We should be straight forward with EInrik about what has occurred, and go into detail about the blood magic that afflicts his friend, making it clear that we see a way of breaking the blood magic, but that will require Antoine coming with us to Istanbul briefly.

We should also consider the other options available for bloodlines. IIRC, we know that the Valkonen bloodline is based on soul manipulation, specifically, freezing/chilling pieces of ones own soul. That would seem like it may work well very with our Sami soul manipulation and the power of the Imperial Romanov line to recover from being killed, as well as with Ogrimmir's cold resistance blessing.

Although it's a long shot, you should speak to Einrik about if there's any chance that Markku will donate a couple of drops of blood to serve as the third leg of your new bloodline. The argument to make would go along the lines that If Markku wants non-inbred great grand children it would be very useful to have an allied (not vassal) clan with a compatible bloodline. We should ask this at the same time as offering Einrik the opportunity to specify a question for Ogrimmir if he kills an Einheir at our direction.

We do also need to meditate and examine our chakra, and how they've been effected by what we've done to ourselves. We should use our perception of our own soul granted by the sami bloodline to aid in this. Chakra seem to be a manifestation of the souls power into the body, so being able to directly perceive what we're doing should be very helpful.

We should also investigate how our ability to examine souls interacts with our ability to detect when we are observed. Is the latter actually some form of special case of the former, as both read something about the targets nature?

If the Valkonens want to pay the goblins for Hillevi's for language lessons, or just have Einrik directly implant the knowledge in her mind, great, but we shouldn't pay for it.

>>358445
SUST Everything but these:
>We do also need to meditate and examine our chakra, and how they've been effected by what we've done to ourselves. We should use our perception of our own soul granted by the sami bloodline to aid in this. Chakra seem to be a manifestation of the souls power into the body, so being able to directly perceive what we're doing should be very helpful.
>We should also investigate how our ability to examine souls interacts with our ability to detect when we are observed. Is the latter actually some form of special case of the former, as both read something about the targets nature?

Now, Einrik has expressed an interest in meeting Og. Tell him about Og, and the various deals you made so far (after apologizing for putting Hillevi on the spot, and recounting your adventures, of course).

Ask him if he is able to both sense and identify the bloodlines we acquired. Tell him we can sense his soul, and what it looks like. Ask him if there is some kind of etiquette about looking at souls.

Something to keep in mind is that SM's various deals are until the end of our natural life, which means they may expire the first time we die, even if we get back up because of our Romanov bloodline.

It's important to talk to SM about it when we are back to Istanbul, and make plan on how to approach the issue politely.

Let's make a plan to take down Ramidreju without hurting its body. Ask Sake exactly what he needs. We might actually need Hillevi's help for this one, as she might pin it down easily. I am wary of using Guns.

We are Hillevi's warden, so it's normal that we should be the one paying for her language implants, if she wants some.

For bloodline bit, more and more adamant to get Border.

Apparently, both Item and Border can be gotten at the earliest via someone at the auction.

Suggestions for matching new Mercs with magic.


>Vlad: Volatile, warm, full of energy
Suggested Magic: Human Torch
Way I read it, the man is ready to light up anyway.

>Ivan: Attention, feels like an eye, piercing gaze.
Suggested Magic: Ability to see infrared and magic workings (spell matrices yadda yadda)
He sounds like he could get a lot of help from Big Crazy's Dirt snake and Silja's Sniper memories.

>Iosef Markovic: Fears dark, light and fire
Soul like a light shining desperately
Suggested Magic: Ability to create light, both utility and combat oriented

Figure out why he fears the dark and try to get him over it. I figure the fear that is a part of him so represents the fog.
He strikes me as the type of guy you see in movies that takes up the biggest heaviest gun and when they catch one of the monsters he shoots/burns/ it over and over screaming stuff like "Take that you bastards" and "You like that huh!" in between bouts of hysterical laughter and then gets killed because he was too engrossed to notice one of it's freinds sneaking up behind him.

>Boris: mothers home cooking
Give him a copy of your translated cookbook
or sell him one

>So, what am I going to tell Einrik, and how should I phrase it?
"Things went well, I thought. Plenty of excitement and danger, but Hillevi handled herself well, we got out of every scrape without any injuries, and we made some new friends. First a German assassin named Armin the Craftsman tried to kill us, then a Russian hit squad who you've met tried to kill us, then we met Gleb Romanov and killed him- but only once and he came right back with no hard feelings, so that was good. You want details on anything? And what have you been up to?"

Give him any details that he asks for, of course. Get his review of our encounters- and learn what he's heard of our opponents. Find out how he learned that we encountered an Imperial Scion, if we can; knowing what kind of eye he's keeping on Hillevi would be nice.

>When I get back in the cabin, what should I talk about with the Russians and/or Hillevi?
Be cheerful and try to make everyone like you, as before. Make sure that Hillevi doesn't feel excluded because everyone's speaking Russian; find out if any of the Russians know other languages.

Over the course of the conversation, find out what Hillevi talked about with Einrik while we weren't around. I'm interested in why she left rather than witness our ritual... it seems like a rare experience, not to be missed.

Apologize for putting her on the spot with saying what she saw of our soul like that. Try to minimize whatever feelings of embarrassment and failure she's likely having over it, and play it off as nothing. We'll definitely have to work on making her quicker with such responses, though- perhaps in the days to come we can work on that sort of thing, when conversing with her.


Other matters. The matter of different languages here is somewhat annoying, but it brings up a potentially useful line of thought- Einrik once installed knowledge of a martial art in our head, and the Mad Drunk did the same for knowledge of a language; can Amen do the same? Ask Amen if he can rapidly grant us knowledge or skills, and if so, if he can do so without causing us significant mental or spiritual damage. If that's possible, make sure that he doesn't gain any additional hold over us, influence our personality, implant anything unwanted, or otherwise do nasty things to our head, and have us learn Italian, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Arabic, and Hebrew. I believe those are all the languages relevant to people we know, thus far. We can spread out the installation over a significant amount of time if it would help avoid damage- learn things in our sleep, perhaps. It would also be worth discovering if he can give us other knowledge, like martial styles, information about magical peoples and beings, and historical information.

>>358410
>-Call Camella.
I would strongly prefer to not inform anyone in Istanbul that we're incoming until we've already arrived. There is little that our friends can do to prepare that will benefit us, and I'd rather not give any of our enemies the chance to get wind. Also we can troll them by showing up out of nowhere. What's more, it's not impossible that Ogrimir will call upon our Task as soon as we land in Istanbul, making our homecoming week rather different than we're currently imagining.

>-Call Riihivuori kids
We just left Finland what, two days ago? It's been a very short time, and such phone calls are not necessary. Certainly not before we even get home.

>>358445
>Markku's blood
While that would be quite powerful, it does go rather against what we were trying with Shadowbro, where we aspect our Winter nodes differently. At least in theory Shadowbro should be able to pull crazy Valkonen-style Winter tricks eventually, even if we can't, so it would probably be better to specialize in something else and rely on him to watch our back with Winter soul tricks.

>>358455
>It's important to talk to SM about it when we are back to Istanbul, and make plan on how to approach the issue politely.
Oh, shit, you're right. It would be a bitch to have all our Bargains expire because we got headshotted or something. We'll need to chat with him and ensure that "natural life" is mutually agreed to be defined as "for as long as we can keep from dying and staying dead". High priority flag on this one.

 

>>358332
The first thing I do is apologize to Hillevi and Einrik alike for putting the youngest Valkonen to the question like that-after all, her older brother's still working with her to help her think analytically. Seems whatever damage I might have wrought was mended by my apology-they both accept it as being no intended slight, and just like that what could have been a minor situation is water under the bridge. When I transition to complimenting Hillevi's combat instincts Einrik does rather dryly point out she has been receiving training from a seventy-generation old martial family-I ignore the dig to focus next on Hillevi's exposure to not killing her challengers, something Einrik agrees was rather important for her.

>>358334
The last thing I bring up before Hillevi departs for the cabin is the possibility of language lessons courtesy the Laine estate (I can call it that now, I got a mansion, a butler, and I actually have savings-TOTALLY an estate), and Einrik says that if I do such a thing, he requests I teach her one of the more prevalent languages-Mandarin, English, Spanish, something she could use many places. When I inquire as to Mandarin for being used many places, I find that, thanks to its massive history with magic it produces more magically active mortals than any other nation. With that brought up and cautiously approved by the Valkonen heir, we move on to some new topics.

First, I discuss my bloodline choices so far with Einrik. while he shares muted approval and disapproval in turn, focusing on differing potential outcomes rather than speaking in generalities, one particular blurb of his commentary truly stuck out to me.
>[EV][In English]"You know, it's funny that you've acquired nearly every aspect of supernatural survivability, save heightened defense itself. You can heal yourself, regenerate lost limbs, claim energy from foe's flesh, now you've built yourself something with the Romanov line, who are quite known for having a revolving-door policy with death. It costs great pain to follow this path as opposed to others, but is tailored to make even your defensive mechanism invite foes to underestimate you. A soft human with guns... how wrong they'll be."
To a lesser extent I was intrigued by these other comments enough to have them resonate.
>[EV][In English]"The Sami line holds some very solid fundamental soul manipulation principles, based on perceiving, then manipulating spiritual energy, and is more... subtle, than other soul manipulation styles I know of. I do know I only once saw a Sami shaman working their magic at any real range, as opposed to within the caster's immediate vicinity-so I presume that, while slower, and potentially less potent than other paths, it has the advantages of a 'quiet' magical signature compared to its brethren, and should allow for more free-form spirit manipulation, at the cost of direct combat application."
The final thing he had to say was on the Romanov line.
>[EV][In English]"I'm operating under the assumption it only provides a given amount of the magic that fuels it-which frankly, is so exotic I'm still not sure what mechanisms do what in the spell matrix-to providing that immortality you rationally coveted. If I ever figure out how to estimate limits on this I'll let you know-but your soul's new shape has not aided the spell decryption process."

