looking out for your image as a badass.

>>882532

Show your own symbol and return the handshake.

"Fen. If you're not foolish enough to get involved in the bounty business, why did you seek me out?"
>>
No. 882669 ID: bfb318
File 152553528017.png - (18.29KB , 800x800 , 1055.png )
882669

His left hand was at its side where I could see it before lifting up for a handshake. I have heard about shaking hands. I think it is more common among draconian kobolds than other kinds. I don't know why, perhaps it is a Dragonfall custom.

After staring at him for a moment as he holds his hand out patiently, I brace myself and hold the back of his left hand with the palm of my right hand. I get a weird look from both him and Holly, but nonetheless, hands are shook.

"I am Fen. Why were you looking for me?"
>"I'm what you might call a social opportunist. I just came here with my friends, for a drink, then I saw you over here."
"I don't recognize your emblem. What does your squad do?"
>"Down here? We wander the more dangerous zones and attempt to off monsters lurking in the dark, since that's what they've been doing to us."
"You don't assassinate kobolds, then?"
>"Not unless we find Momo or one of the other big players."

>Ask them for tips on how to assassinate people/avoid being assassinated.
"If you were to assassinate me, how would you go about it?"
>"I'd start by not doing anything here out in the open in front of witnesses, nor when you sleep, unless you never leave this bar or your sleeping room. I'd learn your patterns and see how to get you alone. Then most likely drop from above if I could, or sneak up behind you, and put a dagger through that open neck of yours. I'd do something about that."
"I am."
>"Good. Otherwise, watch your back, and watch your top."

I was never that active at parties even in my own tribe. Perhaps I should just wish Valsano well and go to sleep, now.
>>
No. 882672 ID: 240938

The helmet was missing its red, but then Lagotrope ninja edited it.
>>
No. 882675 ID: d2e2ce

Nah man, stick around and spend some time with Aira. If nothing else you can pigeonhole her in a corner and talk about what it was like back home for you two or something.

>>882672
What was the point of this post
>>
No. 882676 ID: eeb7d9

Speaking of Momo, have you seen any other of her tricks? The last time she tried one on me came out with mixed results.
We might as well ask what ever we can think of. Tips and other things. For example: what does he know about the bounty hunters that are after Fen? Anything interesting about that? Some gossip?
>>
No. 882678 ID: 3abd97

>"I'd start by not doing anything here out in the open in front of witnesses, nor when you sleep, unless you never leave this bar or your sleeping room. I'd learn your patterns and see how to get you alone. Then most likely drop from above if I could, or sneak up behind you, and put a dagger through that open neck of yours. I'd do something about that."
That's generally good practice for trying to kill someone. But on the other hand, if you think you're safe in front of others, and let your guard down, someone is gonna strie you in that arena eventually.

>I was never that active at parties even in my own tribe. Perhaps I should just wish Valsano well and go to sleep, now.
Depends on how long you've already been here? You should stay at least a little bit, not to be rude. And wish Valsano well before you depart.
>>
No. 882688 ID: deec6e

>>882669

Stay for half an hour or so longer and make a conscious effort to be social. Making some connections with assassins who don't want to kill you could be valuable as a source of more information and training tips, if nothing else. Pick a few things to talk about and see what he talks about back. That will indicate what he's interested in from you.

You could... obliquely namedrop Rasyan and reference his killing and see how Esscaf reacts.

"Thank you for the advice, Esscaf - it is sound. Hmm... Pocky certainly could've used an armored collar."

You could vaguely mention your background and try to build your legend a little.

"It figures that an assassin would name themselves an opportunist - though that is not a criticism. We do what we must - in the Shroomleaf forest the seasons often determine how bitterly food is fought over."

You could talk about some of the encounters you've had down here, and see if he'll reciprocate with tales of strangeness of his own.

"During the battle, I hacked a sizable serpent-creature's neck apart. The Empire's magical blades are truly sharp." *gesture to show how wide the neck was* "I also had a run-in with Momo herself. Tried to light her on fire with a little trick Firzel there taught me. I get the feeling you should take care around that one."

You could talk more abou the bounty, to see if he volunteers any information of his own.

"This bounty business is tiresome. Lord Krix, I hear, is hardly even sending his best, just his most desperate."
>>
No. 882694 ID: b1b4f3

You should stay and talk. He made an effort to talk to you, don't just snub him.

Ask how his missions are going. Ran across any interesting undead?
>>
No. 882695 ID: 6bcf97

Don't just walk away on this guy now, give him a little more chat, let him ask some questions. Don't stay too long but give everyone you care about or who opens up to you a few moments.
>>
No. 882745 ID: 15a025

Before you go, ask him what he knows about Momo?
>>
No. 882748 ID: 10c408

Ask if there's been any reports/sightings of Momo since the anomaly clearing mission.

After all, you tried to set her on fire and want to know if you succeeded.
>>
No. 882780 ID: aa0646

>>882748
Oh Fen succeeded,Momo might have survived is the problem.
>>
No. 882782 ID: 10c408

>>882780
The degree of success is important, it'd be nice to know how bad the burns are next time we see her.
>>
No. 882887 ID: e1c8f7

>>882669
Say thank you and good luck on the hunt.
>>
No. 882894 ID: 9d4af9

When you shake hands, Fen, use the same hand as is offered and grip palm to palm. If you want to be a noble at some point you're gonna need to know this stuff.
>>
No. 882898 ID: f3fe9b

Say you can't party too hard, you've got training pursuant to a promotion starting tomorrow, but you wouldn't mind hanging out for a bit.
>>
No. 883082 ID: bfb318
File 152574150010.png - (38.33KB , 1200x800 , 1056.png )
883082

Then again, I haven't been here for long. I will stay.

"I have met people who could have used collar guards."
>"I'm sure."
"Do we know anything else about Momo?"
>"Why would I?"
>"You're the only one who's seen her, Fen." says Holly. "So she's presumed alive and well, if a bit burnt. Hey, why don't you tell him some of your accomplishments."
"Hrm..."
>"I'd like to hear them." he says.
>"Is it okay, in the empire?"
>"Why wouldn't it be?"
"In the shroomleaf forest, it is frowned upon to talk of one's own praises. I have talked of them, yes, but I've attempted to keep only the facts, and leave it to the others to see how it reflects off of me."
>"We're not in the shroomleaf forest, though."
>"No." Holly continues. "But you don't abandon draconian customs entirely even in other regions, do you?"
>"Well certainly not in this region. Well how about you just explain some facts to me, then?"
>>
No. 883083 ID: bfb318
File 152574153964.png - (54.92KB , 1200x800 , 1057.png )
883083

Valsano and the others are making a lot of noise. The other assassins also keep a safe distance away from them, as well, though Valsano doesn't seem to have a care. He buys a second round for everyone. I decline.

"I can say that I nearly sliced off a neck about this big from a serpent." I say, gesturing. "But the blades the empire supplies are amazingly sharp."
>"Not that sharp, unless enchanted for it." He lowers his voice to a whisper. "It seems like your better accomplishment is noble slaying."
"And for that, I've earned Krix's bounty hunters, except I've gotten his most desperate, not his best."
>"I don't know much about them, but don't write off desperate ones. It's the desperate ones that are willing to do the most dangerous things."
"I'll keep that in mind. I would also like to hear of your missions."
>"For what we've done around here, we may as well be glorified scouts. The undead know this place, as they've no doubt been able to run wildly through here for who knows how many years. I'll tell you one thing, though. The necromile has a surprising amount of chokepoints in it. We can get stationed in an area for a long time, and potentially get cut off from our supply line on top of that. When you leave, do yourself a favor and pack 3 times as much as you think you'll need."
>>
No. 883094 ID: b1b4f3

>>883083
Thank him for the advice, that's certainly useful information.

It's tempting to tell him about your two noble kills but both of them involved the dragoncloth in some way. How public was that info, again?
>>
No. 883098 ID: eeb7d9

>When you leave, do yourself a favor and pack 3 times as much as you think you'll need.
Hah! That is actually funny. I am always worrying that i over do it when preparing my stuff. You make me feel less paranoid, thank you.
The only tip that i have for you is to not get hit by anything, because chances are that it is poisoned, and you wont get an antidote for it any time soon. I know, is a obvious tip, but is the only one i got, and i almost die finding it out.
>>
No. 883102 ID: 10c408

Yeah, warn them about the poisoned arrows.

Honestly you haven't been in the empire long enough to really accomplish anything besides killing a noble.
>>
No. 883103 ID: c0641d

Say our parting words as other people suggest them, make extra extra sure to tell Valsano about this tip (since he’s the one going down into the necromile tomorrow) and that all our squad should lay off the drank, perhaps even give him a note with the same tip in case he doesn’t listen and loses our conversation to a drunken blackout, and head back to our quarters, wary of our surroundings all the way.
>>
No. 883105 ID: 0c3c2c

>>883094
It was revealed at a public trial but it's unwise to mention it flippantly.

Anyway, note that the nobleslaying was more a product of the region being incredibly tense and unstable than him particularly wanting to.

Also, warn him about poisoned arrows. There are lots of them and they are extremely deadly.
>>
No. 883106 ID: deec6e

>>883083

>Mowbow is present

Oh hey, our mountain buddy is up and walking again. Say hi and wish him good luck with his recovery.

>chokepoints, bring extra supplies

It shouldn't surprise you that the Necromancers' home turf would be challenging to conquer, and that an underground area riddled with tunnels could be filled with easily collapsible chokepoints. Throw the 'get more supplies' tip in Valsano's direction as well - make it a joke about maybe not packing just beer for the trip.

What's the area down there like? Are there structures, ancient or new, or is it all dug burrows? Have there been signs of tar pits? Is it as cold there as here?

>glorified scouts

"Well, at least you're coming back alive."

>desperation

"Krix hopes to use desperate kobolds to wear me down or get lucky. The 'wound' I hope to give him is that this is a suicide mission. Few like working for - or with - those who needlessly waste lives and damage their own cause. See the case of Sir Veiza."

>Other achivements

"Hmmm. I once killed a pair of supposedly elite mountain kobold bodyguards - although I caught them by surprise and even then they left me concussed, so I can't claim complete victory."

"I've also survived an ambush by a pair of abominations outside of Erja Nokol, one of them quite poisonous, although I had help from a bounty hunter. If you ever face something with poison spines, it helps to have a cloak to shield yourself with. Though it will not help against a sniper's poisoned arrows - that's why I'm buying better armor. Decent odds at survival justifies a wide range of expenses and precautions."
>>
No. 883113 ID: 56e50f

I wonder if being down here in this tomb makes people more inclined to help each other out. So thanks for this information and that you'll pass it to your squadmate who's going down there soon. Offer to buy him his next drink so you catch up with Mowbow before you head out.
>>
No. 883117 ID: 86eb65

Thank him for the advice.

Mention how you are honestly not sure how your accomplishments stand up to anyone elses. Since you have come to the empire its been nothing but fighting and deadly politics. But you are learning and improving.

For a ignorant barbarian we have come a long way in only a few months.

Chat with him further or join the social circle. But keep the armor on. Everyone knows your reasons.
>>
No. 883124 ID: 3abd97

Not sure if Esscaf is just trying to swap stories or trying to network / socialize, or if he was sent to try and get close at someone's behest. Not that we can tell the difference between someone being genuinely friendly and trying to worm in at this point, and he did offer sound advice.

>Well how about you just explain some facts to me, then?
You could talk about your and Aira's fight with that ghost thing. Or maybe some of the fights you were in in Fence, although with Cheese as an ally, spreading information about how Cabbage and Tomato fight and what kept you alive against them isn't really in your interest. Getting into details of noble-killing seems like it would just come back to bite you more, even if we are trying to embrace he Red Maw mantle.

>Mowbow
Probably should say hi.
>>
No. 883176 ID: a363ac

>>883083
"thanks for the hint" also excuse yourself for a moment and go give Valsano a hug its important to send your friends off like its the last time you will see them down here.
>>
No. 883235 ID: 91ee5f

>>883176
No hugs unless Fen is insanely drunk, which he’s not.
>>
No. 883254 ID: bfb318
File 152581678926.png - (27.08KB , 800x800 , 1058.png )
883254

"Thank you for the advice. As for my accomplishments, I don't know how they compare to others, as I haven't been in the empire long. What is the area like, down below?"
>"Mostly old ruins, half caved in. There's the occasional dug tunnel, but no new structures I've heard about."
"Any tar pits?"
>"Yep. Watch your step."

>How public was information regarding dragoncloth?
I'm not sure, anymore. I still won't want to talk about it extensively.

"Excuse me, I need to catch up with some others."
>"Sure." he says, turning to Holly.

I go to the main socializing circle.

"Hello, Mowbow." He's lost a lot of weight.
>"Hi, Fen." He also sounds weak. He is alive, though.
>"Fen." Aira says. "I have something I need to talk with you in the back."
>"It can wait!" says Valsano, about twice as slow as he normally talks, and about twice as loud. "Fen, tell us what you think Death Ca - pff - what you think de - pfff - wha - " He chokes down his gigglefit. "What that necromancer looks like!"
>>
No. 883255 ID: 0d45a9

Lift the visor on your helm Fen, social time is not a good time to be practising getting used to your armour.

As for Death Carrot, orange and green at least. A few mutant names are somewhat descriptive at least, I imagine someone came up with that name for them instead of them choosing it.
>>
No. 883256 ID: 3abd97

>"What that necromancer looks like!"
Time for deadpan serious Fen.

"I don't know. From the few I've seen mutants and abominations vary wildly in appearance, and their names, while unusual, do not describe their appearance."

>"Fen." Aira says. "I have something I need to talk with you in the back."
Let's see what she wants.
>>
No. 883259 ID: a363ac

>>883254
ask Aira if it can wait while you tell Valsano his last grand tale
>>
No. 883262 ID: 0c3c2c

>>883254
His face would be pointy. He'd have green tentacles coming out of the back of his head, and blue scales.

He'd also be short, like a carrot.
>>
No. 883270 ID: 86eb65

Ask Aira if this is one of those "Right now" conversations.

If its not one of those "I need to tell you these guys are going to try and jump you in 15 seconds" conversations then spare a moment to respond to Valsano.

I would assume a giant evil bunny monster. Field kobold with huge teeth maybe?
>>
No. 883271 ID: bfb318
File 152582212860.png - (20.29KB , 800x800 , 1059.png )
883271

"Can it wait?" I ask Aira.
>"Long enough for you to tell Valsano what you think Death Carrot looks like."
"I don't know. Mutants and abominations vary wildly in appearance, and their names, unusual as they are, do not seem to describe their appearance."
>"Gehhhhhhhhhhhhh." Valsano continues making this noise of disapproval until it becomes inappropriate. "hhhhhhhhhh use your imagination, savage!"
"Short like a carrot. Orange, green. Pointy. Similar to a rabbit? Perhaps a field kobold, with large teeth?"
>"Nevermind, Fen! That's such a boring answer, I'm sober! Holly! Drink me!"
>"No, Valsano, though you're quickly becoming mostly alcohol."
>"Fen?" Aira whispers.
"Right. Valsano, I expect to see you alive when I go down there."
>"Then you better hurry up!" He slaps me on the back as I leave.
>>
No. 883272 ID: bfb318
File 152582213467.png - (38.59KB , 800x800 , 1060.png )
883272

I go back with Aira. She leads me to one of the side rooms that I haven't been in yet. It's on an upper floor, and the stairs ascend almost more like a ladder than what stairs I've seen so far.

"What did you want to talk about?"

She takes off her cloak and sword.

She says nothing as she does so. I can't even hear her breath, not like I usually can. All she does is look into the fire. Sometimes, she needs a moment to collect her thoughts, so I patiently wait for her to speak. Eventually, she will. This time is no different.

>"I'm sorry."

>"It's selfish of me to keep asking you to rescue me, even if this isn't about life and death. But..."
>>
No. 883273 ID: bfb318
File 152582217958.png - (17.23KB , 800x800 , 1061.png )
883273

She turns just slightly towards me.

>"I hate parties. I would rather have another mace to the stomach or dagger to the eye than continue being sociable, and Valsano would never let me leave if I tried to leave by myself. I've already said goodbye to him. I'm going to bed. I chose this room, as I don't think Valsano can make it up such steep stairs. Goodnight. Let me know if I can do a favor for you in return."
>>
No. 883279 ID: a363ac

>>883273
ask her if she minds you sleeping with her. you aren't the biggest on parties either.
>>
No. 883280 ID: d2e2ce

Hug Aira. "I feel the same way. Do you mind if I sleep with you?"
>>
No. 883281 ID: d2e2ce

>>883280
And if she reacts to the wording, ask if she can keep a secret, then tell her barbarians do have a sense of humor.
>>
No. 883282 ID: 2cb364

Tell her It’s no problem if she needs bailing out of social events, and if we need her help with something then we’ll let ger know. For now, she should just enjoy her rest.
>>
No. 883284 ID: b1b4f3

Oh come on, people are DEFINITELY going to talk if Aira drags him off to her room and they spend the night together, even if it's not sex.

Tell her you understand, it's hard to spend time with a friend if you know they're going to die very soon. All you can do is hope Valsano survives. Or if he doesn't, he retains his free will as an undead.
Then take your leave.
>>
No. 883287 ID: 3abd97

>>883284
Ah. A tactical retreat, I understand. I admit to not being skilled socially myself.

>Oh come on, people are DEFINITELY going to talk
Sure, but they already are, and neither Fen nor Aira seem bothered by the talking.
>>
No. 883288 ID: 56e50f

>>883273
All you should ask is if she can return the favor one day. Tell her you'll follow her lead and get a room up the stairs as well whenever you're ready.
>>
No. 883289 ID: 0d45a9

Tell Aira to not be sorry, as it's a rescue for us as well. Besides, if Valsano is any measure our boringness would put a damper on things.

>>883284
If we go back to the party we're gonna have to make our leave eventually, and our bluntness might mess with the mood. It might be better to take the escape route we've been given, regardless of the risk of rumours. Valsano would probably get a laugh out of it anyway if we stay, which might be for the best considering how good he thinks his chances are.
>>
No. 883290 ID: f3fe9b

Say she doesn't owe you, you aren't fond of it either.

Tell her if she still doesn't mind the rumors, and you won't mind if she does, but you would appreciate her help keeping out the cold.
>>
No. 883292 ID: 86eb65

Poke around the room. If its hidden enough and defensible enough ask if you can sleep with her.
>>
No. 883293 ID: bfb318
File 152582761294.png - (19.92KB , 800x800 , 1062.png )
883293

"I'm not one for parties, either. There is no need to apologize, in fact, I should sleep here as well."

She pulls a key out from under a bed and locks the door, before taking her scale mail off. I look around the room while she does. I don't see anything unusual about it, and it does look like it's been a long time since it's been used.

>Hug Aira
She's all but said that hugs are fine when not in front of Sir Orjin, but she is still difficult to read when it comes to seeing if she enjoys the hugs at all.

>"This isn't the only key, but the door creaks loudly if it opens. We can't be snuck up on in here, if you're still worried about assassins."
"Always. Aren't you?"
>"No. I'm not. You should sleep with me."
"I said that, didn't I?"
>"I mean in the same bed. It's cold."

It's true. It seems to be getting colder every day.

"I should also remind you that if we sleep together like this, the rumors about us will keep spreading."
>"Maybe you shouldn't, then."
"I don't mind rumors."
>"Neither do I. People have followed and hassled me for my money, not because of who I sleep with. I mean you. You and Lily have a history of some kind, yes?" she asks quietly. "If she found the rumors and believed them, would this bring you problems?"
>>
No. 883294 ID: a363ac

>>883293
I don't know the customs of the Empire but where I come from it would not. Sleep with her
>>
No. 883296 ID: d2e2ce

>>883293
Tell her that if that kind of thing bothers Lily after it's explained properly then you'd think less of her. You value her too much to let that bother you.
>>
No. 883297 ID: 3abd97

You can probably take the helmet off Fen. Sorta hard to sleep with one, and you're alone in a locked room with someone you trust.

>If she found the rumors and believed them, would this bring you problems?
I'm not sure. I would hope not, or that should would not believe them. But if the rumors are strong enough to travel that far, it is likely too late to alter that.
>>
No. 883298 ID: 86eb65

I don't believe so. But either way I am not going to live my life worried about what other people think.
>>
No. 883299 ID: 0c3c2c

>>883293
Not really. The entire point of coming down here was because Fen trying to marry her would bring HER problems, so he's trying to remedy em. Nothing wrong with sleeping with a friend.
>>
No. 883300 ID: 6d6a2c

>>883293
I don't think spending time with a close friend, intimately, sexually, or otherwise, would change your feelings for Lily. Besides, you two are close, and sharing pleasant memories can be important when you're going to be risking life and limb in the necromile.
>>
No. 883304 ID: 56e50f

>>883296
Now this is a valid point. It's not a complicated situation. You're simply doing the smart thing and conserving your heat and energy by sleeping with someone you trust in a room that's secure. Anything out there is simply soldiers' gossip.
>>
No. 883305 ID: b1b4f3

Why don't you ask her clone? She would know if this would cause problems.
>>
No. 883308 ID: eeb7d9

All this, the army, killing nobles, the dragoncloth, me getting almost kill every day, is all for her. I have no other reason to be here. This is not only the way to get to her, but a way to show how much I care, how much I am willing to do to get to her. I would like to think that some gossip is not going to overshadow everything I've done so far. She is not a clueless one either, she will recognize the truth and the lie.
>>
No. 883309 ID: deec6e

>>883293

Start undressing and getting ready for bed.

"If it did come between me and Lily, of if these rumours hurt her feelings, I'd blame myself, not the friend who was kind enough to share warmth with me for perfectly logical reasons... but the thing is, as long as I told her everything, I think Lily would believe me regardless of any amount of rumours - and even see the most positive aspects of it. Sharing friendship and warmth in a cold and difficult situation, those would be appealing concepts to her, I think."

Stare off into the fire yourself for a short while, reminiscing about Lily.

"She is a kind woman. The kindest I've met - no offense intended, for she admitted her kindness largely stems from a position of wealth and privilege few get. She does wish to use that wealth and privilege to help the Empire's people, though. While she may not love him, the Empire would not be worse off if she became Lord Shup's wife with all the influence that entailed - but I'd much rather I could see to her family's needs and make her truly happy. I cannot imagine a satisfying existence without her, which makes me a lovestruck sap, but that is how I feel."

Move over to Aira and give her a friendly hug.

"Anyway, we don't have to worry. There are truth wizards, so if someone really wanted to verify that the rumours weren't true, all they'd have to do is get me one. As long as I insist they do not ask misleading questions, it should be a simple matter to clarify matters."
>>
No. 883311 ID: f3fe9b

Either I have the chance to explain myself and I simply need to tell the truth, or I won't and it will not be my problem anymore.

...Could silly rumors like these really make it all the way to the goldyard?
>>
No. 883313 ID: bfb318
File 152583320994.png - (24.85KB , 800x800 , 1063.png )
883313

"No. If anything, I would cause more problems for her."

I take off my own armor. Aira looks slightly relieved, perhaps thinking I was going to join her in full armor. She lays out her untied cloak like a blanket, which I realize was wider and thicker then I initially thought. I consider a hug, but there'll be enough hugging in bed.

"Could rumors like this ever reach the goldyard?"
>"Considering we have warp magic and there's a Lily construct in the base who was escorted by you and me? Yes."
"No... she's kind, and thinks of others. If anything, she'd want me to share warmth and friendship with those I risk my life with."
>"That sounds like something the clone would say, so you may be right."
"Maybe I'll ask that clone herself if I get a chance."
>"You like Lily this much?"
"She's made me feel alive when I didn't know what feeling alive felt like. When I killed a noble, everything involving the dragoncloth, the killing I do, why I've ended up in Erja Nokol... it's because I want to be able to reach her."
>"I thought you were down here because Lady Apanya noticed you did a lot of what you mentioned."
"I would have come here anyways."
>"Oh."

She breathes in like she's about to say something more. Then she doesn't, though she keeps breathing like that for a moment, holding her words back. She might be hard to read in certain ways, but she's terribly blunt when she looks like she wants to say something more.
>>
No. 883314 ID: 86eb65

I might not be the best reader of people but I know you well enough to know you want to say more.

So whatever it is feel free to ask. Or tell.
>>
No. 883316 ID: 6d6a2c

If she seems conflicted about continuing, go ahead and prompt her to do so, and see how that rolls along. You're a complicated person for civilized folks to read, she should know that you're not going to be offended with whatever she may have on her mind.
>>
No. 883319 ID: 0c3c2c

>>883313
Ask her to say something more.
>>
No. 883320 ID: 3cc68c

Touch fluffy tail.
>>
No. 883321 ID: 363437

>>883320

Yessssss.
>>
No. 883326 ID: d2e2ce

Take off your armor first, then ask her what's on her mind. Stroke her tail to put her at her ease.
>>
No. 883327 ID: b1b4f3

>>883313
Tell her to just speak up. Is it that she can't figure out why you'd want to be here? The answer is, you have to be incredibly strong to have a chance at being able to marry Lily.
>>
No. 883329 ID: bb78f2

>>883313
You've knocked her propensity to the max a friend could go. You keep adding to it but there's not enough room! I can't help but maybe feel like you're dicking her heart around when you don't mean to, you bland, strong man.
>>
No. 883331 ID: 3abd97

>>883313
You don't have to hold your tongue.
>>
No. 883332 ID: 6bcf97

Allow her to make her own decisions on whether to speak or not, she's a grown woman. I do not advise touching fluffy tail.
>>
No. 883337 ID: eeb7d9

Aria, spit it out already. I might be a dense barbarian and horrible at interacting with people, but at least i can notice when a friend has something more to say. If you don't talk, i am going to pull from your tail.
>>
No. 883338 ID: d0d281

It's pretty obvious what's on her mind isn't it?

Fen has a habit of saving people, and he's done Holly a tone of good. If she's not attracted to him it would be strange, so she's probably just wondering how... intimate sleeping with him will be.
>>
No. 883339 ID: aed7bc

"Aira, it's okay to say your mind. I can take blunt honesty." Continue to get comfortable, Fen.
>>
No. 883344 ID: bfb318
File 152583847399.png - (25.24KB , 800x800 , 1064.png )
883344

Once I'm down to my underclothes I move to get into bed with Aira.

"May I touch your tail?"
>"It isn't as warm as it looks, but yes."

I do so. She's right, though it does feel nice.

"You know that I won't get offended by whatever more you have to say."
>"I know."
"Then I would like to hear it, if you want to speak."
>"... There was a noble from Poluputus that toured the farms of the turtle. My friend was enamored before I could even see him through the glint of his golden robe. The noble of poluputus seemed attracted to her, at least enough to let her in close enough to have a conversation friendly enough that when he left later that day, she was inspired at the thought of living a high life. She wanted to tour the world and be able to have such an impact on the world that one could tell which trails she went down just by how it was affected. To do so, she followed the only path the empire knows, and spent what little money she had saved up on... what we called 'armor' back then, and sword lessons. She found a few similarly ambitious friends and set out towards the first bandit camp she could find in order to start building her reputation. I wasn't allowed to join her, but when she didn't return, I snuck out the next morning. I found her body - "

She stops.

>"I think you get the point."

>"I don't know what made me think any of that was okay to say. I'm not trying to convince you not to follow Lily, and I don't need sympathy. You know the risks, better than my friend ever did."
>>
No. 883347 ID: d2e2ce

Man, do hug her.

"No, it's fine, I appreciate your concern. Don't worry too much, I'm not one to get myself killed. Although I wonder if you have any ulterior motives in advising me not to pursue Lily."
>>
No. 883348 ID: b1b4f3

>>883344
Ask what her friend's name was.

Tell her you got this far, you've already proven you're strong. You can do it, and you're going to. Don't worry.
>>
No. 883349 ID: 86eb65

Sorry to hear about your friend. I started this journey knowing that I could easily end up dead in a ditch if I made the wrong choices. But it was this or spend my life unhappily in the forest.

I am not chasing Lily for money or a noble lifestyle. I have simple tastes and would have been fine living with her out in the forest I think. But chasing the dream of being with her motivates me and drives me like nothing else. If I want to be with her I have to be strong enough to take and keep her.

My brother gave it all up you know. I still have almost no idea what he did when he was in the empire. But apparently he made it all the way to the top and then gave it all up to relax back at home in the forest with our family. He never told me anything about his time in the service.

So far my journey has been well worth it. I have made many new friends and companions and learned so much. Am not sure where this road will take me but I am glad to be on it.

Thanks for traveling with me. I am happy to count you among those friends.
>>
No. 883354 ID: 6bcf97

"I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I can see the parallel, but I would say... and I hope I don't sound arrogant... I had good reason to believe I had the potential to go that far. At least, it was good odds."
>>
No. 883355 ID: e1c8f7

A cautionary tale. Get comfortable and thank her for being concerned. You're going to do everything in your ability to not just be another sad example.
>>
No. 883357 ID: 6d6a2c

It seems like she's concerned about you, Fen. Give her some reassurance, at least. You'll be there for her, both as an ally and as a friend... Don't be too sappy, though. Maybe try and move the conversation to something more pleasant; there's enough death on everyone's minds already.
>>
No. 883359 ID: c0641d

“I think it’s a matter of how you go about doing things. When talking of pursuing your heart’s desire, it is ‘do’ or ‘do not’; there is no ‘try.’”
>>
No. 883364 ID: f3fe9b

I'm sorry to hear that. But... this is the only thing I've been sure of. If not for this, I'd still be some layabout sleeping in holes in the forest. I have to believe it's better to try and maybe fail then not try at all.

(have we asked her why she joined the army yet?)
>>
No. 883366 ID: bfb318
File 152584241137.png - (20.87KB , 800x800 , 1065.png )
883366

I reach to grab her shoulder to at least see if she could hug, now.

"I'm sorry to hear of your friend. What was her name?"
>"Shilli."
"I see the parallels, but I'm not after the money or fame in of itself."
>"The path is the same, and as dangerous."
"Still. So far, my journey's been worth it. If not for it, I'd still be sleeping in holes in the ground, and I would not have met friends such as yourself. I have to believe it's better to try and maybe fail, then not fail."
>"Friends, somehow. The only lesson my tale has is to why I didn't have friends when we met."
"Because they have died?"
>"What. No. That too, but I sabotage friendships even if I don't mean to. It is stupid to talk about dead friends right as someone joins you in bed."
"It was a cautionary tale, still. Are you concerned about me?"
>"Yes. I am. I hope you mean it when you say that the journey is worth it so far. Shilli never found that feeling. Most don't get that far. As stupid as it is to think that the expression on a corpse means anything, Shilli... she didn't look like it was worth trying. She just looked like another person looking for a fantasy, and found reality instead."
"I don't intend on being another sad example or a cautionary tale. I've proven I'm strong, and I don't intend to die. I'll do more than try."
>"... It's fine to talk strong. I want to help. If I can help one ambitious person in my life succeed, then it's good enough for me."

I think this is an okay time to hug her, but I want to perhaps change the subject to something more pleasant for her sake. I'm struggling to come up with anything.

I don't think I've asked her why she's joined the army, yet.
>>
No. 883367 ID: b1b4f3

>>883366
Yeah why don't you ask her that, then.

Don't get all huggy yet.
>>
No. 883371 ID: e1c8f7

If she stands with you, you'll stand with her. Thank you Aria. Pause for a moment before going for a hug. Let her regain her composure.
>>
No. 883378 ID: 24b9dd

>(have we asked her why she joined the army yet?)
I think she said she was a conscript back when we met her.
>>
No. 883379 ID: 6bcf97

It's hard to think of a topic that would cheer her up. Hmm...

Talk with her about things she's seen that you haven't. She might have traveled a bit or she might not have, but she's more worldly in some ways than you and should at least have a few stories, right? Get her talking about the strangest thing she's ever seen or something like that. Maybe? That's more a conversation, though. You should be going to bed. How tricky.
>>
No. 883381 ID: a43366

Ask her if she has any ambitions that you might be able to help her with.
>>
No. 883384 ID: 6bcf97

It's not exactly a pleasant topic, but perhaps you could affirm what you're doing now, on top of any dreams for the future. Think of Valsano. How is he so cheerful? Perhaps because he's already gotten what he wanted. He's fighting something blatantly horrible, created by people who don't know how badly they're wrecking things for themselves as much as for anyone else. If he dies tomorrow... he's gotten quite far, probably further than most who join the army ever go. If you die tomorrow, you've done that much, too. So has she. There's a lot to improve, in the empire, and lots about this campaign that could be better, but it is worth doing and worth being a part of. For a lot of people, just getting this far - becoming someone who successfully fights against undead monsters in ancient ruins - would be the big dream.

Obviously, you want more. You all want more. But you can appreciate where you are now, right? And you're allowed to feel good about what you're doing.
>>
No. 883386 ID: 91ee5f

>>883384
>How is he so cheerful?
He’s drunk off his ass.
>>
No. 883391 ID: 6d6a2c

Hmm, the reason why she joined might still be too rough to lighten the mood. Ask her something simple, but still personal. Show you care about her! Maybe what her favourite thing to do was before joining the army.
>>
No. 883403 ID: eeb7d9

We don't show pity, we show true concern. We never had a reason to show pity before, we won't have reasons now. We either care or we don't. That is how we are.
Ask her why she joined the army. Having all this new story from her makes me more curious.
>>
No. 883408 ID: 86eb65

Give her a hug while you talk. Hold her in your arms for warmth and to comfort her.

"You know just as many people die not following there dreams. I have seen so many miserable people barely able to survive since I came to the empire. I would rather fight for a better future and die during the attempt than to not make a attempt at all."

"So why did you join the army?"
>>
No. 883410 ID: bfb318
File 152587827110.png - (23.90KB , 800x800 , 1066.png )
883410

She looks back at me where I can see her eye. I was about to let her regain composure, but I don't think she ever lost it.

>"You're shivering. Get in bed." I do, and get in close to Aira. I almost start to put an arm around her, but she takes my hand and keeps it at her side, though in a way that seems affectionate. I don't want to get overbearing, but she is warm, so I'm glad to get close.
"What was your favorite thing to do, before the army?"
>"Running away from home and pretending that I could be an explorer."
"Why can't you? Many people die not following their dreams, anyway."
>"It was a bad dream. And I don't mean unrealistic. I mean that I didn't actually want to be an explorer. I just wanted to run away."
"You were a conscript, right?"
>"Yes, in a standing army, not a pro-active one. It was worse than this."
"How so?"
>"The turtle army did nothing but patrol endlessly. My allies didn't want a soldier at their backs. They wanted someone to talk to, to pass the boring hours. I was so bad at that, that being on patrol with me was almost a punishment. So I joined Sir Orjin, since I knew his pawns would want someone to fight with them, not talk with them. I was much better in that situation."
"I think you're doing a fine job talking right now."
>"I think I'm doing terribly."
"Hm... We've made it beyond pawns, though. Much farther than most. We can feel good about that, can't we?"
>"I suppose so."

She hisses through her teeth. I think it was a failed laugh.

"Is something wrong?"
>"We stared death in the face and got rich. Now we're spending the money to get better equipment so that we can go try to stare down death harder."
"Valsano seems cheery about it."
>"He got enough money to buy a clean conscience, by sending it home. I don't think he'll ever leave the army no matter how far he gets anyway. I don't think I will, either."
"Do you like this?"
>"I don't know. It suits me. I appreciate you tolerating my clumsy efforts at talking, but if Hydril's training is tough and we're sent to the necromile after, then we'll be going back to what suits me for a long time. This may be the last night in awhile we can sleep easily, and with privacy."
>>
No. 883413 ID: d2e2ce

Fen, she's hinting that this is a chance to have sex. At least acknowledge it. Personally I recommend taking her up on it.
>>
No. 883417 ID: 86eb65

If we survive you will always have a place by my side if you want it. I will need good trustworthy companions if I make it to the top. I already stumbled into having a spymaster somehow so some elite adventuring friends would be nice.


Seduce the Fluff.
>>
No. 883418 ID: 3cc68c

If my dream works out I might end up with more power than I know what to do with. I could use some trusted friends to advise me. If you ever want to find private work down the road.

As for privacy what would you like to do in this tiny bed that everyone assumes we are fucking like rabbits in?
>>
No. 883419 ID: a363ac

>>883410
fuck it do the sex.
>>
No. 883420 ID: 0d45a9

I think she's hinting at something Fen.
>>
No. 883424 ID: 5f3f48

Talking is for when you need to talk, it doesn't need to be entertainment or anything else.

>This may be the last night in awhile we can sleep easily, and with privacy.
Poor girl is getting pretty blatant with her hints.

Oh well, time to go to sleep and be well rested for tomorrow and nothing else.
>>
No. 883426 ID: 4ee93b

Ask her if she would like to do something tonight, you might be misreading her but she seems to be giving off strong hints at a desire for affection. Since this is likely the last time either of you will have a private space (not gonna be a lot of privacy in the field) and Aira doesn't seem like the kind of girl who would appreciate an audience of rowdy soldiers when she is trying to be tender/intimate.
>>
No. 883428 ID: 91ee5f

>suggestions saying that Aira wants sex
I’m not sure about that. I mean, maybe she is? But then again, she might not be hinting at that.
>>
No. 883431 ID: bfb318
File 152588409238.png - (16.89KB , 800x800 , 1067.png )
883431

I have just realized that Aira might be hinting at something.

"Aira. I am not good with hints. If you're hinting at something, I'll most likely miss it, so it's best to be as blunt as possible with me."
>"I try to do that. I'm not sure what hints - "

She pauses.

>"Oh. I've been hinting at sex, haven't I. Constantly, maybe. This is why I try to be blunt. As soon as I talk in excess, I'm misunderstood."
"I expected nothing more than warmth by sleeping with you, my misunderstanding your words did not change that."
>"I think that with any other girl, you would have understood correctly. It's not that I dislike the idea, but I might not fulfill what you might expect from me."
"What do you think I would expect of you?"
>"Hrm..."

>"Would you believe me if I said I have no sexual desires?"
>>
No. 883432 ID: a363ac

>>883431
yes.
>>
No. 883433 ID: 0c3c2c

>>883410
Fen, she is clearly lonely and in need of friendship and company. Offer comfortable sex.
>>
No. 883434 ID: 5f3f48

>>883431
Shrug and say yes.

Considering how little Fen seems motivated by his own sexual desires in most circumstances, he should have no trouble believing that of someone else.
>>
No. 883435 ID: 0c3c2c

>>883433
Pfffft, what a poor time to post that. Anyway, just offer her friendship. And a scaly weight to sleep next to.
>>
No. 883436 ID: 0d45a9

Yes. Explain that you were only asking in case those hints were deliberate and you were being oblivious.
>>
No. 883437 ID: d2e2ce

"Yes." Good thing that got cleared up early...ish.
>>
No. 883438 ID: 6bcf97

"I think I would. I can't say I have zero such desires myself, but I do feel I might have less such than seems expected of me. Or perhaps I simply don't wear it on my sleeve so much as others. Lily did surprise me with how much I was attracted to her, in several senses. It's always possible for something to suddenly shake up your idea of the way you are, but that applies to everything; beyond that, yes, I believe you. Do others not? The empire seems to assume a certain level of... passion from its citizens, and their soldiers especially. Has it been a problem?"
>>
No. 883439 ID: 56e50f

>>883431
Yes, actually. You yourself have much more subdued desire compared to your peers. You were beginning to think you were the only one with some form of restraint or below average libido.
>>
No. 883440 ID: 4ee93b

Maybe, maybe not. Fen is not worldly enough in society at large to know much about that, he just wanted to know if he was ignoring her request or not.
>>
No. 883441 ID: f3fe9b

I believe it. Do people usually not believe it?
>>
No. 883442 ID: 6d6a2c

>>883431
It's not hard to believe. You yourself never goes out of your way for it, either. She may be comforted by the fact that you would if she desired it, and not for any sort of vapid reasons. It can be a strong gesture of closeness, after all, even if it doesn't go as far as "love"
>>
No. 883464 ID: deec6e

>>883431

"I believe you. The same was true for me before I met Lily."

Shake your head and chuckle, as you realize something.

"I'm sorry if this misinterprets your words, but you are sounding a little like how I used to be. Adrift and dissatisfied, unsure what to make of my situation, even though I arguably had it good, though every day could become a life-and-death struggle. My brother told me to just enjoy it as the peak of existence, but I never could. Then I met Lily."

Smile at her, squeeze her hand.

"It shouldn't have to take a platinum noble's prospective husband coming down here to awe you, but perhaps you shouldn't accept the way things are for you either. If you really feel the knight's life suits you, that's fine. It's just that you seemed a little resigned to your life being what it is. I never got the impression you wanted to die any time soon, so that seemed odd."

Snuggle into her.

"... really, as much as I appreciate the gesture, you do not have to live as if the best use of your life is to make my ambitions succeed. I am happy that you have - and have had - my back during this campaign, but if you find a goal worth pursuing you should take the opportunity. Having a dependable ally is worth a lot to me, but if I was to choose, a happy friend would be worth more."
>>
No. 883465 ID: 86eb65

Yes.

Honestly when Lily showed up it was the first person I was really attracted to in that way. Have had sex before but it was never something I chased.

But if it was with someone I cared about it seems like it would be much more fulfilling.
>>
No. 883466 ID: 3cc68c

Yeah. Sex is a deeply personal thing and unless you get in the mood its just work. I was like that until I met Lily. Not that we have done anything mind you.

So if you find the right person or place or time you might change your mind.

I am perfectly fine just snuggling up for warmth and companionship.
>>
No. 883484 ID: bb78f2

>>883431
Yeah. I mean, I'm that way too. Not even sure if I'm sexually attracted to Lily, I know I just love her.
>>
No. 883485 ID: b1b4f3

Pretty sure Fen was attracted to the ladies before Lily, he just didn't like the type that wanted to lay with the hero of the day.
>>
No. 883501 ID: d0d281

That's pretty much how I think of Fen anyway.

In fact, when I suggest he engage in cavorting with with his fellow soldier, it's really because Fen is so out of place and stiff that he really needs to learn how to be around people more. And yeah, that includes being intimate with people, rather than comically oblivious to the idea of sexual overatures.
>>
No. 883525 ID: bfb318
File 152591079545.png - (17.18KB , 800x800 , 1068.png )
883525

"Yes. I'm not exactly the same, as I have sexual desires, but they haven't been as significant in my life as it seems with so many others. I have little interest in doing things with people who don't interest me. It is not a stretch to believe that there are kobolds who do not have the urges at all."
>"Okay. Understand that I can still enjoy physical affection, just not in the same ways that others can. I won't talk about all of the weird misunderstandsings people have had about me, but you must keep this a secret above all else about me. People have treated me as something unnatural. I don't want that, especially not in a place where mutants and abominations are on people's minds."
"I won't tell anyone. Do people not believe you when you tell them?"
>"They make assumptions. They rationalize why I think I'm asexual.
"It isn't the same, but you remind me how I was before Lily. I was resigned to my life."
>"I can't rely on nobility crossing paths with me to get inspired."
"..."

I falter, as I would have no past advice for a version of myself that did not meet Lily. I would not be able to tell myself about Lily and expect to be inspired to travel so far. I would need to see Lily myself. If Aira is the same way, I can't tell her that there's a Lily out there for her and expect her to change mentalities like I did.

"If you do find a goal worth pursuing, don't feel shackled to my goals. Don't feel shackled regardless."
>"Okay." She says it halfheartedly.

I slip under the covers, and she does the same, scooting backwards into me. I squeeze her gently, and keep her hand in mine. She appears relaxed.

If there's anything else to be said, I'm missing it.
>>
No. 883527 ID: b1b4f3

"Goodnight."
>>
No. 883528 ID: 3abd97

For two people who see themselves as bad at social skills, you two sure did a good job of sharing your feelings in a detailed and thorough manner.

>If there's anything else to be said, I'm missing it.
You're fine.
>>
No. 883529 ID: a363ac

>>883525
sleep right
>>
No. 883530 ID: 0d45a9

I think you've said all that can be said conversation-wise, maybe a "Good night." but that's probably optional. Time to get some rest.
>>
No. 883531 ID: 91ee5f

>>883525
That’s a smart thing you’re doing right there. Using Aira’s ears to keep your face warm.

>If there's anything else to be said, I'm missing it.
Obviously, you should be saying, “Good night.”
>>
No. 883533 ID: 86eb65

Night.
>>
No. 883535 ID: deec6e

Yeah, if there's more words to say than g'night, they can come later. Rest now and train hard on the morrow.
>>
No. 883539 ID: eeb7d9

Good night, comrade.
>>
No. 883569 ID: 0c3c2c

>>883525
Sleep.
>>
No. 883581 ID: d2e2ce

"Sweet dreams."
>>
No. 883587 ID: 14e348

You might have implied that she's not interesting. You could say "thank you for telling me", which would alleviate that a little, and make a mental note to ask her more about herself some time.
>>
No. 883641 ID: d0d281

Oh Fen, you are so clueless. She might not be a sexual creature, but she clearly has a crush on you that she's suppressing. That's ok though, it's not like you would act on it anyway.
>>
No. 883775 ID: a6c84a

'night Aira
>>
No. 883817 ID: 2007b6

Tell her, even if there isn't any equivalent Lily waiting somewhere out there for her to eventually run into, there's nothing wrong or unnatural with lacking the desire for sex, any more so than lacking the desire to gamble or get drunk or fight. Y'know who else probably had no sex drive? The great beasts which defined the regions different kobolds come from. Not like they'd need to be reproducing, right?
>>
No. 883839 ID: 094652

Pet her to sleep.
>>
No. 883989 ID: e1c8f7

You're lucky to have a friend like her, Fen.
>>
No. 884029 ID: b96611

Bedtime
>>
No. 884055 ID: 15a025

Goodnight Aira.
>>
No. 884810 ID: bfb318
File 152660273202.png - (37.15KB , 800x800 , 1069.png )
884810

"Goodnight, Aira, thank you for telling me. Even if you never find something that changes your outlook like I did, there is nothing wrong with you as you are now."
>"Okay. Goodnight, Fen."

We wake up, get dressed, and move down to the bar. Holly has breakfast already made for us.

>"Hey, you two." says Holly. "One of Sir Hydril's lesser knights stopped by with directions. First, no armor until further notice, so we were told to store your armor here. Second, training is done a week at a time, once you go into Sir Hydril's wing, you only leave after the week is up, unless you give up or get kicked out. It's either that, or just go down into the necromile, so I told Sir Mopp to expect you two."
>>
No. 884811 ID: 86eb65

Get fed and make sure you have what you need before heading out. Sounds like this guy is going to put you through hell.

Hopefully will be worth it.
>>
No. 884814 ID: b1b4f3

>>884810
I don't get it, aren't you supposed to train in armor once you start using it?
Oh well, nothing to be done about it. Gotta follow given directions. If this is a trick so they can try to assassinate you easier I'm gonna be mad and people are going to die.
>>
No. 884815 ID: a363ac

>>884810
take off all your clothes but your underware, eat, and get moving. He said no Armour but I think modesty is reasonable.
>>
No. 884817 ID: d5ee3d

Well, eat up, drop off your armor and be off. Let's assume this time that clothes don't count as armor, because if they don't you'll freeze to death. Bring your cloak, even. If you're going to be there for a week you'll need a blanket, and you can use it on your way there to obscure who you are so people don't go "hey there goes Fen without any of his armor".
>>
No. 884823 ID: 3abd97

>>884810
Well, I suppose we'll see you in a week then.

We're right back to training naked, it seems.
>>
No. 884826 ID: deec6e

>>884810

Thank Holly and enjoy your breakfast, ask her how the party last night went after you left. Then head to sir Mopp to drop off your armor. Ask both of them if they know anything about this Sir Hydril - we've only gotten what Valsano told us so far.
>>
No. 884828 ID: eeb7d9

Well, there goes our plan for training WITH armor. But i don't think we should go without clothes. If we don't need them, we can just discard them.
>>
No. 884833 ID: 56e50f

>>884810
Don't be afraid to ask for extra portions. You're going to need those calories.
>>
No. 884835 ID: b1b4f3

...maybe you should bring a bedroll.
>>
No. 884845 ID: 91ee5f

>>884810
>First, no armor until further notice, so we were told to store your armor here.
No armor, but there was nothing saying that we couldn’t bring our weapons. Ask Holly if you’re supposed to also leave your weapons here?

If you’re allowed to bring them, then bring your sword and shield.

Ask Holly if you have to be naked? You don’t expect Sir Hydril to have the same training method as Sir Orjin, but you’d rather know ahead of time so that you don’t look like an idiot by showing naked when you don’t have to do that.

>Second, training is done a week at a time, once you go into Sir Hydril's wing, you only leave after the week is up, unless you give up or get kicked out.
We should ask what we’re allowed to bring with us, so that we don’t forget anything.

>>884815
>take off all your clothes but your underware
>>884823
>We're right back to training naked, it seems.
No, you fools! That’s Sir Orjin’s training method! Sir Hydril probably doesn’t even do that! We should ask and make sure before we do that!
>>
No. 884993 ID: 10c408

If you are going to ask about what kind of clothing to bring, at least try to make it a terrible barbarian joke instead of repeating the same thing from when Sir Orjin was training everyone.
>>
No. 885002 ID: bfb318
File 152669774770.png - (29.45KB , 800x800 , 1070.png )
885002

"Okay, I'll see you in a week, then."

I eat the food. It's dense, but nonetheless, I get some bread out of one of the cupboards behind the counter.

"Do you want anything extra, Aira?"
>"I'm fine."
"Thank you, Holly."

I go to Sir Mopp as Aira follows.

"Hello."
>"Fen."
"I've been told to leave my armor here."
>"That's right."
"Are we going to be training naked, again?"
>"... You know? I have to be honest with you now. Sir Orjin says training naked is a time honored tradition, or something to that effect, but in all my days as a knight, it's only been our group I see trotting over the dragon's lands without a scrap on us."
>"I hope Sir Hydril is not the next Sir Orjin, then." says Aira.
>"He's not, since he'll be giving you these."

He pulls out some robes. They look high class.

>"Sir Hydril's students wear these. Comfortable, and... well, they aren't that warm, but I expect you'll be warming up by doing laps."
"Should I bring a bedroll?"
>"No, Sir Hydril most likely has decent quarters set aside. He is the relative of the mithril here, so he has funds to spare. All you'll be bringing is your swords."
"No shield?"
>"Not this week, anyway. Oh, and wear your emblems around your neck. They can be tucked into the robes to avoid it flying."
>>
No. 885004 ID: bfb318
File 152669777534.png - (34.27KB , 800x800 , 1071.png )
885004

We get changed into these robes. They let air in, and there are many times I would have liked to own these to not overheat during long bouts of exercise, but now, here... I'd rather any other training clothes.

Firzel and Frais catch up to us as we find Sir Hydril's wing within the same large building that Sir Zall was in.

There are several other kobold besides us in the waiting room. Firzel immediately starts chatting with them. Most of them are either like us and looking to train for greater knighthood, but some are greater knights who have had talents called into question, either by others or by themselves.
>>
No. 885005 ID: bfb318
File 152669778425.png - (27.14KB , 800x800 , 1072.png )
885005

An extraordinarily tall person comes out of the room ahead.

>"Hello."

>"I am Sir Hydril. Your goal this week is to hit me with a training weapon once. You must first declare you would like a try, at any point. Once I am ready to defend myself, I will accept. You will then make an attempt, and it will be over when I hit you, when you hit me, or you run over 15 feet from me. Everything you do this week should focus on hitting me once. If you fail when the week is over, you fail the class. You may ask me or any of my lesser knights for tutilage. There are training dummies in the other room. The rest should have been explained. Do not leave the building. You may ask anything of my pawns within reason, including fetching items from outside if you require. I will be in the main training hall behind me if you have any questions, or wish to make an attempt to strike me."
>>
No. 885007 ID: 094652

"Do you reserve the right to deny us all a chance for a whole week so we can't challenge you ever, or is that only if some lugnut tries to debilitate you with poison?"
>>
No. 885008 ID: a363ac

>>885005
ask for an attempt.
>>
No. 885009 ID: 05d8dc

Ask him if you can fight him now.
>>
No. 885010 ID: 86eb65

Ask if you can make a attempt. It would be good to know how much he outclasses you early on.

Then we can find out what he suggests to work on and how we can improve.

(lets hope this guy is not some creep)
>>
No. 885011 ID: b1b4f3

>>885005
So you have to hit him FIRST. He didn't say it needed to be a lethal spot, either. You could hit him on the knuckle and pass.

Do some warmup exercises, then go ask him if you can make an attempt as many times as you want, and as frequently as you want. Then start by asking for some training. Let's just assume this guy is going to beat you if you make an attempt, so don't dive headfirst into this. Heck, a failed attempt could result in you being injured, training weapon or no.

I'd really like to watch someone else make an attempt, just to see how far behind you are.
>>
No. 885012 ID: 05d8dc

Ask him if you can fight him now.
>>
No. 885013 ID: b59fad

Don't ask for an attempt right away, certainly not in front of everyone. You have a reputation to maintain, you know? Let a few other people make the attempt and fail, so that if you attempt and fail people won't get their good impression of you shattered. Later, when they're used to the idea that he's hard to hit, that'll be fine. Besides, you came here to learn, right? If you managed to win you wouldn't be gaining much. Maybe set a personal goal that you'll only attempt decent strikes on him? Like, you'll avoid going for the easy extremity scrapes. Make it a bit harder on yourself so you learn more. You can change your mind when the deadline comes closer.
>>
No. 885014 ID: bfb318

As Aira is getting her own custom armor, a paper doll has been made available for anyone who might like to design armor for her.

>>/questdis/123092
>>
No. 885015 ID: f3fe9b

I think we ought to wait for somebody more ambitious to make an attempt, and see what happens. Then ask for tutelage.
>>
No. 885017 ID: eeb7d9

I really doubt there will be anyone bold enough to try hitting him now. Other than us. But i'm going to go with not trying hit him now. We have time, there is no need to rush it. Let's see if anyone trys first and then analyze what we are up against.
>>
No. 885020 ID: 10c408

Don't be the first example Fen, let some other yahoo volunteer and get smacked. Pay attention when it happens.
>>
No. 885021 ID: 17c2ee

Consider throwing the weapon at him for your attempt.
>>
No. 885022 ID: b1b4f3

>>885021
That's probably too easily blocked. On the other hand we should probably clarify what counts as a hit.
>>
No. 885025 ID: 0c3c2c

>>885005
So... Is this training for duels?
>>
No. 885026 ID: 7c90bc

Ask if this will be armed or unarmed combat. Also Fen is of course going to have to try and hit him. We understand he'll probably get smacked, but we need to know what we are up against and and we are going to learn a lot about our teacher from actually trying. It's not like you get just one shot, right?
>>
No. 885029 ID: 988567

Better ask to at least get a feel for what we will be up against. We have tended to learn much faster by doing than seeing

They will almost certainly be quick, light on the feet, and have a reach longer than you would expect. Most likely, he fights with the object of winning in the least amount of moves, ideally in one action. Let them make the first move so we can see if we can parry-stab.
Also, it may be unconventional but you could grab their sword and hold on. If he doesn’t count that as a hit you could pull them into your striking range or force him to let it go.
All in all, you need to gauge his strengths and find weaknesses to exploit.
>>
No. 885035 ID: b1b4f3

...wait a minute, isn't this test a bit flawed? Hitting an enemy first doesn't mean you win. You have to not get hit in the enemy's last moments as well, as Fen showed during his sparring match back in Shroomleaf.
>>
No. 885040 ID: 91ee5f

>>885005
Ask what happens if you both strike each other at the same time? Does that count as a pass or a fail?

Ask how many times per day do we get to make an attempt?

>>885026
>Ask if this will be armed or unarmed combat?
Sir Hydril said we had to hit him with a training weapon, so I think the answer is obviously armed combat.

>>885035
>questioning Sir Hydril’s logic in this type of training.
That sounds like a really bad thing to do. I don’t think we should mention any of that.
>>
No. 885045 ID: b1b4f3

>>885040
Fine, then we can just give him a leading question:
"What happens if we hit eachother at the same time, or almost at the same time?"
>>
No. 885064 ID: 3abd97

We don't have a training weapon, yet. We brought our regular sword. So we can't make a hit immediately.

>Sir Hydril
Interesting. I didn't realize there were abominations in the army, or that they held rank. (No don't say that out loud). He's a very lucky abomination too- he's far more normal looking than the others we've seen.

>the test
Well, he's rather obviously got a reach advantage. I wouldn't be surprised if he'd fast, too. In a real battle, I'd be suggesting unfair tactics to get around this (shoot him, ambush him, hit him with numbers, poison, etc) but the challenge here appears to be able to overcome an asymmetrical match-up in a 'fair' fight.

Seems like training for boss fights. Or the coliseum, where we eventually get there.
>>
No. 885066 ID: 49a777

I don't think that Sir Hydril is an abomination, Erja Nokol's mutations are always like that (unpredictable and noticeable, that is), abominations are the ones that sat in tar pits, and, as a result, no longer clearly resemble kobolds; Sir Hyrdil is simply and Erja Nokol kobold, like Cheese.
>>
No. 885068 ID: 3abd97

>>885066
He's not a cave kobold. (He's got similar coloring to Cheese, sure, but that's not normal Cave Kobold coloring- that's one of her mutations). Proportion-wise, he pretty clearly started out as an Oceanic Kobold. They're the ones with that head shape, whip tails, and the funny oversized paw-hands.

The thing is there's no normal set of region influences that would have made him look this way- Fisher's Run causes discoloration, but the effect is minimal on Oceanic Kobolds, and none of the regions cause gigantism. Which means he has to be a mutant or abomination- but his mutations are impressive and pronounced and apparently useful in a fight. That's more like Cabbage and Tomato than Cheese, which says abomination to me.
>>
No. 885069 ID: e5c658

>>885068
Mutants aren't all cave kobolds. This guy is just a different kobold who was mutated. Abominations are the result of leaving kobolds in the mutating pits.
>>
No. 885071 ID: c0641d

“I doubt they could count towards completion, but are unarmed strikes allowed during a challenge?”
>>
No. 885074 ID: deec6e

Hmm... training us to get the first blow only? Someone's not got much faith in our survivability. May have something to do with being given a few weeks only to turn soldiers into commandos.

That said, getting first blow doesn't look to be easy. His reach is good and he seems to be a mutated Erja Nokol-born Oceanic, so his speed and reflexes could be downright wicked. You trained against skilled Oceanics serving under Lord Shup and those tended to get the better of you. Harken back to those lessons, as they're the best experience to have prepared you for this.

Hydril's focus is clearly to get you to train your reflexes, speed and ability to read your opponent, so that you stand a chance of getting the first blow. Beyond getting the first blow, you should also not open yourself up to deadly retaliation, as whether or not Hydril is training you for it you should definitely be training yourself for it. With undead opponents, follow-up hits are almost assured, so closing your own openings will be important. Your first blow should also be something that could've been considered lethal or serious, had you not used a training weapon.

Let those be the goals you set for hitting Sir Hydril; First blow, serious hit, avoided retaliation (even if he doesn't act on it).

If you find you cannot match Hydril, we can always step down those goals to just getting a first blow, but those are a good high benchmark to aim for when pushing yourself during training - success means you could win against a Greater Knight, after all. You should challenge him every day, but only at the end of the day, after a full day's worth of exertion and training, both for him and for you. Challenging him at the end of day has a few benefits - someone else is liable to have tried challenging him before you, so you might learn a little, and as you've been training stamina, if his reflexes slow down from getting tired, you may get an edge. That said, you may want to challenge him in the morning, too, just to experience what he's like when he's fully rested and ready for you.

Hydril seems oddly off-hand for someone with a reputation for being a hardass on certain people. We're given free reign to train ourselves, using him or his knights. That's definitely something we should take advantage of though, and it necessitates asking the right questions and training the right things with the right trainers, both for facing Hydril's challenge and for facing the enemy below.

>Questions for Hydril

"Are there any typical disqualifying moves, or is a simple hit with a training weapon all that is required?"

"What areas of training should I focus on for this challenge?"

"Who here should I be training with to get the best training available for those areas?"

"Is there anything else I should also be training at to become better at fighting undead, wizards and necromancers?"

>How to train

See the answers to the above questions and defer to them if they aren't useless. You could also consider training teamwork - it may not be that important for this week, but it'll help for later, so consider teaming up with Firzel, Dame Frais and Aira for the duration of your training. Sharing lessons and realizations, tips and tricks, can help the teachings sink in faster and more thoroughly.
>>
No. 885075 ID: bfb318
File 152675076929.png - (30.58KB , 1000x800 , 1073.png )
885075

I'm torn between wanting to step forward and try first, but I have questions first anyway.

"How many attempts do we get per day?"
>"As many as you like."
"And if we strike you at the same time as you strike us?"
>"Then you pass. This is no duel. If I strike you, I will say 'stop' to end the attempt. If you haven't struck me by the time I finish saying stop, the attempt fails."
"Under what circumstances would you deny us an attempt?"
>"No relevant circumstances. The point of me stating that I accept is not because I would deny an attempt, but so that I am prepared. This week is not training for overpowering someone with numbers, or surprise attacks, or any such nonsense. That is for next week, if anyone passes."

Someone steps forward as he finishes talking.

>"I'd like an attempt." says the draconic. "Will you be supplying us with training weapons?"
>"Yes." says Hydril, who looks to the side. A pawn steps forward to hand the draconic a training sword to use, and takes the draconics real sword. The training weapon looks like rigid straw tied together.
>"Any strike at all, even grazing ones?"
>"Yes. Melee strikes are also acceptable, but those must land squarely. I won't pass someone just because their finger brushed across me."
>>
No. 885076 ID: bfb318
File 152675078785.png - (28.06KB , 1000x800 , 1074.png )
885076

Hydril pulls his own sword out, which is the same, although his sword is longer. He moves into a stance.

>"I accept your attempt."

The draconic is in a similar stance, and starts moving forward.
>>
No. 885078 ID: bfb318
File 152675088231.png - (34.73KB , 800x800 , 1075.png )
885078

Hydril barely pulls his sword back to start a swing, but he snaps it down on the draconic so hard that his own training sword breaks.

>"Stop."
>>
No. 885080 ID: bfb318
File 152675092528.png - (14.48KB , 800x800 , 1076.png )
885080

The draconic crumples to the ground. Hydril's strike knocked him out. This must be why unlimited attempts are available.

>"Take him to the medical ward." says Hydril, while a pawn brings him a new training sword and another takes the broken one away. "We have a wizard on standby that will heal people quickly, but don't think broken arms or skulls will be repaired anytime soon. You're not pawns. You have to at least be able to take hits already. Other than walking through that exit that you all just came into, you may wander freely through this wing. I will also spar freely with any of you over the course of this week, where I will offer advice and gentler strikes. If I am preoccupied, you may spar with any of my lesser knights, and of course each other, as teamwork and planning is encouraged even if your test is a one on one fight. We will offer guidance on how best to land a strike on me. Would anyone else like to make an attempt?"

Hydril's strength looks like it's his physical ability. His technique isn't extraordinary, but it is simple and effective. He swung the instant the draconic was in range, and still looked like he was ready to jump in any direction if the draconic dodged or blocked. He doesn't seem unbeatable, but my chances of passing right now seem slim.

>"What are you?" one of the kobolds asks.
>"An abomination. Nearly all of the tar shaped kobolds are multi-legged spiked monstrosities. My status as an exception can be owed to equal parts luck and wizardry.
>>
No. 885082 ID: 86eb65

Strength does not equal speed. But this guy seems very fast.

I would try once. Until you witness it with your own body you don't have a accurate measurement. Cause lets be fair you have been stronger and faster than most people you meet. And the guy that just got knocked out could be weak.

Even if you do hit him today you would still train your ass off for this next week to get better and better.
>>
No. 885083 ID: deec6e

>>885078

Ouch, hardly even swung it.

See previous statement on only attempting to duel him at the end of the day, although with less hope that he'll be tired out and more belief that we'll need the recovery time. Append with there being no shame in retreating if you don't feel you can get a clean blow in or avoid return strikes. Avoiding his retaliation is doubly important now that he's displayed just quite how well he can retaliate. We want to remain functional so we can continue training and not spend days recovering.

Repeat my earlier questions re: what to train and who to train with for more efficient trainage.
>>
No. 885085 ID: b1b4f3

>>885080
>sparring is gentler strikes
Well that's a relief.

Okay, the first week is one-on-one, but next week is teamwork. That means it's to our best interest to get other people fast enough to pass this test. Make no mistake, this test is about speed.
Suggest the other knights work out a rotation for sparring with Hydril, so everyone gets a chance to do so regularly. Draw straws for who goes first, second, etc.

I wonder if you're allowed to use two swords?
>>
No. 885091 ID: ee2d6e

The classic method would otherwise be knife and sword, as a second sword could easily interfere in manoeuvring the first around. With Hydril's strength, using both to parry the blow would be preferable before attacking with one blade and controlling Hydril's with the other. If possible, that's the technique you should practice.
>>
No. 885092 ID: 0c3c2c

>>885080
I knew it! He's a really cool abomination.

Prepare for an attempt. Be prepared to suffer a hit, but try to parry.

Also, ask him if he's related to Cheese. Abominations aren't exactly common.
>>
No. 885094 ID: eeb7d9

>>885085
Fen doesn't use two swords. He could try to learn, but that will take to much time, i think. However, learning to use a paring dagger could be very useful. This could allows him to use a small shield attached to the arm as well. Just like he usually does. It would depend if he can wield his regular sword with just one hand.
>>
No. 885095 ID: b59fad

To beat this guy, I think you will have to learn how to anticipate actions. While you're training, pay attention and try to gain knowledge of what the possible responses to various attacks are and how to respond to them in turn. There'll probably be a big line clamoring for his personal attention, but see if you can manage to get in. The people who are already grand knights wanting to brush up will probably get first dibs, though.

Another note on how to possibly beat him: he's using a very long sword, and his limbs are long as well. That means he has a great range - he can hit you long before you can hit him - but it opens up holes in his ability to defend himself, especially at closer range, since having longer limbs/weapon means his minimum distance motions have to cover a wider area. The key to hitting him would be to get in very close to him very quickly. You'd just need to be able to avoid the strike he'll get the chance for as you do. Of course, he's probably trained to compensate for such weaknesses, but that doesn't mean they don't exist any more. For example, he can tighten his defense by moving his hands up to grip the blade, but that limits him in other ways.

The reason you're here is to get the experience you need to make these judgement calls and use them. Conditioning would be nice as well, of course.
>>
No. 885098 ID: b59fad

If you do want to make an attempt now - I don't recommend it, but if you do - I'd suggest moving one hand up at the last moment to grip the back of the blade nearer the top, and use it as if it were a staff while you charge in. That'll make it easier to maneuver and sturdier against whatever strike he tries to make, which you'll be trying to catch. Once you make contact with his sword, then, you'd slide down inside it and strike when you get close. But he'll probably knee or elbow you or something. If you can maneuver your arm right, you could try elbow up underneath his grip on his sword to knock it up, and swing your sword down to simultaneously strike his leg with your hilt if he tries to knee you and bring the tip of your sword closer to him, for the thrust or slice.

He could also see all this coming and just dodge and then strike, of course. There are tons of things he could do.
>>
No. 885110 ID: 10c408

Geeze. He's got range, strength and size on his side. You'd probably have to practice at predicting his strikes and dodges and then out-smart him to even get one hit in.

So that's what you'll likely have to practice. Sheer, refined technique is the only way you'll be get a strike in before the week is over.
>>
No. 885112 ID: f3fe9b

Ask for training, not an attempt.
>>
No. 885120 ID: deec6e

Let's not mention Cheese for now, and certainly not in front of witnesses - we can ask later in a more private setting, especially if we manage to build a rapport. A letter could also be sent to Cheese asking about him if we feel it's worth it. He must be notable in Erja Nokol, considering he's a knight, an abomination and a relative of the mythril noble.

>>885098

You could also try to go for a surprise bite attack, rather than try to use knees and elbows to get your hit. It'll probably count. Or rather, perhaps you can use your fame as the Red Maw by acting as if you are trying to bite him, but make it a tempting feint - cracking skulls seems to be a go-to move of his.

If you challenge him, move in hunched forward, block his first strike with a double-handed held sword as suggested above, then act as if you're going for a bite (opening your mouth, showing teeth), but snap back and instead kick out with your leg against his knee. It'll probably be like kicking a brick, so don't hit your toes - hit with the heel. If you end up splayed on the floor, that's fine, but ideally, you should be able to recover after the kick - and if he stumbles, follow up with a strike to his torso. Hold back only when he says 'Stop' to make sure you've gotten a proper-counting hit.

Again though, if you fight him, get at least a day's worth of training out of it first, since you risk getting KO'd or worse. At least you can use the nighttime as recovery time, although maybe not challenge him RIGHT before the day is over. Wizards have to sleep too.

Ultimately, you'll have to weigh risking the gains you'd get from training against securing an early 'course pass' for yourself. Beating this test on day one would add to your fame and MIGHT get him to put more time aside to train someone who's shown potential, since that seems to be the way the Empire does it... but failure and an extended recovery would suck. You're also a part of a team, and team training for next week means the rest of your team has to pass the test as well.
>>
No. 885124 ID: 7c90bc

We should definitely make an attempt. Assume he's going to do the same thing he did to the first guy, plan to knock his blow away with a swing of your own and come in with a kick or leg sweep. You don't necessarily have to hit him with your sword, and you are going to need your sword to stop him from hitting you.
>>
No. 885132 ID: bb78f2

>>885080
Hydril isn't a food as far as I know. Is he not from around here or a part of the abomination family?

Is... is his real name Water?
>>
No. 885134 ID: 91ee5f

>>885092
>ask if he’s related to Cheese
Don’t be racist. Not all mutants are related to each other.
>>
No. 885160 ID: 3abd97

>I will also spar freely with any of you over the course of this week, where I will offer advice and gentler strikes
We probably want to see if we can take advantage of that before we immediately go and get smacked down. Throwing ourself at Hydril carelessly and spending all week in bed between attempts doesn't sound productive.

>>ask if he’s related to Cheese
Don't ask him personal questions in front of the group.

>You could also try to go for a surprise bite attack
With Fen's reputation, I don't think that would be so much of a surprise.

>>885069
>Mutants aren't all cave kobolds.
Never said they were!
>>
No. 885166 ID: 15a025

Making a first attempt now will probably result in a swift failure, but, it'll give you a good way to measure your progress down here.

If you don't feel like making an attempt, ask if you can warm up with a sparring match against one of the lesser knights.
>>
No. 885272 ID: c0641d

If we do make an attempt, 1: Are we wearing underwear, and if so, 2: Can we loosen our cloak to make it throwable? With it, we can block his line of sight for a split second, throw our weapon high and to one side as misdirection, and go low and to the opposite side ourselves, going for a punch to the side or armpit.
>>
No. 885279 ID: 91ee5f

>>885075
>If you haven't struck me by the time I finish saying stop, the attempt fails.
So even if he hits Fen, as long as Fen can hit him before he finishes saying the word “stop”, then Fen can still pass.

>>885078
>Hydril barely pulls his sword back to start a swing
I wonder if anyone else noticed that or if Fen was the only one that saw that?

Because if anyone can see that, then it’ll help predict how he’s going to strike. But unless someone is able to react fast enough block/parry/dodge the attack, being able to see the attack coming is kinda pointless.

>>885080
>I will also spar freely with any of you over the course of this week, where I will offer advice and gentler strikes. If I am preoccupied, you may spar with any of my lesser knights, and of course each other, as teamwork and planning is encouraged even if your test is a one on one fight. We will offer guidance on how best to land a strike on me.
Obviously, the best way to learn how to strike Sir Hydril would be to spar with him. However, there’s a catch to getting advice from Sir Hydril. If he gives you advice on how to hit him, he’ll be expecting you to do whatever it is he tells you and he’ll be prepared for it. Which makes getting advice from Sir Hydril kinda like a double edged sword, it can help and not help.
>>
No. 885361 ID: 9581c5

>>885080
With the kind of strength this guy has, I would say we should try to work on counters. Remember how that field Kobold fought when you were back home? That kind style would be quite useful in this situation.
When facing an opponent who uses overwhelming strength, the trick is usually to have them direct that strength into all the wrong places. Feints, counters, distractions, anything that makes them hit something that isn’t you.
>>
No. 885362 ID: 094652

>>885279
Alternatively, you could ask about one fighting style and Aria could use it, and vice versa. Is his tactical speed as good as his reaction time, or will he cave in under a string of randomized combos?
>>
No. 885372 ID: 56abba

Ask a pawn to get your Kimankara set. Practice strategy between sparring sessions. See if you can get both a sparring session and a game out of Hydril, and pay equal attention to his reactions and mana if you can.
With his reach and speed you'll probably need to prevent him being a step ahead of you or he'll just throw a second counter into any dodge you make.
>>
No. 885913 ID: bfb318
File 152720499424.png - (23.78KB , 800x800 , 1077.png )
885913

I will make an attempt later.

"Can we use multiple weapons?" I ask, instead of any offchance he would know Cheese.
>"So long as they are training weapons, you may use as many as you want."
>"Spar with me, please!" one kobold blurts out immediately.
>"Okay. You have 10 minutes, Barm, my pawn, will give everyone else a stone with a random number on it. When your number is called, spar with me. If you fail to show within 60 seconds, you will miss your chance. Return your stone to Barm if you don't want to spar. This method is to allow people to spar with me without wasting time waiting in line."

While I wait to get a number, I ask a pawn to fetch my kimankara set, but I'm told that there are already sets within this wing I can use if I find appropriate times to do so.

I pull out number 6 from Barm's bag of numbered rocks. The next in my group is number 14, but I still should have about one hour to either explore, watch people spar with Hydril, or if I'm quick to approach one before they get busy, spar with one of Hydril's lesser knights.

I also notice that various knight teams are huddling together discussing possible tactics to get a hit on Hydril. Some talk about specific tactics, but some are talking about getting everyone to try to make Hydril exhaust himself to slow him down.
>>
No. 885914 ID: b1b4f3

Go explore a bit and come back in time to watch someone spar with Hydril.
>>
No. 885915 ID: a363ac

>>885913
spar with a lesser knight until you can reliably defeat them
>>
No. 885916 ID: 0c3c2c

>>885913
Ask to spar with Barm to warm up. He looks really hardy, and he watches his knight spar all day so he's probably picked up some knowledge of how he fights.
>>
No. 885919 ID: b59fad

Don't explore for now, there might still be people in here who'd like to try murder you, so stay where the instructors are. Later, once everyone's tired and will be more likely to think they should put any plans to murder you off for later, you can explore.

For now, find one of the instructors to spar with so that you can get a start on having the most obvious things cleared. Then Hydril won't have to waste your precious time with him going over stuff that someone of a lower skill level could teach you. You want to maximize the time you get with him! If they don't fill up the whole time you have to wait, spend the time until your session with Hydril practicing what they tell you. If you can't get one at all, watch Hydril's sessions and see if you can learn from them. There'll probably be some repetition with each person he works with, so see if you can spend some of the time practicing whatever you observe.

When time is getting up - 10 minutes or so before your turn - do some warmups. If you did get a training session in before then, have a bit of a rest but don't let yourself completely cool down.

Stay close enough to hear the numbers! If someone before you misses their turn, the whole schedule will slide up by 9 minutes.
>>
No. 885922 ID: 86eb65

If we cant beat his challenge when he is at top form we don't want to. If you can not take out this guy what chance do you have against real monsters?

I would respectfully ask for a spar with a lesser knight under him. Get some pointers and find out what you are lacking. Then when you go for your attempt with the big guy you will at least have some practice.

As for watching the big guy fight? I am guessing all you will see is people getting smacked quick.
>>
No. 885923 ID: 7fad5d

Yeah, let's ask if Barm's willing to spar.
>>
No. 885927 ID: deec6e

>>Strategies for tiring him out

If he isn't as tireless as he's strong, this could be something to consider later on if any on our team struggles or is given early match-ups. Just helping them train to get better is still preferable.

You should always, whatever number you're given, be giving these training sessions your all and thinking of tactics to defeat him when he's not only weakened, but at his best.

>>885919

This, absolutely. Good approach all around.

I'm trying to come up with a way to use the rock itself, since it's technically/arguably a weapon that's been handed out to us, but all I get are silly ideas about maybe smuggling it in in Fen's mouth and getting hold of the #9 training stone to turn in instead to make Hydril think we've given it up, then challenge him and during the match surprise-throw it at him. Probably needlessly complicated and underhanded, but we can revisit the idea later if beating Hydril turns out to be real hard.

And really, everyone probably needs every training session they can get with him in order to have a chance at winning. Heck, you should probably be looking about to ensure no-one's giving up or trading away their stones willy-nilly. Certainly no-one on your team should be.
>>
No. 885930 ID: b1b4f3

>>885927
The rocks aren't training weapons.
>>
No. 885933 ID: 3abd97

>>885913
I'd say either watching the sparring or grabbing someone else to spar would be the best use of your time, for now.

You can compare notes with Aira later, maybe. For now you're better off split up, since you've already sparred together a bunch.
>>
No. 885943 ID: b59fad

I don't think you're supposed to try spar with Barm, he's a pawn and you're supposed to be learning from the knights. At least ask him how long he's been working with Hydril first, he might have just been picked up recently.
>>
No. 885945 ID: deec6e

>>885930
>>885937

>rock not training weapon

Yeah, it was a silly thought. Hydril's already said surprise attacks wasn't part of the purpose of this training, so unless that is a bluff (I am ever Cheese-like in my attempts to overthink these situations) we're probably good doing regular ol' training.

I'll maintain that the rocks could be argued to be thought of as a training weapon, at least by a barbarian (chucking rocks is a very barbarian thing to do, right?) - and really, throwing rocks can still be effective in battle if you've got nothing else to work with or need a quick and dirty ranged option. That said, the training hall of an elite badass is probably not the right place to argue that case, or, for that matter, prove it. If playing David to Hydril's Goliath might, say, get a Mithril noble annoyed with us... yeah no, dropping that idea.
>>
No. 885946 ID: 91ee5f

>>885913
Let’s ask one of the lesser knights if they’d be willing to spar with you.

>>885919
This all sounds good.

After Fen’s turn of sparring with Hydril, let’s take a break somewhere nearby and watch others spar with and/or challenge Hydril.

And after everyone from our group, which would be everyone from Sir Orjin’s squad, has taken a turn, we should all group together and share our experiences of sparring Hydril with each other to see if we can all come up with a strategy.

>>885927
The rocks are not training weapons.
>>
No. 885975 ID: e1c8f7

>>885913
Warm up with a fellow knight real quick.
>>
No. 886053 ID: 6ee5db

>>885913
Probably best to see if you can spar with a knight, and maybe see if they have any ideas on how to beat Hydril.
>>
No. 886363 ID: 15a025

A thought for later. Once things start winding down for the night, see if you can't convince Hydril to play a round of kimankara with you.

For now, see if you can't spar with one of the knights for a bit.
>>
No. 886493 ID: bfb318
File 152745139019.png - (24.03KB , 1200x600 , 1078.png )
886493

I approach a kobold with the intention to spar for the time being.

"Hello, you are one of Sir Hydril's lesser knights?"
>"I am, and my name is Sir Unon. Do you want to spar?"
"Yes."

He walks to the side and beckons me over to a wider corner. I can still hear numbers being called out from here, so I can pay attention to make sure I don't miss my chance with Hydril.

Unon pulls out a long staff, and he tosses me a two handed training weapon.

>"To emulate Sir Hydril's range, I should use a longer weapon than you."

We get into position. He almost looks nervous and excited about sparring. Perhaps he is new to Sir Hydril.

>"When you're ready, let me see how you approach."
>>
No. 886496 ID: 86eb65

Move directly at him using your weapon to guide his sword away from your body.

With swords this long use the flat of yours to keep his to one side of you.

If he pulls back and thrusts at you use that moment to shove your blade forward into his body. If he swings out and to your side it will give you time to move into his strike and catch his weapon near the hilt.

Moving close to him causes him to loose leverage with his weapon. Sure he can punch or hit you but it makes the weapon hard to use.
>>
No. 886498 ID: 0c3c2c

>>886493
Hmmmm. Try locking down his weapon if possible, with a grab or parry, then move inside his reach and bite him. Gently.
>>
No. 886499 ID: e1c8f7

>>886493
See if you can make a safe approach by knocking his weapon away for long enough to get yourself in range.
>>
No. 886500 ID: f3fe9b

Knock his weapon and/or block to your left so he can't just swing the back end of the staff across his front, get in real close real fast. If he spins the other direction, do some tricky dodging while he isn't looking so you can be somewhere unexpected once he's facing you again.
>>
No. 886502 ID: 3abd97

Hmm. Maybe the best approach is baiting him into making the first move, so you can block and move closer, inside his guard at the same time?

I doubt that will work as well against Hydril, though. Blocking his hit will probably stagger you, and he's still free to lash out with a han or a foot if you get inside the reach of his sword.

That said, for this challenge, you just need to get the first hit in, even if it leaves you in a bad position, or open to retaliation in a real fight. Remember the lesson that kobolds with a mortal injury don't always go down immediately.
>>
No. 886503 ID: e5c658

>>886493
Introduce yourself before you start smacking him, dork.
>>
No. 886504 ID: ee2d6e

You can't block a staff with a sword. Too much leverage and weight means he can just crush right through it, which seems like it'd be the case with Hydril's strength as well. Parrying and deflecting is the only way.
>>
No. 886505 ID: eeb7d9

I know we are just practicing, but if we manage to beat this challenge with out getting hit, it will mean that we are in the right way for a real fight. Fen is always in dangerous situations where a wrong move can kill him, almost in disadvantage.
Remember that encounter with the mountain kobold when he was chasing Cheese. It didn't kill him, sure, but it leave him unable to fight for a while. He can't take those risks anymore. Especially here, where the poisoning is commun.
If he learns how to avoid unnesessary damage early on, it will benefit him in the long run. Besides, it will be good for his reputation too.
I think Fen should limit Unon movement by clousing the gap betwin them. I like the idea of a bait attack, to make him engage first and parry him or avoid him.
>>
No. 886506 ID: 53db13

>>886493
I’d say the best you can do is bait them to move first and see if you can counter their attack. Usually, a longer reach means it is harder to stop attacking than it is to start.
>>
No. 886507 ID: eeb7d9

I know we are just practicing, but if we manage to beat this challenge with out getting hit, it will mean that we are in the right way for a real fight. Fen is always in dangerous situations where a wrong move can kill him, almost in disadvantage.
Remember that encounter with the mountain kobold when he was chasing Cheese. It didn't kill him, sure, but it leave him unable to fight for a while. He can't take those risks anymore. Especially here, where the poisoning is commun.
If he learns how to avoid unnesessary damage early on, it will benefit him in the long run. Besides, it will be good for his reputation too.
I think Fen should limit Unon movement by closing the gap between them. I like the idea of a bait attack, to make him engage first and parry him or avoid him.
>>
No. 886510 ID: b59fad

>He almost looks nervous and excited about sparring. Perhaps he is new to Sir Hydril.

Maybe he's heard of you.

Move in fast, bait out a strike from him, block his weapon out of the way, slide down its length and strike him while watching out for unarmed strikes.
>>
No. 886511 ID: 91ee5f

>>886510
>slide down its length and strike him while watching out for unarmed strikes.
Now when you say that, do you intend for Fen to slide his weapon down the length of Unon‘s weapon in order to strike his hand? Because that would actually work, since Unon‘s weapon doesn’t have a hand guard to stop Fen’s strike from reaching Unon’s hand.
>>
No. 886513 ID: eeb7d9

>>886511
That is actually good. And even if he had a hand guard, he would be left open for an attack, or at least he would have to get away from Fen since he is too close to strike him with that long weapon. If he does, Fen can keep rushing him until he loses his balance.
>>
No. 886515 ID: a363ac

>>886502
keep this in mind and go for it
>>
No. 886516 ID: b59fad

>>886511
If Fen's fast enough, he can do both. Slap the hand to distract him with the lower end of the blade then slip the upper end forward for a throat slash.

