ANTON PEAS: lover, fighter, Divine Champion AND limbo enthusiast… at your service! It’s become a long, winding road ever since a botched devil-summoning ritual brought you to ZORAL: a fantasy world shrouded in everlasting darkness, but, well… you’re getting the hang of things!That’s not to say it’s been smooth sailing, of course. Dueling with demigods? Been there! Dealing with devils? Done that! Skirmishing with siegers? Still a work in progress! Oh, and your memory’s been fuzzier than your new Bardy beau ever since you arrived!The cure? Putting Zoral’s FOUR LORDS on ice, apparently–and if you think they aren’t just called that because it sounds catchy, well, you sure ain’t whistlin’ Dixie! Nevertheless, the lords must fall if you want to regain your memories… and, y’know, save the world. Maybe. See, the last one you mulched, ARCHMAGE TRIER? Seems he made a deal with someone, or someTHING, to seal away KNODD: the Earthmother and god of land. Once you wasted the wizard? Boom–DIVINE POWERS!Before you could really bask in all the status and glory your new DIVINE CHAMPION title offers, you found yourself smack-dab in the middle of yet another crisis: a two-sided siege on CROSSROADS: Zoral’s main trade hub and conveniently where a lot of your new pals call home! Beset on all sides by Skog Marauders and fearsome Fuuxi, you somehow managed to break both belligerents with some help from your friends–new AND old–a handful of local militia members, and a heaping handful of luck!With the appetizer finished, the main course remains… accompanied by a strike team including TZAH-TZIE: plucky performer and your sneaky sweetheart, MOROOK: reliable ranger and your pal Volka’s half-brother, and a mysterious strike team hand-picked by VOLKIR: curmudgeonly commander of the clandestine STAR-CLOAK cabal, all that remains is to stealthily sortie to the sinister Skog Siege camp in the swamps… Your mission? Disable their magic-suppression devices and eliminate their charismatic commander: BREAKER TAA’JHAA!It’s been some time, but you can’t afford to get rusty… borne upon steam-propelled wings, THIS is where your story continues…https://youtu.be/1lR8VLt1Xlk
>>6473769Load up and tuck in… it’s DARK QUEST! Didja’ miss us? Yea, well… we’re back anyways! Deal with it!>Archive link to catch up with the last thread:https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Dark%20Quest>Pastebin for INVENTORY, SKILLS, and MORE:https://pastebin.com/xdk5kHyA>Character and Other Info compiled by everyone’s favorite Spinner…https://pastebin.com/YKhP6xCtRolls are handled by a 1(or more)d100--I take the BEST OF THREE ROLLS! 1’s are CRITFAILS while 100’s are CRITSUCCESSES! Certain boosts and maluses will be applied based on the situation and existing skills.PLEASE ONLY 1 VOTE/ROLL PER PLAYER! If it’s exceptionally slow I’ll ask for people to roll again!BAD LUCK BALATRO: Every day you get ONE reroll on a LUCK-BASED ROLL (Bluffing, Acrobatics, Dodging... situations where BAD LUCK would make sense!) I will provide the prompt when appropriate!Describing your actions, write-ins, and GENERAL CREATIVITY are all APPRECIATED AND REWARDED--we like to keep things LIGHT and CHILL here, so come on in and have some fun! FAN ART, THEORIES, AND CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK ARE ALL VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!DISCLAIMER: THIS QUEST IS DARK. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
>>6473771The airship’s upper deck is dark as always–its polished wooden floor slick and crunchy from the ongoing blizzard strangling the skies around you. The flakes sting your cheeks as you stare off into the inky abyss… but you don’t bother wiping any off.Victories in CROSSROADS aside, you suspect you’ll need every ounce of ability you have to pull this magic trick off… far tougher than tugging a rabbit out of a hat, at any rate. In times like these, you think to yourself as Joji’s Starcutter soars through the storm with steam-engines on full-blast, sometimes you just need a moment or three to yourself……but only a moment. You don’t wanna be antisocial! Not to mention it’s COLD out here, man! And wet!As you move to go back inside, you just barely manage to hear the telltale sound of boots climbing up the ramp onto the deck over the roaring winds around you… guess you’re not leaving yet!Who do the boots belong to? Pick 1 or more (within reason pureezu : c)>Tzah-Tzie! Your favorite fuzzball!>Morook! Taciturn, but reliable as always!>One of those Irregulars Volkir sent with you! (Who?)>... No one? You feel a familiar feeling in your skull, though… RED…>Wait, no… it’s your SENDING STONE! Volkir must want to brief you. AGAIN.>Write-In!