From there, I move on to talking about possible options, referencing our prior conversations.
"So, you've mentioned Lurk and it had appealed to me-what are your thoughts on it's usefulness here?"
>[EV][In English]"I think the interplay of subtle spirit manipulation, auto-revival and 'unnoticability' both instinctually sound like and mechanically do go quite well together-but your power would likely end up highly personal, functional or not. It would have little way to do anything beyond some shadow of Sami soul-sculpting-and do understand this is merely conjecture, I've no idea how the composite bloodline will really end up. The Lurk influence would seem to suggest a means of masking death might be possible-which could be quite the tool to the would-be infiltrator. There is of course how strongly it behooves a fighter unafraid to place a knife or bullet in someone's back."
"Ah-huh. You know, there's a few other bloodline types I'd heard of which I wanted to ask you about."
>[EV][In English]"Go ahead."
"Well, I've heard of a winter-based bloodline for manipulating Borders and Boundaries-"
>[EV][In English]"Woa-wait hol-hold on there, just a moment. Now, before I say anything more, anything at all, please, as my friend, listen to me: You and I, and people as... curious as us don't do well with that ability, not in the slightest. I'm talking accidental experimentation that you can never, ever take back. If your own personal safety does not concern you, then think of this as me asking you to not expose my sister to unnecessary risks. ...That said, I am, after all, quite inquisitive. I imagine you've either heard of the Greenlandic, Arctic, Canadian, Siberian or Japanese Boundary manipulating bloodline. I likewise must also assume it would harmonize phenomenally well with the Romanov line, given it's function. I don't know any clan names or specifics beyond that the ability is usually based around a specific genre of boundary, with each individual having a specific preference within that genre. For instance, the Canadian one is known to have an association with doorways, the separator of one room and another, inside and outside-to great use in mobility. One individual may prefer doors between rooms, another the inside-outside transition, what have you. I'd have to believe most of the bloodlines would be easily rerouted to manipulate the boundary the Romanov line flaunts so belligerently."
"...Not what I was expecting, but I'll take it under advisement. Moving past that rather sobering disclaimer-I've also heard of a bloodline that glues together or makes souls to put into objects-have you any knowledge of these 'Imbuer' lines?"
>[EV][In English]"It's sad that's now a safe topic, compared to your last one. Yes, though I've never even met one, so all my information is second hand, and frankly not very trustworthy. You still want it?"
"Absolutely."
>[EV][In English]"Well, to my understanding its possible in at least one Imbuing line-and I don't know how many there are, or even if it's just the one-to use soul scar material when the Imbuer puts a fragment of themselves into their work to keep it safe and contained. I know this line has had more people trying to hunt it-and worse, successfully gain the ability and become outright monsters. Quite a few historical necromancers were people that had somehow stolen, or sometimes directly born from the Imbuing bloodline-turns out putting a soul in a corpse, especially a fresh one, is quite easy. For you though, my instincts tell me there is the possibility of making... items similar to what you wield. But, because a practitioner of this style can in theory attempt to place a soul in anything... well again, we come to issues with people being too curious. Magic does not at all approve of people trying to recant their actions midway through-so committing yourself to a fatal magical act... it's a fate you get to see coming, with no chance to escape."
>>358337
"Why am I not surprised that which interested me was already in the danger zone... well, what did you think of the Sometimes Merchant?"
>[EV][In English]"The goblin? Like most of their kind-what interests me is why he's so accomodating to you-and even called you by name. I wasn't quite aware you were that friendly with the goblins."
"Well, when you stumble on information you personally can't use nearly all the time, and know someone that pays quite well for information-you can build a connection pretty quickly."

>>358445
Midway through telling him more of our journey with colorful diction,
"Bit of a non-sequitor, but I think I know someone who could clear up Antonije's problem pretty easily, maybe-"
>[EV][In English]"It's nice that you'd even but I've broached the subject with him, and he still doesn't want anyone, and I quote, 'poking and prodding my soul'. He's an old man rather set in his views, regardless of accuracy."
"Hm. Well since we seem to keep coming to options I like that aren't safe, in your opinion-"
>[EV][In English]"Besides Lurk."
"Besides Lurk, but as it happens I had another inkling I could ask about. Since the bloodline absorption system lets me use just regular flesh, or even blood, to imprint a bloodline-I can non-fatally copy someone's bloodline. What with how my shadow's even got training in your style's principles, is it at all feasible to-"
>[EV][In English]"Valkonen blood... I'll say the good news on that first. Yes, that is winter based, and we are rather proud of the fact we've successfully made the bloodline a near perfectly even hybrid of internal and external magical actions, and would harmonize exceptionally well with the Sami line. The bad news is twofold. Because you did not simply imprint just the Valkonen line when you had a fully open bloodline, you passed the window I would have called 'safe' to attempt assimilation. While still possible now, albeit with more risk, the second issue negates that slim chance. I cannot, cannot make this decision, to give out family blood-only the clan Head can. Go ahead and guess how Markku'd take such a request. I can't even think of something you could use to get him to agree."
"Well, this is certainly helping me make my choices, eliminating options."
>>358466
"In all though, I have to say things went well. Plenty of excitement and danger, but Hillevi handled herself well, we got out of every scrape without any injuries, and we made some new friends. First a German assassin named Armin the Craftsman tried to kill us, then a Russian hit squad who you've met tried to kill us, then we met Gleb Romanov and killed him- but only once and he came right back with no hard feelings, so that was good. You want details on anything? And what have you been up to?"
>[EV][In English]"Oh, just yet another petition to fight one of the Danish Dragons-you probably don't know, but it's the only European nation where anything like a draconic arena exists-I'm still being called a lightweight and rejected thanks to my admittedly premature attempt to compete nearly a decade ago."
"Well that sucks. I don't suppose I could help?"
>[EV][In English]"Hah, unless you're good friends with a Dragon, not much chance of that-but the offer's appreciated, at least."
"So did the Merchant tell you about Gleb or something? How'd you know?
>[EV][In English]"I've seen Royal bloodlines before, as well as Russian bloodlines before, enough so that I can identify when something is either. Given this was both, it rather narrowed the field of options. So I suppose you are why I knew, for actually bringing it so I could observe it. Oh yes, a tip of the hat to surviving an encounter with the Russian, even if he was as passive as you and Hillevi say-even without his active action, his Artifact makes him a monstrous threat if approached poorly. ...Wouldn't mind a chance to face him myself some time-a sparring partner that can handle dying is always immensely useful."
>>358357
"Last question-hopefully-why is it you haven't mentioned any protocol or etiquette standards for soul perception?"
>[EV][In English]"Because I wanted to surprise you: It's Darwinian: If you can perceive a soul, you deserve to see it, and no one can claim being perceived as an insult without directly stating themselves to be the spiritual inferior of the one that perceived them when they wished to remain hidden. Conversely, if you can hide your soul well enough, no one in the world could order you to reveal it unless you were bound to do their will to begin with."
"That's.... fucking amazing."
>[EV][In English]"Thought you'd like that."

We chat for a little while longer, wrapping up some loose ends of the stories about the trip, before I head back to the cabin, keeping my smile muted as I notice Hillevi eyeing the soldiers like a dog would some feral rats on it's territories borders, while the Russian's look at her with a mixture of measured awe and not-quite condescending amusement. They're having a hard time getting used to such a young girl being so capable on the field and are trying to play it off-no need to wound their pride and bring it up.

>>358363
>>358366
>>358410
>Eh... perhaps I should have written this in Discussion thread?
Yes you should of, please put it in discussion next time
>Item imbuing is not a bad choice but we can always learn Enchanting without wasting a bloodline slot.
Imbuing =/= Enchanting in the slightest.
I slip a bottle into my pocket that I sure hope Shadowbro will transport my eye-water to-
>"Fine, fine-I'll participate in maintaining your hygiene, disguised as 'practice' or 'profit'. You do realize perfectly pure water isn't worth anything, right?"
That has yet to be proven.
>"Fine, be a dick."
>[Iron Trick]"I am so happy I got the clusterfuck that is you as my new owner. This is like infinite street theater, really I approve."
With that done I do the other thing I needed to attend to before actually joining everyone. I address Silja as I try once more to break to her some hard new.

Silja... You know don't you, you know that I am not the Armas that was your lover, you've seen my soul, my actions, heard my thoughts, I'm not him, I can never be him, but I said I would help you return to a human form... and now I know how to let you see... so even though I am not that Armas... do you want to see my face, to see the world again?
>[Silja]"Armas, what.. what are you-"
We haven't known one another for long but I know you're strong enough to face this-you know I'm not your husband.[/code]"
>[Silja]"But-"
It does nothing to change the fact I'm helping you and will continue to do so-but you need to know and accept the truth."
>[Silja]"...Thank you for the offer to see you, but... I-I... no, no thank you."
I don't think I've ever more heavily read 'I want to be left alone' from someone's words than I do from Silja here and now. It's... the content, the character of the thoughts she directs my way-like she wants nothing more than to huddle in a corner and brood, and will snap if prodded. Naturally-I leave her be.


And join the going conversation with some crass commentary that gets the moderately sauced Russians laughing instantly, as whatever hints of tension were brewing simply fall apart like cobwebs. The whole rest of the flight I sit with everyone, acting as translator and mediator to the banter after it becomes clear only Hillevi and I speak Finnish. I keep building on our existing rapport-and half an hour in feel comfortable broaching a new topic. A group exercise, of sorts: weasel wrangling. My purposefully misleading method of telling them what I plan has them chuckling as I continue to dance about the topic, and by the time I tell them what we are really hunting they all agree to go. In the explaining, I managed to snag Hillevi's interest too-and with her already aware of our goal to non-lethally and hopefully non-harmfully immobilize the Ramidreju until I can get Sake into it-I'm eagerly anticipating her performance.

