Welcome boys and girls, to the third part of Rey's newly busy life. Your new home is quite the place indeed, not exactly welcoming now that you've started to rub your nose into people's business... I do apologize for not being able to post last month; my health wasn't doing so well.For the previous threads, check this archive https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Character%20drivenYou are Rey Vesperus, half-elven daughter to a Cleric of the Path and a lady ranger, apprentice to your mother's trade, and newly adoptive mother? Caretaker? To a strange slimy lifeform. You've recently survived an attack on your home by a wave of undead dogs and one peculiar humanoid entity without being able to learn anything substantial... So you've decided to elucidate the case of Olin Aurora, a ten-year-old boy who died in mysterious circumstances and the son of your first friend, Augustine Aurora.You've learned something quite frightening from the city Bishop, and your search for answers led you into the Mamono village condition, where you've witnessed firsthand the appalling conditions over there; it's one bad day away from a pandemic. For general communication outside the thread, see this twitter\X https://x.com/TaleOfMonsters
Important informationThe Baron of Eichenwald's chief duty is to safeguard the Elemental Tree of Earth in his domain and collect its produced Pearls of Power. These are given to a representative of your king and an inquisitor of the church each month. Eisenhart was built on top of a magical leyline that has grown hyperactive; this is causing all kinds of magical anomalies and thinning of the veil between the prime world and the various branches of the World Tree, which might even allow Outsiders to slip into the city unnoticed.This is causing the Elemental Tree to produce even more Pearls of Power, increasing from one or two a month to one each week.During the afternoon of your meeting with the baron, you and your father were accosted by a strange elven man calling himself Armin White whose very existence seems to cause pain in your psyche and holes in your memory. Thibault (the heir of Eichenwald) is a mage capable of using and producing fire innately. He was tutored by the elf Armin White until recently.You have decided to become friends and try to help him handle the growing unrest in the Monster villageConfronting the bishop of the city, Belmont, about his failure to uphold the ritual of Last Bells made him reveal that he's spending most of his time and efforts safeguarding the lives of a hundred comatose patients See Thread 02 for proper details.The situation in the Mamono village is going to become untenable soon. There's a very real risk of diseases spreading, and the mercs' abuses are escalating since your parents' stunt with saving Shigeko and Seyraphal.MysteriesRecently, some Acorns of Earth have gone missing.Your new friend, Augustine Aurora, lost her son last month. The circumstances of his death are suspicious: the boy fell from one of the church bell towers, and he was often seen in the company of Thibault, the 17-year-old son of baron Bram Eisenhart.The boy was a squire to an exiled knight. The man is convinced his death was no accident; according to him, Olin wasn't brazen enough to try climbing a church tower.After the attack on your home by undead dogs and one peculiar humanoid entity, Seyraphal uncovered odd memories by consuming their flesh. The dogs (a combination of hunting hounds and pets from surrounding farms) were lured into the forest near your home by a strange hypnotic song. The humanoid was a monster that was killed there by people your druid friend couldn’t identify.
General information with Usha body. Rey also knows everything here, acting on this knowledge won't be metagaming.The little blue entity's body was carved from a piece of the leyline and molded by Mother Earth to become a proper shell for Usha's crippled soul. Her body is naturally highly resistant to physical trauma because of its slime-like nature, but not immune. Consistent deformations will eventually shatter her soul. Usha is a thorough shapeshifter who might struggle to adapt to a proper humanoid appearance, she will naturally adopt a feminine form because that will allow the best synchrony with her soul.Her diet is highly unusual since she consumes magic, Holy, and Corruption, but that does not mean she is immune to these forces (only highly resistant like physical traumas). Finding a balance between all three will be vital for her long-term sanity and help her define herself as human. Too much of one source will momentarily cause her body and mentality to align with her surplus.For example, feeding her too much magical fire may cause her body to erupt with flames at random. Her personality will shift dangerously between high passion and low energy until this surplus is gone.It is imperative to help her see herself as a genuine human being. If Usha starts to doubt her humanity, this could have horrific consequences for how her body manifests. While she -might- not harm the people closest to her, she'll become a terrible danger to anything else.As a newborn, Usha is quite vulnerable and may be an unwilling bait for Outsiders. Her soul is nearly naked, making her an irresistible prey for these vile entities. Thankfully she should grow out of this vulnerability quickly: expect her to become teenage-size by winter's end. Her growth and maturity should plateau around that time, becoming similar to regular humans; until then, she will grow bigger and smarter far, far quicker than any normal human or monster.You can expect three hours of activity per day in her current state; she'll be seeking food during that time. She will need to eat 4 portions of your daily Focii per day. That quantity will increase as she matures, but there will be ways to mitigate that once she understands how to handle her body.Nyct stressed -and repeated- that little Usha has the potential to become incredibly dangerous. Encouraging and maintaining her growing humanity will be crucial. An intense enough depression could extinguish her life spark until she's old enough to handle her unusual body properly.
Augustine stands alone in a small, comfortable office with a window that offers a direct view of the village plaza.The afternoon sun casts a strong light across the lovely features of your pink godstouched friend, so lost in thought is she that she doesn’t realize your presence, and as she ponders something over her notes, Augustine gives you the impression of being incredibly lonely. A painful squeeze in your heart makes you wince. Don’t pity her, Rey… Gods, don’t make me fumble this. ''Goodness me, I didn’t realize you were there.'' Your friend acknowledges your presence while stretching, the long sleeve of her light blue dress crumpling downward. ''Rey?'' ''Augustine.'' The smile that settles on your face isn’t forced. ''You look tired. Tense, too.'' ''I am.'' She fiddles with the notes on her desk. ''I’ve been having the worst sleep of my life lately, this mess…'' She gestures at the window. ''…isn’t helping. The village isn’t a good place for an Elder.'' ''Are things that bad?'' You sit on the chair next to her, and Augustine smiles and leans closer, almost brushing shoulders. Mother’s mercy, how do I breach Olin’s topic? ''The community is on a tipping point with a potential epidemic.'' She brings a pen to her mouth and nibbles on it, fidgeting with a note on her desk with her fingertips. ''All the kids downstairs share dysentery symptoms, thankfully I had the medicine to help them, adult Mamonos tend to be a sturdy lot when it comes to diseases, but the conditions here make it impossible to stay optimistic.'' Tension makes her tighten her fists, and the pen falls from her lips to clatter on the desk. ''I feel like… ever had one of those moments where you’re balancing an invisible edge? Where if you don’t act, you’ll regret it?'' ''…No.'' Your past had its moments, but you can’t recall something so specific. ''That’s how I feel with this damn Mamono-Mercenaries situation.'' Augustine scratches deeply into her scalp, extracting a few strands of pink hair. ''If everyone starts getting sick, nobody will last the winter because the girls will riot and be violently put down, maybe even massacred. Nipping this disease in the bud is good, but only a temporary reprieve because of the conditions here, the girls need the bathhouse to keep their community clean. Sometimes I feel like an eruption of violence might be the only possible solution.'' She heaves a weary sigh. ''At least Shigeko and Seyraphal are out of here.'' ''They’re doing well!'' You speak a little too loudly. Calm down, damn. ''In fact, Shigeko accompanied me here, though I have something important to tell you, so she’s waiting in the corridor…'' Breathing in and out, you find it difficult to shoulder Augustine’s stare.
''I…ugh, I…I’m not sure how to begin. You’re my first friend here and I feel like I’ll be stepping where I shouldn’t, cause we’ve only recently met…'' You fiddle with your sweaty hands.''Hey, now, it’s okay.'' She brings a hand on top of your head for a gentle pat. Ugh! The concern in those pink eyes is so nice… But it’s only making you more nervous.Closing your eyes helps. ''I was made aware of your son.'' You hear her sharp intake of breath and her chair creak as she leans away, you decide to look at her dress. ''And a few days ago, his spirit manifested in my home because of the opening in Mother Earth’s web made by my father.''You chance a look, Augustine’s expression shows something forlorn, tense as she pointedly looks into the window. Please don’t let this be the rupture of my new friendship…''I’ve investigated what I can.'' You continue, speaking at her lonely back. ''I’ve questioned the bishop today and he didn’t have any explanation about his botched ritual, though I’ll admit he did manage to distract me with something else…'' Your fingers clack gently on your friend’s wooden desk. ''…and I spoke with that knight who mentored Olin an-''''Rey, it’s okay.'' Augustine lazily turns around to look at you with a mask of contentment, resting her chin on a fist. ''I didn’t want to hide this from you, I just…'' Words flow to silence as murky thoughts shadow her lovely face.You reach out to hold her hand. ''You don’t need to justify yourself, Augustine. I’m too nosy and curious, I’ve gone and looked into your son’s circumstances without your permission…''''Because his spirit came to you.'' She rests her second hand on top of yours, and you quickly feel a strong squeeze that reverberates right into your heart.''…Yeah. You see, my father can do the ritual of Last Bells. We expect Olin to manifest again today or tomorrow. I’d like to invite you to stay at my house until then.''''W-what…? The ritual can succeed, he’s…?'' A rush of emotions makes her breathing uneven, you are torn between giving her space or hugging her, and ultimately opt for giving your joined hands another squeeze.''I don’t know if Olin has any regrets or messages to pass on. I wanted to let you know about this because you’re my friend and his mother.''Shadows of feelings cross Augustine’s lovely face, and for a full minute, her gaze remains locked onto your joined hands. She seems…sealed? I’ll give her time.''I…Okay.'' Her voice is soft, not quite breathless, more overwhelmed and disbelieving than her usual gentleness, and she slowly untangles your joined hands. ''I don’t… I don’t have anything with me now, my bag is empty, so leave it here and, huh, I think I forgot my money at home, so I…'' She fiddles with objects on her tidy desk, a few pencils audibly drop down that she completely ignores, and grabs the bag she just mentioned.
''It’s okay, Augustine. You’re my friend and guest, I won’t go and make you pay for your food and lodging!'' The very notion is insulting.''Okay…'' She leans closer to you, and you hold onto her arm with a tighter grip, having to suddenly support her away from her desk. Is she in shock?She feels warm to your touch, with noticeable eruption of sweat all over her body. Without knowing if she needs anything, you decide to walk her out of this office; her freed hand keeps rubbing something in her bag as she mumbles a few incomprehensible remarks. Mother’s Mercy, Rey. Who goes to a grieving mom to talk about the spirit of her dead son without cushioning the blow!? Stupid!When you emerge into the tight wooden hallway, Shigeko stops making faces with Usha, and your little blue blob immediately stares at the godstouched hanging on you.''She’s okay.'' You preface before your friend can ask her question. ''A bit overwhelmed, let’s give her a little time, yeah?''''Of course.'' Keeping Usha firmly in her palm, Shigeko silently leads the way down, as your doctor friend doesn’t acknowledge her tall, once-patient’s existence.Upon re-emerging in the clinic's main hall, the atmosphere immediately strikes you as odd. The cute, short, wise fox-woman isn’t behind her counter anymore; she stands in front of a noticeably broad new arrival that dominates the scenery.A bull woman stands by the counter, with a long and thick, curly mane of reddish-orange hair and two massive upward-curved horns on her face, giving her a fiery presence indeed. The golden hues inside her orange eyes tell of an uncomfortable amount of Corruption deep within; upon witnessing your arrival, her strong jaw splits into an ominous smile. A warrior species indeed, she has fullness befitting her species; you wouldn't be surprised if she could punch through a wall here.''So, finally good enough to stand on your feet huh?'' She isn’t looking at you. Her legs audibly clomp on the wooden soil as you notice her entire lower half being equine, though much more humanoid than a centaur’s half.''Oi, don’t go starting a brawl inside my house of healing.'' The much smaller fox nags behind her. I think that’s Aryel glaive peeking out from behind that woman’s shoulder, too.''Branka.'' Your blue bodyguard growls and gently lets the fascinated Usha rest on top of your head. Mother’s Mercy, things feel tense now.''…What in the world are you doing with a newborn slime?'' Asks the warrior-bull, so completely confused she stops moving.''Doesn’t matter, we’re out of here.'' Answers Shigeko while crossing her arms under her chest; both women are of similar height and build. Everyone around them will suffer if they start to fight.''Yeah? Where’s your bug friend, anyway? I'd like her back-''
''She’s healthy, has completely recovered from her illness, and is under the protection of my house.'' You answer firmly. I’ll pretend that Shigeko being in front of me isn’t the source of my courage.Your interruption brings Branka’s attention to you; you feel a pit in your stomach as she takes a few steps closer, but Shigeko puts a stop to her stride quickly by remaining in her path.''You’re the daughter of them two who pulled that stunt a few days ago?'' She’s not asking; it’s an accusation.''Indeed, and I’ve no intention of apologizing for my parent’s good judgment.''''Branka.'' Beside you, Augustine speaks angrily. ''Today’s not a good time for everyone else to suffer your mood.''''I ain’t seeking quarrels with Elders…'' Her gaze strays toward Shigeko. ''…or those with the graces of mankind’s saviors. Gotta deliver a message because our oppressors want to flex and have me play errand girl.''Taking a step back from Shigeko, Branka crosses her heavy arms and speaks after sighing. ''Their leader wants a word with you, elf, so you shouldn’t leave the village until he’s back.''''And if I say no?''Branka shakes her shoulders and turns around, her equine tail angrily swaying. ''Not my problem, message delivered.'' She grouses, her foot loudly clomping as she walks out, producing a heavy, stunned silence in the clinic.Hanabi, the fox wise-woman is the first to move; she silently jogs to follow in Branka’s wake.So that is the leader of the Mamono village. She looks… tired.You feel the weight of Augustine on your shoulder lessen as the activities allow her mind to resettle.''Don’t worry, I’ll escort you back the way you came.'' The knightly man, Aryel, keeps himself measured as he walks near your group. ''If the men at the gate protest, my glaive has a blunt end for a reason.''''Seems the guy didn’t like us giving him the slip back in the church.'' Shigeko comments and walks near you to gently pluck the motionless Usha off your head. Dear me, I completely forgot she is there!I guess… Respecting that summons is a bad idea. But confronting this leader of those mercs abusing the women here is… Your fist tightens. Maybe it could be my way to give people here some hope.>Make like the wind and leave. You came here to fetch your friend and accomplish an important ritual; getting involved in local politics will come later. >This is a good opportunity to finally put a face on the organization of those damn mercenaries.Go ahead and meet this ''leader'' face to face.>Free
>>6285158>This is a good opportunity to finally put a face on the organization of those damn mercenaries.Go ahead and meet this ''leader'' face to face.
I'll wait for another vote until around 2pm
>>6285158>This is a good opportunity to finally put a face on the organization of those damn mercenaries.Go ahead and meet this ''leader'' face to face.Welcome back
>>6285482Thanks, hope everyone is here for the long haul. Looks like Rey isn't going to scurry back home, huh?
''If this man wants a meeting so badly, then I'll tell him exactly why his men's actions here are unacceptable.'' You didn't need to look at your allies to know they immediately disapproved of your sentiment. ''If I'm to help the monsters here, this is a good time to start.'' You look at the empty rows of seats that had previously been occupied by the group of mothers with their children. Branka's arrival motivated their swift exits. ''That man isn't exactly... stable,'' Aryel spoke first, his metal equipment clicking with his approach.''Then hope he's brazen enough to strike me, that'll force our baron to react immediately.'' The elven near-extinction has mankind almost treat us like prized pets... But that attitude can be a valuable tool. ''...I'm not going to sit still if that's what you're going for, Rey.'' Shigeko radiated disapproval, her blue eyes now coldly looking at you. ''Either way!'' Usha wiggling around in your palms was a good excuse to avoid looking at anyone else. ''I've made my decision. I met the bishop today. I want to finish by seeing the chief oppressor.'' Aryel and Augustine exchanged a wordless, worried look while Shigeko gave a curt nod. If it was -that- bad of an idea, they wouldn't... No, this is my decision. Be courageous, Rey! With the clinic remaining empty, your friends helped you get better acquainted with this ''Jules Manzke'' you'll be meeting (while also playing around with Usha).He's not the actual leader of the Brazen Tusk company that has been giving people here so much grief; he's been put in charge of everything going on in the city, so he is one step removed from their actual leader, who, it seems, nobody here met because he hasn't left the duke manor.He allowed his men to indulge in all kinds of vices in the village, but none of your friends saw him directly delight in anything suspicious outside the few times Thibault came to oversee something here.Aryel and Shigeko personally witnessed them inviting(coercing) a handful of the prettier villagers inside the bathhouse. Branka would know more about his various demands, but the Minotaur lady has been, predictably, a completely closed book.--''Hey, elven lady? A...Some men are waiting for you outside our village.'' One of the mothers you remember seeing here proclaimed the end of your peace of mind and made a swift exit. You looked into your bag one last time, making sure Usha slept peacefully inside her wooden protective box. She had lots of fun playing around with Aryel and Augustine while you were waiting around. ''Maybe this is a good idea after all.'' Aryel spoke quietly, as if afraid to be overheard when your group walked toward the exit.''Really?'' Augustine protested, her hand had been firmly clasped around yours now.''Quietly enduring won't change anything.'' Says the handsome knight, growing silent when your group walks outside.
The sun had just begun its descent, casting increasingly large shadows throughout the surrounding plaza. We'll probably be back by late evening or nightfall.No escort awaited you, the open main doors of the village saw a handful of mercs coming and going with two caravans being pushed out by hardy Mamono under the supervision of Branka with a pipe in hand. She sat beside Hanabi on the steps of her luxurious home.When your group crossed the threshold of the village exit, she gave you a nod. The headquarters of the mercenary company wasn't far, barely a minute's walk outside. A reinforced stone building the size of the clinic awaited you, a place built to oversee the monster community. A handful of men waited near the entrance, not the kind with ramshackle gambesons or wearing their father's swords. They wore metal armor with tabards portraying the head of a boar resting on a shield, each of them wielding halberds and swords without any white fabrics to cover blades and handles. A yellow standard planted on the ground with this self-same emblem rested next to the entrance. Brazen Tusk, huh? Surrounded by your friends, you walked toward this place, doing your best to ignore the nervous twisting of your guts. A man walked out from inside the stone structure, undoubtedly the infamous ''Jules'' that had everyone so intimidated.While not rivalling Branka's or Shigeko's height, the man possesses an impressive stature. His entire body was covered in a mixture of chainmail and gambeson with a tabard showing his company; even his neck bore a prominent mail protector. His face was completely covered in a metal helmet and war mask, two prominent holes revealed cold blue eyes, while several more in the plates helped his breathing. Something in his movement whispered dread in your mind. His limbs seemed just a tad too long, lanky and creepy, but the heavy crescent moon-shaped axe he hefted effortlessly dispelled all illusions of fragility. Two locks of silver hair peeked out of his helmet, the only hint of humanity you can see in this walking display of...of... Iron.''Jules.'' Augustine's terse greeting had him rest his axe on his shoulder.''I asked for an elf, not a troupe.'' His voice, slightly warped by the metal on his face, came out young and boyish, a total contrast to what he seems to be. ''You're lucky to be getting anything at all.'' There's a fire in you, an anger you can't place. ''Elves answer only to nobles, and last I heard, your blood isn't blue.'' ''Feisty.'' He chuckles while waving away a pair of approaching men. ''Still sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, mister vigilante?''''All I hope.'' Aryel replies through gritted teeth. ''Is to be a good brother to my fellows and a good son to Mother Earth.''''You and your men -really- need to leave the Mamonos in peace.'' You could almost feel the heat of Augustine's anger despite her lack of magical gifts.
