Leave for Haru's parents in about an hour.

on the road we will figure this mess out.

also, i warned you this would happen, you said 'nothing could go wrong' and look at everything going wrong. fate is subtle, it just had to nudge haru into thinking suicide was a good choice and then sit back and watch.

>>184569
I'm sorry... I'll try to be more careful about what I say next time, but your reasoning seems odd. What I said was just a sentence. It should not have been able to manipulate fate like that.
>>184567
I suppose I should start preparing myself. I think I should bring along my sword. Haru's parents will be the first people to sacrifice they're power for me. I stop practicing and begin to prepare myself. Should I bring Des with me? Jathura? Armi?

armi, no, while she may be smart she isn't up to seeing things die yet.
and yes to des and jathura, we need des to come along so that happenstance will force him and haru to make up and jathura and you work together to keep them from hurting eachother until it happens.
and i suppose you could say that fate's favorite hobby is bringing low people that get cocky and it cannot be manipulated on purpose, if you say it because you WANT fate to make something go wrong then it wont work. is a tricky bastard like that.

>>184586
I tell Jathura to get prepared. He's happy. I then make my way to Des's room. It's locked. I knock on the door. There's no answer.
Torus:"Des. It's me. Torus. I want to speak with you."
...No answer.

>>184604
Force the door.
If somebody is manipulating your allies into trying to kill themselves, I'm gonna be pissed.

>>184607
I break the door open. The room's a mess... weights are everywhere, the walls are cracked, some curtains have been ripped apart, and Des is just sitting there in the middle of all of it?
Torus:"Des?"
...He doesn't answer me.
Torus:"Des, what happened here?"
...He still doesn't answer me. I walk up to hi- wait... I think I hear crying.

listen closely, can you tell where it's coming from? if it's from des then i think he needs a hug. if not then follow it.

>>184627
It's definitely coming from Des. I hug him. He doesn't react. He just keeps on crying. I'm... I'm going to s- send you guidance spirits t- to him. I'm really fucking worried. Is that okay?

sure. hope we can figure this out.

>>184632
P- Please... do your best. That's a fucking order. Cure him! Save him! I don't want to loose Des!

...

...

Weak... I'll always be weak... I can never get stronger because I'm too weak... I'll always get weaker... Weaker because I'll never get stronger...

to get stronger you need to push yourself, find something heavy enough that even with all your limiters off you have a hard time lifting it and work out with that. reason you need to do it with your limiters off is that while it may feel heavy it actually isn't for you. maybe build a gravity ring where everything is ultra heavy so you can just do push-ups.

>>184640
Wouldn't matter... Too weak... Always weak... Too weak to not be paralyzed... Forever weak... I hate weak... I hate myself... I'll just get weaker...
>>184646
Limiters make me weaker... Haru makes me weaker... Humans make me weaker... Weak makes me weaker... Everything makes me weaker...
[error: wrong command]
[error: wrong command]
[error: wrong command]
{[Let me help you with that. It's 'subconcious suggestion'.]}

>>184635
What, because Haru cheap-shotted you?
[Subconcious suggestion: Hey, that's right! That wasn't strength at all!]

If you want to get stronger, then put on more limiters until you're no stronger than a human, and make use of all the delightful training equipment they have to improve yourself.

[Subconcious suggestion: Well, they do have that nifty training machine I'm too strong for...]

Not only that, but if you limited yourself to human strength you could learn martial arts. Strength training is additive, but martial arts are a force multiplier.

[Subconcious suggestion: Come to think of it, most of my fighting has just been my strength versus theirs. Maybe human fighting techniques have something to teach me...]

but what if you turned a weakness into strength?

[subconscious suggestion: what, how would you do that? maybe it could help me?]

>>184648
Haru... He cheap-shotted me... That... That's not strength... Strength... Limiters... Human strength... What if I limit myself to human strength... I could use the things humans use... Humans... I've used my strength against there's... Maybe if I learned some of their techniques...
>>184650
Weakness... How can I convert it into strength... How... Maybe I'm too weak to even do that... I'd have to learn... Learn human fighting techniques...

turn weakness into strength by turning their strength against them. it's a style of martial arts that let's small people defeat much more powerful foes.

>>184657
Their strength against them? That's...
[#That's a bad idea. You are weak. You'll always be weak. weak weak weak weak weak weak#]
...That will make me weaker... Forever weak...
[#The guidance spirits think you're weak as well. They also think you'll always remain weak. They always will. You will never surpass anyone anymore in strength. Because you are weak.#]
Always weak...

woah, hold up des, someone else is in here. as in you, us, and a third. we can hear them, they are whispering lies to you. remember arkan? you were so much more powerful then him you thought about putting on another limiter to make it fair. you are not weak and we would never think you are.
[subconscious suggestion: yeah, the guidance spirits wouldn't tell me how to get stronger if they thought i couldn't]

>>184670
It's always there...
[#And will remain forever inside this weakling. And they're using subconcious suggestions on you. Doesn't that make you angry? They want you to think exactly like themselves. Because they think you're weak.#]
Stupid... stupid guidance spirits...
[#Arkan was holding back. He thought it fair and fun to hold back. You're weak. You could never be stronger than Arkan. You can't even be stronger then Armi.#]
Too weak... everyone is stronger...

Arkan is obviously too foolish to know what holding back is. what reason do you have to distrust us? open your eyes and you will see something that may make you feel better.

>>184672
Des, something is attacking your mind. It looks like somebody who is too scared to face you in a fair fight is trying to sabotage you.
Don't take that from them! Fight!

>>184717
[#I am a part of Des, and Des is a part of me. All imps have a voice like me. The guidance spirits have no idea what they're talking about, but I obviously do.#]
They don't know... deja vu... I feel like I died already... You don't know...
>>184716
Open my eyes... G- guidance spirits...? Is... that you?
[#Ha! obviously Des was too blinded to notice you.#]
Help me...
[#You will never get help#]
Never...?

we are trying to help, your other voice bastard thing is a jerk. double team him we can bet it.

STOP LISTENING TO IT, it lying to you. If all imps have a voice, yours is corrupted. Do not pay attention to it, all it will do is hurt you. Listen to us, we are telling you to IGNORE IT.

>>184766
Corrupted? How...
[#I'm not corrupted! You're corrupted! Stupid guidance spirits!#]
What...
>>184742
[#NO!#]
D- double team? How do I do that?
[#DON'T LISTEN TO THEM!#]

you are a voice we are a voice it is one voice. chant to yourself "i am strong" while we yell at it. two is greater then one

>>184837
[#HE IS WEAK#]
I... I am...
[#WEEEEAAAKKK!#]
...Strong...
[#NO! WEAK!#]
I... am strong...
[#YOU ARE NOT YOU WEAKLING!#]
I am strong... I am strong!
[#WEAK#]
...Someone is holding me. Hugging me. They're also crying.
[#WEAKLING#]

>>184848
It's Torus. She's worried about you; friends give you strength.

>>184849
Torus... She cares about me...
[#SHE DOES NOT SHE THINKS YOU ARE WEAK#]
Guidance spirits.. I should tell you the voice is always like this...
[#YOU ARE ALWAYS WEAK#]
I've never let it get to me before. I don't know what happened. I grab Torus's arm.
Des:"Torus, it's okay -chie."
She stops crying for a small beat, then hugs me tighter and cries even more. I don't know what she's saying, and her tears are falling all over me.
[#SHE IS CRYING BECAUSE SHE HAS A WEAK FRIEND#]

>>184853
There's more to life than strength, and there's more to strength than raw power. Around here power is something you have, not what you are.

Go ahead, hug Torus back.

>>184858
[#YOU ARE WRONG POWER IS EVERYTHING THE WEAK PERISH THE STRONG SURVIVE#]
It's.. it's going to take me a while to get used to the thought of strength not being everything. Now that I'm not in Ifrit's realm, I need other things than power.
[#QUIT BEING WEAK AND IDIOTIC OH WAIT YOU CANT STOP BEING WEAK#]
You guidance spirits need to teach me. Either that, or I need to return to Ifrit's realm. I hug Torus. It's strange, somehow I feel good. Why do I feel good?
[#THIS IS WRONG SHE IS GOING TO KILL YOU BY SQUEEZING TO DEATH#]

that's friendship, you are feeling better because you know she cares.

>>184859
Ok, now it's just being silly. She couldn't crush you with a ten ton press, let alone her arms.

>>184871
I don't think the voice was made for other creatures besides imps in mind. It was helpful while I was in Ifrit's realm, but here, not so much.
>>184870
[#SHE WILL BACKSTAB YOU THEY ALWAYS DO#]
Friendship? I've... I've never had a true friend before. I gues you can now understand how shitty Ifrit's realm really is, huh?

yeah, sounds pretty bad. you don't need to worry about that with torus, she values friendship a lot, she would never betray you.

>>184896
I feel horrible now. Before the incident with Haru, I was getting ready to betray everyone here and eat them to gain their strength... Please forgive me...
[#IF YOU DO NOT EAT THEM YOU WILL NEVER GROW STRONGER#]
I guess I don't need the voice now, but... if I get rid of it, it'll kill me. It's necessary, like breathing.

how? would it lash out at and take you at as well? does it control a function like your heartbeat? maybe if you get rid of it we could take over whatever it does and ease you into it?

>>184904
It makes me complete. The rules of magic in Ifrit's realm is different than this realm. If you take away any part of my mind, I won't exist anymore. It's why imps eat other imps alive.
[#WEAKLINGS SHOULD NOT EXIST ANYWAY#]
I... I don't know how to take away the voice. If there was some way to do so, I might consider it...

Torus is still crying. If I break away from the hug right now, I'd be able to kick some sense in her.
[#LIKE YOU COULD NOT DO BECAUSE HARU PARALYZED YOU, YOU WEAKLING#]

naa, send us over, while i don't like leaving that voice alone with you it would be for the best. i think we could get torus researching a way to get rid of the voice without killing you, a goal will help her focus and know what she could be doing instead of crying.

>>184908
Uh, okay, but you're doing it the hard way. Just a kick, and she'd be sensible again.

...

...

I'm so glad... I didn't want him to be sick or hurt or dead... I'm so fucking glad... I'll need to thank the guidance spirits when they come back to me...

umm, stop hugging him for now, he kinda wants to stand up.

anyway it seems, an odd voice that all imps have was telling him that he sucked and everyone hates him. but he can't just get rid of it so you need a magic something-or-other.