During our conversation, I take the time to look at Hillevi's soul-and am again surprised. From her I get the sense of a fearful giant, afraid to put a foot wrong and obliterate something near her, afraid of power, and lack of control. It makes me think of a person carefully trying to navigate a wet-cardboard house, knowing the slightest wrong move could bring the whole thing down. My gut tells me she's afraid of her power, based off her soul-but is that really all there is to it?
Deciding I might as well, I find a moment to look down at myself after confirming not a single mirror exists on board. I look away rather swiftly, my eyes burning and straining to shut as if I'd stared at the sun. ...I can't say how my soul feels, until I can actually look at it. I try again twice more-and find the... the painfulness of observing it inevitably enough that I can't stop myself from averting my attention. What is it I'm lacking....

Once the Russians have finished the three bottles between them, the last dregs of their reservations around Hillevi vanish, and despite the language barrier they seem to be communicating.. to a degree. While they're so occupied, I again turn my attention inwards-this time trying to keep clear of looking directly at my soul, and instead focusing on my chakra points, tracing the path from them to soul as close as I can before-but even with my view incomplete, I can easily tell something has shifted on a major scale. I find myself wondering if the Sami line was responsible-the little I know of Gleb's line doesn't sound like it's chakra related, but I could be completely wrong.

The next thing I check is a bit more complicated in my mind-but could yield far greater fruit than my last minor experiment: I start tracing my Attention sensing ability in conjunction with my soul-sensing, looking for a correlation, a connection-it takes me all of two minutes to be certain. Turns out the two abilities are indeed linked, and all based off perceiving the spiritual state of another-and rather interestingly suggest that humans have some innate knack to sense spirits as a fundamental perception, even if few hone it. Most curious.

With all the time that's passed, I'm jolted just a bit when Shadowbro comments that the twelve ounce bottle I designated for catching water from my eye-is full. ...Huh I hadn't realized my output was so high.

Thankfully we're finally descending into northern Spain-when I decide to clear up a couple more questions still bothering me about Amen.

Amen, how many intruders have tried to enter the premises since I left?
>[Amen]"Forty eight, all told, told told."
What happened to them?
>[Amen]"This one neutralized the threats, per master's orders."
Did you kill them?
>[Amen]"Master will never again need to worry about any that dared trespass."
Were any of those neutralized police officers?
>[Amen]"This one is reasonably confident such was not the case."
What about the mansion itself-how's it's legal status faring?
>[Amen]"This one thinks our current status could be summed up as: no one has ownership of the house yet in the wake of Smet's death, but likewise no one has the authority to attempt to removed master from the premises."

There it is then.

We land in the Santander based spanish airport, a tour bus with tinted windows ready to take all twenty one of us out of the city proper as we follow my goblinic compass West South-West. I find myself marginally impressed with how quickly the Russians are able to master ever last quirk they developed from being inebriated that might be a threat in a mission-every idle hand stills and is remastered, ever set of unfocused eyes is massaged and forced to work again-the form of the professional resurging in them all.

We eventually reach a point where no more roads can take us towards our target, an hour and change after getting on the bus, and we all disembark to begin our trek to the Ramidreju's lair.

There is but one teeny, tiny problem:

A half hour after setting out on foot, on the side of a mountain that previously had been indicated to have the weasel somewhere beneath it's peak-

The compass goes ballistic, pointing every which way with abandon.
>"Some sort of magical signal scrambling?"
>[Sake]"It would be uncharacteristic of the goblin to not mention or account for such a thing where he aware. Perhaps it is a recent acquisition for my host to-be? "
>[Iron Trick]"Hate to burst the fun bubble, but the magic ITSELF feels new-and that does not make me think of pleasant explanations."
Trick's right: There's something in the air, a sense of... foreign purpose. I don't feel any attention on me, nor do I perceive any new souls-nevertheless, my gut screams at me we aren't alone. Behind me I hear the Russians checking their weapons and flicking off their safeties.

Well we're in the middle of nowhere in the Cantabrian mountains two thirds of the way up a pretty damn tall mountain in search of a very specific weasel, and just as we were getting close, we encountered a newly minted magic signal scrambling field-and now seem to all feel like we aren't alone.










As the leader of the majority of the people in this party: What should we do?

The Russians are good, but we're better at the sneaky business. Hillevi's also probably good at moving in the woods and she has good senses too, but there's more of her to hide and she lacks the male Valkonen sneaking art.

I say borrow a throat mike (or whatever they have; I assume they have radios to keep in contact with one another?) and move on by ourselves while the others move at half-time.

If we identify who else is on this mountain first, we can radio back. If they spot us, we can do the talky thing while still having some backup if we need the cavalry.

Let the Russians know Hillevi has co-command with their leader in this; language barrier aside, she'll be the one to sense things first if things are about to get hairy. Suggest Hillevi keep it to simple hand signals and not try anything too extravagant, but that these people will be depending on her to keep her head clear and her senses sharp - and we may need a way out involving unnecessarily large amounts of violence.

Is Einrik with us? In order for there to be 21 of us (18 Russians, Hillevi, Einrik, Armas), he should be. Ask him what he can detect, and ask him to liaise between the Russians and Hillevi.

Although Einrik should be able to sense most things, Amen can borrow our senses and analyse the results better than we can, so get him on the problem. When he's done, ask him to show us what we can safely understand of how he did so.

In the wake of our various travails, we've detected some faculty at detecting imminent attacks, particularly spiritual ones. This should work very well together with our newly acquired sami senses and our ability to detect if we are observed.

Are we fully armed? We should follow the Russians example and ready our weapons. Tell them we too detect that some thing's not quite right.

What time is it, how long are the shadows? Armas needs to start taking account if this when planning. If he can, SB should perform a survey of the local area, and then try overlaying a map made of shadows of what is around us on our vision.

Check your other navigation tools. If one's on the fritz, just that one, it proves you're being targeted. If not, it's more likely this is a blanket thing they threw up because we were coming and they didn't know who we were. In either case, they know we're here.

Be quiet, be careful, get sneaky. Hunt traditionally - look for marks of passage, you know this stuff, right? Fan everyone out, keep everyone in sight if you can.

Supernatural weasels are almost always tricky motherfuckers (No offense to Sake).

>As the leader of the majority of the people in this party: What should we do?

Keep in mind that this is not just you testing the Russian guys: this is the first time they'll see you as a leader. First impression MATTERS.

Now, as said before, check if your satellite phone or any other equipment is jammed.

Then, mention to the ones here what kind of enemies could be waiting for you: not only the Artificer and Suicide-person, but Also an old enemy of us, Savoy, who has an annoying teleportation ability. However, he cannot teleport while under observation. You have heard he had gotten hold of a wizard contract lately, too.

Of course, the ramidreju itself could be a threat.

Let's not waste time thinking of how a ambush could be here, and instead concentrate on how to deal with what's coming, though do note everything you can sense for later review and tactical use.

We should try to make sure to not put the russian maybe-hired into undue danger, and use the mostly for sounds distractions, as well as cover fire (which also provide sound distraction).

Hillevi... maybe Hillevi should stay with them, in case they are attacked by Blood-magic lieutenant.

However, she could also be very useful as a 'Tank' while we flank.

Ask her what she prefers.

>>358595
Also consider the possibility that this isn't targeted at us, but rather the ramidreju; we could have someone competing with us for the prize.

>>358495
>Yes you should of, please put it in discussion next time
Ah, sorry, I kind of got exited at the prospect of finally finishing our bloodline. It has been, what, 4 months(real) since we left for Finland. of course, I cannot argue with the results...

>the painfulness of observing it inevitably enough that I can't stop myself from averting my attention.
>What is it I'm lacking....
Sunglasses.

>Did you kill them?
>[Amen]"Master will never again need to worry about any that dared trespass."
That's nice and all but he didn't really answer the question of what he did with them.


>As the leader of the majority of the people in this party: What should we do?
Alright, tell the team (including Hillevi) to fall back a little bit and take defensive positions while we use our stealth abilities to determine what we are facing.
Tell them to break into several small teams and spread out moderately.

I know our powers are new and weak but try to use them to locate the origin of disruption and/or try to hide ourself better.

>>358516
Let the Russians know Hillevi has co-command with their leader in this; language barrier aside, she'll be the one to sense things first if things are about to get hairy. Suggest Hillevi keep it to simple hand signals and not try anything too extravagant
Eh... lets not put Hillevi in such position. Not only because of the language barrier but because she is still young and learning.
This is a girl who has trouble articulating her thoughts and reacting and you want to put 18 lives at her command and stake?
Besides, these are military guys, they probably have learned sign commands. the same cannot be said for Hillevi (who doesn't even understand the concept of 'soldier'), it will only spread confusion.

>>358547
>Is Einrik with us? In order for there to be 21 of us (18 Russians, Hillevi, Einrik, Armas), he should be. Ask him what he can detect, and ask him to liaise between the Russians and Hillevi.

I can agree with this. Hopefully Einrik is here and will help with whatever we are facing.

>Amen can borrow our senses and analyse the results better than we can, so get him on the problem.
This too, ask Amen for advice. Tell him to be short and helpful.
Also, if we are letting him borrow our senses willingly, we need to make sure he doesn't do more than we asked.

>Are we fully armed? We should follow the Russians example and ready our weapons. Tell them we too detect that some thing's not quite right.
Hmm, did we remove the Judges and put Matebas in our back-pack (or Dark)?