FIVETHOUSANDYEARSDARKQUEST>>6473773>... No one? You feel a familiar feeling in your skull, though… RED…DIAL RED FOR DEAD
Thank fucking God, we're BACK! >>6473773>... No one? You feel a familiar feeling in your skull, though… RED… I wanna talk to the Irregulars too, but I think as a group.
WE ARE SO BACK DARK QUESTIES (darkies for short)>>6473773>>... No one? You feel a familiar feeling in your skull, though… RED…no good thread starts without RED
>>6473787>>6473813>>6473851Good to BE back, holy shit. Feels like ages--we'll see if I can shake the dust off a lil. Sorry for the wait!>REDWRITIIIINGGGG, MIGHT BE A WHIIIILEEE AAAIIEEE
You bristle at the familiar sensation akin to someone shady taking a seat next to you on a park bench heralded by the distant scent of rotting meat and sweet, Southern woodfire BBQ.”Anton…” RED purrs in his grizzled, raspy tone, ”Can ya’ smell it?”What, him? Yea, but… y’know, you’ve been out in this snow for a little bit and you’re getting kinda dry and cloggy-”Not that…” He interjects before borrowing your nose for a long, exultant whiff, ”THAT.” … Yea, he’s really gonna have to help you out with this one…”Oh fer’ Pete’s sake… here.”A moment passes before you feel a mote of unearthly energy spread across your body like spiderweb strands straight out of the oven! The ensuing heat flooding your features is sudden… but not unwelcome! Errr, thanks?”Wouldn’t wanna give up an early ghost because someone caught ya’ shivering, now would we?” Snorts the demon’s disembodied voice. ”Not before our deal’s met, in any case.”Right, you huff, THE LORDS. You’re workin’ on it, okay?!”Wasn’t criticizin’, son… no, I’m actually rather tickled by these ‘siegenanigans’, actually!”… Nice one.”It was, wasn’t it? Now where were we…?”… The smell, you mutter, stretching your arms as the blizzard fails to bother you. He’s talking about CROSSROADS, isn’t he? And that whole ‘change’ pipedream he was ranting about earlier…”It’s only a pipedream, pard, til’ it AIN’T.” RED replies in a matter-of-fact tone! ”And what’s wrong with a little dreaming here an’ there, hmm?”He made it sound like you should take over, you retort as you meander back over to the deck guard rail, that sounds… a bit wrong. Doesn’t sound very nice, at any rate!”Like I was ‘ranting’ before, Anton, this is an OPPORTUNITY slapping you in the face!” Continues the fiend with renewed vim in his incorporeal voice! ”The whole town’s held together by some crusty old coot, a smug Choir Boy, and an insecure Guard Captain! Oh, and those ‘candidates’ happily watching from the wings while you do all the dirty work, can’t forget them!”Yea, but like, you stammer, not expecting yet ANOTHER political debate today, that’s… that’s government, isn’t it? You’ve got enough on your plate without throwing your hat into… however they choose the next leader!”The train, my friend, is rolling into the station–and if you don’t hop aboard, someone else will!” RED chides like a nagging parent! ”... I just want what’s best for you and yours, y’know? Think of how much easier it’ll be to liquidate those LORDS with a CITY-STATE at your command! Think of all the perks! The prestige!”The problems.>CONTD.
