>>291799
We still need Ona for bugsex. Think, Muschio. If it is YOUR responsibility that they are fertile and have a heir, then you would traditionally become the godfather. And if they meet a tragic accident, then you become the REGENT. And if the heir meets an accident...

Best part about this plan? IT WORKS EVEN IF YOU DON'T USE IT. If you don't bump them off then you still have the massive goodwill you get from them for allowing them to have a child.

>>291799
Well we're going to get you a new and more awesome one. Ask the royals if you can hit their library in search of answers or clues about magical artifacts that can be used as hands for people deprived of their own. Or more monster thingies.

Muschio 2011/03/29(Tue)23:43 No. 291804 ID: 543aa6
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Three days I've spent on the mend, and today at last I'm well enough to prepare for my departure.
In those three days the nation has radically restructured itself and the production and workforce seem none the worse for it. If nothing else can be said of the Red Mesas, their industry is a well-oiled machine.

The Matriarch and Patriarch have wished me all the best, both coming to see me personally and deliver thanks every day for what I've done not just for their nation, but for their relationship. Now that I am ready to make the trip home, we've ironed out the last details: an open route for trade and communication, with necessary runners supplied by their side. Should we need to send a message or open commerce further, those avenues will always be open.

Before we leave, we're given one last gift of gratitude from the reunited couple: Two valuable living resources from the kingdom's own cabinet and employ.

Wes Fumo is the premier blacksmith in the Red Mesas, and was under the Court's official employ. Evidently he was a significant enough craftsman that even during the civil war, rather than risk losing his services, both sides agreed to share his continued employ. The fact that they are now willing to sign his labor over to me speaks volumes of their gratitude.
I also recognize him as the man who cut off my destroyed hand.

Pendle Khaneh is one of the royal consuls of war, and until now has been under the Patriarch's employ. He is a master strategist and a scholar of some renown, well-trained in the histories of warfare, as well as fields of more classical education.

And now, they have both been sworn in allegiance to me.

>>291799

I say destroy the hand. Don't bring it back with you. If your adversary is that cunning, and his magic that powerful, then I don't trust it. It could be trapped, or possessed, used against you or to spy on you. The hand's no good to you now... it's useless at best and potentially dangerous at worst - I wouldn't risk bringing it home.

Hey uh back home. How are the little digger dudes doing? We need more space asap and a forge, if possible! We also need to get MORE of those little dudes, somehow.

Fuuuuuuck, I didn't expect new folks...

at BEST the hand can let us figure out how to counter act that magic in the future. making it so muschio here can take a blast o th face to no ill effects.

>>291804
>>"The fact that they are now willing to sign his labor over to me speaks volumes of their gratitude."

...or their duplicity.

Let Wes know you're going to at least need to see his face before he starts working for you.

Even then, keep an eye on both of your new hires.

"Beware of bugs bearing gifts."

>>291804
Cool, ask Wes to get started working with Finesse on a replacement hand.

>>291804
Excellent. We'll have the Odds make a forge for the blacksmith and a library or study or whatever for the scholar.

The blacksmith shall equip your men, both with weapons and with armor.
Assuming we get some metal for him to work with, that is. This would be a good thing to look out for.
Furthermore, he can make the parts for your prosthetic which Finesse has been designing.

>>291805
The magic was designed to preoccupy us by harming Finesse. I highly doubt it has a purpose beyond the obvious.
And even at worst, it's an important memento.
>>291808
We need not be so suspicious of people whose problem we've just solved.
And we should not impinge upon Wes' privacy, especially so soon after meeting him.

Hey, Pendle is looking a bit nervous. Ask if he's alright.

Muschio 2011/03/30(Wed)02:32 No. 291818 ID: 543aa6
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I'll be sure to have the Odds dig out new quarters for my two new crew additions, but first, something's bothering me.