''Ever had to handle a stubborn ox, doc?'' Replies the lanky marauder, his boyish voice makes you wince. ''Leather lash ain't enough, you need to grab the bastard by the horns and make him kneel, you oughta go make that cow in there understand instead of bothering me.'' ''How does that excuse letting di-'' ''Shut up, I'm not dealing with you.'' Jules takes a step closer; you feel Shigeko move behind you. For a tense moment, he and your blue bodyguard exchange a silent look... and he doesn't move closer. Damn... I held my breath.''You're related to those two who nearly caused a riot, yeah? I've been hoping to find you in the church.''''Yes, and my parents judgment was sound, I would have helped if I were here, and before you ask, know that Bram Eisenhart himself gave my family the blessing of housing Shigeko and Seyraphal, so any coercions of yours will fall on deaf ears.'' Words flew out before you could stop. At this distance, you can clearly see his blue eyes now.''Right social animal ain't cha?'' He laughs. Urk! Bastard! ''You three can make like scarecrows and wait, miss here will be getting inside with me.''''What!?'' you flinched when Aryel screamed. ''You think of imprisoning an Elder!?'' He stepped forward, gripping his glaive with both hands: a gesture quickly mirrored by the men a few feet away.''Whatever you have to say can be out here in the open.'' Augustine took place beside him in front of you.''Mother's tits. Leave it to the only animal here to have some manners.'' Jules moved his axe to his side. ''Elders ain't above the law.''''Your law!''''Shut up, you pissant failed knight. No noblemen gave you any authority here.'' This time, Jules gripped his axe with both hands. Had Aryel not taken a step back, hostility might have erupted. ''I can't let a peacekeeper being kicked into a near coma go without a... reaction.'' He says while looking at you. ''Gives people bad ideas, you'll be coming with me, little lady, so we can talk.''He's not asking... Wait, the Mamonos from the village are looking, too. Doors are still open. Indeed, while too far to hear anything, Branka and quite a few ladies were looking at what's happening here... >Agree to his demand. Surrounded, outnumbered... Provoking him seems stupid. Go and see what he wants to talk about in private.>Whatever it is he wants with you can be put out here in the open for everyone to witness.>Refuse. Plain and simple, you've heard him, and that's that. Your parents were right to save people in need; you won't give this man any satisfaction.
Woops, forgot the usual>Free
>>6285594>Agree to his demand. Surrounded, outnumbered... Provoking him seems stupid. Go and see what he wants to talk about in private.considering how confident he is, he won't say shit in the open. If we wanna know what he has to say, we'll need to go in.
>>6285594>>Agree to his demand. Surrounded, outnumbered... Provoking him seems stupid. Go and see what he wants to talk about in private.
>>6285594>Agree to his demand. Surrounded, outnumbered... Provoking him seems stupid. Go and see what he wants to talk about in private.
Pride isn't one of Rey's failings.
>>6286112a cute, cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute
Perhaps I can turn this into a good learning opportunity. If that guy is one step below the big commander of his outfit, surely... You've seen many monstrous communities, from villages, towns, and cities. Eichenwald case is growing more and more odd by the day. ''Fine, only if I keep my sword.'' I have my Focii and two of mom's magical arrow-wands, too.''Rey!?'' Augustine and Shigeko speak over one another. ''It's okay.'' You quickly turn to face them, grabbing your pink friend's hand in the process. ''This shouldn't be too long.''Jules doesn't comment on your remark, remaining listless. ''Late night is the proper time for... my promise.'' You continue, releasing Augustine's nervous hand and handing her your bag, where Usha sleeps. ''I'm just taking a little detour, getting a look for myself why men here seem to be eager to make the village people miserable.'' A few dismissive scoffs from nearby listening mercs make you grimace.''Rey, I've promised your parents...'' Shigeko seems almost ready to leap into battle, but the reality is that'd be suicide: there are a dozen well-armed men here, and they aren't random thugs who crawled out of the street.''Move already.'' Jules boyish voice comes out hoarse from impatience, becoming almost inhumanly warped by the metal covering his face. What a detestable man. With a hand on the handle of your sword, you fiddle with the white cloth covering it, tempted to remove it to display your intention, but ultimately, you follow Jules creepy back.''There's a fire in this girl.'' You hear Aryel comment as you leave your friend's protection.The men inside the headquarters appear to exhibit a modicum of discipline in their duties as peacekeepers. You catch a glimpse of a large group of men gathered around a big map of the city, and you're led past several bookkeepers, an infirmary with a man being treated for a cut. Everyone who acknowledges your existence is surprised to witness you following the automaton that is Jules.He leads you on the second floor, into a lonely room with a table, two chairs, and one window giving an appreciable view of the northern houses. A few more men are lingering in the nearby rooms, their discussions creating faint echoes of activities... and giving you some amount of comfort because you're not wholly isolated with this creepy marauder. ''Sit there.'' He gestures with his free arm toward the seat on the other side of the table. Does he think I'd try running away? While you do walk toward your seat, you remain standing, staring into his empty blue eyes.Jules grows impatient and walks to let his heavy axe drop on the table. It slams loudly upon landing, causing a few alarmed men to peek inside and leave as quickly as they came. ''You have me where you want.'' You break the silence once the onlookers leave. ''Be quick about it.''''You claim to have met our baron?'' He says while closing the door.
''Two days ago, I even shook hands with Thibault because we want to improve the community here.'' You pause long enough to grind your teeth. ''They clearly need it.''''Right, too bad some rat merchants or blue blood came yesterday to be settled in our luxurious northern expansion, so news travels slowly.'' His metal equipment clicks as he moves closer without sitting. ''So you'll stay here tonight. Even if you've got noble privileges, people will know that harming a peacekeeper isn't free.'' A rush of angered protest nearly makes you scream. Don't. Don't give him that satisfaction, Rey. The way he's looking at me... He's trying to get under my skin.''Bad day?'' Jules continued, his warped boyish voice growing amused. ''Always is.''''You lied, then? No talks?'' He doesn't react when you briefly grab your sword. Gods. ''I aim to improve the lives of the Mamono community here, Jules Manzke, once I get out and call your people for the rapists and abusers they seem to be, how do you intend ot handle that?''''Re-''''I've heard plenty!'' You interrupt, slamming your hand on the table. ''Plenty of reliable women-''''Monsters.'' Urk! Dark Hells!''Women. Many witnessed your men and even -you- indulge in reprehensible acts, I'm growing more and more motivated to speak directly with them and report to our baron.''''...and that is why nobody trusts the lies of a community of scheming monsters, if you want to provoke a scandal, then, by all means, start tomorrow.'' His reply is as cold as his eyes. ''I've heard those rumors; they implicate our shared benefactor. I'm sure your baron will be happy with an Elder rousing a potential inquisitorial investigation targeting his son in this mess of a city.''Complete dismissal. The Mamonos are completely isolated; out of sight, out of mind. ''Augustine managed to curb a potential disentery outbreak today, but the conditions make it impossible to avoid a similar spread.'' You decide to shift to another topic. ''The women won't even have time to worry about their coming cleansing ritual with this bloody stranglehold you've got on them! Are you waiting for them to riot?''''Only giving them a bit of a squeeze after your mother nearly brained one of my guys,'' Jules emphasizes his statement by holding out a metal fist. ''Those monsters aren't the angelic community you're deluding yourself into believing; your big blue dog is living proof of that. Already forgot she was only skin and bones, and that bug was going to be sacrificed? Ain't my guys who done that.''''Good brothers and sisters of Mother Earth do not sit still upon witnessing the abuses of their children.'' As you look into Jules barely moving from, you restrain the urge to spit. ''Animals are no children of Mother Earth.'' His cold reply and his young voice extract a cold chill out of your spine.
''Before my company established itself here last month.''Last month? Didn't they come here with Thibault two weeks ago? Hold on, that's a bit weird... Maybe people only established a timeline after the mercs went into the city as official peacekeepers?''...she kept pushing for more.'' Good thing he hasn't noticed your lapse in judgment. ''Monsters kept fleeing into the forest during woodcutting expeditions, young lads here snuck into the village for unholy communion, and the ox went far enough to demand more space as more and more of their ilk kept popping up like bad seeds. So, like taming an ox, my guys had to grab their community by the horns and make them kneel.''This kind of mingling isn't unusual. Branka might have been too ambitious with outright requesting more lands for the village, but this gods damned oppression is far too strong a response. Mamonos are a workforce that nearly all communities use during the summer. ''You sound like one of those fools who misunderstand the message of the Closed Fist.''Unity.The Closed Fist is one of two popular sects of the faith that believe in the perfection of mankind. Men and women are the clay of their excellence, and the strong have a duty to shape themselves in as perfect a form as they can be. Unfortunately, far too many take this as a message of outright superiority.''My faith is my own.''''I question its existence.''Your remark might have struck somewhere sensitive because the tall, lanky form of Jules gets close enough to be uncomfortable, but you stand your ground, even as you need to crane your neck upward to look into his eyes. This proximity gives no hints as to how he looks beneath that metal mask. Your hand goes to grab your Focii hanging from your neck. It occurs to you now that he hasn't even asked your name yet. ''I've entertained you long enough. It's time I go tell your friends outside to leave.'' He feels like a mannequin with how motionless he is.Just one more squeeze, right?If this is the length of his talk, then... You're ready to blanket this entire mercenary company as irredeemable, power-tripping scums.>No. You're walking out of here. He'll have to physically stop you.>Question him if his group also handles escapees Mamonos. Reveal the fact that a dead monster has been found on your land, right when his group started this ''squeezing'' of the village.>FreeBe careful.Starting tomorrow, I'll be going on a family trip until Monday or Tuesday. I'll still have a laptop and internet to write, but I can't promise consistent updates until I'm back home.
>>6286273>FreeGive him the okay, and sit down. Let him leave and go out / through the window when he goes to address the others, and we hear his steps fade.He's going to have to openly escalate things if he won't actually give a proper reason for us to hang around. And even the "attempted" kidnapping of elves for no reason seems like a blatant slam dunk with basically everyone having seen us go in, and whatever bullshit he's going to feed to the others as long as we're there to deescalate the immediate fallout we can most certainly get an bring this to Bram's attention to have to them reel in their actions. Since this kind of conduct is blatantly unacceptable.It does seem like a fairly odd interaction, there's obviously something deeper going on. Makes me wonder if its a cry for helpIf we get pursued it's probably best to make for the Baron's Estate immediately, since I doubt he would respect the Church and any claims to asylum that we make. and heading home may just means a platoon turns up later in the night to take us into custody or ambushes us on the road, and I don't know if the local guard post or Barracks would have the numbers to fend them off on hand.
>>6286604>Give him the okay, and sit down. Let him leave and go out / through the window when he goes to address the others, and we hear his steps fade.Hm, Rey has her sword, so quickly carving the wooden frame is doable, and she's small, short, and nimble enough to get out. The roof below isn't too big of a drop either... Your ranger training makes it so that I won't need a roll.
>>6286273>>Question him if his group also handles escapees Mamonos. Reveal the fact that a dead monster has been found on your land, right when his group started this ''squeezing'' of the village.
I'll roll for a tiebreaker tomorrow, so feel free to let your voice be known.TestTestTestTestTest
>>6286273>Question him if his group also handles escapees Mamonos. Reveal the fact that a dead monster has been found on your land, right when his group started this ''squeezing'' of the village.forgot to check here yesterday.
I think I can combine both choices. I'll try to answer tonight, though no promises.
>>6287313Waiting warmly
>>6288710Thanks. Sorry for the delay, I'm back from my trip and can concentrate on writing now. My slow ass will likely update this evening or tomorrow; this update might need some time to ponder.
Take a step back, you creepy bastard.You managed to keep the nervousness buzzing in your bones from shaking your limbs as you stared at the much taller man in metal. His mask made it impossible to judge whether your remark had truly struck a nerve or if he was being dramatic.''Tell me, does your group also handle Mamonos' escapees?'' you spoke when he finally gave you space. Your attitude won't work on me, golem-man.''In the few cases it happened, we brought them back.'' His answer took far too long. He went to pick up his axe, clearly intending to leave you rotting there.''Then explain why my family found the corpse of a Mamono in the forest around my home. A girl who died around the same time your group established itself here.''The constant clicks of metal accompanying him slowed to a whisper as he turned to look at you.''You know what my parents do. Sometimes the dead wish to speak.'' That was a mighty stretch of the truth, but you decided it was better not to reveal Seyraphal's capabilities. If he has any knowledge of the church's capabilities, then I want him to assume we're communicating with that woman's spirit.''Can't say I know what you're talking about,'' came his warped, metallic, boyish voice as he rested his heavy axe on his shoulder. He's not dismissing me outright and leaving; there's something here.''Unfortunately, our king elevates these peculiar animals enough that only noble authority can sentence life and death. Unless that one resisted, then my men would have caught her and brought her back.'' Jules stepped back from the table, and you rounded it to get closer. ''End of story, little lady. If she was killed so recently, then it's a crime I do not know.''His boyish voice, his straight sky-blue eyes, and that damnable mask covering his face made it impossible to get any hint of potential lies.''Yes, a crime is a crime, much like holding an Elder on bogus charges.''Your statement drew a hoarse exhale from him, and he turned around to leave.''The duty of a Cleric of the Path.'' You elevated your voice when he put his hand on the door handle. ''It's not only to maintain the shrines of our parent Gods, but also to uphold the harmony of our Good Mother when local priests are unable or unwilling to do so.''''This is why you are reopening the fresh wound of a grieving mother?'' There was a break in his young voice that finally betrayed a hint of humanity.''All I hope is to be a good sister.''''Why? Why Augustine?'' The steel man fully turned to face you, and you took a few more steps closer to him, bridging your distance to three arm's lengths.Indeed. Why? Because it was the right thing to do? Because the strong nourish the weak? Because good brothers and sisters of Mother Earth elevate the less fortunate? Maybe pieces of it all could explain your motivation. Inaction cost lives.You had never felt so afraid and yet so confident.
''For the same reasons that push men to believe they can rape women with impunity.'' Better speak his language. ''Where's your soul, Jules Manzke?''Enough time had passed for you to pay attention to your breathing as he stared at you motionless. Then Jules opened the door and closed it with a wild, loud swing; you were already upon it and put your ear to the wood before he took a few steps away. Elves always had good ears.''Prepare the vapor,'' Jules's muffled voice filtered through the wood.''Keeping an elf is going to be-'' came the increasingly quiet voice of a man.''Fallouts will be a bitch, but this being our first major transgression will give us some leeway; this is too good-''Unfortunately, that's the end of it. Vapor? What in the Gods' good name..?All of your confidence was gone, replaced by a very real fear that nearly made you panic. Of course, coming here was a bad idea! Gods above, why prepare a vapor? Having me here isn't really to flex some authority!Panic will kill you. Your mother's face briefly materialized, and with it you pushed back the fear like acidic bile crawling up your throat and rushed for the window.Not a bad drop. The opposite roof wasn't flat nor was it steep enough to make you slide and break your neck after landing. One backward glance at the tiny window on the door revealed nothing; you unfastened the white cloth around the handle and slide your sword out as quietly as you could.Father and mother always ssay I'm good at running away... and these men underestimate small ladies. With a solid two-handed grip, you swung at the wooden frame covering the window, causing audible cracks and snaps, nearly breaking the whole thing as your blade almost carved through it.One more! Down went your only obstacle.''Stop!'' a man screamed, but your blade was already in its scabbard when you heard him open the door, and with panic in your limbs you barely felt the weight of your body and equipment as you hoisted yourself and jumped out without looking back.''Kuuh!'' Pain shot from your ankles straight into your head and you nearly lost your balance because of the odd angle of the roof, but the tiles provided a firm enough grip and you awkwardly side-climbed as far as you could, which, unfortunately, wasn't much. Even if the fall would break your legs, there was a way out.After getting far enough away, you heard the distinctive thunk of a pursuer landing a few meters behind you. An older man with grayish hair and a solid build nearly faceplanted after his knees buckled from the landing because of his equipment; he wasn't the rabble of thugs that made up the bulk of these boar-men.Below, you heard faint echoes of an angry voice. Augustine was yelling at someone who wasn't Jules because he hadn't made it outside yet. A few halberd-wearing soldiers had seen you and were pointing. Aryel and Shigeko stayed protectively behind your pink friend.
''Help! Heeelp!'' you screamed your master plan, and many heads turned your way. ''These men want to imprison an elf without cause! They are spitting upon the sacred friendships and sacrifices of our ancestors!''''Don't get excited now, girl!'' your pursuer said as he slowly but inevitably got closer and closer. ''Nobody wants a pretty lass like you opening her skull on the pavement so- kuh!?''Something smashed into his armored shoulder. The man grunted in surprised pain and immediately lost his footing from the impact, but by the grace of Mother Earth he managed to hold onto a part of the roof strong enough to halt and maintain his weight.Four men lay on the ground in a confused daze where Shigeko had once stood. Aryel had pivoted to put his body between the lowered halberds of the mercs and Augustine.''Rey!'' Shigeko stood below with open arms. Father's Eye, she's fast! ''Jump!''Eichenwald's streets weren't an isolated forest; the men could have tried to intercept her, but clear hesitations rooted them in place. The more you waited, the likelier it was that one of them would be motivated enough to ram his halberd into your blue bodyguard's spine.One last look back the way you had come revealed Jules's intensely blue eyes glaring at you.So you jumped. You didn't even have time to scream before landing in Shigeko's arms.''Ooof! H-Hey!?''You caught a glimpse of multicolored pantaloons from nearby men behind your savior, then she took off in a desperate sprint that sent the nearby houses and storerooms whizz by from your blue savior's unnatural speed.''Shii! Aryel and Augustine!'' They'll be fine! Tonight we have to contact Olin!''I promised your parents!'' the reminder forced her to slow; she had sprinted down the minute-long street leading into the village in a single bound. Aryel, Augustine, and an increasing crowd of onlookers disappeared when she rounded a corner.''But-''''I promised your parents!''There wouldn't be any convincing her. Her hardened expression made it obvious.>Go into the church, surely Augustine will find you here. She has no idea where you live, after all.>Run straight home. There's no telling what can happen after this confusing mess. Go where it's safe.>Finding the militia headquarters shouldn't be difficult. Go report this incident immediately. >Free.
