>>262709
Well it sure as hell isn't the kind of question you want to answer with a simple yes or no. She has no choice but to put the context into the answer itself, and before saying "yes".

But I think that just saying those things is depressing enough that she won't sound uppity.

>>262700
"Dealing would require that I had freedom. He violated me, sir."

>>262700
now see, if you had said >>262440 this conversation would have been much more entertaining.

BE LOOKING PRINCESS

Tiffany 2010/12/08(Wed)16:24 No. 263004 ID: 07db5a
File 129185426941.gif - (295.49KB , 700x500 , 566.gif )

"Well if you call being mind-controlled and manipulated, then yes."

A silence. Amie gives Tiffany a look of panic and alarm, then returns to staring at the floor.

>Kenric: "I see. The course is clear. You are under arrest under article seven of the inquisitorial doctrine, to be bound and contained until the extent of the taint and corruption has been determined. Do you submit?"

>>263004
sure go by their rules but ask about how long he expects you to be detained and if you can let your father know

"I'm pretty sure that's already been covered, which is why I am sitting here having my breakfast and not locked up somewhere. If you would like take the matter up with the council and come back with their blessing, I would be happy to submit or whatever."

>>263004
"The elders were made aware of the issue and declined to act overtly. I have little doubt that they are surreptitiously investigating potential problems; at a guess, I believe they expect any traps left to be of the sort that would be triggered by following protocol.
I ask that you take your concerns to the elders; until they have decided on the matter I have little choice but to decline, but I will keep your concerns at the forefront of my mind."

That's a bit freaky. His dark aura makes him look really fucking evil. I don't think we can trust him. If we're detained that might make us a target for Alexander if this mutha right here is evil, lying, or anything like him.

Lets not submit to an evil, almost dead looking guy. We got shit-canned last time we followed a talking skull. Only difference here is that this one isn't an exile Kinsley and lives among the rightful Kinsleys and has all the prerequisites to dance dem bones. These last few days have been awful dammit, I have no desire to go right back into another bad situation. At least ask him to get another responsible adult to confirm this. You can't trust anybody anymore, especially scary guys!

Watch me be totally wrong and he ends up feeding Mulder an eyeball in a moment of [bitter]sweetness later.

How about you tell him to take it up with the council as all of this has been discussed with them.

And then move with a group (other than just this guy and you.)

Yeah, I mean, just tell him that the elders already know all that stuff, and it's already been dealt with.

"His influences on my mind were seemingly few, some false memories and a means to control my actions directly. They were identified and removed by Thomas when he... saved me. The rest of the manipulation was simply based on lies. I met with the Elders and they are aware of what happened to me and saw no need to act further. I trust their judgment, and I leave my fate to them before you."

Don't forget to mention that they knew all of this BEFORE they inducted you into the clan.

>>263014

He might have already done that. Gone to the council I mean.

Tiffany 2011/02/06(Sun)14:12 No. 279643 ID: c44286
File 129703035713.png - (85.04KB , 800x600 , 567.png )

"Look, the council already knows all that and they were fine with it."

>Kelric: "Perhaps you do not understand. Alexander Kinsley's case has been reopened. As I have been charged with the investigation I am within my rights to detain and interrogate anyone I believe might be relevant to the case. The council has no say in this. I am placing you under arrest pending interrogation. You will not suffer undue discomfort if you come willingly."

>>279643
Well, I don't see you getting out of this if what he says is true. It would be unwise not to inform anyone, though; this guy seems far too much like the type to throw you into a hole and leave you there forever on principle, just in case. Remain calm, though.

"All right. Owen has been asked to look after me and is somewhere in here; if he is informed and confirms for me that you have the right to do that, of course I will respect your authority under the clan's rules."

>>279643
"Mmm... I'm restricted to the island and under guard due to events that occurred last night. While I would normally concede, the effects of these events are such that I have to ask that you consult with the council before applying further confinement.
I'm not being cagey, I've simply been instructed to not speak of it.

I will, however, be ready and available to answer questions when you are prepared to ask them."

Shorter version:
"You'll have to ask my guard about that first. I'm not allowed to talk about it, but you need to know about last night before you decide to arrest me.
No rush, It's not like I'm going anywhere."

Tiffany 2011/02/07(Mon)13:17 No. 279837 ID: c44286
File 129711343072.png - (206.53KB , 800x600 , 568.png )

"All right, I'll come. I just got to tell Owen first."

>"That won't be necessary. You will come with me without delay."

"I really think I need to tell Owen."

>"Come. Now."

"No I-"

Kenric grabs Tiffany's wrist with startling speed, and hisses into her ear:

>Kenric: "You will come with me you little shit or I'll have you strapped to a table and start cutting long strips of -"

Tiffany 2011/02/07(Mon)13:29 No. 279841 ID: c44286
File 129711418399.png - (93.91KB , 800x600 , 569.png )

>Cain: "What's the matter, Ken? Can't get your pecker up without scaring little girls?"

"Cain! Owen!"

Kenric paused for a moment in annoyed silence, and broke a slight smile.

>Kenric: "Ah. Master Cain. How nice to see you. I trust you are well?"

>Cain: "Hrm."

>Kenric: "I trust my commission is coming along on schedule?"

>Cain: "Hrm."

>Kenric: "Quite. Now if you'll excuse me, me and the young lady here have an appointment. Private appointment."