>>184917
Oh! Thank you so much! I'm so glad you cured him! I owe you a lot. I'm so glad... I let go of him. I'll find a way to get rid of that horrible voice. Did you find out the source? I'll kill it dead. I'll kill it because it's harming my friend and- AAH! OW! D- Des just kicked me... That hurt...

.... *sigh* we told him we would handle it, he was trying to 'snap you out of it'. and the source of the voice is des, he was born with it, all imps are. normally it tells them to just be mean but when haru froze him it turned malicious.

>>184934
Well... I can always get Murelle to try and develop something for him.
Des:"Is my friend done being a crybaby -chie? If so, then tell me why you came here in the first place -chie. Friend."
Uh... I forgot why I came here in all the excitement.

"we are going to beat the shit out of haru's parents. thought you may of wanted to join us"

>>184951
Oh, right.
Torus:"We're going to beat the shit out of Haru's parents. Thought you may of wanted to join us."
Des:"Haru -chie... I need to apologize to him -chie. I'll go if he let's me -chie."
We walk over to Haru's room. I knock on the door.
Haru:"Almost ready!"

>>184956
I wait a while, and Haru opens the door. He's wearing very regal-looking clothes. Like a prince's clothes. He looks quite nice.
Haru:"H- how do I look?"

i think "fancy" would be a good word to describe it.

>>185064
Torus:"They look fancy. You look good."
Haru looks down to the floor.
Haru:"Oh... Well, I... I may have to rule Andorra after my parents are imprisoned. I may be forced to... I..."

"shhhh, if you are in charge then you can quit or not quit anytime you want and no one could force you to change your mind because you would officially have the last word."

Torus:"Shhhh, if you are in charge, then you can quit anytime you want. No one could force you to change your mind, because you would officially have the last word."
Haru:"I... I guess that's true. It's almost time to go. Is Des coming?"
Des:"Only if you want me to -chie."
Haru:"I... I should apologize for freezing you that time. I'm sorry."
Des:"...No problem -chie."

okay then, let's grab jathura and go.

>>185092
Haru, Des and I swing on over to Armi's room. We open the door, and there's a bottle of spilled wine open laying on the floor. Armi is hugging Jathura.
Jathura:"Master, we have a problem."
Oh, gods damnit.

UGH! now what? send us to armi, we'll take care of it, jeez.

>>185103
Once is ordinary.
Twice is a coincidence.
Three times is enemy action.

Send runners out to check up on everybody, and carry orders for everybody to stay together in groups of at least five.

@Xom: This isn't you, right? It doesn't seem your style; you're more impish prankster than Frank Miller's Joker.

>>185111
Torus:"Des, get some runners to check up on everybody. Have everybody go into groups of 5."
Des:"Whatever you say -chie."
{[No, this isn't me. I can't tell who's doing it either. If it was me, it would be much more imaginative than this. Would you like me to show you?]}
>>185104
Hopefully this is the last one. I'm starting to get a headache.

...

...

Fuzzy cat comforting... Fuzzy cat fuzzy...

armi, what's going on? what happened?

>>185121
Uh... I find strange water... I drink it... it taste good... became dizzy... need fuzzy cat to not fall down.

is that all? what about when you were crying? was anything wrong?

>>185132
Ah, you're drunk. Ok.
[Return to Torus]
I think she's been drugged. She might be drunk, but people who have never tasted alcohol before tend to be repulsed by it the first time.

>>185133
C- crying? Um... Was scared... I think... Maybe. Uh... why you ask that?
>>185137
Drunk? Don't know th- that word. Send you to Torus? Uh... there are three. Don't know which one to send you to...

aim for the middle one.

>>185140
M- middle one? Okay... I try...

...

...

She's looking at me with a drunk face... I really don't know what to do with a drunk kid...

it may be just drunk or it may be a drug. until she is sober we wont be able to figure out where she found it. if it was some place that it shouldn't have been then it's 100% confirmed someone is messing with your people.

>>185151
Well, we usually keep some wine in a compartment in rooms. Even in the unused ones. I didn't think she'd be able to get at it. The drawer's are kind of hard to open.
Haru:"This trip is really going to suck."
...Oh gods, Armi's starting to look a little green. I don't think I'm going to be able to bring a bucket in time.

>>185192
You have magic. Cure her in time.

>>185197
Oh, pfff, right. Sorry, brain fart. I go up to her and cure her sickness. The green goes away.
Armi:"...Whass ffffeeling lit... little sick... n- nnno more..."
She's still drunk, but at least she's not going to puke. I rub my temples with my hands. We're going to be late after dealing with this mess.
Des:"I informed the people to keep in groups of 5 -chie. Anything else you want -chie?"

well, maybe go put all the booze in this room somewhere else.

>>185212
I grab all the bottles of wine, and move them to another room. I then lock the door with magic. When I get back to Armi's room, she's on the bed with Jathura looking over her.
Jathura:"Master, I'll look over Armi for you. Is that okay?"
I... I kinda really want to bring Jathura along.

no, leave him here, sometimes doing what's best is doing what's hard.

>>185210
Check to see if she actually DID get into the drawers.
Tell Haru that it looks like the school is under some kind of attack.

>>185225
I'll miss him. I really wish he could come. I nod at him.
>>185227
The drawer was open, so I'm sure she opened it.
Torus:"Haru, I think we're under some sort of attack of some sort."
Haru:"Does this mean we won't go to Andorra?"
He said that a little too enthusiastically.

"awww, i was really hoping to see the look on their faces when the realize that their son hasn't come back to listen to them prattle on about royalty, but to... despose of them" and give him your best creepy grin.

Torus:"Awww, I was really hoping to see the look on their faces when they realize that their son hasn't come back to listen to them prattle on about royalty, but to..."
I put on the creepiest grin I can manage.
Torus:"...dispose of them."
Haru gets a look of frustration on his face.
Haru:"We're going. If you want to."
Okay, before we leave, is there anything I'm forgetting? Should I bring my sword?

yeah sure. maybe you get to take out the grand vizier those guys are always up to shit.

>>185246
"It sounds like you've lost interest. Is something wrong?"

>>185266
Torus:"It sounds like you've lost interest. Is something wrong?"
Haru:"No, it's just that I'm a little apprehensive. I know I have friends to back me up, but my dad's a real douche. It's like you and your scar. You don't want to meet the person who did it. Just like how I'm having second thoughts about meeting my parents."
>>185255
Torus:"One last stop before we leave. I need to get my sword."
I get my sword and we travel outside.
Des:"We should probably find a dragon service -chie. There should be a town near here -chie."
Haru:"We can get dragon service in Ciperez. It's only a few hours from here. We can walk if it's too expensive. I didn't bring that much money, only 400 gold."

>>185500
We journey on over to Ciperez. It's sort of a small town. It's advertised as a Dragonkeeper town. When I ask about it, Haru says it's like a caravan stop. Dragons go from dragonkeeper point to dragonkeeper point. He says that most small cities and larger have them. When we arrive at the dragonkeeper, there are 4 dragons available. I ask the dragonkeeper how much each dragon costs.

Torus 2010/05/31(Mon)17:22 No. 186051 ID: 34470e
File 127535172959.jpg - (222.35KB , 735x1024 , 13.jpg )

Dragonkeeper:"The Jewel Dragon costs 370 gold. It's the second fastest, and it's also the friendliest and least likely to stray off the path."

Torus 2010/05/31(Mon)17:22 No. 186052 ID: 34470e
File 127535176471.jpg - (131.85KB , 742x555 , 21.jpg )

Dragonkeeper:"The Blue Dragon is the fastest, and costs 200 gold. It tends to be a bit annoying at times."

Torus 2010/05/31(Mon)17:22 No. 186053 ID: 34470e
File 12753517791.jpg - (160.83KB , 742x446 , 23.jpg )

Dragonkeeper:"The Black Dragon costs 50 gold, but it it's very easy to anger."

Torus 2010/05/31(Mon)17:23 No. 186054 ID: 34470e
File 127535180029.jpg - (120.36KB , 600x836 , 3.jpg )

Dragonkeeper:"The Yellow Dragon costs 135 gold. I call it the 'Scenic Route Dragon'."

So... Which one should I choose?

That jewel dragon is pretty badass but THAT IS A LOT OF FUKKEN MONEY MAN

black is serious business dragon. make jokes at own risk. if you can all sit in silence then it would be good.

>>186089
It is. It'll take up most of our gold if we choose it.
>>186092
Very well.
Torus:"We chose the black dragon."
Dragonkeeper:"Okay... Your funeral."
We pay him and he leads us to a cave with the black dragon in it.
Dragonkeeper:"Master Odoru, three people wish to take travel upon you."
The dragon takes a look at us and slams his tail on the ground near us.
Black Dragon:"State your names!"
I'm not sure I like the attitude of this dragon.

i said serious business. as long as you are military about it he will just huff. state name clearly.
@at des: just act military and he will be fine.
@carg: he has an inferiority complex because he get's the least money, so he acts tough. just humor the thing so we can leave. arguing with a mount is silly.

>>186107
Des and I state our names. I look at Haru and he sighs. Then he states his name as well. The dragonkeeper puts the money in the rather small pile of gold. The dragon examines us, then he gently puts his tail on the ground.
Black Dragon:"You may take passage on me. If I find you to be unfit whilst on the trip, I'll disallow passage and throw you off of me. Get on. Hold tight."

We climb aboard the dragon, who takes a running start before flying. You know, already this is feeling exhilarating.
Des:"Odoru, I woul-"
Odoru:"Master Odoru. Learn it."
Des:"...Master Odoru, I would like to know how skilled you are in combat."
Odoru:"I can defeat anyone in a fair fight. If I lose, they're cheating."
Grrrr...

you got cheap not easy. deal with it.
@des: can you refrain from questions like that? just makes it boastful.
@haru: yep, inferiority complex. biggest symptom is claims that you are always right and anyone that says you are wrong is lying.

