>>135243
Oh... Oh no...

Well, Antares is still breathing, at least. the creature is dead, pinned to the ground by the sword. The sword is stuck to the hilt into the ground, so I have to move the creature out of the way to pull it out.

>>135346
Right then. Oh, you'd better hold onto that sword yourself, just in case. It's got a magical enchantment that gives tactical information in the case of an ambush or similar thing.

>>135350
R-right. I carry the body back, running. No. NO! There's more commotion at the beach! I break through the bushes, hiding Antares in the hollow stone and rushing into the combat.

My fist impacts one of the strange creatures in the face, an-
!!?

The round head goes flying attatched by a white, stretching cord. The armored head stops moving back, then zooms at me again, before I can get my guard up. It splits my helmet in half, sending me stumbling.

The world's going dark...

>>135375
Don't pass out! Can you reach the hive, or find one of Vorana's drones so they can carry you to safety? If not, try to find another ally who can protect you. Asala or Rance, optimally.

>>135404
I recover, barely. I decapitate the creature with ease, making my way to Jai, Asala, Rance, and the Vorn, gaurding a dark cave.

There's so many of them. We can barely keep them off.

"Shit! I'm out of ammo!" Jai calls out, pulling out a crossbow to snap a creature in the eyeslit of its helmet.

>>135416
Asala sighs, and sets her feet.
"Antares is unconcious, right?" she asks.
"Yes, why?"
"Good. He won't see this side of me." she says, then simply... grows.
Her body suddenly scales up, ten feet, eleven feet, twelve, fourteen, twenty. Her skin darkens until it is a deep, deep brown, her eyes redden until they are twin orbs of crimson, and her arms grow thicker.

Wh-what?!

"Called it." Jai mutters, stabbing a creature in the face as Asala picks two up and simply crushes them, kicking aside a third.

>>135452
Well that's handy. Is she not worried about Rance seeing this? Or maybe Rance is off doing something with his orcs.

Give Asala support. Try to keep enemies from attacking her from her blind spots. Maybe throw some boulders around.

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/02/19(Fri)16:35 No. 135496 ID: 6faa8c
File 126662613512.jpg - (58.97KB , 442x600 , NewCryingLegionMember.jpg )

>>135455
R-right! I'll ask about it later!

As she kicks the foes around like toys, I close with Jai on the ones to her left, and Rance handles the ones on the right. It doesn't take long for the enemies to slow and then stop arriving.

And then the last arrives. A man in heavy armor I've never seen before. Black fire riols from his body, and his step turns the beach to glass.

He points at Asala, and massive, thick, ropy appendages tear from the earth and bind her in place as he crosses his arms, the faceplate covering his face comepletely.

Vorana, behind us, looks shocked, while Asala rages at the restraints. They heal even as I slice at them, and then they begin to pull her away.
Antares is waking.

>>135496
Hmm. If the sword is called Freedom, maybe it can remove bonds somehow. Give it to Asala perhaps?

>>135547
I toss the sword up, and out of reflex, she catches it.

There's a flash, and she's gone. The tentacles hang in their positions for a moment, before retracting in confusion. Antares is awake. He sees the armored man and runs into the hive.

The armored man points at the hive, taps his wrist twice, then draws his thumb along his neck.

And then a maw swallows him from under the earth, the sand closing around it after it leaves veiw.

>>135891
Ysl, what is your honest opinion of Antares?

>>135894
Antares?
He's... interesting. I've been interested in men before, but none of them were strong or... couragous enough. Too boring. I won't say I'm in love or infatuated, though.

And this is between us, right~?

>>135897
Yes, it's between us.

>>135900
Good. I'd hate for Antares to get expectant.

#$@!Q%@#

I sigh as I leave the cave with Asala. She's given Freedom back, and I look over the massive amount of dead bodies. None of them, thankfully, are my friends. It appears that this day is ours, for now.

>>135992
We're gonna have to get rid of the bodies somehow so Achilles can't take the organic matter for his own uses.

Hey, we now know that Freedom can release the wielder from bonds, with a little bit of magical fuel.

>>136037
I'll get the boies burned immediately. We will then take whatever doesn't burn and feed it to the Vorn. Vorana states she is expanding further underground, and Ysl is going to help her move heavy stones.

Rance is going back to his tribe. We're going to hold out here.

Is there anything I should do?

[Spend time with (Asala/Jai) | Go with Rance | Check on the goblin town | Experiment with runes]

>>136068
I want to spend time with Jai, personally.