>>6474014”Since when have THOSE got in your way, hmm? Barely even a week in this plane and you’re besties with The Gods! And let’s not forget how you handled a Wizard the most advanced settlement in the realm couldn’t manage! You really shouldn’t sell yourself short, Tex!”You’re not exactly ‘ruler’ material, okay? He’s starting to sound like those RAELO FOLLOWERS or whatever–THE LEGION OF SPARKING TOMORROW or whatever the hell they called themselves…”Hey, don’t talk about my best pal Anton like that!” RED laughs! ”And don’t worry about those jumped-up Zealots–’the enemy of my enemy is my friend’, right?”They seemed pretty organized to you! They even helped Volka and the others when you were clearing out that Fuuxi tunnel! How do they factor into his little election scheme, huh?”They don’t. Not yet.” Answers the Archdevil. “Look, stick to the cards yer’ dealt, yea? And don’t get all squeamish when it’s time ta’ ante up a little! We’ve got a hot hand, you and I!”… Sure. RED seems to be in a chatty mood… is there anything you wanna bring up while he’s ‘here’? You get the feeling those magic-suppression devices might mess with his ‘signal’ soon.>Any tips on what to do with Breaker Taa’jhaa?>You’re gonna be operating without magic–ideas?>Where’s LIZ in all this? He hasn’t said a word about her in a while!>What are his thoughts on those RAELO FOLLOWERS? And that BURROWER CULT?>Why is he so adamant about this TAKEOVER PLAN? What’s wrong with the current leaders?>What’s he think about the folks you brought along for this mission?>Any other HELP he can provide?>Right, you need to focus. Bye for now, RED.>WRITE-IN!
>>6474015>You’re gonna be operating without magic–ideas?>What’s he think about the folks you brought along for this mission?
>>6474015>You’re gonna be operating without magic–ideas?>What’s he think about the folks you brought along for this mission?>Where’s LIZ in all this? He hasn’t said a word about her in a while!ZE LIZ ZIL EZ
>>6474015>You’re gonna be operating without magic–ideas?>What are his thoughts on those RAELO FOLLOWERS? And that BURROWER CULT?>What’s he think about the folks you brought along for this mission?
How long HAS it been since we've seen Lizz anyways? In game like maybe a few days, I think, but at least a thread? Maybe two?
>>6474133She's probably fine, anon :^)
>>6474015>Any tips on what to do with Breaker Taa’jhaa?>You’re gonna be operating without magic–ideas?>Why is he so adamant about this TAKEOVER PLAN? What’s wrong with the current leaders?
>>6474019>>6474057>>6474105>>6474151THE TALLY:>NON-MAGIC IDEAS: 4>THE FOLKS I BROUGHT: 3>LIZ: 1>RAELO AND BURROWER: 1>TAA'JHAA: 1>TAKEOVER: 1Looks like non-magical warfare and our stalwart crew win it! Writing--got shit going on today so expect a few delays!
You know better than to entertain RED’S fantasies, political or otherwise–the guy had plans, clearly, and you know better than anyone that he’d lay ‘em out for ya’ when he was good and ready… and not a moment before.Your mind drifts onwards to Liz–you still couldn’t believe your ex had followed you into Zoral… and who could blame you? Based on the few memories you’d recovered, the two of you hadn’t exactly parted ways on the best of terms… So why? Why was she here?… She hadn’t answered that message you had RED pass along. That means she was either busy, still pissed-off, or both. Having known her as intimately as you did, you’d be a fool not to imagine it wasn’t all of the above!”Heh! She IS a spitfire, ain’t she?” Remarks the voice in your skull with mild bemusement! ”But you’re all tangled up with that singer, ain’tcha, pard? In more ways than one, you sly dog, you…”And there he goes getting all creepy about TT again. Creature of habit, this one. Say, you mutter, desperate to change the subject, he’s got a tactical eye–what’s his take on the folks you brought along?”Oh, you know exactly how I feel about your lil’ ‘gal-pal’, Ant…” The Archdevil cackles, ”But don’t you worry–I ain’t in the habit of stealin’ past flames while they’re still present, y’feel me? ‘Sides, I’m already taken, remember?”You’re SO relieved to hear that, you mutter as the Devil lets loose another loud, raspy laugh, but that wasn’t what you asked and he knows it!”Right, right… the mission.”Yea, that, you snort. Thoughts?”Not a bad lineup by any means…” He muses like a teacher checking your work, ”But not the best, if ya’ don’t mind my sayin’ so.”You’d be lying if that didn’t sting you a little. How so?”If yer’ aiming ta’ be sneaky, well… you’re all set.” RED remarks with a touch of approval seeping into his tone, ”But if you get caught? Especially before you take down those Magic-Jammers? You’ll be sweatin’ harder than a sheep at a coyote convention, pard.”He wasn’t completely wrong–Tzah-Tzie and Morook could hold themselves in a scrap–you’d seen it more times than you cared to count–and while you didn’t bring Toppel or Oti due to their reliance on magic, you’d be lying if you said you wouldn’t appreciate Volka, Rezalith, or even JOHNNY at your side on this one! They, along with the rest of your crew, were stuck tunneling under the Skog Base courtesy of the latter’s Landshaping proficiency. Still, a good blade never hurts!”And them other folks? The ones the ole’ fart foisted on ya?”What about ‘em? You spoke briefly with a few before you departed along with their Captain… they seemed pretty versatile to you if nothing else!>CONTD.