>Owen: "Oh yes. Article seven. Very nice. Interrogate away, old boy."

Kenric pulls at Tiffany's arm, beconing her to follow him.

>Owen: "I don't suppose you recall clause 14 A and B and amendment eight of the same, would you old boy? I can't quite recall."

Kenric slows to a halt, giving Owen a Look.

>Kenric: "Clause fourteen refers to the interrogation of minors. Your point being?"

>Owen: "Oh yes. Minors. How did they go again? It's gonna bug me otherwise, you know how I am."

>Kenric, through gritted teeth: "When interrogating minors one is forbidden from employing standard procedures listed in article five."

>Owen: "I'm sure there was something more to that."

>Kenric: "- including the Eye, The Scythian Hourglass or Tengians Harmonic Sequence."

>Owen: "It's a good thing you didn't use any of those then, haha. I could've sworn there was more though."

>Kenric: "- and the subject must have an appointed guardian observing the proceedings to ensure that proper protocol is observed."

Kenric practically spat the last word out.

>Owen: "Ah, yeah. That's it. A guardian. ... Hey Tiffany, ain't you a minor?"

"Yes?"

>Owen: "Oh dear. You better get a guardian then. Ohallright I'll be your guardian. It's my job! Anyhow, are you ready for the interrogation, old boy?"

Kenric gave Owen and Tiffany a long look. owen had cheerily linked arms with Tiffany.

>Kenric: "Perhaps I will pursue more promising avenues of investigation, first. I bid you farewell."

Kenric turned and stormed towards the door. He barked an order to Amie, who scrambled after her.

>Owen: "Poor girl. You all right there kid?"

>>279841

How'd a nice kid like Amie end up stuck working for that guy?

>>279841
The Kinsleys condone torture? Not endearing me to them.

>>279844

Any organization that deals with things that can literally warp a witness' mind will need methods that can force a truthful answer. If the only reliable techniques resemble torture or are uncomfortable, that's unfortunate but it does not make them any less necessary.

Now, if the techniques are as unreliable as actual torture then I would agree completely with you. But I'm guessing their techniques have much better results.

>>279841
"Charming ball of sunshine, isn't he?"

>>279841
What was with that, he was all ready to go interrogate you no matter what and then suddenly a guardian states he must be with her during the investigation and he drops it like a motherfucker. Like he wanted to make sure you two were absolutely alone during the interrogation. That's suspicious as hell. You have to ask Owen what this was all about and especially why Kenric just dropped it. Does Ken just not like watchers when he does his magic?

>>279841
"Yeah, I'm fine. Glad you were in the room, though."

Tiffany 2011/02/08(Tue)10:30 No. 280179 ID: c44286
File 129718983822.png - (70.10KB , 800x600 , 570.png )

"I am now. Thanks."

>Owen: "It's what I'm here for. Grab your breakfast, let's go somewhere less crowded."

Owen gives a slight nod to master Cain as Tiffany collects her plate. Cain grunts in response and turns towards the breakfast table.

A few moments later Tiffany and Owen are up in the battlements, enjoying the warm air.

"Charming ball of sunshine, wasn't he?"

There's not a hint of amusement in Owen's voice when he responds.

>Owen: "Listen to me very carefully, Tiffany. What I did back there was stupid. Stupid as hell. Never do that, you hear? I don't want you winding up in a bad way because you couldn't keep your mouth shut."

"Sorry."

>Owen: "Don't piss off the inquisitors. I'm serious."

"Is this one of those 'don't do as I do, do as I say' things?"

Owen gives Tiffany a sour look.

"So... What was up with that? He was all determined to interrogate me until you showed up. Sounds like he was up to something."

>Owen: "No kidding."

"You know don't you."

>Owen: "Hmph. Eat your breakfast."

The breakfast was greasy, but at least filling. Questions bubbled in Tiffany's mind, as well as worries over Dad and Gareth. The appearance of the Cimmerian certainly hadn't helped her chances of fitting in with the clan, or finding a master for that matter. She sure had her work cut out for her.

>Owen: "Oh and I found out what the hubbub was about. Something's happened across the pond, and the Rothwalds are screaming bloody murder. Seem's like their hunter team got shanked. Dunno about the specifics, we're expecting a full report in an hour or so. I don't like it."

>>280179

You might as well share with him what you got from Amie. That is, that Kenric was part of the group that found the Germans apparently, and that he seems to think it's related to Alexander. Which is why he wanted to interrogate you so badly.

I bet our pet demon would love being given permission to get his hands on this Kenric fellow...

No, that's a terrible idea. We are trying to fit in and make nice here. Bad thoughts, bad thoughts!

I think we need to find a master, and sooner rather than later. Shit is just going to keep piling into the fan, and somehow I don't think we'll come out of any of it smelling like roses. If Alexander is at the center of whatever news comes out, that will only make our stance in the clan worse even if we've said that we hate him and he betrayed us rather nastily. And knowing him, he'll just keep making more bad news as long as he remains at large, which will likely be a very long time considering how powerful he is now and the kind of assets he likely has at his disposal now that he's had a bit of time to gather them up.

>>280248
The Cimmerian is not our pet, it's a hostile entity that happens to be bound to us.

The rest of your point stands.

