>>91611
Wait until he/she is out of earshot, then whisper to the door: "No offense, but goddamn your colleagues are freaky."

>>91611

Watch it. She sounds sarcastic.

I like her already! <3

Ridder, enter house by jumpkicking the door down. IT IS THE ONLY WAY

Politely knock on the door and ask if it is alright to enter.

Ridder 2009/12/14(Mon)14:14 No. 91634 ID: fb5d8e
File 126082884838.png - (111.89KB , 700x700 , c11-34.png )

I gently knock on the door.

"May I enter?"
"Yes, yes, ofcourse, most honored guest.."

A female elf opens the door.

"I'll be your humblest of hosts tonigh-- ..Is that a real metal breastplate?"

>>91634
"Um... yes?"

>>91634
AND THAT'S NOT THE ONLY IMPRESSIVE REAL THING I HAVE ON ME

>>91634
Tell her the truth, Ridder.
Yes, it is - it used to belong to a gnoll mercenary until your own gnoll companion brutally slew her, and your goblin tinkerer used SCIENCE to reshape it to fit yourself better.

She'll either be incredibly interested or taken aback, and given how she seems to be the outcast in this society, I'm banking on 'interested'.

>>91634
I think she may have already fallen in love with you.

Oh uh... Introduce yourself. Ridder, knight errant of north yadda yadda you know the drill.

Introduce yourself. Inquire if you may enter. Be very formal, very polite.

Say Yes. Actually, say what >>91637 said.

Did you bring that note from the Bathroom in your base? If so, she might be able to translate it.

>>91634
Show her your sword.

the answer is simple.
"yes"

asking about customs and mentioning our existance might be good. Mainly cause she could shed light (she's an elf) on how we communicate with you.

Ask her about what she's interested in, mayhaps a science or engineering discipline. We would help with our world's science but judging from... past experience... your world doesn't use the same chemical terminology as ours.

>>91666
I don't thing this is a good idea. Look where it got us last time! If we're going to do that, we need to be more subtle.

Ridder 2009/12/14(Mon)15:03 No. 91676 ID: fb5d8e
File 126083181664.png - (114.93KB , 700x700 , c11-35.png )

"Yes, it is. It used to be from a gnoll mercenary. My alchemist heated it until she was able to change the shape to fit me."
"Wow.."

She continues to stare at it in silence.

"May I come in?"
"Oh yes, sure."

She leads me into her home. A small dusty room, packed to the ceiling with broken and useless curiosities, all in the style of the mansion I live in now.
She pushes some things aside to make a bit more room.

"Sorry about the mess. I don't usually get visitors."
"Don't worry. I am Ridder, knight-errant."
"Welcome to my grand castle, Sir Ridder. They call me Mad Petal. Lucky for them, namecalling is all that keeps me from turning their children to steel."
"Would you like me to call you that too?"
"Just Petal will be fine. You don't look like you have children."
"It's an honor, Petal."
"You make me blush, sir knight. What are you doing in our fancy forest of fabulousness?"
"I came here to find allies in my fight against a great evil growing in the east. My base of operations is in an old elven ruin in the east edge of this forest, so I thought it would be appropriate to introduce myself here first."
"And Everdew send with you a thousand strong men and women, I'm sure."
"Ofcourse."
"..Could you tell me about the mansion you reside in?"
"I'm afraid I do not know much about it. The ghost of a lord Sylverleeve was awaiting the arrival of lady Opelteare, but it vanished in sunlight. There are several writings in Elven, which I can not read."
"Ah.. Just as uninteresting as the High Druids make it out to be, I see. If only I could get to read those things.."
"You are interested in the old Elven ways?"
"No, I'm just a rebel going against the established authority~ It has nothing to do with the incredibly advanced technology and art, gruesome as it may be at times."
"I see. And metal is a particular passion?"
"A lot of the old technology revolves around metal. It just can't be replicated with wood. I tried to work with some of the metal pieces I found, but I couldn't make a fire hot enough."

Hmm. If only we knew someone who had a portable method for creating fire hot enough to melt metal. Alas.

>>91676
Our Goblin Alchemist has been learning to make metal quite hot indeed. We would know.

>>91676
How convenient, we just so happen to have an alchemist who heated up this armor to make it fit. We could always use more allies.

I thought the Boss south and west of where you are?

To make something hot enough, get ground Bluestone and Faysalt, with some boiled down Grebbletar on one side. On the other side, mix ground Hailbark and Torgans Wives, and boiled in some more Grebbletar. Then pour them together, give 'em a bit.

>>91676
now is a good time to let Ridder know that
1: Grek put the ring in a reaction
2: that reaction is exactly what this elf wants

anyway, Ask about what she's learned. You may be able to entice her with the chance to learn from Grek.