>>186192
Fine. It's just that he's making fun of my friends. I do not like that at all.
Des:"Sorry."
Odoru:"I should be high enough now. State your destination."
Haru:"Our destination is the Andorra dragonkeeper point."
Odoru:"Andorra's been sealed off by their king. Quit joking, and state your destination."

hang on
@haru: recall your weird royalty lessons and sound as royal as you can and say "ha, but i am the prince, i am returning home after a leave of absence."
if that don't work then try "then perhaps an extra 25 gold would make you more amicable to the idea?"

>>186223
Haru gets a pained look on his face for some reason.
Haru:"Odoru, I request th-"
Odoru:"Master Odoru. Get it ri-"
Haru:"As prince of Andorra, I, Haru, hereby request an override of the border seal."
Odoru:"You piece of shit. Give me one reason why I shouldn't drop all of you!"
Haru:"I will give you an extra 25 gold."
Odoru is silent for a moment.
Odoru:"...Make it 40."

still cheaper then any of the others.

>>186242
Torus:"40 it is, Od- Master Odoru."
Odoru:"Good. I'm glad I'm starting to get a fair share around here."
Haru has a worried look on his face. Should I say anything to him to make him feel better?

yeah, tell him "don't worry, if you feel anything is wrong i'll be there for you, and help you through it" then give him a confident smile.

Torus:"Don't worry. If you feel anything is wrong, I'll be there for you, and help you through it."
I smile confidently. Haru sighs.
Haru:"Thanks. I guess I should tell you. It... It felt good to order Odoru around, but-"
Odoru:"You really like testing my patience, don't you?"
Haru:"No, listen to me! It felt good, but it also disgusted me. I don't want to end up a super-controlling power-hungry monster like my father. It frightens me that I like controlling people."
Odoru:"Oh, shut up and cry some more. You have no idea what I've been through, so you have no right to whine. I, on the other hand, do have a right."
...Should I humor him?

"really? what could possibly make the great Master Odoru whine?"

>>187063
Torus:"Really? What could possibly make the great Master Odoru whine?"
Odoru:"Shut up. I'm not whining. All my life, I've been ignored. An unfavorite. Nobody cares about me. They should care. I'm the best fucking thing in the world. Do you hear me? THE VERY BEST, DAMNIT! So quit talking down to me and give me the gods damn respect I deserve."

Maybe we should teach him stoicism.

>>188125
Teach him stoicism? How do I do that? I'm not all that stoic myself. Neither is Haru or Des.

not really sure. but mostly his being loud and boastful is why no one treats him with respect and why he doesn't get paid much for this. so learning when to just shut up would be good. don't tell him that though. just deal with him for now, will be done with him once we land.

>>188174
I put up with his constant wining until we reach a dragonkeeper point. Once we get off, Haru gives Odoru 40 gold. A nedynvor that looks like a guard walks up to us. Odoru flies off in a hurry.
Guard:"You are in direct violation of King Temartak's Border Rule. I'm sorry, but you must be bought to the king to be punished."
There's a look of remorse and pity in his eyes.

let haru handle this

@haru: haha, let's try this "oh? i was just about to see my father in the first place, lead on good man." should confuse the crap out of him.

Haru:"I was just about to see my father in the first place. Lead on if you want to."
The guard's eyebrows furrow.
Guard:"Your... father?"
His eyes then widen.
Guard:"P- Prince Harulin?"
He then kneels down and bows respectfully.
Guard:"Forgive me for not recognizing you. It has been a very long time. If I had known it was you, I would've been more respectful."
Haru:"Y- you're forgiven."
Guard:"Prince, may I ask where you've been all this time?"

@haru: "all questions will be answered after i meet with my father." if you remeber the way to the throne room then go, if not then say "anyway, would you lead me to my father, it has been so long i am unsure of the way"

>>190172
@Haru: There are plenty of ways to handle this, but I'm pretty certain the best way is to carry a regal attitude while being sympathetic.
I'd say something like "I've been not here. The fear in your eyes when I said my name is symbolic of my reasons why."

I'm rather discouraged by the welcome. It looks like your parents are brutally controlling with everybody, not just you.
If that's the case, then here's something for you to think over:
Leaving your parents in power leaves everybody under their control.
Deposing your parents and leaving no ruler would result in chaos and civil war as different factions fought to fill the power vacuum.
Usurping their power for yourself would put you in the position of ordering around a kingdom's worth of people.
How would you rank these three options, from best to worst?
Can you think of a fourth option that would be any better?

>>190182
>>190206
Haru:"I've been... not here. The fear in your eyes when I said my name is symbolic of my reasons why. Any further questions will be answered after I meet with my father."
He leans in close to whisper to me.
Haru:"I got to say, being told what to do by the guidance spirits is making me very angry and uncomfortable."
After that, Haru and the guard begin leading us to the throne room. I see many statues of a nedynvor with a plaque under it. The plaques say 'Future God King Temartak - All Those Who Question Him Perish'. Okay, that pisses me off. He thinks he's fit to rule the world? I should kill him where he stands.

>>190272
@Haru: Ack! Sorry! I just meant to offer advice, not give you orders.

If it makes you feel any better, we have very little freedom ourselves. All we can do is say things to people; if our host doesn't want us to spread something around, they can very easily trap us in their mind, or kill us with a simple banishing. We can't even see or hear, per-se, so much as our hosts describe things to us.
In perspective? We're basically an armless and legless blind man in a noose, and anybody can come along and either hang us or gag our mouth.
It's not a pleasant existence, so we tend to live vicariously through others.

>>190276
Haru:"I forgive you."
Torus:"What?"
Haru:"Nothing."
Okay, that was weird. We continue walking, and this horrid stench pierces my smell.
Torus:"What's that smell?"
Guard:"That's what King Temartak puts all the people who've been executed by him. I don't even notice the smell anymore."
Haru looks worried again.
Haru:"Why would my father do this?"
The guard stops walking. He turns to us.
Guard:"Keep this between us, okay?"
Haru:"Please stop telling me what to do."
Guard:"What do you mean, Prince Harulin?"
Haru:"The reason I ran away in the first place was because my parents were too controlling."
Guard:"Shh. Keep it down. Anyway, the reason I think King Temartak would do this is because he's mad. You didn't hear that from me."
...I think I shall enjoy giving him a slow and painful death.

>>190294
We've been trying to offer him suggestions, but we're having a bit of trouble phrasing them in a way that won't bother him.

>>190309
What? Offer who suggestions? You guidance spirits have been quiet for a little while. We continue walking. We're nearing the castle.
Guard 1:"What're you bringing these people near the castle for? King Temar has made it a point the castle being off-limits to commoners."
Guard 2:"We can make an exception to Prince Harulin."
He gestures towards Haru. The other guard looks over him, ten makes a pained face.
Guard 1:"Are you sure King Temar will accept an interruption?"
Guard 2:"Oh... I didn't think of that. Damn... What do we do?"

>>190348
Torus, say "No, the question is: If the prince ordered you to stand aside and remain at your posts, would be punished for following that order?
If not, then we can announce ourselves and save you the trouble."

We were advising Haru. That's why what he said confused you.

>>190360
Wait, I was confused? I was just thinking about how much I hate this stupid, unfit 'king'. I think you were the ones that were confused.
"No, the question is: If the prince ordered you to stand aside and remain at your posts, would be punished for following that order? If not, then we can announce ourselves and save you the trouble." I say.
The guards look at each other, then back at us.
"We'll let you three go on alone. We're allergic to dying." one of the guards says.
"Is he really that bad?" Haru asks.
"Yes he is." The guard says. "Really bad."
Haru has a worried face, but it turns into a determined one.
"We're going inside now. Follow me. You two guards remain at duty." Haru says.
This is certainly a change for him.

i think he realized that if his father remains in charge the people would suffer. so he is full of determination now.

>>190422
The way he's speaking seems different as well. He usually says something like 'if you want to' or stuff like that. I don't recall you telling me why he speaks that way. We enter the castle. I see a nedynvor missing a wing and an eye. There's also a huge scar running across it's face.
"Likenda? What happened to you?" Haru asks.
"Who're you? I'm sorry to say, but this castle isn't open to citizens." Likenda says.
"It is I, Prince Haru." he states.
"S... Son? " Likenda asks. "Son!"
She runs over to Haru and hugs him with her only wing.
"I've missed you... I've missed you so much..." She says.
Likenda begins crying. Haru hugs her back.
"Wh- where were you all th- this time?" Likenda asks.

mom, so it's not his parents, just his dad. he needs a grand ol' ass whooping.
@haru: tell her know you will tell her everything but you need to see your father first. saying what has happened before you are done takening care of everything could result in someone stopping you somehow.

>>190499
I'll be sure to make Temartak's death as slow and painful as possible.
"I'll tell you everything, but first, I need to see my dad. Tell me where he is." Haru says.
"I... I don't think he'll like it that much." Likenda says.
"Tell me where Temartak is right now!" Haru tells."
"He... he's in the throne room." She says.
Haru turns to us.
"Follow me. Likenda, you stay here." Haru says.
"Be- Be careful! I don't want to lose you again!" Likenda says.
Haru then starts to lead us to the throne room. I still can't get over how much Haru has changed.

yeah... seems to be a bit much, send us over so we can check him out.

>>190564
Very well. I'll see you soon.

...

...

I hate this, but it's something I have to do. I'll just apologize to them later. I just hope they don't hate me afterwords for telling them what to do. We enter the throne room. My... My father is naked. Why is he naked? He also doesn't seem to notice me.

... i'm not entirely sure we want to know. may as well start loud with a "Dad, what the hell?!"

>>190616
You can apologize for ordering me around later, but for right now, we have to focus on this.
Haru:"Temartak, what the hells?"
He turns to me.
Temartak:"Who the fuck are you? Why are you interrupting my private time? GUARDS? Gods damnit, where the fuck are the guards when you need them? Have to do everything by myself."
He licks up a sword from behind his throne.
Temartak:"You'll rot on the pile, you vile criminal!"
Something tells me this visit went horribly wrong. I believe I shouldn't have come back here.

... something's wrong. subdue him so we can interrogate him, i think something is up. why would everyone be so afraid of him instead of just killing him and being done with it? only guess is that killing him would lead to something worse.

>>190646
I only see a few options here:
1: Identify yourself in the hope that he'll at least stop attacking.
2: Fight him.
3: Flee. Defeating the purpose of this visit.

My advice is that you hold off on killing him for now, since that would make it harder to find out what the shitting balls is going on around here.