But literally everything on that list is actually important...

Meh, still voting for Jai spending time with. We gotta decide soon, so you can d...

Have someone to fight for. Passion helps with these things.

Why don't we do two things at once? Go with Jai to the goblin town.

>>136186
Good idea

>>136164
"Hey, Jai. Want to go see how the goblin town is holding up with me?"
"Sure thing, city boy." she says. "Weird... the day's closing already."
"I know. Time passes fast when you're fighting for your life, huh?"
She nods quietly, rolling a cigarette, and seems to check to see if we're in earshot of the others.
"I think... before I lose the chance, there's some things I need to tell you. So you know. And I want you to promise me something."

>>136562
"Go on."

>>136563
She sighs, blowing a long stream of smoke.
"Well... We might not win this. And... I'm scared. I've.... I've never been scared. I mean, I know when I'm in danger, but... usually I just get more aware. Here? I'm actually frightened. Worried I might not get home at all."
She hugs herself quietly. "Antares, I... I don't want to sound desperate or anything. I don't want you to think I'm only doing this because you're the only decent guy around."
I note that she actually used my name. "I... I guess... no, I'm certain. Antares, I'm falling for you. You stupid city boy."

>>136569
I like her, Antares. Do you like her? Tell her your feelings. Also, some form of physical contact would be a good idea, but keep in mind she's smoking... and I don't think a hug is entirely appropriate.

>>136604
Of all the girls, I met Jai first. Shecold to me, but warmed over time. And while I like Ysl and Asala, it's harder for me to veiw them as life partners. I see them as friends, companions... not as lovers.

I reach out and take the smoke from her lips, kissing them gently as I pull her close. She kisses me back, and for a moment, all is still, until we break the kiss and look at the red stars of the night sky.

>>136612
THOSE AREN'T STARS. Get inside!

OH SHI-

Maybe you should put out that cigarette.

>>136613
"Jai."
"Y-yes?"
"Those aren't stars."
There's a long pause as we both make this realization.
"Where would he get that much mass?" she asks softly. "We would have noticed that..."
No. No no no!
We run to the tow-
There is no town.
No wooden buildings, no bodies, no burned homes, nothing but small bits of metal, and bare, barren dirt.
I fall to my knees.
No. This can't be happening.
I feel Jai's hand on my shoulder as the sky clears, revealing Achilles standing in the center of the barren field. He's smiling.

Wow, Ysl will be crushed.

What are you so broken up about? You didn't know them.

"Jai... I think we should leave. Now."

>>136621
Okay, we don't know if the goblins managed to get away or not. Rance's orcs might've helped them out, too.

We can't attack Achilles in your condition. Plus, this smells of an ambush. If you run down there and start trying to slice him up, big rune usage or not, Jai will likely get attacked and hurt seriously if not killed. Let's get out of here.

>>136624
No, I didn't know them.

But my father didn't know everyone in the Old world, either.

"Jai, you should leave. Now." I say, standing up.

She nods, kissing the side of my neck.

I draw my sword.

"You told me, boy, that you wouldn't face me as an army." Achilles said. "That... the world would bear down on me." he grins wickedly. "Right now, the 'world' consists of you, a goblin, a human who doesn't understand what dying means, a dwarf, and a couple hundred insects, orcs, and women."

He throws back his head and laughs.
"Go on then, world. I dare you to try." he bows, his clawed hands at either side. "Avenge these fallen friends, these hopeless sacks of biomass, who ignored my prescense until it was too late. Try to do what hundreds, thousands have tried, and failed. I would relish the thoughts in your mind as you rape and slay those you called friend and lover. And when you fall, and your friends fa-"

He stumbles back, the knife between his eyes, blood dripping down his face.

"Shut the fuck up."
I step forward, and he points meekly as he tries to wrest the dagger free. I cut away the tentacles as I stride forth. "I don't care about your plans, your ideas, your sick fantasies." I growl, tracing a size 3 rune on Freedom. "I don't give a shit about who you kill anymore, who you enslave."
A creature begins to rise from the earth, I stab its eye and continue forth. "I've had enough of you!"

The air is warmer. I'm halfway to him, and the knife is still stuck.

...

You stupid mot...

Look out for the fire knight, cut through them and keep on the offense. Maybe we can finish this, or at least weaken him. Nice throw, btw.

>>136630
The fire knight?

Just before I reach Achilles, the air seems to expand, then throw me back, sending me sprawling through the air. I land, bouncing on the ground, and stumble upright.