However, keep in mind this guy's using a staff. Unless Fen blocks it on the outside (that is, pushing the whole length of the staff to one side of himself), it'd be very easy for the guy to just switch over to a strike with the other end or the middle. In fact, Fen is at a pretty serious disadvantage here. All else being equal, with enough space to maneuver, someone using a staff will usually win against someone with a sword. It's too easy to cover all the angles and make counter-attacks quickly.

If he can't manage an outside strike, he could try make the guy strike his sword, then swing up quickly and use his crossguard to push it up and over the other side. Then Fen could grab the staff with one hand and strike with the sword one-handed, or keep his sword on the staff and move in to give this guy a hard elbow strike.
>>
No. 886520 ID: 53c12f

Don’t forget Hydril’s ridiculous strength. That staff is supposed to be emulating blows that are probably half again or more as powerful as this guy is able to put into them. Train with how to deal with that added strength and speed in mind.
>>
No. 886531 ID: a62780

>>886520
You've hit the nail on the head there, we're not sparring to get a feel for defeating a stave wielder, we're trying to train to hit Hydril. Who will be using a regular sword, is much faster and is stronger than this guy.
>>
No. 886537 ID: eeb7d9

>>886531
Union should be using the staff as a sword and nothing more then.
>>
No. 886544 ID: b59fad

>>886531
>we're not sparring to get a feel for defeating a stave wielder, we're trying to train to hit Hydril.

But we're training to hit Hydril as a means to train to get better at combat in general. Focusing too much on beating Hydril isn't going to achieve that. Besides, for all we know Hydril will switch what weapon he's using tomorrow. It'd honestly be a good idea for him, to trip up people who thought they got all the answers watching him today.

You never know, we might fight an undead with a staff at some point, or if not an undead than some future opponent. Fighting against a staff is good practice for fighting against a polearm, too, and those are probably very common.
>>
No. 886808 ID: bfb318
File 152762845193.png - (17.13KB , 800x800 , 1079.png )
886808

I move in to bait a strike, and it works. He swings down hard enough that I have to parry equally hard, as a still block would break my guard. However, despite that his grip is closer to the back of the staff, he quickly sidesteps in, rotating the staff around while pushing my sword into me to prevent me from letting me sword leave me.

Instead, I just move my sword down the staff and hit his hands, since it has no hilt.

>"Ack." he says. "Right, shortcoming of the staff. Want to keep practicing against me using a sword?"
"I'm attempting to spar with you to learn how to fight Sir Hydril, so I would like to learn how to block heavy strikes like what Hydril will use."
>"Yeah? That's a good idea, but I'd like to spar with you normally, another time."
"Yes. I am sparring with you to learn how to hit Sir Hydril, but I am learning how to hit Sir Hydril to increase my skills."
>>
No. 886809 ID: bfb318
File 152762863752.png - (31.14KB , 1000x800 , 1080.png )
886809

We take a step back again, and Unon pulls his hands to the back of the staff so that when he swings down, it has a ton of power in it.

I put in practice parrying extremely strong strikes while maintaining my guard, and simultaneously working towards a riposte if possible.

After a couple of people spar with Hydril, we hear some commotion.

Firzel comes up to us.

>"Haha did you see that?"
"No."
>"Dame Frais! She be - well, hit Hy - Sir Hydril between a sparring session."
>"Already?" asks Unon.
>"Yeah, she swung her blade up to block his strike, but it was a feint! That is, her block was a feint, because she just threw her sword at him!"
"And Sir Hydril's swing?"
>"Oh she just took it right to the face and got knocked out exactly like the first guy before she even saw her sword hit him. But he didn't call 'stop' in time! So he says she passed."
"From the sounds of it, she makes it look easy."
>"Yeah! He's sparring with the next person now, but a lot of those guys are getting more confident in challenging him now."
>>
No. 886810 ID: b1b4f3

>>886809
Hydril is going to expect people to copy that move. I'm surprised he didn't just dodge the sword, as he seemed ready to dodge at any point.

Also it's better not to get knocked out.
...wait a minute, if he's been breaking his sword by striking that hard... parrying the blow will break your weapon too. Maybe the optimal strategy is to tank the hit with your body instead of your head so you don't get knocked out, and then hit him while he's disarmed.
>>
No. 886811 ID: a62780

>>886809
That sounds about right, the exercise seems to be about securing a hit on a superior foe that knows you're coming.

>>886809
I think you're on to something, though maybe letting it hit an arm instead of a vital area is better. Fen could try using the forearm of his offhand to absorb the hit and secure a hit on Hydril in return. I figure It's roughly how he'd go about it when using a shield.
>>
No. 886814 ID: f3fe9b

Damn, I don't think that trick will work twice. We'll need to think of something else. Good thing we have plenty of time.
>>
No. 886818 ID: 86eb65

You know what would work really well? Training to be good enough to beat him in combat straight out.

Because we had to run from Garlic last time. Next time we might not be able to run and learning to take out big abominations with swords would be really handy. Getting knocked out and having a technical victory does work but this is good quality training time.

Oh one trick you might want to try that is not throwing a weapon. When you are armored up you can use your sword like a staff. The blade can not cut through your gauntlets (if its not magic at least) so you can grab the end and use it two handed to block heavy blows.

I would go for speed above all else. You are very fast Fen and if you can knock his first blow to the side and get in his reach fast you have a good chance of hitting him. But will have to practice and find out.
>>
No. 886819 ID: ee2d6e

Well in that case, if you're willing to let your arm get fucked up, you can try lunging at him while blocking with your arm. It'll hurt, but you'll hopefully not pass out.
>>
No. 886820 ID: b59fad

Save beating him with cheap tricks or desperation moves until nearer the deadline. Until then, train to try defeat him legitimately, i.e. actually being able to see and react to his attacks.
>>
No. 886821 ID: 3abd97

>Dame Frais exploited the rules to get a hit in even though it knocked her out.
Clever, and determined enough to pull it off. Not a very useful tactic in most real fights, but she did exactly what she needed to do to pass the test.

We should congratulate her on her successful gambit next time we see her awake.

>"Yeah! He's sparring with the next person now, but a lot of those guys are getting more confident in challenging him now."
Hmmm. I suspect Sir Hydil is going to make short work of many of the overconfident. Dame Frais made a clever play, but he'll be wise to that trick now.
>>
No. 886824 ID: eeb7d9

And what if Fen blocks his attack with the part of the arm he uses his shield?
Obviously, he doesn't have the shield, but we can imagine that he is blocking it with it. It wouldn't be a hit, but a block. We could attack Hydril and "block" his. Win-win.
But, the problem is if Fen is fast enough to hit him before he says "stop".

If we can't pull this off, Fen needs to keep practicing his dodging and bloking. I am going to insist, we should focus on not getting hit. This is a perfect oportunity for this.
>>
No. 886841 ID: 7c90bc

We should keep practicing until our turn for a sparring session with Hydril comes up. After that we'll maybe challenge him.
>>
No. 886848 ID: 0c3c2c

>>886809
Hmmmm. Maybe he let her hit him, or maybe he's not as good as he thinks he is. Still. Let's continue chatting with the good lesser knight as we spar with him.
>>
No. 886849 ID: 56e50f

>>886809
No doubt he's going to punish that confidence. Stay on task and don't be afraid to switch up styles.
>>
No. 886857 ID: c0641d

We should save the tactics for when we actually want to challenge him, which probably shouldn’t happen today... That is, unless we get to go down to the necromile in the interim, in which case time may be of the essence; fate is probably coming to an end soon for several people down there, including Valsano.
>>
No. 886875 ID: 91ee5f

>>886809
Let’s ask Unon if he has any advice or if there’s anything he thinks Fen should work on improving to increase his chances of striking Sir Hydril on a serious attempt?

>Suggestions of Fen using his arm to block the attack.
That is a stupid idea!

With how hard Sir Hydril is swinging, he’s gonna break Fen’s arm! Sure, we’ve got healers on standby, but they don’t heal instantly!

Remember Fen’s foot? That was just an arrow and Fen had to take it easy for a few days. Blocking one of Sir Hydril’s serious strikes will leave Fen’s arm broken for an entire week at minimum before he can move it again if we’re lucky, with the possibility of more than a week being the worst case scenario! And everyday Fen spends in recovery, is a day of training that he’s missing and not improving his skills!

So when Fen makes a serious attempt to strike Sir Hydril, he should not attempt to block Sir Hydril’s strike with his arm!
>>
No. 886881 ID: ae1644

See the problem with this is "oh congratulations you managed to bounce your thrown sword off your enemy while they cleaved your skull, you may be dead but at least you gave them a nasty flesh wound", if he's going to let similar strategies slide then all he's doing is giving them false confidence and bad strategies.
We don't need to learn to tank the hit we need to learn to not get hit in the first place, easier said then done. Though I suppose there's nothing wrong with learning how to not pass out or get too disoriented if you get hit in the head.
Maybe focus on improving our dodging?
>>
No. 886888 ID: caf1de

could we use his momentum against him
>>
No. 886916 ID: eeb7d9

>Maybe focus on improving our dodging?
I belive this is the main idea here. Yes, i said we could tank the hit, but i didn't said we should. I really think we should focus on our dodging, specialy since it doesn't seem posible to block the attack with the sword with out breaking it. He just hits very hard and the swords are really frigil.
>>
No. 886978 ID: 10c408

>>886819
>>886810
Yeah, that's a great idea. Instead of getting knocked the fuck out by Sir Hydril and losing precious time we should get something broken/bruised instead and waste even MORE time.

Keep sparring with the other lesser knights, focus on being fast enough and responsive enough to the point where you don't have to block.
>>
No. 886983 ID: a62780

>>886978
yeah that's the ideal situation, but I think it'd take longer than we have time to practice.

from the description, hydril is scarily fast, strong, has good reach and most importantly; had virtually no wind-up movement or time with which to discern his intended attack
>>
No. 886988 ID: eeb7d9

>>886983
Then we have to somehow mitigate the damage. If it is impossible for Fen to ignore the hit altogether, then we have to look for a way to reduce it as much as possible for him to be in fighting conditions.
But i think we should be able to pull it off. It might take a lot of days of the week but i still we should be able to pull it off. Fen does learn somehow fast when it comes to combat.
>>
No. 886989 ID: deec6e

>>886983

Hydril's not without flaws or quirks, he still has to think about what he's doing. For example, he seems to favor head blows where he can get them. That's two for two now who've challenged him and gotten KO'd (or, in combat, killed). He'll probably change up his style and close holes in his defense whenever someone takes advantage of a neat bit of trivia like that, though.

Exposing your head as a way to feint him is pretty risky, mind.

Tell Firzel thanks for the news. When you get time, check in on Dame Frais - was there any special tactic to getting a hit in early? She's never struck me as the reckless type, so it might've been some manner of pragmatic move. Otherwise, continue training with Sir Unon until it's your turn to spar with Hydril.
>>
No. 887036 ID: 41315e

>>886916

Dodging is fine, deflecting is, too. It's a kind of parry where you'll let the opponent's weapon glide along your blade, without trying to stop it, merely to avoid it harming you.

The training weapons tend to break under the force when trying to block hits, because they take the full force at once. When trying to deflect a blow, you only take part of that force on the weapon, the rest staying in the opponent's weapon (which is why it continues moving, slightly deflected, instead of stopping dead on impact).

In fact, deflecting the blow with the "blade", and then closing in to hit with the hilt should be very doable, especially if Sir Hydril doesn't expect it (at least, not from a pupil).
>>
No. 887050 ID: bfb318
File 152779002893.png - (24.97KB , 800x800 , 1081.png )
887050

"Do you have any advice for me?"
>"Blocking heavy strikes is good." Unon explains. "Unless you want to rely on cheap tricks - which is fine - you'll have to be able to block them. Sir Hydril is good at holding back his strikes at the last second, too, so it'll be tough to break his own sword on your parry or anything like that."
"How weak are these swords?" asks Aira, who approaches.
>"They're made so that they don't do serious damage or anything. They'll break off before they break a bone. Usually."
>"Uh, not like I'd take this up with Sir Hydril, but it kinda seems like bad combat practice to just do those cheap tricks." Firzel says to Unon.
>"I guess. The thing is... Sir Hydril doesn't have a whole lot of faith in you guys. The whole point is so that you'll at least be able to do some harm to an abomination so your teammates can finish it off."
>"Most of us are a little more ambitious."

We see Sir Hydril get challenged by the person he spars with. He accepts.

It looks like it's a repeat of what Frais did. The kobold throws the sword just as they get knocked out. Hydril destroys his third sword in half an hour.

The difference, this time, is that he catches the kobold's thrown sword by the hilt effortlessly.
>>
No. 887052 ID: bfb318
File 152779015956.png - (19.91KB , 800x800 , 1082.png )
887052

The time passes as Unon and I spar, but in the interest of fairness as various other people want to spar with the lesser knights, Unon starts sparring with other people.

A few more people make attempts on Hydril at the end of their sparring session. Every one of them fails. A couple do manage to prevent getting knocked out, but they don't make another attempt.

Frais comes back and gathers us together.

>"Fen, you're the only one of us that can pass this test using purely physical techniques." says Frais to Aira and Firzel.
>"What's that supposed to mean?" Firzel asks.
>"Aira has too slow of a reaction speed. You, Firzel, are just... oh, how do I put this..."
>"A combat idiot?"
>"Or at least not smart enough to get by on that."
>"You seemed to do just fine with a cheap trick."
>"No, I did just find masking my mana in Erja Nokol's environment. He can see me just fine even though I think he might be blind, but I was able to keep him from sensing what I was going to do. That, combined with a cheap trick, is how I won."
>"Well, I can sense his mana pretty well, so I have that premonition too. I'm not as fast as Fen, but I'll be able to react faster to get a headstart."
>"Correct. You'll have a tough time of it, but if you don't overthink it and just focus on connecting a hit, you'll do fine. As for Aira..."

Aira has a blank look.

>"You're an intelligent fighter, but that's the weakest strength here. Fen, you might be able to win without any cheap tricks or traded blows, but don't try it for long. I've seen teachers like this before. Sir Hydril isn't spending this first week training us, he's spending it to thin the crowd so he can focus on a smaller class. I'd suggest not sparring with Hydril until after you pass, because it's going to teach him more about failing you, than teaching you how to pass against him."
>"Kinda feels like bullshit." says Firzel.
>"And your feelings are irrelevant to how things are."

Ideally I can beat Sir Hydril without any tricks. I have plenty of ideas for attempts I've thought of.
>>
No. 887053 ID: 5f3f48

>"I guess. The thing is... Sir Hydril doesn't have a whole lot of faith in you guys. The whole point is so that you'll at least be able to do some harm to an abomination so your teammates can finish it off."
That would explain why this training differs so much what we would normally consider good sense.

>Sir Hydril isn't spending this first week training us, he's spending it to thin the crowd so he can focus on a smaller class.
Makes sense, in a certain ruthless kind of way.

>combat smarts versus strength versus speed versus clever tricks
Ultimately, it doesn't matter how any of us pass the trial, so long as we do. There's no points for style.
>>
No. 887054 ID: b1b4f3

>>887050
Yeah I didn't expect that to work again.

>>887052
Ah, so there was a REASON it worked when Frais tried it.
...hang on. The lesser knight Fen sparred with had a staff. Maybe Aira could use a long weapon like that to leverage her intelligence? Or maybe Aira can spend time here learning to mask her mana, so that she can do something similar to what Frais did? ...heyyy, if Hydril is blind, he can't tell what weapon the opponent is using. Aira could take a stance that implies she's using a different weapon, then surprise him.

Heck, Fen could stand to learn how to mask his mana as well.
>>
No. 887055 ID: b59fad

You need to git gud at all these things, Fen, so that should be your overall plan. Your attempt should be coming up soon, now, right? I'll recommend this tactic: >>885098 , since "get inside his guard to take advantage of his long limbs/weapon" is good advice for fighting monsters, too, and a surprising amount of kobolds don't seem to think to take advantage of their single-edged blades/scale-covered hands by gripping their sword anywhere but the hilt, so it might surprise him.

Since he favors downward strikes (and he basically has to, since you're all shorter than him), you could also try dropping down further than you normally would to give yourself an extra slice of a moment to block, though it'll mean putting a big strain on your leg muscles. Alternately, you might even try full-on dive-rolling between his spindly legs and swinging up at (just next to) his crotch or his legs.
>>
No. 887056 ID: f3fe9b

So you need two, maybe three stratagems- that's what we'll call dirty tricks because we're soldiers not bandits- between the lot of us, preferably ones that play to individual strengths, and we have a week to be creative with it.
>>
No. 887057 ID: 86eb65

Well a combo attack would work well.

Do you have any ability to mask or change your mana? Not just hiding it but possibly focusing hard on a spot you are not going to attack so he notices your intent through your mana and blocks in the wrong place? Feints are a big part of battle and if you could work that into your routine it would help.

Getting deep into his reach with your speed and causing his initial attack to slide off your weapon is a good idea. Can go in single handed and use your off hand to support the blade at a angle when he strikes.

The guy is huge and has crazy reach. In a normal fight getting close to him would just result in him trying to grapple you. But this is a sword duel. If you are up against his chest it would be very hard to swing at you with those giant arms of his.

The trick is getting there without getting hit. Then thumping him in the chest with your hilt or blade.
>>
No. 887058 ID: 0c3c2c

>>887052
Huh. We don't have to fight Hydril to pass? Let's just not then. We SHOULD ask Hydril if he can teach us any tricks to improving our mana-sense though. Slow and steady practice is excellent for long term gains, but we're literally in Erja Nokol, we could definitely use a speed-boost.
>>
No. 887066 ID: 0d45a9

Hm, so you're saying sparring will mean Hydril will learn more about us than we'll learn about them. We should learn more about how Hydril fights, maybe watch some attempts or sparring matches with Hydril closely, and try to pay attention to their mana?
>>
No. 887073 ID: eeb7d9

So it is a elimination week. That makes more sense.

>>887066
This sounds like a good idea. We can learn from him without him learning from us.
What is left for Fen to do is to keep practicing.

What about Fen experiences with abominations?
He has fought some already, and if a am not mistaken we manage knock one down. Plus, there were two of them, very fast and agile. Is there something we can use from that?

On another note, what about Aira?
Any ideas for her?
>>
No. 887074 ID: 91ee5f

>>887066
That sounds good, but it all depends on 1 important factor: Who’s next in line?

Because if Fen’s number is called next, then he won’t have time to study Sir Hydril!
>>
No. 887082 ID: eeb7d9

>>887074
That is an inconvenience. Maybe Fen can try fighting differently than we were planning. That way we won't have to show what we were going for until the time of the test. We talked about dodging, paring and blocking. Let's do the exact oposite in the sparring sesion. Then, in the real test, we change tactics and we surprise him.
>>
No. 887094 ID: f3fe9b

Are we sure he'll be trying to thin the herd all week? He said at the end of the week if you didn't make a hit, you fail the class.
>>
No. 887171 ID: a48264

Just grab all the weapons and chuck them all at once, one's bound to hit

You have an entire week, so spend a few more days watching and training. No sense in going in just to get knocked out of the picture for a few days or more.
>>
No. 887172 ID: a48264

>>887074
Read closely; holding a number is optional and he can decline upon being called.

Though that raises another point. He should turn in the ticket he grabbed if he's not planning to spar anytime soon.
>>
No. 887309 ID: 15a025

It might be best to just hold off your attempt to spar Hydril for now. If he is using mana sensing, we might want to spar with Dame Frais. She might be able to help us work on masking our own mana a bit.
>>
No. 887318 ID: bfb318
File 152799641277.png - (19.81KB , 800x800 , 1083.png )
887318

>Do you have any ability to mask or change your mana?
No. I've heard of this, but I've been focused on sensing it in others.

"Frais, do you not have any advice for Aira?"
>"I don't, sorry."
"What if she used a staff?"
>"Unless she's as good with a staff as she is with a sword... well, she should try with a sword first, then swap to a staff if it's too hard."
"Hydril can't sense weapons, could he?"
>"Maybe, maybe not. The training weapons are native material to Erja, so they could be like the air around it, mana wise. Remember that a weapon with no mana can be detected, not directly, but because wizards with honed senses can detect mana in the air itself. Which means that a dead weapon can be sensed as a hole around existing mana, like a void. Also, I could be wildly wrong about him being blind."
>"I'll attempt the test with a sword first." Aira says. "If he's too far out of my league, I'll practice with a staff if it looks like that will help."
"Hm... if I shouldn't spar with him..."
>"Wait." says Frais. "Just trade numbers with me. I'm number 14. I'll spar with him even though I passed, assuming he'll let me. You can study for a couple more hours."
"Okay."
>>
No. 887319 ID: bfb318
File 152799642042.png - (47.18KB , 800x800 , 1084.png )
887319

>Are we sure he'll be trying to thin the herd all week?
I suppose that if he wanted to allow a minimum number of students through, he could go easy on us when we make attempts.

I spend half of each sparring session meditating. Sir Hydril is an abomination, and those appear to be made of denser mana than regular kobolds. I can sense him better. I don't think I can anticipate his moves at all, but I still try since it seems like an invaluable and, well, a magical trait to have.

The other half is spent watching him, since I don't think I'll ever have the mana sense to be able to neglect eyesight, so I need to watch him normally as well.

Frais spars casually with Sir Hydril in my place. I watch carefully, since our fighting style has become similar. She asks him to strike hard so she can practice parrying, and he obliges. He does make it an intense sparring session, and does strike her repeatedly, but does hold his strikes back and doesn't hit her in the head so often. She is outmatched in normal combat, which seems to bolster's peoples desire to try near suicidal tactics to pass the test.

Then I continue with normal observation for a couple of hours.

>"Number 14!" Barm calls out. It's my turn.
>>
No. 887320 ID: bfb318
File 152799642951.png - (30.83KB , 800x800 , 1085.png )
887320

I head to Hydril.

>"Red Maw." he states bluntly. He also glares at me with more intent and focus than I've seen him with anyone else. "Approach me when and how you would like. You have as long as you like to spar, beginning now."

Some kobolds look around inquisitively at that. I almost do, too. What he said was almost exactly what he told everyone else so far, except he replaced '10 minutes' with 'as long as you like'.

If I do what Frais recommends, I'll just declare my attempt right now before sparring him.

If I do make an attempt, then most of my options fall under one kind of strategy.

One, I fight normally as I would against a real opponent, to win without getting struck myself.
Two, I fight with cheap tactics just to pass the test.
Three, I don't follow Frais' recommendation, and spar first.
>>
No. 887323 ID: e5c658

>>887320
Three, ask him to train your reflexes.
>>
No. 887330 ID: 3abd97

>>887320
One. If Frais is right, best move is to go for it now. Right or wrong, we can always train with him later.
>>
No. 887337 ID: b1b4f3

>>887320
>more intent and focus
It's like he expects you to be able to pass. His statement of letting you spar as long as you like is either to give him a better chance of keeping you from passing, or it's to let you learn more.

Go for it. Go big or go home. ONE.
Notably, he's got his sword much farther forwards than he did for the first challenge. This means he'll have to pull it back further to strike hard. It's a more defensive stance. That's good in a way, it means you have more time to anticipate a strike. Unfortunately it also means he's taking you seriously and will be difficult to hit.
>>
No. 887339 ID: f3fe9b

Oh goodie, you're being taken seriously.

We can always try cheap tricks later, go for 1 now. Unless you think you can weather the blows enough to get in close, try and hit his hands. They make a big enough target.
>>
No. 887340 ID: 10c408

Yeah, if we spar and then challenge him, he's going to get the better of us.

one. Do not let him get a strike in. If your weapon breaks, feint a desperation rush, throw your sword at him and then lunge to punch/kick him in the legs.
>>
No. 887344 ID: 7fad5d

>>887320
One is good, yeah.
>>
No. 887345 ID: 86eb65

Go for 1. Beat him and then train with him.
>>
No. 887346 ID: 61838d

One. If you lose, you can retry, and even spar with him if you wish to. If you win, afterwards you can spar as well.
>>
No. 887348 ID: 91ee5f

>>887320
>Some kobolds look around inquisitively at that. I almost do, too. What he said was almost exactly what he told everyone else so far, except he replaced '10 minutes' with 'as long as you like'.
He sees potential in you and believes you’re more skilled than everyone else.....annnd he might’ve heard about you and the things you’ve done. From you being the only one to enter and escape an anomaly alive and that report about the antlers you delivered, which resulted in a successful mission of obtaining them and bringing them back to base.

Soooo, yeah, he’s probably heard of you and is more willing to train you, since he apparently thinks you’ve got a better chance of success compared to everyone else.

And look at that look in his eyes, the ways he’s standing, even the way he’s holding his weapon. It’s almost like he’s expecting you to make an attempt instead of spar with him. In fact, it’s almost like he wants you to make an attempt against him.

If you get a chance later, you should see if he does this with anyone else.

>What do?
One

Declare that you’ve changed your mind about the sparring and wish to make an attempt against him.
>>
No. 887354 ID: deec6e

>>887320

One. If you can't beat him now, you will try and try again later.

>Red Maw, free training

By calling you out as "Red Maw" he either has a bone to pick with you, or he's acknowledging your reputation by giving you the privilege and responsibility of proving your mettle - maybe both. There could be an element of showmanship here, or professional pride - maybe he's looking to preserve or elevate his own standing and reputation by totally punking you, the resident Gold-Killing Anomaly Survivor. Or maybe he just doesn't like the way - or the fact - that you killed Rasyan, and is now picking on you as a result. Valsano called him a 'purist' of a soldier, a no-nonsense type who, it was implied, hates failures (like Valsano).

You've seen how he moves - for this match, double that in intensity, since he seems to be taking things more seriously now. Be ready to suddenly be the one doing all the dodging if he changes gear and attacks aggressively, which probably is his forté. Protect your head in particular. Keep moving so that he'll have to reposition himself to maintain the proper distance to attack or defend himself at. Remember that time is on his side, not yours, as he'll grow more used to your fighting style.
>>
No. 887355 ID: 91ee5f

>>887354
You might be right about that.

Well, if that’s the case, then if Fen manages to land a hit on Sir Hydril, then he should be prepared to keep dodging and/or blocking, just in case Sir Hydril doesn’t stop.
>>
No. 887356 ID: 0c3c2c

>>887320
One
>>
No. 887357 ID: a363ac

>>887320
with the way his arms are positioned he will likely come at you from above with a smash or in a horizontal sweep from the left plan for this and go for 1.
>>
No. 887361 ID: d0f879

One.

If he's already taking you seriously letting him practice against you will probably help him more than you. Worst case you can spar against him later and practice that way. You only get one chance against him where you are an unknown fighter.
>>
No. 887366 ID: 4ee93b

One seems to be the best bet. If you pass you can train with him all week.
>>
No. 887370 ID: 3c570a

There's a fourth option: spar, but don't do anything that would help him defeat you. Practice your reflexes, like Frais did, or your anticipation or ability to read your opponent's intent, or anything else that you feel you're lacking in. Heck, do the whole session with the opposite hand you normally would, practicing fighting reverse-grip is very important. Or fight in some other way that's very different from how you usually fight.

I'm not sure if I actually recommend the fourth-option approach, but I thought it should be mentioned. I should probably also mention that as time goes by, the number of people who have seen you fight and lived will increase, and more people will know your fighting style. If you could manage to defeat Hydril after he's learned what you fight like, it'll be much better practice for the future. I mean, wasn't there a plan for you to get into an arena arrangement, much later? Loads of people will be watching you fight then.

... You know, technically, I don't think making an attempt necessarily ends the sparring session. If you manage to not just get knocked out, you could keep going after. Practice fighting while injured? I've been wondering if receiving healing for smaller injuries all over your body might slightly improve your overall physical fitness.

I really don't know what I should vote, now. I'm leaning towards making an attempt, but I don't know what counts as a cheap trick to you or not. Any specific strategy? I hope not. I'll tentatively vote one, telling him you'd like to make an attempt and then practice fighting while injured. If he really does hate/disapprove/etc of you, telling him you want to be injured might also prevent getting so much of a beating.

In fact, here's a tactic for you: I notice he's been putting his back to the wall. Maybe spar a little first, practice maneuvering around him, and see if you can get your back to the wall instead, which will restrict his movements a little (if he overshoots his swing with his long weapon he'll hit the wall instead of you). Then declare an attempt. Does that count as a cheap trick?
>>
No. 887383 ID: c0641d

One: And don’t discount the possibility of him just trying to poke you in the face with the sword’s end. I say that since outdoing him in raw speed isn’t gonna happen, we should make the slow approach, assuming he doesn’t go on the offensive due to taking us more seriously. It’ll allow us to watch more carefully for attacks (and if he does go for the poke, we can easily snap up our sword to knock it outside and go for a kick ourselves by sliding our sword up against his to get in range). If he does go on the offensive, don’t suddenly go on the defensive like one might expect; surge forward to end the match in one exchange, one way or another, iaido style.
>>
No. 887394 ID: bfb318
File 152804127008.png - (11.47KB , 800x800 , 1086.png )
887394

"I'd like to make an attempt." And I'll fight fairly, instead of simply trying to land a strike at any expense.
>"I accept your attempt."

He stays still. He's in a defensive position, and remains that way. He's waiting for me, so I decide to get in close to him, quickly.

I lift my foot.
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No. 887395 ID: bfb318
File 152804127827.png - (37.76KB , 800x800 , 1087.png )
887395

He leaps to the side and pulls his sword back. It gives me just enough time to lift my sword up to parry his swing to my face.

The straws in my sword crack, but I keep moving forward. Hydril keeps moving back, staying in range to swing at me, but out of my range to swing back at him.

I won't be able to close the distance with carefully stepping forward.
>>
No. 887400 ID: bb78f2

And NOW'S the time when you get down low, break into a windmill spinaroonie, and GO IN FOR THE KILL!
>>
No. 887401 ID: 5a65f4
887401

Aim for his extremities. When he attacks see if you can thrust into his arm or something.
>>
No. 887402 ID: eeb7d9

>>887395
Is it me or Fen's pant's just fell off?
Little mistake aside, seems that rushing him foward won't work. Maybe we can go to his sides, going closer to the ground, taking advantage of height. It should prove to be more dificult to hit Fen like that. He might expect this to tho. And that sword won't last long against those stricks. Let's try to make them slide by the sword if posible.
>>
No. 887403 ID: eeb7d9

>>887395
AH, HE FIX IT! SO QUICK!
>>
No. 887404 ID: 86eb65

When facing a enemy with superior reach you will need to use the terrain to your advantage. In this case it would be to get him into a spot in the room where he trips over something or can no longer move backward.

Of course he will reposition if he gets in a spot like that but it will give you a opening.

Keep your footwork solid. If you were not practice that quick attack would have happened as you moved your feet. And you would have fallen over.

You need to stay defensive while aggressively moving into his reach so you can strike. But you will need to feel out his stance and look for openings. Once you find one you can move in and strike.
>>
No. 887405 ID: b1b4f3

He reacted instantly to you. Can you take advantage of that, and use a feint to get him to do something that will let you get close enough to strike?

He really likes aiming for the face, you could use that to predict his strikes and either dodge them outright or force a glancing blow on your sword which would let you attack with it afterwards. Perhaps he aims for the face since he's taller and that's actually the closest part of your body. He'll have a harder time aiming lower, so if you can force that it'll help. Like, take a lower stance.

You could try limiting his movement by backing him into a wall or the crowd...
>>
No. 887408 ID: 3c570a

Your sword's "blade" won't take another strike. But you NEED to get inside his reach, he has all the power while he has you in his range and himself out of yours.

Charge or jump at him, as fast as you can. If you can manage it, feint him out by dipping down low, maybe even dive. I'm sure he's expecting a charge now so you need to add something to it.

If you need to block, adjust your grip and block with the hilt of your sword. Perhaps even do so one-handed, if you think you can keep your grip when he strikes, as if you were wielding a dagger with the hilt of your sword for the blade. That will free up your other hand to try and do something, either helping you recover from the dive or striking at him with your claws, or grabbing his sword (in such a way that if it were a real sword it wouldn't cut you, so he can't claim it as a hit). Whichever suits better, according to your instincts.

If you don't want to try a full dive, then since he's moved away from the wall now, maybe you should try putting your back to it. It'll mean he can only hit you with the tip of his sword, since trying for the middle will risk hitting the wall instead. You could also try doing this first to convince him you're going on the defensive, THEN try the big charge/dive attack.
>>
No. 887409 ID: 91ee5f

>>887395
>The straws in my sword crack
Shit, you won’t be able to parry his strikes for very long! If this keeps up, your sword is going to break!
>>
No. 887410 ID: 848416

>>887408
He might not "see" the wall clearly. Back to the wall also means Fen could push off with his tail too, for extra speed.
>>
No. 887412 ID: deec6e

You won't be able to close the distance being careful, but he's fast enough that one slip-up is all it will take. Charging in recklessly is a recipe for a thrashing. At the same time, you have to keep pressing him and trying to get close and that means tanking those hits.

You have an option there, though.

If his tactic is to use his reach and break your sword, there's something you can do - break his sword. He's using the same kind of sword, with the same weakness - the main difference that risks breaking your sword is in the force applied to what structural point. So... is the handle more sturdy? It's a handguard, so they tend to be.

If you position your block at an angle, you might be able to tank the blow on the handle - even meet it with force of your own - and break the tip of his sword. If successful, you'll have reduced the range of his weapon, and part of his advantage. You've got less of a surface to block with, though, so if he sees what you're doing and adjusts you need to be able to dodge it. The fact he keeps aiming for your head should at least help if you try that strategy.

Heh. It's funny. Rasyan, too, threatened to break the blade we were using, which forced us to get clever.

... oh shit. Was Hydril the one to train the 'training room champion' Rasyan?
>>
No. 887413 ID: dd19e9

Speed up your footwork a bit, but don’t sacrifice defense. With other challengers, he seemed to be using a high sword stance when he kept his sword upright; ideal for downward strikes. Now, he seems to be using a middle sword stance, holding his sword out in front of him and angling it forward. This makes sense, as it makes sense for all of the soldiers put before him to use a middle stance, which a high stance would be good at defending against, but the more well-rounded middle stance is better against an opponent he might perceive as being more unpredictable, like us. Let’s take on a high stance to better parry the side-blows favored by the middle stance and try to get at his hands with our own attacks.

If our sword does break, but the two halves are still attached, that does open up a fairly simple gambit (playing dirty made necessary by, y’know, our weapon being broken); folding our weapon around his, and using rotational leverage to wrench it out of his grasp. Even if there’s not enough opportunity to then pick up his sword, we’ll still be back on even footing, albeit in “sudden death” mode due the rules on unarmed combat explained before.
>>
No. 887414 ID: f3fe9b

Try to angle the sword to deflect the blows, not absorb them entirely. Keep moving forward, blocking his movement to corner him. If a sword breaks, appropriate another off a gawping bystander.
>>
No. 887415 ID: a62780

>>887395
Okay, this is good despite the damaged weapon. You're fast enough to react to his swing and he's still putting a lot of force behind it.

I think you'll need to end things fast since he's playing into his reach and ability to break the weapons. I suggest a charge, low and fast.

If you can manage to get your blade into a shallow angle for a deflecting parry which takes his blade over you (for a sideswing) or even better, into the ground (for a downswing, which might break his own blade) while you complete your attack. I'd suggest going for his arms/hands since they'll be closest, but even if he's fast enough to pull them back you should be quick enough to hit his body or even if force to block retaliatory attack, tackle him (the rules aren't limited to hitting him with a sword)
>>
No. 887416 ID: bfb318
File 152804831270.png - (20.70KB , 800x800 , 1088.png )
887416

I haven't seen him do a swing from below yet, and he seems to react instantly to whatever motions people do.

I watch his current position and prepare for a strike as soon as I enter, keeping my position defensive but my movement forward offensive. I move so that he has to back into the spectating crowd, while I get low so that he has to swing in a more predictable spot and possibly give me another instant to react with.

As expected, he's swinging towards my head, and I immediately move to guard.
>>
No. 887417 ID: bfb318
File 152804831973.png - (34.89KB , 1000x800 , 1089.png )
887417

Instead of blocking with my 'blade', I use the hilt, and thrust into his blade to break his sword, but he still has at least half his sword intact.
>>
No. 887418 ID: 3abd97

Right. So on the plus side, you've reduced your opponent's reach advantage. On the downside, he's still fast, and a shorter weapon means he has better maneuverability in close.

Press what advantage you have to get closer, remain aggressive in defending yourself. Remember, unarmed hits are allowed, and he might try to make one.
>>
No. 887425 ID: f3fe9b

You've got a chance to reach out and hit his big-ass hands if you think you're quick enough for it. If not, keep moving forward to corner him.
>>
No. 887426 ID: b1b4f3

>>887417
Alright good, you can be more aggressive and start trying to hit his hands.
>>
No. 887427 ID: a62780

>>887417
Press the advantage before he can fully adapt to this, keep up your advance and feint an attack to his arms then turn the attack downwards to his legs, which seem to tend to jut forwards due to his stretched proportions.
>>
No. 887430 ID: bb78f2

>>887417
Hey if you can grab that thing that broke you could use it as a distraction.

I don't consider that dirty or cheap, you're using feints.
>>
No. 887436 ID: 84a8da

Time for a feint now. Baiting for a strike that you could deflect into a position that would leave him vulnerable.
>>
No. 887440 ID: 91ee5f

>>887417
You’ve reduced his reach, which means he can’t keep you away and you can get him into your reach.

However, don’t lower your guard, he’s still got half of his sword. And you should really try to not get hit now, since getting hit with the broken end might actually end up cutting you or giving you a splinter!

>>887430
I’m pretty sure Sir Hydril will move too quickly for us to try that.
>>
No. 887442 ID: eeb7d9

Keep rushing forward slightly to his sides, but maintain a defensive position, look for the counter attack. Take in account that he has less range now, but more movelity.
>>
No. 887445 ID: 3c570a

>>887417

The remains of his sword are going off to your side, and he should be a little unbalanced. Twist your sword sideways to knock his weapon further away, and move in close to him. If you get inside the reach of his arms, elbow them out of the way too, and go for the strike! Maybe even a roundhouse kick to his side, keeping your arms close to you for more defense? Be prepared for him to kick at you or to let go with one hand to strike you.
>>
No. 887446 ID: 3c570a

If you don't mind looking a bit silly, you could try jump and grab both his arms in a hug-like grapple, and pull yourself up to swing forward and kick him in the stomach with both of your legs to wind him. It should unbalance him, be hard to defend against and be hard to predict. Basically a flying kick with a potential assist from swinging off him like he was a tree. Might count as a cheap trick, since it's not something you'd really do outside a one-on-one fight? And possibly kind of a dumb move even then.
>>
No. 887464 ID: 0c3c2c

>>887417
You've partially negated his reach advantage! Try to sweep his head.
>>
No. 887468 ID: 56e50f

>>887417
See if you can kick that "blade" at him before it hits the ground. That'd give you a bigger opening to press forward.
>>
No. 887469 ID: 6a5730

>>887417
So his reach advantage has now been halved. Good, that means you can get closer without risking as much.
Press the advantage a bit before they are able to mentally adjust to having a differently sized weapon.
>>
No. 887470 ID: 6a5730

>>887417
Is it possible to grab their broken blade without making yourself too vulnerable? If you can you could use it as a makeshift throwing dagger as a distraction.
>>
No. 887472 ID: deec6e

Hydril may be a bit unbalanced by that, but he is a trained knight and I doubt it's the first time the strong guy has had his weapon break. Don't think he won't react immediately. He'll probably dodge back or to the side and strike down with the remnants of the 'blade' to deflect any lunges or swings from you with his ridiculous speed and strength. Another worry is - and this is important - that he can probably block or deflect your two-handed sword swings and lunges with one hand, leaving him with a free offhand to punch, push, grab or distract. If he lets go of the sword with one hand, be aware that he's opened up a new venue of attack.

Even so, now that his reach advantage has been lost, you'll want to press the advantage and use the lessened reach to get inside his guard. Don't get tempted into entering a straight blade lock - he's clearly strong enough to just push you back or off-balance.
>>
No. 887474 ID: bfb318
File 152807384268.png - (45.60KB , 1200x800 , 1090.png )
887474

I move forward aggressively. I don't want to give him a chance to adjust. I feint for a lunge forward, than strike to the hand on his hilt. He doesn't manage to counter, but he does snap his guard upwards, and releases his left hand from the guard while lifting his right hand above my blade's reach. I notice a weird shuffle in his feet while his body wobbles slightly.
>>
No. 887475 ID: b1b4f3

He's probably going for a kick. Hit his leg with your sword as he does it!
>>
No. 887476 ID: 0c3c2c

>>887474
He's preparing to leap and move around you for an attack from behind. Move closer, feint towards his arm, then sweep around towards his belly.
>>
No. 887477 ID: ee2d6e

I suspect he's going to try and kick you. Keep your sword pressed against his to control it as you rush in even closer so a kick won't do more than shift you, but be ready to hop over it if he does get a kick off. Do not cede ground when you're this close. At this range you can either snap the tip of the blade against his neck, or grab the blade with one hand for the extra force needed to make a proper cut and draw the whole "edge" against his body.
>>
No. 887479 ID: ba5478

Try to disarm him. You can probably hit his wrist or, if he gives up his sword and retracts his hand, have an advantage.

If he's going for a kick just attack his leg.
>>
No. 887480 ID: 3abd97

>>887474
He's probably going to jump (backwards to free up room, or forwards to overwhelm you) or he's going for a kick.

You might still be able to twist or slide your sword along the hilt to stab him in a finger or thumb. He's pretty much have to swing his hand back and to his right to avoid that, which balance wise, would support him coming in from the left for a kick.

If he does kick, you might be able to drop and avoid the blow, while putting your sword in his leg's path. It would probably break, but he'd have stabbed himself on it.
>>
No. 887482 ID: deec6e

His left hand has been freed. Watch out for strikes, grabs and the like.
>>
No. 887483 ID: 86eb65

Could be a kick. Either roundhouse or just straight in front of him.

Or a hop in a direction. Or over you if the ceiling is high enough.

Or just a fancy movement shuffle. Or some weird mutant thing we have not seen yet.

Watch his body and feet carefully. He will telegraph what he is doing the instant before it happens.

Keep your sword ready and keep moving into his reach. Just be aware that once you are in his reach he can quickly move those long limbs around you.

Most things he could try you can block with your sword if you are fast and careful. But he might try a side kick your hand to disarm you. So be ready to yank back your sword if he tries something tricky like that.
>>
No. 887487 ID: c0641d

What I fear is an attack on multiple fronts. A downward swing of his sword would keep our busy while he lines up a kick. To counteract this without it backfiring in the case of him prepping a side-hop instead... hm... It occurs to me that we weren’t moving at our full speed thus far. I know we wouldn’t be able to beat Hydryl in raw speed, but maybe a sudden burst of it now could catch him by surprise? Like, a sudden step forward and simultaneous upward swing at one of his arms? ... Eh, that might be too risky.
>>
No. 887488 ID: b1b4f3

Wait, the wobble... is he being pushed off balance? He is rather tall, his feet are small for his size and his tail is rather thin. Maybe you should try to knock him over to one side.
>>
No. 887495 ID: 10c408

Careful. He could very easily use his free hand to do pretty much any of the following.

grab both of your hands to control your sword to ensure a hit with his own, punch you in the face, leap somewhere to force you to gain ground again and I guess feint you out with his friend hand going for a punch and simply kick you instead.
>>
No. 887510 ID: bb78f2

>>887474
Is that kick gonna be a feint?
What's your mana instincts telling you?
Respond to your instincts!
>>
No. 887519 ID: aebe2f

You could just flick your sword up along the handle to tag his hand. Like you did against the staff but in reverse. Don't let him regain his composure or balance, press forward!
>>
No. 887524 ID: cfac00

Back off a bit and prepare to defend against whatever he’s doing.
>>
No. 887535 ID: 3c570a

It could be a kick, or preparing to jump to one side. If he does kick, see if you can catch his foot or knock it to the side. His sword is also in a good position to hit you now, too, though. Not with a strong strike, but it'd still be enough for you to lose. Perhaps you should try disarm him? His grip is as weak as it's going to get on its own, I'd say. Depends how sturdy your own sword still is, though.

You still need to get closer. He's still in his range to you and you're not in yours to him.
>>
No. 887547 ID: ff1ae8

Push forward to his left to avoid his sword. Prepare for a kick.
>>
No. 887553 ID: bfb318
File 152813050578.png - (20.39KB , 800x800 , 1091.png )
887553

Despite how close I am, he's in a position that allows him multiple options. I slide my sword up to try and hit his hand, but he manages to pull it away in time.

My instincts are divided between rushing forward with offense, and rushing forward while keeping my defenses up since he could swing with his sword, kick with his leg, or anything with his freed hand.

I keep my sword up to block his sword in case it comes down, but still poised to strike if I get the opportunity. My focus ends up focusing more on his foot and hand to react to anything he does with those.

He blocks my sword with his sword, which is odd since I didn't swing forward.

Then, faster than I manage to react, he reaches forward, and my sword cracks as his claws dig into the straw, locking my sword in place.
>>
No. 887554 ID: 7fad5d

>>887553
Well, he moved faster than you could react even when you were specifically focusing on his hand. Hm. Feint a kick and then claw at his hand instead if that doesn't get him to let go, I suppose.
>>
No. 887555 ID: a363ac

>>887553
prepare to drop your sword if he tries to pull you around or open your guard using it and go for a more aggressive push with your fists.
>>
No. 887556 ID: 3c570a

Ok he's just occupied both of his hands, so he's definitely going to kick you now. That or try shove you. He could also suddenly let go to unbalance you, and swipe at you with his claws.

I'd say jump at him, either up with a kick or a dive to his legs. If the former, don't put your whole weight on your sword or his grip on it but give it a bit of a tug to help boost you forward. You could also let go of your sword - if you gave it a toss forward, it might actually spring up over his sword and whack him in the face - to unbalance him with the sudden loss of tension, and dive at him with a gut punch or strike to his crotch.

You could also try suddenly letting go of your sword to spring it at him, and try grabbing his sword, since there's space on the hilt now. Even if he doesn't let go, you can, again, pull on him to yank yourself forward to swing up with a kick to his stomach. He's pretty skinny so you might even be able to unbalance him forward on top of you? Not usually an advantageous position but you just need to get one good strike in. Gut punch under the ribs or a strike to his throat should count.
>>
No. 887557 ID: 0c324b

Breaking your own sword to get out of the lock *is* an option. It'd put you at enough of a disadvantage that you'd have to have an immediate move/plan in place though.
>>
No. 887558 ID: ba5478

If you push your sword up you'll have a few options. If your sword bends enough and he keeps your sword blocked you can let it go. If you push it against the hilt it'll snap at his side and against his sword from below. It might rebound on the snapback and hit him. If he throws a kick you can just punch his leg or whatever. You'll probably get hit but that's not your win condition as long as you hit him before he says stop.

You might also want to try to take advantage of his hand position. He's also locked into blocking you the way he did it and his hands are in the same place. Plus he can't use his sword to attack you without your hilt blocking it (even if he moves the tip you still have some control of the back half of your sword. If he pushes you back you can slip under and attack his legs. To the side of his hilt to keep you locked in you can try the snapback move. The other side doesn't make much sense but it should allow you to disengage by pulling back and just ripping up the tip of your sword.

Basically he's in a much more complicated hand position than you are and can't disengage as well. If he melee attacks that's just an opening for you. If he doesn't then you probably slip into his defenses.
>>
No. 887559 ID: 5f3f48

He's going to try to disarm you or go for an unarmed attack now.

We need to attack first, or break our sword in order to hit him with it (attack our own sword to do so with a shoulder check?) or we need to attack him with the broken piece of his sword (a kick or tail slap might work).
>>
No. 887560 ID: b1b4f3

>>887553
Yank your body forwards to kick his hand/arm.
>>
No. 887562 ID: f3fe9b

Yank the sword downward across his knuckles.
or
Push it forward so you're in range for an unarmed attack. Not a bite, don't be a stereotype.
>>
No. 887563 ID: 86eb65

He has his hilt pushed on the halfway mark of your sword. In a moment he will pull with his claws and shove with his sword and break your sword in half like his is.

But you know that is going to happen so you can prepare for it.

Advance closer and shove your sword hilt to your right. It will speed up him breaking the sword and give you back the momentum.

If you do it right you will end up with your now broken sword inside his guard. Then tap him on the arm or torso.

Other options include having Aira throw you a new sword. Or twisting it hard to break just the tip off instead of in the middle.
>>
No. 887564 ID: b38f01

>>887553
Thrust. His hand is locked to your weapon now. The motion forward will trap his left hand across his chest in an awkward stance. The issue is that his sword will be free to retaliate. Is he within kicking range?
>>
No. 887566 ID: 3c570a

Oh, make sure he doesn't elbow you. Elbow strikes can be serious business!
>>
No. 887568 ID: 78face

>>887553

Hnn... damn fast, damn strong - but his showing off has got his arms in a slight cross trying to stop and break your sword. He's also got his fingers in a self-made vice at the end of your sword.

Put your weight in and keep thrusting your sword forward to either jostle his left arm back (getting his arms further into a cross) or to splinter your weapon along its length to bring you closer to him, rather than letting him dictate how it'll break. Stay low and twist your blade to block his sword with the handguard again if he tries to bring it crashing down on your head.

If he does bring his blade down to stop your forward momentum, let him 'win' the contest of strength to bring his sword and hand closer to your maw, then bite down on the hand holding the sword (or possibly, pretend you're doing it). He can try pulling away, but as long as you're shoving him backwards by the left hand or pushing forward with the splintered remains of your weapon and covering your head with your handguard until the decisive moment, he may not have much of a choice in the matter.

If he does let go of the weapon, go back to blocking your head and VERY QUICKLY grab it with a free hand and swing it after whichever arm is the closest/unoccupied - you'll have two broken blades, while he'll have his arms, which are bad enough. Note that if his left hand doesn't get jostled back, he could very easily try backhanding you (which is why you need the handguard to block strikes against your face).
>>
No. 887570 ID: 9c2d0c

He doesn't have to kick or disarm you right now, his sword is not actually trapped; he can still just bonk you in the face. He is holding your sword out of position with his free hand, so you'd be able to move it a little, but not enough to reliably block. His arms may be all crossed awkwardly, but he has plenty of room to just twist his sword wrist and slash wide parallel to your sword. It won't be a knockout hit, but it would end the duel.

I think the cool move is to twist inside his reach while actively yanking your sword around the fulcrum of his own. Hold tight, accept that part of your sword is going to break off, and stab him with the resulting "dagger" from in close. But that supposes you can dodge/glance a probable kick on the way in and keep your feet.
>>
No. 887571 ID: 91ee5f

>>887553
He might be trying to break your sword!

>>887566
Yeah, Fen already learned that lesson the hard way: >>/questarch/713609 .
>>
No. 887574 ID: b1b4f3

>>887570
Seems feasible.
>>
No. 887577 ID: a62780

>>887553
Hmm, almost all the options I see here are really open to retaliation.
I think if you push he'll pull your weapon up and away to disarm you and if you pull he'll be able to keep the blade in place while he attacks you.

Twist remains viable; your weapon is partially damaged already plus Hydril has kindly provided an anchor and fulcrum you can yourself snap it with. Ideally this hits his fingers but i suspect he's fast enough to either let go of his sword or pull away from that.
You'd lose some reach but you'll be stepping well inside his with the motion so it's not the biggest deal, from there you're in the best position you've been the entire fight, his proportions work against him right up close and you should be able to swing in an ark that hits some part of his body no matter how he dodges.

That said, awkward position or not, he's fast and skilled enough that I bet he could land a retaliatory hit, so either be willing to commit to landing a hit despite being hit OR release one hand in preparation to block/deflect such an attack.
>>
No. 887578 ID: eeb7d9

>>887570
I say Fen should go with this.
>>
No. 887586 ID: c0641d

>>887570
Yeah, this is basically what I was going to suggest. Although, considering your sword guard is right there, you could try to punch his sword hand to if not end it right there, at least expedite the break. As for the kick... Hm... Maybe throw the broken sword point blank, since both hands are occupied now, and it'll score you a point even if the inevitable kick knocks you out of range.
>>
No. 887587 ID: 3c570a

I guess with your sword caught in his free hand, he could lower his sword and swipe across your stomach? That would be awkward for him, though, he's enough taller than you that he can't really reach down that far easily.
>>
No. 887589 ID: 49a777

Alternatively to pivoting right, we could go left; we may end up in the same position as we are in now if we do, but it would likely be the safest option for not getting hit. We must keep in mind that any opportunity for him to hit us will be taken advantage of, he is able to sense and predict what we are going to do, so we must leave him no openings for him to use against us in retaliation.
>>
No. 887603 ID: 0c3c2c

>>887547
Can you try and press forward and bite him?
>>
No. 887604 ID: f3fe9b

>>887603
I'm pretty sure he'll be expecting that.
>>
No. 887605 ID: 3abd97

>>887603
>>887604
Given that he knows we're the Red Maw, it won't be a surprise, yeah.

Also goes against the spirit of trying not to injure each other if we use our teeth.

I have this nagging premonition a bite attempt would be followed up by a training sword to the face and broken teeth.
>>
No. 887606 ID: 392744

I feel at a loss, the way his sword is positioned, its like he could stab us with the broken end, be ready if thats the case.
>>
No. 887608 ID: 10c408

Alright. He's got us in a huge bind now. Despite how awkward the bladelock looks for him, he can very easily hit us. So we're going to have to be very aggressive and tricky right now to catch him off-guard and get a hit in before he knocks us out.

bare your teeth at him to make him think you are going to bite him, then pull the rug out from under him by either yanking backwards and kicking, twisting your sword to the right and stabbing/throwing the resulting dagger at his chest or jabbing forward before he finishes breaking your weapon and headbutting him.
>>
No. 887609 ID: 166e1c

Your hand are close, grab his.
>>
No. 887612 ID: bde088

>>887609
He's faster than us, stronger than us and his hands are massive. If we end the bladelock by moving a hand he's going to punish us.
>>
No. 887626 ID: bfb318
File 152816440408.png - (31.18KB , 800x800 , 1092.png )
887626

I twist and push forward. My blade snaps, but I expected as much, and push forward still. I intend to block any incoming kicks with my 'dagger', but he doesn't pull his hands back in time. My weapon scrapes against his fingers decisively.

I could sense his mana before, but all of a sudden, it spikes up.
>>
No. 887627 ID: bfb318
File 152816442513.png - (23.83KB , 800x800 , 1093.png )
887627

I wake up on a bed. My head is pounding.

>"You're up?" I hear someone talk. I look over and see what I assume is the healing wizard. "You're fine. You can go back to the training room any time."
"What happened?"
>"According to one of Sir Hydril's pawns, you passed the test, then got kicked in the face."
>>
No. 887628 ID: 86eb65

Yay you got that out of the way.

Now for a week of non stop training to make sure you can actually stand up to him in a fair fight eventually.
>>
No. 887630 ID: 3abd97

>>887627
>you passed the test, then got kicked in the face
"Hmm, unfortunate."

Well we didn't pass the test without getting hit, but we did make a better showing than most the people making trick attempts, at least. In a real fight, I think we'd still be trying to cheat by picking the battlefield, or exploiting an ambush or numbers.

Oh well. Rest of the week you can still spend training, and trying to help your friends pass. Up you go.
>>
No. 887631 ID: cfac00

Get up and go spar with one of hydrils pawns i guess. Maybe meet up with our teammates on the way too?
>>
No. 887634 ID: f3fe9b

Ask how long you've been out, and if your roguish good looks will be permanently damaged.

Go back and ask your crew if anybody else sensed that manna spike. You expected he was going to deliver a kick, but only remember the manna.
>>
No. 887635 ID: 2a13fa

"I was expecting a kick..."
>>
No. 887636 ID: 840025

>>887627
Well, not as good a victory as we hoped, but we are now able to work on our skills so that we can take on such opponents without being harmed ourselves.

Also, his mana spiked? Does that happen with kobolds? I ask because it sounds like he might have knocked you out BEFORE he kicked your face. I mean, you were prepared to block a kick.
>>
No. 887637 ID: 91ee5f

>>887627
Those injuries look like they were from more than just a kick.

Ask how long you were out?

Then go meet up with your squad mates and ask them what happened while you were out?
>>
No. 887638 ID: a62780

>I could sense his mana before, but all of a sudden, it spikes up.
That seems surprisingly like a (perhaps literal) kneejerk reaction, maybe that move gave him a surprise splinter. (Or maybe I'm reading too much into it.)

Anyhoo, good job on passing. Take a moment to get your bearings fully and do a little mental self-examination, then go rejoin the others.
>>
No. 887639 ID: 91ee5f

>>887637
And ask them if you really were kicked in the face or did Sir Hydril do something else?
>>
No. 887641 ID: 363437

Wait if his mana spiked that means he might have enhanced his body with mana! Imagine if you could speed yourself up or strengthen your body in short bursts!

You have got to learn that trick if that is what happened. Feel your face and make sure your teeth are ok then get back to training.

You might need to help train Aira to get past his test.
>>
No. 887642 ID: 7fad5d

Make a big show out of checking your teeth and act like they're really important to you. Feign concern and anger. Gotta make sure people think the worst of barbarians and the Red Maw so you can take advantage when they underestimate you.
>>
No. 887655 ID: b1b4f3

>>887627
Ask if Hydril seemed angry.

See if you can get out of bed. You're going to want to spar like this, I think. You wanted to practice fighting while injured, didn't you?
>>
No. 887663 ID: eeb7d9

HAHAHA. Man, i shouldn't feel this much satisfied, giving we didn't manage to avoid getting hit, but i think we make him angry somehow. That makes me feel good.
However, this means that we have much to improve. Let's not waste more time and get back to trainning.
How did we get knocked out?
Did Hydril look upset?
>>
No. 887666 ID: 9ca89b

Muse out loud tjat you were trying to anticipate a kick, yet couldn't see it coming.
>>
No. 887671 ID: b27fb0

Wow what a cheap bitch. I'm starting to see why the north, with putting so much importance on strength, hasn't been able to take out the south yet. It's only individual strength, they have an army of suiciders and glory seeking dumb assess.

"Not good enough"
>>
No. 887674 ID: 10c408

Man, it looks like a mountain kobolod used Fen's face like a towel to dry off their backside.

anyways. Get up, slowly. If you don't get dizzy or feel off-balance than you are probably fine. Ask the wizard how long you've been out.
>>
No. 887680 ID: 0c3c2c

>>887627
To be fair, we still technically won heroically. Kicking you in the face was simply a face-saving method for our teacher. Next time we bring the plate armor and watch as he breaks his toes on our visor.
>>
No. 887683 ID: 3c570a

Feel your face with your fingers and check out your teeth. You probably can't demand more healing, though, Hydril said people would be healed but implied only enough to get them conscious and able to train again. The wizard needs to save his strength, anyway, with the amount of healing he's probably going to need to do. Ask him if there's any salves or anything you can put on.

And get back to training!
>>
No. 887686 ID: 91ee5f

Oh, wait, I think I understand what happened.

Remember what Unon said? He said, “The whole point is so that you'll at least be able to do some harm to an abomination so your teammates can finish it off."

Fen scraping Sir Hydril’s fingers must’ve counted as “doing some harm to an abomination”, so Sir Hydril decided to “kill” Fen so that his teammates can come in to “finish off the abomination”. So I think Sir Hydril is supposed to knock out his challengers, regardless of if they pass or fail.

Also, we have to consider how quickly he kicked Fen. That means Sir Hydril is actively holding back his true strength, even during the attempts. Which means even though he can hit someone hard enough to break his training sword, he possibly has the potential to swing even harder, to the point that he could kill someone with a training sword.
>>
No. 887687 ID: b1b4f3

Something to note: the arena likely accepts abominations like Hydril. Fen will need to get strong enough to beat Hydril if he is to win in the arena.
>>
No. 887698 ID: caf1de

don't be surprised if everyone else asks you to train them
>>
No. 887712 ID: b38f01

>>887627
Didn't leave a scar, did he?
>>
No. 887735 ID: eeb7d9

>>887686
That is a good assumption. But i still wonder why did we got a different treatment from the rest. And what was that sudden mana spike from him. Why is he "apparently" mad at us?
Last thing we need now is an abomination trying to kill us.
>>
No. 887736 ID: 10c408

>>887735
A few guesses for why he stepped up his game.

1: he was expecting us to back off and quit after getting us in the bind, only we didn't.

2: he REALLY doesn't like us based off of what he knows about us, being a purist and all.

3: He kicked us for breaking our own weapon to ensure a hit, which would certainly get you killed down here and let's be honest, was a little reckless.

So, in short, we got kicked. The why of it will require more information from the man himself.
>>
No. 887740 ID: 91ee5f

>>887736
There’s also the possibility that he’s heard of all the things Fen has done down here:

Fen being the first kobold that was able to enter one of the darkness anomalies and come back out alive, Fen’s report about the White Worm and it’s antlers which resulted in a successful mission to retrieve all of them, and Fen’s participation in that mission.

After hearing all of that, Sir Hydril probably got more aggressive with Fen because he’s expecting Fen to be able to handle it better than the other kobolds that are here.
>>
No. 887741 ID: 3c570a

>>887736
>>887740
It could be your classic kung fu master being tougher on the student with the most potential thing, but I wouldn't rule out other possibilities. Point being, let's find out more before we try to judge.

If he does go harder on Fen for personal reasons, that'll just make Fen tougher. So long as he doesn't actually kill Fen, it's good.

Anyway, Fen, you should feel good about this! You've secured further training and boosted your reputation further. I mean, not only did you pass, I think you did so more impressively than anyone else so far! You didn't use any cheap trick you'd come up with ahead of time, you traded a few rounds instead of it all being decided in one moment, and you both busted up your weapons in the process. Don't forget to reflect on what you could have done better (maybe turned your head to face your horns towards the kick?), but enjoy a lick of victory while you can. You're probably top ranked among the people who have passed the test so far.
>>
No. 887742 ID: 86eb65

He might not be mad at us at all. At the speeds we were fighting at the kick could have been in the air as we hit his knuckles with our sword.

Will find out as we go.
>>
No. 887744 ID: 5f3f48

>>887655
I don't think he'd know how Hydril felt about it. From the "According to one of Sir Hydril's pawns" it sounds like the doc didn't witness the fight. Which makes sense, he's had all the other people who tried to tend to.
>>
No. 887747 ID: 91ee5f

>>887655
Sir Orjin said, “How about you defeatists train to not get injured in the first place?!”

And I have to agree, that sounds like a much better idea than whatever the fuck we were doing with Aria earlier. Emulating various injuries was a pretty dumb thing for us to do.
>>
No. 887748 ID: c0641d

>>887736
Another possibility was that he using close to his full abilities (sans mana bs), and us getting the first hit in bruised his ego. But like several people have been saying, it's probably best not to dwell on this.
>>
No. 887760 ID: b5e4c3

>>887627

Rest your head for a little while and reflect on what happened - the blow might've knocked some of your recollection from your head, but it might come back if you think about it. Likely Hydril used mana to boost his speed somehow, whether it be a magic item or innate skill. Don't feel angry - Hydril is here to train you, and part of what he's shown you here is that there ARE bullshit moves available for the likes of him. For all intents and purposes, you achieved your goal in the match, and now you know that there are opponents that must be taken very seriously. That blinding speed must've been something like what the Dragon Knight who killed Lady Apanya's Gold nobles had, after all.

As an aside, I really think Hydril realized Fen had realized he was gonna kick, and used a trump card to speed up. If he hadn't, he'd have gotten a 'blade' in his leg for his trouble, in addition to the score across his knuckles, and playing the role of both a serious opponent and trainer, he would not let a semi-defeat like that happen. There might be additional motivations, too. Knocking out everyone who challenges him seems, really, to be a priority for him, oddly enough.

Getting an enemy to use a trump card, to tap resources or display skills they otherwise shouldn't have had to use, can absolutely be considered a victory for a lesser knight, though. Dame Frais got to Hydril through a trick - Fen forced him to go to some extent of 'all out'. And having experienced it, Fen will want to find ways to survive such power moves in the future. He should try to learn as much as he can during these few weeks, and not be discouraged that he's outmatched by someone who has had time, money, experience, biology and training on his side. The purpose of being here is to lessen that gap, after all.
>>
No. 887781 ID: f3fe9b

I don't think he's mad, I think that mana burst was what made him move so fast you didn't even see what happened. In any case, it's fair to assume we won because he let us.
>>
No. 887787 ID: 91ee5f

>>887781
He didn’t let us win. We struck him and we passed the challenge. That was the whole point of challenging him.
>>
No. 887792 ID: 3abd97

>>887747
Trying to avoid injury is all well and good, but Murphy is an asshole. At some point, Fen almost certainly will be hurt, and someone who has at least tried to prepare for that eventuality is better off than someone who never did.
>>
No. 887793 ID: 7c90bc

Try not to be too smug. You legitimately defeated his test on your first try through skill and natural ability. I imagine it bruised his ego that you passed his test on the first try using your own skill, and that him putting his all into a kick to your face was a reminder that you are still the student here.
>>
No. 887799 ID: bfb318
File 152824232908.png - (17.30KB , 800x800 , 1094.png )
887799

I check myself. All my teeth still seem intact, and nothing below my face appears injured.

"How long as I out for?"
>"About an hour."
"Will these leave a scar?"
>"No, your face will be fine, princess."
"My name is Fen."
>"... Oh. You must be Red Maw. Get back to training, barbarian."
"Do I get any healing salves?"

He looks at me like I've just asked for his hand in marriage.

>"Yeah. In that basket."
>>
No. 887800 ID: bfb318
File 152824233793.png - (31.51KB , 800x800 , 1095.png )
887800

The basket contains non-magical, mundane bandages. I don't think I can cover my more signifiant wounds without covering my eyes, so I skip it and head back to my teammates.

Aira seems hurt, and is leaning on a wall.

"Aira, are you alright?"
>"I feel better than you look."
"I don't know how I look."

Firzel also approaches me.

>"You look like a mountain kobold used your face as a towel."
"I was told that all Sir Hydril did was kick me."
>"He's got big feet."
"I anticipated a kick. I even blocked it with my sword."
>"I didn't see it until his foot was on your face." says Aira.
>"I saw it." Firzel continues. "He kicked your sword out of the way with his claws, like a toe-flick." He punches forward slowly while flicking as though to show me. "The follow through, of course, being the face kick."
"I also sensed a burst of mana."
>>
No. 887801 ID: bfb318
File 152824234397.png - (17.76KB , 800x800 , 1096.png )
887801

>"Oh, that? Sometimes when a kobold suddenly has focus or intensity or otherwise bursts into action, their mana will spike up occasionally. It's easy to see on abominations. So if you noticed that, that just means you're getting better at mana sensing, especially if you sensed the kick coming."
"I just thought it was the move that made sense. He didn't use any spells to boost his own physical capabilities?"
>"He's no southern wizard! He can't do that. Anyway ask about why Aira looks like she looks like she attempted to pass the test seven times!"
"Aira, why did - "
>"Because she tried it seven times!" Firzel answers for her. Judging by Aira's look, it is equally rude to answer someone else's question here as it was back home. He still continues talking. "Everyone else got hit just once and got knocked out, but she just kept going! Then he started hitting her in other spots on her body."
"Aira?"
>"Yes." says Aira. "The trick is to headbutt the sword."
"That works?"
>"That or my skull is thick. I sparred with him afterwards."
>"Despite what Dame Frais told us."
>"I forgot about that."
>"Yeah, thick skull for sure."
>"I don't know if I can pass this test." says Aira. "No matter how unpredictable my actions should be, he responded easily. I stopped trying because I wasn't getting close at all, and he was hitting me harder every time."
"Did he seem mad? I thought he might have been mad at me."
>"I can't tell."
>"Yeah, no idea." says Firzel. "I can't see his mouth, and he doesn't even blink. I asked his Lesser Knights, and either they don't know either, or they're lying. If Sir Hydril's gotten mad, you'd have to ask him directly."
>"I don't think it matters if he's mad or not." Aira says.
>"Maybe, but I'm pretty confident. It's my turn soon."
>>
No. 887802 ID: b1b4f3

>>887801
>Aira is hard to knock out (high pain tolerance?)
Well, that would be great when facing something she could survive being hit by. Unfortunately that is not going to be the case where we're going. ...did she get hit in the eye again?

Maybe we should focus on drills for her, get her offensive capability up a bit. If she can do SOMETHING fast enough to hit Hydril before he can react, it'll be good enough to pass.

Tell Firzel good luck.
>>
No. 887803 ID: 7fad5d

"Good luck. Try spitting on him, see if that counts as a hit."
>>
No. 887804 ID: bb78f2

>>887801
Wow, so even Firzil thinks Hydril's mad at Fen even though Firzil can't really tell, so there's some fruit to the thought.

Sounds like Aira WILL need something cheap to do this. From the rules we heard, nothing barred something like a flash bomb or other prepared materials. Thing is we don't know if he's blind and using mana sense or hearing to detect people... so maybe there's a mana flash bomb to could block those all those senses.

Thing is she'll get ONE shot to do that before he finds a countermeasure or decides to actively make that against the rules so that others don't use that technique to pass easily.
>>
No. 887805 ID: cfac00

“Good luck, you’ll need it to not be unconscious by the end.”
>>
No. 887806 ID: 86eb65

So boosting physical attributes with mana is possible. Well that is something for a later day. Still need to work on sensing mana and feeling it.

Wish him luck and watch his spar. Then continue training with Aira and anyone else around.
>>
No. 887809 ID: 3abd97

Did anyone else manage to pass?

>Aira got smacked seven times and she's still standing
That's pretty impressive though.

>"I don't know if I can pass this test." says Aira. "No matter how unpredictable my actions should be, he responded easily.
We still have a week. Worst case, we need to come up with another dirty trick. Throwing a sword worked, once.

>"Maybe, but I'm pretty confident. It's my turn soon."
Wish him good luck.
>>
No. 887815 ID: f3fe9b

Go up and make him mad, Firzel. Good luck.
>>
No. 887823 ID: eeb7d9

Guess we are going to have to ask the kobold itself. We still don't know why he allowed us to spar with him indefinitely.

>"Maybe, but I'm pretty confident. It's my turn soon."
What is your plan? Planning on getting hit in the face as well? Or you found a way to avoid it?
This is a joke. Try to make it. But seriously, what is his plan.

Also, maybe we should ask Hydril to spar with him, he might let us.
>>
No. 887824 ID: 0c3c2c

>>887801
Give him your well-wishes, continue training Aira! Also, be prepared for berzerk Abominations trying to kill you.
>>
No. 887827 ID: 91ee5f

>>887800
>"You look like a mountain kobold used your face as a towel."
“A mountain kobold dropped his elbow onto my head once and that hurt like hell. Sir Hydril kicking me in the face hurt more than that.”

>>887801
>So if you noticed that, that just means you're getting better at mana sensing
Oh, good, at least we know that’s finally paying off.

>"Maybe, but I'm pretty confident. It's my turn soon."
Wish him luck.

.....hey, where’s Dame Frais? I kinda expected her to be the first one from our group to come say something to Fen after he woke up.

Maybe we should help Aira train up her mana sensing? That way she could better predict Sir Hydril’s attacks next time she makes an attempt.

Or help Aira do what Dame Frais did and camouflage her mana? That would help with hiding how she’s going to attack.
>>
No. 887839 ID: c0641d

Damn, Firzel must have a good eye. Or did we already know that? I admit it’s been a while. Ask if his tactics involve his visual analysis.
>>
No. 887840 ID: 91ee5f

>>887839
Out of everyone that came with us from Sir Orjin’s squad, Firzel is the best at mana sensing. I’m pretty sure he’s gonna use that as part of his strategy.
>>
No. 887877 ID: de6d84

Signal a glare for "good luck."
>>
No. 887900 ID: 10c408

Tell Firzel that the best thing he can do is put Sir Hydril on the backfoot and get his hit in before Hydril switches his approach up and knocks you out.
>>
No. 887922 ID: bfb318
File 152831972131.png - (44.09KB , 1200x800 , 1097.png )
887922

"Were you able to see his kick because of mana sensing, or visual?"
>"Little o' both. Mana cued me in for what to look for, then I focused on it, otherwise I'd miss it."
"Alright. Good luck on the test. Keep him on his back foot."

I look around and see Frais lightly sparring with a few other people. She nods at me.

Apparently, two other people have managed to pass, but I don't know who.

Aira may need a cheap trick to pass, but we've barely started the week.

I watch Firzel as his turn is called. He challenges Hydril, who accepts, and they take their stance. They stand there for awhile, slightly adjusting and fidgeting their positions. If they can anticipate each other as well as it seems, then maybe they can anticipate what the other is anticipating as well.

Then they lunge for each other. Firzel yanks out a small training sword that he fit into his jacket by snapping off most of the blade as well as half of the guard. He blocks Hydril's strike with his modified weapon, and swings with his intact sword towards Hydril's arm.

He reaches it in time to strike the arm, or at least the clothing, just as Hydril's sword slides over the dagger and hits Firzel.

>"Stop." Hydril says, as Firzel is knocked to the ground.
>>
No. 887924 ID: bfb318
File 152831973003.png - (17.80KB , 800x800 , 1098.png )
887924

Firzel gets up. It was a short enough strike that he didn't get knocked out.

>"Good enough." says Hydril, as Firzel walks back towards us. "You've passed."
"Congratulations."
>"Congratulations." Aira repeats.

Firzel rubs his face where he got struck.

>"Thanks."
"Why did you hide the dagger? I didn't realize it at first, but when I remember what Sir Hydril was doing, he may have expected it."
>"He absolutely knew it was there, but also knew that it'd take me a second longer to pull it out. I was betting that he'd think it would take me longer to pull it out than I was capable of."
"It seemed to work."
>"Eh. I think he played into it just to see if I could do it. I didn't feel like he was taking the fight as seriously as he did with others."
>>
No. 887925 ID: bfb318
File 152831973794.png - (43.84KB , 1200x800 , 1099.png )
887925

Aira spars with me, some, but also spars against other lesser knights and students alike.

Some people hand in their sparring tickets. I keep mine, but I only spar once today with Sir Hydril. His strikes aren't light, but they aren't heavy either, and don't hinder my performance much.

While the training room comes off like a plain storage area, the rest of the rooms in this area are more cluttered. There's a kitchen and dining area, along with a room full of beds we're expected to sleep in. A few other rooms are also down a hall, where Hydril's lesser knights stay, along with the storage area for Erja straw where a number of pawns craft new training swords to replace all the ones that break.

The day passes, and Aira and I are getting ready for bed with one last session of meditation. Firzel was the last one who passed, meaning only 5 people in total have passed so far.

"You appeared troubled. It's only the night of the 50th. You have until the end of the 55th to beat Sir Hydril." I tell her.
>"I'm not bothered about it."
"Then why do you appear distraught?"
>"It smells bad in here." she whispers, so no one else in the room can hear her.

I don't know if there's much I can do to help Aira besides offer sparring and advice, but some students are conspiring to make up for their lack of ability by using trickery to pass in more advanced ways than throwing swords. Aira hasn't shown interest in that, yet, maybe because it's only the 50th. She has until the end of the 55th to pass.
>>
No. 887926 ID: 86eb65

I wonder if we can find her some aromatics. Like pressed flowers or ceder wood chips. Would help with the smell.

Oh or just charcoal. Can wrap that up in some cloth and it helps absorb odors.
>>
No. 887927 ID: b38f01

>>887926
Dang, good idea. Maybe even some towels soaked in scented water.
>>
No. 887928 ID: 91ee5f

>>887926
>>887927
Let’s worry about more important things, like helping Aira pass the test.
>>
No. 887929 ID: bb78f2

Tell her you're sorry you farted.
You'll hold it in longer next time.
>>
No. 887930 ID: 3abd97

>>887925
I sort of think we have to trust Aira here. If she wants help, or if she thinks she's in trouble, she'll say so. You can help her train (although she should practice against more people than just you), but coming up with all kinds of unsolicited advice and plans sort of sends the message "I don't think you can do this without me".

When we're not helping Aira (or our other allies) train, Fen should probably get some training in for himself too.

>>"It smells bad in here."
Does she have a better nose, I wonder, or is she just more bothered by it.

>>887926
Could work, assuming we have access to or can requisition anything like that.
>>
No. 887931 ID: b59fad

The trouble is, the longer you take, the more possible cheap tricks will be used up by other people. While at the same time, the more attempts you make, the more Hydril learns about your fighting style.

Perhaps there's a secondary lesson trying to be taught here, about adaptability? Most people who got to this level probably did so by being good at one particular way of winning fights and honing it. When you get to fighting monsters and magical experiments like the ones here, or mutants, or fighters with a wider range, that reliance on a single way of doing things hurts you - as does the fact that you're gaining reputation and more people are hearing about who you are and how you fight. It makes you predictable. That this test stresses creativity may be intentional.

The test is kind of stacked against Aira. What she's demonstrated is resilience, which doesn't help her for a test where if she's hit once she's out. Granted, in non-training the enemy would be using real weapons, but she would also be using armor. Not that headbutting a sword with your helmet is really advisable. The thought does, however, make be briefly entertain the notion of collecting broken weapon parts and making them into crude armor.

Suggest she tries working with a staff/training spear and practicing her speed.
>>
No. 887932 ID: b59fad

Oh hey, I just remembered, Aira would have gotten some healing as well, right? That might have sped her eye up. Ask her how it feels.

Also... maybe I'm just being paranoid, but take a few sniffs yourself, Fen. Is it just "a bunch of people who've been sweating all day crammed together" smell, or is it something else? Is it stronger anywhere? You do smell it yourself, right?
>>
No. 887934 ID: f3fe9b

Tell her sorry, you've misplaced your last set of nose plugs.
>>
No. 887949 ID: 91ee5f

>>887930
>I sort of think we have to trust Aira here. If she wants help, or if she thinks she's in trouble, she'll say so. You can help her train (although she should practice against more people than just you), but coming up with all kinds of unsolicited advice and plans sort of sends the message "I don't think you can do this without me".
>When we're not helping Aira (or our other allies) train, Fen should probably get some training in for himself too.
I agree with all of this.

>>887931
>This test stresses creativity may be intentional.
That makes sense.
>>
No. 887955 ID: b1b4f3

>>887925
Hmm, Hydril's behavior is a bit odd. Why not ask him why he seemed to let Firzel off lightly? Might shed some light on what this lesson is really about. Did he *want* to teach Firzel, but didn't want to teach you or Aira?

Don't micromanage her. Tell her if she wants to practice out any special techniques, she can try them against you, where Hydril can't see or sense. Or if she wants to remain a Lesser Knight that's still a respectful position.

It might also be a good idea to spar against all the lesser knights to see what their skill levels are. If there are any that are more skilled than you, you can recommend them as the best way to prepare for Hydril. If you're better than all of them then you should be the opponent to beat in a similar test before Aira can be confident of hitting Hydril.
>>
No. 887956 ID: b1b4f3

>bad smell
Oh don't tell me there's a zombie in here somewhere? Or a more mundane dead body?
>>
No. 887959 ID: bfb318
File 152833125260.png - (8.82KB , 800x800 , 1100.png )
887959

I smell it too. Maybe Aira has a better sense of smell than I do, but it may simply bother her more than me. She still meditates, so I spare her from any joking, which was never my strong point.

Either way, there's nothing odd about it, just the smell of people who have exerted themselves physically all day and have not bathed recently. There isn't much I can do about that, either, except perhaps to drown it out with other smells. I get a pawn to purchase some aromatics outside, but it can't fully drown out the smell.

We go to bed.
>>
No. 887960 ID: bfb318
File 152833126534.png - (28.25KB , 800x800 , 1101.png )
887960

I train as much as I can while I have the choice. Hydril's lesser knights are often formidable, but I'm able to beat them more often than not.

The 51st goes by, and 3 more people pass. Then the 52nd passes, and only one person passes. The 53rd passes with no success, and Aira is one of many that haven't passed. I gradually get more and more time to spar with Sir Hydril, as not many people want to spar with him at once anymore. Plus, he doesn't appear to sleep. If I wake up before anyone else, I can train with him more. I ask him about if he's letting people pass more easily than others, but he dodges my questions by telling me to assume he'll always fight at his best.

I also ask the healing wizard about Aira's eye. I'm told that it may not have healed correctly, but it isn't hurt anymore, so plain healing magic wouldn't help short of ripping the eye out and spending months growing a new one with a dedicated wizard.

One of them managed to get in a good strike, while the other three had tricks up their sleeve.

Despite the trouble, Aira keeps trying to pass the test. She ends up spending the most time in the healing room. Between her sparring sessions and attempts, Hydril is easily able to anticipate Aira as Frais suspected. She's doing worse and worse over time. Her attempts are steady and she would almost appear motivated with how much she's fighting him, yet she doesn't seem enthusiastic at all, as though thinking that as long as she makes constant attempts, she can say she tried her best. She heeds everyone's advice, both mine and the people around her, but either she can't make use of it, or it isn't enough.

As most of the 54th passes, most of the class hasn't passed. I've heard that they're going to do a last ditch effort tomorrow of some kind, but it's been in private, so I don't know what it is. They've left to huddle in a corner in the sleeping room. I wondered if Aira would have been there since she would be invited as someone who needs to pass.

Instead, I find her alone in the dining area, after most people have had dinner.

The closest she's ever come so far in asking for help is asking for a sparring partner, and I've respected her by not telling her what she has to do.
>>
No. 887961 ID: bfb318
File 152833127808.png - (25.51KB , 800x800 , 1102.png )
887961

"Hello, Aira."
>"Hello."
"Were you not going to plan with the others, how to win?"
>"Everyone who passed did it by themselves, or with some advice. I hoped I could do the same, instead of whatever group effort the others are doing. I can go talk with them, if you think I should."
>>
No. 887963 ID: 7fad5d

"Try spitting on him and seeing if that technically counts, if there's no other option."
>>
No. 887964 ID: a363ac

>>887963
sure it might count but you really don't want to spit on your superior officer
>>
No. 887965 ID: 7fad5d

>>887964
dont be a coward
>>
No. 887967 ID: 6d6a2c

There's likely no harm in talking to them. From what I'm seeing, Hydril wants people to develop underhanded tactics. You are the assassin's branch, after all, and there's only so far that conventional fighting can take you. Even the name Red Maw came from a dirty trick, so if Hydril isn't impressed by Aira's tenacity and pure combat capabilities, he may be trying to encourage her to stop fighting fair.

Plus, think of how Firzel's attempt went. Hydril likely could have easily stopped what he was trying, but he let it happen anyways.
>>
No. 887968 ID: 86eb65

Well then my advice is to sit down with you and plan out some some tricky tricks.

Then think up every sneaky idea you can.

Like getting a practice sword and making it into lots of tiny throwing daggers for use in the fight.

Or grinding up some practice sword wood dust and putting it in Hydril's morning tea before a match then proving that he is already dead once the spar starts.

Or having her snap off part of her own sword and throw it to you in the crowd. Who then throws or smacks Hydril with it.

So many options for a clever assassin. Just make sure they fall within the rules of his spar. Has to be after he agree's and says his thing and such. (which the poison idea would count as a pre existing condition that you inflicted maybe?