"Gentlemen, it's good to have you aboard, but as I did not specifically choose you for my ranks, you will have to understand I still have a few concerns."
Khaneh speaks up.
>"Of course. For most, it would be foolish to look a gift horse in the mouth, but for men of your stature and elevation etiquette must often yield to security. You're concerned of our allegiance."
"In as many words, yes."
>"I assure you, I am a devoted worker and a man of trustworthy character."
"All the same, you will understand there may be some precautions. Wes Fumo -- I'll ask you to remove your hood."

The lanky artisan hesitates, then removes the heavy, soot-stained leather article bearing the glass pane.
>"I-i-it's a blacksmith's hood. I haddit s-special made. I use it t-t-to keep m-my face from gettin' burnt."
"Is something making you nervous?"
Pendle speaks up for the young man.
>"I beg your pardon, Lord Muschio. Mr. Fumo has a mild stutter. It's not something he can help."
>"S--s-sorry."

"aw naw dont even worry about it dawg"

>>291818
He doesn't look very buggy. More gnolly in fact. Whatever, as good as he's good at what he does then that's all we need. Reassure him that you don't care how he speaks as long as he can do his job.

Adorable!
I wonder what his story is?
Seems rather shy though, don't wanna put him on the spot.
Tell him it's quite alright.
Quickest way to build trust is to get to know someone. Ask Pendle about himself.

Muschio, for the love of all that is good and holy, give Wes a sandwich or something. He's nothing but skin and bones.

>>291821
>>291822
Might as well combine these 2. Ask their stories over breakfast, or lunch, or dinner, or high tea, or midnight snack, depending on what time it is.

Tell them about the voices in your head that tell you what to do!

seem like friends if pendle kows all about fumo's stutter. also assure that a stutter is no problem at all. and... is that a cloth wrap on fumo's chest?

>Gnoll forgemaster

>Pyromaniac gnoll

>In the same cave

Errr....

looks more like a mouse or something then a gnoll.

>>291868
I expect kids by winter.

>>291883
They're probably both chicks.

He has whiskers, probably some kind of rodent person instead of a gnoll. In which case he looks a bit more 'characteristic' than incredibly ill (although, metal toxicity 'could' be a a bit in there.)

I would put off suspicions of metal toxicity for now unless he really starts being sick. The bugs' food might have just not been suited to him, he could just need to stuff his face with delicious meat. You need to stuff your face with delicious meat too, Muschio.

>>291890
>"Gentlemen, it's good to have you aboard, but as I ...
>"I beg your pardon, Lord Muschio. Mr. Fumo has a ...

Ummm.... not sure on how gender works in your 'verse, but...

>>291818
Hmm, interesting. Ask how he came to live in this nation.

By the gods, Geppa will tear poor Wes apart... Lets hope she doesn't get affectionate.

Yay good end! (Minus the hand.)
We have a new ally and two more minions.

But...I feel like we forgot something.

...

...OH CRAP WE FORGOT TO LOOK FOR MANNIKINS.
Also when we get back ask Pendle about the minerals that disabled the Odds.

He's an intellectual. It's worth a shot.

It's probably a good idea to ask Khaneh his full, candid opinion of the strategies employed in the war between the matriarch and patriarch. Solid battle tactics and maneuvering are fine, but if he's stuck in the mindset of a clean war over territory with as few serious casualties as possible... that's a rather niche viewpoint we won't have much use for honestly.
Basically, find out if he'll be useful for plotting out campaigns and more sneaky things, or if he'll only be useful for coordinating battles and such.

>>291895
's probably another kind of bold. Like whatever the name of that crossbow-wielding woman in Ridder's troop was. She looked similar.

Ignore speech impediment, politely welcome them to your party.
Think of solutions to this missing hand issue, it needs to be replaced soon. Ona and Wes can help you with that, but you should also seek advice. I suggest a mechanical hand, for strength and badassery.
Inquire existence of nearby manikins, make note or go after them since you've a few days rest.
Return to base and put Wes to work on better weapons and armor for your comrades.
Ona is having some trouble with Dompag and Geppa as I remember. I don't think she'll be so willing to help if rape is involved.