>>6474422”Did you, now.”Yes, you groan, you shook hands, okay? Or… claws! They had weapons, magic, silly little character quirks-”Any clue what the Mage/Warrior ratio is? They gonna stick with you on this mission, or do you want ‘em running interference?” The Archdevil pauses. ”... You even know their names?”… You… you were just gonna call ‘em, you know, ‘Bud’ or ‘Pal’ or something! It’s… all that isn’t necessary, right?The stare you feel pressing into your psyche tells you that yes, it very much might be! A weary sigh slips free from your lips. You… should probably go do that, huh? Soon.”You don’t gotta’ take ‘em out to a dinner and a rodeo, Tex,” RED sniggers, ”But you might wanna know what their plan is when those Magic-Jammers, well… jam their magic, right?”C’mon, you scoff with a good-natured smile, does he REALLY think the lion’s share of them focus solely on MAGIC? That’d be silly!”... Just trust me on this, kid. I know my way around… managerial strategizin’.”… Yea. Sure. So, you continue, these Jammers–any idea on how to work around them?”... Break ‘em?”… Okay, but what if you CAN’T?”Good thing about my lil’ gift? It ain’t magic magic. Well… not pure, anywho.” RED explains as you pace around the deck. ”Your powers’ll still work–got no doubt in my mind about that–but they’ll be weaker, I’d reckon. Less oomph, y’know?” He pauses. ”Same deal with those DIVINE powers you snatched up, most like… if it were me, I’d tackle those jammers first–just, y’know… be ready for whatever comes next.”What, like those SHAMAN of theirs?”Nah, nah… you heard it from them yerself, didn’t’cha? Skog magic is different from yer’ run-o-the-mill magic too.”… This magic stuff is giving you a headache.”Ah, don’t hurt yourself thinkin’ about it! Just follow the… emptiness? Yea, emptiness…” RED handily instructs, ”That oughta’ take you to the Jammers. An’ remember: ya’ only gotta take a few down–definitely the ones near that Breaker Bigwig. I’ll help out any which way I can, no sweat!”Like he did with Trier?”Are you STILL sore about that? C’mon, Ant, the guy had his soul divvied up into a hundred pieces! I ain’t clairvoyant, for cripes’ sakes!”You just wanna know how he intends to help you so that you can tune your expectations accordingly, is all.>CONTD.