I bet there are tons of great assassin knights who are not amazing with swords but can kill stuff just the same.
>>
No. 887969 ID: c0641d

Not really sure what to say, other than that she should have spent more time training and less time throwing herself at Hydril. As for tactics, I think the one she might find most agreeable would be to learn how to surge forward quick enough to get a hit in while tanking whatever hit Hydril gets on her like she usually does. Yeah... playing to her strength like this could actually work, assuming we can get her surging speed up enough. Maybe get her to switch out with a longer weapon to expedite things, assuming that’s a thing she can do.
>>
No. 887971 ID: c0641d

But yeah, real talk; she should at least attend the meeting and decide if it’s a good idea for herself.
>>
No. 887972 ID: 5fa661

I don't think technique advice is going to help here. She needs a reason to stop dicking around and actually put everything she's got into her attempts.
>>
No. 887973 ID: 91ee5f

>>887961
We know Aira can take a hit, so maybe she can quickly grab Sir Hydril’s weapon as soon as it hits her and then she tries to hit his hands before finishes saying the word stop?

Then again, if the problem is Sir Hydril can always tell what she’s going to do, then maybe she could practice trying to hide her mana to make it harder for Sir Hydril to predict what she’s going to do?

>>887968
>Poison Sir Hydril
That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard! We’re not supposed to be trying to kill him, you idiot!
>>
No. 887974 ID: eeb7d9

Well, let's go with the basics. What has she learned from Sir Hydril. If he can lern from her, she has to had learned something from him. She might not be the stronguest, but she is very smart and perseptive.
What about you Fen, what have you lerned from Hydril yourself?
>>
No. 887977 ID: 3abd97

>>887961
No, she doesn't have to. I don't have a great deal of faith the group effort is going to be very successful.

>or with some advice
Well, you could offer to share what tricks you thought of, but ended up not needing to use.

I wonder if we could rig a training sword to shatter or explode when it takes a hit? Shrapnel should count as a hit.

>>887969
Rehashing what we might consider as a mistake doesn't really help.
>>
No. 887981 ID: cf5a32

On one hand, he might be waiting to see who will try to cheat in unwelcome ways, but on the other, the cheats that have happened so far were allowed.

Come to think of it, the rules stated that he had to accept a challenge, but not that only one person could participate. He'd may deny a group challenge, but nobody said the challenger can't have support. Ask Aira if she wants to try that out, you can certainly play support.
>>
No. 887985 ID: f3fe9b

There's no honor in a fight, you know. If you think the plan they've come up with is stupid, you don't have to go along with it.

Has she tried taking the eye patch off? Depth perception may help her a lot, even if her vision isn't as good as it used to be.
>>
No. 887989 ID: f3fe9b

Alright Fen, what would you say to your past self before you met Lily to motivate yourself? Maybe tell her she hasn't found true purpose yet, but she needs to prepare for it so she doens't end up like you were, wandering around criminal underbellies chewing the throats out of nobles.

You'll either motivate her or give her an idea for a cheap trick that Hydril won't expect out of her.
>>
No. 887990 ID: 7c90bc

I hate to say this, but this is probably the last time you are going to see Aira. She'll be kicked out of training and sent down to the necromile, and there's a significant chance she'll die before you finish training and join her down there.

So rather than look for some magical answer to the problem, why don't you spend some of what is likely the last of your time together with your friend.
>>
No. 887992 ID: 91ee5f

>>887981
>Come to think of it, the rules stated that he had to accept a challenge, but not that only one person could participate. He'd may deny a group challenge, but nobody said the challenger can't have support.
If you look right here: >>885075 , Sir Hydril says, “This week is not training for overpowering someone with numbers, or surprise attacks, or any such nonsense. That is for next week, if anyone passes."

So, no, we can’t do any sneak attacks nor can we gang up on Sir Hydril. Not until next week anyways.
>>
No. 887998 ID: bfb318
File 152834370288.png - (22.17KB , 800x800 , 1103.png )
887998

I contemplate various ideas, but I've already shared all of my spare ideas with Aira already.

Other like shrapnel or assisting people fighting Hydril have been tried already. He reminds us that this isn't about numbers, surprise attacks, or 'nonsense.'

>What have you learned from Hydril yourself?
It's been good reflex training as well as fighting someone with exceptionally long reach, but he hasn't taught much himself other than what I've learned from sparring him.

>What would you say to your past self before you met Lily to motivate yourself?
Most likely whatever my brother was telling me, but everything sounded so hollow before I met Lily.

I think if I had anything great to say about motivation, I would've said it the night before we came to Sir Hydril. It is true, though, that she could use motivation to try harder, since her attempts seem to just be attempts for their own sake.

"I'm sorry, I don't have any clever ideas, and all I can think of is desperate measures like spitting on him."
>"Maybe I'll try it, just to see."
"That may anger Sir Hydril if nothing else has so far."
>"That's fine. I don't like him. Maybe I just don't like people who are my boss."
"Have you tried taking the patch off, yet?"
>"Yes. I'm going to do it tomorrow. I get a bad headache if it's off for long, but it's worth it now."
"I don't have a lot of faith in the group meeting coming up with anything great, but I don't believe it would be harmful, either. You can hear what they have to say, and either participate, or don't."
>"I suppose."
"Just remember that most fights don't have honor included. Sir Hydril, if anything, seems to promote underhanded techniques."
>"I know, but it should be underhanded techniques I can do myself. If not... then the worst case scenario is that I get sent to the necromile with Valsano."

Instead of getting up and going to the plotting group, she turns her head back down to eat bread.

If Aira doesn't pass, then if I remember right, we have the day after tomorrow off. I can spend time with her during then before she goes down to the necromile.
>>
No. 888009 ID: 6d6a2c

She sure does seem resigned at this point. Perhaps speaking of how much you value her might act as some sort of external motivation. She's too good a fighter and far too good a friend for you to just let her accept a fate as terrible as being marched into the necromile.
>>
No. 888014 ID: 3abd97

>>Maybe I just don't people when they're my boss
Did you dislike Sir Orjin too, then?
>>
No. 888020 ID: b1b4f3

>>887998
Hmm. Maybe she could request a different test. The current one is a test of offense, basically, but she seems to excel at taking hits. If she can prove she can distract an enemy as strong as Hydril long enough for others to defeat it, wouldn't that be just as good as showing she can wound an enemy as strong as he is?
>>
No. 888027 ID: f3fe9b

Say you'd rather the group not get picked off one by one, at least, not down in a place like this.

Suggest biting. Hydril might call bullshit, but it's worth a try.
>>
No. 888035 ID: 0c3c2c

>>887998
Tell Aira the story of how you nearly died fighting your first noble and got your dumb nickname to let her know exactly how desperate you can get.

If she goes to the Necromile with Valsano, she's going to be thrown into the vanguard to identify danger by running directly into it, and I do not like that idea.
>>
No. 888045 ID: b38f01

Would she be against having a bout with you, with her eye patch off?
>>
No. 888059 ID: 85e67f

Part of the problem is Sir Hydril's range. I wonder if something like this could work: bait a strike, parry, grab his sword and pull to get close faster, kick. Definitely a cheap trick (pulling this in a real fight would injure one's hand) but could pass. 

Maybe pair it with a feint to look like trying to bite -- or outright try both.
>>
No. 888060 ID: 86eb65

More ideas:

1. Slice off a toothpick sized piece of a practice sword. Keep it on your tongue and spit it at him at just the right time. Just need to practice spitting it far beforehand.

2. If his claws did not count then getting hit in the clothes should not. So wrap up yourself in "armor" after borrowing some shirts. Just avoid getting hit on the head and knocked out. Should be able to take a blow or two to get into his range.

3. Along the same line as the clothes idea. Get a "armored" glove to grab his sword. All you have to do is tie it up for a moment.
>>
No. 888061 ID: 0c324b

Honestly I don't think any cheap tricks she could train for in a night would help. I think she should try and just not give up. If her determination is worth anything then Hydril should see it as such. If this test is truly to weed out the weak before the actual training starts, then I think she has done as decent a job to make herself stand out as can be. If it's enough, it's enough.

Either way, I think the best thing to do right now is just to talk. Not necessarily of plans or strategies, but to talk. The future or the past maybe?
>>
No. 888063 ID: cfac00

The way she’s fighting (getting hit until she’s on the floor then getting back up to go again) is kinda reminiscent of Fen’s initial training.
Fen never actually scored a hit when he first trained though but it served as a good starting point for actual training. Maybe we could tell Aira about this if we think it might help?
Otherwise, i have no other advice for her, she succeedes and fails on her own merit after this point i guess.
>>
No. 888064 ID: eeb7d9

I honestly have no more ideas on how to help her right now. We are goign to have to hope for the best, me thinks.
If she can'T pull it off now, it means that whatever was coming next of this taining wasen't ment for her. Goin to the Necromile isn't as bad as it is. If she keeps herself safe and fights smart, she can survive.
Maybe we can find a way to help her out off there later, if we keep going up in the ranks.
>>
No. 888065 ID: c0641d

“Aira... you have fought Hydril more than anyone else in this building. At the beginning of the week, Dame Frais told you that your intelligence was your strongest aspect in battle, even if it was supposedly the least important in this test...”

(Wait for response.)

“What I’m trying to say is... that if anyone can figure out and exploit a legitimate flaw in Hydril’s technique, it would be you. And remember... it’s not over, until it’s over.”
>>
No. 888067 ID: 67478b

Aira you are going to get a hit in and join me in this training. No excuses.

You have been fighting a master for a week while being blind in one eye. You have more experience dealing with him than anyone else. You know where he aims and how he reacts and how he moves.

Change up your style if you need to. He expects you to act one way so fight another.

Its never over until its over. Claw and fight and bite until the bitter end. This advice coming from the guy who did just that to magic using noble on a lonely road.

I need you by my side for this. I know you have doubts but I do not.
>>
No. 888070 ID: b59fad

Aira, you've been fighting with more tenacity than anyone else. If the test didn't end after a single hit, I'm sure you would have passed by now - and every smart fighter knows that betting on a single hit to take down a kobold isn't a good idea. Hydril is a smart fighter, so he knows that. If I were him... I think I would watch people over the week, see what potential they have, and on the last day I would pick those who I decided deserved the chance and allow them to win, so that they can be trained to capitalize on the strengths I've seen on them. I'm sure you've stuck in his mind by now, and you've demonstrated resilience and tenacity.

I can't say Hydril will let you win, or even that the chances are great... but they are there. I can see Hydril doing such a thing. If the chance is there, then, the only way to pass in such a way is to continue trying your hardest to impress him right until the end. Keep going, Aira. Not just enduring, but being as creative and clever as you can be. Show him everything you have, and even if it doesn't technically pass the test... well, you still might be rewarded.
>>
No. 888071 ID: f60cca

>>887998
If she doesn't mind us saying, the description earlier seems to suggest her heart isn't in it for this test for some reason.
Even with the constant injury and perhaps mental fatigue, Aira should be improving instead of getting worse. Combined with other notes about her looking unhappy, to me it looks like her morale is dropping in here, though I don't understand the exact how or why of it.
>>
No. 888077 ID: bfb318
File 152839264167.png - (20.90KB , 800x800 , 1104.png )
888077

"You may have doubts, but I do not."
>"What do you mean?"
"You've fought him more than anyone else. You can find a flaw in his techniques. Failing that, perhaps he'll offer a different test or some other reward for trying as much as you have. You've been able to withstand his blows better than anyone else."
>"I doubt he will. He doesn't seem to care about passing anyone else."
"If you wrap your head in more clothing, he may allow it, and not be able to hit your head so hard."
>"I'll do that. Maybe I can spit a shard big enough to count."
"Do you not like Sir Orjin?"
>"He's competent. He's also a jackass. Thanks, Fen. I'm going to bed early tonight."

She finishes her bread, and walks away.
>>
No. 888078 ID: bfb318
File 152839270124.png - (44.08KB , 1200x800 , 1105.png )
888078

I continuing training in the morning. After breakfast, I see the large group of people who need to pass shuffle into the training room together. I don't see Aira with them.

"Up until now." Sir Hydril starts talking, looking over us. "I've prioritized sparring, but today is different, I will still spar with those who want it, but anyone may come up to request an attempt even during someone else's sparring session. As usual, there is no limit to attempt requests."

The group seems happy to hear that. One steps forward.

>"I'd like to spar!"
"Okay. What would you like to focus on?"
>"Defending against your strikes. I'd like you to attack repeatedly."

Hydril does so for ten minutes, as people get their numbered rocks.
>>
No. 888079 ID: bfb318
File 152839275374.png - (18.10KB , 800x800 , 1106.png )
888079

Another person in the group steps forward immediately and requests the exact same training session.

I think they're trying to wear Hydril down to exhaust him.

It seems to work, too, as this goes on for hours. Usually Hydril sparred normally without being requested to spend so much energy, while the kobold spends relatively little. Now I see Hydril's movements get noticeably more sluggish with his exhaustion.

Finally, one kobold steps forward.

>"I'd like to request an attempt." he says with confidence.
>"I deny your attempt."

The kobold gets ready to fight, then looks confused as he realizes what words were said.

>"What?"
>"I'm tired. I deny your attempt. Let me rest, first. I have a change of rules. I will only spar with those who haven't passed my test if they make an attempt to do so, first. I will be back in one hour."
>>
No. 888080 ID: bfb318
File 152839280837.png - (17.95KB , 800x800 , 1107.png )
888080

Hydril leaves, and the group looks significantly more disheartened.

After coming back, they start making their attempts. Hydril focuses on knockouts even more than usual. I still can't read his expression, but he may be tired of fighting people.

Eventually, most people end up knocked out. Some have given up, and retired to the bedroom. Eventually there's more of Hydril's lesser knights in the training room than students.

I finally see Aira, who comes into the training room in the evening. She approaches me, holding some clothing.

>"I want to use your idea to have more padding, but the lesser knights and pawns won't give me clothing. Please give me your shirt and pants."
>>
No. 888081 ID: cc3433

>>888080
Give themes her. No reason for fuss or complaints.
>>
No. 888082 ID: cc3433

>>888080
Give theme to her. No reason for fuss or complaints.
>>
No. 888084 ID: ee2d6e

Just strip down without batting an eye. You've done it before.
>>
No. 888085 ID: deec6e

>>888080

Sounds like a plan. Best of luck, Aira.
>>
No. 888086 ID: d4a4e9

give her the clothes if she needs it, but see if she can't grab some pillows and sheets too.
>>
No. 888087 ID: 5f3f48

>>888080
Okay
>>
No. 888088 ID: d1aaf0

Yup, hand em over. Anything you can do to help!
>>
No. 888089 ID: 10c408

Shirt only. See if you can't scrounge up some of the bedding materials that you've been sleeping on for her to use.

And wish her good luck, she's going to need it.
>>
No. 888093 ID: 05ff2f

Give your clothes to her, ask her how well her eye is and wish her good luck.

Hm... Y'know, she sparred with and challenged Hydril when she was compensating for her lack of depth perception. Now that she has it back, her fighting behavior may change enough that his knowledge of her would be wrong enough to give her a opening to strike him.
>>
No. 888095 ID: 0c3c2c

>>888080
Sure, give her your everything. You've already done Orjin's training, this is nothing.

Meanwhile, go try and observe how Sir Hydril rests. He's blind, so it doesn't matter that you're not wearing pants, and it will be interesting to see how he sleeps.
>>
No. 888097 ID: 91ee5f

>>888080
>I finally see Aira, who comes into the training room in the evening.
Comment on how her eye looks much better.

>"I want to use your idea to have more padding, but the lesser knights and pawns won't give me clothing. Please give me your shirt and pants."
You’ve already stripped naked in front of everyone during Sir Orjin’s training, so doing it again here won’t be all that different.

Go ahead and give her what she wants. Just make sure you don’t accidentally take your emblem off when you take off your shirt.

And ask her if the clothing she’s already holding is from Frais and Firzel?
>>
No. 888098 ID: 91ee5f

>>888095
He’s already rested and come back into the room. He’s not resting right now.
>>
No. 888099 ID: f3fe9b

Do so. Maybe sit and meditate so you aren't showing off your junk. Unless you think it'd throw Hydril off his game somehow.
>>
No. 888101 ID: 86eb65

Hand her all your clothes wordlessly.
>>
No. 888104 ID: e1686f

>>888080
Just the shirt or pants too?
>>
No. 888105 ID: 7fad5d

Do a bit of a striptease and see if she reacts. Also suggest that she could try stuffing in some loose bedding material.
>>
No. 888106 ID: 6ee5db

>>888080
Hand her your clothes but see if she thinks using her/your bed sheet would also help.
>>
No. 888109 ID: b59fad

You got it, Aira. Any pieces of broken training weapon lying around that you can lodge in there too?

>>888099
The idea of standing naked behind Aira to distract Hydril amuses me, and the possibility of maybe getting Firzel to do it too, buuuuut Hydril is allegedly partially blind and uses mana sensing to make up for it, so that might work.

... We could have Fen and Firzel standing behind Aira and "practicing unarmed wrestling" while she makes her attempt, though. I mean, there's nothing about non-participants not continuing to spar nearby while an attempt is going on, right? And nude wrestling has a long, well-established tradition, right? We could make Aira's asexuality an advantage for her.
>>
No. 888114 ID: c0641d

Pretty sure we have underwear, so it’s not like we’re going to be showing everything to everyone. We should suggest that she makes sure with Hydril that this is legal.

Finally, we both know getting hit where there’s extra wrappings will still count, but I think what Aira is attempting here is similar to what the group was doing. Since Hydril already knows Aira’s moves, she can attempt, tank it, then form a one-cobald version of the group’s stamina-grinder strategy. Would Hydril not object to that, on the grounds that it really is just Aira doing this? I think she does have the endurance to outlast Hydril, considering the fact that he’ll be doing all the attacking during the sparring phase. Is that what she was thinking?
>>
No. 888119 ID: eeb7d9

I see no problem with this. But please, don't take long after, this place is kind of cold.
Ask her what her plan is.
Also, tell her to make the most of this atent, to go with all the intent of succiding. It might sound dumb, but intention helps.
Wish her luck.
>>
No. 888129 ID: b1b4f3

I wonder... could Aira last longer than Hydril in a challenge match? The group discovered it is possible to tire him out, it takes like an hour of him constantly throwing out attacks. Aira might have to fight him for longer than that considering the challenge doesn't involve the same situation, but... could she do it?
>>
No. 888141 ID: f63555

Hey your eye looks pretty okay.
>>
No. 888180 ID: 7c90bc

Do so without saying a word.
>>
No. 888268 ID: 6ec2af

>>888080
off with the shirt and drop them pants boy
>>
No. 888351 ID: a363ac

put your undies on her ears
>>
No. 888355 ID: bfb318
File 152857000237.png - (24.16KB , 1000x800 , 1108.png )
888355

I take my clothes off. Aira takes them, then turns around as Firzel watches us. He also notes, along with me, that Aira's eye appears in good condition.

Before he says anything, Aira speaks to him, as well.

>"Yours, too, Firzel. I also would like Frais."
>>
No. 888356 ID: bfb318
File 152857001981.png - (15.01KB , 800x800 , 1109.png )
888356

>Wrestle with Firzel to distract Hydril
Although Firzel seems like the sort that would do something like that, Hydril doesn't seem like the sort that would get easily distracted.

Aira wraps the clothes until she's got a dome of intertwined clothing around her head, as well as wearing an additional pair of clothes around the rest of her.

"Good luck, Aira." I say as she walks towards Hydril. I don't think she heard me. Only the tips of her ears poke out at the top.
>"Sir Hydril." she says, barely audibly. "I would like to make an attempt."
>"I accept your attempt.
>>
No. 888357 ID: bfb318
File 152857002730.png - (30.48KB , 1000x800 , 1110.png )
888357

She lunges more desperately than I've seen her in the last few days, but Hydril still manages to get the better of her several times. What she seems to be good at is taking hits. Hydril doesn't aim for her face much, but instead goes for her joints, and even at one point in time, thrusts forward to jab at her eye. She manages to dodge enough so that they don't hit where it hurts, but she still does get hit.

Then on on another attempt, she lifts her dome padding up and spits out a shard at Hydril. I didn't see her put one in her mouth, so either she can speak exceptionally well with an object in her mouth, or she placed it in her dome where she could pull it into her mouth without anyone seeing.

The shard misses, and Hydril swings his sword across Aira's jaw.
>>
No. 888358 ID: bfb318
File 152857004074.png - (20.04KB , 800x800 , 1111.png )
888358

She starts another attempt, and gets hit again.

>"St-" Hydril starts, speaking, but Aira spits at him again.

Instead of spitting another dagger, she spits blood at his face at a far greater speed than I've ever seen someone spit at.
>>
No. 888359 ID: bfb318
File 152857005160.png - (22.16KB , 800x1000 , 1112.png )
888359

He sidesteps the blood. Aira lunges forward and hits his arm, and he doesn't seem to bother dodging.

>"..."
>"You didn't finish saying stop."
>"... then you pass. Now leave. Everyone who has passed may leave. Come back on friday for additional lessons."
>>
No. 888360 ID: 86eb65

Lets go get Aira healed and then party it up. A small party with just our friends so Aira does not feel uncomfortable.
>>
No. 888362 ID: b38f01

>>888359
Give her a thumbs up and a heal. Congrats.
>>
No. 888363 ID: 7fad5d

Congratulate her and set up a small celebration after she recovers.
>>
No. 888365 ID: b1b4f3

>>888359
...well. That was unconventional, but whatever works. Congratulate her on passing, and ask for your clothes back.

She's been told to leave, which means she might not be getting any healing.
>>
No. 888366 ID: f3fe9b

Good work Aira, let's get a healer and then celebrate.
>>
No. 888368 ID: 80b685

>>888359
I dont know how but made spitting on him not so gross, congratulate her on her hard earned victory and take her to a healer, she's gunna need one.
>>
No. 888369 ID: 0c3c2c

>>888359
He definitely hates both Aira and Fen now. Still, it was a victory and we've made it. Fen, spend every waking and sleeping moment with Aira to ensure she isn't murdered by berzerk knights.
>>
No. 888370 ID: eeb7d9

That was certainly an unconventional way to win. That was a nice spitting, actually. Have you being practicing that?
Seriously, she could perfectly hide small poison darts in her mouth.
>>
No. 888371 ID: 3abd97

Well, time to leave then.

Probably can hang out a little while, but if it's going to be more than a day we need something productive to do. Could just be more training and practice.

If we're leaving the training barracks, don't forget to grab your armor.
>>
No. 888372 ID: b59fad

Aira probably reeaally needs healing after that. I hope "leave" doesn't mean not visiting the healwizard first. Assume it doesn't.

Also put your clothes back on before you freeze. Be careful taking them off.
>>
No. 888373 ID: c0641d

... Huh. Fen just stated that Hydril probably isn’t the easily distractible type. Assuming it wasn’t just Aira being faster than he anticipated that took him off-guard, I’d say that he has some kind of mental hygienic issue involving blood or spit. Ask Aira privately if she’d been stalking Hydril during downtime in order to learn that, assuming we’re not looking too hard into it.
>>
No. 888374 ID: 888ef0

>>888373
Or maybe he simply thought "if she doesn't give up when she's spitting blood, maybe she can be a decent tank."
>>
No. 888375 ID: 91ee5f

>>888355
Where’s Fen’s emblem? It should be around his neck right?

>>888359
Congratulate Aira and collect your clothes.

Return to Sir Orjin’s camp with Firzel, Frais, and Aira and do something for the next few days. Then return on friday for additional lessons.

>>888371
>don't forget to grab your armor.
We didn’t bring out armor with us. Everyone left their armor back at their respective camps because they were told not to bring their armor to Sir Hydril’s training area.
>>
No. 888376 ID: 3abd97

>>888375
>We didn’t bring out armor with us. Everyone left their armor back at their respective camps because they were told not to bring their armor to Sir Hydril’s training area.
Yes. Which we should not forget to grab if we leave the training area.
>>
No. 888377 ID: 8fe380

>>888359
I just cannot get a good read on this guy. That mask of theirs just hides so much.
Guess we should give our congratulations.
>>
No. 888383 ID: 91ee5f

>>888376
The armor isn’t at the training area.

It’s with Sir Mopp back at Sir Orjin’s camp!
>>
No. 888384 ID: 7fad5d

>>888383
The fact that Fen doesn't have his armor is the exact reason that he should get his armor if he decides to leave the training arena and go to other places.
>>
No. 888385 ID: b1b4f3

...we should probably ask someone what we're allowed to bring back, if anything.
>>
No. 888386 ID: 91ee5f

>>888384
Are you intentionally wording your sentences to make it sound like you think Fen can somehow get his armor before he leaves the training area? Because that’s what it looks like you’re doing.

And I’m telling you that he doesn’t have his armor to put on before he leaves the training area! He needs to leave the training area in order to go get it!
>>
No. 888387 ID: b59fad

I think the basic sentiment is that Fen should be on guard against assassins again now that he's leaving. So, what day is it today? How long is it until Friday, and what are you supposed to do until then?... Fen, do you even know this system of days of the week? I'm not sure we've encountered it before.
>>
No. 888403 ID: 15a025

Give Aira a high five and congratulate her. Ask how she'd like to celebrate her victory?
>>
No. 888409 ID: deec6e

We have one day off tomorrow, before training resumes. We should definitely visit and say hi to Holly, get the latest news about the topics that interest us - war intel, news of Valsano and Sir Orjin, news of Fake Lily and maybe-fake Lady Cassa, and whether she's heard anything else of interest. We can also check our mail - tomorrow should be a mail day, so we can read what's come in and write responses. We could also check on the state of our armour and see if any new pieces have been finished - but tomorrow's the 56th, and the full set wasn't estimated to be done until roughly the 65th. If we train in our own armour, it'll still be a piecemeal thing.

I suppose tmorrow could be a shopping day if we've got anything we want to purchase. We could also try to find out more about Hydril. It seems like he had some manner of interest in Fen, and I'd like to discover why.

For now, check on Aira, see if she needs a healer and if one can be provided, or whether the end of day means you'll have to procure your own. Once she's been tended to, ask if the reason she was missing all day was that she'd been off training herself at spitting in secret. Cutting off Hydril like that was a clever move and that she was able to learn how to spit like that in the span of a day is impressive. Remember that she's not the type to want a big celebration, so simply acknowledge that she did it - she hit sir Hydril on her very own - and congratulate her on making the cut after it seemed clear Hydril had decided no-one else would pass. It's certainly a benefit to everyone that the entire squad that elected to train remains together, as next week is reputedly team training.
>>
No. 888410 ID: 7fad5d

>>888386
One, I'm not the same guy that originally tried to explain things to you. Two, no, that's not what either of us meant, you're just reading it very weirdly.
>>
No. 888415 ID: b1b4f3

This might be a good chance to ask Lily-Clone what her stance is on necromancers. We've been sortof assuming that Lily would disapprove of Fen joining them, but what if that's not true?
>>
No. 888419 ID: eeb7d9

>>888409
Also ask if there is a decent fight club or something now. Last time we ask there wasn't anything like that, but maybe there is something now.
I mean, this is the army, there has to be some place where you can go and beat the crap out of somebody for some reason, usually for fun.
>>
No. 888454 ID: b59fad

Talking to the other people who've passed and we'll be training with would be a good idea, as well. Fen needs to try make some new friends now and then, or at least acquaintances. Good working relationships?
>>
No. 888488 ID: bfb318
File 152866347825.png - (36.42KB , 1200x800 , 1113.png )
888488

"Congratulations, Aira. Let's see a healing wizard."

Hydril looks back at me.

>"No." says Aira. "This injury is nothing that won't heal in an hour." she says, unbinding them. "Ugh... I meant to douse these clothes in those aromatics you gave me first."
>"Alright, let's get out of here!" Firzel comes up as we head out, exchanging our training clothes for our regular ones. "We've got to celebrate you passing!"
>"Why my passing? You didn't celebrate any of yours."
>"Because you passing means we all passed!" Firzel continues, maybe rudely loudly in front of a couple of other kobolds that haven't passed yet.
>"I guess. I would rather just go to Holly's and sleep."
>"Heh, don't let Orjin hear you calling his base 'Holly's'."
"Sir Hydril told us to come back on friday. What day is it today?"
>"Uh, wednesday." says Firzel.
"What day is friday?"
>"F... it's friday?"
"I mean... today is the 55th, correct? What number does friday mean?"
>"Holy crap hahahaha Red Maw doesn't know what days of the week are!"

I'll have to ask Holly later, or Aira while alone.
>>
No. 888489 ID: bfb318
File 152866350455.png - (60.87KB , 1200x679 , 1114.png )
888489

Frais catches up as we go back to Holly's place, where Aira and I change into our armor and get something to eat. Firzel buys a round for everyone in the tavern. I notice that there's a few more guards in place, here.

>"Congratulations, you three." says Holly, to us two and Frais.
"Aira, after you eat, follow me to the bathhouse."
>"Okay. Why?"
>"Because you all smell like your training was rolling in sweat. All of you smell, but you also have wounds to treat. Does Sir Hydril not have a bath?"
"I think he does, but it isn't for us to go to."
>"Hrmph. Anyway, Frais, Firzel, Fen! The three of you have mail that came already, since the delivery is getting efficient."

Holly gives me a small slip. It's from my mother, talking about recent events, and how Kiki caught a big fish. The tribe's chief got hurt in a small scuffle, but he'll be fine. There wasn't much to say from anyone, as my mail was just send out in the warp today, so they'll be getting it soon. I should get mail back from Cheese, Zizi, and maybe Moss next week.

"Thanks. Have we heard anything from Sir Orjin or Valsano?"
>"Oh, yeah! Valsano wrote us a letter that came yesterday." Holly hands it to us to read.
>>
No. 888490 ID: bfb318
File 152866355670.png - (35.27KB , 800x800 , 1115.png )
888490

>Hey guys, I hope you're enjoying your cushy training! That's a joke, Sir Hydril's probably a dickhead, and I'm having all the fun down here killing shitty zombies. Turns out the necromile's full of em, and these ones put up enough of a fight to be entertaining, but not enough to be a threat! I even have some lesser knights that were technically put under Sir Orjin, but Sir Orjin hates their guts so I get to boss 'em around myself.
>We've got to clear out some fuckoff oversized castle. Some scholars lectured us on the place, like what it's called. The name was incomprehensible and then I fell asleep while they talked about its history, but I paid attention when they told us the layout. Apparently it was some laboratory for studying bones? So I don't care what it's called, I'm calling it the Skeletorium from now on.

>"I looked it up." says Holly, when we look like we're done reading. "It's called the Inhralalop. It was named by some mutant family that lived in seclusion enough to get a pretty weird dialect."
"Yeah I already forgot it." says Firzel. "Skeletorium it is. Oh! Holly! Red Maw doesn't know what days are!"
>"What days... Oh! Oh hahaha I'm so sorry Fen I forgot Shroomleaf doesn't really count... okay, come to the bath with me and Aira, I'll talk it over."
>>
No. 888491 ID: bfb318
File 152866360166.png - (22.35KB , 800x800 , 1116.png )
888491

We bathe as Holly treats Aira's wounds. Firzel and Frais comes with us, and at least two of us are standing guard at once, along with a couple of Holly's hired guards. I learn that while each season is 100 days, each day of the 7 day week has its own name. Every warp occurs on 'wednesday'. I ask about why days of the week are named, and Holly shrugs, telling me that I'd have to ask Dragon Knights.

Aira and I go to sleep in private in the place she found.
>>
No. 888492 ID: bfb318
File 152866361089.png - (20.68KB , 800x800 , 1117.png )
888492

When we wake up, Frais and Firzel are already eating breakfast. We're the only ones currently in the tavern, as it doesn't seem to get much business in the morning.

"Good morning, Holly."
>"Hey Fen."
>"Hello!" says someone behind the counter with Holly. "I'm Squire Gabby. Nice to meet you!"
"Squire is a title?"
>"Uh... I think technically it's still a 'pawn' but Holly said I could call myself a squire. She's teaching me how to... squire."
>"I'm teaching him how to run the place." says Holly. "I may want to go down to Inhralalop."
>"The what?" Firzel asks.
>"The 'skeletorium'."
>"Haha oh yeah. Hey can we even trust this guy to run the place without skimming some copper off the top?"
>"Y-yeah..." says Gabby. "Sir Orjin would kill me if I didn't make this place at least as profitable as Dame Holly has."
>"I'm without title, Gabby." says Holly.
>"Oh, yeah."
>"Anyway!" says Firzel. "I'm off to party it up today and see what this not-really-a-town has to offer. There's got to be some makeshift attractions by now."
>"I think I will also leave." says Frais. "I have shopping to do."
>>
No. 888495 ID: b1b4f3

>>888492
Ok, go check on your armor to see if it's done yet.
>>
No. 888497 ID: ba5478

Join Frais shopping and get to know her a bit.
>>
No. 888499 ID: 7fad5d

Yeah, let's go hang with Frais a bit before we pick our armor up.

>>888495
b-but the armor isn't in the training area, sarcastic number of exclamation marks
>>
No. 888500 ID: 3abd97

Our choices basically boil down to continuing to train in some fashion, sitting around the tavern, or going out and looking around the camp.

When it comes to looking around the town, shopping would probably be more useful to Fen than attractions, although I'm not sure there's anything specific our kit is hurting for right now.

Checking in on the armor is fine, although it's only the 55th and not due to be completed to the 65th.
>>
No. 888501 ID: eeb7d9

>>888495
I doubt it will be ready, but it might have some parts ready to use. I say we should look around the place as well, get familiar with it, see if there are some things interesting enough to buy. And look for a fight club.
>>
No. 888502 ID: 0c3c2c

>>888492
Go shopping with Frais
>>
No. 888503 ID: f3fe9b

That reminds me, Fen, when you start making big political moves, the chances somebody will try and use your family to get to you will grow. They aren't under any noble's protection and apparently the empire doesn't have problems wiping out troublesome tribals, you'll need some kind of plan to keep any blowback from landing on them.

Go with Firzel, see if any of those attractions can't win you some pocket money that you can spend when you meet up with Frais.
>>
No. 888506 ID: 3abd97

We never followed up on Cassa's miraculous and highly suspicious still being alive, did we?

I assume the wizards have her on lock down for fear of her being compromised or fake, similar to clone Lily. But it's been a bit since that happened, maybe we should follow up and see if there's been any developments?
>>
No. 888507 ID: b59fad

Shopping sounds good. You can learn what the attractions are from Firzel later if you still want to try them. Aside from everything else, though, the shops will probably have more official presence and therefore less chance of assassins.
>>
No. 888516 ID: 91ee5f

>>888492
You’ve been hanging out with Aira a lot lately. Let’s switch things up and hang around with one of your other teammates.

Why don’t you go shopping with Frais?

>>888495
The armor was going to take 2 weeks to be finished and we’ve been in training for 1 week. So the armor still won’t be ready for 1 more week.
>>
No. 888517 ID: a363ac

>>888492
shopping with Frais sounds interesting. bring at least 2 weapons on your body and if you get the chance stop in to ask the blacksmith how they are doing and if they need you for lost measurements or something.
>>
No. 888518 ID: bb78f2

FYI, shopping with Frais will add rumors that she is also in your harem.

Maybe hanging out with Firzel with not have that effect. Or maybe he WOULD like to bone, I dunno. That could happen. He is pretty.
>>
No. 888520 ID: 10c408

>>888506
We didn't because A: it was the end of the thread and B: Zall probably has her sequestered somewhere.
>>
No. 888522 ID: b1b4f3

I bet Lily-Clone is somewhere inaccessible too.
>>
No. 888537 ID: b38f01

Could we mana sense Lilly clone? We should check that.
>>
No. 888540 ID: 10c408

>>888537
Fen's mana sense, while improving, isn't going to help point him towards spell-clone lily unless he's likely close enough that it'd be easier just to see her. (not accounting for any guards, walls or other impediments/consequences of trying to find her.)
>>
No. 888541 ID: 9929ae

>>888489
oh hi Recluse

>>888490
They can call it the Skeletorium if they want we're calling it The Bone Zone!

>>888497
Then maybe go speak with Zall/Lilly-clone then
>>888495
>>
No. 888563 ID: cf5a32

>Week day names
If the warps occur on the same day every week they probably named them around that, or some similar event before the warp existed. It's quicker to use a name than to say "Three days after the warp."
>>
No. 888588 ID: eeb7d9

All this talk about learning made me think that Fen might need a tutor when he becomes a noble. Some things can't be learned by swinging a sword.
>>
No. 889092 ID: c518a0

I hope Holly is putting aside some contingency funds and other resources for herself. Orjin seems invincible, but you never know, he could die, and he seems like he's her main umbrella. For that matter, Fen could be taken out of action any time, too. She seems like a sensible person, but perhaps Fen could tactfully inquire at some point. Moving downseems like a risky move.
>>
No. 889101 ID: bfb318
File 152918507355.png - (16.55KB , 800x800 , 1118.png )
889101

>Armor
I was told it would be done on the 65th, no sooner and no later.

>Mana sense Lily
I can hardly sense a wizard from 15 feet away if I know they're there.

"I'll go with you, Frais."
>"Why?"
"I should get familiar with the town, and there may be some things I want to buy, even if I can't think of what. Do you mind?"
>"Nah, it's fine."

>That reminds me, Fen, when you start making big political moves, the chances somebody will try and use your family to get to you will grow.
From what I've heard about my brother, it would be much easier to just deal with me directly than to get Zizi involved.

"Holly, have we heard anything from Lily or Cassa?"
>"No. I don't think people holding them will tell us anything even if you're the one who worked with them. Sir Zall isn't in this town anymore."
"Okay. Also, what will happen if Sir Orjin dies?"
>"If we do what we're supposed to, then hand in our emblems and find a new knight to go under, which could be one of us, probably Dame Frais. Speaking of which, she looks impatient."
"I'll be back later."
>>
No. 889102 ID: bfb318
File 152918508285.png - (84.68KB , 1200x800 , 1119.png )
889102

I leave with Frais. She gets things for herself like specialty foods, whetstones, a pick, and so on. Like the building at the surface, the interior of this town is incredibly enormous to the point that even in this one area, there's plenty of room to spread around. Many people were called deeper into the necromile, so even the main marketplace only has a handful of shoppers, and Frais seems to prefer to go to less populated areas anyway.

Every once in awhile, someone looks at me intently, but they don't do anything. I still think we're getting followed. I still keep my hand close to my sword. So does Frais.

"Holly would have been willing to get most of this." I say, as Frais puts some rope into her bag.
>"Or Sir Mopp, but it doesn't matter. I want to pick things out myself, not just have whatever item either of them decided was good enough."
"I understand."

As we walk, I see a tavern with some people fighting.

"Is that a fight club?"
>"That thing that Holly said was neither a club, nor a good idea to join? Yes."
"I'm unsure why it would be bad to practice fighting with someone."
>"Because you're Red Maw, and fighting means taking off your armor and sword, then getting in the middle of a group of people who like money enough to get their teeth knocked out for it."
"Would they kill me so overtly? We're in the eyes of the public."
>"Maybe not, but it looks like bareknuckle fighting. If I were them, I'd put someone like you up against a mountain kobold from dragonfall who's got a spike for a fist, and watch you have an 'accident' in a fight."
"Would they have a mountain kobold like that who can beat me?"
>"Maybe, have you even fought barehanded that much? There's probably someone in there who can make it dangerous. That's what I'd do if I were them, but if I were you, I wouldn't tempt such a shitty, lame death. If you want to fight so badly, we can just walk into an alley out of public sight right over there."
"Is it because we've been followed?"
>"By four kobolds in cloaks for the last hour, yeah."
>>
No. 889103 ID: a363ac

>>889102
Ask frais if she wants to kill them now or later?
>>
No. 889105 ID: 186f53

>>889102
Wander around the town for an hour or so. Avoid packed crowds and dark alleys. Try to frustrate them to the point of either giving up or confronting you directly.

Use this as an opportunity to practice mana sense, if you can.
>>
No. 889107 ID: b38f01

>>889102
Ask her if she wants to find a safer location to confront them or try and loose them in a more populated area.
>>
No. 889108 ID: 4f1cbc

>lure our tail into an alley for a fight
Hmm. I have no issue removing those who would make themselves my enemies, but I wonder if they present enough of a threat to be worth removing. I don't imagine the army looks kindly on their soldiers turning on each other. (Basically: I don't object to beating them up, or killing them, but what are the consequences for that in army-politics)?

If we are going to lure our tails into a dark alley and confront them, let's not do it in a dark alley near the shady fight club that could get drawn into the fight by the noise.
>>
No. 889109 ID: 7fad5d

"Worth killing, now or later?" Try practicing mana sense.
>>
No. 889110 ID: 91ee5f

>>889102
>"By four kobolds in cloaks for the last hour, yeah."
So she not only knew they were there, but she also knew how many of them there are. I wonder if you could ask Frais if she can show you how to spot someone tailing you without them knowing that you’ve seen them? You can’t rely on mana sensing for everything, so learning how to spot someone will be helpful.

Ask Frais if she recognized any of them? Or if she wants to confront them? After all, she may not want to get into a fight.

We should follow her lead on what to do, since she’s more experienced than Fen, she would have a better judgement on what to do.
>>
No. 889113 ID: 0c3c2c

>>889102
Casually ask Frais to assist you in practicing spotting people coming up behind you.
>>
No. 889114 ID: eeb7d9

Fen knew they were being followed, but didn't know how many. Ask her how could he lern to do that.
Also, ask her if it would be prudent to deal with them or not. How should we do it, where should we do it. Personally, i really want to take these four out.
For the fight club, i have no problems in entering on one either, but maybe we should lern how to fistfight and how to deal with potential killers.
>>
No. 889115 ID: f3fe9b

Unless anybody's selling anything that will help you even the odds, let's get this party started.
>>
No. 889116 ID: 91ee5f

>>889102
>Frais explaining why Fen shouldn’t join the fight club.
She makes very good points and I agree with her.

Let’s not join the fight club!
>>
No. 889122 ID: 6ee5db

>>889102
We're going to have to fight these people or others like them, but kicking their asses near the fight club is just a bad idea, so you should head away from it (maybe towards allies if you know where they are?)
>>
No. 889125 ID: 15a025

Pass on fight club, I think Frais gave enough of an explanation to show it'd be a bad idea.

As for the kobolds following us, finish up any shopping you planned on doing first. Take care of them afterwards.
>>
No. 889127 ID: f3fe9b

>Go into alley
>Kill assassins within earshot of brawlers
>Leave alley without cleaining the blood off of yourself
>Ask brawlers if they want to fight

>>889116
I was expecting a bait & switch there, I had to read it twice.
>>
No. 889138 ID: 5afe7c

>>889102
does killing assassins with Frais count as a date?
>>
No. 889149 ID: 6ee5db

>>889138
Yes.
>>
No. 889156 ID: 10c408

Ask Frais if she wants to split up or lure these clowns into a trap since they are more than likely after your bounty.
>>
No. 889158 ID: 4f1cbc

>>889138
Of course. The date would still count as Thursday.
>>
No. 889252 ID: c0641d

Lure them into an quiet area (but not an alley; you want there to at least be a witness or two to back up your claims away from the fight club, and confront them directly. There’s a slight possibility they aren’t hostile.
>>
No. 889254 ID: 1fbbcc

If you want to fight them, ask Frais politely if she would do you the favour of helping you teach these people a lesson. If she doesn't want to, forget it.

I'm on the side of just avoiding them, anyway. You should avoid risking getting injured when you've got training to do. These guys are probably hoping to get you before you become an even better fighter. Why play into their hopes?
>>
No. 889255 ID: 1fbbcc

Besides, for all you know you won't be fighting four, but fighting three while another one runs off to tell even more that they've got you pinned down.
>>
No. 889260 ID: f3fe9b

>If you want to fight so badly, we can just walk into an alley out of public sight right over there.
That sounds fun, but maybe our superiors won't be happy with that course of action?
>>
No. 889263 ID: a052fd

Choose your alley carefully, you don't want it to be the one where they've set up an ambush.
>>
No. 889397 ID: 3bc31d

you know maybe if you didn't wear the red maw helmet just walking around town you might attract a bit less attention
>>
No. 889404 ID: 91ee5f

>>889397
But if he didn’t wear the helmet, he could get shot with an arrow!
>>
No. 889408 ID: 10c408

>>889404
We should undo the painting, honestly. Why even walk around wearing a billboard saying "This is red maw, come and get me!"
>>
No. 889409 ID: 61838d

>>889408
I mean, admittedly everyone already knows we're the Red Maw, might as well fit the appearance i guess?
>>
No. 889411 ID: eeb7d9

>>889408
Let them come, Fen needs the experience.
>>
No. 889413 ID: f3fe9b

>>889408
I think anybody who's looking for us already knows who we are, so at this point it's a matter of owning it and showing no fear.

That said we should ask Frais for her advice on it once we've dealt with our shadows.
>>
No. 889423 ID: 10c408

>>889411
Experience in what, getting tracked down and jumped by bounty hunter's that are more likely to secure the kill by any means? That's a great fucking idea to attempt other than being taught by someone who doesn't want us dead outright.

>>889413
I think you meant to say that anyone looking for us knows where we are, not who we are.

And lack of fear doesn't matter to them at all. Wearing a billboard helmet only makes it INCREDIBLY easy for whatever scouting element they've got to track us whenever we leave our safe residence.

"Oh, there's that signature red helmet. Looks like red maw left the building!"
>>
No. 889424 ID: 10c408

>>889409
That we're the barbarian savage who rips noble throats out? Yeah, that's a great rep to maintain.
>>
No. 889429 ID: 1fbbcc

>>889423
Well, if we establish a habit of wearing a distinctive helmet now, we could pull off various shenanigans with decoys and stand-ins later on, once we have some underlings. If people get used to thinking of Red Maw by the helmet instead of the face, they might even end up ignoring a three-horned draconic kobold since the helmet has only two (if they're simple-minded) and at the very least it covers Fen's eyes and reduces the chances of people drawing the Zizi connection. That's only for people who haven't been given a very detailed description, but that could still filter a lot of the more casual/opportunistic lower-class assassins! And it seems like it's been mostly the lower-class assassins so far, since he high-class assassins have better things to do and don't think it's worth it at this point?
>>
No. 889430 ID: 91ee5f

>>889423
And the last 3 guys that tried to kill Fen for his bounty ended up with Fen killing one and having the other 2 arrested. When Sir Zall found out, he made an example of them by having them get mutated to see if they would get any useful mutations. When they didn’t get useful mutations, Sir Zall had them killed and their mutated corpses hung up in the middle of the encampment as a warning to everyone to not try and kill any of their fellow soldiers for their bounties.

If these guys following us are trying to kill Fen for his bounty, they must be stupid for not fearing what Sir Zall will do to them when he finds out.

Or they were sent by Warlord Krix to kill Fen so that he wouldn’t have to return Fen’s Dragoncloth to him when he gets out of the army.

>>889424
A gold noble, it’s more impressive that way, since gold is pretty high in the noble rankings and they’re supposed to be pretty strong.
>>
No. 889431 ID: f3fe9b

>>889423
Of course they know who we are, aren't enough tribals in the assassins to try and blend in with. Fen can't escape his reputation, he can either use it to his advantage or let other people use it to theirs. The choice is clear.
>>
No. 889439 ID: eeb7d9

>>889423
If we don't deal with them now, they are going to become a nuncience later on a less opportune time.
>>
No. 889450 ID: 10c408

>>889439
I agree with taking out this next batch of bounty hunters, but the helmet's still troublesome since it's giving them an easier time to organize while tracking us.

>>889430
Zall's not in this town anymore. He's gone off to the necromile base. And since we're no longer attending Hydril's class...

>>889431
There's a pretty big difference between using ones reputation and broadcasting ones location to their opportunistic unknown opposition.

And has been established, Fen's bounty is high enough that the weenies aren't afraid of dying senselessly if Fen dies as well, since the portion of the money they get would go back to their respective families.
>>
No. 889452 ID: 91ee5f

>>889450
>Zall's not in this town anymore. He's gone off to the necromile base. And since we're no longer attending Hydril's class...
Where does it say he left town? Show me the post that says he left town.

As far as we know, he’s still in his office, handing out promotions and then sending the newly promoted guys to the Necromile.
>>
No. 889453 ID: 10c408

>>889452
The first part of the very latest post, mentioned off-hand by Holly.
>>
No. 889463 ID: 91ee5f

>>889453
Shit, I missed that.
>>
No. 889464 ID: b1b4f3

You know, it's possible these guys aren't here to try to kill Fen, but to guard him.
>>
No. 889469 ID: 10c408

>>889464
I find that to be unlikely. Zall and Orijin are out because they either have much more important issues to spend manpower on or they'd expect us to deal with it since it is our problem.

Now, if they were hired by Cheese... Well, we haven't heard a thing. It might be possible but I doubt that she's had the time or even the connections to hire some bodyguards for us, in this place.
>>
No. 889472 ID: 91ee5f

>>889469
Unlikely doesn’t mean impossible. They really could be here just to guard Fen from a distance.

We can’t always assume that every person following us is trying to kill us.
>>
No. 889482 ID: eeb7d9

>>889464
Although is not impossible, it is highly unlikely to be the case. There would be no reason for anyone to hire some guards for us, except Cheese maybe. We are in the army to learn how to not get kill, puting guards with us would defeat that porpuse. Our superiors know that that would be counter productive. They want to invest on us, not to babysit on us. That is the way i see it.
>>
No. 889498 ID: 4665ac

Just make sure to confirm the target before doing anything we can't undo.
>>
No. 889862 ID: bfb318
File 152980601340.png - (61.81KB , 800x800 , 1120.png )
889862

"I'll not join the fight club. I thought we were followed. I didn't know there were four. You must be good at sensing mana."
>"No, I'm good at subtly looking to the side and seeing four following us, with my eyes."
"Oh. Do you want to fight them?"
>"We may as well."
"I am also beginning to have second thoughts about my decision to wear my Red Maw helm in public. It seems to attract attention."
>"Good, we can draw people out that way. The ones worth worrying about are the ones that know your face, anyway."
"Do you know of a good spot where we can fight our followers?"
>"I know of a good alleyway. Follow me."

She leads me into an alleyway that doesn't seem to go through to the other street, so there's no chance that they can circle around and follow us. There are a few shops in here, but virtually no customers.

"Will we get in trouble for killing them?"
>"Get 'in trouble'? Are you a kid, Fen?" Frais asks. "You're one of Sir Zall's favored soldiers. As far as wandering around murdering people goes, you may as well be a gold noble with how much 'trouble' you'll be in."

...

>"That's an exaggeration. Don't murder people for fun."
"I'm not!"
>"Good. My point's that if you murder people trying to collect a bounty on you, all Sir Zall will say is 'good job'."
"We should verify they're trying to kill me, first."
>"Yeah. Here's the plan. When those people turn the corner, I walk into that door so they can see me do it and think we've separated. I'll move from that door over to this door and flank them within a few seconds, if it turns into a fight."
>>
No. 889863 ID: bfb318
File 152980603696.png - (52.83KB , 1000x800 , 1121.png )
889863

The four turn the corner. They seem started to see me initially, but gather themselves as Frais walks into the building.

Sensing some trouble, the shopkeepers close their shop.

The kobolds approach me. I draw my sword.

"Who are you with?"
>"Doesn't matter." says the one closest to me with a hand on his sword. They start looking behind me. Either they're looking for Frais, or they're seeing where I could run to if I was going to run. "Where's that girl you were with?"
"Doesn't matter."
>"... whatever. Lord Krix has heard about your accomplishments, and would have us ask if you are interested in fighting in his name."
"I'm not."
>"Don't answer that so quickly, Red Maw."
"He should have opened with the offer before opening with assassination attempts."

I look around. I don't see anyone on the balconies.

>"If you fight under his emblem, he'll eliminate any bounties, and offer protection. If you don't, then with your skill, a lot of bounty hunters will die trying to collect, but someday, someone's going to get lucky. You and your friends won't be able to relax easily as more of Lord Krix's hunters move down here."
>>
No. 889865 ID: 7fad5d

No alleged carrot other than the removal of a stick and he's trying to get you under his control. No reason to accept.
>>
No. 889867 ID: b1b4f3

>>889863
What does "Fight under his emblem" mean here? Like, join his personal army?
If so, refuse. If Fen joins his army or something that lets Krix track his movements, that will make recovering the dragoncloth more difficult, and we really need to avoid making that any harder than it needs to be.
Only way this could be turned to our advantage is if it lets Fen enter the compound without having to sneak in, but I doubt Krix will take any chances there and have him literally surrounded by guards and his weapons taken from him at the gate.

If it's something less restrictive... maybe? It also depends on what that would do to Fen's public image. If stealing the dragoncloth would mark him as a betrayer after working under Krix... could make his future as a noble much harder. Maybe it's best to wear his intentions on his sleeve. OR, maybe it would garner respect? From what we heard, nobles don't seem to have much of a sense of honor anyway.
>>
No. 889870 ID: 4f1cbc

The offer is based on a flawed premise: that the bounties go away and the assassination attempts stop if we make nice with Krix. But Krix is the only person Fen's pissed off (Rasyan's kin and allies for example), and he won't be the last.

Also, accepting Krix's protection also means letting swords loyal to him to get close to us. That's less removing a stick than re-positioning it.

"Lord Krix has claimed something that belongs to me. If he wishes to buy peace with me, he knows the price he must pay."

(Which is a fancy way of saying 'the dragoncloth or your life').
>>
No. 889872 ID: 86eb65

You assume that I am going to stand in place waiting to be killed by these hunters.

Everyone who comes after me will die. And I will hunt down Krix to stop the problem soon enough.

As soon as the make a move end them.
>>
No. 889874 ID: 0c3c2c

>>889863
Just tell them they're already dead men. Attack. Krix cannot be trusted and we'll need to kill him to get our dragoncloth back anyway.
>>
No. 889880 ID: 1fbbcc

"Lord Krix already knows exactly the thing to offer me that would end the tension between us. I have no designs on his life, his position or his people, save whenever they stand between me and what is rightfully mine. He knows what that is, and to give it to me would cost him nothing that he had more than a month or two ago. I will accept nothing else, and I will take any other offer as a ploy to bring me in reach of shorter blades. I would ask you to tell him so, but I doubt you will. And I doubt you'll listen when I advise you reconsider your allegiance to him, given the danger he faces from above his own position, whether I live or not."

"You should listen to this, though: the fact that Lord Krix has placed this bounty on me, and sent me your message, tells me that I concern him. I, who have nothing beyond the clothes on my back and the sword in my hand. That heartens me - and should warn you."

These guys seem like they might be holding off, and might be pretty close to Krix rather than being opportunistic bounty hunters. Keep your sword loose, let them make the first move, and be wary of all the places an archer could be looking down.
>>
No. 889882 ID: bfb318
File 152981018439.png - (22.13KB , 800x800 , 1122.png )
889882

"Lord Krix knows what he has to give me to stop me being his enemy."
>"If you prove your worth to him, you may be able to earn it back as a prize."
"I have no idea what he considers worthy, and a poor idea of how good his words are. I won't accept."
>"Fine, then. We'll be around if you change your mind."

They start to leave. I'm inclined to let them, but at the same time, they feel like enemies turning their back on me that I'm just letting go.
>>
No. 889885 ID: 0eeebd

>>889882
let them go but tell them next time there won't be a parlay
>>
No. 889887 ID: eeb7d9

Hmmm, well, talking from a tactical perspective, it might not be the best to let them go. They will become enemies at some point and the more we kill now, the better.
On the other hand, killing them would send the negotiations flying off the window, but we are not going to accept anyway, so that would be just a waste of time. And their proposition was filled with threats, and that is not nice at all.
So, personally, i say we forget the formalities, and teach this idiots not to expose their back to an enemy. Fen is an assassing, after all.
>>
No. 889889 ID: 0eeebd

>>889885
also have them hand over some money for their lives
>>
No. 889891 ID: ba5478

Say that if any of them have second thoughts about whose side to be on in the mausoleum, yours or Krix's, they should make it clear before they become casualties. Especially considering who has more power to kill them right now.

Maybe someone will try to flip, maybe they'll kill each other if they try to flip, or maybe nothing.
>>
No. 889892 ID: 4f1cbc

>>889882
Let them go, I think. We're an army at war, and killing people on your own side is a bad line to start crossing. Even if Fen can get away with murder, that's not what we're here to do, or a good precedent to set.

We've identified 4 Krix loyalists now, though. I wonder if it would be possible to arrange an eye to be kept on them? Spying on them might lead you to assassins before they can make a move. You do have coin. Might be something you could talk to Holly about.
>>
No. 889893 ID: f3fe9b

No murdering people for fun, Fen! We've got some leeway with the higher ups, let's not loose favor killing some messengers.
>>
No. 889894 ID: 1fbbcc

Your license to kill is dependent on them attacking you. Frais doesn't strike me as a willing liar and there may be shopkeepers peeking out, so there are too many witnesses for you to murder them unprovoked.
>>
No. 889898 ID: 10c408

>>889892
We already did. And as frais noted, we were covered for it.

As for what to do. Frais is still in a perfect position for an ambush.

"Absolutely not. Not all of you are leaving this alley alive to challenge me later."

Point your sword at them, spring the ambush.
>>
No. 889900 ID: 91ee5f

>>889862
>"Good, we can draw people out that way. The ones worth worrying about are the ones that know your face, anyway."
What I’m hearing Frais say is, “Keep wearing your helmet in public because it helps draw out your enemies, which makes it easier for us to deal with them.”

So I guess if our helmet is the only way to identify us, then no one will know what our face looks like.

>>889882
>Let then leave or not?
Let them go and tell them, “Next time you turn your backs to me, you better make sure I’m dead. Because if you come after me, I will kill you if you turn your backs to me again.”

>>889892
>We've identified 4 Krix loyalists now, though. I wonder if it would be possible to arrange an eye to be kept on them? Spying on them might lead you to assassins before they can make a move. You do have coin. Might be something you could talk to Holly about.
Or, if Esscaf: >>882532 , and his buddies aren’t busy with anything official, we could send them after the guys that Krix sends at us.
>>
No. 889901 ID: bb78f2

>>889882
They were amicable.
That should be respected.
They even understood why you declined.
They're not her to collect, ever. They're just the messengers. They're not enemies. Killing them now could cast shame on your name, and mean that more future conflicts will be unavoidable.

Who knows, Krix may try to bribe you with more now if they send back your response word for word. Not that you should ever accept, Krix will probably try to kill you if he finally unstands that you have a real chance of becoming equal or more, if not always try his best to stop your ascent to noblehood so he may keep using you to his benefit.
>>
No. 889902 ID: 91ee5f

>>889900
>“Next time you turn your backs to me, you better make sure I’m dead. Because if you come after me, I will kill you if you turn your backs to me again.”
Wait, I thought of a better way to word this.

Say this instead, “I’ll let you leave this time. But next time you turn your backs to me, you better make sure I’m dead, otherwise I will kill you.”
>>
No. 889906 ID: 204fd2

Let them go but tell them to send a message back to their lord that if he give us back what is ours we may consider his proposal.
>>
No. 889910 ID: b38f01

>>889882
Let them pass. Kill only those who raise their weapons against you in malice.
>>
No. 889918 ID: 4231d1

Don't attack the messengers.
Don't give them a warning either, there's no reason to volunteer information to enemies unless it will steer them towards a mistake.
>>
No. 889940 ID: 10c408

>>889918
Messengers don't come in groups of four. Krix's goons know who we are and a pretty good idea of where we are. That they haven't contacted us peacefully in holly's bar speaks volumes about their intent.
>>
No. 889955 ID: eeb7d9

>>889940
I agree. This was anything else but a normal proposition. You don't need 4 guys to deliver a deal, unless you want to be intimidating. You don't even need guards, you are in a middle of a army base. They are asking for trouble. They even had thier hands on thier wapons, you don't need those for talking, and you don't stalk the one you are going to give the messege, you go to them directly in a public place, not in an alley. This is all too fishy.

Ask them what will they do if you don't let them leave. What if you don't believe them?
How could they prove that what they are saying is true?
If you had accepted, what were they going to do?
If they are here for busines, how would they seal the deal?
>>
No. 889995 ID: 90e667

>>889891
I’m on board with this.

“... Still, I don’t intend to allow him to be a problem for long. If you know what’s good for yourself, perhaps it shall be you that changes allegiances. Something to think on.”
>>
No. 890444 ID: c1509d

>>889882
Ask where you can find them. Do not take your eyes off them as they go. Be ready for a surprise attack. Then, once they are gone, ask Dame Frais if she recognized any of them. Offer descriptions if she didn't get a good look at them. Make sure to say which one was speaking as Frais seemed close enough to hear their voice, which could help with recognition. If she knows anything about them, it might make dealing with them easier.
>>
No. 890622 ID: 15a025

Let them go but, before they take their leave. Ask what business they had with Dame Frais.
>>
No. 890628 ID: 91ee5f

>>890622
They didn't have business with her, they only had business with Fen. She just happened to be with him when they needed to deliver that message.

Also, don’t mention her name to them!
>>
No. 890966 ID: b1b4f3

You don't send a group of four people to send a message. These aren't messengers.

Kill three of them, leave the last one alive to send a message. That message is: "You only need one person to send a message."
>>
No. 890973 ID: 91ee5f

>>890966
I don’t think we should start an unnecessary fight.
>>
No. 890978 ID: d587d1

>>890973
Pretty sure that if don't kill them, not only will they come back later to try again but orjin's going to have a colossal bone to pick with us for sparing them.
>>
No. 891002 ID: 1fbbcc

>>890978
That's not the way to do it. Don't forget we're still surrounded by an army of undead monstrosities, and that most people down here - including these guys - are soldiers who are nominally on the same side, fighting the same threat. There are dire repercussions for anyone who attempts murder on their fellow soldiers in such a situation, which is why Fen's superiors have been able to apply so much pressure against attempts to take his life. Attacking these guys will put Fen in a position where people who are against him - such as Krix - will be able to seek equally terrible punishments against him, with all the power of procedure and legality now on their side. That's probably exactly what he wants - I wouldn't be surprised if Krix deliberately sent these guys with instructions to tempt Fen into attacking them.

Besides that, it will seriously annoy his own superiors (whose generosity is probably already pretty stretched, and equally motivated by a desire to keep order in the army than by the value they place on Fen personally), and tarnish his honor - they may be opponents but they've effectively turned their backs to him and are walking away. Fen needs his reputation to keep making friends, and keep the ones he has, and to ensure the stories his family (and Lily!) hear about him are as good as possible. Remember what we're aiming for in the end.

If we want to get rid of these guys, we go to Orjin or go down to Zall when we're done training and tell them about this, and see if we can't get these guys assigned to some particularly perilous job. At the very least I imagine it will set Orjin against Krix some more, what with him trying to poach one of his underlings.
>>
No. 891010 ID: 91ee5f

>>891002
>Besides that, it will seriously annoy his own superiors
Daim Frais told Fen, “If you murder people trying to collect a bounty on you, all Sir Zall will say is 'good job'.”

That pretty much means no one is going to be mad at us for killing these guys.

However, that doesn’t mean that we should kill them right now. I just think if we did kill them, it would be better to do it because they attacked us first and not because we attacked them first.

So we should let them go. We’re not gonna start a fight with them, but we will end a fight with them if they attack us.
>>
No. 891016 ID: 10c408

>>891002
Okay, hold the phone here.

First, the buck stops at Sir Zall. Kirx is lending some of his forces but only as a pretext so they can murder Fen.


secondly, we've already murdered a bunch of krix's soldiers without ANYONE else to back up our claim of "they tried to collect my bounty so I started killing them" and not only did we not get punished for it, Zall dumped the survivors in the mutating tar as a warning to the rest.

thirdly. YES the undead are a huge threat and in an ideal world everyone stuck down here would wait until after they've been routed to engage in petty murderous activity like collecting Fen's bounty. but guess what.. Krix doesn't a shit about that. If he did he would NOT have instructed his goonsquad to off Fen during the purge being conducted instead of after.

And lastly. Our whole reputation? that everyone knows about? It literally starts with tearing a nobleman's THROAT OUT! (yeah he had it coming but no one else is going to see it that way, least of all lily.))
>>
No. 891017 ID: bfdaf0

> I just think if we did kill them, it would be better to do it because they attacked us first and not because we attacked them first.
>So we should let them go. We’re not gonna start a fight with them, but we will end a fight with them if they attack us.
Same opinion here. Fen doesn't start fights, he ends them.
>>
No. 891034 ID: 1fbbcc

>>891010
>Daim Frais told Fen, “If you murder people trying to collect a bounty on you, all Sir Zall will say is 'good job'.”

These guys aren't trying to collect the bounty on us, though.

>>891016
>we've already murdered a bunch of krix's soldiers without ANYONE else to back up our claim

And they, equally, didn't have anyone to back up any claim they'd make about Fen trying to murder them. This time, they would - if not Frais, then the shopkeepers in this street, who I'm sure are watching from as safe a position as they can find.

>Our whole reputation? that everyone knows about? It literally starts with tearing a nobleman's THROAT OUT!

A reputation for viciousness isn't a reputation for dishonor. No-one suspects Fen of stabbing that guy in the back, because if he had he wouldn't have had to tear his throat out. Fen's story only got out because of the trial, and that trial also ensured that the circumstances of the event got out as well, in a way people trust, by way of truth wizards and so on. So everyone knows Fen didn't initiate the attack, and that Rasyan was doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing somewhere he wasn't supposed to be.

So Fen still has a lot of reputation to protect.
>>
No. 891035 ID: 91ee5f

>>891034
>These guys aren't trying to collect the bounty on us, though.
Not yet anyways.
>>
No. 891043 ID: b1b4f3

>>891034
>These guys aren't trying to collect the bounty on us, though.
They followed Fen into an alley as a group. They probably only hesitated because they rightfully suspected Frais was preparing to ambush them from behind.

These guys aren't just messengers, they're spies at best.
>>
No. 891052 ID: 10c408

>>891043
I disagree. At best, the four of them are idiots who happen to have caught on to the fact that we were about to ambush and murder the shit out of them, and thought better of starting something.
>>
No. 891117 ID: bfb318
File 153072474132.png - (28.26KB , 800x800 , 1123.png )
891117

"Being on Lord Krix's side does not mean much, here, so far away from Turtle."
>"Lord Krix has a long arm."
"Fine. Leave. Don't let me see any of you again."
>"Or else what?"
"I'll kill you."

They pause, like they're thinking it over. I want to know what Krix is attempting, but these people can't be trusted to tell me truthfully.

They leave, and Frais comes back out.

>"No killing today?"
"They were asking for trouble, but they only delivered a message."
>"Well, it's fine. I don't like leaving four people like them to live, but those were only four fish in the sea. Hey, shopkeep, open up."
>"Why?" The voice behind the curtain asks.
>"I came here to buy stuff."

The curtain opens, and Frais purchases some oil.

>"Okay, Fen. I'm done shopping. Let's go get something to eat." Frais continues through the alley.
"Holly is the other way."
>"Holly is a fine cook, but I wanted a different cook in a different place for once. We can go back to Holly's if you want."
>>
No. 891118 ID: 3b108e

>>891117
Let's try a new place. See what Frais likes, I doubt Fen's got much of a culinary map of the area.
>>
No. 891119 ID: 86eb65

New food sounds good. Ask her what sort of stuff is on menu.

Also if they are trustworthy. Having your own personal chef is a nice thing when you are being hunted.

Maybe hide the helmet or let her order without them seeing you.
>>
No. 891120 ID: 1fbbcc

Say you're not too sure you trust food not prepared by someone you know. Perhaps instead of ordering food like a normal person, you could walk up to some random person who just received their food and pay them to give you theirs - the price of a second meal plus a little extra for a tip. That should be safe!
>>
No. 891121 ID: 1fbbcc

Also, what's the oil for? Perhaps we should get some.
>>
No. 891123 ID: 214cda

>>891121
a full body scale rubdown, obviously.
>>
No. 891124 ID: ba5478

follow her
>>
No. 891125 ID: 0c3c2c

>>891117
Sure, let's go try out another restaurant, if only to make sure Frais doesn't burn down the town or get jumped.
>>
No. 891126 ID: b38f01

Let's go with her. Just give her the money so she can order for you while you wait at the table or something.
>>
No. 891127 ID: 91ee5f

>>891117
>"Holly is a fine cook, but I wanted a different cook in a different place for once. We can go back to Holly's if you want."
Fair enough. Let’s go with her to find a different cook in a different place.
>>
No. 891143 ID: eeb7d9

"New places are good, we were exploring after all.
Hey, Frais, what would you have done in my place?"
>>
No. 891170 ID: bddb0f

>>891117

Hmm. Didn't you use up most of your oil against Garlic and Momo? Or did you restock afterwards? Might want to consider buying some extra oil yourself - from this vendor or another that deals in bulk.

>Dinner elsewhere

Sounds good, and we can use the opportunity to ask Dame Frais about stuff.

"Holly's food is good, but I can try something new if you want. Getting the server to food taste for poison is simple enough. I'd also welcome a chance to sit and talk about things."

>Don't like leaving them alive. More fish in the ocean.

"For example, that fish expression. Dismissive and depressing-sounding at the same time - spoken like their lives didn't matter and there are plenty more of them. Both are probably true, but you said it as if the expectation - the good thing - was that I kill them here and now. Why?"

>Questions for Dame Frais

"It also leaves me wondering. Do knights often fish the streets, or is it just the ones like me with a certain reputation? It seems an odd way to have to live."

"I've been meaning to ask... Holly mentioned to Squire Gabby that she was without title when he accidentally called her 'Dame'. Does that mean you're a noble?"

"Do you know anything about Sir Hydril? Valsano mentioned something about him not liking certain types of people and he seemed somewhat intense with me. Will that be a problem now that we are progressing to team training?"

"How long have you been with Sir Orjin and is he ALWAYS so... Sir Orjin? What is the most Sir Orjin-est thing you've seen him do?"
>>
No. 891172 ID: 7c90bc

Of course you are going to try something new with Frais, at a new place. If you are going to move up politically you are going to need to adapt to the culture of the Empire, at some point just killing a bigger enemy isn't going to win you any more advancement.
>>
No. 891329 ID: 4f1cbc

Paranoia says eating somewhere else could get you poisoned, but paranoia also says you shouldn't be completely predictable either.

I say go with her.
>>
No. 891363 ID: 214cda

As much as fen has a reputation as Redmaw its unlikely that people are just waiting to poison at any given opportunity. Probably also foolish to assume you're the only person down here who's got a reputation and/or bounty hunters after them.
>>
No. 891443 ID: bfb318
File 153092190891.png - (129.91KB , 1200x800 , 1124.png )
891443

"No, a different one is fine, but... one of Lord Krix's followers could poison the food, couldn't they?"
>"That is insane. We aren't announcing which one we're going to. They would need to have controlled all the cooks in the base just in case we happened to eat somewhere besides Holly's. If you aren't comfortable, we'll have a server taste test the food."
"Okay, then I will go with you. What was that oil for?"
>"Armor and sword cleaner. The stuff we're given normally is... just okay."

I contemplate having Frais go ahead to order without me being seen, but I'd rather not split up. So we go into a building and sit down, and a kobold quickly comes up to us.

>"Hello! Can I take your armor?"
>"No." says Frais, bluntly enough that he doesn't insist.

The server instead moves on to ask what we'd like to eat. Frais gets fish. I also get fish, because somehow, they have caught fish from the shroomleaf forest that I miss.

The place looks like it's made for people with wealth. I don't think I see nobility itself, here, but there's many knights with well cared armor.

"What would you have done, in my position?"
>"Hm? Oh, probably kill them."
"Why?"
>"To get less people to bug me later. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered. Maybe I just love killing."

...

>"That was a joke, barbarian. Not like I hate killing. I do like fighting, though."
"Is killing that typical, in the north?"
>"It's natural."
>>
No. 891444 ID: bfb318
File 153092192624.png - (18.09KB , 800x800 , 1125.png )
891444

"Do you know much about Sir Hydril?"
>"No. Do you?"
"I don't. He seems somewhat intense. In a different way than Sir Orjin, and to me specifically. Speaking of Sir Orjin, was he always like this?"
>"Yes. I'm not sure he had a childhood. I don't know where he came from. He might have simply crawled out of the ground, screaming at anyone who was around to see. Another joke, maybe."
"Do you have any stories about him?"
>"He once captured a bandit hideout by walking in and yelling at them to line up. Apparently it was a chain of bandit camps, and they didn't know what the real bandit leader looked like, so when Sir Orjin came walking in like he owned the place, they just did what he said to do. Us knights didn't get to do much."
"Were you already a knight by then?"
>"Yes. I didn't get promoted as fast as you, but my time as a pawn was still very short, so I've mostly been known as Dame Frais."
"Is 'Dame' that common of a title for female knights?"
>"Yes. Technically people should be calling Aira 'Dame' Aira, but peers who were promoted together often drop the titles with one another. Such as Mopp and myself, to each other."
"That's good. It's difficult to think of her as Dame Aira, or Sir Fen."
>"As your senior, it's difficult for me to think that way, too. Don't let it slide too often with others."

I see the servant coming out with our food. My fish comes out with... some kind of paste, but it doesn't smell bad.

The servant slides our plates to us, but doesn't leave even after he taste tests the food. I'm not sure why, but Dame Frais begins eating, so I do the same.

It's... mediocre. It's not like it's old, although that's surprising enough. Rather, this fish was cooked for too long? Too long and at too high of a heat. I'd get insulted if I served this to anyone. Still, it is recognizable as a fish from home, and I enjoy that, even if it makes me somewhat homesick.

The servant looks at us expectantly.
>>
No. 891445 ID: bfb318
File 153092198875.png - (14.61KB , 800x800 , 1126.png )
891445

>"Does the fish satisfy your tastes?"
>>
No. 891447 ID: 3b108e

"Yes. It isn't cooked the way it was in my home, but I enjoyed it. Thank you."
>>
No. 891448 ID: 5fa661

"Enough to not bite anyone's throat out."
>>
No. 891450 ID: 4f1cbc

>I also get fish, because somehow, they have caught fish from the shroomleaf forest that I miss.
>It's... mediocre.
Somewhat to be expected if you're eating fish that has been shipped a good ways away from where it was caught.

Hmm. I wonder, did someone waste magic to keep the fish from quick-rotting once it was in the wrong region until it reached your plate, or do they ship live fish in water? Either way, that would make this something of a luxury item. A little reminder that as a knight, in the middle of a campaign,inside a tower of undead monsters, you're still richer and have more comforts than a lot of the people in the empire.

>>"Does the fish satisfy your tastes?"
Be a little nice, they probably didn't know any better. If you point out the flaw, maybe they'll improve?

"Adequate, though somewhat overcooked."
>>
No. 891451 ID: 86eb65

Wait a tick to see what if Dame Frai says something first.

As for what we say? "Yes and No."

Its from my home so it brings back nice memories. But its slightly overcooked. That being said we are far far from home and deep in the earth. The fact that its this good speaks volumes about your chefs skill.
>>
No. 891452 ID: 1fbbcc

You're probably used to fresh fish, Fen. If this is from shroomleaf, and it came all this way... it probably spent a decent amount of time in transit. So, since it's fish and it doesn't generally travel well, it's safest to cook it thoroughly. Perhaps just say so? Something like: "Last time I had this type of fish, it was fresh out of the river. This is not as satisfying as my memory, but it was never going to be. It is not offensive."

You've had some pretty decent success as the blunt barbarian so far, so I feel like maybe you shouldn't dance around your opinion too much. I bet if Orjin was in here he'd have a much more extreme response.
>>
No. 891455 ID: 0c3c2c

>>891445
Yes and no. You'd recommend it be cooked for a shorter period of time next time, but it was a pleasantly nostalgic food.
>>
No. 891458 ID: eeb7d9

>>891448
We HAVE to make this joke. Please, just this once!
Also, in all seriousness, just say that it was good for the nostalgia, but a little overcooked.
>>
No. 891463 ID: b1b4f3

>>891445
Ah, you're being treated like rich folk. Tell him it was satisfactory, though you have experience cooking this kind of fish and could give some advice to the cook.
>>
No. 891470 ID: 91ee5f

>>891445
Tell him the truth, but be polite about it.

>>891458
>We HAVE to make this joke. Please, just this once!
No, let’s not be the guy that jokingly makes death threats to people.
>>
No. 891499 ID: f3fe9b

Well, by my guess it's even odds that that's just how things are done around here and you'll end up looking like an ignant tribal who doesn't know food if you bring it up. Although I doubt you give a damn about their opinions, I should mention you may not want to make yourself TOO homesick down here and that you may be better off just leaving it.
>>
No. 891510 ID: b38f01

It offered a little taste of home and you appreciate that. Thank you for the effort.
>>
No. 891514 ID: eeb7d9

>>891470
Nooo, it's not fair, everyone does this kinds of jokes, why can't we?
If we are not going to go around killing people that WILL try to kill us later, let's at least have some fun while not killikng anybody. Come on, we are with Frais, it will be funny to see her reaction. We can slack a little with our comrades.
>>
No. 891579 ID: c0641d

“Nostalgic, but otherwise overcooked.”
>>
No. 891584 ID: b7a158

>>891579
This one's nice.
very fen-like.
>>
No. 891592 ID: ba5478

Critique it honestly. If you ever come back you want them to have cooked the fish right.
>>
No. 892268 ID: bfb318
File 153136834628.png - (33.15KB , 800x800 , 1127.png )
892268

"Nostalgic, but... was it overcooked because the fish was not fresh?"
>"Er... we fished it out of shroomleaf itself - I mean of course, this is the only place where those fish are - and carried it in water. It should be fresh! I-I'm sorry, if there's anything..." He trails off and turns to Frais. "Ah, and Dame, how is yours?"
>"Garbage, way overcooked." Frais says that without the slightest pause. "This is like fish with an outer shell of rocks, and the inside, non-charred part of the fish has about the same taste. Send it back."
>"I-I'm sorry, we've gotten so busy, and the chef, she..."
>"She what?"
>"I um, can give you some pre-made saltwater fish plate as an apology? I-I'm sorry, the chef is overworked and can't replace the meals, we have a long backlog."
>"Saltwater fish, from fisher's run? We paid a bunch of silver to get high quality, professionally cooked exotic fish, not have copper fish rations. Send the food back, we want replacements."
>"I-is there anything I can do to... not do that? The ch-chef, she really doesn't like..."
>"What, getting called out on a bad job?"
>"I w-wouldn't put it like that, but yes! She's under a lot of stress, I really do apologize. She's the only chef here, but we have various waiters, so if there's anything I can do...?"
>"Not unless you can cook better." Frais continues. "Fen, you want the chef to cook your fish right, right?"
>>
No. 892269 ID: b1b4f3

>>892268
Yes.

How about Fen goes back and talks to the cook himself?
>>
No. 892270 ID: 86eb65

No I know how to cook it to perfection.

Point me in the direction of the kitchen. It will be faster this way.
>>
No. 892271 ID: 0c3c2c

>>892268
Yeah, Fen should go and cook the fish himself. Even a barbarian who lived in a literal dirt-hole shall prove his culinary superiority. Besides, he's a middle-ranking Knight now, he's got SOME authority compared to a waiter.
>>
No. 892274 ID: 094652

Tell the nice server that if your commanding officer got so much as a whiff, he'd scream in their faces until they went deaf, and then mad from being stared in his ugly, profanity-dense evil eye. You want to investigate, or you're going to demand a 90% refund for the sake of dignity.
>>
No. 892278 ID: bb78f2

>>892268
If the chef is overworked, she won't be able to cook it good a second time. She'll just burn it again, another waste of a shroomleaf fish.

Let me in the kitchen, get me up to speed on how to use the cooking implements and I'll get it right the first time.

Frais, before you ask, I don't care that I'm cooking it. I'll see it as paying for the fish, not the service, and get to use empire cooking materials.

Just so we're clear, I'm ONLY cooking mine and Frais fish.
>>
No. 892280 ID: 91ee5f

>>892268
>"Fen, you want the chef to cook your fish right, right?"
“Yes, I would.”

>suggestions saying Fen should cook it
Does Fen even know how to cook the fish? He might’ve only caught the fish while someone else cooked it.

If Fen does know how to cook it, then yeah, he could offer to assist. If there’s an objection, then Fen can say that he’s from the Shroomleaf Forest, so he’s familiar with this kind of fish.

>>892278
>Just so we're clear, I'm ONLY cooking mine and Frais’ fish.
Agreed.

We’re not about to cook for everyone, only for ourself and Frais!
>>
No. 892297 ID: a48264

>>892280

Whether or not Fen knew how to cook this fish back at home is irrelevant; he most certainly won't know how to cook with their equipment. If Dame happens to be a good cook, then maybe the two could pair up to cook the fish correctly. Otherwise, they're better off asking for a refund or having them give you some raw fish so you can get it cooked elsewhere.


Also, tell the waiter that this is no way for their boss to run a restaurant. Food should never be rushed this badly, people will think the cook doesn't know what he's doing. If the wait time becomes unreasonable, then tables should stop being filled, or at the very least, customers should be informed of the expected wait time. It's better to have a few loyal, returning customers than a bunch of angry customers that'll never come back. Lastly, you should never make excuses or plead with your customers; just apologize for the mistake and do what you can to correct it.
>>
No. 892300 ID: 91ee5f

>>892297
>better off asking for a refund
Yeah, you’re right, that is a better idea. Let’s do that.
>>
No. 892309 ID: b38f01

>>892268
If you are provided with the fish, you could cook it yourself. The chef is the only one back there, yes? There should be enough room for you to work without getting in her way. You could even try your hand at Frais's dish.
>>
No. 892326 ID: 10c408

...yeah, we're going to get banned from this place and eat at holly's forever.

anyways, yeah. Go and cook the fish, but be a little bit courteous about it. The cook sounds overworked feeding people and if we get on her bad side it's only going to make things worse.

calling it now, this is going to end up being a "mock fen" kind of story. And that's not accounting for Sir Orjin's opinion about it.
>>
No. 892328 ID: eeb7d9

If you want to get something done, you will have to do it yourself. Go cook those fishes!
>>
No. 892343 ID: 1722b4

Redmaw; the infamous barbarian known for murdering nobles with his face and cooking the best fish in the necromile.
>>
No. 892345 ID: f3fe9b

She's not under duress, right? Like there's no proverbial robber with a weapon telling the staff to keep quiet?
>>
No. 892524 ID: ba5478

Just go back and cook it yourself correctly. Do an extra plate for Frais so she can see how it's supposed to taste.
>>
No. 892793 ID: bfb318
File 153158829581.png - (47.20KB , 800x800 , 1128.png )
892793

"Yes, which is why I will cook it myself." I don't know what equipment cooks in the north use, but it shouldn't need anything complex to cook this fish.
>"Wh-what?!" The servant steps to the side as though to block me.
"What's wrong? You act like you're being threatened to keep quiet about problems."
>"Not really, b...but..."
>"I think that's a good idea." says Frais. "You can show that cook how to cook."
>"Nevermind I'll tell her!"

The waiter runs off to the cook. I would think it's alright, then, except the chef may just overcook it again.
>>
No. 892794 ID: bfb318
File 153158831266.png - (51.43KB , 800x800 , 1129.png )
892794

I get up to follow the servant in to talk to the chef. Frais follows me.

The servant runs back out again, ignoring me as a pan is flung out of the door.
>>
No. 892795 ID: bfb318
File 153158837184.png - (31.53KB , 800x800 , 1130.png )
892795

A large kobold opens the door just before I get to it.

>"Alright, what dead tongue talked bad about my food?!"