What the hell was I thinking?
!?!
My leg!

Achilles chuckles, healing the wound on his head, letting his other hand, tingling with blue power, drop to his side.

He threw it back! Agh!

The black-armored knight steps out into the battlefield as a maw opens wide, swallowing Achilles as he grins again, and dissapears.

Nothing. I've accomplished nothing.

No, I won't let him win over me. I won't let him leave me in despair. I wrench the dagger free, grabbing the still-red glowing sword and press it against the wound, crying out as I seal it shut. The pain is incredible, but I stand.

The knight is watching me.

blessing 2 on shoes

Augmentation + wounds size 2 on pants

Augmentation + wounds size 2 on shirt

I say we go for a massive blow through the knight's chest. Also, see if there's any useful metal on the ground. You never know.

Shii can override my blessing levels if he feels it prudent.

Well, if we can inscribe safely on Freedom, let's inscribe a LOT on freedom. Do Augment+Courage+Blessing. Get yerself a big huge sword with that Blessing-powered edge.

Heh, inscribe Undeath on a ring. We can slap him to death if the sword doesn't work.

Inscribe Augment+Blessing+Courage on your armor, see if the Courage makes it 'bigger' like how it works on weapons.

Inscribe Blessing size whatever on your gloves, and size 3 on boots.

>>136638
I say make the Wounds runes bigger on the clothing.

Antares, if all this rune usage drains you too much, feel free to reduce the sizes on ones you feel aren't as useful.

 

>>136639
>Well, if we can inscribe safely on Freedom, let's inscribe a LOT on freedom. Do Augment+Courage+Blessing. Get yerself a big huge sword with that Blessing-powered edge.
The sword grows huge, long, and thick, easily a footwide and twelve long.

Hehnowyou'regettingitkiddo

>Inscribe Augment+Blessing+Courage on your armor, see if the Courage makes it 'bigger' like how it works on weapons.
My armor shines, an-
?!!
I'm covered in a transparant suit of platemail, shimmering golden. A helm is included, apparently.

The monster points at the ground beside him, and a huge maul made from a moulded spine and and a dragon skull rises from the ground.

We face one another for a moment.
Any final suggestions?

BOSS FIGHT INITIATED.

Etena is pleased.
Caldia is pleased.

See if you can disable or wound a leg first, then your goal is to hack through his chest, I'm thinking the shoulder would be best for that, just because you can get more weight behind it.

Use your best judgment though.

>>136645
Final suggestions?

WIN.

>>136645
Try to keep your distance. You can't let that fire aura torch your shit.

>>136647
I like your style.

A grin spreads across my face irresistably. The sword is easier to weild than it seems, but it is still slightly unweildy.

We rush at one another and clash, as he knocks away my attacks with practiced ease. However, my assault is so aggressive, he's stumbling with each attack, back towards the trees. I hammer at him, blow after blow, and the grass at his feet blackens then bursts into flame as he's forced back.

He wasn't expecting this surge of power. I lift the sword overhead, and bring it down hard. At first he catches the blow with his maul, but it shatters, and he catches the sword with his hands, barely.

He steps forth, once, twice, pushing me back, then finally throws the sword from my hands and away, leaping towards me with a fist upraised.

I meet it.

Ghost steel and hot iron collide, and his soft iron is found wanting, his own power his weakness as my fist peels away his gauntlet, catching the blow and deflecting the force from his with ease. Still hanging in the air, he swings his whole body around, and aims a kick at my side.

I smile and let it land, wrapping my arm around it, turning with the momentum of the blow, and throwing him into the trees, snapping one in half.
I run towards him, pinning his arms to the ground with my knees, tearing away the softened metal plate. But as I rear back for the final blow, a blast of air knocks me away again.

He stands, shedding molten steel, cracking his neck and knuckles.
His eyes are hollow. The red one in his chest screams a challenge as he rushes at me.

My armor runes die out as we meet, but I don't them anymore. I step inside his swing, place my palm against the creature.

Cold Death!

And the Crying Knight slumps down against me as the rest of my runes give way.

>>136650
Fantastic! That worked perfectly.

Find out for sure if that's Erhgal's body under the armor. We should bring him back so Asala can give him a proper sendoff. Speaking of which... it seems that Erhgal's mind is somehow inside Freedom. Make sure to grab it before we go back to base. I wish we could somehow get him back into his body but I doubt it could move without Achilles controlling it.

Also... uh, please note that your equipment is probably very hot right now. Try not to start any forest fires or something. Unless you want to.