Maybe you could open with an awesome one-liner, like "Father! I've come to take from you what you took from me all those years: your freedom!"

>>190652
I think the guards WERE ready to kill him. I saw the tension in their bodies. That was... that was part of my training as well; to spot and identify subtle body language.
>>190655
Haru:"Father! I've come to take from you what you took from me all those years: your freedom!"
Temartak:"Fuck you, I have no son!"
>>190654
I've tried option 1, and I really don't want to try option 3, so I guess it's option 2. It's going to be a bit hard, though. Temartak's wielding a resist magic sword. I bet he doesn't even know.
Haru:"Torus, get your sword at the ready. Des, get ready to kick his ass."
Des:"Who are you, and what have you done with Haru -chie?"
Haru:"That's an order!"
Des:"Fine, fine -chie."
Temartak runs at me screaming with the sword up high.

jeez... he is really bad at this. he is telegraphing his attack so much.

>>190735
@Torus: The sword is magic resistant, so d'ya think you can blast his feet?

>>190738
My guess is that he hasn't had much training to use swords. Kind of like me. I've trained myself in magic, not weaponry.
>>190767
Torus throws some of her magic at Temartak's feet. He falls down."
Temartak:"You're cowards, you know that? Weak, pathetic cowards."
I hear the door to the room opening behind me.
Guard:"What's going on here?"
Temartak:"Guards, seize these cowardly criminal vermin!"
Guard:"But, sir, that's Prince Harulin. Your son."
Wow. Word got around fast.
Temartak:"Do you want to rot in the pile as well? Never question a king!"

Um... Restrain him somehow? Take away his sword? Maybe ask the guards for help with this stuff, since the king is obviously a off his rocker? What the heck is going on?

>>190779
@Torus: Take his crown and sword away, and hand them to Haru. Then say "You're no king."

@Haru: This guy is clearly insane; the guards have been waiting for somebody to tell them it's ok to get rid of him. They want to do it, but they're so scared that they need orders to protect their resolve. If you told them to lock him up, they would do it without question.
Would you like for us to take Torus and go tend to your mother, while you figure out what to do? With him, with the country, with the crown... So much rests on you now; you have my sympathies.

>>190812
>>190813
Torus runs up to Temartak as he's getting up. She grabs the sword he used.
Torus:"You're no king."
Temartak:"Bitch, I am a king and a future god! Traitors like you three are just jealous of me. Guards, take them away! Kill them and put them on the pile!"
Haru:"Guards, ignore that order. I want you to lock away Temartak. He is clearly unfit for duty."
Temartak:"The guards will never listen to villain scum like you! All the guards like me so much, they want to marry me. Too bad that's gross, and therefore, illegal."
The guards look at me, then rush over and restrain Temartak. One of them looks at me and smiles.
Guard:"Best day of my life."
They take off with Temartak screaming. Torus hands me the crown.

I need to do a lot of thinking on what to do now, so it would be a good idea to go back to Torus.

...

...

I still wish I could've killed that royal pain in the ass.

we do too but we think something's up. he used to just be controlling, what drove him over the edge? if it was natural then we just kill him, but if something, somewhere, did it then we need to find it.

>>190950
Well, if the insanity was natural, we can just cure him like Raul did with me. What, what am I saying? That stupid king spits on all the leaders everywhere! Including me! He doesn't know how to rule! He should die for being a bad king. And there's a reason you came to me in the first place. What do you want me to do?

>>190982
He might be under mind control or something. We need to make sure that he's actually the source of the problems before we kill him.

We want you to take a look at Haru's mother; see if you can heal some of those injuries.
We also need to see if she's fit for duty, since I doubt Haru will take the crown for himself.

Oh, and you should also check the crown for magic, possession, and poisons. It's a classic vector for controlling kings.

>>190991
I can't check the crown right now. Haru has it. I'll check it later. I head on over to Haru's mom. When I enter the room she's in, she looks at me.
Haru's mom:"Oh, good! You're alive!"
Torus:"Temartak is no longer in the position of king."
Haru's mom:"Oh... Well, he- he may get better with some help."
I begin to look over her wounds. There are a lot of them. I heal her as best as I can. Most of the minor wounds go away, but the scar only vanishes a tiny bit.
Torus:"What happened to you?"
Haru's mom:"Temartak beat me when I disagreed with him. He once took a sword to my face when I said I don't enjoy beef."
Ooh... There will be no saving him now. No... He crossed the line. Unfit to rule, unfit to live. A new, better ruler needs to serve here. Someone like me. Or, if that isn't possible, I can ally with Andorra. Send a group of students here to replace the guards if they let me.

>>191027
Well, you can try to heal her some more later. There has to be something we can do to replace her wing and eye.

Also? No, you don't want to become the ruler here. That would give away your plans too early. Besides that, you're an outsider. The people will be against you from the start simply because you're not one of them.
Instead, install a sympathetic ruler who will help you; such as Haru or his mother.

i would have to agree, these people seem to place a lot of value on royalty and even put up with that king until another legit royal showed up that gave them countermanding orders. of course while you can't rule an alliance with them would go a long way, and having 'stabilized a kingdom' on the official record may help throw the order off your back as you did something that is technically in line with their goals.

>>191031
I may be able to but something on the backlog for Murelle. I'm starting to get a list for what I want Murelle to do. I hope it doesn't seem to her that I want to overwork her.

Haru ruling beside her mother sounds like the best thing right now, but I'm going to have to convince Haru to be the king. That seems impossible. He'll just get angry at me.
>>191087
That's what I said. If it's impossible for me to rule, I'll just ally with them. I can even put up a dedication to Haru's mom to help enforce the image of me being a saint. What's her name? I didn't catch it. Plus I'm glad I got here before The Order did. I get the credit.
Haru's Mom:"Um, since you helped, would you like to stay for dinner? I can cook a decent kobold with only 1 wing."

>>191089
"Yes, but no kobold; I don't eat sentient creatures."

>>191092
Torus:"Yes, but no kobold; I don't eat sentient creatures."
Haru's Mom:"Oh. Well, what would you and that... thing like? Is that a demon?"
Des:"I'm an imp -chie. And I'll have some steak."
Hmm... What should I have? And what's her name?

>>191155
How are we supposed to know what you want to eat? That doesn't seem like a question we should be answering...

[Switch to Haru's Mom]
Hi! What's your name?

>>191181
Well, the reason I asked is because I don't have a taste for anything right now, but I'm getting hungry. You can think about it while I send you to her. Really, you can just ask to be sent. I don't know why you're trying to force your way out of me.

...

...

I'll have to ask Harulin what he wants to eat as well. He's got so much to tell me.

>>191252
@Torus: Her name is Likenda. It's a freedom thing; we don't have much freedom at all, so we like to use what we can.

@Likenda: You've got so much to tell him, as well. What happened? Why are you missing an eye? And wing?
Why didn't you take the crown when the king went mad?

>>191259
Oh! Guidance spirits? Where, or who, did you come from? If you came from Temartak, I hope you don't yell ay me. I don't like being yelled at, and you should have tried to convince my husband not to be insane. Seeing him like that is heartbreaking.

no no, we came from rojo. really don't want to be associated to that guy at all.

>>191298
We're with Torus and Haru.

Sadly, I don't think there's much we can do for him. Even if we could cure him, that would just make him aware of all the horrible things he has done and provoke him to suicide.
We'll try, but we don't have much hope.

When did the insanity start?

>>191311
Oh, gods! I'm so sorry. Please don't yell at me. Sorry. When the insanity started was... actually, I believe it started a few years after Harulin was born. Temartak has steadily gotten worse and sicker. I wish he gets cured to when we were just married. He was a kind and just man back then. Please handle it delicately. Oh, sorry. I forgot to answer your first questions.

I lost my eye when Temartak misplaced his crown, and I lost my wing when he couldn't sleep a couple of months back. It really hurts to see him this way.

>>191358
I'm not yelling at all; you've done nothing wrong.

Did anything strange happen around that time? Unfamiliar visitors, strange food, crown repairs, trips to other lands, or anything else abnormal?

@Xom: Since this is the not-fun kind of crazy, d'ya think you can tell us what caused it?

>>191365
Sorry. It's just that I got yelled at a lot. He started showing signs a little after he became king. My father wasn't like that. I guess the power went to Temartak's head. But those things you mentioned didn't happen.

Torus:"Forget it. Surprise me. You decide what my dinner's going to be."
Likenda:"O- Okay."
Oh, gods... She's going to yell at me if I don't get her what she wants.

[{I think I know what made him crazy. Power. Look, more ammo for you to use!}]

>>191456
She's not going to yell at you.
If the king went mad from power, then there's really not much we can do to help him.
Well, we could try erasing his memory. The person he is would be gone; just like the person he once was no longer exists.

>>191557
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put her in a bad light. Sorry. You can erase memories? Oh... I might be able to shape him back into the man I once loved. I guess I should go ask what Harulin wants to eat. Why did he run away in the first place? I missed him so much.

he didn't want to deal with his dad's control freak deal going on.

>>191580
He was too young to remember a time when his father wasn't... this.
He left because he was sick of the abuse and wanted something more out of life.
You have our condolences; you've been abused so severely and so long that you think you deserved it.
It's not true; you didn't deserve any of it, and in time you'll come to understand that.

>>191581
>>191587
Oh. Sorry, I didn't know I was supposed to run away as well. Sorry. And sorry about me thinking I deserve it. I think I'll get over it eventually. If I don't, then I'm sorry. I ask Torus where Harulin is, and head on over to where she said. He's staring at Temartak's crown thoughtfully. Sorry for asking, but what should I say?

please stop saying sorry.
i suppose ask him how he is feeling and what he want's to eat.

>>191640
Hug him. If you feel like crying, just let it out.

Haru has a lot on his mind, and the entire time he was gone he thought that his parents were the source of his problems. He needs to be reassured you've always loved him.