>>91685
>One side is ground Bluestone 'n Faysalt, with some boiled down Grebbletar. Ether side's Hailbark 'n Torgans Wives, ground up too, 'n boiled in some more Grebbletar. Then ye pour 'em t'gether, give 'em a bit, 'n they s'ddenly melt thregh the gless c'tainer.

... I shoulda remembered that...

>>91676
It... sounds like she would really want to come with us. Ask her what's stopping her from just leaving, if she's unhappy here.

Introduce her to the wonders of ovens and coal.

>>91676
Ask her if Everdew would care if she up and left the fantabulous forest of fancifulness. After all, she is a 'corrupted youth' interested in that crazy 'metal' stuff. And she's already partially exiled, living as she does at the base of the trees.

Why, we might be doing him a favor by removing such a source of 'corruption' from his community. And she would get the opportunity to study ancient elven technology exactly like she wants. The only thing is if she's alright with goblins, gnolls, kobolds, and halflings turned into cats.

Extend an invitation to come visit. She probably can't for some reason or another (or she already would have), but it'll show good will.

>>91676
Ask her if she would like to take a closer look at your armor, and take it off to show her.

Extend an invitation for her to visit you, read these writings, use a formula that will produce something hot enough to melt metal.

Oh, by the way, chief, Grek threw the other ring into the goop she used to reshape that armor.

Ridder 2009/12/14(Mon)15:35 No. 91720 ID: fb5d8e
File 12608337386.png - (88.01KB , 700x700 , c11-36.png )

I apologize, I've been mixing East and West. We are to the West of here, and the 'Boss' is to the South West. You are correct.

"Ma'am, you are welcome to join us. We would be honored if you would help us with your knowledge."
"Oh yes, thank you! I'll just pack up my entire house and take a brisk walk out of here- Oh wait! Noone ever leaves Wonderseed."

>>91720
...No one, or no Elf?

>>91720
"That's going to be a problem, because I certainly plan on it."

Suggestion 2009/12/14(Mon)15:37 No. 91724 ID: 445c48
File 126083384569.png - (205.85KB , 5490x4210 , ಠ_ಠ_vectorized.png )

No one? Well, you're pretty fucked then, chief.

Make this face.

>>91720
Oh boy. Here we go.
Ask her why not.

>>91720
1) Does that mean we can't leave either? and
2) Perhaps we could bring stuff here instead, like Grek's Mix and the elven texts.

Suggestion 2009/12/14(Mon)15:38 No. 91727 ID: 445c48
File 12608338906.jpg - (4.90KB , 167x152 , Mudy_Quest.jpg )

Or hell, even this one.

Suggestion 2009/12/14(Mon)15:42 No. 91731 ID: 445c48
File 126083413933.png - (390.37KB , 8784x6736 , face_vectorized.png )

>>91724
Hold up, this image is far too small for you to get an idea of the face I want you to make.

>>91720
Wellll... At least you have a nice pair of titties for yourself.
Disregarding that, ask her why.

Ridder 2009/12/14(Mon)15:47 No. 91739 ID: fb5d8e
File 126083446563.png - (117.62KB , 700x700 , c11-37.png )

"Do you mean anyone, or only Elves? And why?"
"Nothing gets in or out without permission from the High Druid. They say it's to keep our ways pure so we don't fall back into mistakes our forefathers made. I'm flattered you stayed thinking you could just make a run for it any moment."

>>91720

"That...is a problem."

>>91739
Bro, since you're stuck in there and you have nothing to lose, start fondling her breasts.

>>91720
Y?

... what if we gave her the "grek brew" recipe... that's incentive to move with metal.

>>91739
Relax a little. This is going no where, and the druids are probably eh...busy...
How long does their ritual last?

>>91739
" well... if you left and didn't return, you wouldn't corrupt would you? That is if you don't want to be here, which your tone seems to suggest"

>>91739
Feckin' fey.
Nothin' but goddamned trouble.
Well... explain that you really need to get back to your comrades at some point and that you will take her with you if she helps you escape.

Suggestion 2009/12/14(Mon)15:52 No. 91751 ID: 445c48
File 126083474841.png - (515.00KB , 10000x7668 , face_vectorized.png )

Well, not that it's confirmed, make this face. I've finally got it to a size I am satisfied with, though it does seem to be a bit small.

Anyways, that's a load of bull. We got in without permission from a High Druid, unless those two who thought we were an Elvenfriend are High Druids.

Or maybe they're both druids, and 2 Druids = 1 High Druid? Would Two Lesser Druids equal a druid?

>>91739
I wonder if the High Druid could be convinced that it's in his best interests to allow Petal to leave with us?

>>91755
Ah, yes. Surely we can use some gardening analogy, how a tree must be pruned of unproductive portions if it is to grow tall and proper.

Elves eat that shit up.

Ask her about the Trollbarrows.

Well....fuck.