>>136652

>Also... uh, please note that your equipment is probably very hot right now.
I didn't notice before, but yes, it is glowing hot. Even... the leather, oddly. Thankfully, my layer of padding is not as hot, just really warm.



>Find out for sure if that's Erhgal's body under the armor.
I'd recognize that face anywhere, though now I wish I didn't. It's Erhgal's. Though large parts of it are missing as if torn away by explosive force. It seemed he tried his hardest to keep Achilles from taking what was left of him.

>We should bring him back so Asala can give him a proper sendoff.
I agree.

"Antares!" Asala calls, running over. "What happened?!"

Call out to her. "WAIT!"

When she stops. "You may want to... prepare yourself."

>>136790
"W-what for?"
"Asala..." I walk over to Freedom, now normal sized, and look it over, handing it to her gently. She holds it with care, blinking.

"No... Why..." at first tears touch her eyes, then her grip tightens, her teeth set in a snarl.
"Antares." she says softly. "We must take the fight to Achilles. He needs to die, now, before he can hurt us further. Before he can take more of us."
She looks down at her father's body, and a single tear rolls down her cheek. "Before he breaks me."

>>136855
Offer a hug?

But yeah, I think it's about time we made an attempt at an offense, instead of just sitting around letting him send shit at us.

Oh wait, DON'T offer a hug, you've got really fucking hot stuff on you

>>136999
"Agreed."
Asala nods. Jai stands beside me.
Rance and Vorana arrive, with their people.

Trailing behind Rance's orcs (who number in roughly a couple hundred) are several dozen young women of various races.
Anataire floats by me, laughing as she floats on the updrafts of my heated armor.

"We are ready, then?" Rance asks, his orcs holding spears and rifles, the women armed with longer spears, armor and sheilds.

>>137036
Where's Ysl?

>>137038
"Has anyone seen Ysl?" I ask, and all of them respond negatively.
"I thought she was with you." Jai says, worried. "She left ahead of me and Asala."

>>137048
Um.

Achilles destroyed her village. Think of what you would do if your entire family was killed.

We have to find her.

>>137054
"She's likely given chase." I say quietly. "We need to hurry and find her, before something terrible happens!"

Rance smiles. "No worries. The way into his lands is blocked by the huge mountain range of the Aleveins."
"Aleveins?"
Sal'an arrives.
"Dwarven clan that managed to escape into a mountain range." he says. "I'd really rather not talk with them."

>>137368
Ask why that is.

>>137373
"Say yeh wake up inna place yeh nevah seen befoh." he says. "With a strange body. First thing yeh'd do is look fer people, roight? Well, I woke up a little north ah here. They were initially suspicious and then outright murderous."

>>137376
Let's talk while moving. Ask why they attacked him; was it some kind of taboo or did they just not believe his story?

>>137389
We head north.
"Leetle bit ah both," he replies. "Roight now, the Clans is in a bit of ah..." he pauses as if seeking the right word. "Disahgreement. So when I said Ah was paht of the Stoneheart clan, and when they saw me body, well..."
"Though I did hear, before I showed meself, that they was 'avin' trouble with demons in the lower areas of der mines."

>>137421
Trouble with demons? Hmm, helping them with that problem before we attack could get us some allies... if we want to spare the time. We'll have to gauge Achilles' defenses first.

>>137473
It sounds pausable. Not to mention the power inherent in demonic 'corpses', or soulstones. Just one could allow me to utilize my runes much better, possibly allowing me to learn a new rune simply by virtue of obtaining one.

However, it should be warned that demons can be extremely powerful, and some have been around since the birth of this world.

We're in sight of the large entrance, according to Sal'an.

>>137759
New runes? Man, that really makes me want to fight that demon. I think we can probably find out how powerful it is by asking the dwarves, see if we can manage to take it out.

Come to think of it, we don't have any way of reaching Achilles' castle do we? We'll probably *need* dwarven expertise to fashion some kind of weapon to ground it or a mode of air transport that's safe from attack.

At any rate, Sal'an might want to stay behind a bit until we make contact and establish an agreement. We should make contact right now, and see if they've met Ysl yet.

Very well.

I ask everyone to stay back, walking forth. Everything seems safe, until a rock beside the entrance tilts back, a long steel tube protruding menacingly.

"'Alt! State yer name an' business wit' the Aleveins!" booms a voice from under the stone.