>>6474423”Y’know, pard, all that negativity’ll kill ya.”Not if his ‘help’ does first, you fire back! Or lack thereof!”Fine, fine… when ya’ got a point, ya’ got a point…” RED answers with a wistful sigh, ”But this time I mean it. Trust me–you’ll love it.”You doubt that, but you don’t bother pressing the issue any further. As if on-cue, you feel your COMMUNICATOR GIZMO crackle in your robe pocket once… then twice! The signal your pilot and Tech Whiz Joji cooked up for when it was time to get ready for the mission!”OPE! No rest for the wicked, huh, Tex?” RED snickers as you turn to leave the deck! He’d know, wouldn’t he? Another round of boisterous laughter rocks the inside of your skull!”HA! True! TRUE! By golly do I love these chats of ours, Ant… it’s gonna be one Hell of a time once we getcha’ down here permanently! Maybe get Rezzie ta’ come back… coax your gal-pal down… bring Liz in for a visit too… one hell of a family, huh?”No thanks, BRO.”Right, right, nose to the grindstone… Can't blame a guy for yearnin’, right?” RED sighs. ”Run along then, you rascal–oh, and try what I mentioned earlier with those newbies, yea? Ya’ ain’t gonna regret it!”You don’t bother responding as you descend from the Upper Deck down into the Airship’s innards via the ramp. RED was a crafty one, sure, but he was on your side for now… and as much as you hate to admit it, he DOES have a good idea from time to ti-ACK!Rounding the corner on the way down, you nearly bump into…>Tzah-Tzie! That darn Bard babe!>Morook! Was he just… waiting here?>One of those Irregulars Volkir sent with you! (Who? Or RANDOM?)>That stern Gnok lady that came with the Irregulars… Captain Ilya, you think?>Joji the Pilot! Wait, who’s FLYING, then!?>A wall! There’s no one to walk you over to the others here, but watch your damned step, idiot!>Write-In!Sorry, all--day got away from me! For the newbies: I'll usually post some pics, but as mentioned above things got wacky today. Next time, maybe!
>>6474425>One of those Irregulars Volkir sent with you! (RANDOM)
>>6474425>One of those Irregulars Volkir sent with you! (RANDOM)Dealer's choice, but maybe somebody gregarious enough to take us over to meet the rest of them for a quick mission brief.
>>6474425>One of those Irregulars Volkir sent with you! (Who? Or RANDOM?)Any of them. A shame I missed that whole sequence. It seemed pretty fun!It’s taken me countless eons, but I finally caught up. The only thing I’ll note is that we never gave Volka the speakstone Lutza gave us for her. But that kind of stopped mattering now that she knows Lutza in person.
>>6474425>That stern Gnok lady that came with the Irregulars… Captain Ilya, you think?She'll definitely know all of the Irregulars... I would have voted for MY character but it feels a little arrogant!
>>6474448>>6474466>>6474472>IRREGULARS>>6474536>CAP'N!You fools. You simpletons. You proles. You actually let ME DECIDE! ... Oh, this is gonna be one of those 'golly gee, I hope he picks MY character and shows how much he liiiikes them' moments, isn't it? Sneaky bastards. Anyways, writing.>>6474472So glad you made the journey! Sorry for all the shit you had to wade through--hopefully the new stuff will make up for it.Oh, and me totally forgetting a plot point? Ha! Never happens! (it does. A lot. Sorry)
You know those times where your foot doesn’t really catch on anything, per-se, but you still overcorrect and stumble a bit?Yea, well, the situation that unfurls as you round the corner is NOTHING like that. You catch a glimpse of two weary-looking yellow eyes just about at your trunk level just in time to plow straight into their squat owner and topple over like a poorly-placed mop! “Oh no…” Mutters a low, nasally voice as you roll down the remainder of the ramp like an apple dropped from a kitchen counter, “Watch out…”Too little, too late! Fortunately your frankly embarrassing ‘evasive maneuver’ is cut short when you slam into something… or rather someONE waiting at the base of the ramp!“Oh! Have a nice trip? Ehehehe~”Wincing through the pain, you look up and find six baby-blue eyes peering down at you with fresh amusement!“Sorry… let me help you…”Sensing a helping hand extended above you, you reach out and clasp your mitts around a gnarled, raptor-like talon…“Strange claw…” Mutters the Mzz’goe’virr as she hoists you up with a reassuring smile! “You’re him, right? DIVINE CHAMPION PEAS?”Err, y-yea, you mutter, still dazed from your swift descent, and she is? The woman’s already-wide eyes expand even wider!“Oh, right, I’d nearly forgotten! Just call me RENNY, sir! Reporting for duty and all that… did you happen to see-”“WATCH… OUUUUUTTT!!!!”The yellow-eyed roadblock you’d barely avoided above comes lumbering down a few minutes later–the Mox clearly not suited to feats of speed. “HE’S… COMI- Oh.”“Just missed him, Xuon.” Renny mutters with an apologetic grin. “Careful around him, Champion–Xu is slow, but once he arrives? Watch out!”“Who’re we watching out for?” Purrs a sultry voice belonging to a Maroon-eyed Gnok peering around the corner. “... Oh. So this is him, hmm?”Yea, hi, you mutter as you brush the soot from your robes and smile at the newcomer, Anton Peas. Charmed!“The Champion!” Repeats The Gnok with a half-lidded, but very intrigued stare, “Enchante~”>CONTD.