WE MUST SPEAK WITH THE HIGH DRUID AT ONCE

>>91760
Or how new climates and environments to grow in can help direct a plant to grow more properly?

Ridder 2009/12/14(Mon)16:06 No. 91773 ID: fb5d8e
File 12608356055.png - (92.56KB , 700x700 , c11-38.png )

"I should speak to the High Druids."
"Sure! Have a good time at the Seed Festival. I hope you inseminate lots of women."
"They are participating in the Seed Festival?"
"No, they're at home reading a book while the rest of Wonderseed is entangled in a massive orgy."
"I see. What can you tell me about the Trollbarrows?"
"Why would you want to know about the Trollbarrows? It's a system of caves that delivers fresh water that sustains Wonderseed's trees. If there's still actual trolls down there then they've been stuck with us for the last couple hundred centuries."

We should probably wait until the festival is over before talking to the High Druid.

Ask how long it is. If it's longer than today, then you know what face to make.

>>91773
For an elf, she's quite down-to-earth. I like her. Ask her how long this "festival" will go on for. Be prepared to not like the answer, as time works different for elves.

>>91773
Ask her if there might be a way back to the surface from deep in the barrows, so you could just pop up from outside of elven lands. Like, perhaps by finding the source of the freshwater.

Anyway, try asking her about the various items around since you're obviously going to be stuck here for a while.

>>91773
What happened to those that try to escape?

>>91773
... why are they not doing it if this is common culture?
This shows one thing- a friend of the elves doesn't necessarily need to participate in the Seed festival to be a friend.

you could just have petal escort you under the cover of being part of the festival (the elves will likely let you two go past. They'll think you two have reformed)

This'll give time to get to the High elves!

>>91803

>why are they not doing it if this is common culture? This shows one thing- a friend of the elves doesn't necessarily need to participate in the Seed festival to be a friend.

I'm afraid that was Petal's sarcasm dear. They are most assuredly taking part in the Seed Festival.

If push comes to shove, we could burn down the forest. I bet that'd let us leave. ...or flayed alive. But it'd be worth it to get under those dirty hippie elves' skin.

>>91811
... I just failed didn't I...

Well, the same idea can apply. Maybe it'd apply even better in that situation. They go in. The elves think we've reformed her. We say we're going to the outskirts for our own enjoyment, then run like hell...

Or we somehow find a way to make it seem she's reformed, and see if the resulting respect lets us get out with some allies.

Ridder 2009/12/14(Mon)16:27 No. 91823 ID: fb5d8e
File 126083687599.png - (118.45KB , 700x700 , c11-39.png )

"How long does the festival last?"
"They warm up during sunlight and begin The Giving and The Recieving from dusk till dawn, then they repeat it several times. It depends on the weather."
"What happens to those trying to leave?"
"The High Druids put up an illusion that makes you walk in circles. You'll always end up back here."

But if water continuesly flows through the Trollbarrows then it must also exit somewhere. Well thought!

"Is there a way back to the surface from the barrows? Do you know where the water comes from?"
"I've never found a good map."

>>91823
Then someone has to make the map, looks like that someone is going to be us, better get some gear together and anything you may need, light sources, food, ropes, ect.

Its time for a proper Dungeon Crawl!

>Circle illusion

then just walk out with a blindfold on, duh.

We must go into the barrows, find the Big Boss of trolls, and have him help us out.

>>91823
I think we should stop talking Petal's ears off and let her talk about something she wants to. Ask her what she does here, since it's obvious that she doesn't really join in with the others.

>>91829
ally with the trolls? Follow the stream up.
It's relatively simple in that aspect. What's in that area is the problem.

>>91834
The stream is probably very tortuous.

>>91823
Everdew said hed be back tomorrow. Lets wait at least that much.

>>91836
... streams flow one way. Even if it is tortuous, there's only one way it flows...
unless there's an underground spring that supplies the water. That'd explain the tree's health though.

>>91823
It doesn't seem like she likes living here anyway. Ask her if she'd like to join you in finding a way out of here before you go insane and give in to your latent evil by slaughtering everyone.

Ridder 2009/12/14(Mon)16:51 No. 91851 ID: fb5d8e
File 12608383145.png - (92.71KB , 700x700 , c11-40.png )

"I believe we can escape Wonderseed by following the stream in the Trollbarrows. My invitation is still valid."
"And so is my inability to carry my entire home! Look at all this. Even if I just take the books they'll get ruined in the Trollbarrows."

>>91851
We can always try the escape plan as a last resort if negotiations fail. I think it's best to wait it out and see if you can convince the High Druid to let you go, possibly with her as well.

>>91851
"Your toga is slipping."

Gentlemen! It seems diplomacy is in order.

And by diplomacy, I mean "Convince the fuck out of the druid thing to let us go."

And by "Convince", I mean... Well, convince.