>>6289449damn, that was nice>>6289453>Finding the militia headquarters shouldn't be difficult. Go report this incident immediately.
>>6289453Probably not quite as clean as I envisaged, but at least revealed something we could potentially raid their over, since whatever produces these Vapors, may not be above board. and or point to potential multitude of nefarious uses.>Finding the militia headquarters shouldn't be difficult. Go report this incident immediately.For all we know a riot may have just started, things may well get out of hand. This needs to be reported ASAP to minimize casualties, and avoid them disposing of evidence.Hopefully they are in a position to at very least check their activities for a while.Also making sure Usha isn't "too" excited may be wise if we get any down time since it may be bad for her sense of self.Might also be worth investigating a counter to gasses of some fashion, since if they had this to hand who knows what else they have laying around, since I doubt that they were referring to would be a "basic" riot control agent
>>6289453>>Finding the militia headquarters shouldn't be difficult. Go report this incident immediately.
''Okay, okay, just get us to the marketplace.'' Your wiggling around just motivates Shigeko to tighten her grip. You won't be walking until she calms down.''Let's find the militia headquarters! For all we know, a riot might erupt!'' Your direction is exactly what your blue friend needs as she takes off running at a steadier pace instead of rushing through streets without a plan.--The sun has almost completely disappeared behind the horizon when you find your destination. A large mansion fortress surrounded by a shoulder-length wall and outside barracks to house far more men than are currently available. A single middle-aged man sits near the gate, garbed in the usual chainmail with the lightning-horned ram beige tabard of the city watch.''I need to report a serious crime, preferably to your commander!''He lazily takes his eyes away from his book as he looks at you, then straightens himself upon seeing your ears.''You're in luck, he's in the training yard right now.''His gaze briefly strays to Shigeko standing behind you, but he makes no remark and walks away to let you both in. The big yard of the militia is a busy little hive of activity, but the space is far too much for the number of men present. Around fifty tabard-wearing young men are dueling under the stern gaze of a familiar mountainous older man, and that's all the activity you can see outside, servants coming and going out of the barracks or main manor.''One last for the day, come on you lazy bums!''A booming voice fitting for the giant of a man a hundred walks away, almost makes you wince. You remember him well indeed. With Shigeko close behind, you jog near the big man.''Mysir!'' You call to his back. Gods above the stature of him! He's just as big as Shigeko!He turns like a moving stone, his bald head and naked chin emphasize his hairy brown eyebrows and prodigious mustache, and after a second of looking at you and Shigeko in curious suspicion, his face splits in a wide grin.''If it isn't the newly arrived young lady-elf! Always in prodigious company, I see! This is your second week here now, yes?''Huh? What? No, or is it?He nods to Shigeko, who politely returns the gesture.''You... You're the city watch commander?'' You can't help but ask. This is the man who gave you and your mom a helping hand during your first day in Eichenwald.''Ayup.'' He winks. ''Tis my belief that doing grunt work once every few moons is important; older men have this tendency to forget perspectives.''He kinda makes me think of a friendly grandpa, but he's way too big a man for that.''Mysir, I need to report an incident.''His demeanor turns serious as you speak.''Those boar-headed mercenaries tried to imprison me not even an hour ago for the supposed crimes of my parents extracting Shigeko here.'' You gesture to your blue friend. ''And the mothgirl Seyraphal out of the village that kept abusing them.''
''What!?'' A man listening to the conversation screams in anger.''Imprisoning an Elder?'' Growls the commander, his strong voice causing all the nearby recruits to stop their evening training.''My friend here carried me to safety, but I saw the once-knight Aryel and Augustine in possible peril as we left.'' Your fingertips keep tingling, so you rub your sweaty hands together, but the feeling doesn't go away. ''And I think quite a few Mamonos in the village witnessed this...''''Hrm!'' The big man suddenly turns to look at his compatriot a few feet away. ''Round up the lads here, we'll put the entire monster district on lockdown until his Lordship comes to sort out the mess! You!'' He points at a random young man. ''Inform our baron! His rams are gonna make a few pigs squeal!''His big hands clapping together sound like tumbling rocks.''Go! Go! Time to show a bunch of rapists they don't get to spit on the sacred friendships and sacrifices of our ancestors! We'll be pulling double shift and stay up all night, so go take a shit now!''All one fifty young men start running around in a sudden frenzy of activity that intimidates you. The older members of the militia start herding this burst of activity; halberds are hefted, men rush for their uniforms, and a strange dread you can't explain causes endless chills in your spine.It's like a prelude to war, but that's not at all what's happening.''I-I'll be going now. If you or any of your men see Lady Augustine, please tell her that her friend will wait for her near the church.''The big man nods and, after looking at Shigeko for an uncomfortably long while, he waves at your duo as you walk into the courtyard to retrace your steps toward the exit.''I think he wanted to offer you to stay here, your home is more than adequate security.'' Shigeko comments after you exit the gate.''Yeah... Violence against elves is always a messy thing because it happens so rarely.'' You gently pat your back where the weight of your bag isn't there.''...!'' Your throat constricts, air cannot enter your lungs. I gave my bag to Augustine before following that creepy Jules!''Shii! My bag, Usha! We have to-''''I have it.'' Your beautiful blue protector pulls your bag off her shoulder and hands it to you. ''I asked Augustine to give it to me, made me feel less nervous.''''Gods above, thank you.'' If you were tall enough to reach her cheek, you'd have kissed her. Inside is your money, your flute, and Usha's protective casing that, thankfully, shows no signs of activity.Little one is a hard sleeper.--The light of sundown has nearly completely diminished under the horizon, and you and Shigeko will be walking back home in complete darkness once Augustine meets back with you. Mother Earth's golden shield will be all the illumination your group needs to avoid losing its way.
You take a few more mouthfuls of the delicious, juicy sausage on a stick that makes your supper. Shigeko already finished her three ones (you had to insist on buying her this much) in a few mouthfuls.The only hints of what is happening in the Mamono village here in the city's main square are the lack of city watch. Nobody is there to oversee good law and order, yet people remain calm and orderly, although more than a few throw glances at your odd duo.Mother's mercy, the last few days were busy. What did he mean by vapors?''I still find it difficult to believe how quickly the city watch mobilized,'' Shigeko comments, turning around to look down at you over her shoulder. ''They reacted as if you were a princess.''''I'll admit, seeing their reaction did surprise me too.'' You gently peck at your supper. ''You're aware of the protected status of the dwarves and elves, right?''''Indeed, the Demon Lord signed a treaty with all the kings here and the Old World alongside the Patriarch and Matriarch of the faith.''You finish your food as Shigeko talks. ''But seeing it enforced is another experience.''''It takes more than a piece of paper to make people do that.''Gulping down the last mouthful of fresh water from your gourd, you look at the sky, briefly remembering your studies.''It is said that Demon Lord Damian's war of extinction killed a third of the entire population of the Allied Kingdoms. No blue or red-blooded families escaped intact, entire houses went extinct, most noble houses survived only with women...'' Shigeko leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she listens to you.''...During the worst of the conflicts, after Mother Earth invaded the heavens and descended with thousands of angels to stop the demonic hosts, the dwarves and elves opened their magical cities and accepted thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of human refugees. These people weren't abused or starved, oh no.''You feel a strange sense of pride buzzing in your belly as you look at Shigeko. You weren't alive back then, this is old history that has nothing to do with you, yet knowing it, retelling it, and seeing its effect today somehow feels good.''They were armed, educated, and trained in the ways of war while the dwarven and elven hosts set out to reorganize the surviving human forces.''Once the conflicts ended, the surviving kings swore an enduring oath of eternal friendship. Dwarves and elves spread all over the Allied Kingdoms afterward to rebuild and advise the realms.''Then, that awful event a hundred years ago...'' Shigeko does not need to elaborate. Your people barely survived their extinctions; you've seen firsthand how the dwarves are all cursed to turn into stone, and a deep depressive shroud has ensnared their souls. They've stopped trying to leave descendants, unlike the elves.''Perhaps when people see my ears, they're reminded of this history... Though being treated like a doll or a pet gets old mighty quick.''
''Bright flame burning in a small package.''''Hey!'' You gently slap Shigeko's arm; her skin is surprisingly soft despite the living weapon that she is.What a day. Hundreds of comatose patients in the church, near pandemic in the Mamono village, nearly walked into my kidnapping... And we got Olin ritual tonight.Maybe this is a good time to get to know your blue savior better.>Ask about Shigeko past, her childhood in Zipangu, the big island far beyond the swamp, cutting off the Allied Kingdoms from the Old World. >Ask about the culture of her people, the Onis. >Ask her about her capabilities, her training. She fought Risen dogs barehanded and killed the entity that nearly ended you with a chokehold. Your friend seems reluctant to display her power. >Ask about her journey to reach the Allied Kingdoms. She mentioned journeying into the Cursed Swamp instead of the safer, longer trip on the water...>FreeThis is mostly a choice for a friendly small discussion until we move on to other things.
>>6290435>Ask about Shigeko past, her childhood in Zipangu, the big island far beyond the swamp, cutting off the Allied Kingdoms from the Old World.
Hm, I can't quite find a good, quick spot for choices/interactions, so this coming update might be on the longer side since Olin ritual will be happening next, so I'll move things along. Sorry for the delay! I'll probably post tomorrow, I have lots to write and trim.
''Hey, Shii?'' Looking at your blue friend's broken horn, you find yourself observing her surprisingly pretty face as she keeps a forward lookout. ''You grew up in Zipangu, yeah? Was it... difficult?''''Hm?'' She leans back on the bench to look at you as she digests your question. ''Not any worse than growing up here, I'd say. Different place, different people.''Following the direction of your gaze, she gently touches her broken horn, and her expression softens. ''That happened shortly after my capture here in the Allied Kingdoms.''Your heart squeezes. ''Sorry, I don't want to make you remember bad memories.''''We haven't known each other long, but I know you'll never want to twist any knife in a person's wound, Rey.'' Urk. Praises that don't come from my parents are hard to handle.''Describing my people, their circumstances, and how everything works within Zipangu will take a while.'' She continues, directing her gaze away from you to look into the dark blue sky. ''My name is Shigeko of the Takara clan, my people live in a fashion not too dissimilar from the village here. I was raised amongst a group of orphaned girls and moved all over the territory of my clan to follow any teachers willing to help with the Path I eventually chose. Elderly matriarchs handled my education, and our shamans attuned us to our ancestors to make us understand a family is a whole community and not a dot amongst many others.''Whoa. That's a lot to take in. You've seen enough Mamono villages to know that communal living is the norm amongst them, but you've always wondered if it was because of the conditions in the Allied Kingdoms. Spaces in the villages quickly become a problem; families share homes out of necessity.''I've never known my mother, only the words of others have given me an idea of who she was... or is.'' She continues, and the face of your mom inevitably conjures itself in your head. ''She came back pregnant, gave birth, stuck around a few years, and her wanderlust never waned, so she set out to continue her Fool journey.''''I remember you mentioning something like that yesterday.'' How could a mother leave...? That's a sensitive topic I won't press.''Do you know the tarots?'' Shigeko turns her head to look down at you.''Only by reputation. It's a set of fortune-telling cards used by travelers that aren't native to the Allied Kingdoms.'' You came across caravans of these gypsy travelers parked near smaller towns during festivals, but were far too shy to try discovering what kind of people lived like this.''Indeed. Far before our times, my people used them as a base to create a method of communication with our Ancestors' Cauldron.'' Oh, now that sounds interesting ''And eventually, our Paths grew from the cards and messages that we could cobble from the spiritual remnants of those who walked before us.''''Paths?''
''The guiding road an Oni chooses to walk to find her strength.'' There's a lonely expression on Shigeko's face as she turns away. ''Strength, true strength, is what all young girls must cultivate, and the Paths are guides toward that end.''''Yours is that of the Fool... as in Fool's journey, huh?''''In essence, yeah.'' Shigeko chuckles after you two exchange a glance. ''Twelve years old is when every Oni girl undertakes a soul-searching trial inside our Ancestors' Cauldron, my vision eventually settled onto a journey of experience; at first, I wanted to be a cook.''''That's cute!'' A big apron around her would look nice... ''If it is still something of a hobby of yours, I'm sure my parents could show you how our alchemical oven works.''''Slow down.'' Shigeko chuckles again. ''We've barely known each other a week.'' Yet you've already saved my life...twice. ''Oni put a surprising importance on what we eat. The clans are no gourmet chefs, but there is great honor in preparing good, healthy food. Although one too many get adventurous and tamper with drugs in the pursuit of answering our riddle of strength, I'm not touching that pitfall.''Shigeko has been almost silent and undeniably dutiful from the moment you became companions. She's been vague about her childhood and past for now, but the little glimpses she shared are fascinating. For someone who grew up so far away, shaped by a culture you can only consider alien, she doesn't look chained down or crippled with a narrow perspective.''A Fool Journey...'' She's here in the Allied Kingdoms to make memories, gather experiences, and hopefully gain something worthwhile to bring back to her clan. ''...I suspect there's quite a lot more to the woman known as Shigeko Takara.''''I'll wager my health there's quite more to the little lady known as Rey Vesperus.'' Yeah, the kind of girl who stood by while a baby lamia got dragged into the street to be... No, better not think like this. Shigeko's good mood doesn't deserve to get soured.''Look who it is.''Coming from the general direction of the Mamono village is the distinctive pink silhouette of Augustine Aurora holding a newly acquired lamp. She spots your duo and gently trots to meet you a few walks from your bench.''You've warned the militias, didn't you?'' Comes her greeting. ''They arrived in force, put the entire district on lockdown before things could degenerate.''''It got that bad?'' Looking her up and down reassures you that she hasn't been manhandled.''Holding an Elder hostage might just have been the one drop to spill the cup. Branka became very heated, the girls gathered to protest...'' Her eyes stray to a point beside you for a moment. ''...I think that awful Jules might have escaped shortly after your exit because I didn't see him. Once big Klaus arrived with his men, I found a good enough excuse to slip away.''''Interesting, the entire Mamono village on lockdown?''
''Interesting, the entire Mamono village on lockdown?''''Who?''''Mom!?''Somehow, your mother in the flesh has snuck right beside you without Shigeko or you noticing. Garbed for war with chainmail, leather, her Ironwood bow with a visible filled quiver, and her sword without a cover of white cloth, her firmly neutral expression heralds nothing good. Oh dear... Her face is sweaty, too. Did she run here?''You were taking a mighty long while,'' she says, resting her free hand atop the pommel of her arming sword while holding her bow. ''You've gone and provoked a riot in the Mamono village?''''It's a bit more complicated than that, and I'd say I prevented one, thank you very much!'' When she's in this mood, the best thing to do is to move along! ''Had a loooong day and more importantly, I brought my friend Augustine with us for, you know... the ritual.''Canaan noticeably softens upon looking at your pink doctor friend.''I see. I've been made aware of this... situation. Space might be a bit tight in our home, but my family will be honored to host you if tonight proves inconclusive.''''Y-yes, I... thank you. I don't think I'll be able to lift that shadow of dread over my heart.'' Augustine squeezes her bag. ''Walking will clear my head, as would supper, I'll admit.''Darkness quickly shrouds your world once your group sets out on the long, lonely road that leads into Eichenwald's southern countryside and farmlands. Augustine's lamp quickly has you huddle with Shigeko and your pink god-touched friend while your mother walks a few feet ahead, somehow scouting for threats while simultaneously remaining actively listening to your day's activities.Originally, you set out with Seyraphal (who came back home without incident) and Shigeko to question the bishop about Olin's suspicious death, but things quickly changed.An unknown phenomenon has struck around one hundred twenty inhabitants of Eichenwald, putting them into a coma. They sometimes awaken to die, apparently witnessing some kind of entity. During her time in the baron manor, Augustine also lent her burgeoning expertise to her teacher to help resolve this incident, but nothing conclusive could be found.Olin's knightly master, Aryel, is convinced the boy died from foul play. It's difficult not to agree after what you've learned about him, especially with his recent newfound appreciation of the Mamono plight.The Mamono village is one bad day away from rioting and a pandemic. But that might change as soon as tomorrow, thank the gods.The mercenaries are genuine, irredeemable scums. You've tried your best to be somewhat open to a dialogue, to learn their perspective, but getting intimidated by their second in command, and potentially jailed for one night for no good reason, is more than you can tolerate.
There's more news.Your dad and mom found the sprout of the earth tree near your home. With the tunnels inside still intact, this means you could potentially sneak into the baron manor or voyage toward one of the others faraway sprouts should the need arise...And with tonight being the ritual of Last Bells for Augustine and young Olin, you have to wonder if you'll be able to sleep at all.--Augustine Aurora, Shigeko Takara, Seyraphal, your parents, and your small self all sitting around your family table for a hearty supper was a new, wonderful experience.Of course, during your travels, you've eaten on bigger tables with many more folks. This is the first time where you not only know everyone, but genuinely appreciate them.Augustine dominated the conversation as she talked about who was who in Eichenwald: blacksmith Griswold, a short, grumpy man who only missed orders when he lacked materials. Grocer Carrie, who established herself in the first residential western district, known for supplying the Mamono village. Midwife Olmann from the Wildland, who currently heads the woodcutter guild...''I have to go prepare, it's getting late.'' Your father announced once the conversation entered a lull. He gently got up with his dishes to place them near the oven. ''I'll come back soon.''He exited outside, his form illuminated by a handful of candlelamps your parents had placed earlier tonight for this ritual.''Phew... Yeah, I'm getting nervous.'' Augustine rubbed her trembling hands together. ''I've... been ignoring what's about to happen, to be honest.''''It is never easy... but I fully believe this communication can help you heal.'' Your mother spoke gently; she had considerably warmed up to your godtouched friend during supper.''I believe there is great strength in doing this, despite the pain.'' Shigeko commented, and Augustine kept her gaze firmly on her empty plate. ''No souls handle grief similarly. I've witnessed many cases where people seem to become... static, where all they do is survive instead of living.''''You think that's how I am now, Shigeko?'' Augustine didn't look up as she asked.''Not yet. Perhaps knowing you missed a chance to say goodbye because of whatever excuses the bishop will give to justify himself could poison your grief. Even if all that result from this is failure, you know people around you do care.''''Hm...'' Beside you, Seyraphal's antennas twitched. ''There is one thing I'd like to ask before emotions likely make it impossible for me to talk.'' Heaving a long, wary sigh, Augustine nervously rubbed her hands together and looked to you, then your mother. ''You have the ear of the little lordling who failed to manage the Mamono village, yes?''''I'll know tomorrow. Since the militias locked down the entire district, Thibault and maybe even his father will have to arbitrate so... I guess we'll see.''