>>358548
>Check your other navigation tools. If one's on the fritz, just that one, it proves you're being targeted. If not, it's more likely this is a blanket thing they threw up because we were coming and they didn't know who we were. In either case, they know we're here.
No.
Do not automatically assume that there is someone after us. This could be the result of anything: a rare natural/magical phenomenon, a mundane hicker getting NN strike, some magical battle in vicinity that doesn't have to do anything with us, etc...
You are going to make Armas paranoid again

>>358595
>Then, mention to the ones here what kind of enemies could be waiting for you: not only the Artificer and Suicide-person, but Also an old enemy of us, Savoy, who has an annoying teleportation ability. However, he cannot teleport while under observation. You have heard he had gotten hold of a wizard contract lately, too.
Dammit, do not mention this and do not assume our enemies are here.
How the hell would they know we would come here and prepare for that? Even if it is possible (which when magic is concerned, certainly is) do not make baseless assumptions again!
And do not make our team-mates unnecessarily
stressful by listing off all our powerful enemies.

>We should try to make sure to not put the russian maybe-hired into undue danger, and use the mostly for sounds distractions, as well as cover fire (which also provide sound distraction).
>Hillevi... maybe Hillevi should stay with them
Agree. Keep Hilelvi with them.
Do not ask her opinion.


>[Iron Trick]"Hate to burst the fun bubble, but the magic ITSELF feels new-and that does not make me think of pleasant explanations."
>Trick's right: There's something in the air, a sense of... foreign purpose. I don't feel any attention on me, nor do I perceive any new souls-nevertheless, my gut screams at me we aren't alone. Behind me I hear the Russians checking their weapons and flicking off their safeties.

You know what? I do not like this.
I say we retreat completely till we determine what it is exactly we are walking into.

>>358495
>As the leader of the majority of the people in this party: What should we do?
First, intelligence. If we sense something, it's likely others do as well. Get reports on sensory information from headvoices, Hillevi, and Einrik. Einrik in particular is almost impossible to conceal things from and should be able to tell us what's going on fairly well.

Ensure that everyone remains under control. Tell the Russians to keep on their toes, and pass along relevant intel, but as we are looking to capture rather than kill a target here and we have no proof of hostile intent make sure that we don't end up firing at shadows. Unless the shadow in question is Shadowbro and he's planning to teleport the bullets somewhere useful. I would advise keeping the Russians relatively close, as leaving the sight of our magically powerful types will expose them unnecessarily to attack.

With eyes and senses open, the party should advance rapidly towards the target's last known location. We know that Ramidreju tend to amass wealth; that wealth is unlikely to be highly mobile. By assaulting the static objective it is likely that we'll be able to draw out the mobile objective as it emerges to defend its hoard- or alternately, if the threat here is something other than the Ramidreju, the last known compass location is the most likely place we have to intercept them and prevent them from claiming our prize, if that's why they're here.

>>358516
>Let the Russians know Hillevi has co-command with their leader in this; language barrier aside, she'll be the one to sense things first if things are about to get hairy.
SUST. Hillevi is incapable of answering simple questions in high-pressure situations; she's not suited for any kind of combat command. Perhaps one day she will be but that day is not now.

>>358653
>I say we retreat completely till we determine what it is exactly we are walking into.
SUST. We have Einrik, the man who punches gods into crumbly bits for fun, right here with us. No matter what's going on we can be reasonably confident that he could power through it; as long as we've got him playing backstop we have no reason to be overly concerned.

>>358516
>>358547
I look to Einrik-and see the mild tension in his features. He detects something off as well, and I take that as my cue to address those with us.

[In Russian then in Finnish]"Okay, take a break for a moment."
Matvey, Ivan and Lyubov all glance at me knowingly even as they go along with their comrades, happy for a breather from hiking in mountains with full gear while inebriated. For her part, Hillevi seems a bit confused with the very concept of a 'break' in these circumstances, unsure what we are being relieved from-but she nevertheless complies. Before I speak with Einrik in semi-privacy, I catch Matvey's eye, and get one of his short range radios (sadly not as sophisticated as I'd hoped, albeit likely durable enough I could drop it off a cliff) before sidling back up beside the towering Valkonen heir.

>[EV][In English]"What do you detect besides the scrambler?"
After a quick poll of every one of my resources-personal, brotherly, or material-and coming up with nothing, I can only shrug.
>[EV][In English]"As I suspected. I'm unable to sense mortal-exclusive wards as well as I once could, and your view confirmed my suspicions."
"You going to keep me in suspense or..."
>[EV][In English]"Why... this here is Draconic magic."
"I really wish I had the backing in the magical world to understand the full impact of that-all I've got is 'a dragon rules each nation, there are more dragons than just those rulers, and dragons are up there with Wizards and Gods."
>[EV][In English]"...Well, that is the heart of the matter, to be sure. A brief background may help you understand what we're about to investigate. Gods are not corporeal, short of possession or getting a fabricated vessel of some sort-all spiritual in one form or other. Most of this energy is Divine-which operates on, frankly, completely illogical principles. Wizards, while initially human, derive all their magical power from directly interfacing with the Never Never, and having the realm itself provide magic to make their dreams reality. It is Dragons, out of the big three forces in the magical community, that actually practice magic of the likes normal mortals think of-the guiding principles, the core mechanics, the overall structure-all of it is essentially the same. Dragons are, bar none, the best masters of magic one could ever hope to meet-and are staggeringly arrogant, abrasive, elitist and greedy. ...Really though, that's so that you understand that while I say this is crude Draconic magic-"
"You are in no way saying the magic itself is weak, or poorly put together, or quite likely anything short of masterful."
>[EV][In English]"Precisely. It seems the entire mountain peak has been occluded within this magical array, a multi-tiered affair completely invisible until you touch it's outer borders-as we did. Everything within the barrier is keyed to be indecipherable to a mortal, as well as hidden well enough I doubt a Kamaitachi could sense it through you-by the way, that's just about the favorite trick Dragons have, because they don't like it getting out how similar their magic is to what humans use. Matter of fact, they don't even like to let anyone who's not a dragon know. Even further, they might even go so far as to attempt 'corrective measures'."
Einrik looks at me pointedly.
>[EV][In English]"Oh my goodness, I seem to have inadvertently exposed you to this secret-I guess you'll just have to keep it under your proverbial hat."
"Solid dick move there-I approve."
>[EV][In English]"There is a reason I enjoy the company of such individuals as you-my occasional indiscretions never seem to create actual incident."

>>358548
I check the compass inbuilt to the radio's side-and see it too is behaving erratically.

"This circle's fouling mundane assessment measures to? Do I even want to ask how?"
>[EV][In English]"Unless you wish us to be here discussing it for quite some time, not particularly. It is enough to know that, while rather thorough, it is ONLY a scrambling and non-detection ward. There is no means by which it's castor would be innately aware of any breaches to, alien presences on their spell array."
"Explains why you're so willing to discuss this on the spell's edge."
>[EV][In English]"That and I'm hoping this is a rogue dragon and I get to retest my incomplete style against a Draconic metric-and really wouldn't mind the 'dragon slayer' feather in my cap, even with the problems it can bring, heh. Oh if that does go down I'm making you cook me some dragon flesh-you've blathered on and on about that restaurant you're going to open some day that I just have to have some of your cooking."
"Do I get a choice in this?"
>[EV][In English]"Absolutely not."
I note no signs anything other than us has travelled these mountains in days.
"So, dragons, they can fly?"
>[EV][In English]"Well, seeing as each one is a practiced universal Flesh Manipulator skilled enough to do battle shape-shifting and size-changing, yes, I'd say so. So no, I doubt you'll find tracks except right at whatever attracted the dragon's interest."
"Which I'm assuming to be the same thing that drew us."
>[EV][In English]"Likely-though these are the Cantabrian mountains. They have a respectable history of notable events and denizens."

>>358703
"So, what else do we know about the dragon-wait, do we even know there's only one?"
>[EV][In English]"As much as one can know. Dragons are also as a whole very skilled at veiling themselves. While I can detect sub-par dragons through their attempts to hide themselves, the same cannot be said for those of the same class as the ruling dragons. So either there's just the one sub-par dragon I truly hope is rogue-or it's got some amazingly potent dragons with it."
"That's not a pleasant possibility-how likely do you think it?"
>[EV][In English]"Not very. The only reason I know of that such dragons would be present, and the weakest allowed to cast the magic, would be if these were parents watching their child-but only the ruling dragons indulge in this practice, others being quite Spartan in their child rearing practices. The Spanish dragon is not known for being fond of these mountains, so I think it safe to discount."
"So, barring irregularity, the one middle-ranker."
>[EV][In English]"Precisely."
"So what can you sense about them?"
>[EV][In English]"..Very little, I'm afraid."
"Would more 'mortal' feedback help?"
>[EV][In English]"Possibly."
"Then hold on a moment."

I spend five minutes drifting through the breaking men, wheedling information from each and every one, ferreting out the secrets I desire.
>[Sake]"I would appreciate it if brother chose his thoughts more carefully."
>"I for one approve of his choice of mental diction."
>[Iron Trick]"So do I-not like they can hear me."

I compile some interesting findings-multiple reports of feeling like they saw movement at the peripherals of their vision than could ever be considered normal, four reported hearing something like an incredibly deep bell knelling hard enough to make their eyes quiver, and a huge number of self-assessment reports of heightened irritability. It seems Chugainov trained his soldiers to constantly test their own perception, and make them as aware of external change as he could-and when I relate all I heard to Einrik, he looks upon the men with a new light.

>[EV][In English]"Well I have to admit that is rather helpful then. It points to a dragon that uses Fear, and is fond of the lower end frequency of audial spellwork-which means this isn't a spanish dragon: Spanish dragons are far more fond of irregular sounds and fire, which would have produced very different effects. Doesn't necessarily mean the dragon's a rogue-but it certainly increased the possibility."