>>6474620The way the newcomer stares at you sends a not-unpleasant shiver down your spine, but you buckle it up when you remember TT’s skulking about somewhere…“Easy, Terrii…” Chides Renny, clearly used to being a goalkeeper, “Err, this is Terrii, Champion. A powerful fighter with a passion for f-”“Fashion, yes…” Terrii interjects in a velvety tone. “I could smell that robe of yours across the ship, Champion. T’iistrari Weave, yes? A fine product.”Yea, well, you chuckle, your tuxedo’s in the shop! Err, the tailor’s! The tailor’s shop!“Is that right?” Terrii remarks. “It’s refreshing to stumble across someone with an eye for finer things… and a planejumper, no less!”“He’ll probably leave the first chance he gets…” Sighs Xuon as his big yellow eyes fall floorward. “... It’s what I’d d-”“Hoo-HOO! If we do what YOU do, Xu, it’ll never ensue!”The laugh coupled with the jangle of bells sends you violently reeling away as ANOTHER Mzz’goe’virr cartwheels down the corridor! Is… is he a-“This is Rinkle…” Terrii announces with a bemused smirk as the Mzz’goe’virr drops into a low, dramatic bow at your feet! “Good sir, hello, my fine fellow!”“He’s… an entertainer…” Renny adds with a sheepish grimace, “... Among other things.”“Aye, and none of them very good!” Cackles the clown! “But not very bad, either, and that’s better than most! HOO-HO-OOUGH!”Rising into the air like a lost balloon, RINKLE barely gets a panicked ‘HOO’ out before he’s SLAMMED into the metal wall with a resounding ‘CLANG!’“Quite enough of that, thanks.” Mutters a steely-eyed Gnok woman as she drops the Jester at her side. “Champion Peas–are you prepared to discuss our Battle Plan?”… Sorry, you smile, it’s… she reminds you of someon-“Captain Ilga, Ser, and yes, Irya is my sister.” She interjects as she slams a gauntlet against her armored chest in a salute honed over what you can only assume are years of practice! Oh, you blink, is… is that right?“It is. And irrelevant.” She curtly replies as Terrii watches her with quiet admiration etched into her gaze. “My skills are forged wholly of my own sweat and blood, Ser, and this team of mine is second to none, I’m pleased to assure you.”The Irregulars smile at that–even Xuon seems to perk up somewhat. Yea, you nod, you uh… you met a few of them earlier…“Ah, yes… Angkis, Wally, Beats and Huxxer.” The Captain recites with an approving nod. “Forgive their informalities, Ser–what they lack in etiquette and discipline they make up for in ability, I assure you. You’ll find the remainder of the team as well as your colleagues in the…” She pauses mid-speech as if finding the next word distasteful, “... ‘Rec Deck.’ Shall we?”
>>6474622Shall you? Anything you’d like to ask The Captain? Or the others?>Does she have any strategies she’d be willing to share?>How long has she been… Bellcountering anyways?>What do they know about SKOG WARFARE?>You have a question about (Who?)>Any word from the other team yet? The Tunnel Team?>Write-In!>Nope, let’s roll!
>>6474622>What do they know about SKOG WARFARE?WAR.WAR IS WHAT MAKES A MAN.
>>6474623>Write-in >I hand-picked TT and Morook to stick by my side for the mission. You've already been in the trenches with this crew, so I am going to trust you to decide how they'll be split up during the assault - and I'm sure you already know that anyone reliant on magic will be at a handicap until we hit the jammers. Can you tell me which of them that is, and what you advise for deploying everyone?