Everyone falls silent. I realize Frais and I are out in the open. The servant is gone. It's quiet.
>>
No. 892797 ID: 86eb65

Raise your hand.
>>
No. 892798 ID: 4f1cbc

>>892795
"How do you ever expect to grow or improve if your response to criticism is violence?"
>>
No. 892802 ID: ba5478

>>892797
This
>>
No. 892804 ID: f3ba9e

>>892795
"I did, if you consider that leather you served us food."
>>
No. 892807 ID: b1b4f3

If it comes to blows, try to keep her in good enough condition to continue cooking. You've got some armor on so I doubt she can really hurt you, unless she goes absolutely insane and grabs a knife.
That said, plainly state "You overcooked our fish."
>>
No. 892809 ID: 0c3c2c

>>892795
Say, "Me." And then point out that you grew up cooking this fish and thus do, in fact, know how to cook it better than anyone else in this region.
>>
No. 892812 ID: 214cda

"Redmaw disagrees with both your methods and your attitude."

Talking in your helmet makes your voice unnaturally deep, right? If not, thats an enchantment you should get.
>>
No. 892815 ID: bb78f2

>>892795
I heard you were overworked. So I thought'd I'd use the kitchen and ingredients to cook my own meal.
>>
No. 892821 ID: a363ac

>>892795
"me" and push past them into the kitchen
>>
No. 892827 ID: 91ee5f

Let her know that you did.

And be prepared to block and/or dodge in case she tries to slug you and/or hit you with a cooking utensil!
>>
No. 892829 ID: 094652

"My name is Red Maw. I eat dead tongues, and they taste better than your overcooked lumps of charcoal. Now stop throwing pans."
>>
No. 892832 ID: eeb7d9

Overcooked fish and now flying pans?
"Me and my comrade, and you need to calm down, cook. If you call yourself a professional, you should be able to keep your cool. Now stop making so much rocus and let me through, i am going to show you how to cook shroomleaf forest fish."
>>
No. 892833 ID: 6a511b

probably best not to get into any red maw boasting or life lesson stuff just a simple and to the point "My fish was overcooked so I came to cook it myself" it fits your persona better.
>>
No. 892842 ID: bddb0f

>>892795

"Is it bad to tell the truth? Your fish was overcooked. If you want to dispute our claim, our plates are over there. Test the taste."

Try to walk past them into the kitchen to prepare your own meal. If they attack you, dodge.
>>
No. 892934 ID: e7848c

"If it's all the same to you, I'll just use the kitchen supplies to cook a fish myself."
>>
No. 892940 ID: 91ee5f

I really don’t think we should be shouting, “I’m Red Maw!” to everyone we meet.

We’ll just let them figure it out themselves. And anyone that doesn’t immediately recognize the helmet has probably never heard of Fen.
>>
No. 892942 ID: 15a025

There's a saying about if you can't take the heat...

Anyway, you've probably quite the few watchers on you now Fen. It's probably best not to drop the name red maw now.

Just tell the chef you're from the Shroomleaf forest and thought the fish was overcooked.
>>
No. 892947 ID: 1fbbcc

Don't try to use the Red Maw name to intimidate her, she doesn't seem like the type to be impressed and she's probably run into people going "do you know who I am" a lot of times before.

Just say "Here. It was overcooked. Other people's will be too, I expect, since you're out here."
>>
No. 892959 ID: 4a0780

>>892940
You're not wrong.
>>
No. 892975 ID: 8bc504

Say "I have had that fish many times before and you nearly turned that fish into leather" also we probably shouldn't say we're from Shroomleaf or that we are the Red Maw.
>>
No. 892977 ID: b1b4f3

Fen saying he's from Shroomleaf is needed to convince her to let him tell her how to cook the fish or to cook it himself. I agree he shouldn't throw around his nickname though, it's not like he liked it very much to begin with.
>>
No. 893013 ID: eeb7d9

I agree with the idea of not saying you are the Red Maw, is not required in this situation. It would sound dumb. But saying that you are from Shroomleaf is a good move.
>>
No. 893023 ID: 842ac4

We should never introduce ourselves as Red Maw. Inasmuch as the intimidation factor is useful, Fen is not going places if all he does is coast around on the accomplishment of having killed a gold noble who was doing something shady.

Just call attention to the fact that it was Fen who complained and without waiting for a response say he'll be cooking some more himself, correctly and push by without waiting or caring about any kind of reaction from the cook.

If he starts shit, I'm reasonably sure Fen and Frais won't have trouble finishing it.
>>
No. 893046 ID: b7a158

>>892797
This.
It's fun to see fen be extremely deadpan.
>>
No. 893048 ID: 2a13fa

>>892842
I'm imagining a scene in which Fen is cooking fish while simultaneously dodging attacks from various angles. This amuses me.
>>
No. 893062 ID: 62fbaa

>>892797
Please do this and say nothing!
>>
No. 893083 ID: 214cda

>>892797
That.
>>
No. 893087 ID: 10c408

>>893046
I think we can go further with the deadpan. If frais doesn't also raise her hand nudge her in the ribs.

as for what to say.

"You killed what was already dead, and as someone from shroomleaf I take offense to what you did to that poor fish."
>>
No. 893090 ID: eeb7d9

>>893087
HOW DIDN'T I THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE!?
>>
No. 893105 ID: 10c408

>>893090
Watch more John Cleese.
>>
No. 893125 ID: eeb7d9

>>893105
Ohhhh. That is actually a good answer.
>>
No. 893171 ID: c0641d

“I had always thought it was the eater’s job to destroy the food.”
>>
No. 893196 ID: 597949

>>893171
Too aggressive. We don't want to mock the cook in front of the customers, we just want our fish cooked well.
>>
No. 893924 ID: fc795b

>>892795
I’m split on wether to say “Me,” “I could do it better,” or just entering the kitchen because they aren’t worth our time.
>>
No. 894270 ID: bfb318
File 153247185251.png - (17.55KB , 800x800 , 1131.png )
894270

I raise my hand.

"It was me."

She glares down at me.

"You overcooked my fish. I would like to cook my own - "
>>
No. 894271 ID: bfb318
File 153247186090.png - (23.51KB , 800x800 , 1132.png )
894271

She moves faster than I expected. It's all I can do to get my hand up to my neck just to protect my throat in case she's going to use her claws, but her move is an open palmed shove.
>>
No. 894272 ID: bfb318
File 153247186905.png - (66.52KB , 1200x800 , 1133.png )
894272

I roll backwards so that I both land in an upright position and leave myself able to dodge anything more. She didn't chase me, but she's punching her palm.

>"Alright, you little twerp, you either get out of here and go hungry, you sit your scrawny butt down and eat your food, or you fight me like a real knight! You with him, girl?" she asks Frais.

Frais, who's taken a position like she's about to get into a fistfight with her, smiles weirdly as she answers.

>"Your cooking killed what was already dead."

The rest of the restaurant is getting excited. They look more like an audience than a bunch of patrons, now, and they're goading the chef and me to come to blows.
>>
No. 894273 ID: 1a0e29

First thing to do: Get this cape off your shoulders. Use it or discard it, but don't let it be a liability.
>>
No. 894274 ID: 465a14

>>894272
Cape off, sword out, time to fillet a chef.
>>
No. 894275 ID: 1fbbcc

Ok, you really need to not develop any sort of reputation as a bully, while also not getting a rep for being a wuss. So, obviously no weapons, probably take off your helmet and maybe take off your armor; and no ganging up on her, take her one at a time. Ask Frais if she wants to go first, or you, or offer to flip a coin. If Frais says she goes first, you go into the kitchen anyway and say you're going to make sure nothing else gets overcooked.

If/when you're fighting her, you might consider just dodging or tanking the hits until she tires out as a display of superiority, whichever you think you're capable of. That, or take her down as quick as possible so whatever food's in there doesn't burn further.
>>
No. 894276 ID: 5a7304

Nobody needs to get hurt here... Well, too hurt, at least. It seems like Frais is likely going to take her on with or without you, but while this could be a valuable training experience, you don't want to be a troublemaker for no good reason. Try and de-escelate, but don't let yourself get pushed around. Definitely don't take out your sword unless your life is at risk!
>>
No. 894277 ID: 86eb65

Why would you ever pull out a sword. Unless she escalates things this stays unarmed.

Get into fighting stance and then politely tell her to stand aside and let you into the kitchen to cook a proper fish.
>>
No. 894278 ID: ba5478

Doubleteaming her is kind of bullshit. Let Frais fight unless she seems to get in trouble.
>>
No. 894283 ID: 0c3c2c

>>894272
Do not discard armor. This kobold is a bully used to dominating smaller fieldbolds and dracobolds. Discard cape, set down sword, begin beating the shit out of her until she accepts your authority. Use your enhanced speed training from that weird abomination who hates you and your friends for some reason to punch her in the ribs until she falls over.
>>
No. 894287 ID: 465a14

She told us to fight like a knight, not like a brawler. No mercy. Swords out, double teaming.
>>
No. 894289 ID: b1b4f3

>>894272
Like a real knight? Well it's just not fair to fight her fully armored. Is this going to be 2v1?
Start taking off your gauntlets and helmet.
>>
No. 894291 ID: 10c408

ditch your cape, do not pull your sword out god dammit.

Work with frais, try and wear her down with a constant mix-up between real and feinted approaches.

In fact, circle around her towards the wall on your right so she'll have to split her attention between you and frais.

"Very well, but you have made a poor decision."
>>
No. 894292 ID: 91ee5f

>>894272
Team up with Frais to take down the chef!

This is pretty much the same as fighting the undead. The only difference is that you’re not trying to kill the chef!

>>894273
Yeah, let’s use the cape by throwing it in the chef’s face!

>>894274
No swords! Fen isn’t going to kill her!

However, using a chair is fair game. But only if it’s necessary to use a chair.

>>894275
>reputation as a bully
The only way Fen would get that is if he walked straight into the kitchen as soon as he entered the building and then tried threatening the chef to get some free food. Which Fen didn’t do.

The only reputation Fen will get here is being the hero that finally beat up the chef that beat up anyone that said her cooking sucked!

And if we end up getting her to actually cook her food correctly, then everyone will thank Fen for improving the taste of the food!

>take off armor
If Frais isn’t taking off her armor, then Fen shouldn’t take his off either!

>Fight one at a time.
No, that’s stupid! We’re fighting with Frais as a team.

>>894276
>Try and de-escelate
I think the time for talking has already ended.
>>
No. 894297 ID: 7c90bc

You going to let that punk disrespect you? You gotta project power and authority if you don't wanna get a knife in your back in the near future, so you better teach her a lesson about putting hands on a knight.
>>
No. 894298 ID: a363ac

>>894272
I am going to fight you like a chef not a knight. I am not worried about your qualifications in battle as I am with a pan.
>>
No. 894302 ID: a363ac

>>894272
"wanna fuck?"
>>
No. 894304 ID: 4f1cbc

>>894272
If the chef forces a fist fight, you can provide one. Consider it training for when you might have lost your sword.

Don't worry about the double teaming, fights aren't fair, nor are bar brawls.

There's no good reason to escalate to a sword or lethal force unless you have to. We were just talking about sparing those soldiers before because it's dumb to deny our own army bodies. Well, support staff like a chef is worth more than dregs like those guys you spared before, even if she's not a great one at every dish.

Keep your senses peeled, though. If this gets messy, or more people get involved, someone who wants you dead might try to take advantage of the distraction of a fist fight to stick a knife in you.

>Frais, who's taken a position like she's about to get into a fistfight with her, smiles weirdly as she answers.
>"Your cooking killed what was already dead."
...given she picked the venue, issued the first complaint, is smiling and goading the chef now, I think this is why we're here. Dame Frais came here on purpose to pick a fist fight with the chef. I suppose we can oblige her.

>>894298
A good line to try, but I don't have high hopes it will deescalate things.
>>
No. 894305 ID: 0d45a9

>>894274
>>894287
Do not kill the chef! What is wrong with you?

>>894298
Not practical but say it anyway, that burn is so hot you could fry on it.

Cape off, don't bother with the gauntlets. I think we've just become tonight's entertainment, so let's get to punching. Bar fight!
>>
No. 894311 ID: 91ee5f

>insults
Oh, we’re doing that? Ok, how about this?

“If your fighting is anything like your cooking, then you’re not much of a threat to us.”
>>
No. 894315 ID: 214cda

If you're going to fight her keep your weapons sheathed and ditch your cloak if you can do it in a swift movement.

Keep your armor on. Given her size a 2 v 1 with frais seems about fair. Its probable that she's fought a few (or more) knights in her time. For all you know its how she relaxes.

>>894302
Ask her after you've all had your fun. If its a rousing enough brawl .. you never know.
>>
No. 894321 ID: 8c1f9b

Hood her with your cloak, follow with blow, possibly headbutt, to the solar plexus, and pull one or both legs out from under her when you right yourself again.

Or, whip the cloak at her face to blind her and stomp the foot, shin or knee.
>>
No. 894322 ID: bddb0f

Haha, I think Frais found us our fight club. Only it's a fight cook! Glorious.

"Hmph. Even though all I required was a decent meal. Well, I have no qualms about serving you the taste of defeat instead."

Get yer dukes up and start treating it like a serious training lesson in brawling, with a side of sass.
>>
No. 894323 ID: eeb7d9

"Tsk, i just wanted some fish"
Get those fists up, we are getting a decent meal, with VIOLENCE!
Oh and take your guantles off, that wouldn't be fair.
>>
No. 894326 ID: 91ee5f

>>894315
>you never know.
We actually do know. Fen won’t do it because he’s repeatedly said that he’s not interested in anyone but Lily.
>>
No. 894329 ID: e1c5b7

>>894272
As a tribal, we would have taken three shares of poor meat over one share of good meat. Still would, if this was actually poor meat instead of good meat made poor.
“I am going in to cook my fish. I can just simply go in, or I can kick your ass before going in anyway. And I already know Field Kobold blood does not taste that good and I doubt it would go well with fish.”
>>
No. 894331 ID: eeb7d9

Let's take off our helmet as well, we are already in armor, it is too much of a disadvantage for the cook.
>>
No. 894333 ID: 8c1f9b

Follow Frais' lead; no weapons, yes armor.
>>
No. 894334 ID: 214cda

>>894326
That's nice.
>>
No. 894340 ID: 91ee5f

>>894331
So? Just because we have something the chef doesn’t, that doesn’t mean that we should make the fight easier for her!

The helmet stays on!
>>
No. 894355 ID: 10c408

>>894331
I... What? That's not how that works. She pushed us first on top of being large and fast. If anything, leaving the helmet on means less of a chance that she's going to put us down for a few days if she punches us in the face.
>>
No. 894389 ID: b38f01

You just want to use her grill. This is not what you were hoping for, but we can hash things out like grown ups. With your fists.
>>
No. 894399 ID: eeb7d9

>>894340
>>894355

Because is not fun like that, but fine, let's keep the helmet on.
Don't be surprise if someone calls Fen a pussy later. Not that it really matters.
>>
No. 894400 ID: 1fbbcc

>>894340
>>894355
A ton of people are watching. If Fen wins, people will be able to say it was because of the helmet. They could also say that the famous Red Maw wasn't confident enough in his skills to go into an unarmed fistfight unprotected. Something similar applies to using a weapon.

... Also, the helmet was expensive, and getting punched could result in it getting dented, maybe the visor or mouth piece getting bent out of shape. After all Fen's been through, do you really think he can't handle a punch-up with a chef?
>>
No. 894402 ID: 214cda

>>894399
>>894400

The chef picked a fight with people wearing full armor, she knows exactly what she's doing. And if her punches can dent a helmet then they can cave in a skull.

Keep the helmet on.
>>
No. 894411 ID: 91ee5f

>>894402
Yes, getting our skull caved in would be bad. We should keep the helmet on.
>>
No. 894428 ID: 117de7

Get in a brawl, make a fight-friend, cook fish together.
>>
No. 894708 ID: 15a025

Take off the cape before she does. Join up in the brawl and prove you're worthy to cook in her kitchen.
>>
No. 895584 ID: 260e5b

Keep the helmet, just don't headbutt her with it because *that* would be unsporting.
>>
No. 895585 ID: 1fbbcc

I still think you should take the helmet off, but if you don't she'll probably try wrestle you instead of punch you, so watch out for that.
>>
No. 895586 ID: 91ee5f

>>895584
This isn’t some officiated fight with a referee, so there’s no such thing as sportsmanship in this fight. Headbutting, along with anything that doesn’t involve trying to kill her, is allowed and should be used to subdue her.
>>
No. 895637 ID: 1fbbcc

>>895586
It's not about sportsmanship, it's about coming across as a coward, or as having other negative qualities.

Think of it this way: Fen is one of Sir Orjin's knights, and that probably comes with certain expectations from people who know Sir Orjin and are familiar with what he requires from his people. So: What Would Sir Orjin Do? More importantly, when Sir Orjin hears the story of this little scuffle, what will his opinion be? What will he be shouting at Fen and Frais? If he feels it reflects badly on him, since they're his knights, he'll express his displeasure in more concrete ways. Conversely, what would make him happy to hear? Orjin's good will and esteem is still very important to Fen right now.

Keep in mind that Sir Orjin required all his prospective knights to strip to loincloths and take out a bunch of bandits with rocks and sticks.
>>
No. 895649 ID: 91ee5f

>>895637
>it's about coming across as a coward, or as having other negative qualities.
So keeping our armor on during a fight makes us look like a coward? Then I guess next time we run into the undead, we should take our armor off, since it everybody is going to see us as a coward for wearing our armor.

>People’s opinions of Sir Orjin
You know what? Sir Orjin wouldn’t give a flying fuck about what everyone else thinks of him.

Do you think he took his armor off when he was fighting the kobolds with tongue studs in the catacombs before we came here? Do you think he cared if they thought he was a coward for keeping his armor on? No, he didn’t care at all and he’s certainly not going to care about this fight! He’d only care if he finds out Fen and Frais got their asses handed to them by a chef!

>Conversely, what would make him happy to hear?
It would make him unhappy if he hears that we got our asses kicked by a chef because we decided to take our armor off, like a dumbass!

>Keep in mind that Sir Orjin required all his prospective knights to strip to loincloths and take out a bunch of bandits with rocks and sticks.
Sir Orjin only strips his pawns down to loincloths during training. This isn’t training.

The only thing Sir Orjin would be yelling at Fen and Frais is telling them not to get their asses kicked by a chef!
>>
No. 895678 ID: 76c705

Absolutely don't kill the chef, she still makes food even though it is poorly.. I'm sure she has something she is good at making.
>>
No. 899998 ID: bfb318
File 153584863821.png - (26.07KB , 800x800 , 1134.png )
899998

I would use my sword if she wants me to 'fight like a knight', but people visibly point their bodies threateningly at me as soon as my hand gets anywhere near it, even though I don't plan on using it.

My helmet and gauntlets stay on. I would take my cloak off, but Frais already got attacked and is stumbling back to avoid a grapple. The cook, instead of chasing down Frais, charges me.

The thoughts I have of attacking diminish as it's all I can do to dodge the attacks and grabs she throws at me. This isn't an average fighter, and any attacks I can think of would sacrifice too much defense.

Frais leaps on top of her. I may have a chance for a headbutt, or something else.
>>
No. 899999 ID: 094652

Can you headbutt the back of her knees?

With your fist, then?
>>
No. 900001 ID: 4f1cbc

>>899998
When fighting a bigger or stronger opponent, you try to use their mass and momentum against them. Try to trip them up or overbalance her when she commits to a punch or kick. Throws, trips, grabbing an extended limb and yanking, etc.
>>
No. 900002 ID: 86eb65

I know you have not fought much in this armor. But even leather armor makes you almost immune to normal bludgeoning damage. A unarmed blow to your armored bits will be very well cushioned.

The only reason this is even slightly a worry is because she is huge and has huge fists (rip and tear).

This is effectively a "friendly" bar brawl. She wants to kick your ass and kick you out. You want to go cook fish.

Why not dodge and weave a bit and lure her away from the door. Be polite and ask if this is how a proper cook receives criticism. Let Frais choke her out a bit while you wear her down swinging at you. Save a headbutt or other things until you have a nice opening.

Then when she is weakened run for the kitchen.
>>
No. 900003 ID: eeb7d9

I got the feeling that this big girl should be on the front killing things, not making bad food.

Strike the legs, take away her balance. Kick her hard in the back of her knees.
>>
No. 900011 ID: 15a025

Tip the cook.
With a nice kick to the knee.
>>
No. 900013 ID: 0edf1b

Only headbutt if you're sure you can wind her. If you don't, you'll be in her are of control and she'll be out of yours, unless clinging to her leg will do any good.

Stomp to the shin, knee (either the side or directly to the kneecap), or even the toe. If you're worried that's too dirty, you can probably get a good hit into her side that's facing you.
>>
No. 900029 ID: f73624

Sweep the leg. Topple her onto her side so Frais can break away safely.
>>
No. 900043 ID: 0c3c2c

>>899998
Rake her flesh with your fangs.
>>
No. 900051 ID: 91be00

>>900003 >>900029
This.
Right now with Frais on her she needs stability first and foremost. Deny her that.
>>
No. 901069 ID: bfb318
File 153650110541.png - (24.44KB , 800x800 , 1135.png )
901069

Frais tries to grab one of the cook's arms.

The cook stumbles back where I can't kick her knee well, so I kick her in the shins. The sound my claw makes on her shin was barely audible, yet I feel like everyone heard it.

She bites her lip, and throws her head back into Frais' snout.
>>
No. 901070 ID: bfb318
File 153650111261.png - (29.29KB , 800x800 , 1136.png )
901070

>"Fhhhhffnngggh!"

Frais must have been grabbed, because I see her body swing around the cook and collide into me.
>>
No. 901071 ID: bfb318
File 153650112336.png - (19.67KB , 800x800 , 1137.png )
901071

I hit my head on the door, but it swings open as we tumble into the kitchen and get up. I see the cook on one leg until the door closes again, and the crowd is cheering.

>"Shut your foodholes and eat your food, assholes!" the cook yells.

Frais readjusts her armor and whispers to me.

>"I might've bit off too much. She's the southern Poluputus bare fist fight champion. And just between you and me, I think she and Sir Orjin are related."
>>
No. 901072 ID: d2e2ce

>>901071
Is she sure that isn't his wife? It seems like the kind of person he'd marry.
>>
No. 901073 ID: 86eb65

You look like you are having a blast Frais. Sure you don't want me to step back so you two can dance privately? (this is a joke Fen. You tease friends Fen.)

You are in the kitchen right? So have Frais hold her off while you cook fish. Is the least Frais can do for being such a excellent unarmed weapon.
>>
No. 901074 ID: debc40

You just got thrown through the door into the kitchen? Good! That's where you wanted to go. Besides that, you can try resolve this in a friendlier manner without an audience who's eager for a fight. This cook seems like a good person to know! You could do with learning some more about unarmed fighting, and you'll recoup some of your lost standing from being tossed around if you both walk out of here looking totally fine and uninjured.

Not that I think she's the type of person to just get friendly if you ask her or say you're not interested in fighting any more. You probably need to earn more respect from her. Get up and into a ready to fight position, take a quick look around the kitchen to see what the layout is and what's around, but don't attack her until she has a chance to threaten you or whatever she'll do when she comes back in here.

If she's taking her time you could consider maybe looking for what you need for the fish.
>>
No. 901078 ID: bb78f2

I just wanted to cook my own fish. It's all I wanted. I mean, like, that was fun, but I still want to cook my fish.

Not like I don't have the cash for it. I just need a kitchen.
>>
No. 901086 ID: 4f1cbc

>>901071
Well she tossed us into the kitchen instead of out the door, so I think this is a positive development for us.

>>901071
>>"I might've bit off too much. She's the southern Poluputus bare fist fight champion. And just between you and me, I think she and Sir Orjin are related."
"I can see a resemblance."

As long as you're still walking, you haven't bit off too much, yet.
>>
No. 901089 ID: eeb7d9

It wouldn't surprise me if it was his wife really. What ever, we got what we wanted, we are in the kitchen. I can prepare our food now, if you are still hungry.
Not gonna lie, it was kind of fun. If i didn't have a bounty on my head, i would defenitly enter the fight club.
>>
No. 901102 ID: e176c9

I'm unfamiliar on bare fist fight etiquette, Does the cheering mean we're done, Or is she going to come back for more? Also was it wrong of me to kick her in the shin.

Start Cookin'. That's why you're here, and it's sure to get her to come back.
>>
No. 901106 ID: 3cc68c

If this is Orjin's wife do you think he would be more mad if she beat us up or if we beat her up?

She threw you in the kitchen for a reason. It gets the fight out of the eyes of the crowd. Which might mean she is done fighting. She got her fun in and its back to cooking.

Of course she might continue trying to beat you up shortly.
>>
No. 901118 ID: b38f01

Is Frais good? Wonder why the hell the cook's over here cooking when she would be much better fit out in the field. If she continues pursuit, ask if she still up to dance before re-engaging.
>>
No. 901121 ID: 214cda

She threw you into the kitchen so you can either charge back out there and continue or wait for her to come in and try to de-escalate things though I suspect she might not be satisfied with that little scuffle.

Today can still end with you having a proper fight AND sharing your views on cooking fish.

If shes related to Sir Orjin it doesn't matter who wins; he's going to be screaming at someone.
>>
No. 901127 ID: 91ee5f

>>901071
>"I might've bit off too much. She's the southern Poluputus bare fist fight champion. And just between you and me, I think she and Sir Orjin are related."
“I can see the family resemblance.”

.....wait a minute, Frais knows the cook? Does that mean she picked this restaurant on purpose just so she can try to fight the cook?
>>
No. 901129 ID: 214cda

>>901127
Its important to have goals in life.
>>
No. 901131 ID: a363ac

>>901071
oh Orjin will probably come by to congratulate you on beating someone even a tenth as strong as his pinkie toe.
welp get to cooking.
>>
No. 901133 ID: deec6e

>>901071

"Perhaps they're just all like that where she and Orjin comes from? I'm glad of your choice, though. She's very aggressive and difficult to counter-attack and knows when to pull away. I'd like to learn from her, if possible."

Readjust any of your gear that you need to and ditch that cape post-haste as that's a handhold, and you won't need it to fight the cold in here. Just in case the fight will continue in here.

"Incidentally... does the chef have a long backlog because people keep trying to fight her? We might actually be forced to cook, then."
>>
No. 901140 ID: 0c3c2c

>>901071
Shrug and start cooking fish properly. Inform her that being able to punch hard doesn't make her a good kick.
>>
No. 901192 ID: b0bb3a

>>901071
Just start properly cooking your fish. If she still tries to stop you, cast iron pans are fantastic as both shields and weapons.
>>
No. 901195 ID: b0bb3a

>>901071
"Keep fighting if you want. I just want my fish."
>>
No. 902256 ID: bfb318
File 153731745858.png - (94.68KB , 1200x800 , 1138.png )
902256

"Is there a chance this is Sir Orjin's wife?"
>"Yes. Or just a relative."
"Would he get mad at us for injuring his wife, or mad at us for getting injured by his relative?"
>"Yes."

I'm hungry. I adjust my clothes and cook some fish while the cook comes back in to fights Frais. Other cooks are also here, but they don't mind me cooking.

Frais learns the cooks habits, and starts landing quick punches repeatedly.
>>
No. 902257 ID: bfb318
File 153731747874.png - (28.17KB , 1000x800 , 1139.png )
902257

Then she gets grappled once, and that's enough to get thrown out a large window at the back of the kitchen.

>"And stay out or I'll dunk your eyes in the cauldron! Idiot green, it's time to go!"
>>
No. 902259 ID: bfb318
File 153731755545.png - (22.89KB , 800x800 , 1140.png )
902259

I start to take a defensive stance as she takes long strides at me, but then she sniffs. She's noticed the fish I've cooked and left on the counter.

She takes it, and bites it, then sets what's rest back down.

>"If you're so fuckin' talented, then cook more of this fish for your barbarian buddies that ordered this crap. It's either that or get thrown out on your ass like your girlfriend."
>>
No. 902260 ID: 86eb65

Teach her how to cook a proper fish.
>>
No. 902261 ID: e1d580

"Wait, who's throwing you out on your ass?"
>>
No. 902264 ID: 65c9b9

>>902259
keep cooking. don't say anything
>>
No. 902265 ID: debc40

"Hmm. What's a chef earn around here?"
>>
No. 902266 ID: afdebc

Keep cooking, but correct her facts.

"Dame Frais is not my girlfriend. Is it not possible to associate with persons in the army without the assumption of a romantic relationship?"
>>
No. 902275 ID: 7c21ff

The cook's not going to give a crap about being factually correct with her fast assumption about you and frais, so don't bother.

Cook ye fish, let her watch and say nothing.

When it's done peacefully leave the kitchen and finish eating and act like nothing even happened when you leave.

engage maximum silent deadpan
>>
No. 902280 ID: c1c8ee

Tell her she reminds you of someone, ask her if she knows Sir Orjin.
>>
No. 902281 ID: 0c3c2c

>>902259
Shrug and do it for yourself. Then point out that this is paying work.
>>
No. 902282 ID: 91ee5f

>>902259
>"If you're so fuckin' talented, then cook more of this fish for your barbarian buddies that ordered this crap. It's either that or get thrown out on your ass like your girlfriend."
“Those barbarians are not my buddies and Dame Frais is not my girlfriend.”

Speaking of Dame Frais, is that her trying to sneak back in through the window in the background?

Anyways, since the cook just took a bite out of the fish you made for yourself, you’re gonna have to keep cooking until you finally get a chance to eat one of the fish that she wants you to cook.
>>
No. 902285 ID: deec6e

>>902259

Let down the jaw of your helmet, grab what's left of your new meal and chow down. Savor the homely tastes. Look at wrestle-cook, then nod, accepting the deal. Stay in the kitchen and cook some meals. Make stoic chit-chat if she hangs around glaring at you (she'll hang around, glaring at you, I'm sure).

"You managed to read my knee-kick well. Mana sense or experience?"

"You seem familiar. Does the name Orjin mean anything to you?"

"Want to see me prepare other barbarian meals?"

"My 'girlfriend' told me you were some kind of champion. A wrestler?"
>>
No. 902288 ID: eeb7d9

"As long as i can eat the fish my self at the end. That is the whole reason i am here in the first place. Also, she is not my girlfriend."
>>
No. 902299 ID: e176c9

>>902259
Open the mouth bit of your helmet, ask if she can teach you how to fight unarmed.
>>
No. 902307 ID: b1b4f3

>>902259
Tell her if you're going to cook for more than yourself you expect compensation.
>>
No. 902324 ID: eeb7d9

>>902307
Yeah... what about to teach us how to fight like her? That would be nice.
>>
No. 902329 ID: 91ee5f

>>902324
In my opinion, money would be better compensation, since that’s something easy for her to give us and doesn’t require her to do something she would consider annoying, like teaching us.
>>
No. 902333 ID: 214cda

Keep Cooking, but dont correct her facts.

Inquire about the exchange of knowledge; she teaches you better bare-handed brawling technique, you teach her how you cook fish.

Keep the helmet closed.
>>
No. 902336 ID: ee2d6e

Absolutely correct her facts, but not in an insulting manner. She is trying to save face, if not to the other cooks and patrons then to herself, but that doesn't mean you should bend over backwards to appease her. Stand up for yourself and aim to at least end up on equal ground. Trading cooking knowledge for bare-knuckle knowledge seems like a good way to go about doing that.
>>
No. 902349 ID: b38f01

Shrug and give a thumbs up. Set your serving aside so you can munch on it while you work. Make sure to give Frais a serving before she splits. Only point out the fact to the cook if she seems calmed down enough.
>>
No. 902404 ID: 094652

Offer to cook for a whole DAY if she will meet your superior officer. Let's see what happens when Orjin gets within five feet.
>>
No. 902839 ID: 15a025

Dish her up your first fish and keep cooking.
>>
No. 902840 ID: 10c408

>>902404
Please no. I don't think the world is ready for the result of these two meeting. (assuming that one of them doesn't die outright)
>>
No. 902854 ID: b1b4f3

Oh and don't forget to cook fish for yourself and Frais.
>>
No. 902890 ID: ac4925

>>902307
This.
"Just because you remind me of my CO doesn't mean I'll do it for free."
>>
No. 902904 ID: 7c90bc

We still wanna fight, we were talking about practicing hand to hand and here's a serious chance to get some practice with someone who's actually good at it.

Also, the fact we got into a fight with this person who should know sir Orjin will look good if it gets back to sir Orjin.
>>
No. 903161 ID: bfb318
File 153792192803.png - (23.37KB , 1000x800 , 1141.png )
903161

I put another fish on the frying pan, and eat my meal. She starts cooking some other fish nearby, glaring at me.

"I don't know when I have the time, but I would like to hear some tips about fighting from you, if you listen to tips about cooking this fish from me."
>"Like hell I care about teaching a scrawny dumpling about how I fight!"
"I'm not going to cook for free, even if you remind me of my squad leader."
>"Who's that?"
"Sir Orjin."

She grips her frying pan.

>"You're Orjin's minion?! I'll teach you all you want to know if you tell that asshole to let me join the army. Any squad down there, I don't give a shit which!"
"What's stopping you?"
>"Sir Orjin! The asshole's keeping me from fighting!"
"Why does he keep you?"
>"Some shit about 'not following orders' and 'not needing enemies when a shit excuse of a soldier like me is around'."

I'm unsure about this for, among reasons she just stated, she would only be able to teach me while I'm not with Sir Hydril.
>>
No. 903162 ID: 86eb65

Your his daughter then?
>>
No. 903166 ID: d5442a

"Sounds like you have trouble being told what to do. That's sort of a required skill in an army. Did you take work in the kitchen to practice?"
>>
No. 903170 ID: a94e23

“I doubt i could do more than propose the idea to him, it would be up to you to prove yourself and convince him you can fight and follow orders. Why do you want to join the army?”
>>
No. 903172 ID: 0c3c2c

>>903161
"So you're related?"
>>
No. 903176 ID: c0641d

“I can’t guarantee that a request from me will carry any weight. It sounds like you require lessons in being a team player rather than cooking fish. Do you really need someone else speaking for you to prove that you’re serious about this, or would you rather prove it with your own actions?” Keep cooking. We could honestly use the cooking practice too, depending on if the culinary arts counts as a ‘noble’ art we could get into.
>>
No. 903177 ID: 7c90bc

Just tell her she sucks at cooking so consider it, and then start dodging the inevitable punches. You are good at this, you can learn the hard way pretty well we've found.
>>
No. 903178 ID: e1d580

"I am only the same rank as him. I don't think I can persuade him of much yet."
>>
No. 903179 ID: 91ee5f

>>903161
Isn’t Sir Orjin currently away at the Necromile, along with Valsano and a few other high ranking knights? In fact, weren’t we told that they were going to stay down there during our entire 4 weeks of training? They aren’t going to come back because they’re clearing out the undead to make a safe place to set up a new camp, which is why Holly said she was also going down there.

So we’ve got no way of delivering a message to Sir Orjin for at least 4 weeks, maybe sooner if we decide to leave as soon as Fen’s armor is completed.

And even when we do deliver the message, that’s all we can do, since there’s no guarantee that he’ll allow her to join the fight. Speaking of her, we’re gonna need her name if she wants us to tell Sir Orjin about her.
>>
No. 903180 ID: 91ee5f

>>903178
No, we’re not. Fen is still a Lesser Knight, which is a rank under Sir Orjin, who is a Greater Knight.

We’ll only be promoted to Greater Knight by Sir Zall when it’s time for us to go down to the Necromile to join Sir Orjin and Valsano, I mean, Sir Valsano, in the fight.
>>
No. 903181 ID: eeb7d9

"What could convice him that you are worth beeing in the army? Words wont work on him, that you should know. We need to prove that you have what it takes, in his eyes, to be in the army. Maybe ask him for a test. If what you lack is disipline or you don't follow orders, you just have to lern to do as you are told, even if you hate it, it's the rule number one. If you can't do that, then i really don't know what to tell you."
"Frais, any sugestions?"
>>
No. 903188 ID: deec6e

Continue preparing fish meals.

"Hmm... as a champion fighter you usually fought one on one or one against several, right? Meaning you are probably not used to staying in formation and working as a member of a squad. You probably shouldn't take Orjin's words so lightly then. Those are essential basics and he's been drilling us on them for months and we probably barely pass muster in his eyes. He's very good at what he does, frankly. Well... most of what he does. His training of techniques is not exactly great. Some of us are undergoing additional training with Sir Hydril right now to compensate before we are sent down, but that is focused on swordfighting. I would appreciate getting to learn other combat techniques as well in my spare time, and you appear to be a good choice as teacher."

Take a deep breath and ready yourself to probably severely displease Sir Orjin.

"If you really want to join a combat squad, try messaging Grand Knight Zall directly. He is in need of effective fighters and as a champion, you may be considered for... something. If Zall doesn't know where to put you, you could try to ask for inclusion into Orjin's squad, arguing you could complement Orjin's weakness by giving his future pawns and trainees a better grasp of combat techniques. And Orjin will have to drill you on those basics I mentioned, whether he wants to or not."

Shrug.

"If you're not happy with that, then you're clearly not happy with 'any' squad and I cannot help you... except with dinner. Your fish is burning."
>>
No. 903205 ID: bf650b

Get her name, first.

Explain where you're at and where Sir Orjin's at, then ask if she has any ideas how to make what she's asking happen. Also; odds are that if Orjin says yes, he'll put her in your squad, because you're down one man and because Sir Orjin likes looking spiteful while he's being advantageous. You need to know she can work in your team.
>>
No. 903206 ID: e7848c

Keep cooking. Sounds like she makes a better championship fighter than solder. Is there a branch that would cater to solo fighters? Team work is not a skill easily beaten into fighters like her.
>>
No. 903224 ID: b1b4f3

>>903161
Nope.
Tell her you don't have the kind of leverage to go against Sir Orjin, and besides that, you respect his judgement.
You will accept monetary payment.
>>
No. 903230 ID: 91ee5f

>>903224
>You will accept monetary payment.
Yeah, let’s go with that.
>>
No. 903233 ID: 10c408

"To be honest, this is starting to sound like empire political bullshit and as such is above my pay grade."

Maximum. Deadpan.
>>
No. 903424 ID: afdebc

>"Some shit about 'not following orders' and 'not needing enemies when a shit excuse of a soldier like me is around'."
"Following orders and not being shit are important parts of being a soldier."

If she's committed to prove she can follow orders and not be shit (and improving or changing if necessary) we'd be happy to make her case to Sir Orjin. But if she expects Orjin's mind to be changed if she hasn't... clearly she must have mistaken you for a wizard.
>>
No. 903727 ID: bfb318
File 153810402844.png - (27.48KB , 800x800 , 1142.png )
903727

>Is there a branch that would cater to solo fighters?
Supposedly, the assassins in the assassin branch, not the knights, make for solo soldiers and scouts.

"Are you his daughter?"
>"Who fuckin' cares?"
"This sounds like it's either political or family business, so I do not."
>"Oh fuck off."
"What is your name?"
>"Elinol."

I keep cooking fish.

"Am I going to get a monetary reward for cooking fish?"
>"Are you going to talk to Sir Orjin about me?"
"If you're going to take orders and be a less shitty soldier, I'll tell Sir Orjin, but he's not in this town."

Her fist is clenching, and I get ready to dodge punches, but they don't come come.

"And I can't promise anything."
>"Just put a drop of effort to it! You can have a few copper if you cook this fish."

It's not much, but it's steady work.

"Okay, th - "
>"Hey!" Someone else calls out. "This fish is rotten!"
>"You wanna say that shit again?!" Elinol stomps towards them and starts fighting. Those ones aren't so good at fighting, and get thrown and kicked immediately while the crowd cheers.
>>
No. 903728 ID: bfb318
File 153810404051.png - (17.02KB , 800x800 , 1143.png )
903728

While cooking, I hear Frais talking with someone for just a moment before peeking her head back in.

>"Hey!" Elinol shouts. "You want - "
>"Fen." Frais calls out and ignores the cook. "We've got to go. There's a problem."
>>
No. 903729 ID: bfb318
File 153810408459.png - (27.63KB , 1000x800 , 1144.png )
903729

Frais doesn't know many details, except apparently Holly sent out searchers to find us and tell us to get back to the bar while using main, well populated roads and to watch our backs.

Holly is outside, and looks relieved to see us.

>"You're safe! Good!"
>"We are, now tell us why shouldn't we be?" asks Frais.
>"Because - I'd better just show you. Come inside."
>>
No. 903731 ID: bfb318
File 153810418621.png - (67.37KB , 1433x764 , 1145.png )
903731

Aira is inside.

Holly shuts the door behind us, puts up a barricade, and moves around to the front of the counter. No one else is here, and once we stop moving, the loudest noise is the burning wood in the fireplace.

>"We got this letter from a messenger who insisted he was approached by an anonymous person who didn't want him asking questions." Holly slides a paper to us.

Frais and I read it.

>"To friends of Red Maw: We are a collection of experienced assassins after Red Maw's bounty. We are not after glory, so we are resorting to methods we aren't proud of but will perform thoroughly. We have taken your orange friend, who claims his name is Firzel. We will send his head to you in approximately one week, unless you send us Red Maw's head. Instructions to do so will be on the back of this paper, and we are willing to purchase Red Maw's head up front for 20 gold to whoever delivers it. If a week passes and we send you Firzel's head, and no word of Red Maw's death is received, then that will not be the end of it. We will hunt down all of his friends, his friend's friends, and anyone even loosely associated with Red Maw. Unlike Firzel, death will not be swift for the others."
>"I don't think anyone here is going to backstab you, Fen." says Holly. "But this is going to make life stressful. I don't know who it was, but they aren't bluffing."
"Where is Firzel?"
>"I wish I knew."
>"What's in the bag?" asks Frais.
>"About third of Firzel's ear. And a gold piece."
>"... Why?"
>"To prove they have Firzel, and the money to show they aren't peasants starved for cash doing this out of desperation. I've sent messengers to Sir Zall about this, but I haven't gotten anything back."

Thump

Something or someone's hitting the door.

Thump
Thump
Thump
>>
No. 903736 ID: d5442a

Well, let them in. It's not going to be whoever sent the letter if they're trying to do it in this roundabout way.

Anyway, I don't believe the letter. If you send someone's ear as proof of having them, you send the whole ear, not a third. A third says "Firzel lost a bit of an ear in a fight/accident and we picked it up to use to bluff you." The gold piece shows they're not desperate peasants but they could also be funded by one of your wealthier enemies, i.e. Krix, or just be willing to sacrifice one coin to get many.

Also, if they were "experienced assassins", they would have happily gone after some other bounty elsewhere in the empire that pays just or at least nearly as well and doesn't require them to trap themselves in a necrohell and also permanently piss off the army. A professional assassin would keep an eye to being able to keep doing their job as easily as possible in the future, which means they'd have an awareness that there will be other easier bounties tomorrow and that they shouldn't make an enemy of the people they're going to get most of their jobs from in the future. For similar reasons they don't target friends and family because that creates more future enemies for them and makes them unpopular with future clients. In other words, whoever sent this letter, they're not someone who plans to keep collecting bounties after taking yours - they're not professionals and they're probably not "experienced" either. Plus the fact they're using this method is basically an admission that they can't take you in a fight or by stealth, which also indicates they're not really experienced assassins. An actual experienced assassin probably wouldn't even have made that comment about their pride.

Anyone who's after you is either directly working for someone like Krix (in which case they'd probably be high enough quality to just try stab you from above at some point instead of using this desperate "we're basically admitting we can't take you") or someone desperate and opportunistic.

So I say this letter is a pile of lies, and you should explain that and why to your friends and see what they think.
>>
No. 903737 ID: afdebc

>>903731
Well, grab your sword and check the door. Make sure you're all prepared first.

>letter
This pretty much demands you go out and kill these people. You can't afford to let yourself or your allies be targeted this way, and the only good way you have to prevent anyone else from trying this is to make an example of whoever did this. You need to make it public and gruesome enough to discourage other takers.

We also need to find them quickly. Might need to cache in a favor with Zall or someone else to get access to a wizard- track Frizel by using his ears so you can wrap this up fast.
>>
No. 903738 ID: d5442a

Also, they call Firzel "your orange friend", but anyone who'd seen him clearly wouldn't call him that because he only has a few orange fur tips, the rest of him is greyish-brown yellow with a pale yellow front.
>>
No. 903739 ID: e1d580

I bet Firkel is behind this. Answer the door.
>>
No. 903743 ID: 86eb65

Very suspicious. If the army gets wind of this then people will be made very public examples of. Like there entire town killed examples. If they let this shit fly in the army they will never get people to enlist.

Honestly the letter reads like some random idiots who are pretending to be experienced. (or Firzel) Or the necromancers trying to mess with you because they know you are a big threat.

And this also feels like its someone who knows you somewhat. As trying to use hostages against someone with the Red maw's reputation is a stupid ploy. Unless you knew that Fen had a lot of friends and was not just a throat biting madman.

Everyone get in position and check the door. Ask who it is before opening it but try to avoid stabbing some guy who wants a drink. (but make sure he is not after you)
>>
No. 903750 ID: 094652

Personally, I'm more worried about the gold piece. Remember, your world has wizards. At this point, while you're debating if they have Firzel, or if they're bluffing and caught his ear but couldn't see past his cloak, or if Firzel is behind this, you can barely spare a thought towards that piece of gold more than 'hey look, free money!', yet it just sits there. If there's a tracking spell on that thing, you might never realize your own money is working against you.

Buy out some real estate with that gold piece so you can set it on fire, along with your would-be assassins.
>>
No. 903751 ID: 91ee5f

>>903736
These are all valid points, but there’s always the small chance that they’re telling the truth.

I mean, if these assassins are that inexperienced, then shouldn’t the messengers Holly sent to Sir Zall have reported back by now? Inexperienced assassins shouldn’t be able stop all of the messengers from reaching Sir Zall and reporting back to Holly. It’s believable they’d stop some of the messengers, but all of them? Something isn’t right.
>>
No. 903752 ID: 38e45e

Gesture to the others that you're going to open the door and to get ready, then do so. If it's bad news, you'll be able to stab it.

Fiz said he was looking for attractions in town, does anybody know where? It'd be really helpful to know where he got grabbed, with your tracking skills. Also, you know what four of them look like, who was the messenger?

We may want to tell Sir Hydril one of his students has been kidnapped. He acts distant but this sounds like something he'd care about.
>>
No. 903754 ID: b1b4f3

>>903731
That could be one of the messengers. An assassin sure wouldn't do this. Stay away from the windows, but set up a fighting formation then open the door to let them in.
>>
No. 903760 ID: eeb7d9

"I should have kill them back in the alley when a had the chance. What a shitty day, now i'm in a bad mood."
I really don't know how to proceed about Firzel, there are a lot of posibilities, but right now there is someone at the door. We can think about the main problem later, but first let's see who is behind that door, get ready.
>>
No. 903770 ID: def232

With wizards around, sending a piece of Firzel may be their buggest mistake, because this is blatant enough that Zall may be willing to lend some wizardy time for this. Especially as they've explicitly said they won't stop at Firzel.
>>
No. 903797 ID: b1b4f3

It's quite possible they fought Firzel but only managed to cut off his ear before he got away, and decided to use the ear as bait.
>>
No. 903800 ID: 10c408

It's probably Sir Orjin at the door.

Ask for a password.
>>
No. 903837 ID: fb1f84

Hrm. Having to spend time hunting down Firzel will interrupt training. Unless we work through intermediaries. I wonder why Zall isn't answering messengers. Is he busy?

Ah well, check out who's trying to break down your door. Then, if they're a friend, go into group huddle mode - and take care not to be spied on (especially by your recent hires) while you discuss your plan of action. Can we get wizard time to track down Firzel, using his ear? Can we fake a Red Maw head to trick the assassins? What did the messenger who delivered the letter say the anonymous person looked like and was wearing?
>>
No. 903838 ID: 214cda

>>903800
if its Sir Orjin just say anything, the insuing screaming will let you know its him.
>>
No. 903902 ID: b38f01

Frais, answer it. Holly, hide. Everyone else, get in position to ambush.
>>
No. 903925 ID: 0c3c2c

>>903731
Ayep, a group of suicidal idiots. Even if they did accomplish their mission, they're still in the Necromile. With Sir Orjin now hunting them as well. Where do they keep finding these fanatics/idiots with talent for murder?

Let Frais answer the door while the squad sets up an ambush. Hopefully it's just Sir Orjin who's come back here in a homicidal frenzy. Or just more incredibly idiotic assassins.
>>
No. 903929 ID: d5442a

You could also just ask who is it.
>>
No. 904057 ID: 2007b6

>>903929
More specifically, phrase it in such a way as to give anyone inclined to stupid lies an easy way to defeat themselves, such as "Is that you, Red Maw?"
>>
No. 904116 ID: 12875e

Based on my knowledge of subterfuge (don't ask me where I got said knowledge), I can pretty much guaranty you whoever's knocking on the door isn't an allie or underling of the assassin's who left that message, it just wouldn't make sense. Which leaves two possibilities. one: they're an assassin/group of assassins independent of the aforementioned group in which case you need merely kick there asses as they have no leverage over you. Or two: they're anybody but the aforementioned, in which case they shouldn't pose a threat.
>>
No. 904119 ID: 7e1da4

>>903731
Notify your brother.
>>
No. 904120 ID: eeb7d9

>>904116
Now, to be fair... it is kinda hard to not ask you from where or how you got such subterfuge skills. Now i am really curious about who is outside that door. I hope they are badys.
>>
No. 904152 ID: 6ee5db

>>903731
If they were an ally, they almost certainly would've identified themselves.

I think the play here is to get holly behind the counter than go out guns swords blazing, though give the people on the other side half a second to react just in case they are friendly.
>>
No. 904554 ID: 7c90bc

Fuck, this is those same four assholes we met earlier, isn't it. Shouldn't have hesitated.
>>
No. 905252 ID: bfb318
File 153879888126.png - (18.46KB , 800x800 , 1146.png )
905252

"Frais, can you answer it?" I keep my voice low.
>"Okay."

Holly eyes the window as she pulls a bow from behind the bench. I don't think it's an enemy, but Aira and I get ready to fight anyone, in case the assassins are as suicidal as they seem.
>>
No. 905253 ID: bfb318
File 153879888967.png - (65.63KB , 800x800 , 1147.png )
905253

It's Firzel, and a few bystanders who I think would have been customers.

>"Firzel, are you oka - no no you are not!" Holly calls out from behind.

He grunts.

>"Aira, fetch my aid kit and heat up some needles! Fen, Frais, shut the door again and help my lay him down! Ugh, none of my messengers did anything."
>>
No. 905255 ID: bfb318
File 153879894020.png - (93.19KB , 1200x800 , 1148.png )
905255

Aira comes back as we help. We apply a tourniquet on his leg, because he looks like he's bleeding out from his thigh. He already looks pale and dizzy.

>"Aw no Aira this isn't the time to tend the fire!" Firzel sounds as dizzy as he looks, but somehow managed to try to tell a joke.

Holly takes a strip of leather and puts it to Firzel's mouth.

>"Firzel, bite down onto this. Don't give me that look, we're not cauterizing your leg."
>"Oh good I thought this was going to be painless."
>"Firzel, please laugh into this leather if you must. Your wound on your side is fine, but your thigh is bad."
>>
No. 905256 ID: bfb318
File 153879895196.png - (22.23KB , 800x800 , 1149.png )
905256

Holly pulls out a bottle and splashes it into Firzel's wound.

>"GHHHHHHGGGFFF!"
>"I know I sound like an ass Firzel but stay still!! This is a healing liquid."
>"Hey, Fen." Frais calls out to me with a few boards. "Quit gawking and help me cover this window.""

The rocks here are almost more like wood than rock, so we're able to easily board up the window.

"Where did you find these messengers, Holly?"
>"This place was crowded when I got the letter. So, I set up a bounty. For information on your whereabouts, and on these assassins."
"Can we get a wizard to track them down?"

Holly looks at the door.

>"That's up to Sir Zall. He's in direct control of all the wizards. So, he might. But if any of them are competent, they've put Firzel's ear far away from themselves, especially after Firzel escaped."
"Holly, what did the messenger look like?"
>"I made a sketch. But don't fret it. You have training to do. Once Zall replies, which he's probably so busy that my messenger is stuck."
"Something else that bugs me... why a third? If I were them and I wanted to prove they had Firzel, I would have taken the entire ear. A third of it makes it seem like I only scraped him in combat."
>>
No. 905257 ID: bfb318
File 153879901954.png - (63.79KB , 800x800 , 1150.png )
905257

>"They said were nice." says Firzel. "They said they didn't hate me, so they wouldn't mess up my hearing too badly, as long as they got Red Maw's head. So they only took a portion of my ear!"

He exclaims that sarcastically, but then keeps talking.

>"But... I would rather have two thirds of my ear than none of it, so whatever. Holly, how bad is my leg?"
>"It was a clean enough cut, and not too thick. It should be safe in a few days to walk on with supervision. Before that... you could walk, but it'll reopen the wound, and Firzel, I saw how much blood was under you at the doorstep, if you bled like that the whole way here... you cannot let that wound reopen. Even with a wizard, you can't go back to Sir Hydril this week. Maybe next week you can."
>"It's all or nothing. Hydril said early in the week that he won't teach us if we miss a single day. No excuses."

Holly gets a look of vague disgust, but forces a smile. She's sewing his wound shut while Aira cleans and applies pressure elsewhere.

>"Well, your leg's in better shape than mine."
>"Haha. Anyway, worst case is that I'm in a bed for a week, then get promoted. Valsano's probably gotten lonely without me anyway. Besides, Sir Hydril's kind of an ass."
>"That's the spirit. Did you see any of your captor's faces?"
>"A few. I saw seven, total. I killed three. Of the other four, I saw two of their faces. There's probably more out there too. They said they'd get to Red Maw through me, but I'd rather die. That's why this place is locked up, huh?"
>"That's right."
>"Damn, sorry. It's got to be inconvenient to hold up business like this."
>"Why in the world would you apologize for that? You did well."
>"Yeah, I did, didn't I. I must get sentimental when I'm in a sorry state."
>>
No. 905258 ID: bfb318
File 153879903766.png - (20.21KB , 800x800 , 1151.png )
905258

"You mentioned they'd be away from Firzel's ear if they were competent... do you think they are?"
>"If there's a bunch..." Holly thinks. "Then there may be a competent core operating through a less competent branch, both to train them up, and if they fail, to take a fall. Their methods are faulty, but their idea... I hate to say it, but it's not a bad gamble to try and turn us against you like this, or at least to get us to keep our distance from you. One of them got the idea."
>"No." says Firzel. "I overheard some of them. Some noble used the idea first. They said their families would get their heads detached from their shoulders if Fen's wasn't. Probably some noble under Krix, like any of us wouldn't guess that."
>"Hrmm. Still, we can't be traveling separately anymore. I'll have to get more guards. Better guards. I can't trust cheap guards like this."
>>
No. 905259 ID: 10c408

You're overthinking it, Fen. A wizard would be ncice, but if Holly's has a backdoor then all we have to do is get some rough directions from Firzel and backtrack the blood trail to where the assassins were, then track them.
>>
No. 905290 ID: d5442a

Orjin will be pissed about this, and Zall not much less so. This sort of thing wrecks the cohesion of the entire army.

Fen, most of the more desperate/incompetent people after you are poor, and won't really mind getting some gold instead of some more gold, if it's safer. Perhaps you should put up a bounty on people who are after you. Only, you shouldn't put it up in your own name - a lot of people don't like you, after all, and it'd be too easy for someone to get the idea to feed you false information or lead you into a trap, which would be a nuisance. What you should do is get Zall, or some other higher up, to post the bounty. Say that the reward will be given to anyone giving information directly leading to capture of conspirators, paid on confirmation of guilt. Since you have truth wizards, no-one will turn in anyone they're not sure isn't actually plotting against you, and if they did you wouldn't have to pay them, so long as the posting is clear on the condition. Zall should post something like that himself, if he had the resources, but maybe he doesn't. So you go to him and you secretly offer to pay the bounty yourself. A few gold should be enough, but ask his advice on what would get people to bite.

The key to this plan is, even if no-one actually snitches, all these would-be bounty hunters will be looking at their compatriots and wondering who might be willing to accept a smaller but safer payout. Play to their paranoia. That by itself will break up and reduce the size of the groups gunning for you. Getting the military authorities to post the bounty might even get some patriots or honorable folks to take the opportunity, if any of those are left down here. It won't get rid of the real professional and Krix loyalists, but it'll at least strip some of their fodder away.

Tell Firzel he might as well turn up to the training anyway. Let's not keep this secret: someone tried to use one of Fen's friends to get at him, and said friend cut through them three on one. People should know that. Let the story spread. Knowing why Firzel is in such a weak state, then, Hydril might let him just watch. Maybe he'll even feel he needs to take part in the payback himself, if he considers himself to have responsibility for his students. If Hydril is unreasonable enough to make someone train with a leg that'll split open from any strain, Firzel can always refuse then and there. Why give up now when there's nothing to lose by waiting, you know? You can carry him over there if he can't walk.

You really need to make sure to guard him, though. Those two whose faces he saw will be wanted to make sure he doesn't talk. If they had any brains they would kill him as a witness anyway when they got what they wanted, the ear thing was probably trying to get him to cooperate.
>>
No. 905291 ID: 0c3c2c

>>905258
Okay, Krix and his lot are OFFICIALLY going too far. This is actively impeding a military engagement in progress. When it was just you, fine, whatever, if one guy dies even in the assassins he can be replaced, but this? Getting soldiers to kidnap other soldiers on the off chance even MORE soldiers will kill Fen?

This is just.... Too stupid for words. I know Dragon Cloth is valuable but SERIOUSLY? Krix and whichever other nobles are out for your blood must have a deathwish at this point, making enemies like this.

Let's go contact whichever of our superiors is available right now, this entire ransom thing is finally a big enough issue to hopefully garner full support.
>>
No. 905294 ID: c1212a

Now I'm paranoid. Part of me says to follow the blood trail to where Firzel was captured to either track down some kidnappers or just to try and retrieve Firz's kit, but you just as well may be walking into a trap; it depends on how competent these people are and that's an unknown. But maybe an obvious trap won't deter you anyway- just don't go alone.

In any case, make sure it gets to Sir Zall that in addition to a wizard who can track things, we could probably use a healer; Firzel should show up for training if only so he has access to the medical bay there that's off limits to most people. If it can't be sewn on now, wrap Firzel's ear and put it on ice. It might not be able to be reattached but a little optimism wouldn't hurt. Also suggest Holly hires that cook as as a guard- she's definately capable, and she wants to prove something more than she wants money, so she'll be reliable.

I expected the assassins to try and poison your food or go after you in your sleep before they started bringing anyone else into it. Hell, they don't know poisoned arrows don't work on you, why didn't they try that first?

>>905291
It's not about the dragon cloth; Fen has Carte Blanche to finish what Lady Apanya started in the courtroom. If Fen leaves here alive, he can recruit all the now-unemployed soldiers who feel they didn't earn enough prestige compared to say, the Gnoll Campaign, and march them right up to Krix's doorstep.
>>
No. 905297 ID: 10c408

>>905291
It's been like this since the beginning, only now desperation and sheer idiocy have begun to set in.

Perhaps this will give Zall some leeway to squeeze Krix and convince him that his underlings need to stop being dumb about trying to off fen.

>>905294

I HIGHLY doubt we've got enough carte blanche to form an army and march up to krix's doorstop to kill him.
>>
No. 905314 ID: be285a

>>905297
Well the Pocktown traders who set up the bounty probably hate Krix, which probably partly fueled their rage at Red Max in the first place.
If a messenger were to tell them how much the bounty actually helps Krix, they'll have to choose between Red Maw's possible death and Krix's, and perhaps they'd reconsider.
>>
No. 905322 ID: 10c408

>>905314
Even if we messaged Cheese about this, I just don't see it working.
>>
No. 905341 ID: d5442a

>>905256
>But if any of them are competent, they've put Firzel's ear far away from themselves, especially after Firzel escaped.

Don't we have both parts of Firzel's ear, now, so that wasn't a possibility in the first place? The thing would be to look at Firzel's clothes and sword for any blood belonging to someone still alive, or maybe bits of fur they left on his clothes. Before that, though, you should get the descriptions he remembers.
>>
No. 905342 ID: 86eb65

This is not a problem that has a easy solution.

Until you have more power and status the only real thing you can do is protect yourself and your friends as best you can. You need to focus on getting stronger and winning more military honors.

People will be much less tempted to try and attack Grand Knight Fen than "The Red Maw". Because they know that he will have his own assassins and army of followers that can detach there family's heads if they go after him.

In the mean time you need to secure this bar more. Everyone needs to be more careful and the buddy system needs to be in place. No one should ever go out alone. Holly needs to be protected as well.
>>
No. 905343 ID: 7c90bc

I'm gonna suggest something dangerous.

Lets go out there and be bait. We'll need some of our more competent friend in on this, we'll go out there being really obvious about it, try to backtrack using the blood trail, but we'll try to keep the appearance of being alone, but actually have a few allies trying to follow inconspicuously at a distance.

Following the blood trail is likely a dead end, but at the same time we can draw out more of them, thinning the ranks of willing assassins, and maybe capturing one for questioning. Some kind of response is needed, just having the kidnap victim kill a few is not an adequate response to this, since it's a legit and still standing threat against all your associates.
>>
No. 905355 ID: 91ee5f

>>905291
>This is actively impeding a military engagement in progress.
Very true! And Sir Zall seems to favor Fen and his squad, considering they made it into an anomaly and back out alive, when no one else did, along with successfully retrieving all of the antlers without losing any of them!

I think all of that makes Sir Orjin’s squad Sir Zall’s favorite squad in the whole army, so he might be willing to pull a few strings to help us with this problem.

>>905322
>Cheese
Ah shit, I just thought of something. What if these guys get to Fen’s mail before it arrives to him? They could take any money that could be in there or they could trap the package to explode when Fen opens it.
>>
No. 905356 ID: 91ee5f

>>905355
Also, we’ve got to either retrieve Firzel's armor or replace it.
>>
No. 905366 ID: eeb7d9

>>905355
I don't think that that is something that they can do, but it is still dangerous, we can't have them snooping around your mail.

This is a really shity situation, and it is because of Fen's reputation. We should try to capitalize on this. If Fen manages to fend off this assassins, this will impact greatly on his reputation. People will think twice when fuckong arownd whit him and his friends. But how to do this, i am not sure. Firzel kill a good part of them, we should focus on finish them off. I f we stay defensive all the time, we wont be able to rest and train properly, and they will have time to plan more attacks on Fen and the rest.
Whatever we do, prtecting Firzel should be our main objective, we owe him that.
I feel sorry for Firzel, he shound't have to deel with this shit.
>>
No. 905372 ID: 160e4f

>>905258
Damn. Firzel is one tough-son-of-a-bitch, lucky to, that leg slash should have severed the major artery just inside of the thigh, it's obvious it didn't though, because if that thing had been cut he would have been dead less then a minute later.
I think this cements Firzel as someone we can trust, it's obvious he wasn't working with the assassins, there's just no way, even for an act, that he would purposefully take such a lethal injury. There's also the fact that he could have gone to any medic out there gotten patched up and then kept his distance from you, but no, he went to holly's, the most likely place for him to find you (I think he was worried about you) and got patched up there.

All in all, I think Firzel's one of the good ones, someone you can trust.
>>
No. 905385 ID: afdebc

>"You mentioned they'd be away from Firzel's ear if they were competent... do you think they are?"
They already mailed the ear to us, didn't they? It's on the box on the table.

Time frame is a little odd- they captured him, cut off his ear, mailed it, then he broke free? You'd think his best odds of overpowering them would be at the start.

>what do
If this is being instigated from the outside, you can't just track down and kill the people responsible to stop it.

We need to make this the army's problem. Get our bosses on board with the idea that soldiers being paid to kill each other instead of killing who they're supposed to be killing is a problem. And then get approval to crack down on this. We don't just need retribution- we need to become internal affairs.

It might take calling in a favor (or owing one) to Zall to get his on board, but if we don't have the institution behind us, this shit isn't going to stop.
>>
No. 905678 ID: c1212a

... why is Aira tending the fire?
>>
No. 905703 ID: 91ee5f

>>905678
She’s not, she’s heating up those needles that Holly asked for.
>>
No. 906393 ID: 8eaf98

my guess is that somehow Firzel was not initially hostile with his capturers they grabbed him suddenly he waited to see what was up. after they cut the ear they sent their own sort of messenger with the box immediately, while Firzel waited for some chance to escape, resulting in the delay in his arrival. or he is a zombie and that leg cut DID kill him.
>>
No. 906394 ID: 10c408

>>906393
what. Yeah, sure. Firzel totally didn't get knocked the fuck out and went willingly along with having his ear cut off by a bunch of amateur assassins.
>>
No. 906397 ID: b1b4f3

I guess it wouldn't hurt to get a more detailed account from Firzel of what went down. How did he get his ear cut off long enough ago for them to send the letter, but recent enough for him to get here before bleeding to death?
>>
No. 906429 ID: 10c408

>>906397
We've gotten more than enough details about what exactly happened to form a proper sequence. We don't need to grill Firzel for more relevant information since he's KIND OF DYING RIGHT NOW.

(They jumped him, cut his ear off and likely tried to imprison him somewhere only for him to fight his way out at some point because they're shit.)
>>
No. 907438 ID: bfb318
File 153992430406.png - (18.05KB , 800x800 , 1152.png )
907438

"You may as well come, Firzel. If he denies you from even sitting and watching, then nothing will change."
>"Yeah true."
"Holly, can we set up a bounty to get information on who's hunting me?"
>"Now you're thinking. Even if we don't get much luck, it does mean the leaders of the pack against Firzel will have to be more careful."
"What if we tracked the assassins?"
>"From Firzel's location? By now, they're long gone. It's easy for them to go into a crowded area to ditch their trail."
"What if I was bait, and acted like I was alone?"
>"No. That's stupidly dangerous." says Frais. "You'll get an arrow in your neck from an alley, and all we'll be able to do is keep your head from getting claimed."

Even though Firzel's ear was brought here, I thought wizards could see where it's been in the past. I decide not to ask Firzel about the exact order of what happened, since he's not doing well.

Then I sense something. It's faint, but it stands out.

>"It's Zall. Open the door."

It sounds like him. Holly nods to me, so I open it.
>>
No. 907439 ID: bfb318
File 153992431964.png - (32.75KB , 800x800 , 1153.png )
907439

I let Sir Zall in. We stare at him, and he stares back, checking each of us.

>"Holly, your message already seems outdated. You're all alive. Hello, Firzel."
>"Sir."
>"Are you alright?"
>"No, Sir."
>"You're lively enough to go back to Sir Hydril."
>"Does Sir Hydril agree?"
>"He doesn't get to be choosy about his students anymore. He's going to take all of you back."
"Sir Zall, how can the army work when bounties are collected on soldiers?"
>"Because not every soldier has a bounty on them."
"Can other soldiers trust the army, if the army can't keep other soldiers safe?"

Zall shoots an odd glance at me. I don't like it.

>"Yes, because most soldiers down here haven't killed golden nobility. The army isn't a safe haven from your previous life, and politics like this shouldn't be in your thoughts, blood knight. But I'm not saying this will continue. I will deal with this. And if you are still concerned and want to act like another kind of knight, then you may help in hunting down your hunters when the opportunity comes. If you're needed."
"During Hydril's training?"
>"Yes. As I've said. Sir Hydril won't get to operate on his own code anymore."
>>
No. 907441 ID: 40ae85

>Yes, because most soldiers down here haven't killed golden nobility.
I would have thought that only made your bounty more permissible for public declaration. I'd guess a lot of people of Fen's level and above, noble killers or not, make enemies willing to discreetly put out some money for their head.

Well, while he's here, give him the proposition about the information bounty. You know, the army posting it but you secretly funding it? I still think it'll get better results than you posting it by yourself. The army's name will also mean you can get truth wizards in to confirm the information, or that anyone caught by it was a real conspirator. You'll need to inquire what a good price is, though, so you can decide if it's in your pocket's range.
>>
No. 907451 ID: a86ce8

Thank Zall, and bring up the noble thing. Whereas Krix himself has maintained plausible deniability by letting others make the stupid decisions, it sounds like by outright ordering you killed, that noble may have stepped over the legal line Krix made a point not to cross.
>>
No. 907453 ID: 10c408

>>907441
Fen's problems aren't just because we killed a noble, we've also got permission to kill Krix when the necromancer threat has been dealt with. Krix's is aware of this and has been trying to get Fen offed even though Fen's locked in the mausoleum with the rest of the army.

And no one in the empire is usually motivated enough to go and whack a gold noble like Fen did so blatantly, even if they had the skill to do so easily.

Also, the bounty should be left to Zall. it's his soldier being grievously wounded and unless he's willing to cut us loose after we've been absolutely vital to the war effort, he's going to have to double down on making sure that Fen's bounty is a non-issue.

And given his responses, I'd say he's about to do just that.

So thank Grand Knight Zall for continuing to put up with the bullshit caused by your enemies, Fen. And double down on making sure your teammate doesn't die.
>>
No. 907470 ID: 86eb65

Thank him for everything.

Then check if he has any new orders for you.
>>
No. 907473 ID: eeb7d9

>"Yes. As I've said. Sir Hydril won't get to operate on his own code anymore."
What does it mean?

>And if you are still concerned and want to act like another kind of knight, then you may help in hunting down your hunters when the opportunity comes. If you're needed.
I'm willing to help any way i can.

Thank you, sir. Let's go and get Firzel treated.
>>
No. 907481 ID: 10c408

>>907473
Pretty sure that what Zall means here is he's going to have a word with Hydril about how Hydril has been handling the training sessions.
>>
No. 907487 ID: c1212a

Have we sent letters warning Cheese of the situation? This will probably involve her as well. Hell, we should send word to Sir Valsano.

Ask if the ear could be magically reattached, or if not, used to track who did this.... You really have no measure of what magic can and cannot do.
>>
No. 907509 ID: 5c1337

>>907487
Don't hink having the ear is needed, if Fin can regrow a tooth from healing cloth, then Firzel can grow his ear back, but right now he needs body healing.

>"Are you alright?"
>"No, Sir."

If Fen is will he can pay a wizard to heal Firzel, or maybe buy a healing cloth. He should have the money for it right?
>>
No. 907512 ID: b1b4f3

Fen doesn't have infinite money, but this *is* kindof his fault. Probably wouldn't have happened if he had just killed those messenger-assassins.
>>
No. 907519 ID: 91ee5f

>>907439
So that’s how sandals would fit on a kobold’s feet.

Make sure you bow to Sir Zall and thank him. You’ve gotta be proper and all that.
>>
No. 907542 ID: afdebc

>Zall shoots an odd glance at me. I don't like it.
>Yes, because most soldiers down here haven't killed golden nobility.
Or in other words: people who have spit in the face of the hierarchy don't get to complain about the hierarchy not protecting them.

Fair enough, Zall. Although I'm not sure if that's an honest criticism of Fenn's hypocrisy- I sort of suspect that's a defense mechanism because he really didn't expect us to criticize the army's toxic lack of unity (and he might agree with us).

>And if you are still concerned and want to act like another kind of knight, then you may help in hunting down your hunters when the opportunity comes. If you're needed.
Thank you sir. If you need my sword to restore order, you will have it.

>Sir Hydril won't get to operate on his own code anymore.
Not much needs to be said here, but Zall actually imposing order instead of letting the various eccentric commanders do their own thing is a good thing.

Zall is already giving us concessions here, don't push it by asking for more. We can arrange treatment or healing clothes on our own.
>>
No. 907612 ID: bb78f2

Well I think we should be a little more accurate here. Krix wants to kill us over our association with dragoncloth, he doesn’t give a shit about the noble.

There’s got to be two or three more soldiers that have killed a gold noble than there are with dragoncloth ownership that’s in a weird legal grey area.
>>
No. 907617 ID: 0c3c2c

>>907439
Thank Sir Zall, warn him about Sir Hydril's unusual behavior after he knocked you out, and take Firzel off to get healed.
>>
No. 907633 ID: ebb063

>>907612
Krix doesn't care about Fen killing Rasyan, but the bounty wasn't set by Krix, it was set by Rasyan's friends now under Krix's thumb.
Krix merely made sure everyone around Fen knows about the bounty, so they'd try to collect it but wouldn't directly incriminate him.
>>
No. 907648 ID: 91ee5f

>>907617
>warn him about Sir Hydril's unusual behavior after he knocked you out
I think his unusual behavior was before he knocked Fen out. Sir Hydril was unusually aggressive to Fen when he was sparring with him. And by “unusually aggressive” I mean he was way more aggressive towards Fen compared to anyone else there, almost like he had a grudge against Fen and specifically didn’t want Fen to pass his training.
>>
No. 907655 ID: 10c408

>>907648
Or he upped the ante because of the following reasons and wanted to see what we're made of. (pick any)

1: we're the brother of the kingslayer.
2: we killed a gold noble who had enchanted swords and didn't die.
3: we were the first one to properly scout out an anomaly AND survive getting back, which has helped the war effort greatly.
4: we also survived the mission to clear said anomaly, despite getting waylaid by a mana beast and a southern wizard.
5: there's been a couple of assassination attempts and we're still alive.
>>
No. 907664 ID: b1b4f3

>>907439
>act like another kind of knight
Heh, nice burn.
Yes of course Fen wants to kill those motherfuckers.
>>
No. 907668 ID: 39c40f

Don't be too pushy or critical on Zall, he knows most of this stuff already and, remember, one tactic being used against you is to try make you too troublesome for the army to keep protecting you. Thank him and try think of ways to keep making it clear how valuable you are. If you do get him to post a bounty in the army's name, try having it read something like this:

>REWARD
>for information leading to capture
>of conspirators aiming to secure bounties
>on members of the army
>PAYMENT
>pardon for participation in conspiracy
>and 1 gold per conspirator
>on capture or elimination confirmed
>by truth wizard

Maybe less than 1 gold would be enough, I don't know. You'll probably get someone cashing in on it in a big way quickly, then probably nothing or less. Made it "capture or elimination" because it might turn out someone in the conspiracy is a big name they won't be allowed to punish hard, but if they can be pressured to give it up it'd still count as eliminating them as a threat.

I wonder if it's be worth it to start spreading rumours you're Zizi's brother. Those rumours probably exist already, and they might discourage some people from treating you too badly? Or it might get you more enemies. You still don't have much idea how many/how highly placed people who don't like him still are.
>>
No. 907676 ID: eeb7d9

>I wonder if it's be worth it to start spreading rumours you're Zizi's brother.
I personaly think that we should not use Zizi's reputation. Fen needs to make his oun reputation to be taken seriously. If not, He might only be taken as "the little brother of the Kingslayer". If posible, we need to surpass Zizi's fame. That is how i see it.
>>
No. 907678 ID: 91ee5f

>>907668
>1 gold reward
That seems too small a reward to be worth anyone’s effort to actually get involved to look for the conspirators.

>I wonder if it's be worth it to start spreading rumours you're Zizi's brother.
No, that’ll bring even more unwanted attention.
>>
No. 907681 ID: 39c40f

>>907678
Well, Fen only has about 30 gold available to him here. These groups seem to be about 5 or 6 people big, typically, so assuming one of them turns in the others, 1 gold each would be a 5 gold payment for them. If just two or three people do that then that'd be a big chunk of Fen's funds gone. Even raising it to just 2 gold per head gives a realistic chance of wiping his pockets out completely. Keep in mind, for most of the people down here, a couple of gold coins is still a lot of money.

Plus you get the pardon, and while it's less money you get it without needing to die in a hellhole or otherwise destroy your future. Anyway, I don't know, maybe we would need to offer more gold. Maybe the army would be willing to pay part of it. That's something for Fen to ask advice about.
>>
No. 907693 ID: afdebc

If we're going to be taking the position that the army should be united and soldiers bounty taking against each other is unacceptable, and we're asking to take part in Zall's official action cracking down on this practice, it sort of undermines our case to post a bounty ourself.

One advantage of taking a moral stance on being good soldiers is that it will probably buy Fen allies when he's a noble and inevitably forced into a military conflict. Being the noble with a history of standing up for how the army should be is good for winning hearts and minds.
>>
No. 907694 ID: 39c40f

>>907693
That's why Fen should fund the army posting the bounty instead of directly posting the bounty himself. The army already posts bounties for particular enemies. A person who's breaking the army's rules and the commands of their superiors to attack their fellow soldiers IS an enemy. In any military, diverting resources and risking soldiers' lives that are needed for fighting the other side is a serious crime. They're effectively traitors, and should be dealt with. Fen would basically just be donating funds to help do something the military would do anyway if they could spare the resources.

Besides, there's a difference between posting a bounty on someone who's complying with the law and posting a bounty on people who have already been officially denounced/declared worthy of torturous death.
>>
No. 907986 ID: de6d84

"Thanks. Any news?"
>>
No. 908735 ID: bfb318
File 154085443393.png - (16.80KB , 800x800 , 1154.png )
908735

"Speaking of Sir Hydril, he seemed unusually aggressive to me."
>"I can think of half a dozen reasons, but unless you think he's actively trying to kill or cripple you, it doesn't matter."
"It doesn't, but for the ones who are trying to kill me, I had an idea about making a bounty against them."
>"Bounties are an ugly business, but I don't deny they work. I'll consider it."
"Thank you, Sir Zall."
>"Is there news on the necromile?" asks Holly.
>"None I can safely talk about here."

Zall doesn't wait any longer for us to ask more questions of him, and leaves, although he keeps a few of his guards to stay with us.

Firzel is taken to Hydril's healing wizard in advance.
>>
No. 908739 ID: bfb318
File 154085450969.png - (55.94KB , 1200x800 , 1155.png )
908739

The next day, I send a letter to Valsano asking how things are going down there.

After that, we return to Sir Hydril's as planned. There, we're taught team tactics as a squad. Often we're set up in teams of 4 to 10 and fight each other, while other times we're send against Hydril himself. While we're able to get a strike on him if we swarm him at once, the difficulty is doing so without Sir Hydril landing a strong hit on one or more of us while doing so.

He targets me more often in groups, but that means it's easy to stay just out of his range and let my teammates go forward. He doesn't take it easy on Firzel, either, but Firzel doesn't push himself, and lets himself get hit with training weapons before overexerting himself. At least Hydril doesn't aim on his wounds. Hydril's wizard was able to get Firzel's cut ear back on, thankfully.

This week is much more satisfying, as it appears to be proper teaching. He explains to us that he'd like to teach us proper swordfighting techniques, but he reminds us that it would take all of the remaining weeks for us to unlearn what we know already, in order to make room for his knowledge. Despite that, he still gives us tips and techniques based on our individual fighting styles.
>>
No. 908740 ID: bfb318
File 154085454528.png - (32.32KB , 800x800 , 1156.png )
908740

I do feel like I've learned much over the second week, but before I know it, it's our second day off. In one week, I can pick up my armor. For now, Holly meets us outside of the training hall. She ushers us off to the side.

>"What's up?" asks Firzel
>"It's about Valsano."

Firzel somehow looks pale.

>"Oh, no! I mean he just sent us mail."
>"Eesh, girl! Don't put it like that!"
>"Sorry, sorry! It was to all of us, so I'll read it here."

She clears her throat, and starts imitating Valsano's flourishy yet gruff speech.

>"Hey, fuckers, it's Valsano. How's your cushiony life up there? Down here, we found undead. Like a lot of them. I'd tell you not to rush your butts down here, but seriously, the people down here with me are either incompetent, Bolk, or Sir Orjin. Warfare here is a pain in the ass, because every time we think we've plugged up any holes, the undead come rushing out of another back entrance. I wasn't even sure if I was going to be able to reply soon, because we were once cut off from the lines for two days straight!
>"At least we aren't put on anomaly duty again. A couple of other parties managed to clear out a couple of anomalies, but there's still a lot of fighting to do now. Oh, mind your step down when you come down here, there's actual cliffs and shit. Anyway I'll keep writing, but for now we have to go in deeper to map this place out."
>>
No. 908742 ID: bfb318
File 154085457082.png - (13.62KB , 800x800 , 1157.png )
908742

While Holly reads the letter, she hands out more letters for us. I get Zizi's and Cheese's.

>"Hey bro nah I'm no wizard. As for Momo? Well, she's the sweetest girl in the world if you're on her side. But since you're not, and also since you lit her on fire, she won't be unless you play your cards right. I've attached one card for you - lemon berries, a popular treat in the southern empire that I'm sure Momo is starving for. Hand it to her if you want a conversation for her! And your worst fear is unreciprocated love? Well that's good, because Lily handing you something like what she handed you wasn't a token of indifference, I can tell you that."

In the package are lemon berries. I can feel that they're strong in magic, so they must have been imbued with anti-rot for a long while.

Then I read Cheese's letter.

>"Hi! That's crazy about the clone. That sort of thing could only be possible with a southern wizard in that area, but even then that's nuts. Sorry, I've heard the name 'Death Carrot', but I don't know anything about the person.

She also has a story or two about Garlic Soup, but I don't think it'll help here. It describes a child, not someone who's grown up. On the next page, there's a sketch of him.

>"I don't remember the details of his face, so sorry if it's a little vague.

Finally, I get a letter from 'Sock.'
>>
No. 908743 ID: bfb318
File 154085458210.png - (248.16KB , 1200x800 , 1158.png )
908743

3 days earlier, 60th of Spring

These patrols are going to give me hearing damage. The nasty rumors didn't do this dungeon justice.

>"Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!"
>"Throw Aldelin in here!"
>"We know that fucker's in good with you, chicken fatty!"
>"You been shoving your face in the mud again, mudmuzzle?!"
>"Give us the keys, fuzzy bitch!"
>"Or come in and join us to see what happens!"

Aldelin? Another guard must have spoken to him. If one guard speaks to Aldelin, these idiots assume every guard spoke to him. They act like we're one person.

Their hands are flailing at me as always. All I'd have to do is take is trip over an object they throw at me, or to swish my own tail too far to the side, or some other careless act that'll let them grab me and pull me to the bars. They're making so much noise that I wouldn't be able to scream loud enough for help, at that point. They know it, too, which is why they make this much noise whenever a patrol comes through.

If they do off me, the other guards would have an excuse for retribution, but that doesn't matter to me or the prisoners. The prisoners have already had the fear beaten out of them, and they have every reason to want to kill me. I wouldn't blame them. Besides, some guards should be the ones behind bars. They come up with any excuse to hurt.

It's only 2 days until the warp takes mail out again. I've gotten a reply from Fen last week, so I'd like to have something for him by then. It's tough to get much. I got lucky that a guard dropped a key down a hole, and I managed to find it and keep it while no one was expecting it to be found again.

Us guards look after one another since no one else will, but the warden and his personal set of supervisors are their own faction. They watch the keys like hawks, and the jailer that dropped the key became a prisoner the next day, in a populated cell. It wouldn't have mattered if the key was recovered or not.
>>
No. 908746 ID: 86eb65

If you smack a hand with that torch will it help or hurt the situation. (probably don't in case of fast hands grabbing for it)

One guy to your left has something in his hand. And to the right looks like someone has a bar or stick? Watch yourself.


So a few questions.

What do they keep prisoners for anyways?

Who is Aldelin?

What sort of info can you send Fen safely? A status update should be easy. "Working at prison. It sucks" But not sure what other info you could give him. Rumors about what the warlord is up to? Warnings about the prison and whatever is going on here?

Is also good to assume your mail is being read.
>>
No. 908748 ID: afdebc

>Aldelin?
Who's Aldelin, and why do the prisoners care about them?

>key
What are you planning to do with that? I don't think you can just mail it to Fen, gotta assume they search your mail. And it's not as if you're going to have time to bake it into a cake.

>faction
How many factions do you have to contend with in this hellhole?
>>
No. 908751 ID: eeb7d9

>d to the right looks like someone has a bar or stick?
I think that they are just flipping the bird.