>>358595
>>358608
>>358653
So it is I tell the men we've got a lone dragon on our mission site, that Hillevi will be staying with them as Einrik and I investigate. I tell them how short of them coming under attack they are not to attempt to use the radios, while I leave mine open so they can listen in on our reconnaissance. The men immediately begin scouting the immediate area and find a nook atop a submerged boulder that will let them stay largely hidden from view, piling in like clowns to their car, each slowly slotting into place, guns bristling outward, the whole mass of them ready to leap out and spread in a charge-but otherwise remain where they are. For her part, Hillevi starts armoring herself in ice, and adding mass to the spear she carries.

I turn to Einrik-
To note I can no longer see him.
>"He's there, he's just using the stealth his families style commands."
>[EV][In English]"If you wouldn't mind leading the way, I'd be happy to follow you."

I happily comply, and soon feel not a single bit of attention on me as I begin my bold trek forward, ghosting over the snow-capped mountainside as I look for... anything.

Ten tense minutes of trekking with every bit of subtlety as I've ever learned, I see something-a puff of ice and dust, a resounding crash, and the slide of snow-some massive object hit the mountain like the fist of an angry god. I feel a gentle prod to my shoulder, and stop for a moment.
>[EV][In English]"That... if I'm reading this properly, this dragon is carrying an Artifact weapon, a morning star... ah, one with a wrought iron head that is twenty five cubic feet in volume... even assuming it has no impact-force enhancement magic on it-which I doubt-that's still upwards of eleven thousand pounds right there. And... it's owner's flicking it about like a toy. Okay, favors blunt weapons, fear magic, low-range audial spellwork... okay, I think I know what this is. It's a South African dragon-though what one's doing out here, I couldn't say."
Einrik hesitates.
>[EV][In English]"...Perhaps we should wait after all. Most African draconic communities are incredibly insular, as well as perfectly willing to... involve others in their fights, should they go poorly. They never did have the appreciation for formalities most other dragons are quite notorious for."

Is.... is Einrik telling me he's worried I'd be used as... what, a hostage? A threat to him, if the fight goes his way? He thinks this dragon could so easily overwhelm me, even while focusing on Einrik? And is he even sure this will devolve into a fight?
>"On the other hand, Einrik's been an excellent friend and mentor, and his advice has thus far been stellar. It would likely be wise to do as he says."
>[Sake]"But what about my body!?"
>"If trying to claim it results in the only one of us soul brothers to currently have flesh results in him losing his, I'd say the cost is worth more than the gain. Besides, there is no guarantee the dragon's even here for that."




Okay, decision time here:




Do I take Einrik's advice and head back to the informal camp while he meets with the Dragon?
Or do I think I have a solid argument for why that shouldn't happen?

Offer Einrik your radio, then head back and get one from the others. That's close to a twenty minute round-trip: that'll give him some time to firmly engage the dragon's attention by the time we get back and if he's finding himself overmatched, he can let us know (saying something like "You're far stronger than expected" to the dragon) and we can come back like the (shitty) cavalry charge with the Arbiter shot or the Death ammo.

Alternatively, we could offer to leave Shadowbro in Einrik's shadow; it doesn't sound like shadow or soul magic is part of this dragon's bag of tricks.

Also, we should say: "If I'm stupid enough to get myself taken hostage, I expect you to keep fighting like I don't exist. I'd do the same for you."

>Do I take Einrik's advice and head back to the informal camp while he meets with the Dragon?

Yes.

"Sake, there is no reason to assume, yet, that this dragon is after your body. Unless Einrik thinks that's why the Dragon is here, in which case we go with him. If not then we go back, make sure that nook we sent our boys into isn't your body's hideout, and we slowly search this mountain for a mystical weasel that is soon to be my brother's flesh."

"Einrik, do you think the Dragon is after the Ramidreju or its horde?"

"Well, have fun Einrik, and I hope your new style is in the Kilodragons. Scream very loudly if you need help. Or scream 'Ramidreju' louder if you've found the weasel in the dragon's grasp or what not. I'm gonna go down and team build with weasel hunting."

"Oh, and if we find the dragon first, I'll let one of the Russians do the screaming."

And back down and go weasel hunting. Let Sake lead, or anyone who has any idea about where to find mystical weasels. If you remember where the compass was pointing, go there.

We're pretty fucking awesome nowadays, but a five ton hammer-wielding dragon may be slightly outside of our weight range.

Let's not leave our brother with Einrik. Awesome as he is, the scaly fellow is probably magic-y enough to give no fuck about his interaction. Maybe ask shadowbro if he wants to risk sticking around to observe the fight from the sidelines, and trying to learn something.

Ask Einrik if he could use the Mere in the fight. If it's both possible and if it'd be useful to him. It would be beneficial to us, and it should have some power to it, so who knows.

As for direct involvement, we've explained to Einrik we have a contract artifact and how it paralyzed the Rage Fragment for a small bit of time correct? Well, ask him if the same sort of stay in the shadows, stutter the thing by shooting it's shadow would be possible here. Preface this with, "Well, I figure it's probably much more likely to detect this sort of thing then the Fragment, but would it be possible for me to...", so we don't look like a total idiot. And make sure we know if it's the drawing attention to us is a problem, rather then hiding not working at all. If we can hide from it, staying nearby to watch in case we spot a moment where a quick stall might do wonders for Einrik's livelihood.

We don't want to do anything that he finds to be too much of a risk, but it'd be good if we could stay nearby so we could use Iron trick's three powers and then pull off a gamble and hopefully not get Soul Scale if he ends up needing the help.

Relay the description and info to Amen, check if he has anything to say. If there's anything relevant, tell Ein, then GTFO.

Then hunt normally.
>Ask Einrik if he could use the Mere in the fight. If it's both possible and if it'd be useful to him. It would be beneficial to us, and it should have some power to it, so who knows.

Downvoting - he isn't specialized with it.

Ok, let's ask Amen stuff.

'Amen, Would such a South African dragon typically have immunity to bullets?'

'Shadowmancy being part of mortal magic, does it mean dragons practice it?'

'Can Dragon get ill? Would a Ramidreju be able to heal the kind of illness a dragon wouldn't be able to heal by himself?'

Now, depending on the questions, we may or may not be able to just wait here while einrik comes down and talk to the dragon. If Einrik does the right signal, it could mean we can come down and parley (Dragon is ill, it needs help from Ramidreju, But Ramidreju refuses, for example). Another signal, and it means Einrik is ready to fight, and we'll help him for the sidelines.

Of course, in order to be able to help Einrik, Einrik must not actually want this to be a 1vs1.

Also, if the buntline is utterly unable to scratch it, it's useless to even try, hence checking first.

In the case we can't even hope to help, tell Einrik that we'll go back for a few minutes, and if he manages to gather the Dragon's attention, he'll either say next to the radio (continuously on) that we can try and go for the ramidreju ourself, or if it's useless.

Oh, and if Dragons only very rarely do know any Shadowmancy, and einrik is able to continuously gather his attention, ask SB if he thinks he could stab it with his spirit mere.

Same thing, if we somehow get captured, stabbing it with spirit or real mere is worth dying.

>>358819
>Do I take Einrik's advice and head back to the informal camp while he meets with the Dragon?

YES.
If fact, don't even say anything, just nod and go back. Then take the team and quietly retreat so that there is even less chance to be detected by the dragon.

>The men immediately begin scouting the immediate area and find a nook atop a submerged boulder that will let them stay largely hidden from view, piling in like clowns to their car, each slowly slotting into place, guns bristling outward, the whole mass of them ready to leap out and spread in a charge

>>358843
>Too bad that against a dragon that means jack shit.
Slightly!?
We are mere bugs in comparison. We wouldn't be able even to nick them.

>>358853
>'Can Dragon get ill? Would a Ramidreju be able to heal the kind of illness a dragon wouldn't be able to heal by himself?'
>Now, depending on the questions, we may or may not be able to just wait here while einrik comes down and talk to the dragon. If Einrik does the right signal, it could mean we can come down and parley (Dragon is ill, it needs help from Ramidreju, But Ramidreju refuses, for example). Another signal, and it means Einrik is ready to fight, and we'll help him for the sidelines.

That's stupid. Einrik does not want to diplomacy, he want to kill a dragon.


Also, I do not know if offering to give mere is a good idea. Einrik wants to kill it under his own power, giving him a powerful spiritual weapon could be seen as "assistance" or something.


In case we decide not to be quiet and ask Einrik stuff, ask him if he would like SM services on our behalf?
Transporting a dragon would be hard and leaving it here would risk rot and theft. We can ask SM to put it into magical preserver (like we did with Sami bodies) and then take it out whenever we want. Heck, if we call before Einrik kills it, and make SM prepares we might be able to even catch its soul (with SM help).
When we get back to Istanbul, we could take it out in Smets mansion and perhaps be able to harvest its power.
Of course, we will have to sell SM the story.

I don't believe SB can "hitch a ride"' in Einrik's Shadow - there has to be an unbroken line of overlapping shadows between our body and him if he's going off on his own, and there won't be.

Einrik knows much better than us what we're dealing with, and we're not "pretty awesome" now, we're no stronger against significant supernatural opposition than when we left Istanbul, although our ability to kick the ass of baseline mortals has taken a big step up, our tricks only really work against the weak.

In light of this, we may want to return to camp. Draconic senses are probably keen enough that our goblin stealth does not function against them, and the buntline is too risky to use, as their soul probably out weighs ours massively.

We should ask Einrik if he thinks when he fights the dragon he can keep it in melee, in which case it might be useful if we distract it at critical moments by sniping at extreme range. The Nagant has an effective range of over 800m against man sized targets, and we're dealing with a much larger target and a quite strongly magic item. Would he be happy with us firing from a kilometre away?

If not, bow to his greater experience and return to camp. Remember the Kazadora fiasco, when you suffered for no gain when ignoring good advice, and learn from it.