>>137897
State your name, and tell them we seek allies and/or passage through the mountains in order to fight Achilles. Also ask if they've seen a lone goblin girl come around here.

>>137900
"My name is Antares Delarosa. I seek safe passage through the mountains to fight Achilles."

The gun withdrawes and I hear talking.
"Sorreh, kiddo. Can't let yeh in. A potential ally agains' the Black Death, crushed inna accident due to da Big Rock Guy? Don' think so." there's another pause. "We could offah you a guide through Nema Pass?"

>>137905
Big rock guy? I bet that's the demon. We should ask if maybe we could kill it for them. Mention that you're a powerful mage, and we have a lot of people with us.

>>137909
There's some laughter.
"Oh, yer welcome to try, laddie. 'E'll tear yeh in 'alf, most likely. Best yeh jus' let prahfessionals 'andle dis one."

There's whispering.
"Really? A whole floor?"
More whispering.
"Feck."
A whispered demand.
"Fine!"
A figure ascends from below the rock. He's heavily armored, and covered in various sharp implements.
"Name's Sharpfingah Alevein." he says. "Come wit' me an' bring the lasses."
"What about Rance?"
"A finer fellow to gaurd the gate yeh'll nevah find."

Hmm, if we're going to fight, Jai will need bullets. That looked like a similar weapon that was shoved in your face earlier; perhaps you can inquire about it.

>>137921
Jai and Asala come with me as we enter the cavern.
"Ammo?" she asks the dwarf, pointing at the gun.
"Precision bored iron spheres with soft-grade powdering."
"Really? In a barrel like that?"
"Yes, in these caverns most everything will be right in front of you. Guns are really only used against creatures with heavy scales."
"What about cartriges?"
"Well, in wide caverns they can be useful, but we rarely produce them. most metal is made into armor and weaponry these days."

Even as we descend to the second floor, I can hear loud crashing.
"Shit, he's already on the second floor. Fuck." he prepares his rifle. "Sorry, miss. No ammo here that would fit that monster."

>>137929
Blessing causes stuff to be anathema to Demons, right? I think the most important thing we can do is put Blessing on everybody's stuff. Are the corridors big enough to let everyone use big weapons, or should we leave Courage off of them this time around?

Find out if the thing's got regenerative properties. If so we might need Wounds on our side... and if we do that, we're gonna need to put Wounds on our armor as well to prevent the negative effects.

Also I wonder if we could talk to the demon to get it to stop killing everyone, and maybe help us kill Achilles. Or at least distract it, if it's too evil to live.

>>137939
We reach the level the demon is on. All the torches have been broken, and only two red eyes watch us from the end of the hall.

"Where is it..." something rumbles. "My sword... where is it... Where is my sword..."

I quickly bless my equipment. This could be bad. It continues to mutter, dark crimson smoke drifting past its eyes.

"Where is it..."

Judging by the position of the eyes, he's enourmous, bigger than any of us.

"You woke me, and you stole it. I know you have it..."

>>137942
"Who woke you?"

>>137943
"We did." says the dwarf. "Old tomb with a kobold. Th' remains literally got up and turned into this."

"Where is it?"

"And his sword?" I ask.

"No fecking clue."

>>137947
I'm torn between trying to fight him to claim his soulstone, or trying to convince him that Achilles stole his sword.

I would like to note that it could be that he's flying, not that he's huge. Why else would he destroy the torches? Perhaps he's been using sneaky tactics like this to get past the dwarves.

>>137976
Don't hear any flapping.

The creature looks at me then cocks its head, blinking. A scar on his chest lights up blue.

"I'm not flying."

>>138029
Wait... He can hear us?

>>138029
He can hear us? Interesting. Hey over there! What's up?

>>138032
>>138034
"Yes, honored souls, I can hear you! Where have you been for the last..."
he visibly pauses.
"The last fuckifIknow years?"

>>138038
Well, we helped a lich save the world. We're currently helping his son.

>>138029
Oh, Harumda! It's been... actually we have no idea how long it's been. A long time, at any rate! We're Legion now. What happened since the last time we spoke?

It looks as though you've somehow managed to physically manifest here. That's an interesting accomplishment. We're currently guiding this guy here Antares. We'll see if we can find out where your sword is, alright?

>>138044
>What happened since the last time we spoke?

"Same bullshit that ejected me from Hell hit you folks too. Yer got banged around der dimensions like a rubbah ball until you jus' plain vanished."

>We're currently guiding this guy here Antares. We'll see if we can find out where your sword is, alright?