>>191651
Sorry if I- Oh, sorr- um... It's hard for me not to say that word. so- um... I apologize.
>>191654
I'm all cried out at the moment. I hug Harulin, who seems to jump a little.
Harulin:"Oh, I didn't hear you come in."
He hugs me as best as he can from the position he's in.
Likenda:"How are you feeling?"
Harulin:"I... I feel conflicted. I don't know what to do..."
Likenda:"Why is that?"
Harulin:"Well, I absolutely hate being told what to do. I think it's very insulting, but... I want to help you rule. The thing is, if I help you, I'd have to tell people what to do. I don't want to insult anyone. I just want them to be themselves. I don't want to... I just... I don't know what to do right now... I still have to apologize to Torus and the two guards I ordered around. Odoru as well... I want to apologize to you as well. I'm sorry for ordering you around."
Wow. Had we really drove him to thinking this? I feel horrible right now.

hmmmm, how about you rule but haru is an adviser? he doesn't order you to do anything just gives his ideas on things. suggest it to him.

>>191686
"Haru, do you really believe you actually ordered those guards to do anything?
You were a prince ordering the arrest of the king. You didn't have the authority to give them that order, and they didn't have the authority to act on it. The entire exchange was illegal, but nobody will care and the next regent will declare it to be legal anyway.
They didn't arrest him because you told them to do it, they arrested him because you gave them an excuse to do what they wanted to do. If you tell somebody to do what they want to do, what are you forcing them to do?

Haru, the purpose of leaders isn't to control, it's to organize people and provide guidance. Your father lost sight of that."

>>191688
An adviser? I guess that could work for him.
Likenda:"Haru, do you really believe you actually ordered those guards to do anything?
You were a prince ordering the arrest of the king. You didn't have the authority to give them that order, and they didn't have the authority to act on it. The entire exchange was illegal, but nobody will care, and the next regent will declare it to be legal anyway.
They didn't arrest him because you told them to do it, they arrested him because you gave them an excuse to do what they wanted to do. If you tell somebody to do what they want to do, what are you forcing them to do?"
Harulin:"I..."
Likenda:"Haru, the purpose of leaders isn't to control, it's to organize people and provide guidance. Temartak lost sight of that."
He suddenly looks stunned; like he realized something important. He looks at the crown.
Harulin:"I... You just said something that just changed the way I thought. And... You changed the way I thought, yet I'm not angry. Why am I not angry?"

"because you like the new way more then the old"

Likenda:"Because you like the new way more then the old way."
He stares at the crown for a few more seconds, then looks at me.
Harulin:"I will help you rule Andorra. As mother and son."
He gets up to have a better position to hug me. He also kisses me.
Harulin:"You're the best. I love you."
Likenda:"I love you too..."
I'm so happy right now.

>>191771
Oh, also: "Besides that? I didn't force any change on you; I spoke the truth, and you changed yourself. Guidance, not domination."

We need to get you a proper councilor to help you work through your problems; you've been through something nobody deserves, and while we can patch you up a bit and keep you stable, we can't really do much to fix the deep wounds left in your mind.

We'll put the word out for that, and for somebody who can heal your body as well.

[Switch to Haru]
Hey, Haru, how are you holding up?

Likenda:"Besides that? I didn't force any change on you; I spoke the truth, and you changed yourself. Guidance, not domination."
Harulin:"I understand that now. Likenda?"
Likenda:"Yes?"
"Harulin:"I'm sorry I ran away."
I'm sorry to have caused so much trouble for you. Counseling may do me some good. And sorry you have to worry about my physical condition as well. I'm also sorry for keeping you locked up in my mind. I didn't mean to be so rude. Sorry, I'll send you to Harulin now.

...

...

This has really opened up my eyes. All this time... I thought becoming king would mean becoming Temartak. Now I know it isn't true.

>>191868
Torus is a leader that you chose to follow, and as near as we can tell the first time you had a problem with her was when she stopped you from killing yourself - and I think you would agree she did the right thing there.

yes, as long as you have the will you can be anything you want.

>>191872
Yes, now I'm glad she stopped me. I would've never had the chance to reconcile with Likenda. I would've never has the chance to know the true meaning of being a king as well. I now know being the king means guiding the people, not controlling them. It's thanks to everyone. Torus, Likenda, Des, and you guidance spirits.
>>191876
I want to be the king and help rule Andorra alongside my mother. The first order of business is to take down the border rule. It's too controlling.

sounds like a plan, maybe see what other laws are in effect and find ones that could be changed or removed as well.

>>192009
I should really look into that. It'll make everyone happier if everything was less restricting. I feel a little hungry. I wonder what's for dinner.

oh right, that's what your mom came in here for in the first place. she was gonna ask what you wanted.

>>192109
Oh. Okay. Guess we got wrapped up in royal discussion.
Haru:"Likenda, I'll have some... some shrimp."
Likenda:"What? Oh! Okay."
She leaves and closes the door. I look over the crown some more. I'm going to wear this thing at the coronation. Wait... I'm going to have to go up in front of a bunch of people... Gods damnit...

>>192241
Don't worry; Torus and the others will be there beside you.

@Xom: You said you wanted Torus and Jathura in front of a crowd when you gave him his package. How does the middle of a coronation speech sound?

>>192245
No, I don't think I will be. Just thinking about all those people watching me is a terrifying thought. I'm no good with huge crowds. It's the reason why I only taught the students individually.

{[That would be so perfect! I might even get off on the chaos that'll ensue afterwords!]}

>>192312
That's one of the reasons why they'll be there; if you start to stumble, they can step in and cover for you.

@Xom: Well, then you should probably arrange for your girlfriend to be with you to enjoy it.

>>192327
No. I'm serious here. It's a really bad phobia I won't be getting over anytime soon. I just freeze up and panic. I can't help it.

{[This may be able to bring a smile to her face. No... I bet it WILL bring a smile to her face.]}

well what if someone used a spell to temporally blind you so that you can't see anyone? you memorize a speech and what to do at this thing and when the time comes you are blinded so that you can't see all the people.

>>192486
I... guess that can work, but how will I know where I am? I'd have to have some people guide me to where I need to go, but that doesn't seem like a good thing for a king to do. People will be upset that their being ruled by a blind king.

you practice with a blindfold beforehand so you can do the whole ceremony blind without needing help.

>>192483
@Xom: Just as long as she wants to get off with you, yea?

>>192525

There's always the naked audience trick. Or the underwear trick.

>>192534
There would still be people looking at me. A lot of people.
>>192528
I'd need to practice extremely hard to get it right. I better start after dinner. Or after I review the current laws.
>>192531
{[Okay, sir. I'll keep that in mind.]}

>>192590
The door opens to my room and Torus comes in.
Torus:"Dinner's ready. How're you feeling?"
Haru:"I'm feeling.. uh..."
What's the word I'm looking for? Torus is looking at me expectantly.

>>192908

"Horny."

i would say you are currently feeling an admixture of confusion, happiness and a dash of fear.

>>192979

Yeah and the word for that is "horny."

>>192979
I don't think there's a word for that, which I was looking for. Oh well.
Haru:"I'm feeling a mixture of confucion, happiness, and a small dash of fear."
Torus:"Did you decide if you want to rule or not?"
Haru:"Yes, and I'm going to help my mother. After dinner, I'm going to look over the current laws. After that, I'm going to practice the coronation."
Torus:"I'm sure you'll do fine."
Torus, Des, Likenda, and I all go to the dining table. It's smaller than I remember. I sit at my plate of shrimp. It looks tasty. Torus and Likenda sit down next to me. Likenda sits down and begins to recite a speech about how the king deserves the first bite of food.

i think you should stop her there, that sounds like no one was aloud to eat unless the king was hungry. anyone can eat when they want, you aren't going to stop them.

>>193112
Haru:"Likenda, please stop. Anyone can eat when they want."
Likenda:"S- sorry. I didn't know. I mean, I'm glad. Sorry."
We start to eat. I can't get over how much Temartak mistreated everyone. If there's anyone you want to talk to or have questions for besides me, tell me.

>>193679
Actually, we need to talk to Torus.

>>193802
Okay. I'll allow that.

...

...

This pork is kind of tough. I wonder if they have any gravy.

>>193879
Hey, Torus. Since it's going to take a few days to set-up the coronation, we think you should go and get Jathura. Plus anybody else who wants to be there to support Haru.

>>193887
Well, of course I was going to get Jathura. This is a big event, though. I have to make sure he's properly clothed. I don't know if they'll like a naked construct running around the castle. I ask for some gravy, but they don't have any. Oh well.

>>194037
He doesn't have anything to hide.
Literally.

Given his leg design I think pants would be too difficult to design and dangerous to use, so just go with a nice coat and vest design; open in front with coattails hanging down the sides and back.

>>194043
Yes, I know that, but still. The coat sounds nice, and I can try and make a blanket or something. That might be too much. I might have to ask Haru to have it be legal for naked constructs to be allowed.

...Should I bring Armi along as well?

>>194522
Why don't you just ask who wants to go?
Call Murelle and her girlfriend up and let them know as well.

>>194522

Geeze if it's an issue just use some wig tape and affix a righteous merkin to him.

>>194528
That's actually a good idea. I'll do that.
>>194566
Oh, hehe. That's so funny, I have to do that. He'll look so cute. We're almost done eating dinner. Anymore questions you'd like to ask me?

>>194632
Naw, that's about it.

>>194943
Okay. We finish our dinner and I tell everyone I'm going to get some more people to attend the coronation. Des says he wants to stay. Haru hugs and thanks both you and me. I hug back. There's a question on my mind tight now. How am I going to get back without Odoru there?

>>194945
Hrm... Well, you could try sending us to Murelle and seeing if there's a teleport location nearby.

>>194946
Hopefully she'll know some nearby. See you soon.

...

...

Murelle:"No, Murelle didn't really like the desert."
Maryse:"Maybe you are trying the cake tomorrow?"
Murelle:"Maybe, and you messed up. "Maybe you should try the cake tomorrow.'"
Maryse:"Ah, thanks."
Murelle:"Murelle deems it no problem."

>>195009
Hey, our favorite lovers!
Haru's going to be crowned king of Andorra in a few days, and we need to know if:
A: there are any teleport circles near there for Torus to use and
B: if you would like to attend.

>>195115
Oh! Murelle greets you guidance spirits! Murelle had no idea Haru had a Queen. Yes, Murelle made a few in different spots around Andorra. Hmm... Sure, Murelle would like to come to see the birthing. What is the name of Haru's Queen? Did you know Murelle is a Queen as well?

>>195131
Things work a bit differently in Andorra. They can be ruled by either a king or queen, and Haru has no queen.
We didn't know you're a queen. That's interesting. Queen of what? Can you explain?