''Autumn Solstice will happen in two weeks. I want to celebrate it inside the Mamono village and invite the inhabitants of Eichenwald to come mingle before everyone retreats to endure our lonely winter.''The Allied Kingdoms always held four celebrations at the end of each season, once temperatures noticeably changed.''That's...'' Your mother is the one to comment. ''...a difficult endeavor, but I've seen similar things happen.''''The women have been out of sight and out of mind for a long time. Eichenwald folks aren't heartless, perhaps a little too easily distracted, and eager to maintain their status quo, but they have good souls... I think if the mercs influence wanes, many would welcome a day of festivities and mingling.'' Augustine interlocks her fingers and keeps her back rigid as she speaks, keeping her turmoil well hidden.''That would cost a pretty penny.'' Seyraphal comments.''Indeed, which is why, perhaps, our baron could be open to the idea... otherwise I have a few ideas of my own. Still.'' She awkwardly cleared her throat. ''I've come to live here since Eichenwald inception five years ago. I am an herbalist and will likely stay an apprentice doctor. I want to believe people have come to appreciate me for who I am... but I am no Cleric of the Path, no elf.''''Had I been the one to flee out of a window and jump into Shigeko arms, the militias wouldn't have mobilized so swiftly.'' She continues. ''I think this celebration can only happen if you help me prepare it, Rey.''Your eyes wander to your mother.''Aren't you a grown woman now, Rey?'' She says rather coldly.''...can I still ask the help of my parents?''''We haven't even started to get any ideas on how to use this new land of ours.'' Canaan looks away and breaks into a sudden giggle fit. ''Father's Eye, I can't be a cold bitch. Of course, you'll always have our help, darling. You don't need to ask permission for what you want to do, I can't remember you ever doing anything when we were on the road.''Is it me, or does she sound proud?Commit to helping Augustine's ambition. A festival like this would do wonders to dispel some of the bad blood that has been brewing.Remain non-commital. Tomorrow, you'll likely fully understand if Thibault is someone you can count on. A festival like this without the lord help will be... complicated to accomplish.You cannot commit to such an endeavor. With all the dangerous mysteries in Eichenwald, the walking deads and a sprout of the elemental tree so close to home... Your energy is needed elsewhere.>Free https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZWd_7Ud-Lc&ab_channel=EroSennin
>>6292714>in the pursuit of answering our riddle of strengthhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2EQ0FlVks4>>6292718>Commit to helping Augustine's ambition. A festival like this would do wonders to dispel some of the bad blood that has been brewing.we need to help her
>>6292718>Remain non-commital. Tomorrow, you'll likely fully understand if Thibault is someone you can count on. A festival like this without the lord help will be... complicated to accomplish.Only in so much to the degree of work(s) that will need to be undertaken, We've got a lead on making headway with the potential of material support from Belmont.If we could ensure that Thibault was on side it makes it a near certainty that things will at least be able to go ahead. or at least reveal the temperament of his character, I wonder what his reasons for employing these mercenaries are. It's not like there is an apparent lack of character within the guards.
>>6292718>Remain non-commital. Tomorrow, you'll likely fully understand if Thibault is someone you can count on. A festival like this without the lord help will be... complicated to accomplish.
I'll leave this vote open for a while longer, as Rey can be afforded some time to make up her mind, and it'll take me a bit of time to post the next update, as important things will happen, and I need to review my notes.I'm impressed at how good a person you guys made our little elf into. A pure soul like that might even make undead souls gather close to feel the warmth...
>>6292718>You cannot commit to such an endeavor. With all the dangerous mysteries in Eichenwald, the walking deads and a sprout of the elemental tree so close to home... Your energy is needed elsewhere.>>6293181She needs a humie boyfriend
>>6293437>She needs a humie boyfriendPositively scandalous! We'll see what happens later on. I haven't approached that side of Rey's life for now.
Outside, it was a clear night with a strong, not-quite-full moon, with the darkness of the field of your home illuminated by seven candlelamps on sticks installed by your parents. The sight of the nearby woods made them look like a sleeping beast, as the trees shook gently in the soft night wind. One of your dad's Focii (Father Sky eye, in the shape of a dagger) was planted on the ground with your mother sitting beside it. Your dad knelt near your shed where the spirit of little Olin slept, positioning himself in prayer as he held onto his glowing Focii of Mother Earth.The cold wind of coming autumn was the only noise to disturb the assembly; silence was not only a sign of respect for this ritual but vital to its success because right now, your father was thinning the great protective veil of the divines to make it easier for the boy's manifestation.Your mother took the place of a trained nun, reducing the intensity and individuality of her soul so his spirit could pass through her to regain vitality. A few walks ahead stood Augustine Aurora, mother to the deceased Olin Aurora, holding onto a fist-sized bell. Her soft blue and pink colors stood out sharply against the darkness of night, her expression closed, resolute... ready to crumble.Having emerged from the bathroom after submerging herself in herbs and a bath to cleanse body and soul, the way her wet, pink hair framed her face made her look gorgeous; yet, the quiet sadness she kept locked up squeezed your heart painfully.You and your Mamono friends kept a healthy distance to witness the ritual. No great manifestations or miracles occurred, except for brief increases of golden flashes emanating from your father's Focii.Eventually, your dad lifted his head, moved his long hair out of his face, and nodded to Augustine. One delicate shake of her wrist; one ring spread into the night. Father Sky uses a bell of his own to guide souls into the beyond, the great mystery of existence after a soul leaves its body. This ritual was a simple replica of his sacred duty to help those lingering -but not damned- souls find peace.The young mother slowly, insistently rang the bell to invite her wayward son.Ring.Time passes.Ring.Silence.Ring.The night remains quiet.Ring.''Olin?''RingEventually, staying so still in the increasing lateness of night had you sit on the grass with Seyraphal imitating you. One of her thin, long white wings buzzed near your back; she allowed you to use it as a makeshift blanket. Fuzzy and comfy.The light of your father's Focii eventually dimmed. ''I'm sorry, I've misjudged the proper timing for his manifestation.'' He said while getting up. Your mother followed afterward, rubbing her eyes, looking groggy and absent-minded from her trance.
''It's okay, thank you so much for trying.'' Augustine sniffled, and the bell in her hand rang awkwardly as she dried her moistened eyes. ''I think it's better this way, it gives me a little time to will myself better for tomorrow.''''Indeed, we ought to go rest.'' Canaan lazily got up, smacking her forehead a few times as she resettled herself. ''Dawn is still a while away, let's reward ourselves with a late morning.''Right. Sleep. After everything that happened today... Well, I need to go rest. I can't afford to be tired.You rubbed your cheek with Seyraphal's wing one last time before letting it go. ''Say, Shigeko, would you be confident with moving the desk in our room?'' asked the druidess.''Yeah?''''That'll give us enough space for four people to sleep. How about it, Rey? Augustine?''You feel the gentle prodding of her antennas caressing your face as she greets your gaze with a sincere smile.''I'd like that.'' I've never...This isn't a slumber party, but close.Augustine seemed too stunned to say anything. Shigeko went next to her and guided her away from the field.''If there's noise, keep it down, yeah?'' Your mother's comment carries your parents' agreement.I can't remember ever doing this. Sleeping with friends... Wait, no, this isn't for me. I think Augustine could use the distraction.As you looked at your herbalist friend, she didn't give you the impression of someone a step away from crumbling. Shigeko's earlier comments seem truer by the moment: Augustine seems stuck in time, her face showing no real emotions yet barely attentive to the world around her.--Sleeping in your friends' room, amongst people you've grown to trust, was a medicine you dearly hoped that'd work for your sleeping trouble, and, by Mother Earth's grace, you did fall asleep a few seconds after setting your head on a pillow.But you couldn't maintain it. In the dead of night or perhaps early morning, you awoke to a dream you couldn't remember. One that sent your body shivering with cold sweat covering your spine, while your forehead grew wet enough to make your hair stick to it.A dream I can't remember? Stress?Light from the lamp in your living room gently filtered into the room where all three of your friends slept peacefully. Augustine faced you in her slumber, and you had to resist the urge to caress her cheek; she looked gorgeous and vulnerable in her quiet slumber.I don't know if it's empathy or pity...Gods, how can I help her handle this tragedy?A familiar lethargic fatigue slowed your limbs, but there was no chasing sleep now; you know that damnably well. Getting up quietly was second nature to you, so you got up to make yourself a little more comfortable with a drink of water and a bathroom visit...!?
After finishing your business, you came face to face with a small silhouette surrounded by a white ectoplasmic glow. Olin, that brave young boy, sat on your family dining table, next to your bag, and Usha peacefully slumbering inside her open protective casing. Gentle and fair, he remained, his hair appearing a cute dark blue with a large streak of gold on its front.''You...you...'' You whispered, shock chasing all lethargy out of your head. ''...Your mother called for you, Olin.'' You didn't want to admonish the boy, yet the words escaped your mouth.He looked at you and silently nodded, his expression changed into a lonely guilt as he looked at his mother sleeping inside the occupied guest room you've left open.Unity.Right. Ghosts are beings of souls; emotions influence them much, much more than any other entity. Olin is ten, a preteen. Dread, hesitation, and shyness could all be the reasons for his absence tonight. I shouldn't fault him.''Your mother loves you very, very much, Olin.'' You spoke gently, calmly, and carefully walked closer. ''Is there anything you need? Want? A little bit of courage before speaking to her tomorrow?''He looked tense as he peered at you, almost scared. He leaned down to pinch a fork, brought it to his lips and held it, then began a familiar mimicry with his fingers.''A flute? Do you want to hear me play?''He nodded excitedly, the fork clattered on the ground, forgotten.''...okay. Outside, though, I don't want to wake everyone.''The boy soundlessly hopped off the table and trotted toward the closed door, mimicking the act of opening it, and filtered through the wood outside.Okay. If you need a bit more courage, little guy, I'll help you get it.Bringing out the baron's gift rekindled the ball of stress in your guts. You only know how to play one song, and you've come to accept it as a part of who you are, but you haven't played since returning from the baron's manor, after your so-important meeting with Nyct...If my song can bring a little peace to this ghostly boy, then it is my duty to do it.With this resolve in your heart, you wrapped your mother's fur cloak around your shoulder (that she left resting on the door) and exited into either early morning or late night with your flute in hand.Olin sat near the extinguished campfire at the very edge of what little luminescence your homefield could grasp from the house; his internal light stood out beautifully in the darkness; it also seemed to increase the dreary shadows of the surrounding forest.''Alright, I might be a bit rusty, but...'' You gently blew into your instrument, extracting an equally soft noise. ''...it's a good one.''The ghostly boy silently waited for you to begin, and eventually, you placed the correct noises in your mind, imagined the movement of your fingers and the proper cadence of your breath to create the only song you know.
The song of your nostalgia, of the memory that followed your entire life. Someone trapped inside a tiny cavern who, despite her trial, worries only about a precious friend in the mountain of her prison. Slow, melodious, methodic... playing feels right. And it eventually came to an end, bringing a strange feeling of relaxation.Maybe I should play before sleeping...''Olin?''His growing luminescence heralded the pre-teen's approach. The boy had walked close enough to hover his hand above your shoulder.''You understand that touching others can be... dangerous, yes?''He nodded, his golden eyes showing a resolved expression.Unity.Therein lies the danger of interacting with ghosts. Touching is how their souls can interact with the living, by flowing into you, then through your blood, bones, and skin, they can interact with your soul and attempt genuine possession. Dangerous, treacherous wraiths will attempt to lull people like you into this exact situation. To permit them. To lower the gates of your mind-fortress.You've investigated this boy today. He convinced Aryel to tutor him, became something of an errand boy in the Mamono village, pushed his mother to establish herself as a doctor for them, and was appreciated enough for a quiet shrine to be built in his honor... You haven't known him personally, but his life didn't leave the impact of a villainous soul. But who can tell how much death could change him?''Okay. I'll trust you.'' He is Augustine's son. If helping him rest easy means taking a risk, so be it.Slowly but surely, Olin moved closer. His projected radiance made it difficult to look around, as the white light irritated your eyes. You saw him hover his hand above your arm... and it filtered through your flesh to reach inside.The feeling of his intention was similar to those moments when your mother inspected your soul. His will was foreign, guarded, scared, and overwhelmed, but strangely insistent, if not desperate. A strange, unique cocktail of emotions; he desperately wanted to show you something. So you let it.Mom always said to imagine a fortress in my head...Now to open its gate.You caught the faint taste of iron at the back of your tongue, the scent of wet earth after rain. A flicker of something that wasn’t your memory pressed close: a child’s laughter echoing in a warehouse, a surge of fear swallowed before it broke the surface. It all passed in a breath, leaving only the warmth that lingered where no warmth should be, and the quiet plea carried in his touch.
Your perspective shifted into a vision of your home, someone looking in from a distance; time became this blurry, hard-to-grasp sensation so typical of dreams. The sun changed from early morning to a little later, Shigeko suddenly walked out and started stretching. A few minutes later, Canaan did the same; the two women exchanged no words; they didn't seem to acknowledge each other's existence.Odd.Your mother went back inside, and you caught a glimpse of yourself sitting at your family table, eating soup. Shigeko moved to cut firewood without any logs remaining; her axe landed soundlessly against the raised stump.This went on for the entire day, with only Seyraphal exiting around the afternoon to walk a few paces inside the eastern forest and remain there, standing, motionless...Then Usha woke up. Having remained on the dining table, she crawled out of her protective casing for a bed and begged for attention as you remained motionless, sitting, eating an empty soup. Soon, your beloved blue slime's demeanor changed into frustration as you continued to ignore her and, inevitably, into distress as she wailed silently for the food she needed.No. Absolutely no way, I would never ignore her! Neither would my parents! Or my friends!Yet this nightmare shown to you by ghostly Olin was undeniable. Your family and your friends completely ignored Usha. Even when she angrily stomped her way into your food bowl, all you did was empty it and let your poor little newborn flop on the table, where she began to wail again.Are you conjuring these hallucinations, Olin? Why?Eventually, Usha grew silent and went back to sleep, starved and miserable. Canaan, Rikard, Shigeko, Seyraphal, and yourself, Rey, everyone who lived in this house moved like soundless automatons, preparing only the briefest of suppers and eventually retreated to sleep in the same manner you remembered doing yesterday night.Yet at the very edge of hearing, like a blowing wind from leagues away, you heard voices.Olin? What is this!?Yet your alarm met no answer from the boy.Tomorrow continued much the same. Your mother and Shigeko were stretching in the morning, you remaining sitting at the table, this time reading a book where it took you thirty minutes to turn a page. Your father went on a strange walk as he paced the length of the field, Seyraphal remained in the wood all day...And Usha awakened earlier than usual. Angry and starved, your beloved newborn slime insistently plopped herself in the middle of your book. At first, whatever wore your skin swatted her away, but after one too many times, you threw her on the floor.
She landed like a splatch of water, her body losing all consistency for a moment. Then slowly but surely, her humanoid self reshaped itself from the slimy fluid, and your mother's shoes nearly trampled her to nothing as she walked in the living room.Somehow, Canaan stopped her stride to look at the terrified Usha and stepped away soundlessly to walk and stand motionless inside the guest room.All energy was completely drained out of your beloved slime now. She crawled her way toward one of the table legs and slowly but surely crawled her way up by adding adhesiveness to her body, and once on the table proper, she plopped herself on the corner and looked with this miserable expression of confusion and guilt.Olin, if this is a trick...Something hot and ugly burgeoned inside your soul, ready to ignite.You. Would. Never. Do. This.Hours passed like this, Usha silently suffering in starved silence, unable to fall asleep, and everyone ignoring her.It was in the late hours of dusk that something changed; the boy showing you these visions manifested inside your living room, completely ignored by everyone. He walked near the starved slime, extended a finger as she looked at him in helpless fear, then, upon contact...Olin's inner light diminished ever so slightly.Usha fed on his soul. The essence of his existence.He let her do so.Time became difficult to identify afterwards. Nights, hours, mornings piled together while your friends and family idled away like those automatons you've seen in the university of Alchemists, and every day, without fail, Olin manifested to calm Usha's hunger with the essence of his immortal soul.Olin...Something strange began to happen after, perhaps, the fourth day. You stood outside your home during the afternoon and walked near the northern forest, yet stopped for some reason and remained there for hours.Listening.To a song.A man, a woman, a child.Voices singing a faraway hymn in the northern forest.Hypnosis?This situation finally ended when you stood outside your home with your flute in your hands and played your beloved melody for hours. You couldn't hear anything in this retelling of events from Olin.You must have played long enough to feel sore, for the notes to come out misshapen...Usha spent another day alone, ignored, helped only by the empathy of ghostly Olin.Thankfully, yesterday morning started as you remembered. Everyone regained their proper selves and vitality.What in the world!? Six? Seven? An entire week missing from my, all of my family and friends' lives!?''Olin!? Olin!''The ghost had left you in the night. His presence in your soul, gone. You stood from your oaken seat to look around in vain; the white ectoplasmic radiance of his existence had once again extinguished.I'm hearing something.