Useful information would be about the warlord and his assassins.
>>
No. 908756 ID: 0dfaba

So, what are these guys in for, besides minor failures in their duties? They're awfully lively for prisoners. You'd think behaviour like this could be discouraged by just reducing how much food or water they get. This kind of group effort to make noise and try trip/catch you seems like the sort of thing that'd need some ringleaders encouraging it, too. You can't get someone listening in to see who those are?
>>
No. 908765 ID: b1b4f3

>>908743
You and the other guards should start cutting fingers off of grabby hands that reach out of cells like that.
>>
No. 908768 ID: 10c408

>>908765
No. Just. no. And not because we'd be mutilating the prisoners, if we swing something at them miss and then it gets yanked on? That's death.
>>
No. 908778 ID: c1212a

Sounds like you're going to have to stick your neck out for him. If you were trying to break in here, what would you want?
>>
No. 908795 ID: b1b4f3

>>908768
Kindof hard to yank on a sword with your bare hands...
>>
No. 908900 ID: 91ee5f

>>908743
>chicken fatty!
.....the fuck kinda insult is “chicken fatty”?

I was expecting these guys to have better insults than calling someone a coward and/or fat!

>It's tough to get much. I got lucky that a guard dropped a key down a hole, and I managed to find it and keep it while no one was expecting it to be found again.
Is that how you managed to get socks to send to Fen?

What else do you think you can send to him without it being confiscated by guards who are most likely reading what you send to Fen before it goes out?

>They watch the keys like hawks, and the jailer that dropped the key became a prisoner the next day, in a populated cell.
Note to self: Don’t drop any keys that you’re given.

So what do you do for fun around here? Is it difficult to get any sleep with all of these assholes always making noise? Have you stopped any jailbreaks? Are you even getting paid?

>>908795
Never underestimate how desperate these guys can get. They’ll find a way.
>>
No. 908913 ID: bfdaf0

>>908795
It becomes a lot less hard once you're indifferent to cutting yourself.
>>
No. 908921 ID: 208ff3

>>908900
As was previously mentioned, they've had fear beaten out of them. They'd do ANYTHING to murder a guard.
>>
No. 909428 ID: bfb318
File 154129231609.png - (239.96KB , 1300x800 , 1159.png )
909428

I'd love to ask them what 'chicken fatty' means, but I'll just get another insult, if anything. Plus, guards and prisoners don't talk to each other on any kind of cordial basis. It's like we're on enemy sides, and consorting with the enemy is traitorous.

It's bad down here, but it is simple. There's only three factions. Guards, prisoners, and the warden's group. There are different dungeons ran by different groups, and prisoners are sent to the dungeon that fits their crimes.

This is the dungeon where rebels and outspoken haters of this land go. Our treatment justifies their feelings, so they're even more lively. Our job is just to keep them in their cells. The wardens decides what else is done with them, and he doesn't work a charity. These are glorified slave pens, and the prisoners wear every scar and burn like a badge of honor.
>>
No. 909429 ID: bfb318
File 154129232708.png - (52.24KB , 900x800 , 1160.png )
909429

At the end of my block, I see one of my guards doing not much at all.

>"Moss. How's things?"
"Nothing new, Nawm. Do you know who Aldelin is?"
>"A smuggler for the wrong people. Read the records if you care about more. Why?"
"The prisoners think he spoke to a guard."
>"Well that's good for him, because he has his own cell. Anyway, I was asking you how you were doing. It's been about a month since you were transferred here. That's around the time where guards have proved they can handle this job, but now have to question if they want to do this job. Especially breaktown guards. You really jumped up the job intensity."

She's not kidding, but I don't need a reminder.

"I can handle it."
>"You have to do better than 'handle' it. Trust me, the guards that just 'handle' it let it pile up on them. They get tired. They make mistakes. But you're careful and easy to work with, and I don't want you making mistakes. So keep your spirits up, and learn to tolerate the prisoner's activity."
"They are pretty grabby. I'm surprised they're allowed that much."
>"Trust me, they need to have some outlet. They'll never be model prisoners. We've tried things, you know. Like not giving them food or water to keep them starving."
"I was told."
>"And so they just started eating each other."
"I was also told that. Is that considered alright?"
>"It helps some guards think of them like animals, not kobolds, so we kept it up."
>>
No. 909430 ID: bfb318
File 154129233931.png - (15.50KB , 800x800 , 1161.png )
909430

>"Either way, make sure you don't slack on watching the prisoners while you walk the halls. You heard about the ill-fated guard who didn't see them making a lasso made out of skin, did you?"
"Again, told."
>"So tell me why you work in this shithole. You don't strike me as a sadist or a loyalist, and the pay's not that great."
"The food is free, and the palace lets us use their luxuries."

She leans in and sniffs me. I hope she's not questioning my motives in a bad way. If they think I want to set up a jailbreak or something, they might be right. Well, a jailbreak while I'm far, far away. I wouldn't want to be anywhere near here. There's too many prisoners and not enough guards to contain a full jailbreak.

>"Second floor bathhouse. The shampoo girls use on the men. You try the massage parlor?"
"Yeah."
>"Orgy pits?"
"The word 'pits' doesn't get me in the mood."
>"Haha. Come on and drink with me after our shift. I know a good place. Not the palace's posh drinks. Real drinks. I want to hear what asshole you impressed to get sent here, where it's the toughest guard job that still needs competent guards."
"Lady Apanya, Nawm. It's - ."
>"Save some story for the drinks, man."

The fact that I can go out of the palace and sleep where I can't hear the prisoners is the reason I've kept my sanity. It's also why I could send that last key to Fen. I don't think the warden or guards would search my mail, but sending anonymous mail by using mail stations out of the palace guarantees it. I still wrapped the key up in socks, but that's because his feet have got to get cold down there.

If I can get enough keys, Fen would be able to free them, and they'll be much kinder. Plus, he can enter the palace from below, and if I meet up with them, I've been able to find some secret passages.

Having someone to talk with outside of the turtle is great, too. I'll reply to his mail even if I don't get a key.

DING DING DING DING DING

>"Ah hell, a single breakout. Let's go."
>>
No. 909431 ID: bfb318
File 154129258862.png - (34.07KB , 1000x800 , 1162.png )
909431

We run to report to our captain. I see some guards already running off.

>"Moss and Nawm reporting, sir." says Nawm.
>"Aldelin's missing. We're blocking off the main and sewer exits so there's no way out. He could be hiding in the sewers, or in some nook and cranny in the dungeon. Go find him! Whoever brings him back dead or alive gets two week's pay bounty."
"When was he last seen?"
>"I don't know, but Alpuna was around there, and he didn't report in. That's how we found out. Alpuna's also missing. If either of you find that dumbass or his corpse, bring 'im back."

Alpuna is another guard that I've only briefly met in passing.

The captain didn't give us orders on where to search, so it's up to us. There's not many good spots to hide in the dungeon, so few escapees try. It's easier to hide in the sewers, and that's where most escapees try their luck, but of course that place makes me retch. And it's where all the other dutiful guards are going.
>>
No. 909437 ID: 86eb65

Track him from the begining. Do proper detective work.

People have escaped by hiding in there cell behind a wall or in a chair or somewhere and staying there until the guards were searching far away.

So find his cell and look for how he got out and what evidence is there. Then find out what places he had access to. Did he escape from his cell or from the bathroom or from the mess hall?

Take it one step at a time and watch for other prisoners or guards out for that reward or revenge.
>>
No. 909443 ID: 10c408

is the prison complex above or below ground or a mixture of both? If Aldin is well-connected, a group might try to spring him by circumventing whatever hazard the prison walls pose and enable him to escape that way.
>>
No. 909452 ID: afdebc

What do you think of Nawm? She seems like she's looking out for you, but she also works here.

>So tell me why you work in this shithole.
Cause... you don't have a choice? Although that's maybe not the best thing to advertise. Other guards realize you were forced into this, and they'll be watching for you to take a chance to get back, or get out.

>The captain didn't give us orders on where to search, so it's up to us.
That's kind of dumb. If they're not coordinating the searches, there are gonna be gaps in the search pattern, areas not covered, etc.
>>
No. 909453 ID: b1b4f3

>>909437
Agreed. The sewers are covered so we should try to find out if the guard is somehow working with the prisoner. I find that the most likely scenario, to be honest. Why would the guard be missing instead of dead?
>>
No. 909454 ID: 15a025

Search the dungeon. Everyoen's probably hitting up the sewers.
>>
No. 909456 ID: c0641d

>>909437
Aha, beat me to it. Yeah, ask for where his cell was. From the way the prisoners were talking, they won't protect him, so maybe asking prisoners within sight of any choke points surrounding the cell in question will help to eliminate wide swaths of the prison.
>>
No. 909461 ID: 90f3c0

What doors would Alpuna have the keys for? This guy sound like a pretty major criminal, he's probably smart enough to avoid the obvious escape route.

There's a chance that Alpuna has turned traitor. You should probably search with Nawm, so you aren't outnumbered if you do find them together.
>>
No. 909485 ID: 0c3c2c

>>909431
Search the cell for clues as to where they might have gone.
>>
No. 909562 ID: 91ee5f

>>909431
Usually, when a prisoner has their own cell, that gives them some privacy.

And they can use that privacy to do things they normally can’t do with a bunch of other prisoners around them.
>>
No. 909571 ID: eeb7d9

>>909437
I like this plan, let's do it. the sooner we get this done, the better.
>>
No. 909718 ID: bfb318
File 154145647988.png - (35.07KB , 1000x800 , 1163.png )
909718

>"Want to come take a look at Aldelin's cell with me, Nawm?"
"No, but since I've got to look busy, I'll do it."

Aldelin's cell is a private cell, alright. 3 walls. Floor. Ceiling. Bars.

>"Oh good lords, you actually touch the bars, Moss? You've heard everything, but not what happens to those walls?"
"I've seen what happens to these walls. Why do you think I go to the bathhouse?"
>"Cute girls and backrubs like every other guy?"
"That's why I go to that specific bathhouse."

There's no secret exits I can find here, or any clues at all in or around the cell. This is all that he should've had access to, unless Alpuna took him on a tour, and there's no reason to. Prisoners never leave their cells except for interrogation or by the warden's orders, and the captain would've told me about either.

"I don't see any fresh blood on the walls. If Alpuna was overpowered, he didn't put up much of a fight."
>"Or got choked out. I hope not. I liked that guy, too."
"Yeah. He was alright. He invited me to his house once."
>"A real sweet gesture until you learn where he lives."
"Maybe he's saving up for something. I sure wouldn't live in that poor of an area."
>"There's plenty of stabbing to avoid here. Don't need it there, too."
>>
No. 909719 ID: bfb318
File 154145648946.png - (23.74KB , 1000x800 , 1164.png )
909719

Nawm's alright, too. A few guards are, a lot aren't. I don't want to ask Nawm what the chances are of Alpuna sneaking off with Aldelin. Guards here have to trust each other. The warden doesn't care much about us, so it feels like us versus the prisoners in this area completely below ground and cut off from the rest of the world. Making mention that another guard even might have turned traitor isn't going to get me good points.

I can't be the only one who suspects it. Alpuna would be the one who was carrying Aldelin's cell key. And even if Alpuna was choked like Nawm mentioned, his body wasn't found.

"Hey. Why doesn't the captain organize searches, instead of sending us all off to do our own thing?"
>"The warden's guys do the competent search. The captain just likes to see if we can nab 'em fast before they manage to find a good hiding spot, first. Trust me, if he's here, he'll be found. The warden loves this shit."
"And if he's not here?"
>"Then he slipped by guards posted by every exit. Including the secret ones."
"In which case, he could be... anywhere."
>"Yeah. If I were him and I made it out, I'd make a beeline for the exit."
"Really? There's guards at those exits, and prisoners don't look like they're the sort to be let out of town."
>"Yeah. Well, it's a big town. There's plenty of places to hide in and freshen up. Welp. He escaped from his cell mysteriously. I'm going to get something to eat before we get sent back on patrol."
"You have any idea where he's gotten to?"
>"Haha, I don't know. Maybe ask a prisoner?"
"And get told he's up my own ass?"
>"Good, you're getting the hang of the job."

Asking a prisoner is worthless, but I don't feel like giving up already.
>>
No. 909721 ID: b1b4f3

>Alpuna lives in a poor part of town, which is odd
Could be he's living there to be near family or a loved on.
How nearby is that? Maybe the reason he's living there is also why he's missing. Like, he's being blackmailed or his family is being threatened, etc. Doesn't mean he's a traitor. Could we go check his house?
>>
No. 909723 ID: bb78f2

>>909719
there's no blood, but its not like there wouldn't be tracks like footprints or saliva if someone drooled nearby from say, being choked. These prisoner's are probably filthy, so chances are there's a mark or two somewhere there shouldn't maybe be. There could easily be something you overlooked slightly outside of the cell.

At the same time, don't investigate without backup. If you get intercepted searching, or Newm gets intercepted before she gets something to eat, you might never see her again. This close to a hot zone of an escape is dangerous enough for just two. After all, if he's out, who's to say someone else isn't. Frankly speaking there should be a roll call right now to check if there's more missing.

You also live in a world with magic in it, don't discount a wizard did it. Never discount a wizard did it.
>>
No. 909724 ID: 5b93d3

>>909719
>Escapes cell
>Hungry and trying to avoid guards
>Guards at every exit
>Competent wardens searching escape routes
>Mostly competent guards searching anywhere they feel like

He's in the guard's mess. Where the food is, and all the guards aren.t.
>>
No. 909725 ID: afdebc

>Making mention that another guard even might have turned traitor isn't going to get me good points
Might have been blackmail of some kind. Someone had something on Alpuna, didn't give them a choice.

First thing I think of when I hear "saving up" and "lives in a terrible area" is that no, Alpuna wasn't saving up for anything. He might have been spending almost everything he had, trying to pay off a debt or gambling problem.

>Asking a prisoner is worthless, but I don't feel like giving up already.
...where's the one place the guards aren't. The good guards went to the exits and stuff. The lazy guards will be in the mess and stuff lazing off. What's in between- the place with no guards right now?

Maybe the warden's office, if the warden is out leading the search?
>>
No. 909728 ID: 86eb65

Overpowered would leave drag marks. Check the floor. If there are marks follow them. If its extra clean then someone covered there tracks. If its normal floor dirt then they left willingly.

Check for scratches on the lock if you have not.

This is looking like a inside job. Either a guard/someone is trying to free him or they are killing him.

I would suggest checking the guards quarters. See if anyone is suspiciously hanging back near a room. This of course would imply that you might make some enemies if you find who is helping him.

If that stuff turns up no leads maybe check his house. If he bribed someone to get let out a secret exit he might be there or another hidden hole preparing to escape town.
>>
No. 909729 ID: c1212a

Check the keyhole and hinges for tampering, it'll provide some insight into the degree of Alpuna's involvement; might want to check his house no matter what, at the least his family ought to be told or something. If there are secret exits or hiding spots Alpuna knows about but we don't there's nothing we can do there, I wouldn't even know when to begin searching. Aside from that possibility, what options for hiding places or exits does he have?

Heh, maybe he's washing up in the bathhouse so he looks respectable enough to leave.
>>
No. 909734 ID: 0c3c2c

>>909719
Let's go check Aldelin's house.
>>
No. 909735 ID: b1b4f3

Hmm, speaking of the mess hall and prisoners being hungry, we *could* try bribing a nearby prisoner with food in exchange for relevant information.
>>
No. 909737 ID: eeb7d9

A place where there is no guards and there is food? That should narrow the list of places he could be.
>>
No. 909740 ID: 0dfaba

Is there anywhere down here either or both of them could have hidden? Wait until the alert dies down and then leave, somehow?
>>
No. 909745 ID: 10c408

Double check with Nawm that you won't get screwed if you torture/bribe the prisoners for relevant info by using food.
>>
No. 909785 ID: 91ee5f

>>909719
Are there male and female prisoners here, just like there are male a female guards? If so, is there a problem with the prisoners trying to fuck each other? And what do the guards do about it?

Maybe Aldelin wanted a private cell so that he could avoid getting fucked?

.....also, since the prisoners apparently aren’t allowed to bathe, what would be the in universe equivalent of “don’t drop the soap”?

>>909724
That sounds reasonable.
>>
No. 910004 ID: bfb318
File 154172460897.png - (103.21KB , 1200x1000 , 1165.png )
910004

It doesn't look like there's any recent marks, scratches, or anything around. It's all been scratched up through the years anyway.

"Can you check the mess hall? I'll check the guard's quarters."
>"I'd let him go if he were brash enough to go to either of those places."

The warden's office, meanwhile, is always heavily locked if the warden himself isn't there. His office and the captain's contain keys, so they're heavily guarded no matter what.

I can't think of anywhere that he could hide for long in the dungeon. I walk along the cells with the female prisoners and make sure he isn't hiding out with them. We segregate the genders, but they help one another given the chance.

He's not here in the guard's quarters. The only place to hide here are in other guards' chests, and I don't have the keys to any but my own. Knocking them around in a vain effort to find a hider is a good way to get on the other guard's shitlists. I'd rather let Aldelin escape than find him like this.

I will fetch my full uniform, while I'm here. We're supposed to always have it on, but we still don't wear something like that on patrols.
>>
No. 910005 ID: bfb318
File 154172464333.png - (30.79KB , 800x800 , 1166.png )
910005

Nawm and I meet up.

"No sign of him, I take it."
>"Nothing but guards taking a snack break. Why're you dressed up?"
"I'm going to try Alpuna's house."
>"You think he...?" She takes a borderline accusatory tone.
"No, no, I like Alpuna. But I don't have a better guess." I'm passing it off like I'm stabbing in the dark, but it isn't a lie either.
>"Alright, then. I can't tell if you just want to get some sunlight, or if you're an overachiever. Need me to escort you?"
>>
No. 910009 ID: bb78f2

>>910005
Yep, lets both get some sun in.
>>
No. 910010 ID: afdebc

>>910005
Might as well. You're looking at an escapee who may have already taken down a guard- traveling with a partner is better than risking a 1 on 1 fight, and makes you harder to ambush. Also if you do discover anything unpopular, it won't be just your word.
>>
No. 910011 ID: 0dfaba

Help doesn't need to be willing, after all. Maybe somebody Aldelin knew on the outside put pressure on Alpuna by threatening his family or something. You're unlikely to find him actually hiding there, but you might find clues to where he could be. One guard would be better for that, I think. Attract less attention. The place might be being watched.
>>
No. 910012 ID: 6ee5db

>>910005
If Nawm wants to come then sure, if not we should be okay without her.
>>
No. 910014 ID: eeb7d9

It's always good to have a extra pair of eyes and ears. And besides, i am going to get lonely by myself.
>>
No. 910019 ID: bfb318
File 154173784941.png - (97.30KB , 1200x800 , 1167.png )
910019

"Yeah, Nawm, I'd like that."
>"Really? I'm sorry I offered."
"Too late. It's not like you're going to do much around here."
>"I wanted to search the mess hall again. Oh, well."

Nawm gets her uniform and we jog to the slums. It's pretty easy to tell when we hit them, because the wizards don't make their rounds charging the foreign wood, so it goes from pristine to rotting within a block.

Our reputation isn't great around here, but the uniform is feared more than hated.

I remember where Alpuna's house is. I don't think it has a back entrance, so I make sure Nawm's still with me and get ready to open the door. I hear some noise inside, but since it's not an audible conversation, I head in.
>>
No. 910020 ID: bfb318
File 154173787067.png - (409.01KB , 1200x1000 , 1168.png )
910020

"... Alpuna."

"Alpuna, what is your muddy hide doing here?"
>"Um... this is - "
>"This is his house, ingrates." The prisoner interrupts. "Well, maybe it's my house, since Alpuna's under my thumb."
>"Alde - "
>"Shut up, guard. You think I chose your house because I wanted you to feel comfortable? These slums aren't your friends, they're mine. But are they your friends?"
>"N-no."
"So you don't mind if I kill 'em?"
>"Er... they're alright, Aldelin."
>>
No. 910021 ID: bfb318
File 154173790728.png - (246.08KB , 800x800 , 1169.png )
910021

>"Haha, now there's the truth. I wouldn't want to kill the friends of the guard who helped me out!" Aldelin snickers. "Alright, you two idiots, you get a second shot at life. Thank Alpuna. I won't give the signal to my friends outside if you just turn around and tell your captain that there was no one here."

Nawm scoffs.

>"You're a shitty bluffer." she says. "And Moss, what do you mean 'what is Alpuna doing here', this was your idea! Now we have to kill him."
"I took a wild guess, I didn't think he'd actually be here! And what are you talking about, kill him? If this isn't a trick, he's been forced to do it for some reason."
>"That actually doesn't matter, Moss. Think about it. If you're wrong, he's a traitor and we can't forgive him. And if you're right? Then he let a prisoner out for 'some reason' that you know the warden isn't going care about. Killing him here, then, is the merciful option compared to letting the warden deal with a living Alpuna. Right, Alpuna?"
>"That's - "
>"Hey, hey." says the prisoner. "That's a lot of talking like we aren't here. All I need to do is shout. Get outta here, already. You might think it's a bluff, lady, but ask yourself if you really want to test that. You know I've armed plenty of rebellions, you think I go anywhere without friends? And I know you haven't been offered you that much money for me. Hell, take it out of Alpuna's wallet if you need copper that bad. He won't mind."
>>
No. 910033 ID: b1b4f3

>>910021
Tell him okay, you'll take him up on the offer of money. Walk forward as if you're gonna get that wallet, but instead grab the prisoner's throat and strangle him to death. He can't give the signal that way.
You'll probably then have to leave and come back with some guards to recover the body and clear out his friends. Not sure what to do about the compromised guard.
>>
No. 910036 ID: afdebc

>>910021
Pretend to agree, make like you're going to accept the bribe, then use that as an opening to attack the prisoner.

No fucking way they get away clean and this doesn't come back on you somehow if you let the prisoner live.

Maybe a lie can be told to spare Alpuca if he cooperated afterwards (a guard who owes you his life could be useful when Fen comes knocking) but you can't trust this other guy not to leak.
>>
No. 910037 ID: b1b4f3

...any chance these two are related to eachother? I think it's kindof weird that the prisoner asked Alpuca whether or not to kill you.
>>
No. 910040 ID: bb78f2

>>910021
Kill Aldelin, try to spare Alpuna, but leave the decision to Newm, she shouldn't get wrapped up in chaos just because we have a soft heart, if we do.
Tell Newm we should forgive Alpuna regardless of reasons, the trust we have for each other is all we've got. As an option, we could lie about Alpuna's involvement, but Newm doesn't have to agree with us or to do that, and you'll back whatever play she wants. I brought you cause you know better than me about anything around here.

Aldelin is half-bluffing. He has friends, not as many or as powerful as he suggests, but he also just won't spare you either. It's fight or die here.
>>
No. 910041 ID: c1212a

Maybe we should have come alone. We've got a rebellion that needs to be armed and a smuggler who claims he can arm it, the problem is getting leverage on Aldelin, but now we have to worry about keeping Nawm on board at the same time. Would Alpuca's keys be worth mailing out as well?

Really pal? You're dumb enough to think people don't know where we've gone if we don't come back, and then offer a shitty bribe out of someone else's pocket? Some bigshot you are. Too bad too, I know a guy who could use a real smuggler.

If he says he'll call for help again tell him it doesn't matter how many friends he has, they might get you in a rush but they'll be fishing his head out of that bowl.
>>
No. 910042 ID: afdebc

Also, if you leave Aldelin alive, he and his buddies will have dirt on you. Next time it will you doing something risky for them, under threat of them letting word slip to your bosses.
>>
No. 910043 ID: bfb318
File 154174293030.png - (268.91KB , 800x800 , 1170.png )
910043

"Sure, I'll take your wallet, Alpuna."

I take a step forward.

>"Stop! Stay right there. Alpuna, take out your wallet."

I guess I can't trick them that easily. They're on guard. Hold on...

"Wait a minute. Are you two brothers or something?"
>"Wh - huh? What makes you say that? Of course we're not." Aldelin says.
"You have the similar bridges on your snouts. Similar ear patterns, not far off in ears or fur color, your names start with Al."
>"Just a coincidence."
>"Waiiit, really?" asks Nawm. "Alpuna, you said you had a brother out there, and didn't like to talk about him. Is he seriously not your brother?"
>"'course I'm not!" says Aldelin.
>"I'm not asking you. Alpuna. Tell me yourself."

.... he stands up with a grip on his hilt. Nawm and I do the same.

"He's my brother. He's my brother and I'm proud of him and what he does."

That's news. Whether it changes a whole lot here, I don't know, other than thinking how things might've gone if I didn't bring Nawm. Alpuna's keys would have been nice to keep, if nothing else.
>>
No. 910045 ID: b1b4f3

>>910043
Welp guess we gotta kill both of them. Kick the table into them while drawing your sword, then you can get the first hit in.
>>
No. 910047 ID: 91ee5f

>>910043
Yeah, kill them both and report back on what you’ve learned. If you’re lucky, proving yourself might allow you to be trusted with getting access to things you couldn’t get before!

One brother has a weapon, the other brother doesn’t, you can clearly see both of his hands holding his food. If both you and Nawm rush them, the armed brother can’t stop both of you.

Just make sure you don’t get blinded by food being thrown in your face!
>>
No. 910048 ID: c1212a

I understand you all want to do the good thing; just keep in mind who Moss works for and where his true loyalties ought to lie. We need to think outside what the supervisors want us to do here.

Tell him good, because you don't feel like killing him and you know a certain somebody who has a use for what his brother does. If he can get into contact with Fen and arm him to take on Krix once he gets out of the army, you'll look the other way. Just this once.

Also gimme your fukkin keys and don't come back around anymore.
>>
No. 910055 ID: 91ee5f

>>910048
Did you forget that Nawm is with us? She’s not gonna allow any of this.
>>
No. 910057 ID: c1212a

>>910055
She'll come around. We already asked for a bribe and she didn't protest, and she talks like she'd prefer to do Alpuna a favor instead of handing him over to the supervisors.
>>
No. 910062 ID: f6b16c

You have your own interest in allowing this: you don't need the money, but it may be useful to bribe Nawm.

If Nawm refuses even with the bribe, then we'll have to choose between Nawm and Alpuna: I'd say pick Nawm and kill the brothers, because guards should stick together and Alpuna didn't.
>>
No. 910063 ID: 10c408

If you didn't bring Nawn, it would be you vs these two fucks, and the other three assholes outside who're are going to object strenuously to what is about to happen.
>>
No. 910066 ID: 7d4c48

>>910043
Brothers, huh? I can respect that. Respect doesn't quite buy silence, though.

>>910062
>you don't need the money
No, but we should let Nawm think we do. The shallower she thinks our interests are, the better.
>>
No. 910070 ID: 86eb65

Whats your brothers life worth? Or yours for that matter?
>>
No. 910073 ID: 0c3c2c

>>910021
....We could always betray everyone and go find a new home. Torch the city on our way out to cause mass destruction.

Granted that's kind of a Fen strategy, but it seems to work out for him. Would be pretty dickish to cause such pointless destruction over one smuggler though.

Point out that even if you let him live, you'll be killed for finding him and not bringing him in.
>>
No. 910075 ID: f6b16c

>>910066
Excellent point.
>>
No. 910079 ID: 0dfaba

Well, you'll have to kill them both, then. Here's a possible tactic for you: Aldelin looks like he's probably malnourished, and doesn't have a weapon, making him pretty easy to kill. If he's dead, anyone he might call to help might not care so much any more. Maybe. Depends on how popular you think he is, which he might actually be if his bro there is genuinely proud of what he does, but he might just be saying it, too. He looks very nervous, which he shouldn't if there really is anyone ready to help nearby. I'm not sure there is, since that would have meant revealing the escape. Someone should have been in here or come in by now, too, if there are people ready to help them out. Aldelin would also be armed and have something better to wear by now, too, if they had met with supporters of his.

I think maybe no-one is coming.
>>
No. 910092 ID: afdebc

>>910043
Well okay. We have two options now. Either you spare the brothers and try to cover this up, or you try to kill them.

Moss isn't Fen, so no telling which way a 2v2 fight goes, really, even if no slum-dwelling reinforcements arrive.

We don't know how Nawm feels, she isn't necessarily going to follow Moss' lead. There's the chance we'll have to kill her too, one way or another.

Upside of sparing them: you get allies (maybe) and help against Krix later.

Downside of sparing them: everyone who leaves this room alive knows what you did, and can blackmail you (since if your bosses find out you're going to die slowly and painfully). You may end up forced into doing more risky stuff under Krix's nose that furthers someone else's agenda, not yours, and not Fen's.

You really have to as yourself here: how well do you know Nawm and Alpuna? You at least like both of them, but do you trust either of them to have your back in this kind of conspiracy? Because you'd be trusting them with your life. If you don't, you don't have a choice but to kill someone.
>>
No. 910126 ID: bfb318
File 154181784008.png - (381.60KB , 1200x1000 , 1171.png )
910126

Alpuna's starting to draw. I have to choose.

I kick the table forward. Aldelin doesn't get out of the way in time, and Alpuna gets his hand knocked off his hilt. They try to shove the table back at me, but Aldelin's been weakened by starvation, and Alpuna's too scrawny.

They fall back onto the wall with a squelch from the rotting wood. It almost gives way, but it just lets sunlight through.
>>
No. 910127 ID: bfb318
File 154181784855.png - (495.97KB , 1200x1000 , 1172.png )
910127

There's not much an unarmed, weakened prisoner pinned under a table can do against Nawm. Her sword makes a straight, clean plunge through Aldelin's chest.
>>
No. 910128 ID: bfb318
File 154181785685.png - (255.20KB , 1000x1000 , 1173.png )
910128

I stick my blade at Alpuna's throat, but he looks like he's already given up once he sees his brother's been killed.

Nawm unsticks her sword from Aldelin.

>"The captain's not going to be pleasant to work with when he has to worry about traitors around. That's why we can't let you live, Alpuna. Any last words?"
>"... yes. A request. There are coins under the bed in the other room. Give it to the orphanage on Ulio's street."

No one's rushing in to his aid.

"I guess Aldelin was bluffing."
>"Everything he said was lies." Alpuna says. "He was trying to save me."
>"Moss." Nawm speaks. "Go and look in the other room. Quick. If he's lying, I might change my mind about bringing him back dead instead of alive."
>>
No. 910130 ID: 86eb65

Go check but be very careful to watch out for traps or attacks. From front and back. (keep a eye on Nawm while working just in case)

As for what she does with him while we are in the other room? Well what will happen will happen.
>>
No. 910131 ID: b1b4f3

>>910128
Alright. Not like he can do much disarmed. Though if he's got a hidden dagger or something...
>>
No. 910132 ID: 10c408

"...Nah, better idea. Get him to collect the money before we finish up here."

Do NOT take your eyes off of Nawn, she might betray you. And don't go searching the room by yourself, it could be boobytrapped.
>>
No. 910133 ID: 0dfaba

"You check, I can hold him better."

Actually kind of suspicious for her to tell you to go when you're the one who's got his sword on him. And you're bigger, I assume stronger. Watch her.
>>
No. 910135 ID: d6b369

Have Nawm do the search. How much do you care for this guy, anyways? You don't seem eager to run him through, but not on good enough terms to risk anything to try and protect him.
>>
No. 910136 ID: afdebc

Sad, but expected. Moss doesn't trust these three enough to risk everything on them. The brothers probably didn't deserve this, but Moss wasn't in a position to do anything about it.

One more injustice in a broken system, while we bide time to strike back.

>>"Moss." Nawm speaks. "Go and look in the other room. Quick. If he's lying, I might change my mind about bringing him back dead instead of alive."
Raise an eyebrow. "You check. I already have a sword to his neck."

There's no real reason to swap, it just gives Alpuna the chance to try something.

>The captain's not going to be pleasant to work with when he has to worry about traitors around.
One way around that is to kill Alpuna, frame it so the prisoner killed him instead of him betraying his job.
>>
No. 910138 ID: bfb318
File 154182051775.png - (27.12KB , 1000x1000 , 1174.png )
910138

"I already have a sword to his neck, why do you want me to search?"
>"Because you're a big softy and don't want to kill anyone, I think. Am I wrong?"
"I may as well if I'd just have you kill him instead."
>"Oh, really? Okay then."
"Be careful. It could be boobytrapped."
>"Yeah yeah."

Nawm goes shuffling the bed around. I can't tell if she's moving it or hacking it apart, since it might just be falling apart anyway.

>"Hey." says Alpuna.
"What?"
>"If you want to avoid trouble, just tell the captain to stop letting people's siblings get locked up."
"... you have any ideas, Nawm?"
>"We'll suggest that. No lies for the captain. You?"
"... not an idea I like, but if we frame it on the prisoner?"

Alpuna looks at me with some disgust.

>"Don't."
>"I don't like that idea either, Moss. No lies for the captain." says Nawm.
"Yeah, I'd rather just have the captain look over my shoulder than that."

I feel dirty enough with the amount of subterfuge I have to do already. I think I'm going to blow the bounty on booze, tonight.

There's some clinks in the other room.

>"Damn, Alpuna, what were you saving up for?"
>"Forget it." he says.
>"Okay. Moss, kill him. We'll use his blankets to cover the bodies while we carry them back."
>>
No. 910139 ID: afdebc

>>910138
"Sorry, Alpuna."

Do it.

>>"Because you're a big softy and don't want to kill anyone, I think. Am I wrong?"
She was looking out for you. That's nice.
>>
No. 910140 ID: 86eb65

Rest in peace Alpuna.

Make it quick.
>>
No. 910141 ID: eeb7d9

Shit, i lost all the fun choices.

I am really curious about the money. And i do think that is important to know too. What were they planning to do with, apparently, that much money?
>>
No. 910143 ID: b1b4f3

>>910138
Goodbye Alpuna. Your brother died on the outside, I hope that was worth your life.
>>
No. 910150 ID: 91ee5f

>>910138
Go ahead and do it.

Then ask Nawm if she wants to go with you to give that money to the orphanage? Or does she plan on keeping it for herself?
>>
No. 910151 ID: 10c408

"I'll make it painless, it's the least I can do."
>>
No. 910152 ID: 0c3c2c

>>910138
Well it sucks that you gotta kill him, but your green scaly chum would sell you out in a second. He's been working here too long. Killing him is better than letting him get ripped apart down here.
>>
No. 910183 ID: c20492

At this point, taking him alive would be as bad for him as it would be for you. Kill him quickly and respectfully.
>>
No. 910392 ID: f46e5e

I second further inquiry into what the money was for, what has he got to lose in telling us? he is about to be dead.
>>
No. 910412 ID: efe420

Well, at least him and his brother'll be close in the soul pile together, and you're giving him better than he would have gotten if the higher-ups got their hands on him.
>>
No. 910475 ID: aae8a8

You should be more curious what he plans on doing with that money. And less quick to have blood on your hands just yet. There is a difference between biding your time here and undercutting yourself in the long term.
What were the brothers planning? Big dreams, an uprising, or something you could use to your advantage?
If not, at least a confession could make for a better eulogy for them, after saying to him you'll respect his last request.
>>
No. 910478 ID: f46e5e

actually thinking about it, he does have something to lose, we could turn him in, should he not feel talkative.
>>
No. 910616 ID: e9f3f0

"riposare in pace."

(Hidden-blade and cowl not included.)
>>
No. 910928 ID: bfb318
File 154242546903.png - (274.85KB , 1200x800 , 1175.png )
910928

"I'm curious what you were going to use the money on." I whisper to Alpuna.

He stays silent, but I notice that he glances to his brother. That makes me bet he was going to fund his brother's smuggling scheme.

I know he doesn't want to be taken in alive, either. I could bluff him with that to try and get him to tell me more.

That's a disgusting thought. If I want to look into who was getting weapons smuggled into them, I'll do it through what we know about Aldelic.

>"Goodbye, Alpuna."
>>
No. 910929 ID: bfb318
File 154242547877.png - (30.69KB , 1200x800 , 1176.png )
910929

6 hours later

>"Wow, Moss, you've been packing in the drinks. I'd be impressed, if you looked like you could even stand."
"I can stand, Nawm."
>"Really? Prove it?"
"No."
>"That's what I thought. You know, I bet myself earlier you were a lively drunk. It's a good thing I didn't bet money on it!" She laughs. It is kind of funny. "That, or a depressed one."
"No, a sleepy one. Hey. Are you really sure you only wanted a third of the bounty?"
>"It was your idea, man. I'm lucky enough to just be associated with you impressing the guard like that."
"Was he impressed?"
>"Uh, yeah. We barely ever find anyone if they manage to get out of the prison, so considering we found the two of them and recovered Alpuna's keys, you got some points from the captain today. Especially since he didn't care we killed them. Maybe. I think he wanted to know why Alpuna did it, brother or not. Too late for questions, now."

It's a shame Nawm saw the keys while we fought, so I couldn't snag them and send them to Fen. I'll just have to write him a plain old letter.
>>
No. 910930 ID: bfb318
File 154242549001.png - (14.52KB , 800x800 , 1177.png )
910930

>"... Moss?"

>"... You actually fell asleep on me, you ass."
>>
No. 910931 ID: bfb318
File 154242549960.png - (18.62KB , 800x800 , 1178.png )
910931

>Sock guard here. Thanks for replying last week, you've got to be way busier than I am to think of how to compose a letter. And even if I have the time, it doesn't mean I'm any good at it anyway! You should give alcohol another shot here. It's way better than what we shared, and I bet better than whatever you get over there. If you don't like it here, then you can say you gave it an honest effort.
>I got the payment for your item. You don't owe me anything. I was going to write that at the end of the letter, but I know I'd forget.
>I hope you're still right about being on a final push. The sooner you get here, the better.

Moss has another few sheets of paper detailing various attractions and luxuries across the Turtle's Hideaway. It's a guide made for people travelling to see the sights without purpose. Apparently, despite Krix's reputation, he knows how to hire competent people to run his palace. There's also a sketch of what parts of it looks like. I'll save it for later.

His handwriting seems familiar, but it's a little sloppy.

>"So what will you guys be doing with the rest of the day off?" asks Holly.
>"Considering there's no fun allowed? I have no idea." Firzel replies. "Maybe we can ask Fen for suggestions, since he's the best at anti-fun."
"I've had fun."
>"When?"
"It was tough, but I enjoyed Hydril's training."
>"Your barbarian face didn't think so."
"What?"
>"You didn't look... nevermind. I don't have anything planned except to stick around you guys."
>>
No. 910932 ID: eeb7d9

>"Your barbarian face didn't think so."
What you mean, like, smiling? I smile, when is important, not all the time, like you imperials do. You smile for anything.

Anyway, last time i didn't get to eat my fish in peace, so that is a thing that i would like to do.

But is hard to think of things to do when you are under constant threat of assassination, including your friends. It's been a week, we'll probably have problems again. That could be fun too.
>>
No. 910933 ID: deec6e

Potential To-Dos:

- Spend a few hours trying to lure out assassins and bounty dumbasses to catch and interrogate - or to weed out people paid to pay attention to you by said assassins and dumbasses and interrogate them for descriptions to see if anything matches up with Firzel's memories.

- Put up bounty on suspected assassins (not dumbasses).

- Write simple status update return letters to relevant people, family, sock-friend, cheese-friend, Valsano-friend. Wish them well.

- Figure out how to maybe get Elinol hired on in a squad despite Orjin's protestations. Maybe write a letter to Orjin asking about her?

- Visit Elinol again for more off-training training. Or just hang around and watch the show and take bets on how long it takes before Firzel's sense of sass gets him in trouble - yours is "no longer than ten minutes".

- Chillax and actually recover your strength and rest your muscles in the baths of Aira's tavern. See if anyone's got any interesting stories to tell.
>>
No. 910942 ID: 6ee5db

>>910933
Seconding this except for the bounties, even ignoring narrative causality I don't see anything coming from posting bounties other than an escalation of force.
>>
No. 910943 ID: b1b4f3

>>910931
Can't we practice that board game?
>>
No. 910945 ID: c1212a

He's saying you got kicked in the face. Which isn't fun.

it wasn't very clever don't worry about it

Holly said she wanted more trustworthy guards, contact the resident boxing champ. She wants action and this is the best we can do for her, for now. Be sure to return those letters while you're at it.
>>
No. 910973 ID: 7dc36a

It'd be fun if all of you could try to sneak a peek at the construct you brought up (i.e. fake Lily). It'd be less suspicious for you, if more awkward, to sneak in to her cell together.
For anyone else, it'd just be idle curiosity, maybe they can know about or overhear what your superiors have found out about her.
For you, it'd be that and also to see how much those superiors, and anyone else, know about you and her; not that you should say that part out loud.
>>
No. 910987 ID: 10c408

>>910973
...Are you trying to get everyone flogged? We don't know where construct Lily is and it'd be a hell of a breach of operational security/Zall's trust in us if we start looking for her.

Anyways, there isn't really anything fun to do down here since on top of it being hostile territory, there's assassins and wannabe murderers trying to cash in on Fen's bounty any means necessary.

...Perhaps a card game? Money would be the easiest thing to use for real stakes, but perhaps favors or ridiculous made up non-sense would also work.
>>
No. 910990 ID: eeb7d9

>>910973
Why would Fen want to see the fake Lily. That would be so masochistic. Even if it was for shit and giggles, there are more practical things to do.
>>
No. 910991 ID: 340b55

>>910943
Yeah, kimankara practice sounds good.
>>
No. 910999 ID: e1d580

>>910931
Yeah, just play the board game.
>>
No. 911002 ID: 91ee5f

>>910931
How much longer until Fen’s armor is finished? Is it 1 more week or less than a week?

>"Your barbarian face didn't think so."
Ask if he means that you don’t smile all that often?

>>910933
No bounty things, that’s the opposite of relaxing.

>>910943
Yeah, we could suggest that. Just don’t be surprised if no one wants to do it. Since it’s no longer a requirement for going up a rank anymore, not many would want to try learning it anymore.

>>910973
No going to look for fake Lily.
>>
No. 911018 ID: 10c408

If we do kimankara, the group needs to pen and sign a letter explaining to Orjin that "No one has time to get shanked because of Fen's bounty either, sir."
>>
No. 911020 ID: 298905

You should talk to Zall about that whole secretly-funded-by-you-army-posted bounty for confirmed information leading to capture scheme. Secretly, somehow. Maybe get one of your friends to deliver the plan to him for you, so people don't see you dropping by him and assuming so readily that you're in on it? Maybe Firzel, since he has nothing to do and has enough personal grievance for people to not think twice if he goes talk to Zall. You'll need to repay the favor, of course. Find something fun or valuable for him.
>>
No. 911024 ID: afdebc

>>910931
Trying to come up with fun stuff, huh?

We could play kimankara. Or if anyone has a deck of cards (or dice) we could see if "barbarian face" makes you terrible or fantastic at bluffing.

Or you could try to introduce them to whatever barbarians did for fun and games. You didn't tend to have things like cards or board games, so presumably you found ways to have fun without them!

For non-fun stuff we should do:

Helping Holly find better guards might be useful.

I still say putting out personal bounties is a bad idea, and undercuts our whole argument that bounties shouldn't be a thing inside the army pitting soldier against soldier. It's counterproductive! (We could join the legal response hunting down rulebreakers if they decide to invite us, though).

I don't think we're going to get access to construct-Lily. As a weird magical artifact and cooperating source of intelligence, the wizards and whatever serves as an intelligence branch here will have her locked up tight, and frankly exposing her to Fen means she could get targeted in the infighting over Fen and his bounty.

I would be interested in looking into what's up with Cassa and if it's been determined if she's dead, a fake, a clone, undead, etc. It's been a while, and we haven't followed up. Still probably hard to get to her, though.
>>
No. 911051 ID: 15a025

Cards or Kimankara could be fun.
>>
No. 911159 ID: 0c3c2c

>>910931
You could all practice smiling, since the group doesn't seem to think you can do it.
>>
No. 911310 ID: 86eb65

Take a decent amount of time and doubly secure the bar.

With crappy assassins wandering around kidnapping members of your team the first order of business is to make sure the place you work and sleep is extra safe.

No hidden passages, No weak walls, No bad airflow that could lead to you getting barricaded in her and smoked out.

Check your food and water supplies. This attempt was a stupid mess but there might be more and they might be trickier.

After that is all done relax and play some chess.
>>
No. 911314 ID: 10c408

>>911310
It's been a weak and I'm pretty sure that Holly has done most of those on top of getting better guards.

They also can't 'smoke us out' without painting the biggest target on their collective backs in this town.
>>
No. 911342 ID: a9af05

>>911341
Please don't post pictures in the quest. The only time that's allowed is when the quest author asks for suggestions on what something should look like.
>>
No. 911343 ID: e1d580

>>911341
Same thing applies for the subject line, normally quest authors use that to announce a multipart update, it's generally preferred to leave it blank in other situations.
>>
No. 911379 ID: bfb318
File 154280556367.png - (17.56KB , 1000x800 , 1179.png )
911379

"There are tasks to deal with, first. Holly, I haven't heard much in the last couple of weeks. Did anything happen with bounties?"
>"Zall's done a private bounty. He didn't want to make it public after all, but he put up a private bounty within a few organizations for that."
"I also wanted to ask about hiring Elinol despite Sir Orjin's wishes."
>"Elin... oh, her, I remember now. You know what? I'm reluctant to hire her personality, but she would be loyal, wouldn't she? I'll deal with that."
"Are you sure?"
>"If she tries to beat me up, then I wouldn't want to hire her anyway!"
"And did we ever learn what happened to Cassa? Or what was... Lily?"
>"I have no idea. It's beyond us, now, so don't go asking without reason."
"Why not?"
>"'cause." says Firzel. "Up north, we have tact. And smiles."
"Barbarians smile, too."
>"Prove it."

I smile at him.

>"... that looks wrong. Never prove that again. Just tell me what you want to do so I can follow you to do anything."
>>
No. 911380 ID: bfb318
File 154280557416.png - (16.99KB , 800x800 , 1180.png )
911380

>"I want to play kimankara." says Aira.
>"Anything but that." Firzel replies without taking half a breath's time.
"What's wrong with it?"
>"It's way too noblistic for us."
"We were supposed to learn it for knighthood anyway."
>"Pretty sure it's always shrugged off."
>"You don't have to. We have dice and cards, you can gamble."
>"I want to keep my money, thanks. I'll just sit and do nothing."

Frais scoffs at that.

>"Did taking Sir Hydril's strikes put you in a bad mood?"
>"Valsano's the life of gaming around here. You guys sit at tables like you're in need of a bathroom break. How 'bout we play in the bath house behind the bar so I can relax without doing any of that?"
>"As long as you all keep your swords close." says Holly.
>>
No. 911382 ID: bfb318
File 154280561045.png - (31.66KB , 1200x800 , 1181.png )
911382

After I walk around the area to make note of escape routes and how much food and water we have, we go into the baths. Aira and I pull up a pedestal that fits a kimankara board to play. And because we don't get the chance to in Hydril's building, we also bathe.

We head into the baths. and pull up a table for Aira and me to play, although we take baths, too, as we don't get the chance in Hydril's building. We spend most of the day there, and only get interrupted by Holly doing business with messengers and guards to do things for her so that she doesn't split up from the rest of us.

No one else seems to use these baths. I think Holly might have done something to reserve it for us.

Staying here is fine with me, as we'll need rest. Tomorrow's the start of another long week of training. In the middle of it, my armor will be completed, so I can pick it up on my next off day.

I also have Holly compose some letters for me. They're only updates on last week's events, as I can tell them. Later on, a mail runner comes. He looks tired.

>"Fen?" he asks.
>"I'll take it." says Holly.
>"Uh, no, sorry. Special directions. Only to Fen. No passing it on. Not even his ranking commander."
"I'm here."
>"Give it to me." says Holly.
>"Is that okay, Fen?"
"Yes."
>"Good enough. You are a hard person to find. Make yourself known if you want mail in a timely manner." the runner hands it to Holly, and jogs off.

Holly shakes the letter, bends it some, and studies it carefully.
>>
No. 911383 ID: bfb318
File 154280562844.png - (21.48KB , 800x800 , 1182.png )
911383

>"Do you mind if I open it?" she asks.
"Okay, but I'd rather read it myself."

She opens it and passes it to me. It's just paper.

>"i Fen and or Redmaw whateva call's heeded, com foot out back at the spiky rounds up dragonside ya fishface we gotta flap some - "

The words keep going through the entire page, then the entire back of the page.

"Holly, I can't read this."

I pass it back.

>"Oh, lords. It's in a poluputus borderman's dialect, if you can call it that. No name. He mentions Croc?"
>"Oh fuck everything." Firzel makes a splash. "If Croc is after us, I'm going right down to the bottom of the necromile so I can be safe."
>"No, no. I don't think Croc would bother with Fen's current bounty, not down here. Except... it sounds like he's a pupil of Croc's, so it's not safe, either. He doesn't say he wants to kill Fen, but I don't know why someone associated with Croc would be down here for another reason. They're not exactly empire loving soldiers.
"He doesn't say what he wants?"
>"Hold on, I'm still reading... he doesn't state his business in the letter. He wants you to meet him in person to discuss that. Alone, apparently, which isn't a good sign. He says to meet him at sundown, alone, or be, as he puts it, 'a widdle dogwhimper of a scale'."
"Is that supposed to get me to show up?"
>"Well, it doesn't matter. It's two hours past sundown."

>"The mailman was late." she adds.
>>
No. 911384 ID: 86eb65

I got along well with Croc. And never understood a thing he said.

Well any idea where the meeting place is? Might as well go over there now with the full crew. If we are going to be late might as well also have tons of us for safety.

If it is Croc I would need a translator to understand him anyways.
>>
No. 911385 ID: 65c9b9

>>911383
I guess we could send mail back if he left a return address and give him a passphrase to get past the guards like "Zall is pretty cute you know." no one down here would probably say that without a serious reason
>>
No. 911388 ID: eeb7d9

Hmmm, this is just a hunch, but i don't think he is here for Fen's head. If anything, he must want to warn him about something. He already knows Fen, so who knows. But i say we go meet him. The only problem is trying to understand him. Fen can't exactly do that by himself.
>>
No. 911389 ID: 90f3c0

We might as well see what he wants now, rather than waiting for him to catch up at a less convenient time.

It shouldn't be too hard to find someone who speaks such a distinctive dialect, just ask around the bars and inns.
>>
No. 911390 ID: 91ee5f

>>911383
Tell everyone about how you met Croc at the Fence and how both of you worked together to save a noble’s life when the Fence suddenly erupted into chaos. Although, if they ask who you saved, I’m not sure if it would be ok for you to tell them it was Sir Gauche you saved. Mostly because I’m not sure if you should just be throwing his name around or anything like that.

Just make sure you don’t include the details that involve how you also killed another noble, Sir Vackles, during that time!
>>
No. 911391 ID: e1d580

>>911383
Met him before. Got along. Might as well.
>>
No. 911392 ID: 5f3f48

I'm kind of amused by the just hanging out in the bath while allies do things around us. Fen's got his own little kobold Rome.

Tell the others you worked with Croc in Fence, so you're inclined to look into this. This might be legit and not bounty taking, though of course caution is required.

Even if we missed the meeting, they should be somewhere nearby. Can't get too far in just a couple of hours, and it's unlikely they'd give up and leave immediately after traveling here.
>>
No. 911394 ID: 298905

... Aren't we supposed to not be allowed out? Like, if we're to meet face to face, either we can't go out to him in the first place, or he's stuck here afterwards. Right? I mean, if you can go, then go. Prepared, of course. But if zombie infiltrators/escapees are still a possibility, and the quarantine's still up, it seems odd.

Also, as far as I can tell you never actually talked to Orjin at all since meeting Elinol, and that was a thing she specifically asked you to do, so... she'll probably be mad at you when she finds out you haven't?
>>
No. 911395 ID: 10c408

"Croc and I helped each other get out from under a very dangerous situation, I don't think he's after us.

...Well, when the letter was sent anyway.

He didn't ask to meet outside the tomb, did he?"
>>
No. 911409 ID: 72912c

Does "the spiky rounds up dragonside" actually refer to a place within the mausoleum? Because it sounds like some place topside.
>>
No. 911411 ID: b1b4f3

>>911383
Well, go to the meeting place anyway. He might still be there. Or if not there, at a nearby pub. Person like that is gonna stand out.
>>
No. 911418 ID: c0641d

If it ends up being impossible to go where he wants to meet us, we should send a reply saying as such: "Sorry, but I'm presently on campaign in the Necromile, which is currently under quarantine. Therefore, I cannot physically go where you want to meet at the moment. Also, your letter arrived late."

If it's still possible to meet, I say better late than never. It doesn't sound like he's after the bounty, but it doesn't sound friendly, either. It's probably someone who's not too happy about you getting close to Croc, and judging by the 'unless you're chicken' statement punctuating the message, they seem to be challenging you to a duel of honor or something.
>>
No. 911419 ID: 91ee5f

>>911383
I don’t think it’s worth looking into. If he wants to meet us, then he can come find us himself. Also, we’ve got 2 perfectly legit reasons on why we didn’t show up. The first being that the mail arrived late and the second being that we couldn’t read the letter, so we had no idea what he wanted from us.

Besides, after all the things that happened when Firzel was alone, it’d be pretty stupid if we purposefully went off by ourselves and risk the same thing happening to Fen!

We all stick together!
>>
No. 911425 ID: bfb318
File 154283984640.png - (29.01KB , 800x800 , 1183.png )
911425

"Was he waiting someplace within the tomb? I don't know what those words mean, like dragonside."
>"'Dragonside' means north." says Holly.
"And 'spiky rounds?'"
>"That's the name of a tavern, here."
"He might still be waiting."
>"You want to go? I'd recommend not! Definitely not alone, at the least."
>"I don't want anything to do with Croc!" Firzel says.
"He's alright." When I say that, they all look at me with renewed attention. "I met him. We exchanged words."
>"'Exchanged words'? Like a conversation?" asks Frais.
"I'm not sure it was a conversation. But he was friendly. I think."
>"Hold it." Firzel says. "You worked with him? I thought you killed a gold noble on your own!"
"Croc had nothing to do with that noble."
>"That one? What were you doing with Croc then?"
>"Holly, can I write back to this person?"
>"No, he didn't leave any information like that."
"I'd like to meet him."

Firzel goes back to splashing water.

>"We just got the water heated up again. And we'd be so late anyway. How about we leave in about an hour?"
>"That's bedtime." Frais says. "If it was two hours ago I'd go with Fen, it's late."
>"He asked for Fen alone, anyway. That makes it complicated." says Aira. "I'll still go, if you want."
>"Bordermen stand out even beyond speech." Holly says. "But you two, you don't want to help Fen with this, huh? Firzel?"
>"I got stabbed in the thigh!"
>"Okay, there's worse reasons than that. And you, Frais?"
>"I'm tired and don't feel like it." says Frais.
>"Like that reason..."

I'd have to split us up then, either by going alone or only taking Holly or Aira with me.
>>
No. 911427 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911425
Could go with Holly. Seems reasonable.
>>
No. 911428 ID: 10c408

Go alone and wear a nondescript cloak so you don't get recognized as easily.
>>
No. 911431 ID: c59a51

Don't bother going.
Going alone is a bad idea (if only because you could be ambushed on the way there), going ostensibly with someone may cause the guy to refuse to talk, and having someone as "distant backup" runs the risk of *them* being attacked.
>>
No. 911434 ID: 86eb65

Head out with Aira. Anything he can say to you he can say to her.

Watch your butt.
>>
No. 911435 ID: b1b4f3

>>911425
Go with Holly as an interpreter. You'll need to somehow disguise yourself so you won't get jumped by assassins on the way there. Trying to fight them off while protecting Holly would be really tough.
>>
No. 911436 ID: afdebc

>>911425
I say we go, take one or both of the fluffbold gals.

>You worked with him?
>That one?
Love Firzel's reaction as he starts realizing the scope of Fen's messes.
>>
No. 911437 ID: 298905

I say go. If it's out back behind a tavern, you can always just jump back into the tavern. All the people looking for bounties on you are in trouble if anyone finds out about them, so they won't follow you where there are witnesses or people who might jump in to support the law.

An apprentice of Croc's also strikes me as unlikely to take the "die so my family can get money" deal, since they're professionals instead of opportunists, and aren't working for Krix. It'd be too easy to track down someone with their accent and (probably) distinct appearance, too.

Plus, since you're going late, anyone searching for your bounty would have assumed you're not coming and left by now, while someone with a different reason for wanting to talk to you might have waited around.

So go! Take a pal just to go along the way and to hang in the tavern for you.
>>
No. 911438 ID: 6ee5db

>>911425
I say bring holly plus Aria if she's willing, but have Aria follow out of sight. It's reasonable to bring Holly along side a a translator and I'm pretty sure whoever this is wont take her as a threat (no offense)

Aria is there in the likely case things go south to get Holly the hell out of dodge and grab some help.
>>
No. 911439 ID: a9af05

>>911425
>What were you doing with Croc then?
Protecting a noble from being assassinated.
>>
No. 911466 ID: 91ee5f

>>911425
We’ve taken lots of precautions to make sure no one gets separated again, so I think it would be pretty stupid to go alone just because someone wants us to and said we’d be known as a coward for not coming.

We’ve got plenty of excuses to not show up. We’d need a translator to understand what he’s saying to us, since we couldn’t read the handwriting, which would mean we wouldn’t actually be going alone as requested. The mailman arrived late, so we figured he wouldn’t still be there if we went right now.

We shouldn’t be splitting up when we’ve got targets on all of our heads!

.....hey, I know Firzel said not to prove it again, but what would happen if you gave him a crazy Rokoa smile this time?

>suggestions saying bring Holly
That is very stupid! We can’t bring a non-combatan with us! She’d be the easiest to get killed or kidnapped if we get swarmed by a group of assassins!
>>
No. 911492 ID: eeb7d9

I am concerned about bringing Holly with us, but she has a good head on her shoulders and will be able to understand Croc the best. I say we bring her, and not lose any more time.
>>
No. 911495 ID: bb78f2

>>911425
Lets go it alone. Always bringing backup has disadvantages, like what happened with Moss. We have the most agency alone.
>>
No. 911496 ID: bfb318
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911496

"I'm going. Holly, do we have any cloaks we can wear?"
>"Yes, although... people sneaking around, hiding under cloaks, is as likely to get trouble from the guards."
"Is that worse than the assassins after me?"
>"Good point."

As reluctant as Holly is, Aira and her come with me.

The trip goes fine. Holly was right, and we get stopped by the guards. Holly shows Orjin's seal, and they each recognize me and why I would want to hide myself, so we're not kept long.
>>
No. 911497 ID: bfb318
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911497

The tavern we get to is small. The owner looks warily at us, but he gestures to a table.

>"You here to meet someone?" he asks.
"That's correct."
>"Hey! Gahna! I think your buddy's here."
>>
No. 911498 ID: bfb318
File 154291629219.png - (24.55KB , 1000x800 , 1186.png )
911498

Someone comes out from a backdoor, scratching his side. He stands out, and I can sense his mana well.

>"'ey. I'm thinkin' not, mugga, my guy? He's s'posed to be one guy. Not the count've three. That, an' every buddy of mine can fish out sundown."

He still sits down at the table we go to. He smells like he's rolled around in a flowerbed.

"I don't travel alone. Anything you tell me, I would tell these two."
>"Oi I'd wanna yammer what I'd wanna yammer first, then your fishface can figure whether or not to flap at the rest! Private. You and me. Drinks on me. Don't even need a lot've sundialing." He looks at Holly. What'chu having your eyes poke holes in me for, hippy?"
>"You don't speak like you wrote in your letter."
>"Well 'course! Realized' right after I put that paper right in the runner's mitts, my speech mighta beena little homely for fishface's sights. So I'm doin' my best to speak proper. Understandably even by you muggas."

He does speak strangely. It isn't exactly like how Croc sounded, but it does have an odd sense of familiarity.

"I want to know why you want to talk to me."
>"Oi, fina, Croc's taken a liking. Wantsta see if yer a real hunt. An' me? Well, army paid a nice ol' purse to have me tromp down to this shite hole, an' when I find ol' Red Maw himself here? 'Course I wanna see if Croc's jellies are still good."
"You just wanted to talk?"
>"Well whattaya expect some grand conspiracy to get yer teeth over a crummy ol' building? Yeh I wanna talk, does a walka need worth for it?!"
"You wanted me alone to just... talk?"
>"Yeh?!"
>>
No. 911500 ID: 86eb65

Have your friends sweep the room you are going to talk privately in.

If they find that it has no hidden traps or weapons or passages then feel free to have a private talk while they stand guard outside.

You can probably take anyone in a fight that does not use nasty tricks or backup. So check for those and then have a private chat.
>>
No. 911501 ID: 86eb65

Also let him know you might need a translator. Cause you still have no idea what Croc was talking about.

Unless you can understand his attempts to be understood.
>>
No. 911503 ID: eeb7d9

I see. Well you will have to fogive me not going alone, i had two good reasons to come escorted: first, i am under threat of assassination, and lately they have gotten mor bold, hurting my friends to get to me, so we never go alone. The second reason is becouse if i had to talk to Croc or someone from where he is from, i needed a translator. I have a hard time understending your people.
If you want us to talk alone, my friends can go and find another table, but they will not be leaving my sight. That is my only demand.
>>
No. 911505 ID: b1b4f3

>>911498
Ok just do some checks to make sure you're not being ambushed somehow and talk to him alone like he asked.
One worry is that he might be a lone highly skilled assassin, considering his mana. Yet, if he's strong enough to kill you 1v1 without letting you alert anyone outside the room, I doubt Aira's presence would be enough to save you.
>>
No. 911508 ID: 17c2ee

>>911498
What happened to your eyes.
>>
No. 911509 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911498
Point out that it would be stupid to go alone with someone trained by Croc. You've fought Croc. Croc is mental in a fight. You've literally had dozens of people trying to murder you in the dark down here.

Also, apologize for being late. Mention the mail was slow.
>>
No. 911511 ID: 298905

"My friends will sit at another table and we'll talk quietly. I actually DO have a couple of conspiracies on me, by the way. The reason I've trusted you this far is because I think anyone associated with Croc is a professional, and the professionals aren't desperate enough to come after me in the face of the army's threats unless they're deep under someone with a big enough shadow to hide them. I don't know if you've ever been hunted rather than being the hunter, but some of the amateurs went after a friend to get to me recently, so I don't have a lot of patience for secret "come alone" summons."

"As for whether I'm everything Croc says I am, I don't know what he's been saying. Warlord Krix thinks I'm good enough to concern him, if that counts. You could have just asked around the place about me, though, enough people in the army have heard of the things I've done here by now. You didn't need to come straight to me. Do you need help with something? I'd help out a friend of Croc's, but you don't seem like you need anything."
>>
No. 911512 ID: bb78f2

>>911498
This isn't Croc. If this one's the real Croc, we met a fake Croc. If this isn't the real Croc, the other's the real Croc.

Hell, from the thumbnail I thought perhaps this was a female Croc for a second. That he got wrapped up with a gender switch spell.
>>
No. 911513 ID: 298905

>>911512
Reading comprehension, D. This is "a pupil of Croc's" (>>911383), not Croc.
>>
No. 911514 ID: 10c408

It sounds like he's heard more than enough about us from... pretty much everyone, including croc and wanted to put the rumor mill to the test.

Unfortunately for him, you've got enemies and you WILL bug out if you sense things are a-miss.

If he wants to talk again later if things do go south, he can easily find Holly's tavern.
>>
No. 911517 ID: 91ee5f

>>911498
Had to take some precautions, since someone in the army has been trying to kill us. And I needed someone to help me understand what you were saying.

There’s also the fact that the mailman arrived late, which is why I’m here late.
>>
No. 911522 ID: bfb318
File 154293610560.png - (17.06KB , 800x800 , 1187.png )
911522

"What happened to your eyes?"
>"Right in the gut eh? Wait. What's the tongue on about 'eyes', it's just the one! This one! Nothin' skewed on my left! Right eye got cut right out, but throw enough mana at it and it's all back again. Old mountain ranges thought I was a mountain or somethin' and made it all sunny."
>"I've never heard about that happening." says Holly.
>"Ye hippy got a prob'em with me?"
"I've had a lot of assassins after me."
>"Yeh well this one ain't a busy assassin. For your head then, how many walkers you know of who get fresh jellies? Costed me an arm's weight! Maybe I shoulda got the purse back from the wizard, if it grew up all wrong!"
"Hrm. I'm willing to talk, but I want Holly and Aira to be at a nearby table. We can talk quietly."
>"Oy I'm yakkin' at a careful shroomeater ain't I. But why not? Don't have the moon, an' we gotta lay in the dark for hours in an arm span."
"What?"
>"He means sleep." says Holly. "At least the part about laying in the dark." She seems to have trouble understanding the rest of it, too.
>>
No. 911524 ID: bfb318
File 154293616230.png - (31.78KB , 1200x800 , 1188.png )
911524

I nod to Aira and Holly, and they sit on the other side of the room, since it isn't a large place to begin with.

>""ey keep! Get the fancy stings around the flats!"

The barkeep comes by puts a couple of mugs in front of us, then pours a pitcher into each. The alcohol smells sweet.

>"Ey', no stinginess tonight. Give stings to all the yappers. Don't slip that sullen scaly at the counter!" Gahna says, to which the owner nods to and moves to give drinks to the others in the bar. "Now 'en, fishbones - Croc - din't tell me too much. Yakked too many secrets. But this? I'm curious. Tell me 'bout what you an' Croc did."
>>
No. 911525 ID: 65c9b9

>>911524
razed a town because someone stole my property
>>
No. 911526 ID: 86eb65

Someone stole my property. I was on a mission to find it when I met Croc.

I think he liked me? We worked together as the city burned. I learned a lot from him even though I could not understand a word he said. I consider him a odd sort of friend.

Turns out my property ended up with a certain warlord. And the mythril of the region liked me so much she said I could hunt him down and kill him to take it back after I got out of the army.
>>
No. 911527 ID: 3674e7

>>911524
Infiltrated a town full of corrupt nobles and Razed it after killing the nobles.
>>
No. 911528 ID: 6ee5db

>>911524
Just give him a dry report like you usually do. It's prooobably best to leave out the dragon cloth but it would be a power play of the highest order, and I want to see how Ghana reacts.
>>
No. 911529 ID: 298905

This guy yaks secrets, huh? Better not tell him anything that would embarrass anyone, like Gauche not actually being a cunning mastermind.

"Croc and I stuck together while a town fell apart around us. A noble rebelled, seized the place and locked it down, slaughtered every other noble there but one and ran rampant looking for some special item he had his eyes on. That "but one" got in touch with us, plus another friend of mine, and by the end of it the rebel was dead and our noble friend was the new man in charge, locally at least."

Most of this came out in that big trial, so it's not like people don't know. If he seems like he wants more, try remember some of the fights you had then without giving away too much of the exact why and who.
>>
No. 911532 ID: 930050

>>911527
That's an abysmally inaccurate statement. Fen is only personally responsible for killing one corrupt noble at the Fence while working with Croc.
>>
No. 911533 ID: 91ee5f

>>911524
“One of the nobles at the Fence, named Vackles, tried to take over the town and me and Croc were hired to be his bodyguards. Neither of us liked him, so we pretended to go along with his plans until we got an opportunity to take him out. He tried to have a different noble killed, but we kept him hidden from Vackles. Then, when we finally got the chance, I ran my sword through Vackles and killed him. Then me, Croc, the noble we rescued, and 3 others all got into a wagon and escaped from the Fence while it was still in chaos.”

If Gahna asks for the name of the noble you and Croc protected, don’t tell him. Because if this guy can’t keep secrets, we don’t want him to be talking about Sir Gauche, since eventually word will get back to him about you telling people that you saved his life, and I doubt he’d want to be reminded of that.
>>
No. 911534 ID: 298905

>>911533
Phrasing it that way makes it seem like Fen joined Vackles and then decided to betray him, which would make him seem really dishonorable. Fen was intentionally infiltrating to a different end to begin with, which is more acceptable. Fen being recognized as the owner of the dragoncloth that was at the center of this whole thing was announced at a pretty public trial, which if I recall Croc was also at, so, on reflection there's not that much reason to hide it from someone who seems like they've been asking around about him anyway. Fen can just say that Vackles was after his property and he joined up with the intent of getting it first. He joined up with Croc along the way and he and Croc got chummy, et cetera et cetera. Do not say anything that Gauche, Croc or Cheese wouldn't like to hear Fen had been telling people.

We didn't actually see a lot of how that went down, since we were following Cheese for most of that time. Hearing about it now would be nice, actually.
>>
No. 911537 ID: eeb7d9

You should also tell him that on your way to that city, some gold noble stold your dragoncloth, and you had to kill him. This came back to bite you in the ass later, along with the case of the rebel noble. Because you basicly killed two nobles in a short time, and some other high nobles died as well during your trial, you have to take the title of noble to compensate for the shortage. And on top of that, the former noble that has your dragoncloth is trying to assassinate you, and you are going to have to kill him as well to take it back.
>>
No. 911538 ID: afdebc

>>911528
This seems reasonable.

One detail I think being left out of most people's summaries so far is that Croc and Fen fought two abominations (Cabbage and Tomato, thought we don't have to name them) in the middle of that.
>>
No. 911543 ID: b1b4f3

Be wary of the ale. You don't know this place. Also you don't really drink much so you have that excuse.
>>
No. 911544 ID: 46b0a9

"There was rumor of some really juicy cargo being smuggled in The Fence (I mean, juicier than usual for this city), and that's where I met Croc. He took a liking to me after a scuffle with a pair of abominations, and as factions formed we ended up infiltrating that of a local noble. One of the deeply rotten sort, so we wouldn't feel bad betraying him. He got so far into this whole cargo madness, he started murdering other nobles and taking over the city. He got the city burning, so we backstabbed him, and allied with the surviving noble, so we could all get out of the city together."
>>
No. 911545 ID: 46b0a9

And if he asks what happened to the cargo, you can say that in the end, higher nobility seized it.
>>
No. 911546 ID: 91ee5f

>>911543
>Also you don't really drink much so you have that excuse.
“I don’t drink much, but I’m willing to give anything a try.”
*slurp* *spit* *cough* *hack*
>>
No. 911549 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911524
"Someone robbed me so I burned the entire city down."
>>
No. 911646 ID: bfb318
File 154309120975.png - (17.34KB , 800x800 , 1189.png )
911646

I bump my mug into his mug. He takes a gulp.

"Croc and I stuck together until the Fence caught on fire. I was attempting to get my dragoncloth back, and I killed Sir Vackles trying to get it back. I did not succeed."
>"...Ui. Heard you were short on sentences, but this is a low moon!"
"I fought a couple of abominations, too."
>".... yeh?"

He takes another gulp of his drink. I would too, if only to be polite, but I'm wary. Holly sniffs it. I think Aira takes a drink. Gahna notices my attention on the drinks.

>"Ya not a stinger?"
"What?"
>"The drink! You don't?"
"Not really."
>"It'll help the stories come along, an' what you said made the court record resonate like a beastly minstrel! Din' drop the gold for ya to gawk at the mug's reflection. Take a drink, scaly! Goes for all 'em! Tell 'em, keep!"
>"They're paid for." says the shopkeeper. "He can do what he wants with it. But I do recommend drinking it. It is high quality, and it would be shameful to waste it."
>"Yeh! I wanna hear loosened flappers!"

I'm wondering if northerners are going to keep trying to get me to drink for as long as I'm up here, and the more I'm pushed, the more I feel like I'm somehow being impolite by refusing.
>>
No. 911647 ID: b1b4f3

>>911646
Even if the drink's not poisoned/drugged(he could have taken an antidote prior), the mug might be. Swap mugs with somebody else that's drunk out of theirs. If they're not suffering by the time you drink it's probably fine.
>>
No. 911648 ID: 86eb65

I don't think he is going to poison you. And at some point you need to figure out what booze does to you.

Just openly mention you have a problem with assassins and are being extra careful with food and drink.

If he swaps mugs with you or some other way of ensuring your safety then I say go for drinking some.

(Nobles have to have some sort of poison detecting things we could look into. Taste testers only go so far.)
>>
No. 911649 ID: 91ee5f

>>911646
Just go ahead and take a drink.

If you don’t like it, then you can let someone else drink it.
>>
No. 911651 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911646
Take a swig. Do not finish the mug.
>>
No. 911655 ID: 6ee5db

>>911646
Drink up, your story telling skills are frankly pretty bad and the alcohol will likely improve them a bit, and I mean if Gahna is much like Croc he'd challenge you to a straight fight if he wanted to kill you.
>>
No. 911656 ID: 38e45e

Don't drink too much, if it's sweet you won't realize how drunk you're getting before it's too late.
>>
No. 911657 ID: afdebc

>>911646
Don't worry about not liking their fancy drinks, you're a barbarian.

Just keep telling Fen style stories. I don't think getting drunk would change the way you relate stories much, anyways.
>>
No. 911660 ID: 65c9b9

>>911646
drink only 1 cup
>>
No. 911665 ID: c59a51

Make this glass last the whole evening.
>>
No. 911666 ID: 298905

It'd be way too easy for that to be poisoned. You could even swap mugs or get the bartender to drink and it wouldn't matter, they could have taken the antidote in advance. Gahna and the shopkeeper wouldn't even need to be in on it! That messenger was late, remember. Intercepted, perhaps? Someone like Krix could have had someone sneak in here and poison everything, and slip an antidote to everyone but Fen, or some equally convoluted method we might not have thought of. Even if it just a plain old drink, "high quality" usually means "strong" where alcohol is concerned, and Fen can't afford to be even a bit drunk if he's not going to be anywhere he's not sure he'll be safe. So:

"One of the relatively few things I understood Croc ever telling me was that he liked my bluntness, so I'll tell you why I don't drink: first, so that my reflexes won't be dulled if I'm ambushed by anyone on the way home, second so that I don't get poisoned. That's a matter of general principle, not anything personal. It would be a shame to waste it, yes, so please use my drink to top up yours."
>>
No. 911668 ID: bfb318
File 154310547662.png - (16.66KB , 800x800 , 1190.png )
911668

I drink. I don't hate it as much as other alcohol I've had, but I still don't like it. I don't have the whole mug, either.

>"Good stuff."

Aira and Holly drink, too.

"I don't think this will make me a better storyteller."
>"We'll take a gander at that, once the sting kicks in! Now, here's a handle of mine."

He pulls out a knife and starts talking about how he got it and what he's done with it. I pay attention, but I lose track of what he's saying a few sentences is. The story is a few minutes, and I'm glad he's not asking me to prove I understood any of it.

I drink a bit more, but only when he takes a drink. I think he realizes I'm only keeping up with him, so he drinks more.

Then the alcohol affects me. I wobble. It's discomforting.
>>
No. 911669 ID: bfb318
File 154310548680.png - (16.01KB , 800x800 , 1191.png )
911669

>"Now, Maw! Tell me 'gain bout your walks. Least about those 'bominations! Who were they? Ain't a lotta them 'round the Fence."
"Hrm. It's not important. They attacked me through... a fence. Not the fence. A fence."

"... I think it was a wall."

"This isn't helping me tell stories."
>"It is, ya goon! Ain't a clear one, but it's already more interesting!"

I only had a small portion of the mug, and it's affecting me greatly. Northerners would likely make fun of me for being so easily affected by alcohol, too. I'm fuzzy, and I can't think of anything more to say to him.

I hear a noise.
>>
No. 911671 ID: bfb318
File 154310554441.png - (35.55KB , 1200x800 , 1192.png )
911671

... the other person who was drinking fell onto the counter. He starts slipping off, as Aira and Holly get up.

>"You really shoulda come alone, friend."

I can't reach my sword?
>>
No. 911672 ID: bfb318
File 154310555706.png - (23.87KB , 1000x800 , 1193.png )
911672

I take a step forward. Fen passes out.

The bartender pulls out a short sword, but stays behind the counter. I'm not concerned about him. Ghana is brandishing his knife at Fen.

>"Whoa whoa there. I want to collect Fen alive and in one piece - more professional that way - but I'll stab 'im if I gotta, cause really, he's as valuable dead. An' I wouldn't test me in combat after the drink you two've had. Takes just a gulp. You should be feeling a little tingly, yeah? A lil' heavier than usual - er?"

He looks at our mugs. We pretended to drink them. Now that he's standing, he can see that they're full.

>"Well ain't that an idea that didn't change a thing, because let me tell you what's happenin' real clearly. You both're gonna tilt those mugs down your throats and let yourselves take a nap. I got no reason to kill either of you unless you give me reason, so a nap's safe. Then when it's waking time, I'll've turned Fen in, and what happens after ain't a concern of mine - ya know, if he escapes, or somethin' like that." He winks at us. "Escape ain't easy, but what's real easy is me puttin' a knife in his skull the instant either of ya budge the wrong move."

He tilts his head towards our drinks.
>>
No. 911673 ID: 3674e7

>>911672
Well splashing alcohol in his face then running him through should work, alcohol really stings if it gets in your eyes plus theirs the added effect of the drug he added. Just make it look like your going to drink it then throw (splash?) it at his face and go from there.
>>
No. 911674 ID: 86eb65

He has a thick skull.

Pretend to consider drinking and then throw the mugs liquid in his face as you go to "drink". Alchohol in the eyes sucks. Specially cause the drugs will start taking affect if it gets all over him.

Then one of you draw your weapon as the other one throws a chair at him. Then take him down.

(He is not looking at Fen and would have to turn and stab blindly right now for his threat to work. Pretending to drink will let you get your mug up and throw before he can react)
>>
No. 911675 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911672
Throw the poisoned stuff in his eyes. He clearly cares about his appearance and sight, so he'll blink. If he doesn't, he'll be blinded. Then remember your training with that psycho abomination and try to strike his eyes with speed instead of force.

This little punk isn't Croc, so he's not immune to stabwounds or grievous injury.
>>
No. 911676 ID: 298905

Guess I was too late with that last suggestion.

For now, act like you're interested in his proposition, give yourself a little time to think. Ask him where he'd be turning him in. Maybe ask if he'd even let Holly stay awake and follow at a distance - she's not a threat, right? Not going to be able to fight, not going to move fast enough to go get help, and just screaming for it on the street will only attract other people who want Fen dead.

He's probably not gonna go for it, but he has no reason not to kill you two once you're knocked out - you're witnesses to what is, down here, officially a crime with a punishment arguably worse than death. No reason for him not to kill Fen once he leaves, either. Easier to hide a head than a body.

Looks like this guy probably doesn't actually have much of anything to do with Croc, his accent only got weaker when the show was over. He might not even be a good fighter? That's not how you hold a knife. The thumb goes up higher, for better control, and either he's got it in the wrong hand, has the sheath on the wrong side, or he's ambidextrous.

I notice he's been holding his side in a weird way, too. >>911672 and >>911522

With that high mana signature, I wonder, what are the odds this guy is actually an undead infiltrator of some sort? And the eye, scar and side thing are signs of not being put together perfectly? But if that was the case, why not just kill him?... Perhaps the necromancers want Fen alive now for some reason. Maybe this guy is actually a necromancer, not really undead, or partly undead or something? I'd actually lay better odds on the necromances bothering to keep Fen alive than someone who's just after the bounty.

If he is just a bounty hunter there's a possibility he's bluffing about the stab, the threat to him from Fen's death (freeing you to run and go get help, which can easily be achieved if one of you slows them down for the other to escape) is much bigger than the threat Fen's death is to you, from an objective standpoint. Plus that "after the drink you two've had" comment indicates he's not actually that confident in fighting you both, even though Holly is missing a leg. But I'm not too sure if he is just a normal bounty hunter now.
>>
No. 911677 ID: 38e45e

Ask him if he has some kind of plan to help Fen find the conspirators with some kind of plausible deniability and get paid at the same time.

Interrupt by throwing your drink in his eyes, then a mug or your chair, then slash low into his stomach or thighs. Most important thing is to stay out of arms length, lord knows what that knife's poisoned with.
>>
No. 911678 ID: afdebc

Fen you were right to be suspicious of booze, but you let your guard down. Never again!

>He has a thick skull.
>Pretend to consider drinking and then throw the mugs liquid in his face as you go to "drink".
Pretty much. Your best bet is to close distance hard and fast, and trust this guy will prioritize staying alive in face of an attack more than he will making sure he finishes Fen off.

A slash on the top of Fen's head isn't gonna kill him anyway- dude is holding the knife wrong. He needs to reorient to stab down to get through the skull and that will cost time. He could try to go through the eye socket or roof of the mouth, or cut Fen's throat, but I'm not sure he can do that fast enough with Fen's head covered and him looking the wrong way, either.
>>
No. 911679 ID: 298905

Also, what with the bone and in Fen's case with the scales and horns, it's not actually that easy to just put a knife in someone's skull unless it's into the eye socket, and the angle Fen's head is at would make that pretty tricky. The back of the neck isn't a good spot either, with Fen's horns covering it and it being obscured by the hood. This guy hasn't positioned the knife for a really powerful jab downwards, and with the arm he's got it in, turning to face Fen would actually pull the knife away from him. Fen could lose an eye of his own or take a pretty serious gash but the threat of a knife embedded in the brain or spine is actually quite low!

What would lower it even more: throw a chair at him. Not at the guy, at Fen! He can survive a smack with a flying chair, and it'll either land on top of him or knock him backwards, either way putting him out of instant stabbing range long enough for you to get to grips with the drink-spiker, there.
>>
No. 911680 ID: b1b4f3

Take a mouthful of that stuff, and spit it in his face to distract him enough that you can close the distance before he can stab Fen.
>>
No. 911681 ID: 91ee5f

>>911680
I don’t think that’s safe. Even if we don’t swallow any, it could still affect us and knock us out.
>>
No. 911682 ID: 65c9b9

croc's friend can at least keep them from killing Fen long enough for you to get over there and protect Fen, don't hesitate to attack.
>>
No. 911683 ID: 10c408

Drink a small amount, enough to get a taste.

If he's only interested in stories where you fight things, then Cheese's siblings are a good starting point.
>>
No. 911684 ID: 91ee5f

>>911682
Croc’s friend is the one currently threatening to stab Fen!

>>911683
You are really late. Fen’s been knocked out and we’re controlling Aira.
>>
No. 911686 ID: 6ee5db

>>911672
Just gonna support the slash 'n stab idea
>>
No. 911687 ID: 91ee5f

>>911676
>I notice he's been holding his side in a weird way, too.
Wait, what if this is one of the guys that Firzel injured when he was escaping from his own kidnapping? That might explain why he’s holding his side, he’s still hurt and can’t move too well!

And with the bartender being slowed down by needing to move over or around the counter, we should have plenty of time to attack the guy closest to Fen!
>>
No. 911688 ID: deec6e

Tossing just a mug won't do.

Take a slow step forward and say "Fen is incredibly thick-skulled. What about you? Would you die to collect?"

Then pause (presumably as the threat is repeated), grit your teeth in apparent frustration and half-turn, leaning towards the mugs, putting one hand on the chair to steady yourself as you lean across it to reach for a mug - with your head turned away from Ghana, wink at Holly, then turn back to Ghana as you brandish the mug. Ghana has to pay attention to you to see if you're actually drinking it, so as you raise the mug to your lips, say, completely deadpan, "Fen, this has gone far enough. Stop pretending and get him."

If/when the guy glances back at Fen, toss the chair at his chest to unbalance him, then toss the drink towards his head to blind him (so even if he dodged or deflected the chair you have a second follow-up shot) - and charge in, telling Holly to take care of Fen.

If you get the chance, draw your sword.