>>6474623>Does Ilga have a recommendation for an attack plan?Ideally, the heavy hitters and melee-focused ones would go first, one or two to each group assuming we split, to act as screening for the rest to get in and disable the jammers—I would think anyway. Magic will be next to useless while those are still in play.
>>6474623>Does she have any strategies she’d be willing to share?Glad to see everyone's back!
>>6474628>SKOG WARFAAARREE>>6474635>DEPLOYMENT ADVICE>>6474638>ATTACK PLAN>>6474659>STRATZFuck it we'll ball 'em all up. Writing in a bit!
You shall, you say as the rogue’s gallery gathered around you gets moving, but you have a few questions you’d like t-“Let’s walk and talk, then.” Ilga interrupts as she pivots and strides with purpose back the way she came, “Time is hardly in high supply. Come.”Yes mom-err, yes, Ma’am, you sputter! Powerwalking to keep up with her soldier’s gait, you start with the most pressing concern you have… no, not Terrii, though the Gnok does seem to be hovering obnoxiously close… then again, so is that Rinkle thing, so.… Right, QUESTIONS. To begin, you mutter with a nervous cough, you handpicked your pals Morook and Tzah-Tzie for their flexibility-“‘Zat so?” Terrii remarks as she leans in with renewed interest.“I… think he means in battle…” Renny adds with a nervous laugh!“Silence.” Ilga drones to her subordinates like a mom driving a van full of sugared-up kids, “... Proceed.”You picked them because they don’t need magic to get stuff done, you continue as Xuon gradually falls behind with panic and horror etched into his wide gaze, but you’re not up-to-date on her people’s abilities-“Prudent.” Ilga observes with a curt nod. “Most of them have a few spells up their sleeves, but Huxxer, Barbaran, Cazz’tar, Chy-Lee, Angkis, and Rinkle rely upon it quite heavily.” She pauses. “... I see your point. Rest-assured they have ways to mitigate the challenge before us–give them a weapon and they’ll use it–but if you’d rather board with a smaller team and leave the magic-reliant here for support roles, well… I’d defer to your judgement, Ser.”You blink. Just like that, huh? The Gnok Captain clanks out a shrug. “By my estimation, it’s ingenuity that wins battles… not power. These lot held their own against the Fuuxi admirably, they can manage some magical dampening.”Any candidates she’d recommend to lead separate squads?“Dividing and conquering, is it?” Ilga replies with a singular, professional laugh, “I intend to lead one myself if you’d allow it, but yes, I can name a few potential Squad Leaders…” Her confident tone falters for the briefest of moments. “... if you can overlook their… quirks, that is. Leedle, Beats, Xuon, Terrii and Wally come to mind… though the latter might need some convincing.” She blinks. “You’ll see.”You’re no stranger to overlooking quirks, you reply as the squaddies continue to crowd you, but that’s good to know! Filing the names into your mental cabinet, you drift into the next query: they dealt with some Skogs during the siege–any tips for this mission?“We move quickly and quietly.” Answers Ilga with barely a pause, “Your division strategy is sound–Skogs excel in ambushes and stand-up battles… skirmishes and sneak attacks?”>CONTD.