>>280179
We should have gone with the Rothwalds... In any case, it's clear that the Kinsley's are also a semi-hostile family. We need the Cimmerian back. It'll piss them off, but we need our own power base. Making nice doesn't appear to be an option. We're a player, not just a student.

Anyways, pretend to zone out and start talking to the Cimmerian. Ask him if he can escape and reach us without causing permanent harm to anyone. Also, apologize. He may be a dick but he's OUR dick.

>>280341
Having our own power base would be nice... except that the Cimmerian wouldn't help with that, because he's got his own ideas about what he should be doing at any given time. He tore apart our father's leg because we didn't work fast enough and got frustrated by being threatened. He thinks that we and everyone we're descended from are worthless traitorous pieces of shit and would like nothing more than to laugh while tearing apart everyone we know.

He is not ours and we should never, ever forget that.

Can you ask if all Inquisitors are walking skulls in cloaks or do their faces always resemble a personal fear or something?

The Cimmerian is not a source of power, it is an extreme hazard and you should defer to the Council in all things regarding it. They accepted you as a Kinsley, you are one of them now, and they are obligated to help you deal with Alexander (and not only because you are their kin, but because Alexander poses a threat to them too).

You do need a master, and not only because you need the protection, but because it's traditional for someone your age to be apprenticed in this clan. You need to conform.

>>280361
To be fair, I'd get frustrated with being threatened too. But more importantly: He's BOUND, he's sticking around, and he can be dealt with. We were getting somewhere with him
before Joyce showed up.
>>280374
The council doesn't like us and doesn't have our interests in mind. Also, we're a necromancer and have a bound daemon. The opportunity to conform is long gone.

>>280380
>To be fair, I'd get frustrated with being threatened too.
Yes, which is why it's perfectly understandable that Tiffany did and even more bastardly of him to have harmed her father that way. Yes, he's bound now, but that doesn't make him safe or controllable in any fashion but that he won't harm us directly.

But regardless, only some of the council doesn't like us, and while we bound a demon I daresay that they'd have quietly shuffled us into the clutches of an Inquisitor like that one if someone with power wasn't inclined to look out for us. It is far from impossible or unreasonable to keep our oath to the clan, and while many of them are dicks that's true of most large groups. What's more, there is STILL far more opportunity to learn magic here than anywhere else available to us; Alexander sure as hell isn't going to teach us unless we're his slave and the Rothwalds we've alienated. The Kinsleys may not like us a lot, but we ARE sworn to them with all rights and responsibilities pertaining. They will respect that until we make significantly worse transgressions than we have thus far.

Plus, many of these Kinsleys are NOT dicks. Gareth's been a bro, Joyce's been looking out for us, Owen's been a cool dude so far, and Amie seemed like a really nice person (despite working for a jerk). And remember, the Council had the last say in letting Tiffany become an official Kinsley. A majority of them were on her side.

>>280393
Gareth got punished by his father somehow so badly that he refuses to let us see his face. I bet Amie, apprentice to inquisitor skin-strips isn't going to fare too well either. Plus, she wasn't so much "nice" as weak-willed. The council isn't on our side, the council wants to use us. Looking back, there's only one of them who seemed friendly.

Maybe we don't need to call him up now, but binding an ultra-powerful demon, scaring the shit out of everyone and undoubtedly making a few enemies in the process, then ignoring said demon doesn't seem like a good idea. We have telepathic contact with him. We need to talk to him.

Tiffany 2011/02/09(Wed)13:57 No. 280553 ID: c44286
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"I heard. Kenric was with em when they found the Germans."

>Owen: "Hm."

"Are they all like that, with the skull and all?"

>Owen: "The masks? Yeah they like to look all spooky or something. No other reason as far as I know. They do have some kinda exclusive hoodoo thing going, but I think that's the Eye, not the masks."

"The Eye?"

>Owen: "Yeah. Being an inquisitor is for life. During their initiation rites, they cut out one of their own eyes and replace it with a gemstone called the Eye. It's creepy as hell if you ask me. They come out of it changed. Even- no. Sorry for rambling. It isn't kid's stuff anyway."

"My own grandfather tried to kill me. I think I'm done being treated like a kid."

>Owen: "... Point."

A silence fell over the pair. Tiffany climbed up on the battlement and stared out to the horizon.

I do need to find myself a master. I need someone to actually teach me this stuff properly. I'll need it. Eventually I'll have to face Alexander again, and I can't half-ass it or he'll strip the flesh off my bones in a snap. I need to gather strength. A master can give me knowledge, and I think I just might have the muscle with some training, but I don't know if that would be enough. I'll need every scrap.

While the Cimmerian is a douche, and dangerous as hell, I can't ignore him. He might be an asset. Might.


Cimmerian! Are you there?

Tiffany waited for a response, but none were forthcoming. As hope was vaining, the light breeze suddenly turned to a gale. Her robe whipped around her, as the sky turned black, and a familiar malicious precense filled her mind.

Hello, necromancer. You called, and I came. What do you want?

He probably has enough experience and hindsight to give good advice on the subject. Then again he has little information on human emotion, culture, etc even if it's magic shit. Still, maybe ask what sort of master you should look for in regards to having to deal with a person like Grandpa.