If Einrik does agree, then we need to persuade Silja that she wants to help. Start with:

"Now, my fair maiden, how do feel like reversing tradition and playing your part in slaying the dragon? I know you are mourning, but there are still good works to do, and even if we can only help on the margins, a rampaging dragon is not something we can ignore in good conscience."

We could try lending him the mere, it might help him - we should start with,

"I have been promised that this mere can cut whatever it touches, and eat magic. It might go some small way to counter the dragon's artifact. You should be able to grow a spearshaft of ice linking to the haft and gripping the holes we drilled for bayonet adaption."

If we do this, we need to talk to Whaitiri to check it will work. Discretion is advisable for this, so it may be best for ShadowBro to enter the Closed Space of our eye and call on her through his iteration of the mere there. He should phrase it as he thinks best, but something like the below may work, as he doesn't have a history of not giving her proper respect:

"Most worshipful goddess, I beg your attention. You know that I do not yet have the stature to directly make sacrifices worthy of your station, so I humbley petition that you allow another to do so on my behalf. He goes to fight a dragon, and it is my hope that you will deign to eat through the mere as if it were in my hands."

If it will still work and Whaitiri will recognise it as a sacrifice on our behalf in her name, we should tell Einrik and give him the mere.

We can also give him a radio to carry, with the transmit button locked down. We should then ring up SM and sell him the information of what is about to occur, in stages, surfing with the anomalous presence of a South African dragon at the location of the Ramidjeru. Ask him for confidentiality on our presence and Einrik's. Then offer to sell him the audio of the fight, and then hold your radio to the phone.

PREVIOUSLY 358906

>>358905
Upvoting this, though we should ask Einrik first if he doesn't mind us calling SM, and doesn't mind us helping him.

Also, he should scream things during the fight, observations on the dragon, the magic it uses, etc. I am sure SM would like to know if it's a rogue, what the contract artifact actually does, etc.

We should also give a running commentary when sniping from afar.

Can SM 'catch' the Dragon's soul as it dies? If he does so, would it annoy Einrik? I am sure if SM can, he would like a Dragon soul (though lots of people would, including us).

Also, keep in mind the discussion about the SM deals in disc, and what happens if we die. If he seems frosty, and if we have enough time, maybe we should look into formalizing a solution.
This >>/questdis/354137 is a good example on how to do it.

If we can get the strikes, i am partial to selling to SM every OTHER strikes in order to continue benefitting from all of the meats and making any future such deals 'until permanent death' or some such, and SM catching every EVEN strikes for us to sell (and he would have a discount if he wants them).

Now, we should look into getting a Kameosa very fast, because getting a Kameosa spirit animal to Sake means we can get 'real' liquid in physical Kameosa, and Weasel Wine in spirit animal one within our eye.

Good stuff

Don't suggest that you could have any sort of claim on the corpse. That's some very seriously valuable shit, and it would be rude to presume access. Wish him luck, offer him aid if he thinks you could actually help somehow and wants it, but stay out of the way. This is Einrik's fight.

Oh, hey, Armas. Start smoking, you promised Jitnage'gnei Gesgmaplgigwa'teget. And you can't die now.

>>358981
SUST.
Armas does NOT want cancer.
>>358905
A very good course of action considering Armas' relatively squishy body is best used to attack from a distance. Also, remember that we are responsible for Hillevi and should be sure to consider her safety as well.

>>358905
this

>>358819
>Do I take Einrik's advice and head back to the informal camp while he meets with the Dragon?
>Or do I think I have a solid argument for why that shouldn't happen?

Einrik's been pretty delicate about how he puts things thus far, so let's be clear here. Just how stupid is proceeding onward?

"Getting that ramidreju- and its treasure- is a rather high priority for me, so unless this is much more suicidal than some of the other stuff I've pulled off successfully I'm inclined to come with you. That said, you have a much better familiarity with the risks involved here than me, so tell me: Exactly how reckless would it be to try and assist you in confronting a dragon in any way, on a scale from 'overly bold' to 'deserves the Darwin Award it'll get'? And what about trying to sneak around it to find and get the objective while you fight it- I'd guess that my goblin stealth just wouldn't measure up here?"

If Einrik reassures us that coming with or attempting to sneak around the dragon would be even more idiotic than all the other things we do in the normal course of things, then listen to wisdom for once, wish him luck, and head back to the others. If for some reason he tells us it's not utter suicide to help him out, he takes command and we should follow his directions as exactly as possible because he knows what the hell he's doing.

>>358981
SUST. No smoking for Armas and we didn't actually promise anything, just implied that we could.

I like the sniping idea well enough, even if this does cut into Silja's brooding time.

>>358905
I thought he did okay shadowing Hillevi and the younger Valkonens during our visit earlier.

>>358929
I believe SM wouldn't care to rile up the dragon community so; he stays as neutral as possible.

>>358888
There's also the fact that the mere isn't part of the kas pin weapon skillset; and Einrik had shown himself to be perfectly good with just his fists, slaying a god and all. I'm not saying we shouldn't ask, exactly, just don't be so arrogant as to assume our little mere is going to noticeably improve his chances.

>>359144
Obviously we're not good bait material, because Einrik actually cares if we live or not (which is right nice of him). You don't go throwing something you care about at a dragon and hope to ever get it back; he wants us far away from the dragon.

Do not engage the dragon. Offer mere. Ask Einrik what distance he would consider reasonably safe for his sister, the russians, you and shadowbro individually. Consider if observing yourself, sending Shadowbro or sniping would be feasible giving the minimum safe distance. Ask him if he thinks the dragon has anything to do with the weasel.
Ask Amen if he would be able to use dragon parts to make a draconic bloodline for you.

>Amen, how many intruders have tried to enter the premises since I left?
>[Amen]"Forty eight, all told, told told."
>What happened to them?
>[Amen]"This one neutralized the threats, per master's orders."
>Did you kill them?
>[Amen]"Master will never again need to worry about any that dared trespass."

Why did Amen not answer our question? Did they die another way (forced to kill each other or suicide for example) or did he do something to them and let them go? Ask him if you have time.

>>359016
>>358986
>>358929
CONDITION CAPTURE OF SOUL IS FOR EINRIK, THE DRAGON IS HIS BY RITE OF MIGHT that and einrik is a friend, and friends don't steal from friends. First however check if Einrik would even be interested, then if he thinks SM would be willing to capture it.

>>358919
NOTE, BOB: Point of clarity. Ask einrik about using the mere BEFORE you bother Whaitiri.

Observation is a good idea also on the note of information from SM, instead, get the compass recalibrated to find the strongest MALE ramidreju. Also: REALIZATION FOR ARMAS: You did not specify gender with SM, apologise to Sake right now, be VERY VERY sorry.

Also I like the idea of sniping with Silja, hopefully it is a female dragon.

>>358905
CONDITION: FAIR MAIDEN CHANGED TO SILJA

>>358888
Downvote, doesn't fit with current updated plans

>>358853
Illness question interests me, upvote.

>>358852
Upvoting Checking with Amen, downvote running or not at least offering the mere.
That said, the mere is more good against spirit foes and spirit charged foes.

>>358850
Sound suggestion, Upvote, though SUST on buntline use, if it comes to that, it comes to that, but not now.


Ok my thoughts now, first ask einrik if you would make for good bait. Also my vote is we give Einrik what we can, We hide back and if the dragon is attacking the Ramidreju, then it needs to die, but anyway, DEFER TO EINRIK, he has fought a dragon before, IF we head back first, to tell our guys what is going on, then (we arrange with Einrik that he can call us if he thinks we can help) we go back if Einrik tells us to. As it is, call the Russkies and tell them what is going down.

Also some thoughts for your reasons, profiting is all well and good, but really Einrik's friendship has been great an invaluable, you are gonna do what you do cause you want to aide a friend. Bugger Greed, you are a man of Bros. You also want to get a body for Sake. Also potentially you may get to hear/watch a fight against a dragon, you live for stuff like this, key word there being live.

Editing >>358919
>Calling SM before the fight
SUST
We call him when things are done and then sell him the story.
>Einrik yelling play by play while fighting
SUST
We aren't even asking him to do something so stupid.
>Sell a Dragon Soul to SM
SUST
1. It is not ours to sell, einrik is killing it.
2. We are asking SM to shoulder the capture.
3. Remember the "water is wet" thing? SM might think us morons to even offer such a thing. Even if possible, stealing dragon souls is gonna piss off the dragons and I don't think SM is willing to do that and might consider us dangerously reckless for acquiring their ire in such a manner.
4. Einrik might disapprove heavily.

If the SUST fails, at least try to broach it tactfully. That is, start by asking einrik what happens to dragon souls when the dragon die. From that segue into "most supernaturals I have met showed remarkable lack of concern for using or destroying souls, is this view also held by you and the mortal magical community at large?". "What about animal and other non-human souls?". Only if every one of those goes in ways that suggest he might approve bring up the subject, and ask if he thinks it is capturable and only if he thinks it is then ask the goblins if they are willing to.

>>358905
>>358906
Upvoting sans the above SUSTs.
Point of clarity. Ask einrik about using the mere BEFORE you bother Whaitiri.

>[EV][In English]"...Perhaps we should wait after all. Most African draconic communities are incredibly insular, as well as perfectly willing to... involve others in their fights, should they go poorly. They never did have the appreciation for formalities most other dragons are quite notorious for."
>Do I take Einrik's advice and head back to the informal camp while he meets with the Dragon?

Einrik didn't suggest you go back to camp, he suggested we wait and see what is going on. And he implied the dragon will take you hostage or attack you so he has to defend you at a disadvantage if it starts to lose and it can sense you. Is the camp far enough? Could you be hiding a kilometer away and watching the fight?