Alternatively - and possibly more safely - toss the chair at Fen, knocking Fen off the table and temporarily out of Ghana's reach.
>>
No. 911689 ID: eeb7d9

If he really is injured, we need to take advantage of that. I liked the idea of throwing the alchohol to his face and then get close to him. But be warry, i don't think him being good at fighting is a bluff.
>>
No. 911690 ID: 38e45e

>>911676
I think we ought to let him know we know he's injured, and that his plan has already gone to shit and he should just walk away.
>>
No. 911701 ID: faa246

Could try and stall for a better opening with conversation. I'd recommend a bluff of "We're looking to get paid too. Can't just let him go for nothing, but maybe we can work something out together?"
>>
No. 911702 ID: 10c408

Pretend to take a drink, splash him with the alcohol instead and kill him QUICKLY before he gets to do anything.
>>
No. 911703 ID: 10c408

Actually wait I have a better idea. We should try and convince him that he'll earn a lot more cash if he works with us by identifying the members of krix's force here who have been approving all of the assassination attempts.

And if he does go for it then we can try and take him down.
>>
No. 911755 ID: c0641d

Did he wink at us when he mentioned Fen potentially escaping? So that's his game; he wants to have that bounty cake and eat it with Fen too. Playing both sides. Ask if he really knows Croc. Keep him talking as we move in the suggestion of doing what he says. Whether he drops more "I'm turning him in, but not really" hints will determine what we end up following through with. Besides, they'd be leading Fen right into the center of the jackasses that need taking out. Of course, if it turns out I'm overthinking this and he's not secretly on both teams, then I'm fine with the drink-throwing action. Just want to gage things a little more before we settle on something.
>>
No. 911760 ID: bfb318
File 154318024859.png - (25.99KB , 800x800 , 1194.png )
911760

He's not holding his knife right, but it could be poisoned.

.... but I won't let him leave with Fen.
>>
No. 911761 ID: bfb318
File 154318026151.png - (48.25KB , 1200x800 , 1195.png )
911761

I throw my mug. He turns around while I rush him.

>"Gahhh!"

Holly threw a knife, too.

He's about to strike Fen.
>>
No. 911762 ID: bfb318
File 154318028002.png - (25.81KB , 800x800 , 1196.png )
911762

No, it was a feint. He doesn't even try to hit Fen.
>>
No. 911763 ID: bfb318
File 154318034693.png - (81.31KB , 1200x800 , 1197.png )
911763

He misses me, but he was already jumping back. I miss him, too. Even though I miss, he's gotten away from Fen.

He's jumped back to the bartender, who's crying out from the knife Holly just threw into his shoulder.

I rush forward to stab Ghana again. He's staggering more than defending himself.
>>
No. 911764 ID: bfb318
File 154318039665.png - (25.36KB , 800x800 , 1198.png )
911764

.... I step back. I don't cut him.

>"Aira? What's wrong?" asks Holly.

Ghana sidesteps so that I'm between him and Holly.

"... let me see your side, Ghana."
>"Huh?"
"You're undead, aren't you? You were about to let me strike you so you could stab me."
>"What?" Holly asks. "Oh... oh, no."
>"Haha why ya think that?"
"Your accent is falling apart. Your eye is wrong. You're holding your side like you might fall apart if you don't. You can't hold a knife. You leak mana like one. I doubt you know Croc."
>"I get it, I get it!" His accent has also changed to something unrecognizable. "The body knew Croc, he was a pupil and everything. Then he got a little too cocky and wandered a little too far. Put up a decent fight, but..."

He lifts his shirt and winks.

>"That's why you wanted Fen?" asks Holly. "For a clean corpse?"
>"A popular one, too! Wish he came alone. Once he didn't, I was hoping I could've gotten your clean corpses, too."
>>
No. 911765 ID: bfb318
File 154318040570.png - (30.77KB , 800x800 , 1199.png )
911765

>"Worse than botched." says the bartender. "If it was just botched, we would've bowed out and let it go. But this..."
>"Hey, we can still get Fen. We just have to mangle these two bodies. Maybe we don't have to? Hey, you two. We may not be the best fighters, but we don't have normal bodies. We can take a dozen stab wounds. Not sure if you want to fight that. So let's - "
"Shut up."
>"What?"
"You keep talking. I don't care."

Ghana doesn't seem like a good fighter. He's not wielding his knife well, and he isn't even pulling out the sword at his hip. There's more mana coming from his body, so I think it's having difficulty acting alive.

The bartender is lining himself up so that Holly doesn't have a clear shot. I can try to get out of the way, but if I get out of the way too far, they can get to Holly. She can't defend herself well against a rush, so I can't let them through or die right away.

I'm assuming his knife is poisoned, and if I get cut, I have only a few seconds to act. I can't die right away, here. Holly can't defend herself well from a rush.
>>
No. 911767 ID: 86eb65

Scream "Undead Attack" as loud as you can before you do anything.

Stay in between them and Fen.

As for "being able to take a dozen stab wounds" Who cares? You have fought undead before. If you chop off ones hands they cant try and stab you. You don't have to aim to kill just to dismember and maim.

He has a knife and you have a sword. Hack at his hands. No fingers means no knife. Watch for him throwing it at short range.
>>
No. 911769 ID: 470289

Aim for extremities. If you can get Holly a clear shot to the door she can leave and get reinforcements (Since knives won't be super helpful. Unless she can get shots to their eyes).
>>
No. 911771 ID: eeb7d9

Well i wasn't expecting this. Now they infiltrate undead?

If they don't know how to fight, the only thing that they can do is ignore wounds and go for an all out strike.If it is a poisoned dagger, we can't take any chances. We need to disarm him, attack his arms and legs. Take advantage of his lack of expirience.
The one behind him must be as equialy inept, he only cares about not getting hit again. Once we deal with the first one, Holly will have room to attack and you can rush him, or finish the first one.
>>
No. 911773 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911765
Howl, "UNDEAD!" as loud as you can. Try to aim for their joints, ignore their torsos. The trouble is you have knives rather than axes now.
>>
No. 911774 ID: c59a51

Yeah, start by yelling for alarm. We're no longer dealing with bounty hunters here.
>>
No. 911776 ID: 91ee5f

>>911765
How the fuck did undead get past the defenses?! I thought there were countermeasures in place to prevent undead from sneaking into camp! That’s not good! Because if these guys are here, then there’s no telling how many more might be hiding in camp!

>We may not be the best fighters, but we don't have normal bodies. We can take a dozen stab wounds.
I doubt he could fight without a head, but don’t focus on that. Instead, try to cut off his limbs!

You’ve got a sword, which gives you more reach! Just make sure you watch for if he tries to throw his knife at you!
>>
No. 911777 ID: c0641d

Then let's not stab them; let's aim for dismemberment. Be wary of thrown weapons. Then again, maybe you should just send Holly out for reinforcements? You might be able to take these clowns on your own and Holly isn't able to do much here anyway.
>>
No. 911778 ID: afdebc

Hmm, if not-Ghana is undead, did he feel pain from the knife attack, or was yelling when he was hit part of his feint to try and draw you close enough to kill?

>I can't die right away, here. Holly can't defend herself well from a
rush.
I like that your reason for not wanting to die is that it would be inconvenient for your ally.

>what do
Attempting to main them is more important than trying to kill them. Hits to organs or the head or major blood vessels may not shut down the magic keeping them alive, but every muscle or limb you wreck is one less they have to work with. Taking out his knife hand or arm would be pretty useful, for sure. Exploit your reach as much as possible, and work on taking them apart. If you can hit existing stitches, they might fall apart faster for less work.

Also, since they're lined up like that, if you can get not-Ghana off balance, or knock him backwards, they should go down in a pile together. A pile that can be stabbed or hit with thrown knives.

>yell for help
That might get more army people running... but there's a bunch of people in the army who want Fen dead. They might take advantage of his incapacitation. Really, it would be ideal if you could off these two without additional reinforcements, then get out with Fen.
>>
No. 911779 ID: c1212a

That knife if definitely poisoned, especially if he's neglecting the sword in favor of it.

Whip your cloak (is the furniture covered? maybe use that) around his face, go for the legs. Smash a bone or cut enough tendon and he won't be able to balance- he can't dodge you on the ground, and then you can use your range advantage at your leisure. I'd recommend throwing heavy furniture, to be safe.
>>
No. 911786 ID: 298905

You didn't get that mana sense from the bartender, he bled when he was hit with the knife, and Ghana's willingly using himself as a shield for him. That suggests the bartender is actually alive, not undead.

Here's the bad news: if these guys are working with the necromancers, they have no reason to use sleeping drops when they could use more lethal poison, unless they have a secret reason to want Fen alive. If they really do just want a clean corpse, Fen might be dying right now (and that guy who was at the bar, too). That might be why he didn't bother to go after Fen at all. Double downside: if you call for help, someone who arrives might decide to have a go at Fen. It's unlikely, though, since if enough people come, there'll be too many witnesses. It's probably still your best bet for Holly to go call for help right away while you hold them off.

How to fight undead? Like he said, stabs won't work. You slice. Aim to cut the tendons where muscles attach to bone. For example, if you slice up the ones in his arm, he won't be able to move the knife well, or could even drop it. It should be relatively easy to go for his arms when he tries to attack you. Be careful, though! If he could poison the knife, there's no reason for him not to poison his claws or his fangs, given he's undead. Watch for those. Use your surroundings, tip over tables and chairs and so on. Your job is to slow them down.

Good news: if you pull this off, your reputation's going to rise, you'll probably get some gold, and you get to repay a good chunk of your debt to Fen.
>>
No. 911787 ID: 10c408

Yeah... This is really bad. Not only are they undead and can freely take a lot of damage to ensure your death, there's two of them and they've effectively got hostages.

Holly needs to get outside and raise the alarm, you need reinforcements to negate their numbers advantage before they decide that trying to kill you isn't worth it and start killing other people for their own reinforcements.

And as far as fighting them goes... They've got you at several extreme disadvantages and the major one you have is range. So I think switching between being aggressive and defensive should work enough until you have reinforcements. Try and cut off Ghana's arm now, but try not to give them any ground since they may just opt to kill Fen instead.
>>
No. 911789 ID: deec6e

>>911765

Shiiit. Good call on whoever called the Undead thing. It begs the question - if this is something they're doing, how many kobolds have been kidnapped/killed so far - and been replaced?

Man, that's mean. Even if you win this, this will only deepen the paranoia around here (jeez, might wanna double-check on Firzel)... but you definitely have to win it.

Have you gotten any tips for dismantling mostly-whole undead during your training so far? Going by the stitching, that seems like something you'd want to exploit - but we can't assume the undead won't have tricks up their sleeve. Like - a buncha dangerous stuff (tendrils, claws, booby traps, etc.) or wotnot sewed up inside him, rather than it being just a bodily structure weakness.
>>
No. 911792 ID: b1b4f3

>>911765
Disarm him first, then disable him. Strikes to the limbs, eyes, etc.
>>
No. 911865 ID: 9125e0

Cut his fucking arm off and force it down his own throat. like a fucking gnoll then stab the shit out of the blue fucker break a cup or two over him, Then drag their ass's to Sir Zall……… so just think like Sir Orjin.



Also fen is no longer allowed to drink alcohol that's not made by Holly, no madder how rude he's being by not drinking it.
>>
No. 911888 ID: bfb318
File 154333627943.png - (18.33KB , 800x800 , 1200.png )
911888

Hm.

"Undead! Guards, there's undead in here!"
>>
No. 911889 ID: bfb318
File 154333629050.png - (24.36KB , 800x800 , 1201.png )
911889

I hear a guard's bell getting waved around.

Ghana runs at me desperately and badly. I cut his arm. It doesn't come off, but it's unlikely to be usable now.

I just noticed the bartender has more mana coming from him after the knife wound. He bleeds, but Ghana's bleeding too. Their wounds seal quickly, at least enough to stop the bleeding.

It looks like they can feel pain, but they aren't overwhelmed by it.
>>
No. 911890 ID: bfb318
File 154333630599.png - (37.56KB , 1000x800 , 1202.png )
911890

Then they look at each other, and run. I don't how many knives Holly has, but she throws them at the bartender.

Then there's a flash of mana from Ghana. His wounds reopen, including the one stitched cut at his side. His torso twists incorrectly, and he sprays blood before collapsing.

A second later, and the bartender has the same effect.
>>
No. 911891 ID: bfb318
File 154333631562.png - (33.74KB , 1000x800 , 1203.png )
911891

They both collapse, and the mana vanishes.

From what I've heard and seen, stabs aren't ineffectual against undead. Taking off limbs and muscles are good, but simple torso stabs increase the amount of mana a dead body needs in order to function. That may be why Ghana started with mana the moment I met him. The wound on his torso, and maybe the one from his eye, meant that more mana had to be spent on him.

A guard run in, and takes one look at what's going on.

>"Undead where?"
"Those two."
>"That it?"
"Those are the only two we've seen."
>"... is that Ghana?"
>"Or someone in his body. Do you know him?" Holly asks.
>"I saw him. He went missing over a week ago. More guards are coming. Tell me what happened."
>>
No. 911892 ID: bfb318
File 154333632859.png - (12.46KB , 800x800 , 1204.png )
911892

My head is throbbing.
>>
No. 911893 ID: bfb318
File 154333638674.png - (18.82KB , 800x800 , 1205.png )
911893

"Holly?"
>"Hi Fen. You've been sleeping awhile."
"What happened?"

Holly tells me what happened after I fell asleep. Slowly, since she can tell I'm still half asleep.

After dealing with Ghana and the bartender, the guards searched the place and found the real tavern owner tied up in the basement. The guards took Aira, Holly, and myself back to Holly's place. Zall didn't show up in person, but he got word of it and sent a truth wizard to get Aira and Holly's report.

>"We got a decent reward, by the way. I don't think we would have found out about them if you didn't drink, so we left part of our reward with you for... well, it's weird to reward you for drinking that, but it worked out for the best! It's 15 silver for you."
"I don't think I'm ever going to drink alcohol again."
>"This should be more of a lesson about where and who you drink with. But with that said, I'm not going to try to get you to drink again anytime soon."
"They put me to sleep, not poisoned me?"
>"It's possible their lethal poison might have required more mana to reanimate your corpse later. That's just a guess, we're not sure, it's entirely possible they wanted you alive for questioning first. Anyway, the camp's on high alert now. No walking out after nightfall without permits, and always keep your knight seal on you when walking anywhere even during the day. Not like that wasn't a rule before, but now it's enforced."
"How did Ghana and the bartender get into camp? I thought there were efforts against that."
>"A question I'm sure the guards have had to struggle with. Worse off, now there's a question of how many undead kobolds were already in camp before tonight. The guards have complained, too, saying there's no way they could keep up with the flow of traffic in and out of this place, so they've just been letting people in if they look alive. Rumors say that Zall's changing the guard."
"Where is Aira?"
>"Asleep. Hydril's training resumes this morning, so you should go back to doing the same."
>>
No. 911894 ID: cf4efa

>>911893
Fen's eyes are supposed to be white, not yellow. Is this an art error, or is he posessed?
>>
No. 911896 ID: 86eb65

Take this as a painful lesson. You now eat and drink like a assassination prone noble at all times. Inquire into if there are purity testing magic items for food. Like a fork that turns color if poison is in something.

And keep training that mana sense. Be extra paranoid if you can notice people more than usual with it.

Your eyes are yellow now for some reason. Might want to get that checked.

For now rest and drink plenty of water.
>>
No. 911897 ID: 6ee5db

>>911893
You really need to check out your eyes, unless you don't think you'll be able to get back to sleep afterwards you should have a wizard take a look at you real quick.
>>
No. 911898 ID: eeb7d9

I read somewhere that silver is usefull to see if there is poison in liquids, but i am not sure.

Are you ok, Fen? Your eyes look wierd. It might be from the hangover?
>>
No. 911899 ID: 6217ad

>>911893
Yellow eyes. No horn crack. You aren't Fen, or you got forced into another body. RIP.
>>
No. 911900 ID: deec6e

Re: Yellow eyes - if it's potion-related, it might be a parting gift from a certain peeved potion-mixer. Ask Holly to check on condition of the other bar patron who drank the drugged brewski. Does he show unusual/similar symptoms? Because you sure does.

Fen - something's fixed you up. Something's fixed you up so well that your eyes have turned you into a 'proper' yellow barbarian and your chipped horn's as good as new. Since Holly hasn't said that an Archmage dropped by to drop a magic heal hammer on your head, it's gotta be the potion. Goodness knows what was in that drink, but it sure as heck wasn't 'just' a sleep potion.

That or the changes are illusory and cosmetic only, though goodness knows why. You could try to feel for the chip in your horn to see if it's still there.
>>
No. 911902 ID: 91ee5f

>>911892
>>911893
Something is wrong with Fen’s eyes! They’re yellow instead of white!

>Hydril's training resumes this morning, so you should go back to doing the same.
Don’t go to sleep yet.

Ask if anyone checked you and the other guy that was put to sleep, to make sure that the only thing wrong with both of you was you were both put to sleep?

And ask if anyone checked to make sure whatever was put in the alcohol only had the effect of putting someone to sleep. You’d hate to find out that there was another effect that would cause you slowly turn into a mutant or cause you to be controlled by the enemy!
>>
No. 911903 ID: c0641d

We seem to be in a low light area (notice how everything including Fen's skin is yellower), and Fen's eyes were "in the dark" (read; closed) for a bit, hence why they aren't bioluminescing like Aira's. (And what are you guys talking about? His horn crack is clearly visible.) Doesn't hurt to double check, though. Other than that, let's get some sleep.
>>
No. 911904 ID: 91ee5f

>>911899
Look again. His horn is cracked.
>>
No. 911905 ID: deec6e

>>911893
>>911900

Heh! Disregard horn comment, it's better now.
>>
No. 911906 ID: 91ee5f

>>911903
Even when Fen is in low light, his eyes are white.
>>
No. 911907 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911893
Fen's eyes look yellow. Did that poison damage his liver or something? Anyway, Fen, since you've been comatose for ages, you should do some light exercises and get back to sleep after a good meal.
>>
No. 911910 ID: 91ee5f

>>911902
Actually, I just thought of another reason on why Fen’s eyes are yellow.

It’s been mentioned that kobolds are tied to the land where they’re born, so maybe the location in the Shroomleaf forest where Fen’s tribe is located is the reason they have white eyes?

If that’s true, then maybe Fen has been away from home for so long, whatever caused his eyes to be white finally wore off and left him with the “normal” yellow barbarian eyes?
>>
No. 911911 ID: bfb318
File 154334294549.png - (68.25KB , 800x800 , 1206.png )
911911

"You're looking at my eyes."
>"Oh, sorry, they just look... hold on a minute."

She reignites a torch and lifts it closer to my face for a bit.

>"..... Yeah, now they look right. You've been asleep for so long that the light left your eyes, and the torch gave your dark eyes a yellow look to them."
"Are there magic items to test for poison?"
>"More than none, but they're only part of the solution."
"What about that other bar patron?"
>"Hm? Oh, him. He was a vagrant and knew amazingly little about anything."
"Okay. Just make sure someone wakes me up tomorrow morning."
>"Sure thing. I'll be awake tonight. Just call if you need anything."

She leaves and shuts the door, so I sleep.
>>
No. 911913 ID: bfb318
File 154334303028.png - (31.58KB , 800x800 , 1207.png )
911913

I get up on my own after all, and go downstairs to get breakfast. It's especially cold. Holly greets me.

>"You're looking well, Fen, at least compared to Firzel here."
>"What's that mean?" Firzel asks.
>"She means you look like shit." says Frais. "Worry about Fen a bit much?"
>"Nah, worried about how crappy it is living up here now. Plus we went out to talk with guards, and those bastards were looking at us like we were criminals wearing the skin of good folks! And now there's all these rules just to step out of the tavern?"
>"You shouldn't be stepping out without business, anyway." says Holly.
>"At least down where Valsano's at, there's good reason to not wander far from camp!"
>"What's there to do about it?"
>"I'm going to grab my greater knight seal from Sir Hydril, and fuck off. My new armor's going to be done later today."
>>
No. 911914 ID: 86eb65

Miserable as it is things could be way worse. We have food and shelter and good company.

Until we leave this mess of a crypt we stay grouped up. Minimum 2 person groups at all times. That includes Holly when she mans the bar. It's not going to be much of a bar at this rate so no leaving her alone.

Go as a group to get emblems and armor.
>>
No. 911915 ID: 5f3f48

Bounty hunters and undead inftrators are good reasons for caution.

Doesn't seem like a great reason to ditch training early, and Fen can give his opinion, but ultimately Firzel makes his own decisions, and Valsano's would probably benefit with someone to watch his back. So pros and cons either way.
>>
No. 911916 ID: 5f3f48

Oh, also, don't forget to thank Holly and Aira.
>>
No. 911918 ID: b1b4f3

>>911913
I wonder if Fen's armor will be ready soon.
Tell Firzel you'll be following him soon enough.
>>
No. 911920 ID: 6ee5db

>>911913
Seconding what >>911915 and >>911916 said, but when thanking holly ask how long we were out for.
>>
No. 911921 ID: eeb7d9

Well, not dying sounds like a good excuse for all this caution. You should know that better than anyone, Firzel. Speaking of that, i am still worried about the assassins from Krix, they haven't apeared yet, but they are bound to bother us again.
>>
No. 911922 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911913
Point out that Firzel was already captured by assassins once, and that both swarms of bounty hunters and now undead ninjas are after Fen.
>>
No. 911923 ID: bfb318
File 154334958339.png - (28.22KB , 1000x800 , 1208.png )
911923

"Thank you, Holly and Aira, for watching over me."
>"Of course." says Holly. Aira is silent.
"Firzel, there's good reason to keep from wandering, now, you should especially know it. My armor will be done tomorrow, so I'll be picking it up, then. As long as we're in groups of at least two at all times until we leave, we can do as we like. Including you, Holly."
>"Elinol's coming soon, and Gabby's around now, so I'll be with company until I go down to Sir Orjin to help camp. Plus, all of my own guards were confirmed to be alive. I hope when I go down, this place will function. It's not been very tavern-like lately. I don't even have stock ready, right now."

She looks at the shelves. This place does look barren compared to normal.

"How long was I knocked out?"
>"A few hours, then you slept a few hours more."

There's some yelling and running, outside.

>"There's also a lot of undead hunting going on. There's definitely undead kobolds. Guards have been tipped off to people who thought were dead, and many people who scouted far have been checked."
>"It's nothing serious." says Gabby, who comes out from the back. "Not many undead seem like they know how to fight that well. I think they're just here as information gatherers, not as infiltrating soldiers."
>"Still, it's no guarantee none are dangerous. Firzel, since you have to go to Sir Hydril anyway to get your promotion, you may 1as well join training at first. You might find it's the anticipation that's bad, and once you start, it isn't so bad."
>"Quit acting like you know me." Firzel states.

...

>"Sorry." he adds. "You're wrong, but I don't know why I'm a jackass about it. If it makes you feel better, I'll do the first hour or two of training."
>"Thanks, it will."

It is morning, so there may not be much left to do until we go to Sir Hydril's building.
>>
No. 911924 ID: 7c112f

>>911923
Hmm, I wonder how long until someone has the bright idea to accuse their enemies of being undead.
>>
No. 911927 ID: 298905

Tell him that if he comes up with any idea on why he might have any problem with you, please say. You're not the best at picking up on people's feelings or acting the way people might expect of you, and you don't need any more enemies and definitely don't want to lose any friends. Same goes for everyone else. And if it's not about you... well, maybe say anyway, and we'll see what we can do to help.

Perhaps, in light of all this infiltrator stuff, you should decide on some personal passcodes between yourself and your friends? Maybe a call-response thing. You know, someone says some distinct but not obviously ridiculous sentence and the person hearing it gives a specific response to prove they're them. Maybe confirmation words, like you just make up some sentence with "silver" and "seven" in that order with whatever words around and between them, and the response is something with "sword" and red" the same way. Not necessarily those specific words but, like, you get the concept?
>>
No. 911928 ID: 10c408

You should at least pen a letter to croc, tell him that the necromancers killed Ghana.

Well, assuming you have time to do that.
>>
No. 911929 ID: 6ee5db

>>911923
Wait, why is Elinol coming here? I don't see a problem with that I'm just curious.
>>
No. 911931 ID: eeb7d9

Well, if nothing else, let's go training. By extremely alert.
>>
No. 911932 ID: bfb318
File 154335510762.png - (16.93KB , 800x800 , 1209.png )
911932

I hope Elinol works well, here. I don't think Holly would be excited to bring her on, but loyalty is difficult to come by, here, and since she's Sir Orjin's daughter, it's unlikely she would backstab anyone here.

"What are the chances of people accusing enemies of being undead?"
>"If I had to guess? That's one of the reasons why there's no bounties on finding undead, but there are penalties for accusing an innocent person without good reason." says Holly.
"Oh. Oh, and before I forget, I'd like to tell Croc that Ghana died. Can we write a letter?"
>"Sure, do you know of a better address than his hometown?"
"I don't."
>"Then I'll mail there. His community is close knit, and should be able to get the news to him at some point, if no one else lets him know faster."
"And, Firzel?"
>"What?"
"I don't want any more enemies, or lose any friends. If you have a problem with me - "
>"Hey."

>"I consider you a barbarian friend. My shitty mood is because of the environment. This isn't my element. I love wasting time in a safe camp. And facing a line of enemies at the other end of the field? I'd be scared as hell but I won't turn my back on that. But this? I can't stand this. But I won't sell you out, because if I were in your spot, I don't think you'd sell me out. So don't get all sap-ass on me."
>"And since we're best trusting each other, it's time for pass codes." Holly says.

We share some phrases and replies with each other. Both just to confirm we're us, and another code that can be slipped into regular conversation to show we're in a bad situation and can't speak freely.

Then there's silence. It's awkward, somehow, given how chatty half of us are.

>"Okay let's just get to Sir Hydril's." says Firzel, to break the silence. "May as well show up early to claim the training swords that don't snap from being blown on."
>>
No. 911933 ID: bfb318
File 154335518760.png - (67.87KB , 1000x800 , 1210.png )
911933

We leave. Frais and Aira keep wearing heavy cloaks to fend off the unusual cold. We're stopped a few times to show our emblems, but still make it to Sir Hydril's early.

There's someone I haven't seen before at the main entrance to Sir Hydril's building, who looks like they were just about to enter. They also have noticable mana coming off of them, but I think that mutants and abominations in general have that.

"O-Oh. Oh no! I mean. Hi. Sir Orjin's group! That was a bad introduction. You're here because Sir Hydril has been training people, right?"
>"That's right." says Frais. "You are?"
"My name is Butterknife, we haven't met, at least not directly. Um, I was trying to get here early before any of his students came because I needed to talk to Hy - Sir Hydril. And I didn't want to get in the way. A-also it's... it's private? And I don't know if he has a private room and... u-um, could I ask you guys to just wait here for like... 3 minutes?" She sounds like Cheese, and not just because she's a mutant. She has that same kind of voice that sounds like it comes through bubbles. "Sorry, I sho-shouldn't be nervous, but I am."
"Why do you want to see him?"
"B-because... it's private? Personal mutant to mutant personal stuff. Mutant to abomination? But we're the same in spirit, or I'd like to think so. It's already bad enough that his pawns will be in there!"
>>
No. 911936 ID: c0641d

"You know there's been some word of undead infiltrators about the camp, right? I can sense that you're leaking mana. You'll excuse me for thinking this is suspicious. How do I know you aren't after Sir Hydril the same way some undead were after me just yesterday? Can you produce your knight seal?"
>>
No. 911937 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911933
The last time we trusted someone, they were an undead infiltrator that poisoned us.

Politely inform the mutant thusly and request they stand still and wait for the guards. Maintain a grasp on your weapon.
>>
No. 911939 ID: 9551e1

We aren't calling the shots here. If Sir Hydril wants the meeting to be private, he can order so himself. Just request it from him.
>>
No. 911940 ID: 6ee5db

>>911933
Ask if she knows Cheese, and if she reacts say you'll tell her about Cheese if she'll tell you about her message.
>>
No. 911941 ID: bfb318
File 154335783797.png - (28.82KB , 800x800 , 1211.png )
911941

"Are you aware there's been undead infiltrators within the camp? You're leaking mana, so I'm suspicious, as you may be here to meet Sir Hydril just like I was met last night. By an undead who tried to poison me."
"Ohhh, I would've gotten here hours ago if I wasn't suspicious!"

She pulls out an emblem.

"I'm with Sir Impelus, and my mana is just me being a mutant. It's a common misunderstanding for people who aren't native to Erja Nokol, but just ask any mutant, and they'd tell you that it would actually be more suspicious if I wasn't leaking mana! I guarantee I'm alive. Unless any of you are wizards, I can't prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that I'm alive, but if it helps, I can show you my body to prove I have no real injuries, and you can feel me to tell that I'm warm. I've basically done that to every group of guards on every block on the way over here, so if you want to call the guards, I guess it wouldn't hurt! In fact you'll probably get the same group of guards that just inspected me."

She takes a deep breath.

"And as for Sir Hydril, well, even if he wasn't a great fighter already, he does have his pawns inside, right? I was told there would be about 12 people inside already. Uh, I do have a sword, but since I won't need it and you're going to stay here anyway, you can hold onto it if it makes you feel better? Please, I really don't want to trouble you guys beyond just asking for as much privacy as I can get!"

What she claims does match with what I've seen. Whenever I've come to Sir Hydril's, he has had about a dozen pawns already present inside, plus whoever showed up even earlier.

"Um, if it helps... I know Cheese. We grew up together."
>>
No. 911942 ID: 298905

Her knowing Cheese doesn't mean that much, since we know one of the necromancers also knows Cheese and would know the same things any mutant would know.

But this seems like an easy solution. One or two of you can just go in, see Hydril's reaction to her, and then step outside again if all's well. One of you stay out here to tell other arriving students that Hydril's meeting someone for a couple of minutes. You could also have one of the ladies give her a quick pat-down for extra security.
>>
No. 911943 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911941
Sure, whatever. We can just enter and mention their presence to Sir Hydril, then he can make whatever he wants of it. Surely this incredibly suspicious mutant kobold who may or may not know Cheese wouldn't mind if we told Hydril about them ahead of time, right?
>>
No. 911944 ID: afdebc

Seems reasonably legit, and if she's an assassin Hydril can't handle, or if she's an undead that passed every inspection until this point we're in trouble.

>"Um, if it helps... I know Cheese. We grew up together."
Name dropping Cheese means either
(1) She's one of Cheese's family, and Cheese has communicated with them about you, so she knows to drop Cheese's name.
(2) She's being controlled by (or was briefed by) Garlic Soup, who also knew Cheese, and knows Fen knows her, and is playing on Fen's familiarity to get by.

Unfortunately, we have no good way to discriminate.

Probably should send her in but be on guard to butt in, apologize for the treatment. The infiltrators force us to be cautious.
>>
No. 911948 ID: 91ee5f

>>911941
If she wants privacy, all she has to do is request it from Sir Hydril. If he denies the request, then she’s just going to have to talk to him in front of everyone.
>>
No. 911949 ID: b970b2

Why would she name drop Cheese unless she knew that we knew Cheese? The necromancers know we know Cheese, but as far as I know we haven't been telling many people about Cheese at camp, so this might be a name drop to gain our trust.

So in this case, we could ask a few questions about Cheese / strike up a conversation. If she's undead then trying to recall facts might break the illusion? IDK.

We could also go in and tell Sir Hydril that there's someone called Butterknife wanting to speak with him, who is waiting outside. It might be that Butterknife is just as awkward as Cheese is, and that Sir Hydril is expecting her.
>>
No. 911950 ID: c1212a

Yeah, your voice sounds somewhat similar to cheese's. The question now is how you knew that'd help.

I don't know what Sir Hydril will say, but we won't stop you- We aren't his bodyguards and honestly I don't think he needs any. We can go in and tell him you're outside, then introduce you if you'd like.
>>
No. 911951 ID: 6ee5db

>>911941
Supporting doing both things that >>911949 suggested.
>>
No. 911953 ID: 91ee5f

>>911949
I’m pretty sure we don’t need to interrogate her anymore. Sir Hydril can take care of her if she turns out to be an enemy.
>>
No. 911955 ID: 86eb65

Why would you mention Cheese?

(I am all for helping but find out why she dropped that name to you of all people before lending a hand. Best to be safe right now. Not having a sword does not mean much if she is a undead packed with explosive poison or something.)

As for privacy you are willing to escort her under guard to Sir Hydril. He can then choose to have everyone leave the room if he decides privacy is warranted.

We are not going to leave him alone with a unknown mutant unless he gives us a order to.
>>
No. 911961 ID: eeb7d9

Wait, why would you knowing Cheese make me feel more at ease. If anything, it just make me more aware. What do you mean by that? Does Sir Hydril know her too? Do you know who i am? I am sorry, but you will have to explan yourself.
>>
No. 911962 ID: bfb318
File 154336449442.png - (25.60KB , 1000x800 , 1212.png )
911962

I look at her. She looks at me nervously.

"I-I forgot the necromancers knew you knew Cheese too so I just realized that didn't help at all. Like that was a big mistake kind of bad."
"Do you know me?"
"I - yes. I'm Cheese's sibling, of course I..." She pauses for a long moment. "Tomato and Cabbage told me about you."
>"Can we go in, yet?" Firzel asks.
"We can go in to tell Sir Hydril that Butterknife is here to see him. He can decide what to do about it."

Firzel and I go inside. Butterknife follows us to the first room inside, where the usual pawn greets us.

>"This is?"
"Hi I'm Butterknife I wanted to see Sir Hydril and these two were going to ask Sir Hydril if that's okay? I'll wait here."

I nod.

>"Okay, then. Go ahead, you two." the pawn says. "You can change now or later, since you're early. 'Butterknife', you'll have to surrender all of your objects past this room."
>>
No. 911963 ID: bfb318
File 154336450744.png - (30.80KB , 1000x800 , 1213.png )
911963

Firzel and I go into the main training hall.

>"Fen. Firzel. Where are the other two, and why are you not in uniform?" he asks.
"We'll change soon, Sir. But there is a mutant by the name of Butterknife outside, who'd like to see you."
>"For what purpose?"
"She said it was private, and didn't want me to be present."
>"That makes no difference to me, as long as this is brief. Let her in."
>>
No. 911964 ID: bfb318
File 154336454719.png - (23.19KB , 800x800 , 1214.png )
911964

We go back to the front room. Aira and Frais are watching us from the opened door.

Butterknife's equipment and clothes are being put to the side by the pawn, who's helping her into a plain training uniform. I'm not alone in my paranoia.

"He says you can go see him, Butterknife."
"Th-thanks. You - you guys will wait outside now, right?" she asks. "I'm begging you, Fen. Please."
>>
No. 911965 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911964
Is this a sex thing? Because you fell in love with your lover at first sight in public and then everyone found out my greatest fear was her not loving you so like, what could really be that embarrassing?
>>
No. 911966 ID: e1d580

"Yes."

>>911965
1-800-come-on-now
>>
No. 911967 ID: afdebc

>>911964
We warned Hydril, he agreed to meet her in private, we disarmed her, and we took every reasonable precaution.

Only real risk at this point is if she's secretly a monstrous undead or some kind of suicide bomber, and frankly, being a few feet closer won't deny her the advantage that would bring. Agree to wait outside.
>>
No. 911968 ID: 57ff42

>>911964
What if she's an exploding mutant? You're important to them alive and they want Sir Hydril dead. I think we need to do a blood test if there is such a thing, her word isn't good enough for the guards testing her.
>>
No. 911969 ID: 86eb65

There are several other people in that room Butter. Do you want privacy in general or privacy from me?
>>
No. 911971 ID: b970b2

She still seems incredibly suspicious to me, but I'm not sure we can do to justify further paranoia. She's tried to waylay suspicious before we've voiced them; with knowing the necromancers know that we know Cheese and trying to explain that before we mention it; and offering to let us disarm, pat down, check for signs of live, or otherwise prove beyond doubt she doesn't have a weapon on her without us asking; all while insisting on maximum privacy. In her favour is saying she's been checked multiple times by guards, and the emblem.

Worst case situation is that she is the weapon, like some kind of mutant suicide bomb, that however is a paranoid thought that we have no direct evidence for. That would explain why she wants us specifically to leave her alone, to keep us out of the blast radius because she knows we're friends of Cheese, Tomato, and Cabbage. But without actionable evidence we can't really do anything now that Hydril's OKed the meeting.

So all I think we can do is start to get changed into your training gear away from Hydril, while being on guard for anything about to go down.
>>
No. 911972 ID: 3cc68c

I am sorry Butterknife but I do not know enough to trust you yet.

I am not sure if you are a genuine nervous girl who wants to talk about embarrassing love stuff or a undead poisoned assassin who is here to kill him secretly. And being a mirror of Cheese is not helping you sadly.

While Sir Hydril is a mighty warrior he can not protect against every threat. And right now we are in a dangerous situation.

Is your secrecy that important? Because to be honestly unless its a secret about me I am the best person to be present. I do not spread secrets.
>>
No. 911973 ID: 298905

Sure, ok. Anything she could do now isn't anything we could stop.

Oh, wait. There is one more thing. Cheese had this thing where she could shoot blood from her eyes... you wanted to talk to him, so you don't need to see, right? We'll put a blindfold on her. We'll even make it thin, so she can sort of see through it, the point will be that any fluid shot out of her eyes won't go far.
>>
No. 911974 ID: 6ee5db

>>911964
Wait, I think I know what's up with her.
She's a suicide bomber. (or something of the sort)
The reasons I think that are 1. She's giving off a notable amount of mana, and I don't think Fen has commented on other mutants having a lot of mana. 2. Her mannerisms. Chronic sketchiness seems to run in the family, but BK is on another level, she's even crying for pete's sake. 3. Her insistence on getting Fen specifically out of the room, I.E. the one her (probably biological) sister knows and has a crush on. 4. Saying that Tomato and Cabbage told her about you, when i'm pretty sure that's either impossible or the timeline would have to be extremely tight.

Push her on this Fen, if she's anything like Cheese, and she seems to be, BK'll break easy.
>>
No. 911975 ID: 91ee5f

>>911962
>"Tomato and Cabbage told me about you."
We only told the necromancers about Cheese, we never mentioned Tomato and Cabbage to them.

I think she’s telling the truth.

>>911964
Sir Hydril is surrounded by his pawns, so I doubt she’ll do anything. We might as well wait outside the room.

Go ahead and get dressed while waiting for the meeting to be over.
>>
No. 911977 ID: 91ee5f

>>911974
He’s never commented on other mutants because he’s never learned how to sense mana when he met them.

If he already had that technique in the Fence, he would’ve mentioned that about Tomato, Cabbage, and Cheese.
>>
No. 911978 ID: c90231

kinda doubting the mutant kamikazi theory, seems more likely butter is probably here to break some saucy/bad news to sir hydril. that being said, we should definitely all be in the room just in-case it all goes south. Maybe we should advise that she just wisper or write out what she wants to say to him, rather than to speak.
or maybe outright ask her if shes a bomb, that might spook her into giving us some context.
>>
No. 911979 ID: bb78f2

Sure, just one more thing, why are you crying? You ok?
>>
No. 911980 ID: 363437

If this is some embarrassing personal issue I honestly do not want to invade your privacy.

Put your hand on her head and see if she feels like Cheese. And not some super undead infiltrator. (Plus if she was bad news that sort of contact would cause her to panic)

If she just looks nervous then let her have her privacy. And ask to chat after training tonight.
>>
No. 911982 ID: bfb318
File 154336796602.png - (18.22KB , 800x800 , 1215.png )
911982

"Yes. There are several other people in that room, which makes me think you want privacy from me."
"From everyone but Sir Hydril himself! But I can't get everything, so just... you in particular, at the very least!"

....

I put a hand on her head. It just feels like Cheese. Nothing is odd about it, other than feeling like a mutant.

"Hrm. Why are you crying?"
"Because I'm really bad at talking to people!"
"I will want to talk with you after this, if you can handle a normal conversation."
"I'll try!"
>>
No. 911984 ID: bfb318
File 154336803174.png - (51.68KB , 1200x800 , 1216.png )
911984

Firzel and I go outside to wait behind closed doors.

>"You look nervous." says Frais.
"I am. My gut is screaming at me that this is wrong. Does she not seem suspicious?"
>"Honestly? Not in my whole life can I remember anyone as suspicious. But if you're afraid she wants to off Sir Hydril... well, if she can do that, in the face of a dozen pawns, could we honestly do anything about it?"
"I can only wonder if there's some oddity about her. What if she's an exploding mutant?"

... I don't like the looks I get.

>"Fen." says Frais. "First of all, mutants barely ever get that. And if that was an abomination, those guys have to relearn how to walk, they're so bad at inhabiting their new body. They'd have to explode to find out they could explode. Now let's say that in spit of all that, the necromancers had a suicide exploder capable of taking out Sir Hydril. If I were them... I'd find a better target. No offense to Sir Hydril, but he's not what I'd consider strategically critical."
>"And if they have a hundred exploders?" asks Aira. "And they're sending them all at once?"
>"Then I suspect we would've heard some explosions by now. As much as Fen's justified in being paranoid, try not to get crazy ideas about it."
>"You know." says Firzel, with a weird smile. "On the other side of the building a ways around, in some crawlspace, there's a peeping hole. Well, it's more of a crack, where the walls didn't join up right. We could have a look. Not saying we should. Just that we could."
>>
No. 911985 ID: 86eb65

Peeping on a greater knight no matter what the reason seems like a good way to loose a eye. Or worse.

As curious as I am, I think I will wait here and use my superior barbarian hearing to just listen to them talking. If everyone else is quiet that is.

Then regardless if you can hear anything just shrug and say you missed it if they ask.
>>
No. 911986 ID: afdebc

The explosion could be a magical or chemical weapon swallowed instead of a mutation. Magic's easier to reproduce than random mutations, and if she were dead or disposable, it would make sense.

>in some crawlspace, there's a peeping hole
If we did see something that was a cause for trouble (like her attacking, or exploding) we wouldn't be in much of a position to do anything about it crawling, or on the wrong side of a peephole.

We'd be able to respond quicker just bursting through this door.
>>
No. 911987 ID: 91ee5f

>>911984
>Firzel wants to spy on meeting.
You know those looks everyone gave you that you didn’t like when you suggested Butterknife could explode? Now it’s your turn to give Firzel that same look.

Spying on the meeting seems like a bad idea that would result in Sir Hydril making us do something extremely difficult during training as a punishment.
>>
No. 911988 ID: b1b4f3

Heh, what if she *IS* Cheese? Could be she can contort her body due to its squishy nature and put on some makeup to change her colors a bit. Did she sound like Cheese?

Also yes let's not spy on someone above us on the totem pole.
>>
No. 911989 ID: 6ee5db

>>911984
Well to be fair, the necromancers don't exactly seem like tactical geniuses.
But nah, no peephole.
>>
No. 911990 ID: 298905

It's theoretically possible that it's something Hydril wouldn't like anyone to hear as well, even if he didn't know it before. Some sort of news or something. Or it could be something that puts him in a bad mood, so that the moment she stops speaking he'll throw open the door looking to demand we get inside and get started. It's also possible that he would sense our mana through the wall.

In any case, Fen, you shouldn't do it. If she specifically didn't want you listening, then you won't, to be polite to a friend of a good friend. That's just personal honor, though, the rest of you can try if you like. Advise avoiding the peephole strategy, though, if you can't get back quickly. They'll instantly be suspicious if they come out and see people gone who were here. They could try just listeninf at the door or on the wall.

In any case, change into your training clothes.
>>
No. 911993 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911984
Tell Firzel that spying's a bad idea as well. We might explode as well if anything bad happens. Let's just interrogate him after.
>>
No. 911994 ID: eeb7d9

I don't like the thought of listening and get caught. But, i still, i really want to hear her conversation, just because the person she wants to talk to is Sir Hydril. What does the rest say?
>>
No. 911995 ID: bfb318
File 154337247029.png - (16.22KB , 800x800 , 1217.png )
911995

I give him a look, back.

"Sir Hydril is excellent at sensing mana, and one of the key benefits to it is sensing people behind walls."
>"... oh fuck off I'm an idiot." Firzel says. "I knew something was off when it was one of the pawns who told me. Bastard tried to trap me I bet."
"Besides, if something does happen, we'll be in a position to run in from here, not from around the building. I am also thinking that even if she can't explode with her body, she could have swallowed something that did."
>"I'd mock you for going on about that, but I'll look too dumb to live if she does explode." says Frais. "Hm... well, we'd hear something like that. Even through thick Erja Nokol doors. Most are deteriorated, but thick, good ones don't let sound through. Sorry Firzel, we're all getting paranoid now."

Firzel looks at the door.

>"... yeah. Now you guys got me going. I just noticed I can't sense that pawn-of-the-uniforms behind the door." he says.
"Could you before?"
>"I think so? It's a thing I have to focus on, and I didn't think to do it until now."

I still have trouble sensing normal kobolds, and I can only sense Sir Hydril if he's close by and I already know he's around. So it doesn't mean much that I don't sense anything either.

>"Fen, you're still my friend." Firzel says. "But damnit, there's no relaxing around you. It's too quiet. How long, exactly, are we going to wait until we say Butterknife's had long enough?"
>>
No. 912000 ID: 86eb65

One minute. Then we knock and try the door after 5-10 seconds has passed.

If we catch them making out or looking nervous we close the door. The knock gives them time to wrap up embarrassing conversation stuff.

Also maybe we chat while opening door so our conversation muffles anything we are not supposed to hear.

But lets open the door from the side just to be out of the firing line. Just in case.
>>
No. 912001 ID: 298905

You could give a tap on the door and justify it if you get an answer by asking if you could get your uniforms handed out to you to change while you wait. If you don't get an answer, you can give a little peek.
>>
No. 912007 ID: 9125e0

Yeah Id say about a minute or two

Or you could send someone to the crack to get a peek.... But the last time that happened with a mutant bad things happened...
>>
No. 912008 ID: c1212a

> I just noticed I can't sense that pawn-of-the-uniforms behind the door.
That makes sense though, if they are looking for privacy Hydril'd probably ask them to leave, Right?

Maybe we just have to trust Hydril can take care of himself- or that his pawns can take care of him. This entire campaign doesn't rest on our shoulders, we'll go mad worrying about everything that happens down here.
>>
No. 912009 ID: eeb7d9

A few minutes would be reasonable. We can check after that. I am just curious. Cheese is sly but not dangerous herself, but her siblings... Now those are nasty. If Butterknife is more like Cheese we are ok, but i she is like Tomato or Cabbage, we would have a problem. If she is the latter, we will be too late.
>>
No. 912010 ID: afdebc

A minute or two. Stretch your senses, someone will have good eyes, or ears, or nose, or mana sensing.
>>
No. 912011 ID: b1b4f3

...is it common knowledge that the necromancer knew Cheese?

I'm wondering if Butterknife was sent here BY Cheese to help somehow, but Cheese didn't want Fen to know?
>>
No. 912013 ID: eeb7d9

>I'm wondering if Butterknife was sent here BY Cheese to help somehow, but Cheese didn't want Fen to know?
If that was the case why would she even tell him?
>>
No. 912015 ID: 10c408

>>912013
If this assumption is true, we likely haven't gotten a new letter from cheese just yet since the mail is so slow.

If butterknife really is here to help Fen, but can't be in contact with him then I believe that she's trying to find and expose which members of krix's goon squad would collect on the bounty.
>>
No. 912019 ID: b1b4f3

>>912015
>mail
Fen's been asleep, if we can check on that while waiting we should.
>>
No. 912020 ID: 91ee5f

>>912019
If Fen had any mail, Holly would’ve already given it to him when he woke up earlier.
>>
No. 912024 ID: e7848c

>>911995
Maybe we should try and see if there is a peephole
>>
No. 912026 ID: 0c3c2c

>>911995
Might as well go in now.
>>
No. 912028 ID: c1212a

We are early, we can knock when it's time.
>>
No. 912031 ID: 91ee5f

>>912028
Pretty much this.

Wait until the time when training usually starts, then knock on the door and ask if they’re done yet? You want to start training.
>>
No. 912049 ID: bfb318
File 154342506468.png - (21.97KB , 800x800 , 1218.png )
912049

"A minute or two, maybe. Maybe the pawn was sent away if Sir Hydril wanted privacy after all?"
>"Maybe?" Frais thinks. "That first room is off to the side to begin with anyway. Like a weird training lobby room."

We wait. Since we're still early, no other students have come.

From inside, I hear a faint voice. It's Butterknife's.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I thought it would be okay!"

Then I hear the uniform pawn.

>"You're lucky to leave alive. Don't ever let us see you around here again. Take your things and leave. Where are you - "

We hear something grind against the door on the other side.

Firzel pushes on it. It budges half an inch, then stops moving with a light 'thud.' I push on the other door, and it has the same resistance. The doors only open inward, so I can't pull on them.

>"Hey!" the pawn yells inside. "We have a problem, over here! She just barricaded... the..."

I hear gagging. I think Butterknife is... vomiting?

>"She's got a sword!" the pawn yells.
>>
No. 912050 ID: b970b2

Ah fuck, you have to get in there. Alert the rest to what's happening (Assuming only you heard it), and get everyone to try to force the doors open.
>>
No. 912051 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912049
Okay, break the door down or pull it off its hinges. Dammit, where's Orjin's daughter when you need her?
>>
No. 912052 ID: 5f3f48

"I hate being right."

Unless there's another entrance, you need to get through that door. If she just used something heavy or sticky to barricade it, you can try pushing together. If she jammed something through the handle, you have to force a crack open, then dislodge it with a sword.

Unfortunately, everything is stone, so nothing can be broken down easily.

The other useful thing you can do is have someone immediately sound the alarm.
>>
No. 912053 ID: 298905

Dammit. Well, at least no-one's dead (yet), judging by the way the pawn was talking, and if Butterknife was here as an assassin she would have done something else already. The obvious thing that seems to be going on is that she was stowing a sword in her stomach and just threw it up (her crying and sweating might have been from the discomfort of that), but why now?

This doesn't seem like undead activity, my guess would be Butterknife is part of some separate conspiracy or scheme from outside, possibly directed at Hydril. I mean, Fen's not the only one with problems, right? I'd bet a mutant like Hydril has had to step on some toes on his way here. Why has she waited until after meeting him, then, though? Maybe she was trying to get him alone without the pawns and they rejected her, so now they're throwing her out after she tried to get all insistent about that, and she's defaulted to just attacking them all?

Did she stop gagging after the pawn said she had a sword? If she's still making vomiting sounds, maybe she can spew up some poison that then turns into gas or something.

Does the door feel like it has a bar across it, or that something has been shoved in front of it? If it's the former you could poke a sword in to try lever the bar up. If it's the latter, then you should be able to just all push together, if the thing in front was something she could push over by herself. If it's some sort of wedge thing like a chair stuck under the handle or similar, then using your sword to poke it away might work. The slight motion of the doors should be enough to get them just far enough apart for something thin to poke through.
>>
No. 912054 ID: eeb7d9

I KNEW IT! SHE HAD SOMETHING INSIDE HER!
Tell them to remove the barricade at once! Meanwhile we should probably search for another way in!
>>
No. 912055 ID: 91ee5f

>>912049
>"She's got a sword!" the pawn yells.
There’s still no reason to be concerned. Sir Hydril is a Greater Knight for a reason, he’s not helpless. We all know he can easily stop her by smashing a training sword over her head and knocking her out. Even if that doesn’t work, I’m pretty sure he’s not in any real danger.

Still, we should at least make an effort to get in there. Everyone charge the door and break it down!
>>
No. 912056 ID: 91ee5f

>>912055
Then again, this might just be her getting desperate to pass on a message and the sword and barricade are only to stop people from interrupting so she can talk to Sir Hydril.
>>
No. 912057 ID: 6ee5db

>>912049
Well, probably best to try and barge in, while Sir hydril is certainly no slouch, worst thing I see happening from breaking down the door is having to pay a copper or two to fix it.
>>
No. 912058 ID: 86eb65

Get everyone working on the doors. 2-3 per door. Rock them back and forth as you all heave in and out.

As long as the door can move a bit you can use the door as a weight to hammer against whatever is blocking things.

You on the other hand should check out that peeping crack that supposedly exists. If the walls are not perfect maybe you can break through there instead? Maybe you will get the doors open fast or maybe taking another route will be faster.
>>
No. 912059 ID: 10c408

>>912055
She's armed in a building full of likely unarmed folks and you think she's gonna beeline straight for Hydril? I doubt that very much if her intentions are murder. If she's working for the necromancers, then she can just make reinforcements out of corpses and mob him to death.
>>
No. 912060 ID: 1c8358

She's resorting to melee combat against Hydril? Good luck with that.
>>
No. 912061 ID: a4ee94

Sir Hydril could kill her in a instant if he wanted to. The fact that she got far enough to start coughing up a sword makes me suspicious about what is going on in there.

Plus from what we heard things were going normally up until a moment ago? Whatever is going on is probably ridiculous.

Regardless we need to get in there to try and help. Even if its to keep Butter alive after her horrible decisions.

Check that peek hole while everyone else works on the doors. Maybe you can get in from that area. Or maybe you just can be witness to whatever is going on if that door is to jammed to move.
>>
No. 912066 ID: 91ee5f

>>912059
No, I don’t think she’s going to run straight for Sir Hydril. I’m saying he can stop her.

>If she's working for the necromancers, then she can just make reinforcements out of corpses and mob him to death.
Do you think Sir Hydril will just stand there and allow her to kill his men to make the reinforcements? He’s going to rush in and stop her if she even attempts to kill someone.
>>
No. 912068 ID: c1212a

Firzel bring Frais, time to see if that peephole is legit and if it can be broken through. Stick your sword through the gap in the doors, see what's obstructing it and if it can be dislodged.
>>
No. 912084 ID: bfb318
File 154344537573.png - (44.16KB , 800x800 , 1219.png )
912084

The others must have heard that. She's stopped gagging.

"Firzel, Frais, go check if that peephole is true. Aira and I will work on opening the door. Sound an alarm if you find a guard."
>"It'll take a few minutes. We have to go through crawlspaces and stuff, that's why it hasn't been sealed up yet." Firzel explains. "But yeah, okay."

They run off. Aira and I start kicking at the door. It's offset from the center pillar, which prevents both it from being pulled backwards, and also from easily sticking any swords threw it.

I think whatever's blocking the door is set between the handles.We alternate hitting the doors, hoping to dislodge whatever it is. It's taking a long time. I hear yelling from inside, but it may not be that faint once we open the door.

We don't stop, but I don't know if we're making any progress.
>>
No. 912085 ID: bfb318
File 154344538373.png - (36.21KB , 1000x700 , 1220.png )
912085

Until my kick swings the door open. An enormous sword was used as the barricade, and it's clattering onto the ground. That's one of the real swords Sir Hydril keeps inside, and one of the ones made for him specifically.

The yelling has stopped. The brazier in the front lobby was knocked over, and I don't see any light deeper inside.

It's been one or two minutes, and Frais and Firzel haven't come back yet.

As the falling sword settles and stops making noise, I hear a faint but rapid scratching noise coming from deeper within the building.
>>
No. 912086 ID: c1212a

...We totally could have climbed over the top if we were boosted.

What happened to that guy, he looks like a ragdoll. Is that his jaw? What's that hanging out of the alcove?
>>
No. 912087 ID: 86eb65

Check the guards body. Looks like his jaw might be cut off. If he is alive yell for help and let the trainee's get him to healing.

Flip the brazier to restore light.

And inspect that white cloth in the cubby hole there.

Then grab a torch and follow the blood trail off to the left. Keep a close eye out cause Butter might be a secret abomination or who knows what.
>>
No. 912090 ID: b970b2

Draw your sword, get a light source, check the pawn, and then proceed further into the building.

I wouldn't worry about Frais and Firzel just yet, they said it'd take a few minutes to get to the peep hole, then it'll take them a few minutes to get back.
>>
No. 912091 ID: b1b4f3

What's that lying next to the guard's head?
>>
No. 912092 ID: afdebc

>>912085
Quickly check the body while Aira watches your back, see if he's dead of an undead waiting to jump you. Would be bad if we rush in and everyone she kills raises up as zombies to attack us from behind.

Then advance deeper in. There's only one way to go, right? Or are there multiple paths?

I those alcoves store training clothes, you could wrap those around something to make a torch and lite it from the brazier coals.

The green thing hanging out of the cubbies- is that clothes, or a creature's tail, or some kind of mutant goo?
>>
No. 912094 ID: 3cc68c

Wait I thought the training room was right behind this door?

How far into this maze is the dojo? We should not have let her in alone if we could not intervene quickly.

Get chasing her fast Fen. You should know the route right?
>>
No. 912095 ID: 363437

This is much different than I thought. How many passages are in here Fen? We might have made a mistake listening to her plea.
>>
No. 912097 ID: 6ee5db

>>912085
Check the corner covered by the door, something could've darted there when the sword was clattering and could now easily pick it up.
If there isn't anyone then quickly check everything while Aria takes a look towards the scratching sound, but, staying within sight.
>>
No. 912099 ID: 298905

It seems strange that no-one else has turned up yet. None of the other students, no-one attracted by you banging on the doors.

... How did one of Hydril's personal swords get used for a barricade? Any sword Butterknife could have brought in would be different. It's too big for her to have hidden, either in her stomach or by picking it up after she got inside. And that guard's body... is that a wound behind his head?

It's possible that Hydril's working with Butterknife, now. You might have to fight him.
>>
No. 912100 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912085
Draw your blade and seek the scratching, they might be trying to burrow out.
>>
No. 912101 ID: eeb7d9

Check Butterknife clothes, see if there is anything useful in there, some information on what is going on. Stay alert, try to make some light, this place is too dark.
>>
No. 912102 ID: 91ee5f

>>912085
Wait, I think when he was yelling that she’s got a sword, he was talking about the one used to block the doors, not one she was in the middle of throwing up. Also, the way his head looks like it’s backwards suggests that someone came up behind him and snapped his neck.

But his body is facing towards the door where Butterknife would’ve been standing. Wouldn’t that mean that someone else came up behind him and snapped his neck while he was looking at Butterknife?
>>
No. 912108 ID: bfb318
File 154345446781.png - (20.77KB , 800x800 , 1221.png )
912108

I draw my sword and I step in and turn the brazier over. Aira lights a small torch.

The green cloth dangling out of the alcove is Butterknife's clothing. I don't want to spend time checking her pouches, especially not if she has some weird poisons in there.

The pawn's neck is sliced open, and his jaw has been broken and twisted. His entire head, now that I look at it, is almost entirely backwards. He isn't moving at all, and I don't sense any signs of him ready to rise as undead.

The building is roomy, but not complicated. Hydril was also on our side of the training hall, very close to the lobby, and there's no doors separating the rooms I've seen.

The braziers that are used to light up the training hall so well have all been overturned, so I can't see inside the training hall itself, other than some vomit on the ground. The few embers inside the hall aren't enough to show anything.

Before that, I look inside the small room across the lobby and confirm there's nothing abnormal inside. It's where Hydril rests, and it must be where Butterknife found that large sword, although I have no idea how she knew it was there.

That only leaves the training hall and the bedroom, the latter of which is just another large, open room that has a lot of beds against each other.
>>
No. 912109 ID: bfb318
File 154345447688.png - (79.19KB , 1200x700 , 1222.png )
912109

Aira hands me her torch and I move forward to light up the training hall.

.... if Butterknife really was the one who did this, she might be trying to burrow out, now. The scratching is louder. It must coming from the bedroom.
>>
No. 912110 ID: 86eb65

That seems like something you do not want to fight. It took him apart like it was nothing.

I guess it did not want to kill you for whatever reason. Little Butterknife is a blademaster or a hidden abomination.

Go take a peak at the bedroom. It might be a horrible idea but we have come this far. Call out for Butter and see if you get a response.
>>
No. 912111 ID: 6ee5db

>>912109
Do you have your shield on you/can you grab one? If so then take little peek into the bedroom while covering as much of you that would be visible. If not then hoof it, this is way above your pay grade.
>>
No. 912112 ID: 3cc68c

This is so wrong. Not because everyone is dead but because there is not nearly enough blood for this many dismembered people. Although only Sir Hydril appears to be cut apart. Very odd.

This seems like something whats her face could do. Cheese's sister with the blades for limbs. But wouldn't everyone be in pieces if that were the case?

That or its what someone wants us to see. If say Sir Hydril was not dead and he decided to leave with Butter and necromancers have made a fancy scene to fake things. What does the mana look like in this room.

If it is real then she killed everyone in seconds before they could move. Sir Hydril looks surprised.

Well go take a look at the horror that killed everyone. Try not to die. Or do the smart thing and go blockade the doors and wait for someone stronger to investigate. No that it will help after whatever did this burrows out of the stone building with its bare hands.
>>
No. 912114 ID: 363437

Nope nope nope. This is so far above your pay grade its not funny. Go back and close the door and let someone know what happened.

Sneaking a peek at whatever Butter turned into is a bad bad idea. Unless you can do it safely do not risk it.
>>
No. 912116 ID: afdebc

*Sigh*. Well, there goes your training. Did you get anything useful out of it before Hydril bit it, or were we just getting to the good stuff?

She's either an abomination, or a very high end undead, or she had some kind of unfair magic to have been able to kill so many so quickly and so decisively.

Advance, keep your eye out- if she can contort herself she could be hiding behind any of those bodies or parts of bodies to ambush you.
>>
No. 912117 ID: 298905

... Do you smell anything odd? This is, like... dragon knight level carnage. It's hard to believe any one person could do this on their own. I'd think it more likely that Butterknife had some mutant hallucinogenic gas attack that made them attack each other than that she did it herself. But, you never know. If your brother could take out an immortal then there must be other kobolds who can get on that level.

The scratching might just be your pals trying to get in through that peephole. It sounds like the right sort of place for that to have been from Firzel's description. Butterknife might still be hiding out here, among the bodies or just around the corner. Move wide of it if you go in. What's that in the wall on the left, a storage space for weapons? Are there any other compartments or cubbyholes like that in here?

The fact that whoever did this was so thorough with Hydril suggests they aren't working with the undead. The only reason I can think of to cut off his hands AND his head (and his legs?) is to make sure it'd be too difficult to reanimate him. Again, I think our miss Butterknife is part of a different conspiracy. Maybe she was sent down to kill Hydril specifically, and is a conscientious enough assassin to try minimize the amount of people she'd have to kill and make sure the necromancers don't get too much out of it. Maybe she really IS Cheese's friend, and really did not want you to be involved. Hydril was an Erja mutant, but didn't share the type of name they have. I could see him being a target for some sort of... "family matter". You know? Hell, his apparent hostility to you could have been based on your reputed familiarity with Cheese and her relations.

How's the mana sense?
>>
No. 912118 ID: 298905

I think you should leave. If you hadn't sent Firzel around I would say send your friends off to get help and see if you can talk to Butterknife alone, but as things are someone will hear, and I don't think your friends, loyal as they are to you, would stay loyal seeing you chat with someone who had just done this kind of slaughter.

So if I were you I would say "anyone who could do this isn't someone we can stop by ourselves" and retreat to call for help. She'll be gone by the time you're back if she's still here, I'd bet, but that might work out for the bet for you, long term, if you're interested in Cheese's family being on your side.
>>
No. 912119 ID: 86eb65

Ok lets think this over.

Magic: If was a creature of high end magic you should have sensed it before or during the attack.

Magical weapon: Could her body have hidden the mana of a epic sword? Possibly one that could let her move with superhuman speed? Or allow her to slash out blades of wind?

Timing: How long did it take for you to pound the sword out of the door? She only had that long in theory. Unless the door guard did not notice her killing everyone behind him without the blade she hacked up.

Illusions?: There is a epic illusion mage wandering around. Is this real?

What to do now?: Be very very careful. You are not skilled enough yet to fight something that can do this.
>>
No. 912120 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912109
Hydril was an overhyped jackass who clearly underestimated his opponent. You did everything koboldly possible to prevent the idiot's death and he still managed to bugger it up in such a way as to lose as many of his students as possible.

...Anyway, call out to Butterknife and ask them if they're still interested in that conversation. It's unwise to attack it since it literally turned this room into a LAKE OF GORE in the span of seconds.
>>
No. 912121 ID: c1212a

Ask Aira if she's seeing what you're seeing- Quietly. If you're going to bail, make sure to get Firzel and Frais out as well.
>>
No. 912122 ID: b970b2

Proceed with caution, Frais and Firzel may still be at the peephole. We shouldn't leave until we know they're out, for all we know that scratching sound is Butterknife trying to escape or them trying to kill witnesses. i.e. Frais and Firzel
>>
No. 912124 ID: b1b4f3

>>912109
This is absurd. Leave immediately. You aren't on Sir Hydril's level so whoever killed him AND the rest of the pawns at the same time will absolutely kill you.

Honestly I don't know how Fen is ever going to be on Sir Hydril's level, much less strong enough to beat the arena. We've spent this much time in the army and gotten almost nowhere. No tricks aside from rudamentary mana sense, barely any formal training, just a decent amount of practical combat experience.
>>
No. 912125 ID: afdebc

Considering motive: Butterknife seems to be an assassin, but why didn't she want Fen in the room?

Sending Fen away might have been to keep him from interfering (increase her odds of success). If it was to spare Fen though, that suggests maybe she's working for the mutants, not the undead. Killing a rogue who sided with the army and ditched the mutant cause.
>>
No. 912128 ID: 91ee5f

>>912109
Ok, wow, Butterknife did not look like she was capable of doing something like this! Then again, looks can be deceiving. Of course, Sir Zall isn’t going to be happy about any of this.

The question is: Why didn’t she want you here? If she was sent here to hinder the army, she would’ve wanted to kill as many soldiers as possible, including you. But instead she wanted you to not be here. Did she not want to kill you?
>>
No. 912130 ID: 90f3c0

Fall back and send for reinforcements, but stay close enough to keep track of it.

Can you sense its mana from here?
>>
No. 912132 ID: b1b4f3

>>912125
I'm guessing she expected Fen to fight, and didn't want him as collateral damage. Remember, the necromancers want Fen alive, or at least with an intact body. I'm starting to wonder why Fen's body is so important to them. So far he hasn't shown himself to be abnormally strong or skilled. He's just a bit faster than everyone else, if anything. Is there something about shroomleaf barbarians that people aren't telling us? Some reason why Fen's brother was able to take down a rogue Dragon Knight on his own?
Secondly, why did they want Sir Hydril dead? We were directly told Sir Hydril wasn't a good target for assassination, so why did this happen? Could this be a theft instead? Maybe she was sent here to try to get something important but Sir Hydril refused and thus had to die.
>>
No. 912136 ID: 9125e0

Holy shit...... Yeah I think this is a good time to GTFO to Zall


I wonder if cheese is behind this, like maybe sir Hydril was a bad guy and cheese was trying to save us from a potential assassination.
>>
No. 912139 ID: 1c8358

>>912109
>>912060
Looks like she rolled some 20s.
>>
No. 912140 ID: b1b4f3

Hmm actually, wait, maybe Fen can go ahead and at least get an eye on what the scratching noise is. The assassin doesn't want him dead so it should be okay for him to scout, but Aira should go back.
It's possible that the noise is Firzel trying to get in, and we can tell him it's too late, as everyone is dead.
>>
No. 912143 ID: bfb318
File 154346203506.png - (84.75KB , 1000x800 , 1223.png )
912143

Nothing smells odd, or at least unexpected. I finally smell the blood. I wonder if I didn't before because it's fresh or because it's cold.

I didn't bring my shield, but I move forward anyway. I notice there was a hidden compartment I hadn't seen before, where real weapons were stored. Further in the room is Sir Hydril in pieces. I was looking forward to training, but at least the two weeks I spent weren't worthless.

I try to be quiet, but the stone below me makes weird squishing noises. I think the blood seeped into the stone, and there's more here than it originally looked like.

The only mana I can sense is a small amount from Aira. There should still be mana even from corpses, but I can't sense that well anyways.

The more I walk, the louder and more frantic the scratching gets. Butterknife should be around the corner.

I don't know what to expect, but I want to see. If Butterknife is capable of this, she could have dealt with me. I still feel it's incredibly dangerous to try and follow her, but despite that, Aira is following me without a word and watching my back.
>>
No. 912145 ID: bfb318
File 154346210991.png - (64.25KB , 1200x800 , 1224.png )
912145

I look around the corner.

Butterknife is there. She doesn't look at me, but she starts clawing faster. I can't see her arms clearly.

I don't sense her mana. She's less detectable than Aira, and far less detectable than she was before.

Something's running here. Something behind me, something fast.
>>
No. 912146 ID: bfb318
File 154346212710.png - (41.05KB , 800x800 , 1225.png )
912146

It's Firzel!

He just scared me more than any undead have. He grabs Aira and my shoulder in each of his hands. they're shaking, and pulling us back.

He's shaking his head, intentionally. His lips part like he wants to say something, but his teeth don't come apart.

He tries again.

>"Don't."

>"Frais is getting Sir Zall, or someone, an army, I don't know. Don't get any closer, you, fucking, madmen. I - we saw what happened."
"Was there some kind of magic trick?"
>"No! No magic, no explosions. Sir Hydril had a weapon. He was facing the right way to defend himself. Then..."
>>
No. 912148 ID: bfb318
File 154346222053.png - (33.37KB , 800x800 , 1226.png )
912148

He almost looks around the corner, but decides not to.

>"I don't know what in the name of any empire that thing is, but nothing moves like that. It cut Hydril apart like a straw dummy."
>>
No. 912149 ID: 86eb65

Is she digging impossibly fast? Or just very fast.

Quietly wave them back a bit. Whisper to Butterknife.

"If we are going to have that conversation now is probably the only chance. Before you go can you at least explain why this happened? I am not stupid enough to try and stop you. Was this a necromancer plot or just family business?"
>>
No. 912150 ID: 055cbc

This is not the behavior of a skilled assassin with a plan. This is a panicking soft mutant who for some reason can move very very fast.

I want to know what happens if you ask plainly and calmly "What do I tell Cheese happened here?"
>>
No. 912151 ID: cf4efa

>>912148
Go back and grab her emblem from her clothing.
>>
No. 912152 ID: c1212a

Oh boy, why does this shit always happen to us?

We'd better keep quiet & eyes on it until reinforcements show up.
>>
No. 912153 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912148
Wait, maybe he's not trying to escape but he's actually just 'attacking' the ground?

It sounds like something's manipulating him. Something is very, very wrong here. We've got to go inform command. Maybe if we had that Dragoncloth we could safely bundle them up, but with their eyes staring like that there's nothing we can do.
>>
No. 912154 ID: afdebc

Okay, time to think.

She didn't want you there before. If Fizrel's right about how dangerous she is, having you in the room wouldn't have changed the outcome or stopped her. So why did she ask you to leave? Suggests this is a targeting killing (she was here for Hydril) and she tried to cut down on the collateral damage (which suggests she isn't working for Garlic Soup or the necromancers), or she wanted to keep you out of it specifically (because you're Cheese's ally?).

She's trying to escape instead of cutting her way past anyone who tries to stop her. Why? It could be whatever she's doing is limited in some way- she exhausts herself, or runs out of mana, or something (one reason her mana might be way down, unless what you sensed before was a disguise). It might be another attempt to spare you or limit collateral.

Observe her, study. How fast is she moving? Is she speeding up or slowing down? How quickly is she making progresses digging, and how long can you wait to intervene before she's through? Does she look panicked, or afraid, or calm or...? Has she noticed you're there yet, or is she lost in her work?
>>
No. 912155 ID: afdebc

Oh, another possibility. She might be in some kind of berserker trance, in which case trying to talk to her or drawing her attention would be a bad idea. I'd really take a moment to study her and make observations, if you can.
>>
No. 912157 ID: 298905

So, we have obvious magic going on, since I'm pretty sure no non-magical creature can move their arms that fast while digging, but no sense of it. Which means not only does she have magic, she can hide it or limit how much she leaks to whatever level she likes. She's performed the kind of slaughter we've only ever seen a dragon knight do, that's a level of mana control that is restricted to really strong wizards and dragon knights, and now that her need for an act is over she's not really showing any reaction or strong emotion besides the slight hint of still crying, which might just be leftover tears in her eyes from earlier. And not showing emotion or reaction to things is... apparently a dragon knight trait, from what we've been told before.

Is... is it possible she's a dragon knight? Either one in disguise with an illusion, or an immortal cave kobold that's survived all this time? That seems so far-fetched, but it's even harder to believe the necromancers we've been dealing with so far could produce someone like this. We did hear stories about fake immortals that drink blood to survive, and there is less blood here than there should be... and less mana in those bodies than there should be, if you trust your mana sense. You could ask Firzel what he senses regarding the mana in the bodies. Maybe she is some sort of soul-sucking vampire.

This still really doesn't feel like the necromancers' style, though. There are so many other targets that would be better for them to send something like this after, and an undead who planned to kill a bunch of people and then dig their way out would have left the bodies intact and dragged a couple after them.

Besides that, she's clearly reacted to your presence and is aware of you being there - she'd have seen the change in the light when you poked the torch around the corner, at the very least - but hasn't attacked. Like she still doesn't want to attack you?

Try talk to her. Tell Firzel she knows you're there and hasn't attacked, and that you're going to try speaking with her. From a distance, of course, and prepared to duck behind the corner. You do have a known track record of trying to speak with the monsters, after all, and it's worked out for you before down here. She's trying to leave as quick as she can so you'll only get so much time to talk. Address her by name, see if she responds (maybe say "you said you'd try to talk"), then if she does maybe try things like "I don't think you're with the necromancers, are you?", "Do you intend to head back to the surface?", "Why Hydril?", and anything else you can think of that would have reasonably short answers.
>>
No. 912158 ID: eeb7d9

Ok... I don't like it, but we are clearly outmatched here.
Firzel, you could see it move? I only know of one thing fast enough to kill anything an entire room full of people without being able to see it, and that is a Dragon Knight. If you were able to see it, is not as strong as that, but still, there is nothing we can do. I suggest we keep it under watch.

You think it is conscious? They are just... digging. they won't be able to excape like that, is like they are just constantly attacking the gound.
>>
No. 912159 ID: b970b2

I think >>912155 's berserker trance idea makes sense, or at least something similar to it. She wanted everyone but Sir Hydril out of the room, and especially you, which suggests she wanted to kill Sir Hydril with minimal collateral damage like >>912154 says. So while not a literal explosion, but a metaphorical explosion of indiscriminate violence.

Regardless of how good a fighter we are, we are thoroughly outmatched here, stay still and observe, do not engage, not even in conversation. If she does not want to kill you, but is fully capable of doing so, then acquiring information is the only thing you can achieve here. If her trance or whatever wears off then maybe you'll have a chance to kill her, but I doubt it.

If Sir Hydril was outmatched by her, and more people like her exist, then we're in a bit of a pickle.
>>
No. 912162 ID: 91ee5f

>>912148
Do not attempt to attack her. Do not attempt to talk to her. Do not attempt to do anything to her.

Just quietly do what Firzel says and get the fuck away from Butterknife!

Make sure you grab Butterknife’s belongings on your way out.
>>
No. 912166 ID: 6ee5db

>>912148
Yeah let's not interact with someone clearly out of her right mind that just massacred 6~ people in a span of about... 10 seconds?
>>
No. 912168 ID: 9125e0

Like I said GET THE FUCK OUTTA THERE ask Cheese what the fuck Butterknife is in your next letter
>>
No. 912169 ID: 298905

You know, in light of all this, her name's probably not really Butterknife. That is a name given by someone who knew full well what she could do and who had a sense of humor about it.
>>
No. 912172 ID: b1b4f3

>>912148
Yeah uh let's just slowly back away and hope it doesn't come near us.

Butterknife... more like a hot knife through butter.
>>
No. 912176 ID: c90231

Hey Fen, how long did it take for you to bust down that door. Cause it seems like a lot of this happend unusually fast, even if this was some magic/mutation based berserk rage
>>
No. 912178 ID: 10c408

Yeah, fuck this. Get out. Get out now. Walk back slowly and don't relax your guard until you hit the front entrance. Don't say anything either, she knows we're here and hasn't decided to off us just yet for some reason.
>>
No. 912205 ID: 91ee5f

I wouldn’t be surprised if after this, Sir Zall gave us our promotions right now and instead of sending us to the front lines, he has us stay here to help around here!

If that’s what happens, then Sir Valsano and Sir Orjin ain’t gonna enjoy reading the letter telling them that enemies have infiltrated base camp and their reinforcements are going to be delayed!

>>912172
>Butterknife...more like a hot knife through butter.
I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s how she got her name.
>>
No. 912206 ID: 3cc68c
912206

Find out where the peephole is from Frizel (unless you know already).

Then tell Firzel and Aira to start retreating and that you will pull up the rear.

Once they are out of earshot quietly whisper to Butter that there is a weak point in the wall at the peephole location. And she might do better to dig there if she wants to get away before stronger knights arrive.

Then leave.
>>
No. 912208 ID: 31a0a4

Trying to talk is way too risky right now lets get out and wait for backup
>>
No. 912210 ID: 91ee5f

>>912206
Let’s not talk to the person that looks like she’s going to attack anything that makes a sound! And let’s not help her escape either!
>>
No. 912212 ID: 1fe8d7

>>912206
...If you wanted to have Fen switch sides you should have gone with the opportunity in the last thread. Pulling this NOW is only going to get us isolated/lashed/killed by Zall.
>>
No. 912214 ID: bfb318
File 154351339080.png - (37.95KB , 1000x700 , 1227.png )
912214

I want to talk with her, or at the very least, watch her for a moment longer. She continues digging. I don't know if this is impossibly fast digging, but I've never seen anything like it either. She's making progress, too, as she creates a fine mist of stone behind her. I can also see her arms are going deeper.

Firzel tugs at our shoulders, harder.

I leave. Aira follows, then, as we slowly back out of the room. Firzel looks over at a wall, and I notice the gap in it is wider. That must be the peeping hole, and it just looks into the training hall at the end closer to the exit.

We reach lobby. Firzel keeps walking to the outer hall. I'm tempted to as well, but the scratches pauses, followed by a few loud cracks. There's a couple of weird pops that I think I've heard Cheese make, before. Then, silence.

>"Firzel. When she attacked Hydril, were you able to see her? Her attacks?"
"Yeah! I told you, I saw."
"No, understand me. I once 'saw' a dragon knight attack, but I didn't see the attack. I just saw a glint, and then the nobles he attacked were cut open. He never moved from his position that I could see. Was it like that?"
>"Euhh... no. I saw her move, and I could see her sword, it's more like... she didn't jump forward, you know? She just... went forward. Maybe Frais can explain it better."
"It's a good sign, at least. She doesn't sound like she's as strong as a dragon knight."
>"Yeah, what a relief." he mutters.

I understand why he's sarcastic.

I inspect and re-bundle Butterknife's clothes. She left them behind, including her emblem.
>>
No. 912216 ID: bfb318
File 154351343404.png - (26.17KB , 1000x800 , 1228.png )
912216

I turn to leave.

Zall is there.

>"Where?"
"She's left, Sir."
>"Where?"
"Follow me."
>>
No. 912217 ID: bfb318
File 154351345423.png - (37.57KB , 800x800 , 1229.png )
912217

We walk past the training hall, into the bedroom. I hold a torch over the hole.

There's a wide area where she dug, but the hole itself is smaller than I expected. She must have a collapsible skeleton. The room underneath looks unused, but there are signs of exits, and no sign of Butterknife.

"I couldn't sense her with mana while she dug."
>>
No. 912218 ID: bfb318
File 154351346542.png - (50.89KB , 1200x750 , 1230.png )
912218

He walks back out to the training hall and looks to where Sir Hydril is. I can hear Dame Frais speaking with Firzel, until Sir Zall calls out to all of us.

>"All of you, come in here. Give me your reports, starting with Fen."
>>
No. 912219 ID: b668f6

Tell him what happened. Explain the suspicions and discussion you had about Butterknife, but also mention that you figured that either Hydril could handle the threat himself or it would have been pointless to try and stop Butterknife yourself.
>>
No. 912222 ID: 10c408

Well, do as he says. And then brace yourself for the "I am so fucking disappointed in all of you" reaming that is about to occur.
>>
No. 912223 ID: 5f3f48

>>912218
Don't hold anything back. Explain what you observed, what actions you took, and the precautions tried that ultimately failed.

Not sure how to explain her actions. Trying to keep Fen and the others out of the way suggests an attempt to make this a targeted killing, which doesn't seem like the necromancers we're fighting. She might have been acting for another faction, or this might have been personal.

Hydril refused something verbally before the killing started. She may have given him an ultimatum, or a chance to submit or acquiesce.
>>
No. 912224 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912218
Tell him exactly what happened. Then Firzel can tell him how she moved.
>>
No. 912225 ID: eeb7d9

Welp, this is bad whatever way we phrase it. We kinda screw up, but we couldn't do much about it either. She being more powerful than Hydril was unexpected, but she showed no signs of it. She knowing "personaly" him and Cheese, she was either an assassing, of someone with a personal relatioship with him, but we had no way of confirming this. She had a emblem too. The only wierd thing we saw was her behavior after entering the building. We heard her talking to someone, but then some struggle was heard from inside, and then silence. we entered, everyone was dead, in many diferent ways. We think se must have had a hinden weapon inside her. Finally, after we managed to enter, she was digging her out. She seem off, like she wasen't paying atention to what was she doing.
And that was all she wrote. Basicaly.
>>
No. 912226 ID: 10c408

>>912225
I think Zall's going to be really upset with us that we let her go like this.

...maybe. We're the assassins branch dammit. hunting abominations and elite enemy troops and dying expensively is what we're suppose to be doing, not ignoring our gut about things and then letting the enemy go.
>>
No. 912227 ID: c0641d

Explain what happened, starting from when you found Butterknife out front; be thorough, but concise: "When we arrived for this week's training, we found a mutant by the name of Butterknife waiting outside. She seemed anxious, and asked that we wait outside while she met with Sir Hydril alone about a private matter between mutants. She was emitting a lot of mana, but when I questioned her about why we should trust her with undead infiltrators about, she explained that mutants naturally give off a lot of mana, and showed us her seal, explaining that she was serving under Sir Impelus. We escorted her inside and she changed clothes alongside us. We asked Sir Hydril whether he wanted to honor her wish, and he himself gave the final okay for us to wait outside. After a minute or so, we heard Butterknife apologizing profusely to someone, claiming that she 'thought this would be okay.' We then heard her hocking up a metalic object, likely a sword, and someone yelled about her barricading the doors. The moment we heard that, Firzel and Frais were sent around to the peep hole out back for a visual while Aira and I began to break down the door. The archetecture and the tool used to barricade the doors - a sword from Hydril's office - made that difficult, and it cost us about a minute. Firzel and Frais would be able to better tell you what was going on inside while we did that. When we broke in, we happened upon this scene, with Butterknife digging at the ground here. Before we had a chance, Firzel came up quickly behind us and warned us against engaging with her. I did note that she was emitting considerably less mana at this point, and she neglected to retrieve her belongings, which I have here. You arrived at that point. May I have your permission to speculate, or should I hold off on that and do something else while you question the others?"
>>
No. 912228 ID: b970b2

Give your report, focus on the facts, and don't hold anything back. Do not speculate, elaborate, or otherwise dig yourself into a hole unless Sir Zall asks you to.
>>
No. 912229 ID: 91ee5f

>>912214
>a few loud cracks. There's a couple of weird pops that I think I've heard Cheese make, before. Then, silence.
You remember that one time in the Fence, when Cheese was talking to you through a tiny hole in the wall: >>/questarch/715205 ? It sounds like that’s what Butterknife just did.

>>912218
>"All of you, come in here. Give me your reports, starting with Fen."
Tell him exactly what happened. Make sure you also show him the emblem and how Butterknife said she was with Sir Impelus.

You and Aira worked on trying to get the door open. When you got in, everyone was already dead. Both of you were about to confront Butterknife when Firzel stopped both of you because he and Frais saw what Butterknife did and said that she is unnaturally fast.