Also maybe a few of his abilities, who knows, maybe he can warp you instantaneously between here and America with no one the wiser or some crazy juju like that. We could investigate on our own. Granted, this is only useful if he's capable of being inconspicuous with his power. If the Kinsley's got super magic detection ability then, fuck man, no Hogwarts sneaking around shenanigans here.

>>280553
Ask him if he can escape without hurting anyone permanently, if necessary. Apologize for letting him get caught and taken away- although there wasn't really much we could have done about it. Finally, ask him if he knows how to contact the crazy god could teach us how to read the book.

>>280557

The demon already told Tiffany that demon magic is so fundamentally different from human magic that he'll have no useful advice for her. He actually told her to seek out a human master for magic training.

>>280561

Wait, before you do that, first ask if he can tell if this conversation is being monitored or not.

Thinking back to the Inquisitors of Warhammer, I have had an idea of why a creature of dubious morality and unlimited authority would want to interrogate Tiffany. Perhaps he's a Radical who wants control over a Greater Daemon, eh?

>>280577

Or he could be thinking "12 year old girl with a contract with a demon, and admits to having been manipulated and mind controlled by a powerful dead necromancer, might want to be sure she's not still his pawn"

>>280553
>As hope was vaining, the light breeze suddenly turned to a gale. Her robe whipped around her, as the sky turned black, and a familiar malicious precense filled her mind.
Well, that's not even remotely subtle. Owen's probably going to pick up on what we're doing pretty quickly. Keep an eye out while you're talking.

Anyway, I'm inclined to ask >>280567, and from there move into what's happening to him, if he can escape/intends to put up with it. Might also ask what he would consider critical for her to learn in order to fight Alexander, aside from magic in general- he has a MUCH better idea of what a bone king is and how to counter one than she does.

>>280566
I mean in more general terms, things like character, do we want offense, defense, balance, shit like that. Not type of magic like earth, wind, death, demon, cosmic, and shit. When you're going up against something powerful, out of your league, how do you prepare? This demon was used in that old war, so he might have good tactics.

Tiffany 2011/02/10(Thu)18:05 No. 280809 ID: c44286
File 129738992472.png - (110.77KB , 700x400 , 572.png )

Owen?

He cannot hear you, necromancer. No-one can but I.

Boss?

Ugh. And him.

Oh man this is so trippy man.

Hush Mulder. You sure this is private?

Indubitably. You should really talk to someone about the security in here. It's pitiful.

Could you break out and meet me here?

Yes.

Without hurting anyone?

Probably not. Your clansmen have been so busy. They're running around like chickens throwing all manner of spells at me. I could keep the deathcount below, oh I dunno, twenty or so.

Err... Please don't.

Would that be 'don't keep the deathcount down' or 'don't attempt escape'?

No escaping, please.

As you wish, necromancer.

I am sorry about letting them catch you, didn't really have a choice.

Let me know if you change your mind about the killing.

Uh, sure. Do you know where they're keeping you?

Some form of sarcophagus, with a few quite amusing sealing spells on it. A disappointment really. You'd think mortals would've come up with something original in all this time.

And you could break out of that?

With no warning at all, even.

So what kinda powers do you have?

At the moment? Not sure. Being corporeal takes some getting used to. I could rip a man's spine out through his throat. I cannot be slain. I'm pretty sure I can still weave magic, though only at a fraction of my full potency. Still quite formidable by your meager standards, certainly enough to get me out of this little cage. I'll let you know once I readjust myself.

Do you have any advice for me?

Find a master. Convince your clan to stop wasting their time trying to contain me. Get a tan.

And a haircut!

Gee thanks.

Anytime.

Any advice on how to learn how to fight? I'll need all the help I can get to beat Alexander. I mean, you're the war vet and all.

What, no flattery?

Would you like some?

No, no, you ruined it for me.

Could you please give me something?

Don't really know what to say. Need more intel to talk tactics.

Any general advice? Please, I'm a complete newbie here. I don't know a damn thing about warfare. Could you teach me the basics at least?

War is a broad subject kid. Will take a while.

Any quick tips? We can talk more later.

Some maxims come to mind. The art of war is the art of deception. Know your own assets, and that of the enemy, then seek to deceive him. Fighting head-on is a crapshoot, and if your opponent is smart you'll always lose. Think before you fight. Seek to defeat your opponent's strategy before you seek to defeat him. Of course, overpowering your opponent by several orders of magnitude helps too.

Thats... actually kind of helpful. Thanks.

You're welcome.

Do you have any requests?

I could go for a Reuben.

Got any eyeballs boss?

>>280809
Hmmm. I think we should ask Owen for a political primer for the clan. Before we stop talking to the Cimmerian, we should ask him about Hakuman the dreamer. Also, does he want a name?

>>280809
You can probably convince security to give him a Reuben sandwich if you make it yourself and claim that you can feel his goddamn appetite through your link and it just. wont. go. away. Same excuse to get some eyeballs too from the local butchers, or we can go catch a rabbit or frog in our free time.

I ponder if any of these guys actually know what it's like to have a familiar.

As long as warfare is the topic, we might as well mention what we know of our grandfather's minions- Jakov and the immortal. It's a good bet that the daemon will be able to tell us what they can and can't do, and how they'd stack up against him in his current form.

And maybe he can tell you what a Bone King is and what having claimed the title says about Alexander, aside from that he's a huge jackass with no respect for ancient treaties.