Also, could you go show Torus where the teleport circle nearest to the castle is?

i think your definition and ours are mixed up. we mean he is going to become a ruler of a country... maybe later your definition will happen.

>>195136
>>195140
Murelle is sorry.
Female naga who have their kin are called Queens, just like male naga are called Kings. Kings and Queens are usually together for mating purposes, and do not look after their kin. When a naga group is born, they work together until they are able to work alone. Let Murelle tell you it's weird to see a person you know for more than 2 weeks in a row.

Murelle doesn't really like the premise of a single or small group ruling a big area. She thinks it's better if there is a large percentage of people ruling a single area. All naga do. Murelle isn't so sure she wants to see Haru rule.

haru doesn't want to rule ether, which is why he is perfect for the job. also, a proper ruler does not tell people what to do, they guide and coordinate the people.

>>195170
Different cultures and species think different ways. Believe me when I say that Haru becoming king is the best thing that has happened to this people in decades.

On a related note, would you, by any chance, have an artifact that can regrow limbs and eyes? Haru's mother is in pretty bad shape, and could use the help.

>>195178
But how can so few guide so many? Murelle cannot even begin to comprehend why someone would want to rule. The stress on their mental state would be too great to bear trying to appease all those people.
>>195182
Murelle thinks an even better thing would be to let about 400 more people to rule. It evens out both the power and the stress.

No, Murelle does not have an artifact that can do that. She can make it, though it will delay the well. Incidentally, she has started from scratch again. Murelle is going to add a thing where the water glows red and give out a 3 week curse of heavy coughing. She is also going to spread rumors that cheating the well out of money will kill the cheater.

>>195208
By way of example, Humans like to take sides and argue. Having a lot of people making decisions results in a lot of arguing and nothing useful being accomplished.
The regent doesn't have the entire burden of rule on them either. They make big decisions, and the people who work for the them figure out the details on how to get it done.

Put the well on the back burner; Torus doesn't have any pressing need to look at her old life, after all.

So, what projects are you working on? Are you feeling overworked? Bored? Comfortable with your work level?
Would you like more projects that you can switch between to avoid fatigue, or fewer projects so you can focus entirely on one without distractions?

>>195214
So... they're lazy. Another reason why Murelle doesn't agree with a small group of people ruling. Murelle will keep the well idea in the back of her mind just in case.

She is working on a few projects at the moment. One such project is the experimentation of an exploding powder. Murelle thinks it could be useful. Murelle isn't feeling that overworked. She is comfortable right now. Murelle will start work on the eye and arm regeneration tomorrow if that's okay with you. She has also asked Maryse if she wanted to go to the stupid ruling thing. She said no.

>>195349
No, they just work differently is all. By the same token most humans would consider Naga mating and breeding practices to be horribly negligent; humans mate for life, or close to it, and the parents raise their children together. Humans are highly social creatures, and their behavior stems from that.
My advice? Don't worry too much about it unless it affects you directly.

I'm glad to hear you're comfortable with your work load. We'll try to keep it around this level, alright?

Oh, and that's an easy one: Sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter. Start with weight measures of 10%, 15%, 75% respectively, and adjust it from there. Stand back when you light it off.

>>195353
What? They think us Naga are negligent? They are the negligent ones. They have no idea how to do anything right. They're lazy, they coddle their kin too much, and they depend on their Queens and Kings too much. Murelle has no idea how the human species has survived this long. Absolutely no idea at all.

Sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter? Is that what it's made of? Murelle found the exploding powder a few days ago. Or more specifically, someone else. That person is dead now. Blown up. Murelle will obviously be more careful than that dead person. Hmm... Murelle wants to name the powder. How does Boom Dust sound?

>>195382

You'll blow your nuts off if you follow those "directions." You need to mix the powder evenly, use a mortar and pestel (ceramic or glass, it needs to be non-reactive and non-sparking). Once you have a nice even mix, add a little water to get the powder to stick to itself and press it into cakes. Break the cakes up into small grains by pressing them through screens. You may need to use several sets of meshes, each of finer grain than the previous.

The resulting grains should be small and even in size. Smaller grains are better. Use good lump charcoal. You want it to have a high carbon content.

>>195435
Murelle should write this down in her notes. It's really useful to her. She should also think of more names other than Boom Dust. Some people may not approve of it for some reason. Murelle should also start thinking of practical purposes for it as well. Is there more you wish to ask of Murelle?

>>195382

The powder you'll be making will be brown-ish black in color. It is useful as an explosive on its own, but it's even better as a propellant for rockets, cannon, and handguns. Constructing those can wait until you can make reliable black powder. The quality of the metal work in the cannon and guns will initially dictate the way you mix your black powder. The generic 10/15/75 formula can be adjusted to make lower-pressure powder for cannon and guns with poor construction, or higher pressure powder for outstanding examples.

>>195478
Murelle doesn't know what a gun, rocket, or a cannon is. Murelle asks Maryse what they are, but she doesn't know either. Murelle guesses they are involved with explosions in some manner. Would the guidance spirits like to know about a different project, or do you want to go back to Torus? Or would you like to know more about Murelle?

>>195511

Oh man, no guns here? This will be awesome.

I'll be brief. A rocket is a device that flies through the air using a powder charge as propellant. The rocket can carry a warhead, which explodes, or simply rely on its momentum and mass to inflict damage. One type of rocket worth considering is a Congreve rocket. This is a metal tube sealed on one end and capped on the other with a rocket nozzle. It is packed with gunpowder. On the front of the rocket most designs have a metal barb, while the tail of the rocket is a long length of flexible steel with sharpened edges.

Aim the rocket at an enemy formation and set it off, and it will drive into them, the tail causing grave injuries and amputations, the spike goring through infantry as long as the gunpowder burns.

Congreve rockets are devastating in massed formations. A couple of thousand can utterly break an enemy army.

Guns, both artillery cannon and handguns, are useful for multiplying the power of your infantry. Artillery with well-designed shells can destroy even the strongest conventional fortresses and castles in a matter of hours. Muskets, the simplest handgun, give an infantryman the ability to kill another man at 100 paces or so and will punch through most sorts of armor. More advanced handgun weapons can be developed, the pinnacle of which will allow a single infantry man to be able to kill dozens of men within about four hundred paces, or kill a man at over two thousand paces (which requires both an excellent weapon and an excellent marksman).

>>195524
Murelle has no idea what your rambling on about, so she deems that information useless and not worth writing down. If there are no questions to ask of Murelle, she'll send you back to Torus. Is that okay with you guidance spirits?

>>195562

I take it that Murelle has never fought a land war.

>>195564
Murelle hasn't fought any battle whatsoever. She wants to create, not fight. She also assumes you have nothing else to ask of her. Murelle is sending you back to Torus now.

...

...

I take a peek in the Dragonkeeper point. Oh! There's a dragon here. It seems to be sleeping. I wonder how this dragon got here. There were no dragons when we arrived.

>>195593

Hey Torus do you want to be able to fight a land war with overwhelmingly superior firepower for your troops?

plz say yes

>>195601
Um, what? Ask me that later. blowing up a dragon doesn't seem like a good idea. Should I wake this purple dragon up, or should I go get a guard?

>>195792

If you wake it up by yourself you better have breakfast ready for it. A couple of goats or something at least.

>>195802
I'm a powerful red mage, remember? I can probably freeze it or whatever if it comes at me. I walk cautiously toward the dragon, ready to freeze it if it makes a false move.
Torus:"Hey!"
The dragon stirs, then looks at me.
Dragon:"Yes, what is it?"
I want to make a good impression, and with that, I need a good speech. Can you help me out here?

>>196998

Introduce yourself, ask the dragon his name, and then ask if he has heard the news about the king yet.

>>197051
I asked for a speech. I guess I'll have to make one myself. I clear my throat.
Torus:"Greetings, dragon. My alias is Torus, and I am presently in need of your services at the moment. May I ask what your name is?"
Dragon:"My name's Averna. I'm a dragon?"
It looks at itself.
Averna:"Oh, right. Yes. I'm a dragon."
That was a little weird.
Torus:"Excuse me, but have you heard about the news of the king?"
Averna:"No, I haven't. What happened?"
Torus:"Prince Haru, his son, has returned and will be taking over Temartak's reign. The coronation is in 8 days."
Averna:"Hmm. A little birdy might have told me that. I don't remember. You said you were in need of my services, yes?"
Torus:"That is correct."
Averna:"Where to, my lass?"

>>197058

"The nearest smith whose work you would trust your life to. I have a land war to prepare for, and I need a special commission built."

>>197073
I'm not sure where you're going with this. What land war do we have?
Torus:"The nearest smith whose work you would trust your life to. I have a land war to prepare for, and I need a special commission built."
He tilts his head and seems to smile.
Averna:"Very well. Hop onto my back and I'll take off."
I get onto his back. He takes a small moment to prepare himself for flight; testing his wings out.
Averna:"Pardon me if I'm a little shaky at first. I ha- I haven't had a passenger for so long. It'll take me a bit to get used to the extra weight."
He takes to the sky an- Whoa! he nearly hit the wall!
Averna:"Ah, so that's how..."
He steadies himself out. This is really weird. Are there dragons that forget to fly, or even what they are?

>>197077
"So, what's it like being a shapeshifter?"

>>197077

There's usually a land war somewhere, I'm sure you'll find one you can hijack for your own ends. Anyway we're going to have the blacksmith build a weapon that works with the black powder you had Murelle research.

>>197081
He's a shapeshifter? That explains a lot.
Torus:"So, what's it like being a shapeshifter?"
He's silent for a while, then he tilts his head.
Averna:"I really need to work on hiding my identity. Excuse me for lying to you. Most people would think I'm just a retarded dragon. To answer your question, it feels good. Once we're in a private place, I shall show you my true form."
>>197152
Hmm... that makes sense. There could be a land war going on this second somewhere in the world. Sadly, there's no way to find it other than dumb luck.

And what's this about a black powder? I've only had Murelle research the well of memories and... um... you know.

>>197162
"Well, in that case the best thing to do is look at people like you're confused, and take the time you need to get into character. People don't usually lose track of their species unless it changes."

We've given her some things to look into as well, and gave her a hand on one of her side projects.
Specifically, we asked her to create an artifact that can regrow lost body parts. We figured you would want to give Haru something like that.
We figured you would agree it's more urgent than the memory well, so we asked her to put that on hold in the meantime.