A whisper in the wind changed to a crawling sensation on your skin, murmuring voices from the north filtered to your ears like snakes. On the edge of the forest stood a tree like many others, the weak illumination coming from your houses made it impossible to detail it accurately, but the color of this... tree... wasn't bark.It was skin. Pale skin.Six arms extended out of the trunk to mimic naked branches, mouths opened and closed without noise, yet this entity sang.You can feel it. Outsider.What. Is. This!?Realizing you were seeing it, the creature's many mouths closed one by one, its hands moved closer together.One week. One week lost, one week of neglect.You didn't hear the heartbreaking noise of Usha distress yet you know that sound. A sensation unlike anything in your life spread from your spine. A molten heat travels through your veins, your eyes fill with tears as hate you observe hate this unexplainable hate singer hate.In your hands, you imagine your mother's Ironwood bow.Murder.One of her Arrow-wand at the ready.MurderIts runes are glowing with nature's wrath.MURDERThe projectile that comes out of your bow is a manifestation of your anger. Your entire house shakes from the impact of its release, straight into one gullet of this damnable entity.MURDER--''Rey?''''!?'' Your mother's voice gently shook you awake. ''Uuuurk! So damn soooore!''The colored blue of the sky above tells you everything. You've gone and slept sitting outside, shambled over in an awful position on one of the bench logs near the spot used for campfire.''I do believe this is your first case of sleepwalking.'' Canaan moved behind you, her hands began to work on your back to undo the painful knots that had built up. ''Don't go fussing now. Want me to inspect your soul? Maybe it's stress, but I think it'll be the best way to communicate.''''That...''Was yesterday even real? No, it has to. Olin showed me something very important, gods above, we missed an entire week!? And this singing freak? Usha...''Is Usha okay?'' You ask, knowing fully well that resisting your mother fussing was useless. She's pretty good at massage, too.''Of course, little doll is sleeping in her log next to your bag. Today should be magic, right? That could be difficult to provide if my wands don't work.''''Yeah...''
Outsiders.Having your mother join your souls in a pathway of communication will mean sharing all of your memories with her again, which could be dangerous. Some outsiders grow in strength and spread like a plague through memories. As more and more people acknowledge their existence, the more Mother Earth veil weakens around them, giving them agency and the possibility to feed. Or it put a target on their backs.You've never studied any entity like this. A singing tree-like freak of flesh with six arms and just as many mouths? Never. What in Father Sky's knowledge could it be?This is a very important choice.>Agree with sharing what you've learned with your mother and father. Leave your friends out of this, for now.>It is better if everyone understands they've missed an entire week of life. Share this new with everyone.+With Augustine?>Keep this entity's existence to yourself for now. Until you get proper information... it'll be better to be subtle.>FreeSay hello to the main villain. Rey is such a good person that it got revealed early.
>>6295990>Agree with sharing what you've learned with your mother and father. Leave your friends out of this, for now.wait, so it wasn't just a strange vision ? we got king crimson'd for an entire week ? wtf.
>>6296051Granted, you'll need to investigate to make sure, but Rey is assuming it to be true because she can't see why Olin would lie. Usha had it a bit rough
>>6296063man, 1 week as a drone is an insane feat. and we even ended up hurting usha...
>>6295990>>Agree with sharing what you've learned with your mother and father. Leave your friends out of this, for now.
I'll close the votes for this >>6292718 tomorrow as well, I'll take today to rest my brain
>>6296240the previous doot vote was still open ? why ?
>>6296377Because it'll likely be your next goal and likely lead toward the climax of Augustine story, although maybe you guys will pivot onto something else with this new reveal. We'll see. My brain is a bit too mushy today so I'll make better sense tomorrow.
''I'd like to share my memories with you and Dad.'' Your resolution comes after a moment of comfortable silence, where Canaan's massage almost makes you fall asleep again. The lethargy in your limbs is frustrating.''You are my and your father's blood, it won't be a problem... but.'' She stopped her massage to crouch in front of you. ''Two wills joining your soul will be much more invasive. We'd probably end up seeing more than you want to share.''''You and Dad have more than earned my trust.'' There's a subtle shift in your mother's expression you can't identify. ''And I don't have the words to explain my... dream? Something bizarre is going on.''Did I use one of Mom's wands to shoot a lightning bolt? There are no traces of impact, no flesh-tree.You feel the warm touch of your mother's lips on your forehead. ''I'll fetch him. If our guests are awake, they can make themselves at home.''--''...'' Your father grunted.''...'' Your mother sighed.''...yeah.'' You ended, your hands still held by theirs.Your mother's warning had been true; two souls joined into yours was invasive indeed. You could only grasp hints of your parents' feelings and mental state, while in return, your mind was an open, naked book they could have perused at their leisure. From childhood to now, they could have explored every little memory imprinted inside your brain, and you'd have been forced to indulge their whims; yet Canaan and Rikard actively held back despite their intense curiosity.It would have been so easy for them to look deeper than I wanted... yet they didn't.Your memories of last night, however, came under the most intense scrutiny of your life. And that little mishap with the mercenaries...''I don't remember any creatures like that entity during my time in the Rangers.'' Your mother broke the silence, squeezing your hand gently.''All we can do for now is to be careful until we gain more information.'' Your father said, his grip a little tighter as he covered your hand with both of his.''I...I don't know if it even happened.'' You can feel your parents' gaze as you look to your knees. ''One entire week, lost? And Usha... she looked unaffected by our collective trance, if it wasn't for Olin...''''We're in the little lad debt.'' Rikard hands move away from yours as he leans closer to speak comfortably. ''You probably fell asleep in a trance after your souls joined, but I do not doubt the truth of his message. The ritual of Last Bell needed me to diminish the divine veil; simultaneously strengthening the creature and the boy's presences.''''Which makes me think we should inform our guests.'' Canaan continues, rubbing her thumb on your hand. ''I think you should share these memories with Seyraphal and Shigeko soon because they've been affected just as much as we have, but Augustine...'' Her eyes closed as she kept talking. ''...might need to be observed.''
''But what should I be looking for? I doubt she'll start acting like an automaton.''Your parents looked to each other.''Unfortunately, we can't tell if any odd behavior from your friend would be due to grief or the entity influence.'' Your dad extracted his hand from your as he faced you and your mother with a grave face. ''My first instinct is to straight up run away and inform the few people in my order I've grown to trust because we have no idea what this Outsider is and we clearly have its attention, but I doubt you'd accept that, right?''''I...'' You fight the temptation to look away from his inquisitive blue gaze. ''...think Shigeko would stay behind if we leave, and we should at least help Augustine and Olin.'' You paused to breathe. ''And the Mamonos, too. Yesterday was real, at least. I need to see what Thibault has to say.''''Right.'' Your dad's expression worsens into a tight grimace of unease. ''I think an inspection of our food reserves will reveal if we truly lost a week; we ate just enough to avoid getting sick, but five frugal people still make a dent. I don't think we should ask people about that missing time.''''Indeed.'' Your mother nodded and also let go of your hand. ''You've suddenly confronted that entity and likely disrupted its hold on our house; it's impossible to tell now what kind of influence it could have in Eichenwald. Perhaps Augustine is an unwitting victim, too.''''Those people that Belmont showed me...''''Looked to be victims, yes.'' Canaan nodded. ''But we only have suspicions. How this disease came about and how Belmont somehow missed seeing something so foul would be interesting to discover... as is the reason why nobody else has fallen into this coma after that initial crisis. If we decide to take the initiative and hunt that freak, if the hundred patients are somehow connected to it, they'll all die.''''Some Outsiders have been known to be smart enough to rival our minds. Most feed on souls, others on bodies, but the most insiduous ones try to engineer situations through hypnosis or influence on souls to create certain emotions and feed on it...'' You try your best to remember your studies, but there's a fog in your head that makes it difficult. ''...This tree-skin thing could have tendrils all over the city, afflicting all kinds of people.''''And since we know for certain it can manipulate memories, those afflicted could come here at night and harm us if the creature so chooses, without them remembering anything in the morning. Perhaps it might completely change how hypnosis is supposed to function.'' Your mother continues. ''And that's the best scenario I can think of. It might have genuine cultists.''You remember Jules' muffled comment through the door. ''Prepared the vapor'' he said...Didn't I hear a strange whispering voice in the basement of the church, too?
''What we do know.'' Your father's clear voice dispelled the distracting anxiety threatening to swallow you. ''There are traces of intense emotional traumas throughout the manor of baron Bram. Nyct warned you about the potential dangers of Usha feeding, and Risens attacked you during that same day. Ten dogs were lured inside the forest by a strange song; a song, it seems, that has been affecting us for at least a week. Baron Bram gifted you a flute, and playing your song into it seems to have disrupted the manipulation of that Outsider.''''The creature affects our cognizance.'' Your mother continues. ''We never heard it, never smelled it, not even dreamt hints of its existence. Yet a stubborn ghostly boy and Usha were unaffected by its capability; that, at least, is an undeniable truth.''I am indeed in the little lad debt... He has the true heart of a knight. A strong brother.''Perhaps that entity was attracted to Usha.'' Your father's conjecture sends a cold chill down your spine. ''But it's too soon to tell, especially since nothing happened to her during our long trance. I think you need to be very careful about who gets to know her capabilities now. She can also consume souls... many would see her as no different from the Outsider that afflicted us.''A hot coal of rebellion burns in your breast, your hands ball into fists as you do your best to manage that burning anger. ''I don't want to raise her like a monster I'm ashamed of.'' Raise?''Nor will I let you. I'm not saying that letting all kinds of people know she exists was a bad thing.'' Your father continues, splashing cool water on your mood.Shigeko enjoyed parading her on her horn yesterday; that was cute.''Usha needed a good day after that week. But when it comes time to feed her... Be careful.''Movement outside catches your attention. Seyraphal walked out and, upon seeing you with your parents, nodded silently and went back inside.''That lady in the tree, Nyct?'' Your mother asks.''Yes, Mother Earth, youngest daughter.'' You answer. ''I think she said she'd be returning to her family, I doubt she's still lingering inside the core linking all the tunnels after a week.''''She gave you a ring that'd allow you to travel through these tunnels... apparently allowing you to cover vast distances should you so need. Right?''You nod. ''I think she enchanted it only for myself...''''Alright.'' Your mother gets up, looking outside for a moment as she thinks about something. ''During my time in the Rangers.'' She begins and turns to look at you and your dad. ''I made some friends. A pair of rather special ladies I haven't seen in about nineteen years now, but we've kept in correspondence whenever we stopped somewhere for a couple of months.''Nineteen years is more than enough time to consider a friendship dead for a man with the lifespan of your father, not so for immortals.
''The central elven forest has been inhabited by a large tribe of Mamonos for years.'' Your mother continues. ''And it just so happens one of my friends is their leader's adviser. If we could make a quick trip down there, then borrowing her help would make me much more confident with confronting that flesh-tree freak.''Knowledge of outsiders was paid for in blood, sanity, and lives. Provoking an entity you do not know is clearly stepping into the foolish part of valor. But what if more people end up dying in the long run? Then again, if we end up as first casualties, who'd even know there's a singing flesh-tree freak afflicting the city? Who should we tell?The proper protocol is to always, always inform people of authority. However, your parents are finding Eichenwald's ''authority'' to be lacking.''There's also a silver lining with losing a week,'' Rikard adds calmly. ''Remember that letter I asked you to deliver? My friend and your uncle Nathaniel should be here...perhaps by the start of the Autumn Solstice.''Unity.Rangers are trained to confront, hunt, and kill all kinds of outsiders, even follow them into their lairs to extinguish the threat. Hunters in the noblest sense of the word.Exorcists are special individuals who, after a grueling training, are blessed by Mother Earth and Father Sky to confront the most dangerous of Outsiders. They go where even the fearless Rangers don't tread and answer threats divined by the holy Parents themselves; there's only a handful of exorcists operating within an entire generation of eager recruits.''I think I was fifteen since I last saw him...''''Yeah, he's been busy, but he'll come. He swore to visit the place I'd finally call home.''That piece of good news brings a comfortable silence to your room.''I won't be comfortable sleeping here anymore.'' Your parents silently nod.''I think seeing what's happening with the Mamonos village will be important. Our supposed crime.'' Your father put too much strength into his shrug. ''Needs to be put to rest. And I should meet with the supposed Inquisitor who apparently comes here to collect the Earth pearls, I think I'd get some answers here in the refugee camp.''''And I want to enter a trance to view my old memories in greater detail.'' You feel your mother's hand gently touch your head before she gets up to stand next to your father. ''Although, since I may or may not have kicked a man into a near-coma, taking care of that matters more.''
''One last thing.'' Your father turns to briefly glance outside the window before returning his attention to you and your mother. ''I believe the hyperactive leylines are having a potentially major effect on the influence of the divine web. Olin has lingered for more than a month and has fed Usha parts of his soul without his mind degrading from so much exposure to our Prime existence. The ritual of Last Bell further reduced that protection around our house, which, perhaps, is how you've been able to witness that creature with Olin's help, Rey.''''Hm... Nothing we can do about this for now, but it's a good hypothesis.'' Says your mother.>Your entire household should go see the fallout of what happened in the Mamono village. If anybody has authority to put some squeeze on the mercs outside Thibault, it'll be your parents.>Your mother should remain behind to investigate her memories.>Your father wants to confront Belmont and investigate the comatose patients, perhaps all the attention concentrated in the village could give him a good opportunity...>FreeSorta assuming you guys will head into the village. If not, suggest something else. Your parents have now become active investigative participants in the various troubles and mysteries of Eichenwald. Their previous plans about building things on your lands and potentially making a farm are pretty much abandoned now. They can accompany you or pursue other objectives to find precious, precious information. There might be pov change in the future, but I'm not planning any for now.
>>6299599>Your entire household should go see the fallout of what happened in the Mamono village. If anybody has authority to put some squeeze on the mercs outside Thibault, it'll be your parents.It'd be so easy to just Garrison the enclave at this point, I'm not sure I'd trust any roof over out head anywhere at this point. And we've now got bigger issues.
>>6299599>Your entire household should go see the fallout of what happened in the Mamono village. If anybody has authority to put some squeeze on the mercs outside Thibault, it'll be your parents.
>>6299599>>Your entire household should go see the fallout of what happened in the Mamono village. If anybody has authority to put some squeeze on the mercs outside Thibault, it'll be your parents.
Crashing this Justice of the Peace with your entire crew, huh?This'll probably take a couple of days because I can't seem to shake off my habit of writing too much.
zam, it's been a week now.
>>6303868Yeah, sorry. Life's been a bit difficult, I haven't abandoned anything, don't worry. I'd like to restart a proper schedule tomorrow.
''I hope this... arbitration isn't going to be too dramatic; it'd be nice if we could enjoy the city since we're all together.'' Eichenwald's sprawling buildings on the horizon aren't so intimidating now that friends and family surround you.''Events will only be as unpleasant as that nobleman decides to make them,'' your mother responds. With nobody else on the main road, your group allows itself to take all the available space.''I'm unfamiliar with official 'arbitration' in the Allied Kingdoms despite having spent almost my whole life here.'' Seyraphal looks as emboldened as you; she speaks without timidity. Her large, white, fluffy wings spread behind her like a blanket, stretching around you and Augustine. ''Is it going to be a tribunal?''''Doubtful,'' answers your dad. ''Harming an elf goes far enough to attract the attention of kings; thankfully, Rey escaped unscathed, so our baron or his heir will be the one to see what's happening. Especially since the militia put the entire district on lockdown.''''I'll wager the little lordling would very much want to end our grief with the mercs.'' There's a distinctive sadistic edge in your mother's tone. ''Words have likely already spread; hopefully the bad rep of the mercs will finally bite their asses.''You chance a look at Augustine, and the way she tenses her grip on her bag convinces you not to ask anything. Such an intense hatred...''With luck, things might finally improve for the villagers,'' Shigeko says gently; her height and blue skin stand out significantly despite her position in the back. ''I'll admit to holding a bout of pessimism in my heart. I doubt the militia has enough people to spare for governing the Mamonos.''''Better to avoid any preconceived notions,'' Canaan answers without turning away from the road. ''Trying to take an entire arm will result in our loss. Nobody died, so it's no blood crime.''''I'd say putting the squeeze on those hirelings would be perfectly ethical.'' There's a dangerous, dark edge to your father's amused tone. ''Kicking a fool in the head somehow motivated them to try imprisoning my daughter? I've half a mind to remain unreasonable.''The situation with the village cannot be allowed to continue, but how wise would it be to thoroughly antagonize the people employed with keeping the peace in Eichenwald?''Darling?'' Augustine speaks gently to Seyraphal. ''Do you truly need to insist on hiding yourself once we near the city?''''Y-yes.'' The moth timidly answers, her red gaze lowering to the ground as her myriad legs thread the treated dirt. ''It'll be better that way.'' Her fuzzy antennae droop lower, and her second set of arms nervously thread into her long white hair.''Tell us when you're ready,'' you quickly interject. Little steps. She is already walking the road without covering herself in bandages. I'll call that a good improvement.
As your group walks the road, a messenger soon arrives to request your presence in the village, summoned by his lordship Thibault Eisenhart.--No riots erupted after yesterday's incident, but the atmosphere of the district felt like a similar aftermath. The militia had indeed arrived in force; nearly every street was overseen by at least one tabard-wearing halberdier, and the few inhabitants made themselves scarce indeed.Mercs occupied the long main road leading into the village, with militiamen in smaller pockets to oversee them; both groups glared daggers of hostile rivalry at each other. The gates to the Mamonos village remained open, with a few of the lightning-ram-wearing men idling around to dispel the women's natural urges to linger and observe.''These guys look ominous; we didn't see any household knights when we stayed in Bram manor,'' your father remarks, nodding toward the headquarters that almost became your cell.Three men in complete, identity-concealing plate armor stand guard near the door. Each holds a mighty greatsword in a low, relaxed stance that projects patience rather than aggression.''Rikard, Canaan, and Rey Vesperus?'' one of them asks once your group stops close. He's the only one among the three with bright plume decorations on his metal helm. ''Your companions may wait outside the conference room and enter if our lordship wills it. Is that agreeable?''''It is,'' you say before your parents, taking a step forward. Is it sad if I'm honestly appreciating his neutrality? ''Lead us.''The men open the way in a concert of clicking metal, the plume-wearing knight resting his greatsword on his shoulder as he walks up the stairs to enter the building.Coming back here so soon after yesterday's incident is decidedly unpleasant. It's empty compared to yesterday's little hive.The knight stops in front of a pair of closed doors that lead into the large room you remember from yesterday. The place where a handful of men were gazing at a big map of the city. ''Mysir important guests have arrived!'' the knight proclaims, and soon after, another plate-wearing man opens the doors from within.''Enter!'' a youthful voice inside calls.With one last nod to your three friends, you step inside, flanked by your parents.The conference room appears a little larger because its sole big table has been pushed and flipped into a corner, giving the handful of souls plenty of space.The immense frame of the giant-blooded Kraus is impossible not to see first. The commander of the militia wears a bitter frown that barely relaxes when he greets your family with a nod.Facing him is an unusual pair. A tall, thin woman with creamy brown skin and hip-length blonde hair observes your arrival with intense blue eyes. She holds a smoking pipe with gloved hands; the handle of a rapier wrapped in a white cloth stands out on her hip, and her red and dark silk garb eclipses the luxury of the actual blue blood present.