Anyway. War being the art of deception and all... I'm inclined to seek a master who will allow us to stay on the island. That would keep us well shielded from Alexander, buying us time to grow in strength without risking most others learning what we're studying. Basically, I'm looking at Duncan here. And speaking of studying, there's a lot of stuff here that it would be very nice to have access to. I would be willing to bet that we'll be able to freely access books containing potentially vital information, if we can just figure out which ones they are.

And regarding figuring that out, can the Cimmerian read nxtsaa'u? If he can, and is willing to translate things for us... we could learn way, way faster. Even if our magic is completely alien to him, being able to read the notes on how the hell it's supposed to work to us, or read histories and what have you, could be priceless when we're still struggling with basic vocabulary and grammar.

>>280818
Can we actually feel our familiars' hunger through our link? Because that seems like the sort of fact that would be relatively common knowledge in a mage clan even if we're a lot more into chopping off bits of our soul than most. Anyway, somehow I think that they would not be willing to unbind the very dangerous supernatural creature to give it a sandwich for the sake of comforting the idiot child who summoned it in the first place. Just doesn't seem like the kind of situation where they'd be sympathetic.

>>280813
It should be noted that Hakuman was described as completely insane, which is backed up by the fact that there's a rune called the "Mad Eye of Hakuman". While it could be worth bringing up the fact that the immortal basically said his blessings were a quick route to power, I would be very wary before taking it.

>>280830
We're a necromancer. We're all about the high-risk high-reward. Also, the Cimmerian is bound and we didn't summon it. It's been here the entire time, we just woke it up. The binding makes him perfectly safe, while the restraints... Do not.

>>280830
Also, I'm torn between Duncan, trying for Cain, and going with Joyce, if she still trusts us. Cain would let us make things and prepare all the cool toys, but Joyce would teach us spontaneous spellcasting.

Also, do they know how powerful Tiffany is? She's still shrouding her soul and hiding the glow, isn't she?

>>280833
I know all that; I was speaking from the assumed perspective of the random guards. Somehow I doubt that whatever rumors are flying around the clan can be relied upon to give us a fair shake. My apologies if that was not clear.

We do have arguments that we can make in our own favor, but we'll still be fighting an uphill battle for our own reputation whenever we try to accomplish anything. We should choose which fights we pick rather carefully.

It would be neat to study under Joyce, we could learn a lot of practical and applied magic, but... I firstly don't think we'd be as safe, and secondly don't think we'd gain the depth of knowledge that we will definitely need to successfully oppose Alexander. Joyce is cool, but ultimately she strikes me as too smalltime for this.

Cain could give us a very useful if specialized skillset, but I don't think we have the background to compare how useful it would be against Alexander to whatever Duncan could teach us/allow us to study. Given that, I'd rather go with the teacher who seems more positively disposed towards us already.

>>280830
There's no harm in trying a small lie on the guards. Just tell them to just toss the damn sandwich in his prison. Or just explain what 1a693f said, Tiffany's really is the only thing keeping him peaceful, though the council may perceive that as a threat. Just tell him you'll work on getting him the sandwich and calm Mulder that we can go hunting for small easy to hunt animals and get their eyes later. I'm completely expecting that now you'll be constantly asked by your new familiar for various types of sandwiches throughout your adventure.

>>280809
"I'd say ask yourself, but they probably have silencing spells; no sense panicking them further.
Getting you a Reuben shouldn't be too hard if you can give me an excuse for knowing you wanted it.

Mulder, go hang out by the kitchen and ask if they know where you can get some.
Oh, and stay outside; chefs hate intruders."

Tiffany 2011/02/14(Mon)15:09 No. 281592 ID: c44286
File 129772498467.png - (38.72KB , 700x400 , 573.png )

Ok, I'll see if I can get you some. Any idea where the prison is?

Somewhere below the castle. Your clansmen have been expanding the cellars since they got here, and didn't know when to stop. I guess you can just follow the 'No entry' signs.

Ah. I guess I'll need to see some higher-up before they let me see you, huh.

I don't think this joint does conjugal visits, sugar.

Don't call me sugar.

Sure thing, sugar.

Ugh. Anyway, do you know anything about Hakuman?

The Dreamking? Something, yes. He is one of the lords of the Underworld. Lost his marbles way back when. Pre-war.

You know why?

Beats me. Too much acid in Woodstock?

If I could roll my eyes, I'd be rolling my eyes. So... I hear accepting his blessing would be a quick route to power. What'd you think?

I seem to remember someone in your clan once doing the same. Was blessed with the gift of prophesy. You know how that turned out.

Oh.

If you think it's worth the price, hey, I'm not gonna give you funny looks.

Any chance you know how to read nxtsaa'u?

Missed the opportunity to learn it. Was too busy with, you know, fighting in a war, and the next time I rubbed noses with mortals it had fallen out of use.

Damn.

Hey, you're sitting in the middle of friggin wizard central, ask one of them.

I might. I just can't really ask anything too weird or I'll raise suspicion.

Yeah. They might think you're in cahoots with heretics and daemons. Oh. Yeah.

Har har. Look, I need you to help me put this stuff together. I can't do that by myself without getting a lot of people suspicious.

Well, shoot.

What's the Bone King?

You know the City of the Dead, right? Well, he's their big kahuna. Their chief dickwaver. The man with the biggest hat.