>>91851
Alright, perhaps instead we can bring her the Grek's Mix and elven scripts through the trollbarrows. She can stay here... we'll need to find a way to revisit her without raising suspicion though.

Wait, what about your mount, Ridder? I hope the route through the cave is big enough for it.

>>91856
DON'T SAY IT

Check your inventory, if there's anything that would protect books well please notify. However if not, is using the the armor you have as a carrying device possible?

Otherwise ask if all that is even necessary? You merely wish to help her out of the forest of a lustful tyrant, if only for a little bit. We could always return later for the books when we're better prepared. Besides, her interests isn't in the books or lessons of the past anyway, its pure spite. What is more spiteful than escaping?

There is such a thing as a second trip.

With Ridders' entire entourage.

When I was first catching up I was like

>High Druids

"Oh god, this isn't going to be good."

And then this chick showed up and I was like

>Mad Petal

"Oh fuck yes new ally."

And then she was like "We don't leave Ravenho-Wonderseed." and I was like

>FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-

And now I suggest we pack her things and get her on the road to the trollbarrows.

But yeah. Get there, watch for surprises, and whatever you do, stay the fuck away from the orgy. You will not survive.

>>91851
"Your books can't do you much good here it seems? You are essentially a prisoner in your own land."

>>91851
"well... there's always the festival"

Then help by suggesting she makes thin layers of metal into a foil, then wrapping the books she wanted.
Grek Brew + crap metal = foil

>>91851
Tell her you'll pose for new pornography to replace her old porn books when you get out.

>>91851
"All the knowledge and finery in the world is useless when it is locked away in a wooden box."

"Well you're welcome to stay in the tree hugging stone age.."

Ridder 2009/12/14(Mon)17:41 No. 91936 ID: fb5d8e
File 126084129967.png - (117.14KB , 700x700 , c11-41.png )

"We can return for your collection when we are better prepared. Do you think it may get destroyed when you are away?"
"No.. I don't think anyone cares about this house."
"Then let us leave Wonderseed for now. You will have much to research in the ruins that act as my base."
"That's true. Alright, I'll show you to the Trollbarrows."

Get to da barrows?

>>91936
Cough politely.

Don't even look at the nipple. Don't make her be aware of it. Let the toga fall.

Draw attention to the slipping toga only after the camera zooms in for a closer look.

>>91936
You're going to want to ditch the armor, we don't want it getting us drowned if we get swept away by the current.

Ridder 2009/12/14(Mon)18:07 No. 92004 ID: fb5d8e
File 126084284088.png - (117.66KB , 700x700 , c11-42.png )

I shall delay removing my armor until we reach any water.

"Please wait outside for a moment while I pack some things."

I exit the house.
Outside light has faded. I realize I have lost absolutely all sense of time.

After some time, or perhaps a very short or long time, Mad Petal joins me outside. She has put on a set of old looking armor.

"Just in case. I've never been down to the Trollbarrows, but it has to be a nasty place if it's used as a punishment. What about you, sir knight? Are you going to stare things to death?"
"My mount and spear were taken from me upon arrival."
"I'm pretty sure I know where they put them. Would you like to risk getting them back, or should we move out and return later like you said?"

>>92004
No. If she has an extra spear or sword, fine. But otherwise, we move with at least risk as possible.

>>92004
spear not worth the hassle... the mount though is.

>>92004
Would there even be any guards? Everyone should be at the Seed Festival, since it's nighttime. We just have to be quiet.

>>92004
Getting your spear is too much of a risk. You're risking getting caught trying to get the spear, and you're upping the ante of any confrontation you get in by having a weapon. Elves have been put into the Trollbarrows unarmed, you'll be fine.

>>92014
The punishment for being bad is... the Trollbarrows. I think it's worth the risk.

>>92004
Goddamn, I like her more all the time. But yeah, that spear is important, you gotta try to obtain it. The mount is slightly less important. Hell, it was stolen.

>>92028
... and we're gonna steal another mount?
weapons are plentiful and cheap compared to mounts...

>>92026
this actually makes so much sense... Off to get everything!

That spear has your banner on it that you refuse to leave behind at any other time.

It'd be way out of character for you to just up and leave it now.

End of Chapter 11 Ridder 2009/12/14(Mon)18:36 No. 92075 ID: fb5d8e
File 126084460751.png - (119.06KB , 700x700 , c11-43.png )

You're right. I can not leave the banner that I have carried with me for so long. It has seen the face of Lord Malto when he was alive and needs to relay this image to foe and friend.

"The mount is valuable, but the spear.. is important. I have to retrieve it."
"Let's go then."

We move out into the darkness. In the distance, few lights burn on ground level, but the sky is lit up by a thousand lights as the festival's cries of pleasure echo along the trees.
Tonight new lives will surely be conceived, but for me it signifies another beginning: That of a new partner and friendship.