And don’t forget the most important detail about this whole thing. Butterknife insisted that the four of you didn’t go in there, almost like she didn’t want to kill us and she was only after Sir Hydril for some reason.
>>
No. 912231 ID: 055cbc

Speculating in your report is fine, but don't insist she was here to kill people. The things we overheard do NOT point to a planned assassination.

They sound like she was here to deliver a message or something, and it did not go well, so the murder spree was the result. She did what she was going to do and it pissed everybody off, THEN she returned to barricade the door, turn around, and kill everybody who overheard. If this was an assassination, it would have gone that way from the start.

Also note, given who Hydril was, this was probably Erja Nokol business of some sort, not undead stuff. We know they have their own shit going on.
>>
No. 912232 ID: eeb7d9

>>912226
I know, i didn't like it one bit either, letting her go, but this was way over us. We couldn't beat Sir Hydril in a proper one on one match. She clearly was superior than him, AND like a dozen of his aprendices. We were only 4. We wouln't be able to make much of a diference. At least, not yet. We would need to be at least as strong as Sir Orjin indivudualy, and i don't think we are even close to that yet.
And that is a problem as well. She just killed someone that was helping us grow stronger. This is a great setback. This pisses me off even more.
>>
No. 912234 ID: b1b4f3

Don't forget that she had an emblem. The people she got that from should be immediately checked upon. They might all be dead now.
>>
No. 912235 ID: 298905

Honest, accurate report. You didn't do anything that the pawns and Hydril himself didn't also do, or the guards that let her get that far before. Don't offer speculation except as explanation for your own actions, unless asked. Or at least wait until you've heard all the reports as well, since it doesn't seem like you're being asked one at a time privately.
>>
No. 912236 ID: 86eb65

Pretty much tell exactly and only what happened and do not speculate on things unless he asks.

But a few thoughts:

Mention that she said she reported to Sir Impelus. She had a proper emblem and we had no reason to suspect her of anything other than possible mutant family related private talks.

Mention that she name dropped Cheese and that she looks very very similar.

She had no odd mana and appeared to be 100% alive.

Once things went down you had Firzel go to the peephole. He saw it happen.



If he asks about why you let her go? Tell him you considered trying to stop her but thought it prudent to not engage the possibly super fast unknown mutant after seeing what she did to everyone else.
>>
No. 912238 ID: bfb318
File 154352309272.png - (30.40KB , 800x800 , 1231.png )
912238

I begin, and include showing the emblem along with Butterknife's other belongings. Someone else shows up, someone who I see around Zall occasionally.

After I give my report, he gets the same from Dame Frais, Firzel, then Aira. During this, more and more students finally start showing up almost all at once as it became time to train. Instead, they eavesdrop.

There may have been an odd delay between when Butterknife threw up a sword, and when she attacked Hydril. There was enough time for Firzel to get to the peephole to see Hydril fight. Aira and I were banging on the doors for at least a full minute, regardless. Zall continues asking specific questions to clarify things we didn't think to mention. None of us are careless enough to speculate or guess anything during the report.

Finally, after all four of us explain what we saw, Zall speaks.

>"There are so many commanders that I can expect ignorance that Sir Impelus, who Butterknife claimed to be with, has been missing. I can expect ignorance of who Butterknife was, except from you, Fen, but I choose to believe you didn't know. I won't tell any of you that you should have fought Butterknife, as Sir Hydril wasn't able to match her with triple the pawn and knight count. I'm still disappointed. I expect all my soldiers to be costly to the enemy, whether in life or in how they die. How will soldiers match up to that expectation, when they have to retreat from a retreating enemy?"

I can't think of a good response to that before he continues.

>"Consider that. But now, speculate and tell me your thoughts. Especially you, Fen, as you are the person of interest short of Sir Hydril himself.
"I don't know if she came to kill in the first place. We mentioned that she was yelled at to leave, and reached the door to barricade it."
>"In any other region, we would summon Sir Hydril's lingering spirit. But that magic doesn't work well here, or so I'm told, so we may never know."
"I'm also uncertain if she's with the undead. Frais, didn't you say Sir Hydril wasn't..."
>"Strategically critical." she says.
"It's possible it had to do with the mutant families of Erja Nokol, not with the undead. Also, she does look similar to Cheese. She may not have been lying about growing up together."
>"I already know she's with Cheese's family. I'll speak with you in private about that, Fen. But first, is there anything else?"
>>
No. 912239 ID: 9551e1

Well she pleaded for us to stay out despite that she could have made short work of us, so she was either trying to reduce potential victims in general or spare us in particular.

There's still this weirdness about mana...

Also the sword she was apparently carrying within herself, is there any trace of it on the scene or did she leave with it?
>>
No. 912241 ID: a6075b

recall that when Butterknife went in she may have had a convesation with Sir Hydril, THEN she was told to leave, Then she barracaded the door.
>>
No. 912243 ID: 298905

Well... if Butterknife is a known person to someone like Zall, and it was possible that you could have known of her just through knowing another Erja mutant, then that means she wasn't hiding who she was. She introduced herself using a known name, presumably knowing that some people knew who she was. And that supports the idea that she didn't come here intending to be an assassin, exactly. That she knew it was a possibility but didn't expect to have to go through with it? Perhaps Hydril owed something to someone, and she was sent to collect? But, then, it seems like Hydril didn't know who she was either, or at least underestimated her.

The way she treated Hydril's body might also suggest the collection (or payment) of a debt. It seemed too precise to be coincidental battle damage. My first thought is that it was done to prevent him possibly being raised as undead, but the other bodies were left and she would have known the bodies would be retrieved and disposed of quickly. So perhaps it was him being made an example of.

Also, while your mana sense still isn't the most reliable, you noticed you couldn't sense anything off the bodies, despite their deaths being fresh. Could something have drained the mana out of them? And since that would basically be taking some remnant of their souls, would doing that have some sort of psychological effect, perhaps explaining why Butterknife seemed to become so... impersonal, while digging her way out?
>>
No. 912244 ID: eeb7d9

Again, the most odd thing about the aftermach, was her behavior. While she was digging, she seem unfocused, her gaze was lost in the horzon, or in this case, focused the wall, like she actting unconsciously, mechanically. I am not entirely sure, but there is a chance that she was being controlled somehow. She didn't act like any mutant i have encountered. And her way of fighting wasn't ortodox either, like Firzel said. But that might be becouse she is a mutant. Other than that, i can not think of anything else.

We will try to succeed your expectations next time, Sir Zall.
>>
No. 912245 ID: 91ee5f

>>912238
>I already know she's with Cheese's family. I'll speak with you in private about that, Fen.
I wonder what he’s gotta say about that?

>But first, is there anything else?
“Butterknife could’ve easily killed all of us, but she insisted that the four of us stay in the lobby. It almost seemed like she didn’t want to kill us, which I find strange. If she was sent here to reduce our numbers, then why not try to kill as many of us as possible? Why did she not want to kill the four of us?”
>>
No. 912246 ID: deec6e

Man, that sure was a lot of wild, easily-disproven bluff checks she managed to make. Looks like we'll have to start keeping ourselves more up to date on our comrades in other branches.

>>912238

If Butterknife bore a similarity to Cheese it was that she seemed... reluctant? Pleading with us not to be with her for her private chat, then hurrying hard to avoid a confrontation with us - who she surely could've taken on.

It's like someone with a guilty conscience, scrambling to not make a bad situation worse. Someone who's mindlessly afraid... which doesn't fit the bill of such a combat monster.

Three rough theories:

1) Some faction in Erja Nokol pressured her into infiltrating the camp, approaching Hydril, then killing him. Perhaps to send a signal to other mutants and abominations working for the Empire.

2) She's some kind of specialty undead who has enough of her personality to be dubious about her task and the desire and ability to interpret her orders enough to want to avoid collateral damage.

3) She did this on her own initiative and that's why everything seems so oddly half-assed - from her lies to her neglect to take care of witnesses.

It seems equally possible she was there to kill Hydril, or that she tried to negotiate or tell Hydril about something and his reaction is why she felt she had to kill him.
>>
No. 912247 ID: eeb7d9

We also heard her sy something on the lines of :"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I thought it would be okay!"
We have no idea what she could have being referring about, but she must have made a mistake important to either Sir Hydril or someone else, and she had to "fix" it, maybe.
It occurred to me that this mistake could have been she being discovered by Fen, i don't know why though. I wouldn't be surprise if she wasn't wasn't sopused to let that happen, Cheese family tend to make these kinds of mistakes, and ingnmidiatly regret it.
>>
No. 912248 ID: 91ee5f

>>912245
Also, since Sir Zall should already know about your trial, tell him that what Firzel described to you reminded you of the Dragon Knight you saw kill 2 gold nobles during your trial. Even if Butterknife wasn’t as fast as that Dragon Knight, you didn’t feel prepared enough to face something similar to that.
>>
No. 912249 ID: 5f3f48

>I can't think of a good response to that before he continues.
There's really not a good response. You should have tried to stop her, and only didn't because you had reason to suspect you couldn't. You're gonna have to overcome worse to meet your goals.

>But first, is there anything else?
Trying to keep collateral damage down strikes me as unusual.

Did you mention that Hydril was heard refusing something before the violence started?
>>
No. 912251 ID: b1b4f3

>>912247
She may have requested a 1-on-1 private duel with Hydril. Either that or she requested he leave with her to go somewhere. Basically she wanted to isolate Hydril somehow but they strongly refused.
Assuming there's nothing stolen, anyway. Hydril being a mutant-related assassination seems like the most likely explanation here, but they didn't want collateral damage because they're not opposed to the army nor are they trying to help the undead.
>>
No. 912254 ID: bfb318
File 154353004150.png - (12.79KB , 800x800 , 1232.png )
912254

"I'll emphasize again how much she begged me to stay out."
>"And that's what makes you the person of interest."
"Did I mention she had no mana?"
>"You did. I suspect she can mask herself. It's easy for mutants, in this region."
"I haven't seen that sword."
>"I haven't, either. She either hid it, or took it with her."
"Otherwise, I'm noticing that she didn't leave his body in a way that could be easily used as undead."
>"Correct."
"Is there mana coming from these bodies?"
>"A normal amount. Exactly what one would expect from a dead body."

So it is just my senses being weak.

I consider what else there is to say, but I already mentioned what I can remember in my report.

>"If that's it, then."
"This is just an idea, but Butterknife was refused something.... is there a chance Butterknife asked for a duel?"
>"... yes. Yes, that would line up with the response. Hydril comes from a place that would have accepted duels, but he would put his obligations as a soldier above that."
"Is there a chance Butterknife came to take anything?"
>"I doubt it. Hydril didn't own much of value."
"Still, she seemed hesitant to do anything. It's possible she was coerced by her family, or another faction in Erja Nokol."
>"Hydril did not have a good reputation among mutants. That is possible. There's too many unknowns. I have to set things in motion."

Aira speaks up.

>"Butterknife was acting strange, while digging."
>"Explain." says Zall.

I give the details, about how she seemed impersonal and unfocused, with as much detail as I can remember. I try to think of a way to say that there's no real way I could have fought Butterknife effectively, as disappointing as I also find it. But, I think Zall understands.

>"Hm. I'll remember this." Zall waits a moment, and after no one else says anything, Zall turns to the one taking notes. "Seren, write all of this down and craft a speech for the criers."
>>
No. 912255 ID: bfb318
File 154353005091.png - (14.88KB , 800x800 , 1233.png )
912255

>"When I began this campaign, I wanted a relatively small force with only elite soldiers. What I got was a compromise. There are good soldiers down here, but there are also halfwitted scouts and unambitious garrisons who've failed to accurately map this labyrinth and who have let unknowns and undead into camp. Worse, many people have turned vagrants. And worst of all, opportunists have come down here for bounties and easy paychecks with no care for whether the campaign is successful. They are a point in what should be, and must, be an effective, ruthless war machine."
>"I'm expelling most soldiers from the underground." Zall continues. "I will handpick every soldier that remains. If they don't want to be tested, I expect them gone. If they fail, I expect them gone. Those who pass may choose an number of pawns, support staff, and other required help based on their station and job."
>"In one week, there will be so few people in the remaining legitimate force, that every single remaining soldier will know every other soldier's name and face. The quarantine will be lifted by tomorrow morning. This 'city' will be moved above ground, just outside of the mausoleum. Only those with my own seal will be allowed underground."
>>
No. 912256 ID: bfb318
File 154353007590.png - (26.19KB , 800x800 , 1234.png )
912256

>"Sir?" asks Seren. "Shall I address the inevitable concerns over what the point of the quarantine was?"
>"There is no point to it! The garrison is letting anyone through, and we've found tunnels leading to the surface that take too long to get noticed. This campaign has proven incapable of holding a quarantine, and so I expect to work around that from now on. It's clear that the backbone of the necromantic force is a small handful of powerful creatures, and attempting to match their lesser creations with a numerous force has been a disaster. This mission is an assassin's branch mission, and from now on, it's going to act like it. Only the strongest soldiers will push forward. Is that clear, Seren?"
>"It is, sir." says Seren. "Shall I make a statement for those who those who don't feel they answer to you?"
>"Anyone underground without my personal seal or equal permission will be treated as traitors and enemies, and killed like one. Give the grand knights under me a copy of your notes, Seren, and send out copies of the speech for all criers. Make sure to send out scouts to deliver the news to all groups currently in the necromile or otherwise. Scream the speech into the darkness of the tombs if that's what it takes."

Zall continues pacing across the room, stepping over bodies as he does it, before turning to us.

>"You were here for training. Sir Hydril's death doesn't stop that. I will train you instead. Seren, send someone to gather the body parts for burning. Fen, follow me, I have a topic to discuss with you. The rest of you, spar with each other, I expect to hear activity. Are there any questions, from anyone?"
>"What do we do about the bodies until they get pulled away, sir?" someone from the back asks.
>"Try not to trip over them and embarrass yourself. Or, if it's the thought of sparring among blood and bodies that bothers you, then don't. Leave."
>>
No. 912258 ID: c0641d

"Should they take measures to make sure the bodies don't revive while they're training?" Otherwise, simply follow. (Is it weird if a corpse's eye still glows?)
>>
No. 912259 ID: 86eb65

Ask him if your team can help ready the bodies for burning while you and him have your conversation. Do not want to fight them again.

Then follow him.


(I think he suspect that you might have more loyalty to the mutants and Cheese than him and the army. He might bring it up. I would be lenient with Butter normally but she has not earned points with us with this stunt.)
>>
No. 912260 ID: 298905

Nothing for you to do but shut up and follow, I think, Fen.

... Did Hydril's head move? It looked a little further forward, before. Trick of the light, maybe. Speaking of light, there were little spots of fire on the floor before, when you first came in. Those were just little pieces of broken torches and so on, I assume? There was one just near where Zall is walking past, in front of Hydril's head.

The blood that was on his shirt is missing as well but I'm guessing that's just an art error.
>>
No. 912261 ID: 3805f6

I'd say no questions, just hear what he has to say. Follow Zall.
>>
No. 912262 ID: b1b4f3

We did mention how Butterknife seemed to vomit out her sword?
Nothing else to add here.
>>
No. 912263 ID: b1b4f3

Oh, we never got a chance to join the manhunt for those assassins...
>>
No. 912266 ID: 6ee5db

>>912256
Not much to do except follow Zall, though maybe mention Hydril's possibly moving.
>>
No. 912267 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912256
Alright, time for training from the commander. He's probably about to take out his frustration on us. Prepare to fight him just like Hydril, assuming he's both fast and strong.
>>
No. 912268 ID: eeb7d9

>>912263
He might want to talk to Fen about that. But more importantly, with this new rules he wants to aplay, the assassins will have a harder time hidding, we will be able to know everyone and, i expect, be more safe.

>>912255
>>912256

Man he must be soooo pissed. This campaing has had so many stepbacks there is no wonder he wants to asume direct control over the situation.

Best to remain quiet and do as you are told.
>>
No. 912269 ID: c1212a

We'd better not ask any questions so long as he's still dissapointed.
>>
No. 912270 ID: afdebc

>"What do we do about the bodies until they get pulled away, sir?" someone from the back asks.
Disable them so they won't be useful to a necromancer.

>Fen, follow me, I have a topic to discuss with you.
I like that despite all the messes, Fen has earned Zall's trust.

And he's very much making the right call about changing the campaign- the methods being used before were failing badly.
>>
No. 912271 ID: 31a0a4

Yeah now is probably not the best time for questions. Let's just go and speak to him privately.
>>
No. 912272 ID: bfb318
File 154353593768.png - (43.16KB , 1200x700 , 1235.png )
912272

"Is there any chances these will rise as undead?"
>"Only if all of you let an enemy wizard in to spend a few hours channelling life into them. And if a southern wizard made it into camp and comes in here, I'm resigning."

I look at Hydril's head again. I almost think it's moved, but the lighting is bad, especially as the loose embers die down. Hydril's eyes are slowly dimming.

I follow Zall, stepping over the vomit. I did mention how she retrieved her sword.

Zall waits for the sounds of sparring to get loud enough to drown out his low voice.

>"It's my understanding you're friends with Cheese."
"I am."
>"I won't be picking people for this campaign by fighting ability alone. Their ability to work together is important. For instance, if you're picked as part of my force, I won't have anyone who has the slightest odor of Lord Krix's banner, or anyone who looks like a bounty hunter. For you, I want to know about your loyalties. I've dealt with mutants enough to be picked to lead this campaign, and mutants... well, someone a mutant considers a friend is extremely rare. To them, their family is their world. Even if a mutant takes a liking to someone, their family seldom approves, and the friendship doesn't last. And if it does last, it means that person is looked on favorably by the entire family. But, Cheese didn't feel you needed to know about Butterknife's existence, and there's many questions of why."

I wonder. I don't know how to respond, as there was no question.

>"I know of Cheese's family. It's not atypical. They would join a doomed rebellion sooner than help any friend of the empire. So when you're such a valuable friend of theirs, I have even more questions and concerns. It's not my concern if you have ill-will towards the empire itself, as goodness knows I'll never assemble a team without any misgivings of the empire. My concern is a direct conflict with your values and this campaign. You may need to kill family members of Cheese. Will you hesitate in fighting them? Would you try to talk, and if you do, do you believe they would listen to what you, a barbarian, would have to say? You couldn't have killed Butterknife with your current skill, I know this, but what if you could? If you were on par with Butterknife's skill, and she refused to answer your questions or be taken alive, what would you have done?"
>>
No. 912275 ID: b1b4f3

>>912272
If it were possible, you would have killed Butterknife.
As for Cheese, she knew you would come here, and she's not stupid. You won't let her relatives get in your way, and she should know that. That means she either doesn't expect you to have to fight her relatives, or she wouldn't mind if they die. On that topic, she's as good as told you Garlic Soup is no longer family, so anyone else here would be in Garlic Soup's camp but not hers.

I think at this point Butterknife was a calculated risk. Hydril needed to die ASAP for some reason, and Cheese sent her without telling you for several reasons:
1, to keep you out of harm's way
2, to keep you ignorant, so you wouldn't have to choose between Cheese and the army.
3, to keep you from asking too many questions
4, shame, probably. Cheese has had shady dealings in the past and Butterknife was likely part of those dealings.
>>
No. 912276 ID: 86eb65

Cheese is my friend. I hope to be friends with her family if they let me. She has not told me much about her family to be honest. Possibly this was to shield me in some fashion. We have not known each other long.

Garlic is or was part of her family and I would kill him.

Butter is also her family and while it would be uncomfortable I would kill her to if she refused to yield.

I respect mutants and gladly work with Cheese. But I harbor no ill will against the empire as a whole.

If you ordered me to kill Butter and she was a helpless civilian I would refuse. But she is far from harmless and deliberately mislead me and abused Cheese's name to get by me. She owes me now and one way or another I will collect.

Although I would prefer she pay me back in service rather than her blood.
>>
No. 912277 ID: afdebc

>>912272
>I wonder [why Cheese didn't tell me]
Probably some combination of not thinking it was relevant, or not wanting to betray her family's every secret to you.

>If you were on par with Butterknife's skill, and she refused to answer your questions or be taken alive, what would you have done?
I had no way to tell if she gave Cheese's name because she was being honest, or because she had been told to use that tactic by Garlic Soup. If I could have stopped her, and she refused to yield, I would have killed her.

More generally, I have accepted that the mutants are not united in purpose, despite familial ties. Garlic Soup is (or was) one, and I had already considered the possibility others might have sided with him.

>Would you try to talk, and if you do, do you believe they would listen to what you, a barbarian, would have to say?
I will talk when I think talking has merit, and fight when I do not. There are monsters who can be swayed with words (The ice wyrm), and kobolds who are not worth wasting words on (Momo).

I have never thought I had great skill with words, but it can be powerful to speak at the right moment.

As far as I can tell, the reason Cheese and other mutants have listened to me in the past is, as a barbarian, I had no reason to treat them differently than anyone else.
>>
No. 912280 ID: bfb318
File 154353884250.png - (12.47KB , 800x800 , 1236.png )
912280

"She is my friend, but if I was against killing her family, then I would have left already. I denied Garlic Soup's efforts to turn me to his side already. Butterknife misled me and used Cheese's name just to get by me, and that isn't something I can look past. I would have fought her and been ready to kill. Cheese herself recommended I come to Erja Nokol, and if she hoped that I would fight the empire, she's made a bad mistake. You asked about me talking, and I do so when I think there is a point, like I did with the ice worm. I don't when I don't think there is a point, in Momo's case."

He blankly looks at the wall.

>"Hmm. That's a satisfying enough answer. I want to know more, and I want you to know more. Since I'm lifting the quarantine, I want you to take the next warp out to meet with Cheese. Learn of her family. For your own sake, but I do want to know if there are any more surprise visitors down here. Her family has dangerous people beyond Butterknife. Make sure she speaks of Yogurt, Onion Stew, Tomato, Cabbage, and Eggs. I also would like to know where Cheese herself stands, both with the empire, with you, with the necromancers, and with her family. Are you willing?"
>>
No. 912282 ID: 86eb65

I am.
>>
No. 912285 ID: b1b4f3

Tell him yes sir.
Ask when will you be returning, and should you be worried about assassination while you're there?
>>
No. 912286 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912280
You're plenty willing, but you've already met Tomato Soup and Cabbage. They ran into you while you were with that bounty hunter and they escaped with modest injuries.

Also, unpleasant though it is, Cheese knows you will kill any of her family that attack, as you nearly did so to her.
>>
No. 912287 ID: afdebc

Yes, you're willing.

>Make sure she speaks of Yogurt, Onion Stew, Tomato, Cabbage, and Eggs.
You're familiar with Tomato and Cabbage, at least.

>I also would like to know where Cheese herself stands, both with the empire, with you, with the necromancers, and with her family
Pretty sure we know the answers to all of these already.

Cheese is anti empire, pro Fen, pro family, and if she thought the necromancers were better than a convenient target, Fen wouldn't be here.
>>
No. 912289 ID: 3805f6

Yes.
(Also, before we leave, we should see about that bounty we had on Fen's original scimitar that we lost, if possible.)
>>
No. 912290 ID: eeb7d9

Of course. She promised me to help me, both because she owes me her life, and because she apparently sees me as a friend. Her family still doesn't trust me entirely,
of that i am sure, but i think i can convince them of the contrary if Cheese and i keep working toguether. If we both achieve our goals, her family will leave me alone. Cheese has no personal worrall the empire, but her family might. Again, if I work with her, i could try to make them stop antagonizing the empire.
>>
No. 912291 ID: b970b2

Express concerns about missing training, but agree.
>>
No. 912292 ID: c0641d

"The real question is whether she is willing. I showed her Mercy when I very much had her life in my hands, and for that, she's grateful. The relentless pursuit I gave leading up to seizing her life in my hands, which included me somehow turning one of her primary networks against her, may have left her quite afraid of me at the same time. Even with both those factors, I can't be blunt about it; too much too fast, you could say. I'll see about easing her into it, and if that doesn't work, I'll see about being a bit less subtle."
>>
No. 912293 ID: b1b4f3

I don't think Fen should further elaborate on his dealings with Cheese. We're in a good position with Zall and the army, let's not ruin it.
>>
No. 912294 ID: c1212a

Sir Yes Sir.
>>
No. 912299 ID: 91ee5f

>>912280
The next warp will be in a few days, which will allow Fen time to get in some more training and pick up his new armor. Cheese will definitely be surprised to see Fen in his fancy new armor.

>Questions to ask Cheese
“Yes sir.”

And since we’ll be returning to the Fence, I’m guessing this means that Sir Zall is going to give us his personal seal before we leave, right?

One more thing, does Sir Zall want Fen to go alone, does he want one person to go with Fen, or will it be our whole group of 4 that will be going?
>>
No. 912305 ID: 298905

"I'll go. I'll say right now that I don't think Cheese's family are supporting the necromancers - it doesn't seem their style, from the few of them I've met, and Cheese did not offer any objection or attempt to dissuade me in response to my coming here initially, which I believe she would have if she was aware of any of her family working here at the time. By letter, Cheese told me that Garlic Soup left them long ago, and while she failed to tell me who Butterknife was, I still trust her to not lie to me directly. I am opening to revising that belief, however, so I will be attentive for signs of deceit when I meet her. As things stand now, I could have told her that I assumed any other members of her family down here were in the same situation as Garlic, though I suppose that loophole will be closed by meeting her. I certainly don't want Cheese's family as my enemies, but what I'd do for them is a matter of my own sense of honor and obligation to Cheese. She knows, and would understand, that I have higher obligations and aspirations."

"May I take any of my teammates with me? Some of my assassins may see this excursion as their last chance. And are there any other errands which you would wish me to run while I'm out?"
>>
No. 912308 ID: c1212a

Oh, also ask whether the catacombs are being evacuated, and if so to what extent. Plan to leave those berries behind for Momo before they go bad, maybe leave a nice note to let her know who they're from. No sense in letting them rot.
>>
No. 912312 ID: 91ee5f

>>912308
Let’s not leave things for the enemy.

Fen should eat them instead.
>>
No. 912315 ID: de6d84

Yes, I am.
>>
No. 912323 ID: c0641d

>>912312
Assuming it's not a trap intended for the eater. I fail to see why a handful of berries would be particularly helpful to the necromancer, and thus there's no reason why we shouldn't leave the package somewhere for them to find. Our conflict with Momo is strictly professional; no need to personally spite her in a non-meaningful way. Maybe get a mage or something to check them out, tell us if they're laced with something or are a spell component of some kind before we go through with it if it will ease your suspicion.

>>912305
That right there is spot-on. Couldn't have reasoned it better myself.
>>
No. 912324 ID: 91ee5f

>>912323
Our brother, Zizi, aka Momo’s ex-boyfriend, sent those to us. If they were meant as a poison for her, he would’ve warned us in the letter he sent to not eat them ourselves.

Also, she’s not THE Necromancer, she’s working with the Necromancer. Big difference.
>>
No. 912325 ID: eeb7d9

Hey, our armorer won't leave right? We kinda need our new armor.
>>
No. 912332 ID: b1b4f3

Wait a second, "current skill level"? Does Sir Zall think Fen could at some point beat Butterknife?
>>
No. 912336 ID: 10c408

>>912323
I don't believe that a handful of good will berries, ignoring how tricky it will be to ensure they get to Momo in the first place, are going to make up for the following two facts

A: she was going to shank Aira, and then us, to get the bag of forest kobold bones back.
B: we lit her on fire as an immediate response to fact A.

As nice as I'm sure Zizi's gift is for her, she's still our enemy and there's no easy way to ensure they get to her in the first place. Not without risking getting captured by enemy forces OR spotted by our own forces who'll start asking questions OR getting spotted by Krix's forces who'll no doubt seize on the opportunity to try and kill us.
>>
No. 912337 ID: eeb7d9

>>912332
Well, the idea of this branch of the army is to make specialised troops capable of taking down big or powerful targets, on their own or with few units. Some people can achieve this with enough practice and some are just gifted and grow powerful in little time. Think Zizi, for example. He somehow killed a rebel dragon knight, right? And Fen kill a gold noble, one trained to defend himself mind you, with his bodyguards, and then another one, though it was a lower rank one, just a few days after he left his villiage. Not only that, he managed to survive an encounter with multiple undead abobinations knocking down one of them. AND lets not forget that time he fend of Cheese siblings. So yeah, with enough training and some time and effort, Fen might be able to pull somthing like his brother did. That is why i think Zall and others have some many expectations of him.
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No. 912364 ID: bfb318
File 154359559846.png - (15.51KB , 800x800 , 1237.png )
912364

"Yes, sir. Just myself?"
>"Unless you can think of a good reason why you need company."
"This may be the assassin's last chance to hunt me, here."
>"We'll keep your trip a secret until you're gone, then."
"Then I'll go alone. I don't like to think Cheese will lie to me further since she owes me her life, but I'll watch for signs of deceit."
>"Having her feed you false information, too, is something we'll want to know."
"Will I receive your seal now?"
>"No. Wait later and I'll explain what will happen."
"Okay. My only concern is that I'll miss training."
>"Elite fighters aren't made in a week. But there are still a few days before the warp, so you can still train with me until then, then again for a brief time on your own. I will also give you a training routine to practice every day while you're gone."

I think of more to say, but I feel I'm testing his patience. I consider the lemon berries I had for Momo. I should be able to get a wizard to cast anti-rot on them to save them for another time.

"Thank you sir, I appreciate the training."

He scoffs. Does he not believe me, or that my appreciation is funny?

I don't know, but all I do is nod.
>>
No. 912365 ID: bfb318
File 154359560731.png - (45.38KB , 1200x800 , 1238.png )
912365

I change into Hydril's training uniforms and join the rest. Zall joins us shortly afterwards.

>"I want to know how well each of you fight, one on one. One minute each. You, Haggas, was it? You first."
"Okay, sir."

Haggas picks up a training sword.

Zall takes his sword out of his sheath.

>"Uh, sir? Should I use my real sword?"
"No."
>"Sir?"
>>
No. 912366 ID: bfb318
File 154359566481.png - (43.83KB , 1200x800 , 1239.png )
912366

Zall moves. His movement is as casual as a step, but the act is more like a leap. He isn't holding back, and I think he's demonstrating the kind of fight we may be up against.
>>
No. 912367 ID: bfb318
File 154359568798.png - (18.16KB , 800x800 , 1240.png )
912367

>"Is there a problem, Haggas?"
"I wasn't expecting to spar with a real blade, sir."
>"Then step back and expect it. If you stand there like a dummy again, I'm going to draw blood. Defend yourself."
>>
No. 912368 ID: bfb318
File 154359571814.png - (26.01KB , 1000x800 , 1241.png )
912368

Each of us fight him. When we use the training sword to meet his blade, he rotates it to strike his broad side against our sword so that he doesn't simply cut it in half. Several times during every person's minute, he slips by their defenses and puts his blade so close to our necks, noses and eyes that we can't help but feel this is needlessly dangerous. Even as Zall holds his blade back, no one dares hit Zall anyway.

Zall's pressure is harsh, and it seems like if someone doesn't pull themselves back, he'll let them impale themselves on his sword. There are a few knights that spar overly defensively, or gets panicked by the end of each minute. Zall responds by rushing them down and kicking them somewhere that hurts, or even cutting them, yelling at them about cowardice. He says everyone here is capable of getting glory and pay in hunting gnolls in numbers, or joining the deadland ranks to fight a more standard army, but that isn't good enough for Erja Nokol anymore.

By the time it's my turn, I make sure to fight more offensively, but he makes it as difficult as possible to move forward when his blade keeps jabbing at us.

At the end of half an hour, no one is seriously hurt, but there is more blood on the ground.

On Firzel's turn, there was a moment where he froze up and didn't react. Zall punched him in the face for it. Firzel fell, and Zall looked like he was going to start kicking Firzel until he got back up. We didn't find out, since Firzel got the same idea and stood back up immediately.

>"He trying to get us to hate him now or something?" Firzel asks.
>"He's at least complimenting us when we do things right." says Aira. "That's more than Sir Hydril or Sir Orjin does."
>"Sir Orjin compliments us, Aira." Frais says. "They're just backhanded, subtle, or present but unsaid.... uh, hm. It's possible I've just worked with Sir Orjin so long that I have depressing standards for what a compliment is now."

>"Everyone's still here? I'm pleased, I thought someone would leave." says Zall, after everyone has had a turn. "I'm counting on all of you to prove to me that I was right to force Sir Hydril to train you all despite his own wishes. Now everyone line up for group exercises."
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No. 912369 ID: bfb318
File 154359573209.png - (58.37KB , 1200x800 , 1242.png )
912369

Over the course of the day, his own team comes in to assist, including wizards. Some are healers, and some are apparently energy wizards that sustains our stamina.

His greater knights use us as their own sparring practice. Zall tells them to use training weapons. We're all relieved by that, but none of us sigh openly out of fear that it will lead to a dangerous lesson about facing real swords.

Later, we're drilled on group tactics, and punished for every misstep that Zall feels we should have learned by then. It's often in the form of hard exercise, and sometimes in the form of sparring with a sadistic greater knight. I think some of us would prefer if there weren't wizards, as they give us no excuse to not constantly train at maximum effort. There's too few wizards split among us to have the greatest possible effect, but Zall expectedly doesn't care.

The closest thing to breaks we get are when someone interrupts Zall, demanding that he explain himself, or simply taking out their anger at him for changing how this campaign is going. We learn a lot about what's going on just by having Zall get into arguments with others. Other undead have popped up. None as strong as Butterknife, but anomalies are getting closer, people have been getting killed on the streets as undead infiltrators get more bold, and we see large sheets of paper get posted on the walls for updates on who is where. Eventually, a big table is rolled in with an enormous clay model of the mapped out tombs and necromile.

Sometimes an angry knight comes in to yell unproductively. When they get physically aggressive, Zall draws his blade and says if they have a problem with it, they'll be treated as an enemy. After about five encounters like this, one person draws his own blade in response. At this point, as though nothing was out of the ordinary, we all continue swinging our swords in unison as a group as Zall stabs him through the arm before he gets his sword halfway out.

Sir Hydril's training felt like a casual gathering compared to this.
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No. 912370 ID: bfb318
File 154359577056.png - (56.28KB , 1200x800 , 1243.png )
912370

The other difference between Hydril's training and Zall's is that each night, we are allowed to leave. Zall says future lessons will be in his own main hall, and other kobolds that show promise but are short of Zall's standards will join us there, tomorrow.

He also says we're free to come and go as we please. He will command from there while ensuring people leave to the surface, and his wizards will be on duty nearly every hour of the day.

It's clear that he means this as a test. Those who show the resolve to willingly go to that kind of training regularly are more likely to be chosen for the campaign.

I would remain, but we all have armor to pick up either tonight or tomorrow, so we agree to take the night off, as we don't want to leave any single one of us for Zall to focus on.

We walk in silence. Every few blocks, we hear people yelling the speech that covers what Sir Zall said, though with heavily modified wording. We must have heard the speech three times by the time we get back to Holly's counter.

>"Fuck of the south." Firzel mutters loudly. "They said if we die here our souls will be trapped and tormented. I thought that was bullshit propoganda to scare people off." he says, motioning Holly to bring out alcohol. "But Butterknife killed me. She killed me and I'm in soul hell. That's the only way to explain today."
>"Nice to see you too, Firzel. By the way, I've contacted all of your blacksmiths about your armor. They're remaining here for a few days before moving to the surface. I also have some possible squires and pawns for all of you to help with maintaining your armor, but I'd recommend learning to do it yourself, too."

She takes a deep breath.

>"That's the least of today's news, anyway."
"I'm going to be on the surface for a week, I'm leaving the day before the warp. I have an errand to do."
>"Alone?"
"Yes."
>"If it can't be helped. Do you want to leave your armor with Sir Mopp? Your new armor isn't going to be easy to maintain, or put on, especially when you'll barely get it tomorrow. I also heard Zall is training you, now, so it's not like you have any spare time."
>>
No. 912371 ID: 5f3f48

>>912370
Keeping a low profile is probably better than traveling in iconic armor. I think we should leave it here when we visit Cheese.
>>
No. 912372 ID: 298905

I hope you closed the door and there's no-one else in the bar, because your trip's supposed to be a secret, Fen. Remember? Outside your circle of trust you're going to have to give every outward appearance that you're going to be staying.

How many days is it until you have to go to catch the warp? I'm actually leaning towards saying you should pick up your armor and train with it on. It'll make the training harder, hard as it is already, but you'll have wizards and the trip SHOULD give you some recovery time. It'd be harsh, but you need harsh. You won't have time to practice putting it on or taking it off, and you almost definitely won't be able to take it with you, but it'd still be a benefit and it would sell the idea that you're staying. Plus, Zall might appreciate you being a good example to everyone else, stepping up to the training plate and asking for more. When you go, you can leave it with Mopp.
>>
No. 912373 ID: b1b4f3

Yep, use some generic stuff for this trip.
...really regretting getting the special armor now. It took too long, it makes us easy to spot, and it's going to be hard to maintain.
Well, we can at least strip the paint off the jaw to make it less "RED MAW IN HERE"
>>
No. 912374 ID: 6ee5db

>>912370
Remember when we thought we were good?

Anyways, spar in your in heavy armor but grab some lighter, generic stuff for your trip. If you get a moment though, ask how Zall thinks he would compare to Zizi.
>>
No. 912375 ID: 86eb65

Keep the standard armor but leave the red maw helm. Borrow a spare that does not shout your identity to the heavens.

As for the training? This is good stuff. The fighters worth a damn will get stronger and the weak and lazy will get pushed out.

Tell your team that there is no shame in not being a elite soldier in the army. But this is the best chance they will get to find out if they can qualify.
>>
No. 912377 ID: 556568

Parts of the new armour - like the breastplate, vambraces, tassets and such - can probably be worn on their own, which would probably be easier to maintain that the full kit. Get a more plain helmet along with something lighter to make up the gaps, though.
>>
No. 912379 ID: 91ee5f

>>912364
>I will also give you a training routine to practice every day while you're gone.
Make sure you perform that training routine whenever you get a chance. Gotta make sure that when you return, you aren’t weaker than everyone else.

>>912370
Don’t specify anything about your trip. Just let them know that this isn’t an excuse for you to run away from the army, Sir Zall knows about this trip and has given you permission to leave and you will come back. However, you’d appreciate it if they kept this a secret, so that no one will try to ambush you before you leave.

Just act as though you’re staying in the army and you’re not going anywhere.

>>912373
>...really regretting getting the special armor now. It took too long, it makes us easy to spot, and it's going to be hard to maintain.
Remember, our choices were an expert that would make good armor, but take a long time or a guy that would make ok armor quickly.

We chose the expert because we wanted good armor that’ll hold up in a fight. Any difficulties that come with the armor are things we’ll have to tolerate for having good protection.

>Well, we can at least strip the paint off the jaw to make it less "RED MAW IN HERE"
It seems wrong to do that, since the whole point of us doing that in the first place was to let everyone know that we weren’t afraid of them and we were going to own the name Red Maw.

>>912377
Good idea, let’s do this!
>>
No. 912380 ID: f52c8e

Hah, Zall doesn't think much of your thanks, but this is great! You're on a deadline, after all, and this is just pushing you faster in the right direction. If Butterknife is with the Necromancers she really messed up when she killed Sir Hydril.

>>912370

You can take one of those potential squires with you to help you don and train with the new armor while you're travelling. Gonna have to build up a relationship there and this seems like a decent chance. Hmm... if you're travelling incognito - and a face-covering helmet in the Fence, where people might recognize you, is not a bad idea. Is there any paint you could use that can be made to easily come off? That would let you hide the Red Maw part of the armor for the trip.

Also, tell Firzel to not be afraid. Even if ghosts are real, Zall's training will ensure he doesn't become one. Then say that he was right to not have you engage Butterknife, even if you all got called out on it. At some point you will both be strong enough to face that kind of an opponent, and while it is not today, the sooner you can get there, the better. For now, you're glad to have survived.

Speaking of survival, ask Holly if her business will survive. Then (and Sir Orjin may never forgive you for suggesting this) mention that you did say you might get her alternative employment with someone (it was Cheese, who you're visiting) if the army didn't pan out. Where you're going, that option is on the table. Not that you're encouraging her one way or the other. You appreciate all she's done for you.
>>
No. 912381 ID: b1b4f3

>>912379
>It seems wrong to do that, since the whole point of us doing that in the first place was to let everyone know that we weren’t afraid of them and we were going to own the name Red Maw.
Yeah but sometimes you don't want to get bogged down fighting off assassins, you know?
>>
No. 912383 ID: 91ee5f

>>912380
Fen just said that he was going alone, so I’m pretty sure that means that he’s not going to bring anyone with him. That includes squires.

>>912381
If Sir Zall’s plan to reform the army works, there won’t be any assassins to worry about when we get back from our trip to the Fence.

So we might as well leave the red paint on the helmet.
>>
No. 912384 ID: 91ee5f

>>912380
>Holly’s business
>get her alternative employment
Don’t mention any of that. That’ll make Holly think we’re expecting her to fail.
>>
No. 912386 ID: eeb7d9

I agree on the idea of leaving the armor here. Having a the standard armor we have now will be enough. Too many complications with the new one until we learn how to use it properly.

>>912370
Don't worry Firzel, i am sure that this isn't the worst case scenario, we will have WORSE in the future.
Maybe we should rest a bit and the go and pik up our armor. Maybe start learning how to mantain it.
>>
No. 912397 ID: deec6e

>>912383

>But Fen said he was going alone.

>>912364

>"Unless you can think of a good reason why you need company."

Suggestion: bringing a squire lets Fen train with his new armor while on the move.
>>
No. 912400 ID: 91ee5f

>>912397
Being alone draws less unwanted attention to ourselves while traveling, which is what we want.
>>
No. 912402 ID: 5f3f48

>>912397
The security risk of traveling with some squire we don't know and trust, especially when we're going to meet with Cheese, isn't worth it.
>>
No. 912404 ID: 3805f6

Do you still have that old white helmet? Because we need something that doesn’t scream “Red Maw” even if we do remove the red paint from the new one.
>>
No. 912406 ID: c1212a

>Does he not believe me, or that my appreciation is funny?
I think Zall knows you might not have thanked him in advance if you knew what you were getting yourself into.

Yeah, better leave all the armor here. No sense in spending all that money on it only for it to start rotting away like a week after you get it. Holly can teach you to properly maintain armor before you leave, and you may change your mind later, though.
>>
No. 912408 ID: 10c408

>>912383

The assassins aren't the only ones that'll recognize such a distinctive paint job. The undead will recognize it too, if they haven't already.

Leave the armor with Mopp and put in a request to remove the red paint from your helmet while he's at it.

Ask Firzel why he froze up earlier when sparring with Zall.

If Valisano is alive, pen a letter to him saying that he must have left his bad luck at the bar with us since Hydril got chopped into six different pieces and now we have to train with Zall instead.

Before your errand you should do some more shopping. Try and pick up some chalk, spare candles and maybe a hammer and chisel set so that next time we have to break down a large door/wall, we'll have better luck.
>>
No. 912409 ID: 91ee5f

>>912370
Fen, now that you’ve finished training your body, you should also try to train your mana sensing!

>>912408
>the undead will recognize it too.
Which won’t matter, since Sir Zall reforming the army will make it impossible for them to sneak into camp again.

The only time Fen will run into undead will be on the battlefield with his allies. It won’t matter if they recognize Fen, since they’ll have to fight a group of soldiers and not just Fen by himself, which you seem to think is what’s going to happen.
>>
No. 912411 ID: b1b4f3

>>912409
>also mana sensing
I feel like Fen should be doing this all day, even while training his body.
>>
No. 912484 ID: 10c408

>>912409
Zall's reformations will probably stop infiltrators from getting inside our strongholds, but that's not quite the same as stopping undead. They've been picking off scouting parties and other groups that aren't in the safety of a base for quite some time and it absolutely hilarious that you believe the undead are going to give us a fair fight on "a battlefield surrounded by allies" instead of, say, picking Fen out of a crowd based on his distinctive red helmet and then letting their archers shoot at him from the cover of magical darkness like they've done twice now.
>>
No. 912504 ID: a9af05

>>912370
You're also training your mana sensing, right?

>>912377
Yeah, I agree. Let's only take parts of our new armor that's easy to put on/take off/maintain and combine it with some basic armor pieces to help with protection.

>>912484
>Not going to give us a fair fight
>Gang up on Fen
What the fuck kinda battlefield are you thinking of that had their enemies fight fairly? No shit their not going to fight fair!

And if they gang up on Fen, then that makes them stupid to ignore the other soldiers, who will take advantage of that by attacking the undead when they're only focused on Fen!

>Shoot at us from darkness
In case you haven't noticed, they failed to kill Fen everytime they did that.

And by the time we get back to an area where that'll happen, everyone will have improved so much, they can easily deflect arrows with their swords! There nothing to worry about from archers!
>>
No. 912505 ID: 10c408

>>912504
But, they didn't? Yeah we blocked some arrows with our shield but we also got shot in the foot which WOULD have been a sure kill if not for the antidote. And then there's what happened to lady Cassa.
>>
No. 912506 ID: a9af05

>>912505
>Got shot in foot
They have terrible aim and got lucky hitting our foot. Which is why we've got foot armor now, to prevent that from happening again!

We even got tail armor to protect from arrows hitting us there!

>Lady Cassandra
They weren't aiming at Fen that time, so it still counts as them failing to kill us with arrows.
>>
No. 912507 ID: 3674e7

>>912370
Something we should do to boost our training results, is we should get Weights made to represent the weight of your full armour (or greater) that don’t add any actual protection and wear that during training sessions. This will make it so that you will be able to fight at your best even if you are weighed down by armour.
>>
No. 912510 ID: 91ee5f

>>912504
>everyone will have improved so much, they can easily deflect arrows with their swords!
Hopefully, Sir Zall is giving training to avoid arrows.

Speaking of which, now we have 2 kinda of arrows to worry about: the poison ones and, if they use it on arrows, that stuff that put Fen to sleep. The first kind is for killing, the second kind is for capturing.

Hopefully we’ve started getting antidotes in camp to counter the poison! And someone has hopefully been studying that stuff that put Fen to sleep, so they can make something that also counters that!
>>
No. 912524 ID: 10c408

>>912510
...pretty sure that if Fen asks that the answer is going to a scornful 'fen you idiot, it's called a shield. Bring yours. Again!"
>>
No. 912539 ID: eeb7d9

>>912524
I agree.

Basic training is good too. Exercises like push ups, running, weight lifting and those kind of things are easy to do and help Fen get physically stronger. Zall was probably talking about this when he said he would give him a training rutine, since Fen won't have anyone to train with.
>>
No. 912573 ID: bfb318
File 154370824258.png - (15.28KB , 800x800 , 1244.png )
912573

"I won't bring it, but I do want to pick it up tomorrow."
>"Of course."
"It's supposed to be a secret, by the way. I don't want to give assassins the knowledge I'm leaving."

We half sit, half fall onto the bench to have dinner.

"You were right, Firzel, not to have me engage anyway."
>"I know I was." he says.
"Why did you freeze when sparring with Zall?"

Firzel grunts. I change the subject.

"Holly, will your business survive?"
>"I'm not sure. If I go underground with all of you, it won't be my business. If I stay above ground, then I'll keep it going."
>"Isn't running a bar what you wanted to do?" asks Frais.
>"It is, but I didn't come down here to do that, so it isn't a priority. I also don't know how easy it'll be to run a business up there. Part of why I was successful down here was that I could run it out of the soldier's district, so I had an easy location. I'll lose that, up there. Also..."
"Hm?"
>"I've been pleased at how little trouble over my missing leg I've gotten, down here. Sure, sometimes I get a snarky comment, but it isn't nearly as bad as it's been before. If I restart my business at the top, it may come back to me. And it won't, if I go down underground with all of you."
>>
No. 912574 ID: bfb318
File 154370828820.png - (39.42KB , 1200x800 , 1245.png )
912574

So we sleep, and the next morning, we see Zall's new training area. We only practice for an hour before we leave, explaining we want to pick up our armor now rather than have to find them above ground later. Zall excuses us, so we all go as a group around the business district to pick up our armor.

There, we meet Holly's prospective pawns that we can hire when we become greater knights. Yet because of Zall's reorganization, no one fully knows what's going to happen, or how many pawns we're allowed to bring.

The blacksmith takes time to run me and the pawns through the necessary steps to keep it up, and gives me complimentary oils and spare straps of leather to begin with, but eventually I will need to supply my own.

He also gives my helmet a quick re-coating of paint. This keeps the red on the mouthguard, but it is much dimmer and less of a blatant target.

I give him a large bag of silver.

>"If you have questions, I'll be here for the next couple of days, and I'll easily be found up at the surface after that."
>>
No. 912575 ID: bfb318
File 154370830019.png - (66.23KB , 1200x963 , 1246.png )
912575

Once we spend a few hours learning how to put on and take off the armor, we head to Sir Zall's to train. Frais and Firzel choose not to wear armor. Zall agrees to spend time training Aira and myself with and without our armor for now, but he will have everyone train in armor later.

He gets armored knights to show us how best to let our armor deflect blows, and how to engage in combat using armor. We're cautioned repeatedly to at least get good enough at mana sense to detect if a weapon is enchanted. Powerful sharpness enchantments on a sword could potentially cut through steel, but we may have a wizard enchant our armor, too, to help counter this.

Zall himself spends more time sparring with us, and knocks us down and jabs us in the armor's gaps hard enough to hurt, until we can barely get up again.

Just like how yesterday he spent time getting us to be less intimidated by having a sword at our throats, today he is spending time teaching us that just because we are in heavy armor, we are not invincible. He explains this is a common danger that newly armored kobolds suffer with.

I also ask about avoiding arrows, and while we practice, he tells stories about kobolds that wanted to prove their skills by deflecting and dodging enemy arrows by reaction. They were some of the sharpest kobolds Zall knew, and they wanted to prove how 'badass' they were.

All of Zall's stories stories end with 'and then he got shot, and died.'

He tells us that people who survive are those who do two things. They always use basic principles even when doing advanced maneuvers, and they bring a shield.
>>
No. 912576 ID: bfb318
File 154370831954.png - (31.53KB , 800x800 , 1247.png )
912576

Firzel leaves to go back to Holly's counter at the end of the day. Frais almost does, too, but Aira wishes to stick around. When I agree, Frais changes her mind, seeing how few people are still around.

I think she's worried about what will happen if Zall only has Aira and myself to focus on, so she joins us to share the brunt of his attention. Once Firzel realizes that we'd have to walk him to and from the counter to keep him from being alone, he stays with us for training into the night.

Just as Zall focuses on us and a small handful of other knights that don't want to be outdone, the wizards have fewer of us to focus on as well. We get by on almost no sleep, and can continue working hard. We spend sunday and monday continuing our training as well.
>>
No. 912577 ID: bfb318
File 154370834003.png - (18.44KB , 800x800 , 1248.png )
912577

Finally, tuesday morning, Zall gives me a piece of paper with a training schedule to perform each day during my travels, and sends me off.

I stop by Holly's counter before leaving. I say my goodbyes, although it is only for a week.

I leave most of my armor with Sir Mopp to keep safe, but I bring a few of the bigger pieces that can be worn and kept more easily. I ask Holly about wearing a simple helmet to cover my head, as I had to return Veiza's helmet after using it in the anomaly. Holly tells me that wearing something that covers my face will bring more attention to me than my regular face will.

She packs a scarf, anyway, which she says will look better than if I'm wearing a full armored helmet.
>>
No. 912578 ID: bfb318
File 154370837827.png - (47.65KB , 1200x800 , 1249.png )
912578

Zall arranges a cart that's headed for the capital to hide and take me out of the mausoleum. I see an occasional abomination perched on top of spikes of land like sentries and guards.
>>
No. 912579 ID: bfb318
File 154370841412.png - (53.07KB , 800x800 , 1250.png )
912579

The capital itself is built mostly out of earth and thatch. Even so, they reach high, and roads twist and curve around each other. As the buildings slowly sink into the earth, I learn that sometimes they aren't kept up, so many parts of the city become deep ditches. As it becomes inconvenient, simple bridges are built over them. Now, the city is a winding labyrinth of multiple levels. It's only in the core of the town that the ground and buildings look like they're built on solid ground.
>>
No. 912580 ID: bfb318
File 154370847296.png - (25.15KB , 800x800 , 1251.png )
912580

I take a decent room for the night, doing my training routing as best as I can despite how little room there is. It's mostly physical exercise, along with reminders to continually train my mana sense at all times.

The warp on wednesday transports me to Graskin. On one hand, I should have slipped by assassins, but on the other hand, this is the home region of Lord Krix himself, although not his specific area within the Turtle.

I jog to the Fence, again, along the dirt paths. It's less lonely than before, as caravans and mail runners all travel through the roads leading out of Graskin.
>>
No. 912581 ID: bfb318
File 154370855391.png - (50.34KB , 1200x800 , 1252.png )
912581

The town doesn't look like it was heavily burned, any longer. Nuildings were either cleaned up or replaced.

I go to the town hall, and ask to see Sir Gauche. I'm left waiting for a short period, before being ushered in to his new room, since he has been promoted to a stone noble. He is now in the most uncomfortable looking chair I've ever seen.

>"Fen, welcome. What brings you back to my town?"
"I would like to see Cheese, sir. She is still here, correct?"
>"You are correct, and you may. I will have a guide to show you where she stays. If you like, I will provide you with a fine room to stay in for however long you are in the Fence for."
"Thank you, sir."
>>
No. 912582 ID: bfb318
File 154370856756.png - (75.08KB , 1200x800 , 1253.png )
912582

He does so, and I'm led to the underside of the building, and have to keep my head down. I almost fear that she's been kept in a dungeon, but I'm lead to an unassuming door.

>"In here, sir." says my escort.
"Thank you, that will be all."

I open the door. She's reading a letter.

>"Phfhfffffffen?! Wh-what's going on? I-if you warned me you were coming, I didn't get this week's letter yet!"
>>
No. 912585 ID: 86eb65

Go give her a hug.

Say this was a surprise and you did not have time to write. Ask if its safe to talk here.

Don't mention much of anything about anything until she has us in a secure location.
>>
No. 912586 ID: b1b4f3

>>912582
"We need to talk about your family. Is this room secure?"
>>
No. 912587 ID: c1212a

Hello to you too cheese. I can explain what's going in if you promise to keep it under wraps, but for now, how have you been?
>>
No. 912588 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912582
Ask the Servant to leave, then inform Cheese that you ran into Butterknife.
>>
No. 912589 ID: eeb7d9

Nice to see you too Cheese. Don't worry about it, it was more of an immediate change of plans, really, given some recent events that happened in mission, which we will discuss later. How have you been? Anything interestig has happened while i was gone? Any news with our friend Krix?
>>
No. 912591 ID: 298905

"I had to make sure no-one knew I was coming, and the letters are easy to intercept. Sorry if I'm disturbing you. I hope you've been well?"

Catch up on each other a bit - ask if Gauche's chair is as uncomfortable as it looks - and make sure with her that you're both in private. Then bring things around to why you came.

You probably should have gotten her some sort of small gift. Bottle of wine or something. Not sure if it would have been proper to bring something for Gauche, too? You are sort of on official army business.
>>
No. 912593 ID: 6ee5db

>>912582
"Hello cheese, I was told to be as secretive as possible about this visit, so I couldn't send a letter. Will your room be a good place to talk or should we go somewhere more secure?"

Also, I just can't take Aria seriously in that helmet. It just looks too silly
>>
No. 912594 ID: b970b2

Apologise for the surprise, and explain that the reason for your visit meant you had to take the next warp out, and as such you couldn't write ahead. Ask how she has been.
>>
No. 912598 ID: afdebc

>>912582
I'm sorry, letters run on a week's delay and my window to depart was sudden.

Ask if she's well, and if there's somewhere you can talk. (Without being overheard).
>>
No. 912607 ID: 65c9b9

>>912582
hug cheese
>>
No. 912608 ID: 91ee5f

>>912582
Once we get somewhere private, we should probably go ahead and tell her that the reason we asked her about Garlic Soup in one of our letters was because he’s now an undead working with the Necromancer.
>>
No. 912611 ID: bfb318
File 154371712871.png - (25.91KB , 800x800 , 1254.png )
912611

She is behind a desk and stays there, so I'll offer her a hug later at a more opportune time. I have five or so days, after all.

The guide leaves, and I shut the door behind me.

"Army business brought me here. How have you been?"
>"Uh okay! I think! So far! That might change depending on why you're here?"
"I don't expect so. Is there any news, either of the fence, or with...? Is this room secure?"
>"I- I'm basically a dead girl if it's not! So yes it should be."
"Any news about Krix, then?"
>"Yeah I kiiinda need to set up a good network here first before I can do much there! All I have so far is that I'm starting to get into contact with Moss more. I think he's opening up to the idea of subterfuge and all that! Well that or he just realizes he either has to do that, or live his life as it is. I sent him a letter last week, and I'm expecting a reply soon. Uh so not that I'm not glad to see you buuuuut I kinda suspect you didn't come here for smalltalk?"
"I didn't, but I have a week, so I would like to ask if Sir Gauche's chair is comfortable?"
>"Well no but Sir Gauche has a butt cushion and doesn't lean back anyway. Um..."
"I've come to ask about your family."

Her face changes.

>"N-not that you're not welcome, but were my letters that bad?"
"No, let me try again. Sir Zall sent me to learn about your family, as I think he wishes to know where my loyalties are, or something like that."
>"... whhhhyyyy?"
"We were visited by Butterknife."
>>
No. 912612 ID: bfb318
File 154371716595.png - (13.03KB , 800x800 , 1255.png )
912612

>"... whhhhyyyy?"
"I was being trained by Sir Hydril, and Butterknife came and murdered him."

Cheese makes a squeaky noise I assume is unique to mutants. She slumps down onto her desk and does not look well.

"Cheese?"
>"Noooo nonono no no. Sorry that is not a series of words I can easily unpack. Hydril, 11 foot tall murder abomination?"
"Yes."
>"You were being trained by him?"
"Yes."
>"He was murdered?"
"Yes."
>"By little Butter Knight, who's scared of her own shadow?"
"No."
>"Sh - wait, wait?"
"Her name was Butterknife."
>"Th-that's Butter Knight. I mean yes her name is Butterknife but we call her Butter Knight as a nickname. She liked the nickname because she has an idea of knights as being fearless and loving to fight but she... she is terrified of fighting even weak kobolds. Why would she...? She didn't say anything about....""
"You spoke with Butterknife?"
>"Yeeees. Like a week ago or longer I guess! You came up in smalltalk, but that was because Cabbage told her about you, nothing about Hydril! Or anything like that! She just said she'd like to meet you someday, and I made her promise not to hurt you. She didn't, did she? I mean, you look even healthier than before."
"She tried to get to Sir Hydril early in the morning before I showed up to Sir Hydril, and begged me to stay outside when I showed up early as well."
>"That's good..."
"Did you know she was going to attack Sir Hydril?"
>"No. I didn't! And don't know why she would?! I mean he wasn't well liked, but that describes a lot of empire people in Erja Nokol!"
"Is she with the undead?"
>"... she'd better not be! I mean Garlic Soup is one thing, but - wait, when did Butter Knight kill Hydril?
"Friday?"
>"Ohhhhh and I'm still alive! Why would she do that?! And why would the army send you?"
"Because I know you, and Sir Zall wanted me to know of your family. You sound concerned."
>"Well yeah! You're exactly the last person to send because you work with me! Us families, we're siblings, and - and when one sibling assassinates someone like Sir Hydril, the empire doesn't just say 'oh okay well that's one more criminal to deal with' they go 'let's go fuck their family up in retribution!' So why did she do that and endanger us?! And... again, why did you get sent, since you - wait you said it was to see about your loyalty, are you here to kill me?!"

She's hyperventilating onto the desk.
>>
No. 912613 ID: 470289

"Yes."
>>
No. 912614 ID: 86eb65

Pet her head.

If they asked me to kill you we would be faking your death or finding another solution to our problems.

We are in the same boat now Cheese.

I am not sure but I think my unique status gives us some leeway. People are oddly hesitant to push to hard around me and I think its due to a vague fear of my brother.

So we need to figure out what happened so I can tell Zall. Was this mess a odd love thing? Some revenge plot?

How did that tiny crying girl move so fast? She was in some sort of berserk fugue state. She could barely react to seeing me come in the room. She tunneled through a foot of solid rock and her arms were moving so fast I could not see them.

Does any of that sound like the Butter you knew?
>>
No. 912615 ID: 3805f6

I'm gonna hand you over to'em and watch them throw you in the ring.

I'm just kidding - Of course I'm not here to kill you.
>>
No. 912616 ID: e1d580

No.
>>
No. 912617 ID: afdebc

>>912612
No, Cheese, I'm not here to kill you.

One thing to consider is Sir Zall's interests are not necessarily the empire's at large. It's also possibly the news and manner of Sir Hydril's death have not been allowed to spread.

Might want to confirm you're talking about the same person. Check that your description of butterknife's appearance matches what Cheese expects, and what she was capable of (ridiculous speed, swallowing and smuggling a sword, etc).
>>
No. 912618 ID: b1b4f3

>>912612
Tell her no. You're not. You still consider her a friend, and Sir Hydril was not very nice. He kicked you in the face for passing his entrance exam.
The army described Sir Hydril as a low-value target for assassination, despite him being freakishly strong. You don't know why, nobody seemed to want to tell you why. Maybe he wasn't allowed to do anything but train recruits? It's possible they don't understand why he was killed either, and you were sent here to find out why before they decide to take revenge. Also it's not like Cheese isn't important anymore.
But ok why is butterknife so scared of fighting people when she's so impossibly strong and fast? HOW is she so impossibly strong?! It was like she went into a trance. She was nervous and cute beforehand, then afterwards you couldn't sense her mana and she was single-mindedly digging her way out despite you watching her do it.

Different question: does the rest of Cheese's family approve of you being friends with her? What other family members are there? Any others that might show up and assassinate someone who irritates you?
>>
No. 912619 ID: 6ee5db

>>912612
"If I'd wanted to kill you, I've had many chances"
>>
No. 912620 ID: c0641d

"No, calm down. I think it was more along the lines of him wanting to know whether I could be trusted with you. I should mention a few more details. From what I observed through hearing, she wasn't initially there to kill him. He refused a request - something "between mutants and private," she claimed before going in - and she apologized and said she thought it would be okay before resorting to a barricade and a regurgitated sword. She also seemed very out of it when she dug her exit hole through the floor; in a blind panic or a blank trance, I could not say, though she was giving off far less mana than before - practically bleeding the stuff... Come to think of it, is it true that mutants giving off a severe mana signature is normal?" If she responds in the negative... "Ah... Then I suppose that's one mystery solved; it's very likely that was merely Butterknife's corpse being piloted by an implanted soul; an undead. The request was likely one of defection."
>>
No. 912621 ID: b970b2

No. Sir Zall seems pragmatic, and I believe his only concern is about the campaign against the necromancers. This is purely a information gathering visit, which I believe I was sent on because we are friends.

Ask her to tell you about Butterknife, just to make sure it was really her you encountered.
>>
No. 912626 ID: 298905

"I am not here to kill you, Cheese. I'm not even really officially here. I mean, I am, and it was suggested to me by my commanding officer, but it wasn't really an order and I'm sure it's not on record. He was surprised that I knew you but didn't know Butterknife, and suggested I talk to you to find out more about your family, so I can be sure whether I'm with the army or with you if there's a conflict. I'm hoping there isn't a conflict."

"My own guess is that Hydril's death was a personal matter, not related to the necromancers at all. If you could support that - especially by finding some sort of evidence I could show to my commander? I think he might be inclined to not follow up on it so much. I mean, people coming down and interfering with the army's operations to take out people with a mark on their backs is still bad - believe me, I've had to deal with it a half dozen times by now - but my commander has his priorities. And if Butterknife did this on behalf of your family, I'd guess your family is prepared for the consequences."

"But, by your reaction... are you sure this wasn't a family matter, Cheese? Could Butterknife be under someone else's control? I could take evidence of that to my commander as well, if you could get it, and that would be even better for your family. She did seem like she was... under pressure."

Describe the encounter with Butterknife in more detail, focusing on her appearance after the fight.
>>
No. 912627 ID: 65c9b9

>>912612
there is a high likelyhood tht butter knight was being influenced by another pwoer she seemed unhinged and super-koboldian when we saw Butter Knife after she killed Sir Hydril, she was diggin an escape tunnel almost faster then I could see her move.
>>
No. 912628 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912612
Butter Knight moved with superkobold speed and could dislocate all their bones while digging faster than a man can walk. While staring blankly into space.

It seems pretty blatant she was ensorceled somehow.
>>
No. 912629 ID: eeb7d9

>>912626
I agree with this, tell her all that happened.
>>
No. 912631 ID: 9125e0

Slap her and say if I was going to kill you I would have already, now get up and gimme dat hugz
>>
No. 912632 ID: b1b4f3

Oh, we also need to ask her why her family isn't supporting the necromancers. They're rebels, don't mutant families tend to support rebellions?

...does she know anyone named Death Carrot?
>>
No. 912634 ID: bfb318
File 154372200347.png - (36.62KB , 1000x800 , 1256.png )
912634

There's a part of me that finds the opportunity to be the less serious barbarian that my reputation says I am.

But I look at Cheese's face and don't find the heart to joke with her about being sent to assassinate her, especially when she fears for her life.

"No. He may have wanted to know if I could be trusted with you."
>"... th-this isn't a good test for that though."
"I wouldn't know about that. You said you didn't know Death Carrot, correct?"
>"That's r-right. Um, knew the name, but that's it."
"Don't mutant families like yours tend to join rebellions?"
>"Uh I mean sure but not just any rebellion! We have standards! And if they convinced little Butter Knight... there's just no way."
"I am not sure Butterknife was there to kill him.

I describe her to confirm it's the same Butterknife.

"She seemed to have a request rejected by Hydril. She may have been lying to me, but she also said it involved something 'between mutants'"
>"A duel, maybe." Cheese says like I still might stab her. "Mutants do duels. She might've thought he'd respect that?"
"He didn't."
>"Well, yeah, he wasn't a native! She should've known that, and maybe just tried it randomly just in case it worked."
"I was hoping that you could have some evidence or assurance that she wasn't with the necromancers."
>"Um... I don't."
"Then I have another question. Butterknife seemed like she was under pressure, or in a trance. Just seeing her move put my ally in a panic, and she dug like a possessed berserker."

I describe it in more detail.

"I feel she was somehow under the effects of magic."
>"No." Cheese takes some deep breaths.

>"I mean sure it's possible she had that too but you just described how she fights! She's that strong. No mutant gimmicks or magical powerups or whatever. She's slow to start a fight but when she does she goes fanatical and becomes a bundle of nerves. When it's over, she gets reclusive and cagey trying to calm down. That's what you saw. When she dug, that wasn't possession or any berserker trance, Fen. She was trying to not have a breakdown. She just needed to be alone. That's why she dug through stone before running by you."
"How did she get so strong?"
>"I... I forgot."
"Cheese."
>"I mean I repressed the memory, or at least I tried! Not like... trauma, but I mean, like, because I was sworn to secrecy. Can... can you not ask that, Fen?"
"I don't understand."
>"I can, um, tell you, that you can't just go recreate it for yourself. No one can. We all would if we could, but... she got... lucky? I guess? That's just life. It's unfair. And in life there's some secrets you reeeeally don't want to know, and if I could forget for real, and not be able to remember, I would. I'd like to pretend I forgot again, please?"
>>
No. 912635 ID: 298905

"Alright. I'll trust you on that. But before you forget, how likely is it that there's anyone else who got strong the same way, and if there is, is there any particular way of dealing with people like that?"

"Aside from that... Cheese, when I first met you, you weren't in control of your own life. It would be good for me, and I believe very good for you and your family, if we could find some support for the idea that Butterknife was coerced into doing what she did by someone else. Or just that your family wasn't involved apart from her. I have a few days, and we can work together - in fact it would be better if we did, since the less involved I am, the more my commander will doubt any results we get when I tell him about it. Could we get in touch with your family and investigate this? Perhaps even find Butterknife and simply talk to her about it?"
>>
No. 912636 ID: b1b4f3

>>912634
>can't recreate it, got "lucky"
So, she encountered something that gave her that strength, is what I'm hearing. But in doing so, it was used up? ...I bet it has something to do with why dragon knights are even stronger than that. Their strength could be from the same source, but honed by training, which Butterknife never got. Probably augmented by enchanted equipment as well.

Tell her you won't press her on something she's sworn to secrecy about. Ask her if she thinks you could get that strong just by training in the army. ...she knows many secrets. Does she know how Zizi got to be so strong? He killed a dragon knight, and they're far stronger than Butterknife, who was far stronger than you can imagine being.
>>
No. 912637 ID: 86eb65

Cheese I am on a very short timetable. Even if I could not use her method even knowing a bit about it could help me get stronger.

I know you say its horrible and I do not want to know it but I know almost nothing about the world.

I have to fight people like this Cheese. I am getting stronger but many of these people are so strong I wonder how they got that strong. It seems unreal.

My brother told me nothing about his adventures. Not one single thing. Ever. All he said was that civilization was not worth the drama.

So please reconsider telling me her story?
>>
No. 912638 ID: 3cc68c

Normally I would not push any further.

But I need to get stronger Cheese. If I am to survive to complete our goals I need to get the strength to survive in battle against people who currently could kill me with a glance.

Please at least elaborate on things.
>>
No. 912639 ID: afdebc

>>912634
>I can, um, tell you, that you can't just go recreate it for yourself. No one can. We all would if we could, but... she got... lucky?
I'm more concerned with understanding how she did that, how to defend against it, and why she might have interfered, than how to recreate it.

Cheese, I am sorry, but if your family is interfering, I need information if I am to defend myself, or to keep them from being killed, if possible.

>Cheese says like I still might stab her.
Might want to try and reassure her further. You've been nothing but bluntly honest with her since you met- you're on the same side. You're not going to hurt her.
>>
No. 912640 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912634
She probably tripped over a Forest Kobold Ghost Knight that possessed her or something, whatever.

Let's move on to the rest of her family, since it's unfortunately probable that they'll jump out and try to kill you at some point.

Start with anyone close to Garlic Soup.
>>
No. 912643 ID: 298905

She might be more reassured if you take your sword off and rest your hands on the table. Though that might be sort of an intimidating position if you're not sitting down. Does she have a spare chair?

Oh, and did all that training and re-healing fix the mark on your horn?
>>
No. 912645 ID: 363437

Cheese I had been in civilization for only a few days when you met me. I am not a native of civilized lands. I did not grow up learning of magic or any wonders of our world. I grew up in a forest learning to be a hunter in fairly safe lands.

In the past month I have seen many of those wonders. But recently it has had me wondering how I am supposed to get strong enough to survive this.

So please tell me how anyone gets that strong. I need to know this to get strong enough to keep us safe. So we have a chance on this crazy journey of ours.
>>
No. 912646 ID: 15a025

Try to compromise then. Ask if she's got advice for going up against something like this.

If not, move onto asking about Garlic Soup. Who's close them?
>>
No. 912647 ID: e1d580

>>912634
Sounds mutation-related. I'm against prying too deep. Hug her.
>>
No. 912648 ID: 65c9b9

hug ask if she needs to go to bed for a bit
>>
No. 912649 ID: eeb7d9

If your family gets involved because of Butterknife, all of you will be in danger and i won't be able to help you, even worse, i might be ordered to fight you. I need all the information you can give me in order to save you and your family. Besides, if i have to fight her again, or someone as strong or stronger than her, i won't be able to survive. I need to get stronger Cheese, and i don't know if a have the luxury of time.
>>
No. 912651 ID: bfb318
File 154372812438.png - (17.45KB , 800x800 , 1257.png )
912651

"I won't force you, but I must fight people like Butterknife. Even if I can't recreate it, I need to know how to fight it. I feel incapable of getting to the level of Sir Zall or Butterknife, and those two don't seem to be a match for dragon knights or my own brother. Speaking of that, how did my brother get that strong?"
>"Uh like Zizi could clearly explain his own name, no offense please don't tell him I said that I think he'd kill me if you don't?"
"Cheese stand up."
>"Er... okay. Uh is this - "

I hug her.

>"Oh this isn't a death at all."
"No. Continue talking?"

>"Right uh your brother was really bad at storytelling. People asked him of course and I think he said some bullshit about waking up early and smelling fresh mountain air? Like if that's a metaphor for a surefire way to be better than dragon knights, please ask him for clarification, because the whole empire wants to know. But, Butter Knight, she wasn't born strong or even a natural fighter, and she didn't jump in a tar pit and win the abomination lottery."

>"So... Butter Knight told me some things. I'll tell you. Before she improved, she felt like an earthworm looking at eagles above the clouds. But, when she surpassed all of us, she realized that was an illusion. She didn't turn into an eagle and soar, she was just a kobold that took a step further than most. And behind her were the kobolds she surpassed, taller than her, right behind her by a single step."

>"Her message, I guess, is that none of us are as inferior as we feel. You know, she wasn't trying to inspire me, instead she was just answering my question of why she was so scared to fight weak kobolds. It was because in her eyes, even if she could mow them down like babies today, any one of them could have an epiphany or just have things click, take a step forward, and kill her tomorrow. She repeated that part about anyone. 'Not everyone will, but anyone can'. I think she was quoting... er, someone. To be honest, Fen, I don't really agree with her or understand her point, but she's the great Butter Knight of Erja Nokol, and I'm Cheese. Take your pick for life lessons."
"I still wonder how one would take a step that large."
>"Fen, I owe you my life, but it's way more than just my life I'd put in danger by telling you. that And uh, just so you know, it was only Butter Knight who knew at first, not the rest of us. We pried the secret out of her. And, wow, when she told us, we instantly regretted our success and all took blood oaths never to speak of it again. A-any other questions?"
"Zall specifically requested I ask about Yogurt, Onion Stew, Tomato, Cabbage and Eggs."
>"Like a cooking recipe? Oh fuck I mean yes my siblings of course sorry I'm - I'm shaken. Um I actually had a meeting off in the caves where you can't follow - as in can't follow without a collapsible skeleton not that you're not allowed! I-if you're here until the next warp, can I tell you all about my family members later tonight? And what I know about Garlic Soup and Death Carrot. Uhm... I can write letters to anyone in my family including Butter Knight. Butterknife? I'm going to keep calling her Butter Knight."

This would be a good time to think of what it is I'd like to learn from Cheese this week, other than what she just mentioned.

Also, she's not letting go of this hug.
>>
No. 912652 ID: 9125e0

Just let it happen fen the hugz will stop when their done
>>
No. 912653 ID: 86eb65

She knows better than you what she should tell you. Just tell her to get you up to speed.

As for the power stuff that makes sense. If you train and work hard enough and have the talent one day everything just clicks. And you jump up a level.

But it can not be bought or chased after. You just have to work and train and one day you will jump up in strength. And then its time to train again to make the next jump.

So our methods have been correct. Keep training hard all the time and try to avoid fighting anyone at a higher level so we survive long enough to get stronger.

As for Butter secret don't push. It might hurt your advancement to know. If its sudden inspiration you might get held back by hearing someone else's experiences.
>>
No. 912654 ID: deec6e

"So it was scary. Was it ghosts?"

Smile briefly to suggest it was a joke, and don't force an answer.

Tell Cheese that if she's looking for a motive for the current clemency, Sir Zall, who's no dummy, may be giving Butterknife's extended family the benefit of the doubt - for the time being - because of your connection to her. The antidote she gave you essentially solved a deadlock in his campaign when it allowed you to survive escaping one of the Necromancers' anomaly traps. He knows killing Cheese would upset one of his up-and-coming men and might deprive him of an asset to whom he already owes something, even if only through sheer blind luck. This grace time may be his way of repaying that favor. She should feel free to use that time to make her own investigation and contact her family. If they've betrayed the Empire, the Empire will know soon enough, and if they haven't, this is their chance to help resolve the matter.

(... did we forget to write to her the details about surviving the undead trap and why we ran out of antidote?)

Mention that Sir Zall also asked you to ask her where she stands on you, the Empire and the necromancers. Tell her to answer at her own pace, after however much consideration she needs. Also, mention that Zall asked you to learn whether any other surprise visitors, like her family members, have been hanging around the catacombs of late. On a personal note, you'd like to learn a little more about Peaches, the antidote-maker. Like... what do they like to eat? Literally peaches? You owe them - and Cheese - a pretty big thanks and you're unsure how to go about repaying it.

Other than to say thank you.

Anyway... far as you're concerned, you think you should definitely try to get to the bottom of why Butter Knight thought it was a good idea to kill a greater knight and not warn any of her siblings, which seems atypical for the family. Cheese's best hope may be that you can prove she was coerced into doing it - and her second best is to prove that it was a lone sibling's rogue action or mess-up.

- Would Butter Knight have any kind of personal motive for attacking or duelling Hydril? Like... was she romantically angling to become an actual knight herself and hoping to force it? Could this have all been an attempt to 'prove' herself brave gone wrong through a mixture of nerves and unbelievable strength?

- Could Butter Knight be coerced into attacking Hydril? If so, what kind of leverage would move her?

- Did Hydril have any well-known enemies that knew of and would have stooped low enough to make use of Butter Knight?
>>
No. 912656 ID: 91ee5f

>>912651
>I-if you're here until the next warp, can I tell you all about my family members later tonight?
“Yes, you can tell me later tonight. And please don’t try to run again. I’ll just chase you in the rain and mud again.”

“There’s something else, Sir Zall would also like to know where you yourself stand, both with the empire, with me, with the necromancers, and with your family.”

Let her know how important all of this is because she’s your friend and you don’t want to fight her family. But if it turns out that they’re all working with the Necromancers or they’re trying to hinder the army, then you’ll have to fight her family. They might get killed, you might get killed, or you’ll both end up killing each other. You’d like to avoid that, if possible, and she can help prevent you and her family from fighting each other.

>Also, she's not letting go of this hug.
She’s probably afraid that as soon as she lets go, you’re going to reach for your sword and stab her. Which you’re not going to do.

.....hey, Fen, try sensing Cheese’s mana. Does she feel similar to how Butterknife felt when you sensed her mana?
>>
No. 912657 ID: b1b4f3

>>912651
Hmm, it sounds like she still didn't tell you the secret, but she gave you Butterknife's hint.
At first I thought maybe it had something to do with her mana being hard to sense after the fight, but if it was something as simple as internal mana manipulation wouldn't Cheese's family just... do it? Butterknife's hint makes it sound like anyone can do it, so why didn't they? Maybe it's self-destructive in nature? Like you burn bits of your own soul to gain that boost of power? Or other peoples' souls?
...Fen should start looking inward for answers. Try detecting his own mana.

Ask her how things are in town. Any areas you should avoid, to stay unnoticed?
>>
No. 912658 ID: eeb7d9

>>912653
Well, i gess that makes sence. We have been doing that already, but maybe we need to train even harder, without a single complain, increasing the level of Fen's training. And strength isn't just being able to beat anyone you come across, is knowing when to pick a fight and when not to. Of course this is just theory, but i guess we will be able to unlock Fen's new strength with time.
>>
No. 912661 ID: 65c9b9

squeeze cheeses tail
>>
No. 912663 ID: afdebc

>Butterknife? I'm going to keep calling her Butter Knight.
She's your sister, Cheese, you can call her what you like. I was just repeating the name she told me.

>can I tell you all about my family members later tonight?
Yes, we can talk later.

>Uhm... I can write letters to anyone in my family including Butter Knight
Do you have some way to disguise who they're being sent to, or an alternate delivery system? The Empire will likely read them, otherwise.

I'm not going to forbid you to speak to them, Cheese. I'm trying not to fight your family. ...although I suppose I have a rather bad track record there.

>Also, she's not letting go of this hug.
Well, you don't have to let her go. She might need it.

Although if it goes too long, you might have to ask if she's going to be late for that meeting.
>>
No. 912664 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912651
Just let her sit in the hug. She appears to be desperate for them since all her siblings are made out of knives and poison.
>>
No. 912666 ID: 91ee5f

>>912664
Wow, that’s a good point. She must really miss getting hugs then.
>>
No. 912667 ID: b1b4f3

>>912664
Well we know Butterknife is huggable. She's just a squishy cave kobold like Cheese.
>>
No. 912679 ID: 10c408

It sounds like the epiphany that butter knight, Zizi and even the dragon knights is something releated either to your own mana or perhaps your connection to the divine beasts? Well, the sense of your connection to the divine beasts anyway.

We can investigate this later, right now we need information.

"Cheese, I've got five days to work with before I have to go back. I may or may get attacked by more of Krix's assassins between now and then. Anything you can tell me, preferably in writing, that I can pass to Sir Zall would be very helpful."

After that, probably break the ice and engage in small talk for a bit. After all, she might be interested to know how the campaign is going and you have only a little idea how stuff on the surface has been.
>>
No. 912680 ID: c1212a

Tell her that's fine, You're not here to make her betray blood oaths or turn her and her family against each other; just, iunno, check in and make sure they're out of trouble? Or at least not getting into trouble with a necromancer in deep cursed catacombs? Sir Zall only sent you because he's in a position where he has to worry about threats going forward, not retaliation. Or maybe that's just who he is- He doesn't strain people's loyalty like that, so you won't either.

>Also, she's not letting go of this hug.
Ask if she really needed a hug or if you still have her scared stiff.
>>
No. 912681 ID: 9b6023

You can mention that Sir Zall didn't seem to care much about what happens outside the Mausoleum as long as it doesn't interfere with his campaign inside. But he really wants to be able to rely on Fen even if other members of Cheese's family show up in the Mausoleum with the wrong allegiance.
>>
No. 912684 ID: 556568

Cradle the poor bundle of nerves' head. Give it some pets.
>>
No. 912687 ID: 10c408

One other thing to mention. Whatever the secret to butterknight's power is, she didn't just kill Sir Hydril with it. She also went and killed every last one of his trainee's before escaping.
>>
No. 912690 ID: 9551e1

>>912687
Note: those weren't the trainees, but Hydril's pawns.
Other than that, yeah, she killed everyone in the room.
>>
No. 912692 ID: 470289

You could go around and see if anyone in the Fence wants to be/is good enough to be a pawn for you in Erja. Cheese may have ideas about people to vet.
>>
No. 912693 ID: 91ee5f

>>912692
We’re a soldiers, not a recruiter. We can’t go around asking people to join the army.

Besides, Sir Zall wouldn’t allow complete strangers that we found to join the army, no matter how trustworthy Cheese says they are.
>>
No. 912694 ID: 298905

Well, apart from anything about whether her family is involved or not, it'd be nice if you got other useful information like Garlic Soup's history leading up to him becoming a necromancer where he is now, why/how there's a southern wizard helping out down there, if she has contact with any smugglers or other criminal groups doing business with or otherwise helping the necromancers, any knowledge of Krix's plans, any political backlash against or targeting of Zall that's in the works... anything generally useful to the campaign you're on.

Or anything Zall would appreciate knowing. If you can't get conclusive evidence of Cheese's family not supporting the necromancers (though you should gather what you can), then anything else you can bring back would be, like, a gesture of good faith. Helping helps prove you're not interested in hurting. You know? If Cheese is meeting with other members of her family, she can pass on this news and this information, and the idea of finding proof to protect themselves from the empire getting mad, as well.

Also by the time you leave to go back to the army some assassins will know you're here so some help watching for them and sneaking back away would be nice.