Whoa there. What exactly is the City of the Dead?

The last city of the mortals that was left standing after the war. It was also the reason the whole thing started in the first place.

... Could you elaborate on that last bit?

Well... Hrm. The mortal soul has a fair bit of power. The tuaftia part, to be exact. In life it doesn't manifest in any sort of magical ability, but once the mortal it's possible to harvest that power. Put it to some use, see. The City of the Dead was built to do just that. It's an engine. An engine to harvest the dead.

>>281592
An engine of the dead? Well, that's certainly worth getting excited for.

As for nxtsaa'u, I think our best bet would be finding a spirit who knows it and binding them as our familiar, or creating a custom familiar and have that familiar do the deal with Hakuman. Compartmentalization, you know?

>>281605
There must be a reason that most mages don't have legions of familiars running around, and I suspect it's because after a certain point things start going horribly wrong when hacking bits off your soul. The Cimmerian might know. Anyway, we should definitely find out before risking it.

Conceptually that could work, but I would point out that the Kinsley family prophets are, though useful, also mad, disruptive, and hostile to the point that they need to be locked in the dungeon. I suspect that if we got a familiar with "gifts" from Hakuman it would have severe downsides well beyond being made useless for the usual familiar-ing.

It sounds more and more like we'll have to learn nxtsaa'u the hard way- years of tutelage from someone who actually knows it. Unless the Cimmerian has any other ideas for fast routes to power and knowledge.

>>281592
Harvest the dead... and, presumably, funnel their power into the mortals hanging out in the City? So if Alexander finds it- like the prophecy says he will- then he'll have sole access and get all that power for himself- the power that the gods went to war over.

This is kind of bad. I don't suppose that the Cimmerian knows of any way to find the City? Or anything else about it which will probably be vitally important once Alexander finds it and turns it on?


Bring up the immortal that Alexander has and find out how powerful it is, both relative to the Cimmerian in his current form and relative to the mages running around. My current impression is "would tear through the best of the Kinsleys like tissue paper", but perhaps it's not quite that bad. Regardless, what I got from Duncan was "the modern Kinsleys don't know shit about the immortals", so for all we know they're quite destructible if you know the proper trick.


Continuing our thoughts on finding a master, rereading the last thread it looks like Ymanye was reacting rather positively towards us; no idea what would end up happening there, but it might be worth a shot. We'd probably learn less about magic and more about politics under her- and possibly have the ear of someone with serious pull, which is always important. But she might not have been hinting that she'd take us at all; could be reading too much into it.

Tiffany 2011/02/16(Wed)12:48 No. 281947 ID: c44286
File 129788928440.png - (53.32KB , 300x700 , 574.png )

... So what would happen if Alexander flips the switch?

End of the world, kid.

What, seriously?

The Lords of the Underworld would go to war. From the looks of things you've grown fat and weak in the meantime. I doubt the Lords have done the same.

Oh crap. How do we fight back? Could you fight?

Haha, by me lonesomes? I've served in the front lines, sure, but that was me AND my homies. When the shoe drops, I'll be there, but there's only so much I can do.

What about those Immortals? Think they could turn the tide?

The Cimmerians coldness was palpable.

Did I say something wrong?

Hah. You mortals certainly thought they would, once. I'll have nothing to do with those abominations, except maybe tear them apart with tooth and claw.

Could you?

I've been wanting to find out for a long time. I-

>Owen: "Are you even listening?"

"Huh, sorry?"

>Owen: "I said Duncan wants you to drop by before the big meeting."

>>281947
Big meeting? I don't suppose you have any tips for that?

>>281947
>>281592
How... how does he even know about Woodstock? And why does he talk a gangsta? Ugh, lets go to Duncan before talking more to him. He turns everything off and that probably annoys people.

Do one of those quiet sentimental thanks yous you see in movies to Owen, you know, like after a conversation where the authority figure scolds you, it's been a little bit of time after the conversation and whatnot. "Owen, thanks for saving me from being mindraped from an Inquisitor." or some shit like that.

Tiffany 2011/02/16(Wed)13:47 No. 281957 ID: c44286
File 129789285433.png - (69.97KB , 700x500 , 575.png )

"Oh right, yeah. Do you have any tips for that?"

>Owen: "Be polite, don't be tardy."

"Right."

>Owen: "Ready to go?"

"Sure. . . . Hey Owen?"

>Owen: "Yeah?"

"Thanks for not letting the inquisitor mind-rape me."

>Owen: "You're welcome, kid."

After returning the utensils to the kitchen Tiffany and Owen walked through the winding corridors in silence. Tiffany was getting a little bit more used to the place, and knew they were headed towards Duncan's room. Tiffany was lost in thought, trying to fit all of this together in her mind. What was Alexander after? He must know he was starting a war, a war that would get a lot of people killed. Did he give a damn? Would the City of the Dead give him enough power to fight the Lords? Would he gamble on that?

>>281951

It's not like stuff doesn't go both ways through the veil, right? If someone did a little demon summoning in the past twenty years the summoned minor demon would have had a chance to learn slang and news, and when it was released back our Cimmerian could have learned from it.

>>281957

He's been dead a long while. Maybe he got tired of waiting and decided to take the gamble. Maybe he's got something else lined up to help make sure he wins the war.