>>197162

Oh I beg your pardon, I thought you had her research the explosive powder. Perhaps that was a side project of her own devising. Anyway, black powder is a chemical mixture that experiences fast deflagration. It's not a true explosive, but it can serve as one.

It is most suitable for use as a propellant. We gave Murelle some good advice on how to make and corn black powder. She should come up with a medium-strength powder if she doesn't accidentally blow herself up or mis-mix the powder somehow. It'll be perfect for loading into a simple musket, or making grenados, or for use in cannon and siege shells, or any other number of potential projects. My personal favorite are Congreve rockets, which are nasty single-use weapons in their own right.

The musket will be the bread and butter infantry weapon though.

Muskets look a bit like short spears, with a broad end that rests against the shoulder (called a stock) and a removable spearhead called a bayonet. The bayonet can be used on its own as a knife as well. Down the majority of the length of the weapon is a metal tube. This tube is called a barrel. The barrel is open at the end of the weapon (where the bayonet usually is) and sealed at the other end except for a small hole called a touch-hole. The club end of the musket is securely attached to the barrel. Usually wood reinforces the barrel up its entire length. This is to protect the hands of the wielder, since the barrel grows hot when the primary attack of the musket is used.

Put a charge of black powder down the barrel. Put a piece of cloth to act as wadding and help seal it down there as well (this is called the patch). Put a small cylinder of lead with blunted nose and a slightly hollowed base down the barrel. Tamp this all down with a rod. Use a spark to ignite the powder charge through the touch-hole (there are several ways to achieve this, including options not classically available such as magic ignition). The part of the weapon that allows the touch-hole to be lit is usually actuated by a device called a lock. The lock is usually a spring-loaded method of making a spark or bringing an ignition source to the touch-hole and is activated by a trigger.

Once the touch-hole is lit the black powder should ignite and burn very quickly. The pressure from the gasses will push the lead ball out the end of the barrel at high speeds. High enough speeds to pierce metal armor and flesh; to shatter bones and kill even large beasts at a single shot.

And it needs to be a single shot, since reloading a muzzle-loading musket takes a minute or so. In fights the best way to use muskets is to have three files of musketmen firing, reloading, and aiming at any given time. That way each file can cover for the others until the enemy breaks or charges. If the enemy charges, anyone who has just fired affixes their bayonets and fights like short-spear fighters instead of trying to reload in a melee. If there isn't time to affix the bayonet, use the end of musket as a club.

>>197168
Torus:"Well, in that case the best thing to do is look at people like you're confused, and take the time you need to get into character. People don't usually lose track of their species unless it changes."
Averna:"Thanks for the advice. I'll try to remember to do that. I'm a little absent-minded. Will you be able to forgive me if I forget you?"
Restoring lost body parts of someone else might put me in a better light, so the well can wait. Say, did Murelle or Maryse want to come to the coronation?
>>197172
Wow... That sounds... good for people who can't or don't use magic. Where'd you think this up anyway? You guidance spirits have a good imagination.

>>197220
No, they don't want to come.

Wait, "Can't or won't"? How many spells do you have that can kill almost anything on the planet from a kilometer away?

>>197220

That's a bit like asking a hawk where it learned to fly.

The barrel is the most energy-intensive part to make, but the lock will be most complicated and labor intensive part. The stock is the easiest part to make, though a well-made stock will have space for patches, a cleaning kit, the loading/cleaning rod, and a bayonet lug. It will also be the part that determines ergonomics; you'll need different sorts of stocks for different species, based on the shape of their hands and shoulders.

A decently made musket with proper minie ball bullets will have an accurate range of over 50 meters.

>>197222

That's for proper full-size artillery. Little muskets have a much shorter killing range.

>>197231
Wait, muskets?
I suppose you have to start somewhere, but with magically-assisted metalworking we can skip a few centuries of tinkering. We should at least be able to make something that can reliably hit a man-sized target at 300m without magical assistance. If you add-in magic bullets that are immune to wind and gravity then we should be able to hit targets far beyond that.

>>197222
From a kilometer? Um... I don't think I have that many. Magic doesn't usually have that far a range. I guess I can test out this musket idea.
>>197229
>>197231
I'm not even sure if magic has a 50 meter reach either. I haven't tried it yet. If I fail, that's all the more reason to use a musket.
>>197277
We're getting really ambitious here. This could take as long as it would take to build a well of memories. I think. I'll have to tell whoever we're going to see to keep the musket a secret as well. I don't want them to be used against us.

>>197277

Muskets are good weapons for prototyping and training the manufacturers with. They're not the best weapons we can teach them to make, but for black powder they're just fine. They are a huge jump in killing power for non-magic infantry, and at only modest expense.

We will need to learn how expensive it is to manufacture weapons and shells to the tolerances needed for precision rifles (and perhaps repeaters). If the price of manufacture isn't crippling then we should pursue it. But plain old muskets are actually cheaper to build than a good sword once you've gotten the manufacturers trained properly.

>>197286
I got it. I hope. This is really good. Soon, we'll have the resources to make taking over the world that much easier.
Averna:"You've been quiet for some time."
He tilts his head.
Averna:"Is there something on your mind?"

>>197379

Tell him you were just going over how you were going to instruct the smith about the requirements of the piece you wanted made.

>>197599
Torus:"I'm just going over how to instruct the smith about the requirements of the piece I wanted made."
Averna:"Hm. I have a question for you. Do you mind if I ask it?"
Torus:"No, not at all."
Averna:"What are you planning to do with what you're going to have made? It seems really important to be in such a hurry for it."
Well, now that this is being bought up, I may be able to convince him to help me take over the world through some careful words. What exactly should I tell him?

>>198377

The spirits considered Torus' words carefully. She really wanted the shape-shifter to help her, and he didn't seem to be the murderous sort. He'd want a logical explanation. They started feeding her a line.

She said, "I need to have one example of the piece ready today, to show to Crown Prince Haru. I want to have his permission to make more, and to train some guards in how to use them. I want the new weapons to be used to help defend during the coronation."

Her voice took on an air of disdain as she spoke, "There will be people who don't want to see Temartak lose the throne. Opportunists, leeches, horrible people who have been taking advantage of the Mad King's inability to attend to all matters of state competently. There will likely be an attempt on Crown Prince Haru's life before the coronation, and certainly at the coronation."

As she continued, there was touch of pride to her words, "The weapons I'm going to have made will serve well for personal defense. Once I have a set prepared, Haru will be much better defended. As a bonus, he'll have the option of making duplicates and outfitting his army with them, and I'll have the option of finding others who need similar levels of force to defend themselves and their lands."

>>198636
This seems really patronizing. Don't do it again and stick with normal suggestions.

Wow... You have a flair for the dramatic. I tell him all of that. He doesn't speak for a while. Then he tilts his head.
Averna:"In addition to whatever equipment you plan to use, I offer my assistance in your little protection thing. Do you accept?"

>>198668
I'm surprised you found it so. It's just prose.

Well Torus, do you want this guy on your team or what?

>>198812
Yes, I'll accept all the help I can get. He may even get to temporarily replace Raul for the time being until he gets back.
Torus:"I accept."
I say that with a smile. I see a town in the distance.
Averna:"Great. We're close to the blacksmith. I need to land right now and travel the rest of the way on land. He doesn't know I'm a shapeshifter demon."
He flies to the ground and lands.
Averna:"Hmm..."
He tilts his head.
Averna:"Do you want to see my true form right now, or wait? I can transform into an elf if not."

as long as it's not some kind of horrible monstrosity then sure.

Torus 2010/06/26(Sat)15:19 No. 199487 ID: 34470e
File 127759075038.jpg - (38.49KB , 680x1000 , Averna.jpg )

>>198842
Torus: Sure. Just as long as it isn't some kind of horrible monstrosity."
He gives out a small laugh.
Averna:"I assure you, I'm not a horrible monstrosity."
He shifts into a person with white hair and a black suit. The suit has a lit of latches on it. I think he has black eyes as well.
Averna:"So..."
He tilts his head and smirks.
Averna:"What do you think?"

>>199487

Nice coat. Black eyes, so either he has very large pupils and unusually dark sclera, or he has nicitating membranes protecting his eyes. The former suggests unusually good night vision and possibly the ability to see colors humans cannot, while the latter suggests aquatic ancestors. If he has nicitating membranes he'll never need goggles to see well underwater.

Are those tentacles peeping out from under the coat? His posture on his tentacles suggests that they're quite strong, and longer than his apparent height would suggest (i.e. he's got them partially coiled up).

The long torso suggests an equally long digestive tract, the sort herbivores, omnivores, and scavengers have. The facial structures, particularly the jaw, are not suited for an herbivore. He doesn't have the extended muzzle a dedicated predator would have, either. He's probably an omnivore, and he'll probably be able to eat the same stuff you do. He may be able to deal with food that a human would consider dangerous.

Since he's admitted to being a demon, and appears to be a benign sort of demon, it'd be worth finding out more about his home.

>>199517
Torus:"Nice."
Wow. That's really detailed. We... I start walking over to the city. while he starts slithering. Or something. He is kind of nice.
Torus:"Can you tell me more about your home?"
Averna:"Gladly. I lived in a sort of a demon nexus. It was almost like a hell, but instead of individuals fighting with no societies, there were multiple societies fighting. The little societies, cliques as we call them, had a deep loyalty to whom they were fighting for. There were rarely any defects, and you can usually trust everyone in their clique. Usually, because..."
He looks at himself and smirks a little. Then he looks at me and tilts his head.

Averna:"But shapeshifters were rare. Anyways, The clique I was in had a voting system where each leader was chosen every 5 cycles. A cycle is about 5 and a half years earth time. I was actually the co-leader of the clique. I came to earth after Yeir was chosen. I congratulated him, and he told me about this place. He said it was different, and my curiosity got the best of me."
Me motions his arms out to the world around him.
Averna:"And here I am."
He tilts his head and smirks a little.
Averna:"Any more questions, darling? Or maybe you'd like to tell me about your past?"