Muschio,

Your priority right now should be Geppa. Yes it's more important than your hand. She is completely insane and only bad things can (and WILL) come of her being in The Vault. She will sow conflict and all other manner of bad amongst the staff, and they are your most valuable resource. Dompag is patient and nice, but if all it took to cure the mentally ill was a kind smile then there would be no mentally ill people. Unless Dompag has a secret education in his past he is NOT CAPABLE of curing her of the crazy, and neither is anyone else in The Vault. Ask the Matriarch/Patriarch to recommend a psychiatrist you can hire.

If Dompag is attached to her, explain to him that he's done all he can by calming her, and that if he actually cared about her he'd want her to get the help she needs. Tell him to tell Geppa that it's little brother's turn to look out for big sis. Hopefully she'll eat that up.

Issue the second: Knowledge is power. It's insufficient to employ Pendle.
Step one: Construct and stock a library.
Step two: Learn. Everything.

You're smart Muschio. There's nothing special about that assassin; you can learn everything he knows and become even more powerful.

Muschio 2011/04/06(Wed)15:26 No. 294445 ID: 543aa6
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Well, everything seems straightened out for my departure.

I just need to decide if I'll be holding on to what's left of my hand, or discarding it.
I should weigh my options carefully.

>>294445

Well, you could keep it and have Finesse, Ona, and Tislomer study its magical residue.

On the other hand (sorry), we could dispose of it barring any danger it might cause.

I'm going to say study it.

>>294445
Lets keep it, as a memorial of things sacrificed in the struggle and to keep the rage fresh. Someone hired that guy, someone cost you that hand, you're going to find out who and then they're going to be lacking a number of limbs.

>>291805

>>294445
Yeah, Ona is a professional. I'm sure she'll have some crazy ass magic defenses up for studying this thing. Not to mention if this happens again we could gain a cure.

yeah mang. have the thing surrounded in magic circles and shit and figure out what can be done to make sure the spell can't hurt you again.

Well I don't think it's TOO likely to crawl out of the jar and strangle you in your sleep.

As long as that lid's on there securely.

No reason to keep it. For one thing it has become a symbol to the Red Mesa people, so letting them keep it would only strengthen our emerging relations. Also, it may still be enchanted and/or capable of opening some sort of hellportal in the Den and I would rather not take that chance.

Hang on to it. It's unsalvageable, but Ona may be able to replicate the spell used. If we can harness it, that would be cool.

Keep it, study it.

>>294494
Well, if people are going to bump the thread:
Probably this.

Forget about your old dead hand, work towards getting an awesome new mechanical hand! The bug folk should see if the hand leaves any clue as to who did this.

I think studying it is worth it, any edge we can get against that guy is going to be needed. He pretty much kicked your ass, and that was with the Patriarch also fighting.

Keep that eye where you, or someone under your employ, can see it. Last thing we need is some weird decayed clone of you walking around.

The decayed arm is not a sign of your weakness, it's a symbol of how resolute, daring and self-sacrificing you can be.

And what's a villain that isn't emotionally attached to his past victories and tragedies?

Keep the hand. As a keepsake, if nothing else.

Muschio 2011/04/08(Fri)17:48 No. 295110 ID: 543aa6
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Very well. I elect to take the hand with me. Finesse carries it along home as we depart amicably from the newly-reunited leaders.

We have earned much today from the Matriarch and Patriarch.

And as we depart, I reflect on how we've left them: The two of them are now bound together once more in a pact of eternal and devoted love.

Muschio 2011/04/08(Fri)17:56 No. 295112 ID: 543aa6
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It's a shame, really. I rather liked them, and would have wanted a more fortunate ending.

But I suppose sometimes bad things happen to good people.

>>295112
lol Muschio you so edgy XD