Tiffany 2011/02/16(Wed)15:20 No. 281968 ID: c44286
File 129789842512.png - (65.50KB , 700x500 , 576.png )

I mean... He was dead a long time. Maybe he got tired of it and decided to gamble?
Wait, that makes no sense. He's alive now, he doesn't have a reason to gamble. He probably could hide for years, knocking back piña coladas in Brazil. If he forces the conflict, he'd intentionally be sticking his neck out. He's got to have some kinda plan for winning the war.

Somehow that doesn't make me feel any better.

I personally would just do it for shits and giggles if I hated my own race. Imagine, Alexander, The Bone King, the bastard that got himself and his entire species wiped from the universe.

His ego would go through the roof. Doesn't matter what the reason is, as it might as well be that anyway, because he's bad and a threat to our lives. We're gonna give him such a pinch. Once we do learn his actual plan though we should make it backfire on his ass though, like the Cimmerian said about war and strategies.

Tiffany 2011/02/16(Wed)17:25 No. 281975 ID: c44286
File 129790591563.png - (159.97KB , 700x1000 , 577.png )

I suppose if he was just doing this to be a dick-

>Duncan: "Ah, Tiffany. Please come in."

"Oh, hey Duncan."

>Owen: "My god man, you ran away from the home again?"

>Duncan: "Nice to see you too, Owen. Please, sit down. I'm glad we have this opportunity to talk, dear child."

"Me too."

>Duncan: "I'm terribly sorry to hear about your father. He just got out of surgery."

"How is he?"

>Duncan: "The surgery itself went as well as could be hoped, but he's still in poor shape. He's in intensive care in a hospital in Liverpool. I'll be accompanying you and Owen to see him later this afternoon. I really wish I could take you there now, but this whole Daemon business... I'm sorry, but the council won't let you go before the matter is dealt with."

"It's ok, Duncan. I understand."

>Duncan: "It's a miserable state of affairs, certainly. Now, I've been keeping an eye on things, and I can tell you what the Hunters have figured out. Firstly, he seems to be what he says he is. A greater Daemon of the Cimmerian Hollows. I hadn't thought that a thing couldn't possibly have survived for so long. We have also verified that he has indeed been bound by the Curse of Earth. A properly performed one, too."

"So you know he can't hurt anybody?"

>Duncan: "Unless you give him permission, yes."

"And that the sarcophagus he's in isn't going to hold him?"

>Duncan: "I know that, too. As does the council."

"So why are they keeping him locked up?"

>Duncan: "Letting him roam free isn't really an option either. The council will decide on that."

"But-"

>Duncan: "The council will decide. Have patience."

"Oh fine."

>Duncan: "Right. You still don't have a master, hmm?"

"No."

>Duncan: "Do you have a plan for getting one?"

"Not really?"

>Duncan: "And this Cimmerian business probably isn't going to help much, is it?"

"It's hopeless. I know."

>Duncan: "Oh don't give up yet. Binding him took guts, skill, and quite a bit of power. There are still those who can look past a bit of infamy and see worth in all this. In fact, I think I have something that might help you."

"What is it?"

>Duncan: "Comparing the relative skill and strength of magicians is tricky business, you understand. We've been trying to create a good system for that for a century and a half now. We're still far from perfect, but people are starting to pay attention to them. If you score high on the test, it might make it easier to find a master. Would you like to take it?"

"I guess. I mean, what's the harm?"

>Duncan: "Great. The test measures your ability in five areas that we've labeled Awareness, Understanding, Synchronicity, Control and Spark. The scale is zero to five, and it's meant to be exponential. A three is twice as good as a two and so on. The council members all measures four or five in all areas. Balian himself managed a clean five fives."

"What're the different areas?"

>Duncan: "Awareness measures how aware your Haftsusha is of this world. The lower it is, the harder it is for you to do any magic. It'd still be possible for you to use certain artefacts though. Understanding measures how well your Haftsushsa can grasp the intention behind your runes, incantations, so on. Synchronicity measures the degree to which you can synchronize your Haftsusha with your Tuaftia. It essentially allows you access to extra reserves of power. This is the hardest to actually learn, Balian is the only one to ever get five on the test on that. I suspect master Cain would rank even higher, if I could get him to take the test. Control measures the ability to control the Haftsusha with only your thoughts. Again, hard to learn. Hunters sometimes manage this, though I'll be damned if I know how. They score low on the test, then go and do it in the field just fine. Right, on topic. Spark measures your ability to actually channel the Haftsusha's power. It also measures the Haftsusha's actual power, but it's hard to tell those two apart. By test anyway. Ah. I can see from your glazed and vacant expression that I've been understood perfectly. Do you have any questions before we start?"

>>281975
Ask him "Does this help?" and unshroud your spark. You've been hiding it ever since Alexander told you to, haven't you?

I think it would be better to wait for the test before showing it. Sometimes a surprise is worth keeping until the last moment.

>>281975
Oh, and also ask how many people in the clan have familiars? How you got Mulder was a necromantic ritual...

>>281975
Well at least have to do any pull ups like in Gym. This does sound like that President Lincoln exam they do in there, only with magic.

In for a penny, in for a pound. Give this test your all, stop hiding your spark.

Would being mostly untrained have an impact on how people interpret the results, do you think?

>>281978
Actually she unshrouded it in order to use the spear against the wraith. It's burning all bright and shiny.