>>200615
Torus:"No, I'm good."
Averna:"As you wish."
We walk for a few minutes.
Averna:"You're to keep me a secret."
He tilts his head. Then his eyes seem to turn whiter."
Averna:"Okay? I don't want anyone knowing I'm a demon."

of course. trust must be earned by actions. and clear up that it is not that you do not wish to never tell him about your past, or lack thereof, but that he has not been a group member long enough to know that.

>>200842
Torus:"I won't. And I don't wish to never tell you about my past. It's just that you haven't been a group member long enough."
He tilts his head and smirks a little.
Averna:"I'll be patient. Just in case, refer to me as a Faerid."
We walk to the town. There's a sign. It says 'Donneville'.
Averna:"Welcome to Donneville."
The town looks a little bland for my tastes. He tilts his head.
Averna:"Let me do the talking. They don't speak Czech in this town. Okay, darling? I may be able to get that scar of yours healed up as well."

welll that is one thing you can tell him, you kinda like the scar.

>>201022
Torus:"Averna, I like this scar. I don't ever want to get rid of it."
He smirks a little.
Averna:"As you wish."
We walk for a little bit more.
Person:"Ei, não! Vocês dois!"
The person that called out to us catches up to us.
Person:"Tenho algumas ofertas maravilhosas especial só esperando para o tanto de você! Se você apenas me siga, que ia ser fino e elegante!"
Averna:"Sinto muito, mas vamos ver Padro."
Person:"Não, eu insisto. Estas promoções são realmente baratos! Você não vai se arrepender!"
Averna:"Eu vou dizer isso novamente. Nós não nos importamos."
Can someone tell me what they're talking about?

>>201054

What is that, Portuguese? I know some Spanish, a sister language... let's see...

Eh, the gist of it is that the man who just accosted you wants to sell you something. He says it is a special deal. I don't know what "it" is though. Averna told him "Sorry, we're going to see Padro." The hawker insisted, and then Averna said something that's not close enough to Spanish for me to understand. The second half of what Averna said is, loosely, "...it is not important to us."

>>201146
Okay, so the person's annoying. Should I do something to him, or let Averna handle him?The person and Averna talk some more.

since they wont be able to understand you not much you can do without scaring him with a show of force, but that could attract attention of the guard or something.

>>201193
Well... maybe I could... no, that wouldn't work. Gods damnit. I guess I have no choice but to leave it to Averna.
Person:"Última cancro antes que você perca."
He tilts his head and smirks a little.
Averna:"Última cancro antes de relatório por uma queixa."
The person hisses.
Person:"Você não lamento, mesmo tendo uma olhada em meus produtos mais tarde."
He turns to face some other people walking around in the city.
Person:"Ei você! Vocês três!"
He runs off to them. We continue on.
Averna:"Scammers."
He tilts his head.
Averna:"You have to watch out for them. It could be easy to be pulled in by their foolery. Would you like to know more about them?"
This demon is nice. Too nice. It'll be easy manipulating him into helping me take over the world.

is he nice, or does he just want you to think that? he is a shape-shifter, a manipulator, if he REALLY IS on your side then he will be a great ally, but if he is not then you may be in trouble.

>>201675
HA! Being nice is not at all related to being gullible.

Don't try to manipulate him, since it could very easily backfire horribly. Treat him well and he'll help you without manipulation.

>>201680
If he turns out on me, I can probably kill him. I'm a pretty powerful red mage, although I need to sort of train on fighting without magic.
Torus:"Can you just give me a summary about what they do, just to get the jist of it?"
Averna:"Sure, sure. They usually try and grab your attention by offering a special deal. They take you to a secrete alleyway, and you brouse their selection. When you buy something, they make you sign a contract with an invisible ink. If you foolishly sign the contract, you have to pay more than ten times the price they sell the item to you, and a subscription fee."
He tilts his head and smirks a little. I need to come up with a name for that motion.
Averna:"And if you don't pay, well, I can't say what happens to you. But I can tell you they have some big brutes around."
>>201686
All right. I won't manipulate him. It would probably quicken things a bit, but I'll be patient. I have a question. When will you trust him? I'll make that the same time I trust him.

really isn't any way to set a time on that. but if i had to then i would say a week for him to become trusted enough.

>>201746
Very well. If you give it a week, so do I. We continue on talking about various stuff whilst walking towards the blacksmith. When we get there, 2 people are talking. In what I think is Portuguese.
Averna:"Oi, Padro. Como vai você?"
One person looks at Averna.
Person 1:"Averna? Onde você estava? Eu não vi você em uma semana."
Averna tilts his head and smirks a little.
Averna:"Eu estava em Andorra, verificando-lo."
Person 1:"Andorra? Por que você estava em Andorra?"
Averna:"Não importa, mas não vai ser uma coroação, e logo-à-rei pode ser alvo de algumas pessoas um pouco desagradável. Temos sonething em mente que podem ajudar a protegê-lo."
He looks at me.
Averna:"Meu amigo aqui só se fala checo, e ela apareceu com o que ela está prestes a lhe mostrar."
Person 1:"Precisamos ir para a mesa de desenho para isso."
He turns to the other person.
Person 1:"Desculpe-me, este vai ter apenas um momento."
Can anybody give me a summary of what they just said? I don't like not understanding people.

Hi, Padro . How are you?
Averna ? Where were you? I have not seen you in a week.
I was in Andorra, checking it out.
Andorra? Why were you in Andorra?
It does not matter , but will not be a coronation, and soon- to-be king can be the target of some rather unpleasant. sonething in mind that we can help protect you.
My friend here only speaks Czech, and she came up with what she is about to show him .
We need to go to the drawing board for this.
Excuse me , this will take just a moment.

has some grammar errors. and missing words bu is pretty close.

>>201831
You wouldn't have to tell me if I understood it the first time. I'll have to have Murelle make something for me to fix that. And what's with him thinking English is Czech? That confuses me. Averna and I follow the person, who I think is Padro, to a table with a stack of papers on it. Padro takes all but one of the papers and puts them on the ground.

The remaining paper he leaves on the table. He then takes a few pencils out of a cup and picks up a few straightedges and a few erasers and he puts them on the paper. He looks at me expectantly. You guidance spirits are going to have to help me out, because I have no idea what a musket looks like.

Suggestion 2010/07/01(Thu)15:33 No. 201879 ID: 527951
File 127802360788.jpg - (64.32KB , 1650x388 , musket1.jpg )

can you see this? tell me so and 'll try to describe it. don't need to be exact with it but most things need to be there. also make sure averna explains that it has a hole in the front and is not a solid metal tube.

>>201879
Yes, I can see it perfectly. I grab a pencil and begin sketching it. I'll correct it as you explain how it works and what it's made of.
Torus:"Averna, when I'm finished drawing, I need to explain something to you. Right now, it's impossible to do it right now."
He tilts his head and smirks a little. Why does he keep on doing that? No matter how many times I see that, I can't get used to it.
Averna:"I'll be patient until you're finished, darling."

okay, now the trigger, the little metal peice inside the metal dome, when you pull it it causes the hammer looking part to slam forward and make a spark that falls into a bunch of gunpowder inside and makes the powder explode. since it is contained in metal it only has one way to go, towards the hole, and if a metal ball is in the way it launches it out at high speed.

>>201923
This looks a lot like a crossbow, but with the ammo being put inside instead of on top. I write down those notes. It also looks a little bland, but we'll have time to stylize it later, right?

much later, right now you need them to be stable so they don't blow your arm off. so function over form. and yeah, it is like a crossbow, just a lot more powerful. best one we know of can blow a hole through a 6 inch thick plate of steel, but that requires materials that are very far off.

>>201917

Let me give you detailed construction instructions.

First inquire if this smith can drill a perfectly straight bore through a hardened solid steel rod 42 inches in length. If he can do so, be it through magic or superior technology, all to the better because it means a stronger barrel.

If he cannot, there is a second method that can be used to make the barrel. He will need to take a rod and hammer weld several strips of steel around it. Hammer welding is an elementary technique in smithing, even a dunce could do that part to satisfaction. But since he's a great smith, I'm sure we'll get a much better product than if we had a nobody do it.

Either way, once the basic shape of the barrel is finished, he will need to close one end of the barrel and then drill as tiny a hole as possible through the capped end. That hole is the touch hole, and it will be the channel that the spark moves through. I won't tell him his business when it comes to polishing and finishing the barrel, save that if he knows of any corrosion-preventing electroplate coatings that can stand tremendous heat he should use that coating to finish the barrel. Chromium would be ideal, if it is available.

If he doesn't know of a good finish, we can make a pine oil coating for the guns that will serve until we can set up eletroplating vats.

The lock will be the trickiest part of the gun. Do you know if it is possible to enchant items to emit a small high-temperature spark on command? If that's possible, we can use a magic lock instead of a mechanical lock.

>>201970
Wow, that seems very impressive. I continue drawing the musket and writing some notes down on the piece of paper. Averna translates what the notes say, and translates what Padro says for me.
Averna:"Padro says this musket think is the most influential artifact he'll ever create. He also wants in on taking credit for thinking of the idea."
>>202055
I ask those things, and Averna relays.
Averna:"He says he has a magical artifact for decorating swords. He thinks it'll work. He also says he doesn't know what chromium is. He only ever worked with steel, iron, diamond, and obsidian before. He may be able to find a mage that can enchant it so it's heat-resistant or heat-proof. He also says he might be able to find a mage to enchant the lock."
He tilts his head and smirks a little.
Averna:"Is that sufficient enough?

>>202076

Since he can do it magically, you can amend the specifications for the barrel so that it is a rifled barrel. Have it use seven channels cut so that they twist around completely once from the end of the barrel to the muzzle (the very end of it). This will triple the accuracy of the gun, at the expense of making the barrel more complicated.

The rifle will need bullets. Find a mold-maker who can make a metal mold for casting lead bullets in. We'll use the minee bullet type of bullet, since it's perfect for rifles.

Only the coating needs to be heat resistant. The purpose of the coating is to protect the gun barrel from corrosion, not heat. The gun barrel will have plenty of time to cool between shots.

Chromium is an element, likely not discovered yet if he hasn't heard of it. We can do without the coating entirely as long as you are fastidious about cleaning the gun as soon as possible after you use it.

Everything else sounds fine. The stock of the gun should have a place to keep a thin metal rod that is longer than the barrel and a strong lug for mounting a bayonet.

The bayonet is just a knife with a matching lug in its handle.