Beside her stands a silent godtouched. Her hip-length blue hair kept in place by a pretty golden hairband; a gorgeous pair of sapphire eyes elicits a wonderment similar to the first time you laid eyes on Augustine. Pretty... The handle of a sword (also wrapped in a white cloth) juts out from her hip, and a combination of chainmail and plate armoring her body decidedly shows money, but the way she keeps her eyes in a docile stare at the ground dispels aggression.''Thank you for coming. I understand your home is a fair journey from the city,'' Thibault says, starting the little assembly with his studious presence. He wears garbs of beige wool and removes the gloves covering his hands, then leans slightly on a cane; you catch a glimpse of a rosy stone atop it. A whispering stone. I'll wager his father is listening, so Thibault must really want to end this conflict of ours.''Aren't we missing a culprit? The walking metal who tried to imprison my daughter?'' your mother says, strong and commanding, practically glaring at everyone who meets her eyes.''Oh, he's busy elsewhere,'' the tall, brown-skinned woman answers casually, puffing out a waft of smoke. ''I'm the leader of these boar-headed fools, so consider his failing my responsibility.'' A foreign woman leading a mercenary company of men?''Surprising, right?'' she continues, smiling with full teeth; remnants of smoke peek through the openings between them. ''I hail from the lands of the Pharaoh, Muribel. Call me Maria; my other name is dead and buried. I've no intention of waging war on you people, unlike that snake.''''And the lady beside you?'' your father asks.Maria's eyebrows raise as she glances down at the blueberry next to her. ''She's my aide, here to make sure I don't forget anything. Right?''''Yes.'' The blue lady answers swiftly, her gaze never leaving the floor. ''Klesiah Zaheed.''''Zaheed?'' your father continues. ''Do you hail from the Pharaoh lands as well?''''My ancestors did, long ago. Survivors from the Great Crusade, mysir.''''So!'' Maria claps her hands, putting her now-extinguished pipe in a leather bag. ''With our lordship and the leader of our militias as witnesses, I do acknowledge the... inadequacy of my outfit, particularly my subordinate Jules, with the flagrant overreach of trying to imprison our lady-elf here.'' She points to you. ''And I'm willing to submit to our lord's judgment for peace and justice. The fault is mine. Entirely.''''Thank you, Maria.'' Thibault gently taps the ground with his cane. ''I understand there's been a great many growing pains between our peacekeepers and our new arrivals.''Kraus nods; the sheer impressiveness of his physique makes the gesture look grave. ''It's an outright enmity, mysir. Since they are allowed to patrol where they want, our groups operate independently. I wholly trusted the report of the elven miss here and decided to show these newcomers they aren't beyond our lord's law.''
''A strong lesson, yes,'' Maria comments, causing Kraus' expression to turn even more bitter.''Since we have the rare opportunity to speak, I'll do what I can to settle this growing pain,'' the studious young man says, elevating his voice. ''The Vesperus family has been aggrieved by the act of your subordinate, Maria. I understand there was a brawl previously when Cleric Rikard helped two Mamonos leave the village, but I will not fault a wife for protecting her husband, unlike what your man believed.''The tall, charismatic Maria inclines her head silently.''As such, unless madame Rey has something else to say, I will impose on your mercenary outfit a hefty fine to satisfy justice and teach all of your men that they aren't beyond consequences.'' Trying his best to appear imperious, Thibault slaps the ground with his cane three times, delivering his judgment.''May I...'' Your voice feels small and pitiful when all eyes turn to you. ''...confer with my parents?''''Of course,'' the young nobleman agrees, to the apparent displeasure of the foreign leader.Your mother gestures toward a far corner of the room; all three of you huddle close together.''A handful of crowns is probably the best we can expect,'' your mother whispers. ''You escaped, nobody died, and there weren't any big escalations.''''True. That money could help Augustine with the celebration for the coming Solstice...'' You might not have a better opportunity to secure funds.''Reasonable,'' your father says calmly. ''But we can push for something better. You want to help the Mamonos of the village, right?''''Yeah.'' You nod. ''I mean, things there... well, you've seen my memory yesterday.''''You haven't witnessed any of the abuses personally, but we know three people who did, one of them a herbalist-doctor, and if the knight errant is still around, then he's another good voice.'' Your father keeps his gaze on the others, waiting for your family's decision. ''If that lad is good on his promise to have you help the village, then we could bring actual victims and witnesses, or the leader of the village herself, to really show the mercs for what they are.''''That'd... be rather much for this excuse of a court,'' your mother nearly gestures toward Thibault, but thankfully restrains herself. ''I saw the whispering stone; I'm assuming the young lad is rather desperate to find a bandage instead of curing the actual rot.''''Yeah, well, too bad,'' your father continues, his calm expression growing into a quiet, cold rage. ''If you push yourself as a potential administrator of the village, Thibault will have to choose between pandemic-enabling rapists or an untrained elf.''''A-Are you...!?'' Canaan nearly screams as your blood runs cold. ''Rey has no idea...!''''We can help,'' your father replies firmly, then waves at Thibault with a ''More time!'' that undeniably comes out as a warning when the young man is about to slam his cane again.
''We... can't really stay home, huh?'' Your mind feels simultaneously sluggish yet spinning with ideas and inspirations.''I want to do what I can for Olin,'' Rikard continues gently despite his intense expression. ''But after seeing that singing freak and our lost week, I can't trust our isolated home anymore.''''...I still think the money is a better deal,'' Canaan says bitterly. ''Less dangerous. But gods damn it, Rikard, I honestly can't think of a better way to help the monsters here.''Your dad's expression changes into something smug as he kisses his finger and rubs his forehead.''Pfft!'' No, now's not the time to laugh!Accepting the bribe won't ruffle any big feathers, and it'll be a great step in helping Augustine with the celebration of Autumn Solstice...Dad's idea has merits. Arbitration is always a gamble, but there's proofs of the mercs' abuses in the Mamono population, especially in the current state of the village now. If the words of monsters aren't good enough, then Augustine and Aryel can explain what they've seen... and if Thibault is good on his word with wanting to help the village, then... It's worth a shot.>Take the fine. It'll be better that way; less of an incident, you'll be able to keep things somewhat civil with the Brazen Tusks>Push with revealing the outright abuses of the mercs. This will undeniably make them into bitter enemies now... but it is the best good you can do. >Free--Sorry about missing last week, stuff happened, life got in the way. Keep an eye on my Twitter since I regularly update my schedule over there.
>>6305035>>Take the fine. It'll be better that way; less of an incident, you'll be able to keep things somewhat civil with the Brazen Tusks
I'll give this choice more time, see if more people have something to say since this does carry some importance
>>6305035>Take the fine. It'll be better that way; less of an incident, you'll be able to keep things somewhat civil with the Brazen Tuskswhile I like dad's idea, the militia doesn't have enough numbers to police stuff alone and I'm not confident in playing admin with that ghost tree lurking.
>>6305035>Take the fine. It'll be better that way; less of an incident, you'll be able to keep things somewhat civil with the Brazen TusksIt may be worth it to additionally officially request; free, unlimited and Unharried passage though the Palisade for us and our immediate party / cargo. To have something concrete to point to and avoiding any potential future reprisals or escalation in writing.That should at least lay the ground work for Belmont's supplies to be delivered without issue. And I'd rather spend any immediate windfall we get on rectifying the immediate situation in the Slum, than on a singular event happening in the future. I'm sure that there will be other opportunities to make money as we go, or otherwise divert some of the promised supplies to the event when we get them.
>>6305580>It may be worth it to additionally officially request; free, unlimited and Unharried passage though the Palisade for us and our immediate party / cargo. To have something concrete to point to and avoiding any potential future reprisals or escalation in writing.Hm, squeezing that kind of privilege is... not too unreasonable. I can add that contract with this choice.
To avoid the same miscommunication as last week, it usually takes me a day to make an answer that satisfies me, so I'll either post later tonight or tomorrow. The week has me inevitably slow down due to work, of course.
''I think the fine is our wisest option.'' Your father growls in disapproval but nods. ''There's something else I want, too.'' The words and ideas form in your head; the circumstances of this Justice of the Peace; the numerous transgressions of the mercenaries; a realistic middle ground to help the monsters.There's probably around two to three hundred men wearing the boar's insignia. Father has always been the kind of burn-away evil once he's convinced of his stance. We don't have any real allies to help us, yet. I don't want us to suffer retaliation...''The levy mysir proposes is a fine punishment.'' As the primary wounded party, it is your privilege to speak and accept judgment. ''But I must insist on a contract.''The only one who doesn't show surprise or annoyance is the blue-haired godstouched. ''Continue,'' says the young lord.''The situation in the Mamono village is appalling. I don't know the exact distinctions between the rumors and the truth...'' You pause.It feels like I'm lying. I've painted all the mercenaries with the same brush of negativity. A big part of me doesn't want to accept that faults lie in individuals.''...but I know people who do, and I've seen for myself the current policy enacted on the inhabitants. If it weren't for my doctor friend outside, we may very well be dealing with an outbreak of dysentery today. The grips held by the Brazen Tusks on the village throat need to relax.''''You do understand the Mamonos had been unruly fo-''''So I propose!'' You interrupt the tall, foreign woman, and Kraus's loud warning puts an end to her protest.''I propose a contract. I want unbarred passages in and out of the village for myself and my family, including any cargo we deliver in or out of the town. Right now, the Brazen Tusks aren't even allowing garbage out; I'll rectify this problem myself if I have to.''Then comes one last important point.''If the mercs promise to vacate the premises of the bathouse in addition to the conditions imposed by your lordship, then I will consider the justice of my potential imprisonment satisfied. That facility was built as a vital piece of infrastructure for the community, the girls have suffered enough.''Contrary to your expectations, there is no long silence.''With our lady-elder mentioning the bathhouse, I must report on the findings of my men.'' Kraus's strong voice echoes inside the conference room effortlessly. "The place has been unequivocally turned into a brothel. Its purpose for pleasure is unmistakable; we have found a disturbing array of beds, alcohol, and various devices for drug consumption. I can provide a detailed account of these items if my lord requires."The big man pauses to pull out a piece of paper from his inner pocket. Thibault shaking his head prompts him to continue.''My men discovered last night that one of the village's three wells has turned foul.''
''Hold it now.'' Maria steps forward, drawing attention to herself with an imperious arm wave. ''I'll accept that my men may have been a bit... unruly themselves and a handful will need to be found and jailed for abusing their position, but I will not accept an accusation of poisoning the village we've been hired to oversee without a proper investigation!''''I am not pointing fingers.'' The bigger man fails to conceal his satisfied smile. ''It is entirely possible the Mamonos mistakenly fouled the well because they've been wallowing in their filth for almost two weeks now. If things remain like this, an epidemic is inevitable.''"I believe...'' Thibault stops himself as he covers his mouth, rubbing his chin, his gaze locked upward in deep thought. ''...Do you and your family truly intend to help the Mamono here, Rey?'' he asks, keeping his stance straight.''Yes mysir. I believe the Brazen Tusks need to take a step back for the good health of the people here.''We've shaken hands on the ambition of improving the monsters' lives here; would this not be the beginning, young lord?''Do you accept Rey Vesperus judgment?'' He replaces the glass on his face as he looks to Maria.The tall, foreign woman silently inclines her head, adapting a posture similar to the blue godstouched next to her.''So be it.'' He taps his cane on the ground three times. ''A punitive fine levied from the Brazen Tusks to be given to the Vesperus family; the Brazen Tusks will vacate the bathhouse; the Vesperus family will be able to come and go as they please with whatever cargo accompanies them without needing the scrutiny of the Brazen Tusk.''He punctuates each sentence with a tap of his cane.''Thank you, my lord.'' You, your mother, and your father bow.''One more thing.'' The young lord continues as you are about to turn around. ''Yesterday, a fourth hunter was found dead in the northeastern hunting grounds. My father is planning an expedition as we speak to find and kill the abomination responsible for so much grief, and I intend to lead it. Is it true that you are an accomplished ranger, milady Canaan?''''I've spent twenty years with the Kreszenz Northern Rangers of the Watch, yes.'' Your mother keeps herself level and diplomatic as she straightens from her bow. ''I cannot promise my help for your endeavor, my lord.''''...I see. Pity, but I understand. A person of your skill would be invaluable; we intend to leave next week, so do give it some thought.''Could that singing freak be responsible?--''Hm... Parts of me think you should have asked for more.'' Augustine grouses as she twiddles her fingers nervously. ''But I think you've acted in wisdom. The Mamonos will get to breathe now.''Your group sits in a large room inside the headquarters, waiting for the young lord to write and deliver the contract that will alleviate so many headaches. Your mother keeps a vigil by standing near the only door.
''That money will help,'' Rikard speaks, crossing his arms on his chest. ''Your idea about the festival is a good one, Augustine, and I think we could set aside some funds for that, but I think purchasing supplies for the village will be more important.''''Mmhm.'' The pink godstouched rolls a strand of her hair around her index.''You said there was a blue-haired lady?'' Seyraphal quietly says, her hunched, bandaged self leaning forward with careful curiosity.''Indeed, she barely said anything, and stayed beside that woman calling herself Maria all the time.''Rather odd for her to be here.''Why? Do you know her?''''W-well, no, not her. I think. I knew a blue-haired lady in the past...'' Being the center of attention has the bandage-wrapped moth fumble with her words and fingers. ''...Not important.''''I don't think there are many blue-haired godstouched in the Allied Kingdoms,'' Shigeko says, leaning closer to her bug friend. ''It shouldn't be unreasonable to arrange some kind of meeting, you might no—''''It's okay, it's okay!'' Seyraphal nervously waves her three-fingered hands. ''I've just been thinking about Usha. She'll need magic, and I don't think the wands will work.''Meeting everyone's curious gaze makes her continue. ''Corruption comes from within, from us Mamonos, a result of our souls and unusual bodies finding equilibrium with reality.''''Holy magic is similar.'' She gestures to you, pointing one of her large, scaly-looking fingers to your visible Focii. ''The gift of the divines flows from your artifact, shaped by your soul into the miracles you know, then manifest out of your body, or sometimes into it.''She clears her throat, two fuzzy antennae poking out of her forehead as the bandage comes undone. ''The wands don't have that. Trying won't hurt, of course! But... but be prepared for disappointment.''That...Hm, that's a really sharp observation.The long silence that follows has her nervously twiddling her fingers.''Good point.'' Your dad finally breaks the silence as he extracts himself from his thoughts. ''Is Thibault really our only source of magic?''''Bad idea.'' Augustine immediately interjects. ''Nobles have fingers in many pies; who knows who'll get to know about our little slime if he does?''''Can't say I trust the man.'' Canaan suddenly says, closing the door behind her. ''I know the Mamonos were rather unruly here in the past, yeah?''Shigeko and Seyraphal nod to answer her question.''His dad put him in charge of handling the monsters, and things got this bad under his watch. It shouldn't be Rey or Augustine shaking things around to make him start caring. Indifference, incompetence, malice... whatever the cause, things got this bad under his watch.''
''There's also been rumours about him... partaking with the mercenaries' enjoyment inside the bathhouse,'' Shigeko carefully says. ''But I didn't hear about anyone actually accusing him. What about you?''Augustine shakes her head. ''I won't point a finger, even if it wouldn't surprise me.''''We might not have any choices.'' Your father's comment brings this bitter conversation to an end.I don't know much about the intricacies of magic, but I know the gift is innate and thus, rare.The faith, knightly orders, and all the kings' governments have a firm interest in grooming or hiring any mages they find. If there are any mages besides Thibault in Eichenwald, they're actively hiding themselves.No magical species in the village either. I hope the wands work.--If your mother's arrow-wands are incompatible with Usha, should you seek the firemage Thibault to help with her diet?>It is too soon to do so. You could still find other options...>The young man is trying to get into your good graces; you can trust him.And finally, your contract enable new responsibilities and opportunities. How will you occupy the rest of your days?>You will speak with Branka, the leader of the Mamono village, to immediately start a big cleanup of her home. Time to put smiles on people's faces!>You will go with Augustine to hire caravans and buy the immediate supplies needed by the Mamonos.>FreeYour parents can do the other choice.
>>6306499>The young man is trying to get into your good graces; you can trust him.Someone needs to make an effort, who else would if not us?Besides, there are so few Elves to go around they may as well be communal property at this point.>You will speak with Branka, the leader of the Mamono village, to immediately start a big cleanup of her home. Time to put smiles on people's faces!For now funds will only stretch so far, we need to know what is most needed, and wanted. And apportion this as best we can, Lets see how good the head on Branka's shoulders is; we can always just go over her head in future if things don't improve sufficiently.
>>6306539What did you mean by this, anon? I'm suuure I'm misunderstanding
>>6306499>It is too soon to do so. You could still find other options...I'm lost, why would we use our wands for the magic instead of the focci ?>You will speak with Branka, the leader of the Mamono village, to immediately start a big cleanup of her home. Time to put smiles on people's faces!
>>6306541communal property like a park, not a free use "hole" lmao
>>6306549>I'm lost, why would we use our wands for the magic instead of the focci ?Divine magic is another type of energy, Holy. Seyraphal is interpreting it with her druidic lens, though. She believes that, since Corruption comes from the body and so does Holy(since the energy of a Focii needs to flow into your person before creating a miracle), a purely ''artificial'' magic like the conversion that happens with the wands might not work.She's already starting to deduce Usha could be a soul eater.>>6306551Good thing this isn't that type of quest!
>>6306564>She believes that, since Corruption comes from the body and so does Holy(since the energy of a Focii needs to flow into your person before creating a miracle), a purely ''artificial'' magic like the conversion that happens with the wands might not work.I see>spoilerzam>Good thing this isn't that type of quest!speaking of which, there's princess quest, although it's more comedy focused there.
>>6306499>The young man is trying to get into your good graces; you can trust him.>You will go with Augustine to hire caravans and buy the immediate supplies needed by the Mamonos.
>>6306499>The young man is trying to get into your good graces; you can trust him.>You will speak with Branka, the leader of the Mamono village, to immediately start a big cleanup of her home. Time to put smiles on people's faces!>>6306551Are you sure anon....
>>6306650>Are you sure anon....this isn't a pornverse, so yes
>>6306815Or is it?
Posting tomorrow, this became another chunky update without my notice. Getting on Branka's good graces means learning some very juicy info. Something happening twice is a coincidence, right?