But yeah, let's take yon test. Also, I think Alexander is sparking the war in order to draw out powerful opponents and somehow control them.

>>281975
Expose your power and don't hold back. Fuck fives, we're going for nines.

It's sounding like you'll do very well on most of the test, with synchronicity being your lowest score, most likely.

It also sounds like Control is a more unconscious thing than conscious effort, so when it comes to that, don't think about it, just do it. When it comes to Spark, though, I think you could blaze a path straight to a 6 or 7, so just let it fly free. Allow it to shine and sing.

Tiffany 2011/02/17(Thu)12:02 No. 282077 ID: c44286
File 129797293628.png - (119.92KB , 700x527 , 578.png )

"Nothing important comes to mind."

>Duncan: "Let's get started, then. The process is simple enough. I'll prepare the test, you just relax. Once we begin, I will be asking you to focus on various things. It's not hard, and shouldn't take more than fifteen minutes or so."

Duncan places a sandstone disk on the table, carefully tracing the etchings with his hand. Soon he begins to chant under his breath, weaving symbols in the air. The instructions follow shortly, and Tiffany can feel a strange calm settling over her as she obeys Duncan's soft words. Tiffany loses track of time, as the trance continues.



Tiffany's current scores are as follows:
Awareness: *****
Understanding: *
Synchronicity: **
Control: *
Spark: ****

You may choose how to allocate two additional points.

>>282077
Boost Synchronicity and Control. We should be able to learn Understanding manually.

One in understanding and one in control.

>>282077
Two points in spark.
POWER OVERWHELMING!

Understanding comes with time, Control comes with practice, and Synchronicity comes with what I would expect to be meditation.

Spark measures your reserves and how much of that you can tap. You can improve your ability to tap your reserves through practice, but I don't think there's much you can do to boost the size of the reserve itself.

Also? Pulling a 6 would be a major feather in her cap, since it would mean she has twice as much raw power as the most powerful known.

If we can't boost any stat above 5, then +1 to Spark and Synchronicity.

Spark and Synchronicity

I am liking the two in spark.

Two in spark.

Two in Awareness. Her Haftsusha is so aware it talks to other people on its own. :V

2 points to spark.

>>282101
Uh, no. It's (level 1)*2^x, not... whatever that is. Looks like it squares the value each step, so... Starting at level 4 it's 5^(2(level-3)). Which is silly.

The way it really works is, if 4 was 5 power units, then 5 would be 10, and 6 would be 20.

Suggestion 2011/02/17(Thu)13:52 No. 282106 ID: 45df4f
File 129797954184.jpg - (28.09KB , 461x480 , timallen.jpg )

2 to Spark.

MORE POWER *grunts obnoxiously*

More Power. MORE SPARK. Who needs finesse when you can blow up daemons!

>>282107
>A three is twice as good as a two and so on.
256 is not twice as good as 16. Also, 1 squared is not 2, and starting at 0 completely ruins everything because the ratio between 0 and any other integer tends to be infinite. Your math is all fucked up.

Also, yes, y=a*2^x is an exponential function. Look it up.

Two into Spark.

>>282107
No. It is a mathematical function. That means the input is x, not the previous f(x) value. Multiplicative is k*x, exponential is k^x.

2 for Awareness

>>282134
Yes, twice into awareness, or once awareness and once for power. Then we're not insanely powerful enough to give people more reason to be scared of us and it'll be so aware that it can help us improve as a two-way thing.

>>282077
+2 Spark if five isn't a hard limit. Otherwise, +1 Spark and +1 Understanding; all the power in the world is only good if we can get our Haftsusha to understand what the fuck we're trying to tell it to do- and while we can learn that with time, we might not have a ton of time in which to do so.

>>282129
You don't understand math, apparently. You should go find this quest's /dis/ thread if you want to argue about it, though.

Two in spark, maybe?

Tiffany 2011/02/18(Fri)18:04 No. 282438 ID: c44286
File 129808104144.png - (32.21KB , 700x600 , 579.png )

Overwhelmingly voted for two in Spark.
itt people stumbling over basic math
quest author is a math major
and facepalming so hard

>Duncan: "Hmm. It would seem your Haftsusha is unusually aware of it's surroundings. Understanding, Synchronicity and Control are all coming along nicely, slightly better than most new apprentices. Let's see now. . . . Hmm, I must've messed something up, I beg your pardon. Let me try again."

"Is something wrong?"

>Duncan: "Uh. Huh. I'm not really getting a good measurement of your Spark. If this is accurate, you'd be well above five. That can't be right. Wait, you were prematurely awakened, isn't that right?"

"Umm... Did I do something bad?"

>Duncan: "No, no. It just must be messing with my measurements. I'd like to run some additional tests if that's at all possible."

"Sure."









And then they all synchronized.

>>282438
Aw, chapter end? But we were just getting rolling again after so long of nothing! Dammit.

>>282443
The thread was getting too xboxy for my tastes, will probs continue with a fresh chapter, don't worry.

>>282438
Kitty!

>>282445
My joy upon hearing this is finite but large. This is still one of the best quests, when it's moving.

>>282459
Makes me glad to hear you say so. Will be devoting my Saturday for updates.
Well, unless I get interrupted by the Girl having plans.
Some updates will be had regardless.