Ask, is einrik trying to get the prestige of slaying a dragon. Power boost from eating it. Or practice & enjoyment of fighting a dragon. Or some combination thereof? This matters as it directs whether he would even want assistance even if armas wasn't a liability.

Do defer to his council in this regard as dragons are no laughing stock and he knows a lot more than you, and don't be afraid to admit that you could be a liability to him here. This means saying "If I am really that outclassed then indeed I shall get out of your way". Also, recall how easily and nonchalantly he defeated Stallone, yet this dragon gives him pause. Yet do point out that if worst comes to worst and the dragon goes after you, the best thing for you both is for einrik to pretend you are an expandable underling and focus on harming the dragon more when it is distracted. The dragon takes you hostage and then gets a sound beating from einrik, kills you, and you come back soon after.

But, out of curiosity, do ask him what he thinks our various weapons could do to said dragon. Ask him what he thinks the detection range of the dragon is. Is there a distance where he thinks it should be difficult for the dragon to engage you so you know if you can observe the fight or perhaps assist via sniping.

I think perhaps both of you should wait for a few moments and see what it is that the dragon is fighting right now. He is using his artifact weapon 10 ton mace on something and we don't know what yet.

If he can, see if he is willing to impart on you memories of his knowledge of fighting dragons the same way he did kas pin. Such as his previous fight (if not too private), fights of others he observed in the dragonfighting arena, and knowledge he acquired. This could make quite a difference if you end up engaging the dragon with him, even if only as a distraction.

@Sake: If your new body is destroyed in this fight we will immediately go after the next one. SM does know about 5 of them and would probably be interested in what transpired here.

If the dragon is fighting the ramidraju, it might be possible to leverage that fact to trick it into trusting armas ("Quick, while my ally is fighting the dragon") and let its guard down enough to be ambushed by, perhaps you and hilevi. Subduing it with tranquilizers (which I said to bring; since we need him alive) and her ice powers. But this is something that requires further observation. Although, I can't believe the ramidreju would be able to hold off a dragon yet still fall to us as easy pray. Again it comes to observing. Is the dragon trying to break down the mountain to reach the ramidreju cave where it cowers in fear of the dragon? or is the remidreju actually out here fighting him.

>>358829
>>358831
Sake it's not at all guaranteed the dragon's here for the Ram-
>[Sake]"Consider that very, very few creatures ever feel comfortable building their nests around the vicinity of other magical creatures-and if there was an innately magical feature to the mountain, we'd have detected it-or at least Einrik would-before we reached this warded space. It's here for my body, of that I'm certain."
Well let's test that.
"Einrik, you think the dragon is here for the Ramidreju or its hoard?"
>[EV][In English]"Realistically? Yes do."
>[Sake]"SEE, SEE I SAID THIS WAS A RISK WE CAN-"
>"Handle yourself more appropriately brother-though Armas, this does represent a rather massive risk to something we traded some rather choice information for: We don't even know if the compass can be recalibrated, so leaving could well mean a total loss."
And as much as I love... stuff, really-
>"Just say you wallow in greed like a decadent bourgeoisie when given the chance."
...Think I'll stick with 'greedily altruistic.
>"...The fact that's technically true in no way excuses that gross butchering of the word's meaning."
Deal with it. Oh and Sake-what happens if I die before you get a body?
>[Sake]"...Then I would likely discorporate after some time, lacking my own bones to call home anymore. I doubt I could reach the Valkonen estate as an uninvited spirit, let along figure out which fragments of bone were mine-so I'd be doomed."
So I ask again-do we really need to stay here just to keep your body safe from possible harm, when that same risk could mean all of us being done in?
>[Sake]"Yeeaarghhhno."
I hand Einrik the radio as I ask some more muted questions.
>>358850
>>359147
"Don't suppose my mere could be of use to you? Got some divine investment, supernatural cutting, all the fun stuff."
>[EV][In English]"Summer aspected stone housing for a spell, plenty of exposure to blood, time and death, Window to Summer minor deity.... yeah, that might actually be a serviceable weapon here. I can't tell from looking-is it based on principles of Borders, division and severance?"
"I... actually don't know. I'm assuming yes-but I have been wrong before."
>[EV][In English]"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to take, if you're okay with the risk it might get broken in the fight."
"I think I'd take it breaking over you, thanks-all the same, return it in one piece, allright?"
Whaitiri, you okay with him using you if it means eating some dragon flesh?
The reflection on the mere's side briefly flashes what looks like a mouth full of iridescent white teeth. I have to assume that's a yes.
That now familiar tidy smile ghosts over the titan's face as he graciously accepts my offered mere pounamu.
>>358905
>>358919
>>358929
>>358986
>>358989
"So, even if I set up shop for some long range plinking with-"
>[EV][In English]"While I believe there's a reasonable chance that I'll be able to overcome this dragon from what little I've seen to work off of, that would be an even greater risk-my style is, sadly, not as capable in the field of mobility as I know to be the norm for dragons: Your first shot will be your last, as you will be rushed before I can come to your aid. And, even though I think you have viable weapons for such a foe, I don't think any could put down a dragon in one shot. Since I've explained it more thoroughly, please do withdraw and leave this to me."
"Alright, alright....."
>>359016
"But I have to say-"
>[EV][In English]"I knew you would."
"Getting that ramidreju- and its treasure- is a rather high priority for me, so unless this is much more suicidal than some of the other stuff I've pulled off successfully I'm inclined to come with you. That said, you have a much better familiarity with the risks involved here than me, so tell me: Exactly how reckless would it be to try and assist you in confronting a dragon in any way, on a scale from 'overly bold' to 'deserves the Darwin Award it'll get'? And what about trying to sneak around it to find and get the objective while you fight it- I'd guess that my goblin stealth just wouldn't measure up here?"
>[EV][In English]"Ah, perhaps I can make this sink in then. You wouldn't get a Darwin Award-because no one would ever see proof you were dead."
.....
"RIGHT."

I start heading down the mountain, walking back down from my slightly elevated position relative to the Valkonen heir.

>>358941
"Well, have fun Einrik, and I hope your new style is in the Kilodragons, heh."
>[EV][In English]"Oh god that's a horrible pu.... shit."
"Yeah, definitely shouldn't have let me know bad puns bug you. Scream very loudly if you need help. Or scream 'Ramidreju' louder if you've found the weasel in the dragon's grasp or what not. I'm gonna go down and team build with weasel hunting."

As I turn away, I wave my hand as I call out some parting words, carefully pitched as softly as I can.

"Oh, and if we find the dragon first, I'll let one of the Russians do the screaming."

I constantly check the compass as I descend back to camp-and the moment it's needle settles, I pull out my phone, jubilant I paid to get a proper satellite phone-and call the Sometimes Merchant.
>[SM]"Yes, Armas? What drives you to-"
"An African non-ruling dragon in spain-do I have your attention or is this not something you wish to know?"
Laughter that echoes from within the cartilage of my spine in a horrifically alien, mind-numbing fashion heralds his reply.
>[SM]"I do believe my attention has been snagged. The same arrangement as usual: information, and then offer of equivalence?"
"I don't see why not. the dragon's in the Cantabrian mountains-near the Ramidreju I'm seeking actually-and has an artifact-level weapon in the form of an immensely oversized morning star of wrought iron. The dragon is fond of fear motiffs in the mental effects of their area spells, and is similarly linked to low-frequency audio magic. We presume the beast to be South African specifically, but are not yet certain."
>[SM]"I shall preemptively pay off some of my debt-by explaining why I am indebted so. With the tribulations Tanzania suffered at the Mad Drunks hands, their power structure collapsed under greedy neighbors jumping on an opportunity. This suggests the dragon in question to most likely be Tanzanian-as with the attacks, many of the non-ruling dragons saw a chance to escape the watchful eye of their chief. This is, of course, not certain-the turmoil has caused many things in African draconic society."
"Since I didn't ask for that information, I do hope you know I don't value it quite as you do."
>[SM]"Of course-this is why I said it partly paid off the debt-the information's worth to you was calculated. For the rest, I suggest hold payment until such time as you finish gathering information-after all, you have not said what happend to the dragon."
"...Alright. I'll call you back."
>[SM]"One hopes."
>>358853
>[SM]"Incidentally, this one must thank you for yet another deliver from the Never Never: I must admit to being quite intrigued as to how you completely defy odds and convention, drawing so many strikes as you do.... Until later."
*CLICK
Another? Huh.

I take a minute to briefly explain Einrik, being the most survivable of us, decided to go meet with the dragon himself. Vlad's the first to ask a question, curious how Einrik felt comfortable approaching a dragon alone, and midway through my answer-

The mountain shakes under our feet-
There is a sound unlike any I've ever heard, agonizingly loud and impossibly crisp, stark and blaring-
To top it off I see an avalanche starting on a nearby patch of mountainside as I barely keep my feet in the shifting snow underfoot, thankful we climbed the less steep slope.

The blast and strange sound is followed by another, and another-then a staccato flurry, perhaps twenty in a single second, never stopping only accelerating as the very stone of the mountain begins to start tumbling down, snow in many areas completely gone. By now all of us having moved to a shelter of ice Hillevi it thoughtfully building from the moment the assault began. Through its transparent canopy I watch as Lightning jumps from a clear sky, dozens of brilliant pillars skewering the mountaintop where I left Einrik, massive chunks of rock flying about. More than a hundred bolts fall in a handful of seconds, before the attack is reverted to the titanic alien sound, something that makes me think, for some strange, elusive reason, of a demonic gong-bell hybrid knelling every time I hear it.
>"I have had the same sensation."
>[Sake]"Likely a facet of its power."
The assault changes yet again before a full minute has elapsed, fire so brilliant it's like the sun's flams licking the earth-accompanied by nearly instantly melting stone creating honest to god lava channels that start inching closer to us before thankfully diverting away. Once again the assault reverts to that demonic gong-

-before it stops. Silence....