>>6474930Her eyes drift your way. “Not so much. That all goes out the window once they detect us, however, but if we deal with the Jammers swiftly then we’ll fight on a more level playing field.”So that’s her priority, then? Taking down the Jammers? Ilga grunts.“If I had to choose between the Breaker and the Magic Jammers, yes… for all their stomp and shout, Skogs have a nasty habit of exceeding expectations. Rushing The Breaker is risky. Regaining our maximum magical potential cuts that risk in half.”… And if we get detected?“Don’t.” The Captain sighs. “Even with your ‘bag of tricks’ we’ll be severely outmatched. Battling Skogs on their home-turf is tantamount to a slow, painful suicide, doubly so if we’re stuck magicless on a floating deathtrap.”Charming, you groan, you’ll uh… take that into consideration…Upon arriving in the ‘REC DEC’ you’re greeted by what feels like the tail-end of an office Christmas Party. A jovial-looking Chytr-no, MZZ’GOE’VIRR stands poised behind the counter slinging food and chatter to his fellow fighters–chief among them a gregarious Skogess–Beats– and a weary-looking Durher woman who looks like she’d rather be anywhere else. Off in the corner stands an unusually-talkative trio: A bookish-looking Skog you recall as Barbaran, a deep-voiced Chytree, and a familiar magically-inclined Mzz’goe’virr… Huxxer, all of whom are wearing spectacles save for the Chytree.Across the room in a booth sits Tzah-Tzie, the garrulous gal locked in a spirited conversation with her fellow fuzzball… Angkis, was it? Across their table sits the ever-taciturn Wally and Morook who looks like he’d rather be anywhere else, really.Sensing your approach like a dog hearing their food bowl rattle, TT’s eyes light up like fireflies as Captain Ilga addresses the partygoers with a gruff, booming voice!“ATTENTION!”Needless to say, she GETS it! Motioning you forward, the woman waits for you to take her side before speaking again!“Right, gather round! Don’t like to strain myself.”The Irregulars fall in with admirable speed–save for Xuon who manages to amble in well after a circle’s formed. “Thought you mighta’ fallen overboard up there~” Chirps Tzah-Tzie as she greets you with a cheeky wink! “... Err, mind if I slip in, Miss…?”“Terrii.” Purrs the more playful Gnok as she lingers in the spot next to you, “And there’s plenty of other spots, love–it IS a circle, after all~”>CONTD.
>>6474931It takes a moment for Tzah-Tzie to react. Mouth agape and eyes wide with scandal, the tiny terror turns to you with disbelief plastered onto her foxlike face! “... I…. h-hey, th-that’s…!” Her shock disappears as swiftly as it arrives, replaced instead with a roguish smirk and a patronizing tone.“... Right, you’re new here… see, that spot? It’s mine. Special privilege! Sorry!”“It would appear the privilege is now mine~” Terrii purrs, earning a few laughs from the others!“Hoooooboyo, t’garlzer bestrummerin up t’pot, like!” Guffaws Angkis! “Gedder betts reddin’!”“No idea what ya’ said, but yea!” Beats adds with a knowing nod!“HOO! This circle’s sharp!” Howls Rinkle, the clown filling the room with a deluge of jingles as he throws his head back in laughter!As for Morook, well, he simply stands next to Wally outside the circle like a lost child at the supermarket–the latter watching the situation unfold with disinterest honed from years of practice.Chaos descends upon the huddle like a seagull upon an unguarded hot dog. As the room fills with jeers and japes, you catch Captain Ilga’s sharp glance out of the corner of your eye–one that says, with no words needed, ‘deal with this… or I will.’How do you shut this down?>Tell everyone to COOL IT!>Pick TT up!>Politely inform Terrii that yea, she’s in your girlfriend’s place!>Plead for everyone to stop!>Do a cool trick to defuse the situation!>Assert dominance! (How? Leave blank if you want me to decide)>Let Ilga handle it!>Write-In!
>>6474932>Assert dominance! (How? Leave blank if you want me to decide)>"I-I'm GAY!"surely this will lead to more respect from this RABBLE
>>6474932>Assert dominance! (How? Leave blank if you want me to decide)>"GOD HAS SPOKEN TO ME."Religious psychosis time.
>>6474932>Write-In!TT scrambles up our back and onto our shoulders, glaring daggers like a possessive mountain lion for the rest of the meeting.Anton sees nothing wrong with this.
>>6474953If the tie keeps up, and because I have always despised the dreaded dice roll, switch me to >>6474937I can roll with religious psychosis.
>>6474937+1 to this with the addendum of doing some kind of Divine Champion type thing to suddenly get everyone's attention too. Also Bones idunno what your plan is for Angkis magic orb but I think it would be funny if he has to strap it to his back and carry it while already being one-armed because it's Jammed. Or maybe it rolls around on the floor after him like a hamster wheel and can't float again until jammers are busted?>Chaos descends upon the huddle like a seagull upon an unguarded hot dog.Kek'd!
>>6474932>Pick TT up!