The main square of the village was almost a ghost town when you ventured inside with your two Mamono friends. Augustine and your mother will be buying provisions and hire caravans, while your dad is going to investigate the patients Belmont is caring for. A handful of militiamen patrolled the main roads; everyone else remained barricaded in their shared homes.''Say, will you two be fine once we meet Branka face to face?'' You ask your friends, stopping before the stairs that led to her residence.''With that piece of good news? Yeah.'' Shigeko answers, with a rare hint of good cheer. ''She always suspected I'd try to usurp her authority because we're the only two Warrior species around. I hope the last few days made her stop caring about that delusion.''Days... not quite Shii. I'll let you know soon enough.''They won't imprison me again.'' Seyraphal quietly says. ''At least... I sure hope not.'' She detached her gaze from the mercenaries' headquarters, her calm and serious expression looking eerie with the bandages wrapped around her face. ''I remember that place being an inn, probably lots of people there. Let's go, Rey.''A few knocks on the door herald your entry into an establishment whose main hall occupied nearly the entirety of the structure. An inn filled with Mamonos observed your entry with a mixture of wariness and barely concealed hostility, the few ongoing conversations being little more than whispers.A dozen occupied tables resembled barriers as you walked inside, while the races of the women left you momentarily amazed: furred, scaled, and numerous persons with oddly colored skins. The crowd ranged from near-humans catfolk to proper demihumans lamias. Seyraphal was the only race one could describe as ''monstrous'' here, and she made herself scarce by hiding behind Shigeko.''I'm here to speak to your leader.'' You announce to the woman getting closer to your group. A lithe, elegant person with patches of white scales dotting her skin and face like armor, horns extended out of the sides of her head where her ears should be, and a long, flexible tail remained still behind her.Lizardwoman from the east. Probably parts of the refugee groups that came into the Allied Kingdoms a few years back.''She's in the biggest room upstairs, the only one with double doors.'' The lizardwoman spoke with a pleasantly accented voice.''Thank you.''As you walked, you noticed the majority of tables were empty of food.Signs of shortage? Or is this a case of people coming together? This kind of atmosphere is what ferments communities into making bad decisions.You reach your destination uninterrupted, and after one last look of encouragement to your friends, a knock on the door followed by a muffled ''enter'' allowed your first proper meeting with the leader of the Mamono village.
You stepped into a proper, luxurious inn's room. One big comfortable bed, plenty of space, a closed door with windows leading into a balcony that gave a fair view of the main square. A desk had been awkwardly plopped into the middle of the room, and a few additional libraries bestowed with scrolls and books hinted at an administrative effort.''You're the lady elf from yesterday.'' Branka's strong voice greeted you. The bull-woman sat on the edge of the bed, her strong presence cast a tingle of awed sensation in your belly that only familiarity would eventually dispel. She looked a little more haggard, dirtier than yesterday.''Them two, huh?'' Her orange gaze narrowed in displeasure upon seeing your companions.''We saw what happened.'' The gentler, calmer voice of Hanabi came from the balcony as she walked inside. Her large, bushy dark tail excitedly swished behind her. ''You're doing well?''''Indeed, I came to deliver good news.''They make an odd duo... but I suppose I look equally strange with Shigeko and Seyraphal.You pull out the contract from your inner pocket, nothing more than a few sentences signed by you, Thibault, and Maria. ''Take a look.''While Branka remains on the bed sulking, Hanabi gently plucks the paper out of your hands to read it.''Seriously?'' Says the fox excitedly.''Yup, yup.'' I've earned this feeling of smugness!Loud resonating steps carried Branka's approaching presence; she easily peered over the (much) smaller fox head to read your treasure.''The Tusks will also completely vacate the bathhouse. Could you organize a caravan so we can carry out the worst of the piled-up garbage?'' You look outside from the balcony window. It wasn't late, but going back and forth through the city likely means only one trip for today. ''Augustine and my parents are out buying provisions and medicines too; things will start improving starting today.''Branka and Shigeko stare at you with this stunned silence of disbelief that makes your chest puff up in pride.''I thought Augustine was the only one with some influence who gave a shit.'' Comments the large, tall redheaded bullwoman.''Indeed, I'm so pleased to be proven wrong. Preparing a handful of our largest caravans shouldn't take too long; we've got plenty of garbage that needs to go!'' Hanabi tail swats to and fro incessantly as she returns your paper; her ears even do a cute twitch. ''We lack oxen, so we'll need strong, healthy girls to push stuff. Could I accompany you?''''Of course, I'm not quite sure where we'll dump the stuff, but we'll make do on the way.'' You keep your eyes on Branka. She's looking very tense, stuck in an expression of controlled anger.Gods above, please don't make yourself believe you're losing face.''Branka.'' The fluffy wise-woman warns. ''I know you've got... troubles with them two, but Rey here is doing mighty fine work with building a good impression here. Cool off that temper.''
''It is not my wish to worsen a good day,'' Shigeko says calmly. The way she interlocked her fingers while resting her hands on her belly made her look almost meditative.''Nah!'' Your entire body tensed when Branka nearly yelled. ''Nah.'' The woman makes a disgustingly loud, humid sniffle and walks toward a bronze chamber pot to leans over it.An awful big glob of dark tar exits her mouth and slowly oozes into it. Once done, she covers the thing with a bronze cover.''Corruptions s'been messing with my soul.'' She says as her equine feet loudly clomp the ground. ''Even now, all I got is this damn urge to throttle you blue gal 'cause you're a fellow warrior, but I'll manage.''''Seyraphal and I purged ourselves of our surplus two days ago.'' ''Huh!? Really?'' Noooo! I wanted to see how that'd go!''Early dawn.'' Whisper the moth. ''The Demon Lord solution is dangerous; we killed the entities together.''''I could do the same for you, Branka.'' Shigeko continues. ''A leader needs a clear head. Your oversensitive instincts and em-''''I know!'' The entire room trembled when Branka stomb the wooden ground. ''I know damn well how that ritual works, Hanabi here is also trained; it just ain't feasible for all folks here, and what kind of hypocrite would I be if I clear myself while my people keep stewing in their soul rot?''''Just...'' Slowly, she walks to you, one hand pulling at her gorgeous red mane. ''...Thanks, Rey. I really don't want to appear or sound ungrateful. We'll get a big garbage caravan going right away.'' Her entire body is tense with repressed emotions.''Nor am I accusing you of such. I'd like to ask a few questions before we begin.'' The two Mamonos nod as you clear your throat.''What is it that pushed the mercs to oppress you people so hard after that little brawl with my parents? That incident alone couldn't have been the entire cause, right?''Fox and bull look to each other; the fox nods.''Pride, my pride,'' Branka answered, wrapping her arms under her prodigious breasts while looking toward the balcony. ''That metal freak accused me of failing to keep my house in check, usual bullshit. Said it was time for me to go into the bathhouse that night. Told him to shove the handle of his axe into his gaping scarecrow arse.''''And like that, they decided barely any food was to enter the village, and create a potential epidemic here?''Branka shrugged and nodded.''Do you have any ideas what happened in the bathhouse?'' Seyraphal suddenly asks, her back twitching unnaturally from the movements of her concealed wings. ''I was too sick to pay much attention, but even I understood guys brought women from the village in there. Why?''
''What do ya think, Sey?'' Annoyance and impatience oozed out of Branka's voice. ''Guys go fishing for pretty Mamonos lasses, dangle a handful of silver going...'' She attempted to change into a mocking masculine tone. ''... be a good girl and come along for a good night and easy pay.''She heaved a disgusted sigh you decided to imitate.''Is that what the victims said?'' Yet the usually diminutive moth didn't back down.''What the fuck else do you think happens when men believe themselves all-powerful with women!?''''Answer the damn question!'' Seyraphal screamed right back at Branka. ''If you have no proof of anything, you'll end up harming everyone here again!''Branka's muscles tensed with barely restrained aggression as she got closer to your much smaller bug-friend. Hold on one gods damned minute here.Hanabi stepped in front of the bullish warrior to stop her. Branka snorted in annoyance but thankfully controlled her temper. ''The girls consumed drugs that wrecked their memories, churning everything into a fever dream. I wasn't able to find any coherence when I peered into the victims' souls.''''...But...'' The fox sighed as she looked into Seyraphal's tenebrous eyes. ''The few women that allowed me to look did not show the bruises you'd expect from such assaults.''''Did the victims show symptoms different from coping with that trauma?'' Seyraphal curled two of her long fingers to pinch her chin.''Yes.'' Hanabi deeply furrowed her brows, reducing her red gaze to a fine line without breaking eye contact with your moth friend. ''All of them suffered enough increase in their inner corruption to make them unable to function without help.''Bull and fox exchanged a meaningful look.''We've had two recent casualties.''''Had to put 'em down myself.'' Branka bitterly murmured. ''They became hysterical without warning. Growing violent, a danger to everyone around them.''A cold chill traveled down your spine as Hanabi continued. ''Girls screamed about being pursued by something, an it they couldn't describe while hearing some kind of song.''!!!''Those bastard mercs destroyed their sanity!'' Branka growled.''You three look familiar with this phenomenon,'' Hanabi added, a strangely eerie smile settled on her pretty features.''Bishop Belmont told us about that strange illness that suddenly afflicted people in Eichenwald a while ago. Victims are still dying from this strange bout of deadly hysteria.'' Now it was the two Mamonos who looked at you in disbelief.''Twice usually is a coincidence,'' Shigeko comments softly. '' But not for this. When did the women die?''''Last week for 'em two.'' Branka mumbled.During our trance...''Perhaps we should investigate the bathhouse before people return.'' Seyraphal murmurs caused everyone to step a little closer. ''...though I'm not sure we'll find anything after the militias looked in there.''
''Augustine and Canaan will be coming here in a few hours with provisions,'' Shigeko commented. ''We could always make a big haul for the garbage tomorrow. Although... I'll admit to being confused. How could the monsters be starting to suffer from this malady now?'' >Go inspect the bathhouse. It might be a fruitless endeavor, but... It's shady! Suspicious! What in the Mother good name did the mercs do in there?>Keep to your original schedule with the ''dumping'' caravan. >Free+>Wait for Usha to wake up and test the magical wand for her diet. Go see Thibault if it doesn't work.[Y/N] (Will lead to a brief scene and decision)
>>6307673>Keep to your original schedule with the ''dumping'' caravan.Just in case we may find more to the Bathhouse than we expect, I'd be best to come back later with more of us to make a full effort in the analysis. As we now have circumstantial activities linking the Brazen Tusks, to the Outsider's presence. This really doesn't bode well considering their attempt to use Vapors on us while we were "detained".May need to find someone in the command structure and see what they have to say about the procedure, after all I doubt that these trips to the Bathhouse were entirely above board>Wait for Usha to wake up and test the magical wand for her diet. Go see Thibault if it doesn't work.Y
>>6307673>Keep to your original schedule with the ''dumping'' caravan.>Wait for Usha to wake up and test the magical wand for her diet. Go see Thibault if it doesn't work.>Y>>6307736>considering their attempt to use Vapors on us while we were "detained".yup
>>6307673>Go inspect the bathhouse. It might be a fruitless endeavor, but... It's shady! Suspicious! What in the Mother good name did the mercs do in there?>Wait for Usha to wake up and test the magical wand for her diet. Go see Thibault if it doesn't work.Yes
Up, down, up, down goes the little slime, wiggling the pink core inside her. Traveling across the thin length of your mother's arrow-wand, Usha kept herself adhesive enough to move without threatening her balance. Once the weapon started its glow of blue-purple, your little friend began to literally pump herself in a now clearly vain attempt to extract the energy inside. It made for a truly bizarre, comical sight because of her lower body being an amorphous mass of blob. Usha put a lot of effort into making her stomach pencil-thin to get more leverage.''I am not at all in favor of the idea of unleashing the lightning inside to test our newborn absorbing capability,'' Shigeko states as she gently moves the arrow in her hand, making sure Usha keeps her balance.''Agreed, should it be Holy or Corruption today?'' Seyraphal follows, carefully monitoring the little slime.''Neither.'' You extend a hand toward Usha, prompting her to crawl on your skin, making noises that sounded equally excited and frustrated. ''I'll be going to ask Thibault a favor.''''Rey...'' Your friends protest together.''I know nobody trusts him, there's plenty of bad rumors, but what I've seen myself doesn't show any of them to be true.'' One look into your Mamonos friend's eyes made it obvious they wouldn't be swayed so easily. ''Above all, I want to respect Usha's diet. Who knows what could happen if she suffers an imbalance?'' She spent an entire week feeding on Olin's soul. I cannot gamble with her sanity and health.''True.'' Seyraphal wasn't surrounded by her usual demure aura; her red and dark eyes bore a quiet resolution. ''I've been a victim of neglecting what my body needed for long stretches of time in the past, and the results were... terrible.'' She stopped, her bandaged face twisting into a bitter grimace. ''If there was another option for a mage, would you take it?''What a strange question. ''I don't think that'd change our dilemma.''Usha made a few gentle whines, you relented with keeping her secluded on your palms and let her start climbing your arm.''If the blue woman you met earlier is who I think she is... Then she is a mage of lightning.''''Sey...'' An invasion of warm empathy squeezes your heart, threatening to twist your perspective. ''...She looked very much stuck to Maria.''''I know, I know, just... deluding myself, I guess.'' Her wings begged to be let out as her back twitched unnaturally. She wouldn't do it because folding them again took a handful of minutes. ''Ultimately, Rey is the little mom.''''I'm not a mom!'' For some reason, Usha tried to imitate that last word as she bounced on your shoulder. Don't you start.''...I have no trust for that nobleman, but letting paranoia cause harm to our slimy one is even worse. I'll keep myself more vigilant after today.'' Shigeko gently ruffles your hair after delivering her judgment.
Agreeing to disagree; no underlayers of anger or bitterness poisoned this resolution between you and your friends.''Alright, I'll be quick. You two handle the caravans.''(Gently) Shoving your protesting baby friend in your bag, you exited the company of Seyraphal and Shigeko and the private room Hanabi granted your trio.--''Enter.'' Announced the young man, his voice warped by distance and wood. The plumed knight nodded to you and let you inside the now nearly empty conference room. Thibault stood alone, the big table that had been pushed away now occupying its previous place in the middle. Scrolls, books, and notes littered its surface as the young man got up from his seat.He's looking a bit tense.Having discarded his imperious coat, he didn't look uncomfortable in the increasing cold of autumn with his beige silk shirt and trousers. With a big pair of glasses on his face, his short dark hair with hints of blue gave him a studious handsomeness that...Urk. Feeling nervous. Not now, Rey.You ignored the little skip of your heart when he smiled.''Milady Rey, so glad to see you. How can I help you?''''Well...'' You want to know what he's doing, but you're not so brazen to be questioning a nobleman so casually. ''...All I ask is for you to believe what I'm about to say.''You've got his curiosity. He walks around the table to get closer to you and, in turn, you approach.''I've heard you're a mage, Mysir. Is it true?'' You stop walking, keeping a fair distance between you two.''Indeed. Look.'' The young man respects your distance and enters a sudden change. The embrace of his magical gifts shows with all the veins of his body entering a powerful glow of orange to rival the coming sunset. The pathways of magic travel across his flesh in a display of supernatural might, equally beautiful and dreary, looking more creature than man with these colorful lines of power across his flesh.''Fire is my nature.'' He continues, holding out his right hand. A thick, long jet of fire manifested on top of his skin and remained whole, crawling around his limb and across his arm without igniting anything despite the heat you could already feel radiating out of this... spell? Phenomenon? ''Unfortunately, flames rarely help for anything but destruction. What you're seeing me embrace is something magicians call Trance because these colors cause a dilution of emotions.'' His gentle smile doesn't look forced. ''But not their removal. You need my magical help?''Wowwowow. That fire snake is already gone, he's... literally radiating power, it's... yeah. Impressive.Your spine feels cold from a sudden onset of sweat as you open your bag to fetch Usha.''Yes, mysir.'' You finally answer him as your little one settles on your palm.She's gotten much bigger. Last week, you could easily fit her inside your palm; now her growth has made her blue mass hard to contain without two.
''This is...'' Thibault pinched his lips, filled with unmasked confusion.''A little slime who, through rather unusual circumstances, came into my care.''Usha did what she always does upon coming face to face with a stranger: a long, locked stare of awe.''I'm asking for your help, Mysir Thibault, because this little one can consume magic.''The total disbelief on his face is reasonable. Nothing alive should be able to simply consume such forces.Yet...''I know.'' You continue. ''You can test my words right away with a weak spell.''''I... perish the thought of doubting your sincerity, milady....'' He's looking mighty uncomfortable despite the emotional dilution of Focus.''I understand.'' You bridge the distance enough for you to bring the fascinated Usha close enough to touch. ''See for yourself.''He takes a moment to look you in the eyes, his green gaze showing the doubts he doesn't want to voice. Soon enough, he conjures a spell out of his extended index, a tiny tongue of flame with a barely perceptible heat that coils in the air with his will. Usha senses her meal and extends her hands (instead of the usual stumps) forward, emitting her cute chirping ''uwas'' that has Thibault look to you for guidance. You nod for him to continue.''She's not at all intimidated by the heat. Granted, I've done my best to limit it, but a baby should have a different reaction...'' He observes and, finally, allows his spell to inch forward, into Usha's mouth.The same phenomenon you've seen with the other forces occurs. Thibault's weak spell of fire coalesced into slimy solidity, growing a darker shade of orange as it spread into Usha's blue belly. Her pink core travels like a fish toward this newly made material and starts consuming it.''I'm feeling a strange pull...'' He whispers, observing this consumption with clinical fascination. ''...Not exactly a foreign will, more instinctive, coming from me. It-she's consuming from my reserve, Father's Eye, she really is consuming my magic...''Long minutes stretch on as you settle for the long haul. Thibault seems to forget your presence as he observes and helps Usha consume her fill. He doesn't try to increase the intensity of his spell. This bout of feeding for your little friend goes well, although she seems to consume far more than usual.''I think she's done.'' The young man says, peeling himself away from the baby slime as she crawls away from his continuous magical flame.Usha promptly enters her digestive daze, looking at nothing in particular as her core slowly but surely consumes the remnants of magic inside her belly.''Quite unbelievable, isn't it?'' You try your best not to sound awkward.''I'm still tempted to disbelieve what I've seen and experienced.'' He chuckled as he dispelled the powerful orange glow out of him, his body and veins returning to a normal organic look.