Now then while you're here and waiting you should find something to do yourself! Is there anything Fen can do for you, Cheese? He is officially a knight now! Keeping in mind he does have assassins after him.
>>
No. 912697 ID: 298905

As for the becoming stronger thing it sounds like some sort of epiphany or enlightenment thing. Something to do with letting down barriers between yourself and the land or something, maybe? If what Zizi said was a metaphor, "waking up early" could mean like, dying (joining your soul to the land) before you actually die, and "smelling fresh mountain air" could be, like... drawing more deeply or fully from the spirit of the land. And Butterknife's thing about just taking a step further than most could also be about metaphorically dying? Everyone can do it but they generally don't unless they're pushed (by actually dying)? From what we know of both of them the common element between Zizi and Butterknife in terms of personality is probably a willingness to let go of things, Zizi because he's a laid-back go-with-the-flow type and Butterknife because it seems like she's sort of scared and retiring. Both of which are personality type that aren't encouraged in the empire so that could explain why it isn't more common. Even dragon knights from what we've heard aren't the sorts to be overly attached to anything or to care too hard about much that we know of.

Anyway ask Cheese if there's any other big scary "don't fight this person" names you should know about.
>>
No. 912703 ID: eeb7d9

How much of a chance is that Garlic Soup has assassins outside Erja Nokol? Like, i don't know, in the important regions of the imperium, Goldyard, for example?
>>
No. 912712 ID: 10c408

>>912703
If that were the case, they'd probably have more than just assassins on the surface. Which is, well, terrifying given that Zall said the garrison couldn't do their damn job on top of tunnels taking too long to find.
>>
No. 912723 ID: eeb7d9

>>912712
That is why i am asking. We know Garlic Soup has some spies gathering information outside Erja Konol, but what it he has assassins? It would make everything more dangerous for Fen, not just because hey could target him, but his loved ones as well.
>>
No. 912729 ID: bfb318
File 154377822704.png - (17.10KB , 800x800 , 1258.png )
912729

As usual, I sense mana. At this point, I've been able to feel my own. It doesn't seem like anything special.

Cheese has higher than average.

"Mutants have more mana than normal, right?"
>"Yeah?"
"Butterknife had mana, then it disappeared after she killed Sir Hydril, and also all of his own knights and pawns under him."
>"Um, Butter Knight can hide her mana presence real well. None of our blind siblings could see her at all, and the blind ones usually get good at mana detection."
"Can you hide yours?"
>"I wish."
"Okay. How are things in town?"
>"Right! They're okay! Still picking up the pieces but that's always going on. Right uh, don't go wandering around town too much. I bet Krix spared a couple people to just keep ears out to see if you happened to show up here, and other might've already seen you. But I can get people to keep an eye out to see if anyone's trying to find out where you're at. You're kind of recognizable around here anyway."
"Is there a chance Garlic Soup has assassins outside of Erja Nokol?"
>"Um... probably not. I mean, not ones he can take over. That possession stuff probably only works as well as it does over there. So just watch out for general assassins still. Uh, have you eaten?"
"No."
>"Okay I can help with that!"
>>
No. 912730 ID: bfb318
File 154377825260.png - (17.10KB , 800x800 , 1259.png )
912730

Cheese finally breaks free from the hug and gets food, so I eat at her desk as she leaves through a hatch in the corner of the room. She returns from her meeting soon.

>"Hi I'm back!"
"Hello, Cheese. I was thinking about what Sir Zall asked me to do. He wants to know where your loyalties are with not just the undead and the empire, but also me and your family."
>"Uhhhhh you know, I think I can write a letter to him with my word and all that. I should spend awhile doing it since it's to a Grand Knight and I have to make a good impression, but when I'm done you can read it too, because if I let Sir Zall know something, you can know it too."
"Having a letter may be good. Would it help to give him a gift to show loyalty?"
>"What kind of gift?"
"A few vials, if possible, of Peaches' antidote."
>"Ohhhh that might work. We wouldn't want Peaches to be enslaved, but having her send a few vials on her own would help."
"Can you send mail? Would the empire read mail from mutants?"
>"They totally do and would! Which is why us mutants have our own mail system."
"You do?"
>"Yes. It took me a little while but I got a station set up in the Fence for it, now. Don't bother trying to use it! They wouldn't accept mail from anyone like you who looks so not-mutant! That's a compliment!"
"Thanks? I'd like to know about Peaches, too. Why is she called Peaches?"
>"She has has the colors of a Peach! She's friendly and is bad at moving around, so she kind of rolls around a lot. She likes to roll down hills."
>>
No. 912731 ID: bfb318
File 154377826115.png - (42.19KB , 1000x800 , 1260.png )
912731

Cheese talks about the others, too. She describes them to me, and as best as I can, I get a mental picture of Yogurt, Peaches, Onion Stew and Eggs from left to right, since I already know Cabbage and Tomato.
>>
No. 912732 ID: bfb318
File 154377827066.png - (27.20KB , 800x800 , 1261.png )
912732

That's the best I can imagine with Cheese's flustered speech and crude drawings.

I ask a few more details to summarize everything, but it's only to help organize my own thoughts. I also ask if there are any big names I shouldn't fight, and she lists off a few, but she has no evidence at all that any of them have to do with the necromancer campaign. She does warn me that Krix himself is strong.

"That's all I needed. The only things I still wish to know, besides the source of Butter Knight's power, is why she would kill him. Coercion?"
>"She's not as easily coerced as you might think."
"Could one of Sir Hydril's enemies have gotten her to do it?"
>"There's a chance!"
"Is there a chance she was just trying to prove herself?"
>"That'd be stupid and yes there's a chance! I'll try to ask her."
"Okay."
>"Um... do you need a place to stay?"
"Sir Gauche offered me a place to stay."
>"Oh..."

She sounds disappointed.
>>
No. 912734 ID: 65c9b9

>>912732
honestly Cheese's place would probably be safer then a stone nobles Cheese has alot of experience in hiding and finding places to hide when you don't want to be found.
>>
No. 912735 ID: 9125e0

But Id rather stay with you over some fancy hotel room any day Cheese!
>>
No. 912737 ID: b1b4f3

>>912734
That's true.

Fen ask Cheese what her family thinks of you. From what you heard, mutants don't really have friends unless the entire family approves. It sounds a bit like marriage.
>>
No. 912739 ID: eeb7d9

If you are feeling kinda lonely, i can spend a night with you, as long as you don't make it awkward. It's been a while since we spend time, so i don't mind.
>>
No. 912741 ID: 298905

While you're out here, you should pick up some gifts to take back with you. Things you can't get in Erja? Just for your friends, and for people you want to be your friend, like the big scary chef lady who it seems like you didn't even see before you left. You could probably also look for some gift you can offer Gauche for letting you stay, hospitality rules and all that. Maybe anyone really bad in town who you could take out? Having the fearsome Red Maw drop a notorious head at his tiny feet might get him some street cred.

Say, I can't remember, did you ever ask anyone what it is that makes dragon cloth so desirable? I mean you want it but you want one particular piece for sentimental personal reasons. Why does everyone below mythril noble status want it so bad? It's just really comfortable expensive cloth, right?
>>
No. 912743 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912732
Yeah, Cheese's home would be safer. For one thing, Cabbage is probably lurking somewhere around here, and she's good at killing everything except that weirdo bounty hunter and Fen.
>>
No. 912744 ID: 298905

Oh and you could offer to help Cheese with her business. Having someone scary standing behind her shoulder might help with some people she has to talk to?

Not sure if you should stay with her now though, just on the basis of having already accepted Gauche's hospitality so it'd be rude to refuse it now. Though Cheese probably lives under Gauche already so maybe you could do both?
>>
No. 912745 ID: afdebc

>mutant mail system
I assume Cheese still sends some mail on the Empire's system as a smokescreen, and still takes precautions not to say too much too openly in the mutant mail in case its intercepted. She's not new to this spy game.

>She sounds disappointed.
Stick around, have a sleepover.

Besides it being good for poor lonely Cheese, you're both better off sleeping near people who can watch each other's back than alone.
>>
No. 912751 ID: eeb7d9

Hey Fen, have you done your daily exercise routine yet?
>>
No. 912752 ID: 91ee5f

>>912729
>You're kind of recognizable around here anyway.
“I would’ve worn my helmet to hide my face, but I was told that was a bad idea and would attract even more attention to myself.”

>>912732
Ask Cheese if her family considers you a friend? Sir Zall mentioned that her family don’t usually trust non-mutants like yourself unless the entire family agrees to trusting that person.
>>
No. 912755 ID: 86eb65

So do any of these other siblings have any amazing powers? Any reason Zall mentioned them by name to me?

I can stay here tonight if you want. But I already accepted Gauches offer so I don't want to offend him.
>>
No. 912762 ID: 10c408

...Can we trust Sir gauche and those in his employ? We did work with cheese to get him out of dodge after killing vackles but if he's helping/working for Krix...
>>
No. 912777 ID: 86eb65

Wait this is where we should joke with her.

"So you want me to sleep with you tonight? That does sound fun but I did promise Lord Gauche I would sleep with him tonight. He does have those tiny little feet I like so much you know."
>>
No. 912795 ID: bfb318
File 154380647105.png - (23.83KB , 800x800 , 1262.png )
912795

"If you have a place I can stay that has room to exercise, I won't sleep with Sir Gauche tonight."
>"Wait, what?"
"I'm joking."
>"... k-keep working on your jokes. And I do have a room like that!"
"Okay. Zall mentioned those siblings to me by name. Are they significant?"
>"They used to be buuuut Onion Stew got badly injured while doing bandit things and Eggs had a falling out with his spy ring. Yogurt's kind of dangerous still! But not compared to Butter Knight. Well, they all are, but only Yogurt does real stuff now."

I tell Sir Gauche that since I have so much business with Cheese, I'll be staying with her. Cheese takes me to an underground area and watches me exercise with a weird silence.

Finally, I get out of my armor and stretch.

"Cheese, what does your family think of me?"
>"Tomato thinks you're alright, and Cabbage, well, she's agreed not to attack you, and that's great. The rest, well let me be honest. I'm only starting to get into regular contact with my family again. I've sort of wandered away until now, and they might think I'm really drifting away when I talk about my good barbarian friend! So I have to mend that. I'm sending them all letters. I probably won't get replies until you're back in Erja Nokol, but I'll keep you up to date."
>>
No. 912796 ID: bfb318
File 154380648213.png - (15.38KB , 800x800 , 1263.png )
912796

We sleep. Cheese says something about staving off the cold. I don't need that since the Fence is hot compared to the necromile, but I don't have an issue with it.

"Why is dragoncloth so valuable, again?"
>"Aside from being stupid rare and also very resistant to wear and tear? It's the closest thing the north has to a holy object. It's kind of a symbol of high power and status."
"I wonder why Lily gave it to me."
>"I'm betting complete recklessness!"
"Hm. Anyway, Sir Zall's training for me occupies almost the entire day, so I can't help you work much."
>"I wouldn't want it! If you were my guard, then the whole town would know Red Maw's here, if they don't know already."
>>
No. 912797 ID: bfb318
File 154380649330.png - (16.33KB , 800x800 , 1264.png )
912797

During the day, we stay in Cheese's normal room, not the hideout. She does her work while I alternate between exercise and meditation. She tries her best to not disturb me, but people come in to ask her questions or to deliver letters or news. Through this, I learn the names of most new nobles in town, and how the gangs are restaking territory, and other things that I don't believe concern me greatly right now.

Someone else rises through the hatch.

>"What is it, Gulls?" Cheese whispers for my sake, even if it isn't necessary.
>"There's a mutant that wants to see you."
>"Who?"
>"Blood Pudding or something? It's like a big snake."
>"Uhhhhhhhh hey Fen I'm so sorry but can you be my guard after all?"

Blood Pudding was one of the many names Cheese spoke of. They aren't on the same level as Butter Knight, but it's someone I should remain cautious around due to them being as poisonous as Tomato.
>>
No. 912799 ID: 65c9b9

>>912797
get that armour on
>>
No. 912800 ID: 86eb65

Sounds like a good opportunity to armor up.

Can you get it on yourself or do you need Gulls and Cheese to help?

While getting into your armor find out what this mutants deal is from Cheese.
>>
No. 912802 ID: b1b4f3

>>912797
Hmm? Sounds like they're from a rival mutant family. Might want to get a bit more detail on Blood Pudding's combat capability.
Also, this meeting, so soon after Butterknife? I bet this is related. Might be able to get some answers.
>>
No. 912803 ID: a9af05

>>912797
Get your armor on, strap your weapon to your side, and go be a bodyguard for Cheese.
>>
No. 912804 ID: eeb7d9

Do you have something to cover your face with? Maybe they know your face, but if you cover it, you are just another kobold that works as a bodyguard.
>>
No. 912805 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912797
Yeah, badass armor time. Got any extra daggers? Also, you'll probably need some lampoil just in case you need to set the city Blood Pudding on fire.
>>
No. 912806 ID: e1d580

>>912797
“Hey Fen don’t take your helmet haha just bring a scarf”
Contemplate possibility of sabotage.
>>
No. 912807 ID: 65c9b9

>>912805
the oil isn't a bad idea get a flammable liquid and put it beside cheese somewhere she could throw it and then a torch if things go bad.
>>
No. 912808 ID: afdebc

>>912797
Agree.

What's Blood Pudding's relationship to Cheese (a fellow member of the semi-organized mutant faction, or a close family member)? Any specific capabilities we should be aware of? Where's the poison- claws, teeth, spines, spit, gas- a melee or ranged attack?
>>
No. 912809 ID: c1212a

I'll get my armor on. Is there a reason you're worried?
>>
No. 912810 ID: 9125e0

Get yer armor fen

Cheese why would you need a body guard, are you on bad terms with Blood pudding

Btw where's Tomato and Cabbage?
>>
No. 912813 ID: bfb318
File 154381135896.png - (27.99KB , 800x800 , 1265.png )
912813

I keep my armor on during the day, so I won't have to delay. And since I kept the larger, basic pieces, I'm able to put them on myself. It is easier with Cheese's help, but I should know how to do it myself.

I cover my face with the scarf Holly got me, and perhaps wish that I brought my helmet anyway.

I also kept a few bottles of oil on me from Erja Nokol. I can use that to set Blood Pudding on fire if necessary. I let Cheese have one for now.

"I'm ready." I say. "Where's Tomato and cabbage?"
>"Not here? I don't know, they have better things to do than watch over me."

Gulls is getting up out of the hatch.

>"Okay, Gulls, when and where's the meeting place?" Cheese asks.
"Please tell me more about Blood Pudding, if I have to fight."
>"Please don't hate me, but it kind of made me lead it here." Gulls says before Cheese answers me.

A snake slides out of the hatch. I see it has a small amount of armor on the side of its neck. Cheese mentioned that as an abomination, it had a second mindless head grow out of its neck and try to eat Blood Pudding, so her siblings chopped it off. The wound left bare skin, so it wore armor to cover it.

>"Aw come on Gulls we've been over this!"
>"I wasn't going to die for this, that thing's scary."
>"You didn't have to die! Haggle!"
"I love internal drama, but please, Cheese, won't you welcome me into your home?" says the snake.
>"Won't you not just let yourself in?!"
"Haha, you're right, I'm sorry. Do you know why I'm here?"
>"Not really?"
"Dooon't play dumb."
>"Blood, come on, you know it's not 'playing'."
"Haahaa. Really. Don't fuck with me."
>"Well don't make me guess!"
"Hmmm."

It eyes me. Carefully. It notices the bottles of lamp oil, too, and my sword.
>>
No. 912814 ID: bfb318
File 154381137830.png - (15.46KB , 800x800 , 1266.png )
912814

"Butterknife killed Sir Hydril. You do remember Butterknife, don't you?"
>"Just say so. I learned about that after it happened."
"Buuut your family, your responsibility."
>"Why do you care about what happened to Hydril anyway?"
"Who is thaaat?"
>"My bodyguard."
"... ohh, I suppose it doesn't matter if it's known, anymore. Sir Hydril gave us information, Cheese. He gave us information about Sir Zall's adventure into Erja Nokol. And then Butterknife killed him, when he was doing so well. Why would he be killed?"
>"Uh I don't know Blood, I'm way the heck out here in the fence."
"It could have been money. But we don't accept mercenary work against ourselves, Cheese. You know that. She knows that."
>"Yeah? So why are you here?"
"A warning." It looks at me again. "We're afraid your family is getting collared by the empire. We can look past this once. But your family has to rein in Butterknife. We're letting all of you know. That's it. If there's no more problems, we won't be back."

Blood Pudding starts thrashing. At first it's alarming, but I realize it's simply unable to slither backwards, and so it's thrashing its body to dislodge itself from the hatch.
>>
No. 912815 ID: 65c9b9

>>912814
ask blood if he needs Gulls help?
>>
No. 912816 ID: 86eb65

Look to Cheese for direction. Let it leave unless she has you kill it while its stuck.

Then we need to chat with Cheese about things. If Hydril was selling info that will take the sting out of things a bit. But still leaves us not knowing what is going on down there.

Wonder if this guy is with the necromancers or if they are just spying cause its a war happening in there back yard. Maybe ask the big guy.
>>
No. 912817 ID: b1b4f3

>>912814
Wait a minute. Ask why they came to Cheese about this. She's out of touch with the rest of her family, wouldn't it be better to speak with someone who's more informed? They should know Cheese was out of touch, since she's been basically a slave for so long. Is Cheese considered the "face" of her family even when she's not doing that job?
Also, ask if they're siding with the necromancers, or if they were just curious as to how the fight was going. If it says it's supporting the necromancers, give it a single warning: don't.

Thoughts on this: Hydril was an informant? I think the army knew already, and that's why they didn't consider him a high value target, and also why they don't want Cheese dead. They think Cheese's family might have done it to show they're siding with the army.
>>
No. 912818 ID: bb78f2

>>912814
Ok from the context of this situation, it sounds like Blood and Hydril are from the same mutant family (or sub family or clan if there also part of the same mutant greater family as cheese). We can confirm with Cheese later if you don't already know that.

Mutant politics sound as complex as empire politics. Cheese, how can you handle two different systems like this? One is already enough.

Whatever happened to respectable bluntness?
>>
No. 912822 ID: 298905

Leave this to Cheese, you're just the bodyguard right now. If you have any questions you can ask Cheese and she can pass it along, Blood Pudding will probably be in message range for a while. She knows more about the politics and so on going on here and you don't, so you need her input before you say or ask anything.
>>
No. 912823 ID: b970b2

Look to Cheese for guidance, but don't say anything. If Blood Pudding figures out you're one of Sir Zall's knights then they may go after you and Cheese, thinking that you're going to report to Zall and that Cheese is also working with Zall.

I do think Sir Zall should know about Sir Hydril leaking information to Blood Pudding's family when we report back though, as that may deflect suspicion from Cheese as well as informing Sir Zall of what info is still secret.
>>
No. 912824 ID: eeb7d9

I don't think we should talk with this one. We can't aford to lose our cover.
Anyway, this is good information. Now we know there are some families in Erja Nokol that trying to stop the campaing in the mausoleum, but we don't know why yet. And now we also know that Hydril was a spy, a traitor. That might epcplain his fixation on Fen.
>>
No. 912825 ID: a9af05

>>912814
>Hydril giving away info
It sounds like Butterknife did Sir Zall a favor, whether on accident or on purpose remains to be seen.

>Stuck
Don't touch them! Remember, Cheese said that Blood Pudding is poisonous! Just let them get themselves unstuck!

Once they're gone, talk to Cheese about this.
>>
No. 912830 ID: e4c1ce

Blood pudding can get herself unstuck. Cheese has claimed you are her bodyguard, so act like it.
>>
No. 912856 ID: 3f57a7

Remind Gulls that Blood Pudding is dangerous to the touch.
>>
No. 912857 ID: f46e5e

Seconding the look imposing, be bodyguard, and listen approach.
>>
No. 912858 ID: a9af05

>>912825
I just realized something: We're in debt to Cheese!

She said she owes us her life because we saved her, but she saved our life when she gave us that first vial of antidote. We would've died without it, so she saved our life and paid of whatever debt she thinks she owes us, making us even. After that, we asked her to send us money, which helped us out, so we now owe her money.

And now, we're asking her to give us some more of that antidote, which means that we'll owe her even more!

So unless we want to be even further in debt to her, we should give Cheese some money for the antidote. And if she tries to refuse the money, we give it to her anyways!
>>
No. 912860 ID: 298905

>>912858
I'm pretty sure we've saved Cheese and been saved by Cheese a good few times each over the adventure of this town here. The balance of debt was more on Cheese's side (since she started off the whole thing by betraying Fen, losing him his dragoncloth, causing him to risk his life fighting a couple of nobles and their deadly bodyguards, sending him to court and dooming him to have to go through the whole thing he's going to have to do to get it back, and ended up with her own massive lifecrushing debt cleared and pretty cushy job suited to her talents gained, in addition the back and forth of life saving), but at this point they're friends! Saving each others' lives at whatever opportunity presents itself is just what they do now.

Plus, the gold Cheese sent Fen was his to begin with. Well, sort of. He killed a guy for it. But it was his before it was Cheese's.
>>
No. 912861 ID: 7c90bc

Yeah, we got cheese out from under the thumb of a noble that was misusing her, beyond all the life saving that means a lot.

Just don't abuse her. Keep treating her like a friend, but use the resources she provides when we can.
>>
No. 912865 ID: 91ee5f

>>912858
No, I’m pretty sure we’re not. We’re good friends at this point.

But for some reason, I feel like we’ve been abusing her kindness and we need to apologize for it. Although, I’m pretty sure I’m wrong about that.

But you’re right about one thing: We should definitely pay Cheese for those antidotes!
>>
No. 912873 ID: 440bb8

Bodyguards do not ask questions about the situation. Bodyguards quietly move in front of Cheese to protect her as the creepy mutant wiggles its way free.

We have learned a bunch and this guy does not need to know that Fen was here.

Although I do want to ask him what having a second head was like.
>>
No. 912874 ID: bfb318
File 154385977957.png - (12.22KB , 800x800 , 1267.png )
912874

I consider asking Gulls to help, but I don't know if Blood Pudding's poison is venom in their fangs, or if it's all over the points in the body like with Tomato.

Gulls does not look eager to help, anyway.

>"Waiiiit just a second." says Cheese. "Are you working with the undead?"
"Of couuurse not!"
>"Well you have people telling my family elsewhere, right?"
"Yesss. In every location we know you have siblings at."
>>
No. 912875 ID: bfb318
File 154385978703.png - (41.28KB , 1200x800 , 1268.png )
912875

I can sense Blood slithering away, now.

"It's gone." I say after a moment.
>"I wonder if Blood was lying about working with the undead."
"Do you think it does?"
>"There's no real evidence, but that felt like a badly delivered 'of course not'."
"Was Hydril part of their family?"
>"No, Hydril is no one's sibling, at least not in Erja Nokol. But that doesn't mean he didn't work close together with Blood's family. Anyway I was going to wait until you were done meditating, but I coincidentally got some antidotes for you! I was still going to have Peaches send some directly to Zall, so you can keep them if you want. I uh, also have some of Tomato's poison. If you want a couple of those, too?"
>>
No. 912876 ID: 5f3f48

>>912875
Cheese shouldn't leave herself with any poison or antidotes (she might need to poison someone or treat herself) but yes, thank you, those may prove useful.

I was not expecting mutant politics to be murkier than the empire's.
>>
No. 912877 ID: 86eb65

Sure. I am a official blood knight assassin now. Might as well have some poison in case it ever comes in handy.

Hmm don't want to let anyone know I have it though. That sort of thing could be used as evidence against me if it became known. So take poison if you can sneak it past customs. You have a bit of status now so should be able to.



Ok Cheese we have some level of mutant help with the necromancers even if its just a non aggression pact. Hydril was unliked and a solo abom.

So questions and theories to chat with Cheese about:

1. Hydril's past. Do we know much about him?
2. Motives for Butter killing him. The usual ones are Money, Love, Family, Revenge, Politics. Which one fits?
3. How do I treat Butter next time I see her? More specifically how do I get her to stand down so I do not have to fight and or kill her?
4. Why did Hydril join the army? He was spying for mutants and that info is probably making its way to the necromancers in some fashion.
5. Info on Necromancers. I am sure there are some mutants in there numbers. Does she know any mutant mages that might have snuck off and started playing with undead?
>>
No. 912878 ID: eeb7d9

>>912877
I agree, now that we are with Cheese for a little while, we should try and investigate all that we can about the death of Hydril and his agenda.
>>
No. 912883 ID: b1b4f3

>>912875
We still have that one vial of tomato poison. Ask if it's lost effectiveness by now.
>>
No. 912884 ID: 10c408

We'll take one vial of tomato's poison. it's unlikely that we're going to use it but it'd useful if we need to kill someone indirectly.
>>
No. 912885 ID: 6ee5db

>>912875
>"No, Hydril is no one's sibling"
Wait a second, near the beginning of the thread Valsano said that Hydril was a relative of the local mithril. So either there's some misinformation around or Cheese meant sibling in the Erja Nokol "sibling" way.
>>912877 These are also good questions,
>>
No. 912890 ID: 556568

Relative != sibling. Single children exist.
>>
No. 912896 ID: 91ee5f

>>912875
> was still going to have Peaches send some directly to Zall, so you can keep them if you want. I uh, also have some of Tomato's poison. If you want a couple of those, too?
Ask Cheese if she’s sure her mutant mailing system is safe? After that visit, it sounds like Blood Pudding is threatening to attack Cheese and her family for helping the army. So they might look through any mail from her or her siblings to find evidence to justify attacking them for helping the army. You appreciate her willingness to help, but you don’t want to put her or her family in danger.

Offer to pay her for what she’s giving directly to you. And ask her to please label the vials so that you can tell the difference between the poison and the antidote. You don’t want to accidentally drink the wrong one!
>>
No. 912897 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912875
Some poison would be helpful, but we should not deplete Cheese's stock. Only if it can be spared. Also, we should make a plan to kill Blood Pudding. They know where we sleep now.
>>
No. 912899 ID: bfb318
File 154387421436.png - (13.97KB , 800x800 , 1269.png )
912899

"You should keep at least one of each. I was not expecting mutant politics to be even murkier than the empire's."
>"We wanted to be better than the empire, so we don't just kill each other for simple reasons. But, geez, sometimes things are so much simpler when you can just murder someone."
"Are they?"
>"... Let me emphasize 'sometimes'."
"Also, I was told Sir Hydril was a relative of a mithril noble?"
>"Yes? Uh, oh, when I said 'sibling', I meant like Erja Nokol sibling. I don't know if he has any blood brothers or sisters, but I'm sure he has a big family in terms of blood relations. I'll look into that."

Cheese hands me one poison vial and two antidote vials, clearly labeled with 'A' and 'P' each. I left most of my money back with Sir Mopp, but I give Cheese a modest amount of money for the vials. I should be able to sneak them into the town at the mausoleum at the very least. She says she can get a wizard to renew my current poison vial.

For now, I ask Cheese more questions. She doesn't know much about Hydril's past or why he joined the army, or any information on the necromancers that I don't already know. She also doesn't have any more motives for Butter to kill Hydril, but all of these things are questions she's asking around through mail, but she's obligated to remain in the Fence until Sir Gauche feels that the town is stable enough to let her leave for her own purposes.

"Do you have advice for getting Butter to stand down? If possible, I don't want to kill or fight her."
>"Um... all I can think of is that she's promised not to kill you, and that... well, you may have to fight her if she fights the rest of your group? Uhm..."
"Make her run because if I fight her, she can't fight back? That is dirty."
>"It is incredibly dirty and manipulative! But I don't have a lot to work with. I'm sending out another batch of mail soon, but that's all I can do, I'm sorry."
"All you can do is all I can ask."
>>
No. 912900 ID: bfb318
File 154387422992.png - (18.60KB , 800x800 , 1270.png )
912900

The day continues and ends, and I finish my last nightly exercise out of my armor as Cheese watches.

>"So um... one more night after this?"
"Yes. I will be leaving the morning after tomorrow."
>"Is there anything else you'd like to do while in town?"
>>
No. 912901 ID: 470289

Ask her is she wants to play (Kimankara)
>>
No. 912902 ID: b1b4f3

>>912900
Can we check on the Crows perhaps? They might still be holding items for us.
Tempting to talk to "Sock" but it's best not to alert Krix to the fact that him and Fen are buddies. I doubt Croc is still around... is there even anything else to do here?
>>
No. 912903 ID: 6ee5db

>>912900
Anything you'd like to do or would recommend, Cheese? I can only think of Kimankara.
>>
No. 912905 ID: b1b4f3

...maybe she needs someone assassinated? From the sound of it I'm not sure Fen would get in much trouble for killing someone right now, so long as it's not another noble.
>>
No. 912906 ID: 86eb65

What is there to do in the newly rebuilt Fence?

We could talk with crows.
Get a fancy dinner.
Go see the sights.

What would you like to do Cheese?
>>
No. 912907 ID: afdebc

>>912899
It's okay Cheese, Fen doesn't really have too many qualms resorting to dirty tactics.

>>"Is there anything else you'd like to do while in town?"
>>912903
Something like this, yeah. Admit you don't really know what to do for relaxation.
>>
No. 912908 ID: c1212a

...Is Cheese sweating?

Maybe get gifts or supplies for your comrades and yourself that aren't as cheap or available in a war-zone.
>>
No. 912909 ID: eeb7d9

You ok there? You are sweating a little. What would you like to do, have any ideas? What is there to do around here?
>>
No. 912910 ID: b1b4f3

>sweating
I think that's just her scales. Some of them have a red shine to them.
>>
No. 912911 ID: 298905

Get presents for friends. Find any other useful information relating to the necromancer campaign? Any whispers of plots against Zall, for example? Ask Cheese if there's anything she thinks Zall would like you to come back to him with, describe your situation to her and get her advice on proving your loyalty. See if she catches on to any subtleties or nuances in the whole situation that you (we) missed.
>>
No. 912912 ID: b1b4f3

Oh! Maybe we can speak further with Sir Gauche, see if he has anything he wants to talk about (or any jobs to do) while we're here.
>>
No. 912913 ID: 91ee5f

>>912912
I doubt he has anything for us to do that can be done in a single day.
>>
No. 912914 ID: e1d580

>>912900
“Want to play around?”

Kimankara, of course.
>>
No. 912916 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912900
Ask Cheese if there's anything fun to do around town she'd enjoy. Or invite her to play boardgames.
>>
No. 912917 ID: 91ee5f

Ask if Cheese is sure Blood Pudding won’t intercept the antidote she’s sending directly to Sir Zall and replace it with poison? It would make it look like Cheese betrayed you and attempted to kill you and Sir Zall.
>>
No. 912920 ID: c0641d

Kimankara sounds fun, and yeah, we should check on the crows at some point. Maybe we can ask about frogs while we play. It's likely that the necromancers have a stronger grasp on them than Cheese had on the crows, but does she have any tips on something that might make them in particular defect?
>>
No. 912923 ID: 9125e0

We can fool around for a little bit...... With some kimankara

Oooh we should send a leter to Cabbage and Tomato, thankin them for helping us, and one to Peaches too.
>>
No. 912924 ID: 8269f3

We should probably see the crows. Weren't they holding a chunk of our money?
>>
No. 912929 ID: bfb318
File 154388921214.png - (16.50KB , 800x800 , 1271.png )
912929

Cheese still looks like she's sweating, but that's light bouncing off of her scales. I think. I'm never sure.

"I'd like to send thank you letters to Cabbage, Tomato, and Peaches."
>"Oh okay!"
"Is the mutant mail system safe?"
>"Safer than the empire's. Trust me, as nasty as family politics can be, the thought of corrupting the mail system is just... don't even insinuate it."
"Is there any news of crows?"
>"Not yet. It's actually not safe at all for them to be here, and it's not safe for me to go out of my way to contact them, so... that'll settle down before too long. Once summer's here, I can find out what's up, and I think I can get what funds happened to be skimmed off from Apanya's order to be spent on the Fence's rebuilding."
"Skimmed? Cheese, that sounds like corruption."
>"Y-yes? Fen the entire town of the Fence is hardly worth 3 mithril coins, it was not necessary to spend that much! You'd make better use of the spare gold."
"What about Erja Nokol frogs?"
>"Ohhhh. Right. Let me send letters about those. I'm too far away to know where they stand."
"Okay. Before I leave for Graskin, I'd like to play."
>"O-oh?"
"Kimankara."
>"O-oh. Well we're right under town hall! Which means we live under people who have nothing better to do than games! If you clean up and look less like you're ready to assassinate somebody, there's probably a whole room dedicated to that."
"Is there anything in town you want to do?"
>"Um, there's a really good restaurant that I like the food of, but I have a difficult time getting food from there."
"Why is that?"
>"They don't serve mutants. Or dirt crawling kids. And the few people I can ask to get the food from have better things to do! U-um not to say that you don't have anything better to do - "
"I don't. In between Zall's orders, I have nothing to do."
>"Then, could you...?"
"Yes."
>>
No. 912930 ID: bfb318
File 154388923211.png - (37.00KB , 1200x800 , 1272.png )
912930

The next day, while Cheese is at work, I go to town hall to ask about Kimankara. Sir Gauche doesn't want me to do any jobs for him, so I go to, just as Cheese said existed, a game room where various people play games, mainly Kimankara. I test my skills in that against regulars, and despite that they give me compliments that most newcomers aren't so good, they've been playing for so long that they are able to beat me easily.

Still, I learn various tips and improve over the course of an afternoon.

During most of the day, I ask Cheese to go over everything we know, but no great new thoughts arise from it. After that, I go pick up food from Cheese's restaurant, sticking to routes that I'm unlikely to be discovered in. Cheese and I share the food over her desk, and as she claimed, it is good.

>"Um, I know it was business, but I had a good time while you were here."
"I'm sorry I was so busy."
>"And me, too! But it's still nice just having someone I can trust around. You have no idea how valuable that is."

>"Er... I guess, lately, maybe you're learning how valuable it is."

We eat dinner, and spend our remaining time here.
>>
No. 912931 ID: bfb318
File 154388969110.png - (19.30KB , 800x800 , 1273.png )
912931

The next morning, the 75th I believe, I wake up and make sure I have all of my possessions ready to go. Cheese gives me a hug without asking.

I have no problem with it, but I'm surprised. I hug back.

"Are you alright?"
>"I guessss. We're going to do our best to survive, but you're going to a dangerous place, and I have a dangerous life. So, if this is our last time seeing each other, I wanted to make the last bye a good one."

On my way out, I'd like to get gifts for people in Erja Nokol as well.

Nothing is stopping me from leaving early to visit the Crow Zone, but Cheese made it sound like it may be risky for them to see me.
>>
No. 912932 ID: 86eb65

She said it was not safe for them to be here. Or be seen in these lands. Remember that they had a treaty of sorts that said no crows and it was discovered that the crows broke it.

So I bet they are hiding out in the crow zone until everyone forgets about things. You should be safe to visit them in person. But check with Cheese.

Gifts:

Aira - Ear warmers
Holly - Knife cane peg leg
Firzel - A "I got tortured in the necromile and all I got was this tshirt" Tshirt
Frais - A pair of boxing gloves. (she seemed to like the chef fight)
Everyone else - Scarves and mittens and other warm items like blankets and such.
>>
No. 912933 ID: 3cc68c

Give her a smooch on the top of her head. Tell her you are not planning on dying and will try to avoid getting yourself killed.

As for crows she said it was not safe for her. Maybe you can sneak over to the crow zone and talk for a bit without issue. But see if she thinks that is a horrible idea or not.
>>
No. 912934 ID: c0641d

>>912933
Let's not accidentally lead her on with a romantic gesture like that. Anyway, I agree with warm, padded clothing for everyone to wear under armor. Perhaps a quilt or two? Let's not go crazy with it if it ends up being expensive, though.
>>
No. 912936 ID: 9125e0

The crows are a No Go! too risky

We should bring them back some nice scarfs and blankets for are brothers in arms, also we should get something for Sir Orjin a pink cape or something maybe a scarf with a Rocks make the best shields stitched on it
>>
No. 912938 ID: 8269f3

Warm clothing should be a good gift all around. Boxing equipment for Frais sounds good, and also don't forget about the lad Bolk and the rest. Maybe a good flask of alcohol for Valsano. Also, out of curiosity's sake, are you able to see the border of Shroomleaf from the Fence?
>>
No. 912939 ID: c1212a

Promise cheese you won't die.

I don't think our sense of humor lends itself to getting people gag gifts, but they'd probably appreciate something practical.
>>
No. 912940 ID: 91ee5f

>>912931
>So, if this is our last time seeing each other, I wanted to make the last bye a good one.
“I’ll do my best to not die. But if this is the last time we see each other, then I want to thank you for all of your help. You’re a good friend. Goodbye, Cheese.”

>On my way out, I'd like to get gifts for people in Erja Nokol as well.
Do you at least know what everyone will enjoy getting as a gift?

>Nothing is stopping me from leaving early to visit the Crow Zone, but Cheese made it sound like it may be risky for them to see me.
Yeah, you better not risk going there.

>>912932
Holly already told us that she doesn’t like peg legs because they make her feel pathetic. That, and the fact that since her leg was cut off at the thigh and she doesn’t have her knee, a peg leg is actually harder for her to use than a crutch.
>>
No. 912941 ID: 91ee5f

>>912938
>also don't forget about the lad Bolk and the rest.
I don’t think Fen has enough money to afford something for everyone.

Let’s just focus on the people we’ve spent the most time with, Aira, Frais, Firzel, and Holly.
>>
No. 912942 ID: eeb7d9

>>912941
I agree. We can't go all winy nelly with money just yet.
>>
No. 912944 ID: 6ee5db

Get our team general warmth items like socks, scarves, mittens, and the like, plus any more personal gifts you can think of.
>>
No. 912945 ID: 91ee5f

>>912944
Yeah, let’s do this.
>>
No. 912946 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912931
Do not go to the Crow Zone, you already act as a lightning rod for disaster. How many cities have been disassembled after you did something now? Two. Granted in the second case it was more surviving an assassination attempt that got it closed down, but still.

Don't go see the crows.

Also, for Sir Orjin: A towel for cleaning the blood out of his eyes. He seems like he needs it.
>>
No. 912954 ID: 10c408

>>912946
It's not Fen that's the lightning rod, it was the dragoncloth he was given. Which he doesn't have anymore.
>>
No. 912958 ID: 298905

Just warm clothes or nice blankets could do. Maybe some extra-warm cloaks? Or some big coats? It's gotta fit over armour and leave your arms free to access your weapons.

Oh, you should tell Cheese all about your army friends.
>>
No. 912959 ID: bfb318
File 154395030142.png - (54.49KB , 1200x800 , 1274.png )
912959

"You are right, I will do my best not to die. Thank you for all of your help, goodbye for now."

It's another lengthy hug, but that's fine.

I leave to quickly shop for things in the fence, and leave. I won't see the crows, but I do climb a high tower to see if I can see the Shroomleaf forest from here. I cannot, and only see farmland blur into the horizon. I go back down and gather basic gifts, mostly objects of warmth and alcohol. The latter isn't hard to find, but high quality blankets and so on are in high demand in Erja Nokol.

I take the gear, put on my backpack, say farewell to Sir Gauche and thank him for his hospitality, and head to the warp to get back to Erja Nokol.
>>
No. 912960 ID: bfb318
File 154395031358.png - (97.58KB , 1200x1200 , 1275.png )
912960

I spend the night in Graskin, but instead of spending another night at the capital, I immediately jog back to the mausoleum on the same day as the warp. It would be an unnerving place to be after dark, but there are always many travellers on the day of the warp. I hear from fellow travellers that there is a new town outside of the mausoleum, with the graveyard plots separating the mausoleum building and the town.

The tomb guard is protective of the area beyond the town, so the town has more freedom. As a result, it's heavy in crime. The mausoleum is much safer, but the tomb guard has set taxes so high that it's become a sad punchline among merchants. Only a few businesses have been able to survive. Inns and taverns were especially competitive, as any surviving establishments would take advantage of both the rich who wanted the safety of the guards, and the large number of guards and soldiers themselves who wouldn't want to walk so far to a poor town.

Now, I hear, out of over two dozen inns and taverns that tried to put themselves in the mausoleum, only three remain.

I make it to the mausoleum area. I see how the new town was constructed in just a week. Like the capital, almost all buildings are dirt and thatch, and even the furniture is carved out of local stone and packed dirt. The town has a single path through the middle that's safe and well lit, but I would not dare stray from it, as the rest of the town looks as bad as the worst areas of the Fence.

I keep my head down and walk through the main path. At the town's edge, it becomes the familiar path to the mausoleum. The tomb guard has presence along the trail to make sure people continue moving either to the mausoleum or to the town. They continually call out to keep moving, and I hear one person get yelled at for changing directions.

Despite how late the night has become, I make the long walk to the inside of the mausoleum to visit a tavern.
>>
No. 912961 ID: bfb318
File 154395037911.png - (77.96KB , 1200x800 , 1276.png )
912961

I see guards on either side of the door, plus some patrolling around and inside the building.

>"Hi, sir! Welcome to Holly's Counter! Please leave any weapons at the door, plus anything to lighten your load." She says, already reaching out for anything. "Would you like a single seat, or a table?"
>>
No. 912962 ID: 5f3f48

>>912961
Comment that they got a lot done in just a week.
>>
No. 912963 ID: 65c9b9

>>912961
"table or counter, tell Holly Fen is here please" keep your stuff on for now, just because this lady looks legit doesn't mean someone won't steal your stuff.
>>
No. 912964 ID: 10c408

Table please. Ask if Squire Gabby is around.
>>
No. 912965 ID: eeb7d9

Huh, green eyes, and really pretty too. Guess Holly got some more people to work with, that is good. Tell her that Fen wants to see her, that you will wait here. You still gotta be careful.
>>
No. 912966 ID: c0641d

>>912961
"Table. Tell Holly that a friend has returned from his trip." Put your weapon down. If weapons getting stolen is the norm, this place wouldn't be staying in business. Still, it's best not to advertise who we are.
>>
No. 912967 ID: 298905

Have you got your emblem showing? It might get you treated a little more preferentially. Comment on how much has changed in the past few days, and ask if Holly herself is here or if she's further down.
>>
No. 912969 ID: 470289

Don't give your weapon up. Wait until Holly confirms you.
>>
No. 912971 ID: 91ee5f

>>912961
Ask if you can speak with Holly.

Look around to see if you can spot any familiar faces.
>>
No. 912972 ID: 6ee5db

Say as >>912966 suggests, but keep your sword until you see someone you know.
>>
No. 912973 ID: 86eb65

Keep your stuff and ask for Holly.

If needed flash your emblem but be nice to Holly's new help.
>>
No. 912976 ID: 0c3c2c

>>912961
She has pretty eyes. Request a table.
>>
No. 912978 ID: 91ee5f

>>912971
Attempting to keep your weapon will cause trouble. Just ask her if anyone’s weapons have been stolen after handing them over or if anyone has been denied have their weapons returned to them?

You don’t want to cause trouble, you’ve just never needed to hand over your weapon during your previous visits to Holly's Counter.
>>
No. 912980 ID: c1212a

Table, Please. Is Holly in?
>>
No. 912991 ID: 9125e0

"Damn this place got big"

tell her that your gonna keep your weapons and if she or anyone has a problem with it bring it up with Holly.

once that's finished with go find Holly and order some ale with a blink so people wont think your drinking sissy drinks. We gotta build up your Alcohol tolerance Fen

Then ask Holly for what rumors are floating around and comment on how big the place is
. I hope you got her something even if its cheep.
>>
No. 912992 ID: bfb318
File 154396861974.png - (37.17KB , 1200x800 , 1277.png )
912992

"Table. I would like to see Holly. Has anyone's weapon been stolen after giving them?"
>"Not once." she says. "As for Holly, you can imagine she's very busy, but I can pass on a message if you like."
"No, I must see her specifically."

I had left my badge in my cloak for safer keeping. I pull it out to show this girl.

>"... oh! You must be Fen. Keep your weapon, but please keep it hidden. We weren't expecting you until tomorrow. Let me take you upstairs to a corner table, and I'll let Holly know you're here. If you need to ask for me for any reason, my name is Kylia."

I see a gesture from Kylia as she turns. I'm wary, although the girl that sees it simply arrives to take Kylia's spot at the door.

I'm led into the tavern. We cross by the kitchen, and I hear Elinol yelling at people. It sounds distant.

>"Anything you order here is on the house, Sir, but I understand you may be reluctant to accept food or drink from strangers. So, we won't insist, at least not until you trust us!" That last part seemed to be in a joking tone.
"Thank you. I would just like to see Holly, for now."
>"I'll let her know you're here to see her. Please have a seat."
>>
No. 912993 ID: bfb318
File 154396863491.png - (51.27KB , 1200x800 , 1278.png )
912993

She gestures at the table she's led me to, on the second floor that overlooks the rest of the tavern.

I sit down, and Holly comes within a moment.

>"Fen! Did you just sprint back here after the warp?"
"I jogged."
>"I wish Sir Zall did something to get you back here. Anyway, hi, welcome back! As you can see, things have changed around here."
"You've been busy. This place got big."
>"No kidding. This place is way bigger than anything I wanted to run, but one thing led to another, and, well, now there's a whole staff on board. The place runs every hour of the day, and I'm at the top of responsibility."
>>
No. 912994 ID: 86eb65

Good. There is no one I would rather trust with that sort of responsibility.

Just to make sure you are happy with how things have turned out so far? Everything has been moving so quickly I want to make sure you are doing ok.

Have her catch you up on any news you missed. And have a nice chat with her about what her current and future plans are.
>>
No. 912997 ID: 6ee5db

>>912993
>"I wish Sir Zall did something to get you back here" This line worries me, how's the team holding up? Otherwise just say this >>912994
>>
No. 912998 ID: b1b4f3

>>912993
Give her congratulations. Also I guess you'll be staying the night here so ask for a menu.
Ask if Elinol is part of the cooking staff?
>>
No. 913002 ID: 91ee5f

>>912993
>I wish Sir Zall did something to get you back here.
“Why is that?”

You might as well get something to eat while you’re talking with Holly.

Catch up on what’s been going on around here while you were gone and ask where the others are. Then pull out whatever gift you were going to give her and hand it over.

After you’re done talking, ask where you can find Sir Zall, you’ve gotta let him know that you’re back. And absolutly do not talk about what you were doing on your trip! I’m pretty sure Sir Zall is expecting you to only tell him about what you were doing.
>>
No. 913003 ID: eeb7d9

Where did you get the staff from? They seem really serviceable, given where they are working and the danger it implies.
What's new? How is everybody? I bought presents!
>>
No. 913005 ID: afdebc

>>912993
Well congratulations. Anything else noteworthy happen while I was away?
>>
No. 913006 ID: deec6e

>>912993

Congratulate her and present the gift you bought her. Make a bit of chit-chat with her before you move on to the big issue, if she doesn't push it herself. Ask about Elinol presence and how she managed to get on top in the cut-through business - how many more people has she had to bring on board - who should you be familiarizing yourself with as 'her' people?

Once that's done, ask why Zall should have called you back earlier and mention you're ready to make a report if he's around.
>>
No. 913008 ID: 91ee5f

>>913002
Also, now that you’re back, you’d like to have the rest of your new armor. Did we leave it with Sir Mopp? If so, ask Holly where he is.
>>
No. 913009 ID: bfb318
File 154397544710.png - (13.38KB , 800x800 , 1279.png )
913009

"What do you wish Sir Zall did to get me back here?"
>"Er, sorry, I meant I wish he arranged transport. Like how he supplied a cart to get you out of here. Instead of just leaving you on your own to get back."
"Oh. Alright. I brought presents. Just alcohol and warm objects."
>"We could all use better blankets and scarves, thank you!"

I hand her a blanket.

"And Holly, I wouldn't trust anyone else with the responsibility."
>"Heh, well, thank you for that, too."
"Congratulations. Are you happy with how things have turned out?"

Holly sighs.

>"No congratulations. And listen carefully and box and label what I'm going to tell you, because I am not supposed to tell you any of this. I didn't choose or want my position out of dreams of running taverns, I did it because of Sir Zall's orders. Sir Zall thought the same thing about me being good with responsibility. I thought he was the kind of knight that had a grasp of politics, but... he completely ran past my expectations. If you ask around, you'd hear that the tomb guard taxes exhorbitantly for doing business in the mausoleum walls. But in reality? It's Sir Zall. He must have gotten the tomb guard to agree, but it's him who set up the taxes. And me? I get tax breaks."
"So your business was able to spend coins on staff and food?"
>"Exactly, but it goes farther. See, to make this place look convincing, and, well, actually be a good business, I needed the best staff. Sir Zall has been letting me use his spy network, and I've sent people around the other taverns to pretend to be customers and find who had the best chefs and the best waiters and the best guards and so on. Then, again using Sir Zall's people, I could learn what they wanted out of their job, be it just money, ambition, or whatever. Then I could make them extremely generous offers, so much so that they would be suspicious. Sir Zall himself made the perfect excuse, though. If I wanted to survive the tavern competition around here, I'd need the best staff possible, at virtually any cost."
"Is Elinol part of the cooking staff?"
>"She's being trained by cooks who are... let's say, better."
"And did you find Kylia at one of the other places?"
>"No, she's a mercenary spy. Sir Zall anonymously had her show up to me to be tested, so she doesn't even know Sir Zall is involved. I was apprehensive, but she's a natural waiter. I've never seen anyone who hides 8 knives on themselves put up with so much, every day, so calmly. We have other good waiters, and I just got a batch from one of my hardest competitors. A noble just so happened to die at that place, and that doesn't happen without repercussions, especially when the murderer wasn't even caught for questioning. Needless to say, speak nothing of this to anyone. I haven't even told many in Sir Orjin's group."
>>
No. 913010 ID: bfb318
File 154397546379.png - (13.96KB , 800x800 , 1280.png )
913010

She takes a deep breath, and sends a couple of hand signals out. Within seconds, we have food and drinks at the table. I appreciate it, since I haven't eaten since leaving the capital.

>"But I'm telling you this because I think it's best you know why you can't speak freely in here. You see, all of this is because there are a lot of people who don't like how Sir Zall is running things, and are actively trying to sabotage his efforts and his name. So Sir Zall wanted more than just a few eyes and ears watching a tavern. He wanted the whole building to be his eyes and ears. Notice how the waiters are keen and often have big ears, and spend an awful lot of time chatting with the customers. The walls themselves are hollow, and even the inn rooms have crawlspaces for spies to listen in to people who are sure they have privacy."

She takes a drink.

>"To set up a place like that, he needed to leave someone in charge who looks like they could run a business like this, could afford a business like this, and who wasn't obviously one of Sir Zall's lackeys, but could still be trusted. It just so happens I fit all of that. Well, I couldn't actually afford all of this, but my previous tavern was successful enough that it looks like I had some amount of startup funds, especially if I say some of you invested. So if anyone asks, tell them you gave me a lot of your reward money to invest."
"Okay."
>"All the spies in the walls should be loyal to Sir Zall, but there's always a chance someone spying for us is actually spying for others. So don't let the walls overhear you in here. So that's why I shouldn't be congratulated. I'd never have won this legitimately."
"Hm. I think I understand. Do you have future plans after this?"
>"After the campaign is over, I can sell or abandon this place. I'm paid decently for the trouble, and even if I wasn't, I am getting a lot of experience."
"Where is Sir Zall?"
>"At his training hall. Right, I don't think you've been there. Valsano and Firzel are here, and they can show you the way tomorrow morning. Sir Mopp still has your armor, too. Oh, unless you urgently need to see Sir Zall right away? Then I can get someone to show you the way there now."
>>
No. 913011 ID: 86eb65

Zall left me no standing orders to report back at all haste.

Enjoy a relaxing dinner and wind down a bit before we get back into the thick of things. We might not get the chance to chat with Holly very often once things get going downstairs.

Just remember that here or anywhere in the camp is not a safe place to talk out loud about any secrets. So keep stuff to yourself unless your team really needs to know.
>>
No. 913013 ID: b1b4f3

>>913009
>she needs all the best staff and got them via a spy network
Not to be rude, but why'd she take in Elinol then?
>>913010
>inn rooms have crawlspaces
It occurs to me that spies are often picked just from how good they are at hiding their mana.

We might want to report to Sir Zall immediately, come to think of it. If Sir Hydril was a spy for the enemy, he'd want to be informed of that ASAP.
Current theory is that Butterknife found out Sir Zall was a spy and really didn't like that so she killed him while trying to avoid collateral damage. She didn't tell anyone because she didn't want her family to be blamed by the other families.
>>
No. 913014 ID: afdebc

>Oh, unless you urgently need to see Sir Zall right away
I have no urgent news. Information Sir Zall requested I collect (I have no problem telling Holly about what, but she just warned us the walls have ears).
>>
No. 913016 ID: 65c9b9

>>913010
with what you learned from Cheese I would say not to bother Zall immediately normally. but reporting that Hydril was spying into the campaign is something that might effect Zall's plans in a tactical sense so reporting today is probably worth it.
>>
No. 913018 ID: 62fa98

Offer her any help she could use.
>>
No. 913019 ID: b1b4f3

Heh, getting to Sir Zall ASAP will also let you resume your training earlier!
If Fen decides to go there right now he should use that as an excuse rather than claim he has urgent news. Remember that he can't speak openly here.
>>
No. 913021 ID: 298905

Well, you could give her a couple more things to listen for, if she doesn't mind adding to the list. Tell her you assume this spot is safe to talk in right now, and then tell her about Hydril giving information to some of the mutant families, and that Butterknife apparently wasn't acting on behalf of her family at all. Tell her anything else you can think of from your trip that isn't one of Cheese's big secrets.

Also... tell her that her appearance of the successful tavern owner might be enhanced if she dug into it a bit more. Play the part, look like the sort of person for whom this business is their aspiration. She looks like she's continuing to wear her usual practical clothes, which in contrast to how nice the rest of the place is, makes her look like she's kind of distancing herself from it. If she wore something a little bit more in tune with the building and the staff, people would be less likely to think twice. Obviously she shouldn't actually get comfortable here, it'll collapse as soon as the soldiers leave like the rest of the town probably will unless someone finds something to stay here for, but perhaps she should look like she is.

Part of the reason she might work so well as a spymistress is her missing leg. With the culture of the empire, looking down on people like her, they might have a subconscious tendency to dismiss her and think she's not a threat.

Anyway, nice as it would be to stay here, you probably should tell Zall about Hydril leaking information to Blood Pudding's family, and the not-very-convincing "of course not" to the idea of working with the undead. Sounds to me like Blood Pudding's family are working with the undead, Butterknife heard about it, tried to challenge Hydril to a duel to close that leak, and didn't tell her family so that it wouldn't reflect on them badly given the whole no-mutants-working-against-mutants thing.
>>
No. 913022 ID: ced9f5

Hooo fucking boy. This is quite the complication to take in. Krix comes to mind, but I wonder which other nobles are trying to drag Zall down.

Anyways... As important as it is to ensure that Zall is aware that Hydril was leaking information, it also won't do to run ourselves ragged getting to him.

Pantomime writing a letter, assuming you don't have paper and pen on hand.

"to be honest, I think I'm done with running around today. It got exhausting towards the end and I'd much rather rest instead." wink when you say 'running', Holly should figure the rest out.
>>
No. 913024 ID: 91ee5f

>>913010
>spies in walls
>possibility one of them might not be on Sir Zall’s side
Let’s not take any chances then. Don’t tell Holly anything about your trip!

>Valsano
If Valsano is back, does that mean Sir Orjin came back as well? And is he one of the people that don’t like what Sir Zall is doing? Not trying to imply anything, it’s just Sir Orjin isn’t really known for liking many things and this situation feels like one of the many things that would upset him.

Ask if any of the others have been promoted while you were away? Are you the only one that hasn’t gotten the promotion yet?

Ask if we’re going to be sleeping here at her inn like we used to or do the soldiers have to sleep somewhere else now?

>Oh, unless you urgently need to see Sir Zall right away? Then I can get someone to show you the way there now.
“I wouldn’t say that it’s urgent that I go see him, but it would be for the best that I go ahead and let him know that I’ve returned.

We should go report to Sir Zall after we’re done eating. No need to wait until tomorrow.

We can pick up our armor from Sir Mopp after that.

Make sure you give Holly a few coins as a tip before you go!
>>
No. 913025 ID: 91ee5f

>>913019
>training as excuse
Yeah, that’s a good idea!
>>
No. 913034 ID: bfb318
File 154398111064.png - (19.63KB , 800x800 , 1281.png )
913034

Those spies must all be good at hiding their mana.

"Can I speak in this spot?"
>"Yes, this is a deaf spot, just be a little quiet when you talk if you have things that need hiding."
"Sir Zall did not give me orders to be urgent, but it may be for the best. I'd like to finish eating first. Is Elinol worth the trouble?"
>"She has a surprisingly popular audience with her... personality. I have her working the outdoor area, which is the more budget area of the tavern."
"Do you need any help around here?"
>"Keep Valsano and Firzel busy so they quit bugging all my girls!" I stare at Holly. "Don't take it so seriously! It's nothing bad, they just distract the girls when the girls have jobs to do! They're asleep now, anyway."
"Okay. Is Sir Orjin here?"
>"He's in town, but not in this place. I'm not sure what he's up to right now, actually."
"Is he happy with what's going on?"
>"You know he's never happy. But if you mean discontent, no, Sir Orjin isn't one of the ones Sir Zall built this place for."
"Okay. Also, not to speak ill of how you look, but you look like you're in your normal clothes, despite running a place as fancy as this?"
>"They're very comfy to sleep in."
"Did I wake you up?"
>"Don't fret it, I wanted to be woken up for this. But I do look a bit more energetic and dressed during normal business hours. And it's not hard, because don't get me wrong, despite that this isn't exactly the level of business I wanted to run or how I wanted to run it, I love it still. It could be so much worse than this. Now, let me get you someone who isn't busy to take you to Sir Zall."
"Okay. Thank you for the meal."

I drop a few coins for Holly. She grabs my wrist, then the coins, and puts the coins back in my hand.

>"Absolutely not."
>>
No. 913035 ID: bfb318
File 154398113781.png - (40.11KB , 1200x800 , 1282.png )
913035

I'm taken by a cook's assistant to Sir Zall. Once I'm spotted by one of his knights, I'm brought into his office.

>"Hello, Fen." he says, as the previous knight leaves us alone.
"Hello, Sir."
>"I'm glad I didn't have to tell you not to take your time. Now tell me about what you've learned."
"The biggest reason why I showed up to you to report at this hour was that I have learned that Sir Hydril was supplying information to outside mutant families."
>"I know, but continue."
>>
No. 913037 ID: 65c9b9

>>913035
I have high suspicions that blood Pudding's mutant family is working with the necromancers, and that Butter Knife came of her own accord to silence the leak from Sir Hydril likely of a sense of honor, and did not report this to her family because she thought it would keep them safe from the other mutants ire... it did not.
>>
No. 913038 ID: 86eb65

So Cheese has no idea what could have motivated Butterknife. She had talked with her just weeks ago and no mention was made of any of this. Other than making Butter promise to not hurt me if I happened to run into her while in the area Cheese was shocked that she would attack Sir Hydril.

She has been out of touch with her family due to her recent drama and is now frantically writing letters to figure out what is going on.

Also while I was there a mutant paid a visit and was rather irritated with Cheese. Something about losing a good spy and that she had better get her family under control.

I know know a bit more about her family and affairs but to be honest I think that until recently she has been so busy trying to keep her head above water that she has been out of touch.

As for believing her? I trust her. She has had many opportunities to stab me in the back and has been nothing but helpful. At for the moment she is probably a horrible source of information about what is going on with the mutant recently. Until she gets back in touch with her family her knowledge on current affairs here is limited.
>>
No. 913040 ID: eeb7d9

>>913035
He knew?... Ok, fine, Tell him all that you learned from Cheese, her position, her family's and the other mutant fimilies that might be envolved with the necromancers.

Hey, i was thinking, if Holly quits this job here, maybe we could ask her to come with us. And the other guys too. We will need all the allies and friends we can get when we get to become a noble. Their abilities and loyalty will be valuable resources.
>>
No. 913041 ID: c0641d

"Cheese is almost as confused as we are, and I'm inclined to believe it on account of seeing first-hand how this move suddenly put her family in a tight spot with the other mutants. She's still trying to send out letters and get back in touch with her family, so she wasn't able to confirm much besides..." Inform him which of the asked for mutants is still active, and how. "She's confirmed that mutant families do support certain rebellions, but not just any, and this is not one of them. If I may be permitted to speculate, I've gotten the impression over time that the mutant families tend to avoid doing anything that might put their family at risk, whether the likelihood of getting caught is high, or if the cost of getting caught is too steep. As such, supporting such a high profile and blasphemous attempt would indeed seem out of character for them as a group, which leaves Butterknife the individual. Cheese agrees that the motive was likely personal; Hydril had status but wasn't strategically important, and his death has caused nothing but chaos among the mutants. I'm not ready to accept 'wanting a duel' as the motive for sure just yet, but Cheese says that is indeed a thing among mutants."
>>
No. 913042 ID: b1b4f3

>>913035
That's not entirely unexpected. That's why he was a low value target after all. Also hmm, Sir Zall expected you to show up early without being told to. Gotta remember that kind of initiative in the future.
Alright, back up and tell him Cheese seems to be fine with killing Onion Soup, and relay the information about the siblings he asked about. Give near-exhaustive detail on what Cheese said and how she said it, and similar detail on Blood Pudding. Be unsurprised that Sir Zall thinks Cheese has a crush on you because she totally does.

You can probably leave out the "skimming funds" part. Also leave out the topic of Butterknife's secret strength. If Sir Zall calls you out on it, tell him you spoke with Cheese about it and believe that you should not elaborate on the matter. Advise him not to interrogate Butterknife on the topic if he somehow gets the chance.
>>
No. 913043 ID: 298905

"From what I gather, and you probably already know, there are several mutant families with their own plans and agendas, linked by a loose agreement not to conflict with each other. While I visited her, Cheese was visited by an abomination called Blood Pudding who was investigating Butterknife's actions and giving warnings to members of Cheese's family. I was acting as if I was Cheese's bodyguard at the time. When she asked Blood Pudding if their family was working with the necromancers, the reply was "of course not", in an unconvincing tone. Cheese also denied her family's involvement to me personally, and was more convincing, partly because I had surprised her with my appearance and she was more emotionally vulnerable. Given the evidence of Butterknife's actions, I'm inclined to believe her, and my theory is that Butterknife acted on her own to undermine the other family while trying to work around the rule about not working against other mutants. That would explain the attempt at a personal duel. Besides that..."

And basically just narrate everything you learned and observed, until he stops you. Summarize and skip over the trivial and personal stuff where sensible, of course. He said "tell me what you learned" so that probably includes saying the things you learned about Cheese's family and so on as well, not just the tactically relevant information.
>>
No. 913044 ID: 91ee5f

>>913035
Tell him everything you’ve learned from Cheese.

Cheese said that she would send a letter and some vials of Peaches’ antidote directly to Sir Zall as a gift to show loyalty.

Speaking of which, Cheese said she’d let you read that letter she would send to Sir Zall. Did you ever read it? If so, repeat out loud to Sir Zall what Cheese wrote in her letter.

And tell him what you learned about the family members he told you to ask about.

>"I know, but continue."
A mutant named Blood Pudding showed up and accused Cheese and her family of helping the Empire because of Butter Knife killing Hydril. Blood Pudding even claimed that Hydril was giving their family the information. After they left, Cheese was convinced that Blood Pudding and their family is working with the necromancers.

From what you can tell, Butter Knight stopped Hydril from giving away any more information. Although, you don’t know if she did that on purpose or she accidentally helped us.
>>
No. 913050 ID: 91ee5f

>>913044
Also, since you’ve been gone for a week, politely ask if anything happened while you were gone?

>>913040
>Holly and the others
They’ve got their own things they want to do. They’re not gonna follow Fen around.

>>913042
>leave out Butter Knife’s secret strength
I’m pretty sure he already knows, seeing as he told us that we wouldn’t be able to beat her in a fight.
>>
No. 913053 ID: b1b4f3

>>913050
He knows she's extremely strong. He might not know the secret nature of that strength or that Cheese managed to get her to spill the beans. If he did, he might even decide to kidnap Cheese or one of her other family members to force them to leak the secret.

They probably tried to force Zizi to spill the beans too. That could be why he has whip marks across his back.
>>
No. 913058 ID: c1212a

Cheese had no idea that Butterknife attacked Sir Hydril, and has no idea why, either. She's sending out letters to verify the locations of her family, which she'll mail to me soon, and she also gave descriptions for the individuals you asked- she says Onion Stew got badly injured while doing bandit things and Eggs had a falling out with his spy ring, but Yogurt, Cabbage and Tomato are still operational.

A mutant named Blood Pudding came to warn off cheese, apparently his family was the one receiving the information, and because family means responsibility, and Butterknife killed Sir Hydril he thinks Cheese's family is getting collared by the empire, his words.

Man, now I feel like we didn't ask enough questions.
>>
No. 913061 ID: afdebc

>"I know, but continue."
Did you discover that before or after his death?

>>913035
>"I know, but continue."
Tell him claims not to have known about the killing in advance, and was confused and alarmed by it, and that you believe her.

Your impression is the mutants seem to be divided over this. There's politics between the different factions or families in motion.
>>
No. 913066 ID: b1b4f3

I'd like to clarify my reasons for wanting to withhold the info about Butterknife's strength, specifically that Cheese's family dragged it out of her:
First, I don't think it would be beneficial to Sir Zall or the empire for him to know it. It sounds like there's some extremely dangerous element to it.
Second, telling him might endanger Cheese and her family, because Sir Zall might not listen to our warning to not pursue that power by force, and might not care about Fen's friendship with Cheese. We don't know him very well.

We can, of course, tell him Butterknife's cryptic advice, and say that's all she would tell her family.
>>
No. 913067 ID: 91ee5f

>>913066
Even cryptic advice might be enough to get him curious enough to want to know more by force.
>>
No. 913068 ID: b1b4f3

>>913067
I don't think it would give him any more reason than he already does? He knows Butterknife is scary strong, and he should know it's not a mutant thing, because if you think about it that's kindof obvious.
>>
No. 913088 ID: 298905

>>913067
>>913066
I'm pretty sure people like Butterknife have appeared before, Zizi was apparently one of them. If they couldn't get an answer out of him, or out of I'm sure at least a few people before him given there are two in just the kobolds currently alive that we know of, I doubt they expect more out of Butterknife. I'm certain it's been investigated before, and Zall will notice if Fen doesn't show that he at least asked.
>>
No. 913092 ID: 91ee5f

>>913088
I personally think it’s the exact same power that Dragon Knights have, only they’re better at it than Butter Knife. And since Zizi killed a rouge Dragon Knight, Zizi is better at it than them.

Although, that was a few years ago and Zizi probably hasn’t had a reason to keep training, so he might not be that good anymore.
>>
No. 913109 ID: bfb318
File 154402598125.png - (17.51KB , 800x800 , 1283.png )
913109

"During my stay, I was visited by Blood Pudding, who accused Cheese's family of helping the empire and told her to start getting Butterknife under control. This makes me believe that Butterknife acted on her own, as an individual. I acted as Cheese's bodyguard, and when Cheese asked Blood if it was working with the necromancers, the answer was an unconvincing 'of course not'."

I continue covering the events in more details, including what mutant family dynamics I saw, and that Cheese doesn't know what motivated Butterknife to do so. I also share the information about the rest of Cheese's family, including lesser known members besides the five that Zall direectly asked about.

I leave out the part about the spare gold in possession of the crows, and Butterknife's strength. Her strength isn't hard to leave out, nor do I feel bad, because there isn't much to leave out at all. That entire line of questioning left me with vague cryptic hints.

"Cheese has also sent a letter."

I hand it to him, and recall the letter. It's a formal word that Cheese has nothing to do with the necromancers, and she is getting in contact with the rest of her family to make sure none of them are. She's confident the answer is no, explaining why, explains a great deal of other things that were told to me anyway, and promises that he can expect at least 2 vials of antidote within the next 2 weeks.
>>
No. 913111 ID: bfb318
File 154402610905.png - (16.38KB , 800x800 , 1284.png )
913111

"Has anything happened within the last week?"
>"Of things that are your concern, I've made two lists. The primary list has teams that will regularly hunt down the necromancers. Then, there is the side list. The ones on this list will replace those on the primary list who become dead or missing. It also includes people with specialized skills who will be called on for specific missions. Examples of this are wizards who are exceptional at stabilizing shaky caverns to make sure they don't fall on elite teams, or scouts who are exceptional in their own respect that I want to keep back to scout specific locations as the need arises. It also includes specialty groups such as Sir Orjin's party."
"What's our specialty?"
>"Remember that when I sent Sir Orjin into the anomaly, it wasn't for the group's strength, but for the group's discipline. I'm embarrassed to say that 'following orders and objectives' counts as a specialty around here. That is how it is, so I've placed Sir Orjin's group is on the side list. Train hard, because if your group can defeat any group on the primary list in combat, then I'll consider your group invaluable."
"Thank you, I understand."

Something else also comes to my mind, so I ask it.

"If I may ask, did you learn Sir Hydril was sharing information before or after his death?"
>"Before. Now, unless you have anything else to report, you may leave. This training hall is open to you at any time, just as the underground hall was before."
>>
No. 913112 ID: eeb7d9

Well, he won't be telling us anything else. Take tour leave and go and say hi to your friends, including Sir Orjin, it's been awhile since we last saw him. Give them their gifts. After all is done, go train, you don't have anything else to do, so you might as well get busy getting stronger.
Or, you can help Elinol with Sir Orjin. Your choise.
>>
No. 913113 ID: 65c9b9

>>913111
lets go say hi to the rest of our friends and tell Sir Orjin that we missed his lovely voice telling us to strip down and fight like real Kobolds.
>>
No. 913114 ID: 6ee5db

Isn't it late? Sleep then do as >>913112 suggested
>>
No. 913116 ID: 5f3f48

>I'm embarrassed to say that 'following orders and objectives' counts as a specialty around here.
So our team's speciality is fighting like soldiers instead of warriors.

>Before
Points for competence and presumably controlling what information was fed through a known spy.

Still, just context at this point. We have nothing more to report or that needs asking, it's time to go.
>>
No. 913118 ID: 91ee5f

>>913111
Since everything has been moved around, you might need some help finding where Sir Orjin’s squad is so you can go there. And you’ll also need help to find Sir Mopp to get your armor.

After picking up your armor and regrouping with your team, get some sleep, then wake up in the morning and continue training your body and your mana sensing until Sir Orjin’s squad gets called in to do something.
>>
No. 913122 ID: 91ee5f

>>913118
Also, ask about the promotions. Did the rest of your squad get promoted while you were gone? Do you need to be promoted? You can wait until a more appropriate time for the promotion, if now isn’t the right time for it.
>>
No. 913124 ID: 86eb65

I bet that Butter's little stunt ruined his efforts to track down what Hydril was sharing and with whom he was sharing it with.

Lets get back to our group and check in. Then back to training.
>>
No. 913126 ID: 5f3f48

>>913122
We can figure that out from our allies, we don't need to pester Zall about it.
>>
No. 913130 ID: 91ee5f

>>913126
Yeah, I guess you’re right.
>>
No. 913135 ID: bfb318
File 154404265469.png - (16.88KB , 800x800 , 1285.png )
913135

I think about promotions, but realize I can ask others about it later.

>"Wait a moment, Fen. I almost forgot."

Zall tosses an emblem to me. It's a greater knight emblem.

>"If you survive this campaign to the end, you get to keep it."
"Thank you, sir."

I feel like there are other formalities I should see besides saying 'thank you', yet he tossed the emblem to me like it was a loose stone that's been taking up space in his room. And that he almost forgot about it.

I leave, and I sense Zall does the same to go back to the main training area.
>>
No. 913137 ID: bfb318
File 154404269660.png - (21.43KB , 800x800 , 1286.png )
913137

I want to locate the others in the group, so I go back to Holly's place. I learn that since it's so late at night, most are asleep. Aira was apparently at Sir Zall's area, but I didn't think to look there. It doesn't matter, as I can see her tomorrow anyway.

Like the previous tavern, there's an area at the back of it where Sir Orjin's group is. Sir Mopp is there, and I leave the armor with him until I'll pick it up tomorrow to train.

For now, I'm told Valsano, Firzel and Sir Orjin are still awake and in the bathhouse. I go there. Although it's open to other customers, only my squadmates are there now.

"'bout fuckin' time you got back from your vacation, barbarian!" says Orjin.
"I'm glad to see you, sir."
"Did Zall give you permission to be a sarcastic shithead, too?!"
>"I don't think barbarians know what sarcasm is, Sir!" says Valsano. "So uh, it's not 'Sir' Zall, anymore?"
"It should be for you glorified mud runners!"
>"Not even 'overdressed pawns', sir?" asks Firzel.
Not even pawns forget to say 'Sir' as much as you braindead loafs have!"
"I have gifts."
>"Now we're talking." says Firzel.
"Scarves, blankets, and so on."
>"Hell yeah." Valsano says.
"Good job, Fen, on your greatest contribution to the empire yet!"
>>
No. 913138 ID: bfb318
File 154404270873.png - (32.66KB , 1200x800 , 1287.png )
913138

I leave each gift with their belongings before stepping into the baths as well.

"How was the skeletorium?"

I get a weird look from Valsano.

>"Shove your face in a pile of maggots eating a corpse." he says. "That's the skeletorium experience!"
"The barbarian's probably done it before and said it was a fine meal!" says Orjin, who is lying. "So he'll be less of a coward about going back!"
>"I changed my mind!"

Firzel laughs.

>"I saw the exact moment you changed your mind, Valsano! It was when those girls were impressed by the stories you told them about your exploits down there."
>"All I needed was to be reminded that there's a good life outside of that place! I wish I knew where Holly got those girls from. When I left the Skeletorium and entered this tavern, and Holly told me I could eat and drink for free and got those girls to help me recover, I thought the only explanation was that Death Carrot murdered me and I went to soul heaven! It was too good, but then I realized I was alive and things weren't flawless when I came to this bathhouse."
"What's wrong with this bathhouse?"
>"Segregation! Who makes a tavern with a gender segregated bathhouse?!"
"There is a disease ridden orgy shack on the other side of this place!" says Orjin. "Which I forbid all of you from going into, because you all do just fine complaining all day without having diseased, shrivelling dicks!"
>>
No. 913139 ID: 65c9b9

>>913138
Ask what an orgy is.
>>
No. 913140 ID: 6ee5db

>>913138
"I feel that there are better places to have an orgy than a shack."
>>
No. 913141 ID: b1b4f3

>>913138
Is there really? Ew.
I suppose Aira and Frais are in the other bath. Or training. I've got half a mind to jump right back into training...
Ask Sir Orjin if he wants to spar later, you want to see how you match up to him now.
Also ask how tough the fighting was down there, or even up here even. Things are moving faster now by what you've heard.
>>
No. 913142 ID: 5f3f48

Yet more conflating of bathing and sex. The Empire is weird about this stuff, it's the same problem you had at the last bath house.

Relax and chill with your pals, it's pretty much going to be training and danger from now on.
>>
No. 913144 ID: c0641d

"Orgies are those things where many kobolds gather for sex, right? I've honestly a hard time understanding why that's necessary. Isn't one other kobold enough?" "Anyways, did you meet Death Carrot, Valsano? What was he like?"
>>
No. 913146 ID: e1d580

>>913138
“What’s an orgy, sir?”
>>
No. 913147 ID: 91ee5f

>>913138
>I wish I knew where Holly got those girls from.
“Speaking of which, I have a message from Holly to both you and Firzel. She said to stop distracting her girls when they’re trying to work.”

And remember Fen, Holly said she hasn’t told many people in Sir Orjin’s group about the tavern, so don’t tell anyone about what Holly told you!

Now that you’re face to face with Sir Orjin, you can talk to him about Elinol complaining that he’s not letting her fight when she wants to. Then comment on how if her fighting is as bad as her cooking, then it’s for the best that she doesn’t fight.
>>
No. 913150 ID: 8269f3

The word ‘shack’ is kind of a turn-off, anyway.
Mention how you’ve heard about Valsano and Firzel making rounds at Holly’s with the waitresses, maybe poke fun at them a little. Either way just relax a while, probably gonna be the last time in a while that you can.
>>
No. 913152 ID: eeb7d9

I am pretty sure Fen knows what a orgy is... But it would be a prefect joke, he needs to learn how to make those.

Valsano, one day, women are going to be the death of you.

I like the idea of sparing with Orjin. It's not like we have anything better to do.

Serious talk now, what did guys you faced down there? We got assassins and mutants, but not real action. Politis and boring stuff. At least for me.
>>
No. 913154 ID: 86eb65

Whats a orgy shack and why would it shrivel your dick?
>>
No. 913155 ID: b1b4f3

...strange, I thought Holly said Valsano and Firzel were asleep.
>>
No. 913157 ID: 91ee5f

>>913147
Also, even though you already asked Holly and Sir Zall what happened during the week you were gone, go ahead and ask the same question to Sir Orjin, Valsano, and Firzel. They might have something different to say and they might mention something that Holly and Sir Zall didn’t already tell you.
>>
No. 913158 ID: 91ee5f

>>913155
I thought that too, but when I went back and looked, she just said that they were here at the tavern, she never said they were asleep.
>>
No. 913159 ID: 86eb65

Look to your left. Then your right.

If the first thing you see is not your sword within arms reach like Orjin's then you should smack yourself. Assassin's love killing naked people in the bath.
>>
No. 913160 ID: b1b4f3

>>913158
>"Keep Valsano and Firzel busy so they quit bugging all my girls!" I stare at Holly. "Don't take it so seriously! It's nothing bad, they just distract the girls when the girls have jobs to do! They're asleep now, anyway."

I mean, maybe she was misinformed, or maybe they just woke up, or maybe they were going to bed after this bath?
>>
No. 913161 ID: 0c3c2c

>>913138
Fen, jokingly ask what an orgy is. Then mention your promotion. It is nice to be a Greater Knight. Maybe if you do well enough in this campaign, they'll make you an actual noble.
>>
No. 913165 ID: 10c408

"If that's the case, sir, you'll also have to ban Valisano and Firzel from harassing Holly's staff while they're working. Before she guts one of them as an example to the other."
>>
No. 913172 ID: 298905

So, what's the story on Bolk? He always seemed to prefer to take care of lower-ranked people, so he's probably not that happy with everyone below a certain level being ejected?
>>
No. 913174 ID: bfb318
File 154405418603.png - (21.41KB , 800x800 , 1288.png )
913174

"Have you seen Death Carrot?" I ask Valsano.
>"Nah, just his cohorts. If you want to know more, look at my report, when I'm not around!"
"I will. I want to know what I've missed. After this bath, I am going to train in Sir Zall's hall until he sends us on a mission. Sir Orjin, if you show up there, I'll want to spar with you. Elinol has - "

Sir Orjin's head turns ominously to me.

Valsano and Firzel snap glances at me that scream 'stop talking'.

" - complained about not being able to fight. If her fighting is like her cooking, then maybe there's a - "
"You wanna spar, savage? Yeah, I'll be there tomorrow. Save some energy, because we'll spar!"
"Okay, thank you. By the way, I was promoted to greater knight."
>"Great." Valsano says. "Now it's all back to normal, 'cause Sir Orjin's a grand knight now."
"Congratulations, Sir Orj - "
"Shut your dirt collector, no one who matters gives a shit about promotions!"
"Okay. Firzel and Valsano might care that I don't know what an orgy is."
>"Somehow I'm not surprised!" says Firzel. "It's when kobolds have sex, but more than two at once."
"Oh. And sex happens in bathhouses? It seems odd, but the last one I did seemed to treat cleaning and sex as two simultaneous acts."
>"No one said anything about that!" said Firzel.
"I did!" Orjin yells.
>"Not about being in bath houses! Damnit, Fen, I just wanted to relax with girls in here and chat them up! That isn't innuendo for sex, I'd at least have sex with them back in my room!"
"I didn't ask."
>"Well you deserved the answer!"
"Speaking of girls, Holly told me to ask you and Firzel to not bug them while they're trying to work."
>"If Holly wanted that, she wouldn't have gotten the prettiest girls I've seen in my life!" says Valsano.
>"And they certainly don't act like they're being 'bugged!' Firzel backs him up.
>"How can I ignore them when they ask if there's anything I need?"
>"How can I ignore those inviting eyes?" Firzel speaks, doing so each time Valsano speaks.
>"How they can see what you want and give it to you!"
>"Those tail sways from the draconians!"
>"The tits on the fields!" says -
>>
No. 913175 ID: bfb318
File 154405419770.png - (12.67KB , 800x800 , 1289.png )
913175

Valsano said that.

"Valsano. I don't understand the attraction, and we are both draconian, so I don't understand why you are attracted to them, either."
>"You wanna know why I like them and you don't, huh?"
>>
No. 913176 ID: bfb318
File 154405422180.png - (22.81KB , 800x800 , 1290.png )
913176

He throws Firzel a glance, and like an unspoken message, Firzel scoots in and they both sing, in unison, what sounds like a line to a imperial song I've never heard before.

>"Because I'm not a fuckin' hole crawling, culturally absent, shroom munching saaavaaaage!"
>"Because I'm not a fuckin' hole crawling, culturally absent, shroom munching saaavaaaage!"

They laugh to themselves, I hear the sound of girls giggling just outside of the room, and I let this conversation die forever.
>>
No. 913178 ID: b1b4f3

>>913176
Get fuckin owned Fen.
>>
No. 913180 ID: eeb7d9

Revenge is due.
>>
No. 913183 ID: deec6e

>>913176

Isn't it great to have friends?
>>
No. 913186 ID: 91ee5f

>>913176
>I let this conversation die forever.
You may want to let the conversation die forever, but I’ve got a feeling that Valsano and Firzel aren’t going to let it go any time soon.

In fact, they’re probably going to try and “educate” you on the attraction to tits, whether you like it or not!
>>
No. 913187 ID: 10c408

Just for that, we should ensure that their blankets go 'missing' for a day.
>>
No. 913195 ID: c0641d

“... You know, I’m not surprised that this sort of song exists, but the two of you... have quite a lot of gall singing such a thing to my face.” Get out of the bath. “I think I’ll need to sleep on this, and work out any lingering feelings in the training hall tomorrow.” Look back at them with the most genuinely hurt expression you can muster. “I’d appreciate it if you were to spar with me then.” Walk away, and try not to let on that you don’t actually care that much about it; you know they meant it in good fun, but someone has to teach them that their words can have an effect on people, and therefore consequences.
>>
No. 913197 ID: 470289

Start looking into promising pawns or Lesser Knights for the Orjin group. Holly can probably help. This is one of the best times to learn leadership skills with subordinates who aren't incompetent.
>>
No. 913198 ID: c1212a

...I'm glad you survived down there, Valsano.
>>
No. 913203 ID: 91ee5f

>>913195
I’m pretty sure Fen doesn’t give a fuck, so I don’t see any reason on why he’ll pretend to have his feelings hurt.

Also, I’m pretty sure the last thing Fen would want is for Sir Orjin to see him pretend to be hurt and start giving him new nicknames referencing how much of a crybaby he is. Because we all know that Sir Orjin can and will do that.
>>
No. 913205 ID: 9125e0

Damn Fen they got you good,Now you gotta get em back good
>>
No. 913210 ID: 65c9b9

>>913176
Fen you must prove them wrong you are not a uncultured savage and thus must stare at tits until you understand what they mean.
>>
No. 913213 ID: 8269f3

>>913210
get to it lad
>>
No. 913228 ID: b0354c

You're going to remember that.
>>
No. 913234 ID: 870927

>>913176
roasted
>>
No. 913254 ID: 6ee5db

I wonder how long it will take Firzel and Valsano to think "Wait, if Fen doesn't like tits then why is he fucking Aria?" Since unless something happened while we were gone, they still probably think we're giving Aria savage dickings on the regular.
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