"So dat means this feller here," the eyes move, and I can faintly see him point, "Is n't da folk who got it? Fine, fine."

He sighs.
"Yeh, I've managed to physically manifest, but.. well, I ain't the demon ah used to be. Can't even fly anymore."

>>138048
Have you ever heard of Achilles? We're trying to save the world again.

>>138048
Alright, so let's bring you up to speed. This continent we're on is under attack by some nasty creature named Achilles. He's got the power to take any organic matter and reshape it into his own troops. Add to that some serious telekinetic ability, and some form of psychic attack. There's actually a good chance that he's the one that stole your sword, though we really have no evidence supporting that aside from the fact that he's really powerful and a giant asshole. How would you feel about joining forces with us to take him out?

What would your long term goals be in the mortal realm anyway?

>>138061
>How would you feel about joining forces with us to take him out?

"He sounds like a challenge. I love a challenge!"

I back away as he slams his fists together.


>What would your long term goals be in the mortal realm anyway?

"Getting out."

>>138079
Alright then. Our goals do not conflict. I'm sure there's someone around who's powerful enough to get you where you wanna go. Helping us kill Achilles will likely get you in the good graces of everyone on the planet, so they'll definitely do it.

Hey, you haven't seen a goblin running around have you?

>>138087
"Alright! I'll join you!" the demon exclaims. He gets on the elevator, nearly taking up all of the space.

...


What? What did you guys do?!

>>138123
We convinced him to help you fight Achilles.

>>138123
You couldn't hear us?

Oh boy. Well, let's just say we know this guy from our humble beginnings. His name is Harumda, a former high-ranking demon of Hell. Maybe you could say he was once king. He's a reasonable fellow, actually! He's agreed to help us fight Achilles, as he's a challenging opponent and doing so would probably give Harumda the opportunity to get out of the Mortal Realm. What with the gods being indebted to him and all. Let's keep an eye out for his sword, right?

>>138132
Er.

Ah, I suppose that makes sense.

Harumda takes up most of the elevator as we are quickly escorted up and out of the mines.
"Yer welcome back once we're done rebuildan." Sharpfinger says simply.

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/02/24(Wed)13:10 No. 138330 ID: 6faa8c
File 126704580185.jpg - (399.91KB , 1107x1321 , Harumda!.jpg )

>>138223
Harumda scratches the side of his head.
"So Legion said yer was lookin' for a little goblin, girlie?" he asks, holding up his arm. There's a huge crater in the thick sleeve of his arm, surrounded by a network of cracks.
"Determined little one. She might have got through to the othah side of the mountain, if I've got any guess."

He shoves his fist into the ground, pulling out a blade of stone.

>>138330
Well then, we're gonna need swift passage through the mountain.

>>138330
Harumda, the goblin is named Ysl. Antares has a crush on her.

>>138332
That's not entirely true.

>>138331
"Most likely." Harumda says. "Can't say I can guide yeh all dat well, but I can help with any fightin' yer might need to do."

Rance approaches.
"You're shitting me. You talked a demon to your side?" he asks.

>>138334
"You can thank Legion for that."

>>138334
Oh, we should ask the dwarves for a guide so we can get through the pass. We need to keep moving, for multiple reasons.

>>138346
I stop the walking arsenal... carefully.
"We still need a guide."
The pauses. "Er..."
A feirce glare emerges from under the rocks between the biggest beard and eyebrows I've seen.
"Wh-why, certainly!" he says nervously. "L-let's get going, sh-shall we?"

>>138349
Righto then.

Oh, when we've gotten out of earshot, ask who that grumpy dwarf was.

>>138357
We move out.

"MountainHuge Alevein, the hammerer." he says with a shudder as we walk along the path. "Now, there's two ways through here... the higher path is faster, but prone to collapse and rockfalls, and the lower path is slower but has less environmental hazards."

>>138360
The optimal solution is for those with enough agility and/or toughness to survive the hazards to take the high path, and everyone else to take the low path. That way we avoid unnecessary risk, and still have a chance for catching up to Ysl.

Does the dwarf need to be there for those who take the low path? Can he just give them directions?

>>138361
"These lands are treacherous even when I say they are relatively safe. It's one or the other, boyo."

>>138364
Take the lower path. It's safer, and therefore less likely for someone to die.

>>138369
"Alrighty."

I hear a sigh of relief behind me, and we press forward, into the Pass. For a moment, I think I see something out of the corner of my eye, but I reassure myself it is a mere shadow.

End of Thread 3.