''Thank you so much for letting me into this secret. You're right to be careful; I fully believe the guild of alchemists could become... aggressively curious, perhaps even our not-so-far-away inquisitor would want to ask unpleasant questions...''The more people who know, the more dangers.The pleasant warmth in your heart ceases as you remember the cold sweat irritating your spine. Hopefully...Gods above, I need to stop feeling like I keep making mistakes by reaching out my hand in trust!''Milady, would you be willing to share everything you know about this little one?'' Thibault says gently, plucking his glasses off his face to clean them with a special cloth he extracted from his inner pocket.''Goodness, allow me to thank you for your help first.'' You don't look at his face because there's a burgeoning distracting warmth tingling inside your chest. Guilt, or...? He did say he liked me when we spoke alone last time...''We did say last week we'd help each other, no need for thanks. Knowing such a creature -no, girl- exists is a gift in itself.'' He chuckled, replacing his glasses and returning his curiosity to the silent Usha staring at nothing as she kept processing her meal. ''Don't let me keep you if you need to go, there's caravans to worry about.''This atmosphere is... kinda nice. Although being alone with a gentleman is rather...There's still a prickle of unease whispering sensations of discomfort that won't leave the back of your head.>Share with him everything you know about Usha. Sneaking inside the Earth Tree, encountering Nyct, how you were told to take care of him... You won't have time to tell him everything, but all of this information alone is more than enough.>Gift him with the knowledge that Usha also consumes Corruption and Holy before making a swift exit.>Now that your biggest worry of the day is over, excuse yourself to handle your duties.>FreeWe'll be returning to our caravan no matter what
>>6308508>FreeTell Thibault that we were instructed to tell as few people as possible about Usha best not to even imply there may be more to it, Ask that he respects the instruction we're already going out on a limb considering her diet and the City's somewhat suspicious lack of mages.Also If he had any upcoming plans that would have him leave the city or otherwise be engaged, as we shall need the opportunity to meet again in future as feeding Usha will need to be an ongoing thing.We need to make some sort of plan to tip off the Inquisitor(s) as to what we have learnt should things start going poorly
>>6308527>Also If he had any upcoming plans that would have him leave the city or otherwise be engaged, as we shall need the opportunity to meet again in future as feeding Usha will need to be an ongoing thing.He's prepping a big expedition to find the thing that killed 4 hunters. He won't be available once that starts; he's planning to depart sometime next week.
>>6308529>he's planning to depart sometime next weekSo we should probably aim to see him again before he leaves if possible, closer to his departure.
>>6308508btw OP, did something happen with our focci ?>>6308527>+1
>>6308567Nah, I just forgot to mention you are 6/7 reserves by fueling the wand. Something big like losing your Focii wouldn't be something I gloss over.
>>6308569alright, I was just confused as to why we went to thibault instead of feeding usha ourselves.
>>6308648I skipped writing the transition with exiting the room with Branka and Hanabi to isolate yourself with Sey and Shigeko and glossed over waiting for Usha to wake up and activate the wand because it'd be largely redundant, useless info that would have taken me 30 minutes to write. I figured starting with Usha failure to consume anything would be the right time jump based on the decision.
>>6308508>Share with him everything you know about Usha. Sneaking inside the Earth Tree, encountering Nyct, how you were told to take care of him... You won't have time to tell him everything, but all of this information alone is more than enough.
Closing votes, I'll try my best to post tomorrow.
Having some trouble with the creative brain to string words together, so updating will probably take me a day or two while I heal up my neurons.
''I've been instructed to let as few people as possible know about Usha... peculiarity.'' Dad, Mom, Seyraphal, Shigeko, Augustine, and that peacekeeper Ayriel are starting to make a crowd...''Her need for magic has led me to decide to trust you, Mysir Thibault.''''Indeed? Thank you.'' He makes a light bow, and his face gets a tad closer. !!! ''I'm happy to be worthy of your trust, milady. I'll resist my curiosity and avoid researching the topic of your little one... though I cannot promise resisting the allure of finding books that could be somewhat related to this topic.'' Directing his attention to Usha, he gently pokes her head, earning no reaction from the thoroughly sedated slime. ''I'll be sure to meet you again before you depart on your expedition.'' Kuuh! My heart is beating a bit too much. Stop that thumping!You gently scoop Usha off the table, feeling a very distracting tingling in your arms that somehow tingles your spine when you brush against him. ''I'll keep the militias aware of my movements. Words will spread about my expedition soon, so finding me won't be difficult. Good day and thank you, Lady Rey.'' He bows and steps back, giving you the space needed to put Usha inside your bag. I totally didn't notice she had already outgrown Dad's protective casing this morning.''The only price I ask for my help, milady Rey.'' The young mage said as you're halfway out of the door. ''Is to hear your flute again.'' The fast beating of your heart quickly settled down once you exited. You kept your bag half-open as you proceeded to exit. Usha looked to be stuck in her daze for longer than usual. I have no idea how to deal with him since he told me he liked me... And I need to understand why Augustine hates him so intensely.--An array of six large carts, one of which was fit for oxen, stood in the village square, surrounded by a small crowd of fit Mamonos volunteers putting the finishing touches on the growing caravan. Tarps and old (now ruined) blankets covered the garbage, and a handful of summer incenses quietly burned to spare everyone's collective noses with mitigated success. The buzz and cheer going on didn't fit this tasteless task, but you weren't about to begrudge the women a light celebration. A small ritual for better things to come.Shigeko waved to you as she manned the biggest cart; nobody else had the mettle to push something of this size. Mother's Mercy, she's confident to do it by herself? Seyraphal and Hanabi looked in the middle of a serious discussion.
''Good lady.'' A man older than your father, garbed in the militia's equipment, made himself known. His taut body hadn't shed its youthful vigor quite yet. ''My squad.'' He gestured with his chin to his four compatriots. ''Will help you with this caravan today and show you the way, people will understand not to give a group of Mamonos outside the village any trouble by tomorrow.'' ''Thank you, sir.'' He walked off, and for a moment, you enjoyed a rare moment of peace by yourself in the square; all the brouhaha went right into your soul, giving you a sense of tingling excitement. Some church scholars believe music to be the language of emotions. I think this noise is the sound of growing happiness.Clomping feet awkwardly trying to be quiet carried an obvious presence. ''Hey.'' Branka greeted, then pointed to your wobbly bag. ''I think your little one is up.'' Indeed, she is. Usha wasn't making a mess of your things, but she clearly wanted out of the suffocation; you pulled her out and, upon seeing Branka, she went back to her staring wonderment. Not a difficult kid.''I'll be staying here, your mother is coming back with stuff right?'' She awkwardly dragged one equine foot on the ground while her tail slapped sideways. ''I'm really grateful for what you're doing, just...'' Her pauses grew long as her unnatural orange gaze sought words that struggled to surface. ''... Surplus of Corruptions stimulates emotions and instincts; makes it all too difficult to remain calm.'' The only thing that makes her different from mankind is this natural drug. Having to nearly break your neck to look up to her makes it hard to level your voice. ''A weakness I gotta handle.'' Muttered the large woman, perhaps not intended for your ears. ''People can feel there's a tomorrow again...'' ''But?'' How strange. Usually, people of her build -species- always intimidated you, yet here you stood well outside your parents and your friends protective reaches without feeling a hint of coldness on your back.''Future's closed.'' Whispered the minotaur, this time looking you right in the eyes. ''All the Corruption in the women needs to go; we might not even last the winter. I know the Demon Lord found an exorcism that doesn't force us to kill our own people, but...'' Branka waved toward the large settlement around her. ''...would the humans even allow that? Perhaps an entire month of hard work would allow Shigeko and Hanabi to -maybe- cure half the people here. Would the nobles or the mercs allow that? I kept quiet about this cure cause it'll shatter hopes.''''Branka...'' Words fail you. What can you say here? It's normal for a leader to keep their eyes on the future, and indeed, the only viable option is a sacrifice. For the entire community to participate in the murder of their own. Everyone shares the guilt; mothers cannot spare their daughters this ugly truth. Monsters aren't blameless, but piling sufferings isn't the answer!
Branka looked at you in confusion when you grabbed her hand. You needed both of yours to cover her palm. ''As you've seen from today: I will never abandon your community.'' Being honest is all I can do. You don't quite know how to describe Branka's expression. Disbelief? Awe? Surprise? Her mouth is half open, her breathing strong enough to gently blow onto your face as her orange eyes twinkled with energy. It's rather cute.''Rey.'' Hanabi's sudden appearance nearly made you jump into the minotaur's arms. ''We're ready to go, I'll tag along.'' She added, with a broad enough smile you had to delude yourself into believing it wasn't mocking.--Traveling with a caravan proved to be an experience. Eichenwald split into two main thoroughfares wide enough to accommodate two hand-drawn caravans side by side, but you quickly learned it was wiser to keep your company in a single file due to the crowd of people constantly in the way. Monsters outside the village made for a rare sight. Thankfully, the militia's men were expert at managing people, and the pointed end of their halberds parted the people like sharp rocks on the beaches. It remained a constant, irritating busywork. I'll need to find big sticks for my escort tomorrow.Your destination was an unpleasant dumping ground in the southwestern part of the city with a noticeable stone structure garrisoned by a handful of boarheads who made no effort to acknowledge your sizeable group's existence. It wasn't a mini-fort despite being reinforced like one, but an important piece of alchemical infrastructure. The place where energy cubes were molded into shapes via a process you haven't exactly learned, only that charcoal, wood, and even garbage could be processed into those items that power your expensive modern home. Unfortunately, the results were usually transported out, toward the capital, instead of resold at a good price back into the city; modernity remained the privilege of blue bloods or the lucky few like your family.The smell wasn't pleasant either. At least Usha looks fine. Your not-so-little blob kept herself balanced on your head, somehow obsessed with pumping herself up and down today as she observed the Mamonos start the thankless task of unloading the big carts, with Shigeko handling the heaviest pieces.''Hey.'' Hanabi walked next to you, large bushy tail announcing her presence with a few sways. You caught a glimpse of Seyraphal chasing a rat further behind her. ''Whatcha think about Branka?'' Her sudden informality caught you off guard. ''Hm... I think the worst of her personality is dominating now because of her Corruption.''
The little (equally tall as you) fox stopped next to you, forcing you to swallow the unexplainably strong urge to pet her fluffy tail or ears. ''She's been a bad leader for a long while.'' The wiggling Usha on your head attracted Hanabi's red gaze more than your eyes. ''Greedy and prideful, but I think last week finally beat some sense into her.''''That's...'' Isn't she supposed to be supporting her friend?''I'm on her side, don't you worry. I happen to have a crush on truth.'' You heard her take in a big breath, then groan in displeasure from the smell. ''Truth is, she needed humility beaten into her and, in all honesty, your coming couldn't have had a better timing.''''We've been preppin' for the worst scenario.'' Hanabi casually continued. ''Branka was going to start a riot, and I'd take as many of the moms who can move with their kids outta here.''''That is not at all planning for success.'' You tore your eyes away from watching your moth friend talk with the rat she caught to look at the fox beside you. Her expression bore no empathy, no hesitation; calm resolution. ''I expected to make it out with only six out of the twenty-five people I planned to escape with. Power and strength.'' She looked at her extended hand. ''Doesn't mean shit when you gotta help anybody but yourself.'' And formed a claw with her fingers. Goodness, quite the difference between honest and public faces.''You'd consider yourself strong, Lady Hanabi?''''Yup.'' No arrogance in her voice or attitude, those rather beautiful red eyes of hers looked at you with the certainty of someone announcing the sky being blue. ''You've given the people the time they need to survive, all I need now is to find a way for them to live... and I can't do it alone.'' Bloody hells. Hypersensitive Leylines, two sprouts of the Elemental Tree of Earth growing in close proximity, pearls of Earth being formed in bigger quantities, and some of them are missing. A strange epidemic made 100 people comatose. Mamonos are showing similar symptoms after being abused by the mercenaries; now the Mamonos won't live past the winter because of their collective corruption. A completely unknown Outsider hypnotised my family for a week. My soul was put inside my mother's pregnant body by my dear goddess, my dreams are tied to Usha, and...and...Too. Damn. Much.Usha's scared whining stopped you from completely rubbing your face with your hands; poor girl was about to lose her balance. ''Eichenwald sure is a strange city.'' Hanabi continued after looking at you for a moment. ''That strange event that put people asleep should have had a squad of spirit healers coming here yet, zip.''
''We'll have to do what we can.'' Usha moved around your head, and when you took her, she extended her tiny arms toward Hanabi. The Fluff allowed your slime to settle on her head between her large fluffy ears. Usha pink core morphed into a heart when the kitsune's black ears squished her. ''Cutie'' whispered the fox.Your caravan was nearly done unpacking, so you decided to give your people a break; dusk had barely started. ''You know the legend of Lady White, Rey?'' Asked the wise woman.''Only what people say to keep children in their room. An all-powerful witch living in the Cursed Swamp, surrounded by Outsiders, and she eats people.'' You cleared your throat and refreshed it with your flask. ''I did hear that, apparently, the Demon Lord herself is in northern Kreszenz now, allied with the rangers to find and kill her.'' It had been the big, big news in all taverns when your family was journeying here.''Aye, aye. It's apparently possible to call to her if you do a proper blood ritual.'' You didn't like the way Hanabi smiled: wide, mean, cruel. ''If she finds your story interesting, then your fate is rewritten.''''Fate...I don't think it's a string.'' ''Fates strings'' is a philosophy in the Allied Kingdoms. A person's fate is a piece of string: one may shape it into a square, a triangle, make knots from beginning to end, it matters not: there is a beginning, and an end. It's why Mother Earth can craft her benevolent coincidences to tie one or more fates together.''Well, that bitch only likes to make playgrounds and see what happens afterward.'' Despite the squished slime in a trance of bliss on top of her head, you felt a dangerous chill of dread as Hanabi stared at you with unblinking red eyes. ''And now I know her people are here. A native here must have attracted her attention.''''How do you...?''''Today you met with one woman called Maria, yeah?'' Hanabi's tail swished excitedly behind her. ''Tall, lanky bitch who looked to have spent too much time on the beach? And a cute blueberry?''''I-I wouldn't exactly describe them like this...''''Eeehehehehe.'' The fluffy woman's entire body shook with excitement. ''Must have been two months now, maybe more. Someone attacked the Demon Lord's inner fortress, a college of learning for young and older Mamonos. Exorcists to excise Corruptions without killing anybody are formed there and someone decided to attack it.''''That someone being Maria? Impossible, the Brazen Tusks are fairly large but nowhere near capable enough to accomplish something so...'' The energy in your voice quieted down the more you talked as the wise fluff shook her head gently to avoid disturbing Usha. ''She's a vampire called Jena Javed.'' Hanabi licked her lips, her tongue having somehow grown longer and thicker. ''And that blueberry might just be the only person in this entire fucking town you can trust.''
''Are you...'' Your voice dropped to a whisper as you got closer. Usha began to whine, wanting to be back in your arms, you scooped her back without trouble. ''...An agent of the Demon Lord?''''Sometimes,'' Hanabi answered straight away, her grin wide, almost mocking. ''I'm a really shitty liar, so I don't bother trying. Daiyu's a good gal. Smart, too.'' Daiyu?''Which is why I'm really confused.'' She continued, angling her face downward, and all cheer evaporated out of her face and tone. ''Eichenwald is a nice new city, the Allied Kingdoms' living statement that there's a future. Mamonos are treated like shit, a strange disease has plenty of humans comatoses, and there's likely more weirdness going on.'' ''Her succubine majesty should have sent more infiltrators here.'' She continued, wrapping her arms under her modest bust, eyes not on you, but Usha. ''A gods damned Inquisitor oughta be here cause of that disease fiasco, your father should have been in the know about everything the moment he stepped here as a Cleric-of-the-Path. Yet, crickets.''You let Usha rest on your shoulder as she began staring at a pair of Mamonos lifting some of the heavier garbage around. ''Give me the impression we're being forgotten.'' !? Ugh! My head hurt, too much thinking.''I've said a lot of stuff, none of it is garbage, but I can't demand ya trust me.'' Hanabi let out a long, weary sigh. She began to mime the form of a square. ''I'm telling ya all this cause I feel trapped in a box, can't get the bigger picture.'' She loudly clapped her hands together. ''My instincts are startin' to whisper to me the walls are closing, so I've decided to save what little lives I can.'' Is this another one of Mother Earth's little faiths? This fox, this Kitsune is beyond strange and suspicious... But I also met with one of the Good Mother daughters. I shouldn't assume strange encounters will stop.''We've got six Mamonos who really, really need a quick exorcist, otherwise they probably won't last till next week.'' Hanabi spoke without keeping her eyes off the ground. Fatigue seemed to have wrapped around her. She looks ready to give up.''Me and Shigeko could at least give em more time if we bring em outta the village for our cure.'' ''That's... not unreasonable. My house is fairly secluded, so nobody would bother us, if you prepare on your end, we could do it tomorrow.'' ''Thanks, Rey. You're a sweet one.'' Hanabi clapped her cheek, loudly breathed in, and regained her mischievous smile. ''Let's return, yeah?''>Invite her into your home today. What Hanabi may or may not be doesn't matter; you can't rely on the human side of Eichenwald alone to elucidate the mysteries here.>You'll keep this fox at an arm's length. Everything she said is...Mother's Mercy, you have another important discussion your family tonight. >Freehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZWd_7Ud-Lc&ab_channel=EroSennin
I'll be making a compilation of all the mysteries and answers we get once the thread ends so don't feel pressured if you guys feel like you've forgotten something. Tight now, the most important is who to trust... and who we've trusted so far... Because the stuff you've learned really is important.
>>6310191>Invite her into your home today. What Hanabi may or may not be doesn't matter; you can't rely on the human side of Eichenwald alone to elucidate the mysteries here.Mention the "raised" Mamono and the attack on our house, she might know them personally; or be able to narrow down their identity. It'd be odd if she can't but I doubt that indentured "servants" aren't a thing so its not as if the entire population would be contained within the slum. And if someone is targeting the Queen's Agents she might need to ensure that a lower profile is kept.We may well need to go back to Belmont to renegotiate the terms of the deal; things are expanding far too rapidly And we simply need more manpower The easiest way would be to get help from the Church.
>>6310191>You'll keep this fox at an arm's length. Everything she said is...Mother's Mercy, you have another important discussion your family tonight.zam, she's an important actor and now we have a clue as to why the tusks were doing shit here
I'll close votes at around 5 pm today
I'm too tired to write today, so I'll extend voting until tomorrow morning.
>>6310191>>You'll keep this fox at an arm's length. Everything she said is...Mother's Mercy, you have another important discussion your family tonight.