Drags on for over a minute.

The Russians and Hillevi as one turn to look at me as Matvey hands me a radio.

Rather obviously, I try to reach out.

"Einrik?"
The radio is silent for a few seconds, then-
>[EV][In Finnish]"I suppose you two should come up here now-we want to keep the numbers even after all."

.....That didn't sound... good.






What do I make of Einrik's cryptic words?
What do I tell the Russians, who understood not a word of what was exchanged?

Well.

The HUGE blows are from the Dragon's mace - His style when fighting Stallon didn't evict such massive noise, remember? The sessation means one of two things - Dead Dragon, or Disarmed Dragon. However, I'm more willing to go with option 1, since Einrick apparently has the time to talk to you. And it CAN'T be more dragons, because frankly he'd be RUNNING THE FUCK AWAY, or fighting them, not summoning his friends and SISTER to help and die horribly.

This leaves a few options.

Ramidreju! It's alive, and somehow has allies.

More fucking Chugainov-sent assassins. Motherfucker.

Or something else, totally unexpected.

In the meanwhile, ask Einrik:

IS THE DRAGON DEAD

ARE YOU ALRIGHT

IS THE MERE ALRIGHT

In that order.

Upon learning the outcome, call back SM en route - If Einrik managed to kill a dragon, that's quite choice info - world magic politico level info. And it means he has a fighting chance for headship. Which is more info. Also, set up Einrik for selling anything he doesn't want to keep, pro bono. We're a business partner, we can help him with this. Everyone wins!

Einrik should know we're a three-part being, so he must mean us and Hillevi as 'the two'.

The demonic gong that caused the avalanche must be the Tanzanian dragon at work, but I don't know where the fire and lightning is coming from. Hopefully not more dragons, unless Einrik wants some company to join him in Valhal (or wherever Valkonens go), but it's potent, whatever it is.

Oh, what the hell. Round up Hillevi and lets go take a look. A few thoughts:

Suggest Hillevi follow Einrik's lead when we get there. Look with your soul sight if you can before you get there physically, though looking directly at something as strong as a dragon may hurt. If they're focusing on Einrik and Hillevi, you may be able to keep out of sensing range of whatever's there (besides the dragon). Keep Shadowbro deep in your own shadow, or have him circle around; a lightning user could potentially hurt him as much or more than you.

>>359354
>What do I make of Einrik's cryptic words?
Well, there's the obvious, of course: He has not successfully killed or disabled everything else on the mountain, but he is in a stable position which he feels he can maintain until we and Hillevi arrive. He is outnumbered three to one, somehow; as the dragon and Ramidreju make only two there is at least one further unexpected element present. He feels that our presence would be helpful in some fashion, rather than the harmful it would have been initially. He further has allowed whomever he is near to know that he has two companions and that they will be arriving shortly.

Because he chose to be cryptic instead of giving a clear report on what's going on, we can infer that something funky is up and we should tread carefully. By his phrasing "you two", it seems likely that he doesn't wish to let whomever else is present know of the existence of the Russians. Unfortunately we lack information to draw many other firm conclusions.

So. Acting on the assumption that Einrik knows what he's doing and that this is still a dragon-level threat situation until we get firm confirmation that it's dead, we do exactly as he says. By my interpretation, that means Armas and Hillevi move up the mountain towards Einrik's last known location (or just where the lightning strikes hit) at best possible sustainable speed. Since we can reasonably believe this to be a diplomatic rather than combative situation but know that there may be violence if things go wrong, we proceed with such defenses as we can managed readied but restraining ourselves from attacking the moment we are startled. Hopefully our arrival at Einrik's location will somehow complete a clever plan of his and we'll just need to identify and play into it rather than attempting to join any kind of fight or negotiation directly.

Explain these conclusions and planned actions to Hillevi as we move.

>What do I tell the Russians, who understood not a word of what was exchanged?
"All right, Einrik's calling Hillevi and I up the mountain. He generally knows what he's doing, so you guys stay here and keep alert; give us a fair bit of time before you worry. I'd recommend not coming up the mountain without word- if we're not contacting you or coming down ourselves, it's probably for a good reason. You have another spare radio?"

>>359358
>In the meanwhile, ask Einrik:
SUST! While he might have time to talk, Einrik is obviously in a delicate situation or he'd have said something more clear; throwing a bunch of radio chatter at him might well be detrimental. This is only more true when the questions are things that will be immediately apparent as soon as we arrive at his location. We give him a simple confirmation, nothing more.

Selling choice info is worthwhile, but being so eager to get that info that we fuck up and harm our efforts toward greater gains- like the Ramidreju and hoard we came here for- is just foolish.

>>359354
Well, let's do this step by step.

First, no asking Einrik questions, better not to distract him too much.

Anyway, we do have access to someone else who observed the battle: Shadowbro should ask/grovel/beg Whaitiri to tell him what is happening, and if there is anyone else there, something like, "Oh great and might goddess, who's divine hunger never ebbs, I would go now to bring more to your table, but alas, your unworthy servant is yet weak, and so to get you the meal you deserve, knowledge of what you witnessed through the physical mere would be a great aid."

It might be good to ask if Whaitiri noticed the ramidreju, and if she found it particularly potent- it is possible that the Dragon is not actually strictly a rogue, but was sent to get the Ramidreju to heal the Tanzanian Ruler Dragon. Of course, it may still be intruding into Spanish land without permission to hunt the ramidreju.

However, this is must be checked first.

>What do I tell the Russians, who understood not a word of what was exchanged?

Unless the opponents are way weaker than we can expect in a fight with a Dragon, do not take the Russians with you.

Just tell them that you are going to try and see what mess you have got into this time, and ask them if they have another radio. 'If not, scream very loudly when in danger'.

>The next thing I check is a bit more complicated in my mind-but could yield far greater fruit than my last minor experiment: I start tracing my Attention sensing ability in conjunction with my soul-sensing, looking for a correlation, a connection-it takes me all of two minutes to be certain. Turns out the two abilities are indeed linked, and all based off perceiving the spiritual state of another-and rather interestingly suggest that humans have some innate knack to sense spirits as a fundamental perception, even if few hone it. Most curious.

This might mean we can somehow link the two, so let's try something. Look at Hillevi's soul for a few second while walking to the Dragon, and then ask her to observe you randomly during the rest of the trek. While she does that, try to 'feel' her soul through your Attention/Observation-sense.

Einrik could be just pulling your leg with cryptic messages to play with your paranoia. If something did happen though, whatever it is, he is comfortable enough bringing his sister into it, so get your gear, get hilevi, and get over there.

>Asking him questions
SUST! Whomever is with him will hear what you say and it might cause trouble. And if he isn't with anyone and is just pulling your leg a bit then we find out as soon as we get there.

Spanish dragons are fond of fire and irregular sounds. The Demonic Gong-Bell and fire so hot it makes Lava are pretty big clues as to what happened. Spanish dragon, possibly the ruling one, showed up. The fact that the bell is a Gong-Bell means it's likely he set up some rules for the fight, probably having it take place in rounds, and with varying rules. I'm thinking this round might include allies, proxies, or separate simultaneous fights among each team. I suppose it's likely this Tanzania Dragon brought minions with him.

But hey, contests like these usually come with a prize. May well be the other Dragon is holding onto the Weasel and it's horde as a prize for the winner, being it would be alive.

>>359400
Upvote.

To develop the last part. We know that the senses we developed as part of our goblin stealth don't only detect where observers are looking now, they detect where potential observers are going to look next, so we can stay out of view. We learned the limits of this ability to read this on the ferry with the children, who lacked intention.

Now our general spiritual senses haveassively expanded, we should seek to apply this faculty to read people's intentions to more than just what they will look at next. As we walk up the hill try to infer where Hillevi will look next, and, as you make conversation, what she will stay next, based on how you interpret where she will look next and observing other parts of her soul.

You should also seek to work out how to read the broader soul of those perceiving you, nit those you directly look at. There is no reason which direction your eyes are facing should have any impact on your spiritual sensitivity, particularly as the goblin training already shows it to be omnidirectional. Once more practice on Hillevi, as well as on the Russians as you walk away.

InsufferableMystic 2011/10/19(Wed)11:43 No. 359415 ID: 89777a
File 131904979871.png - (640.81KB , 1000x1000 , Dragonwithmace.png )

>>359358
SUST for paranoia feed
Edit: Pointless wondering of the number or type of threat/s will only make Armas' paranoia kick in.

Also It is far more likely that the dragon is more likely to be weakened and disarmed, possibly literally.

>>359360
The demonic gong that caused the avalanche must be the Tanzanian dragon at work, but I don't know where the fire and lightning is coming from. Hopefully not more dragons, unless Einrik wants some company to join him in Valhal (or wherever Valkonens go), but it's potent, whatever it is.

SUST The idea of there being more dragons, rest of the post is fine.

>>359361
It is probable that the Dragon's threat level has decreased, but there is now multiple foes or something unexpected has happened, regardless, Einrik has something in mind calling you and Hillevi.

>>359400
Upvote

REALIZATION FOR ARMAS: You did not specify gender of the Ramidreju with SM, apologise to Sake right now, be VERY VERY sorry.

EDIT:
>>359407
On the note of the Ruling dragon thoery...
"...are incredibly insular, as well as perfectly willing to... involve others in their fights, should they go poorly. They never did have the appreciation for formalities most other dragons are quite notorious for."

I'm not sure a African Dragon would play by the rules of a Spanish Dragon. That and I think the wounded dragon senario is more likely.

>>359410
Might aswell do this.

While I agree that we shouldn't say much to Einrik but before doing anything say to him "It is a Tanzanian dragon"

Then take Hillevi and go there.

Tell Eussians to stay put, I guess.

Also when discussing with Einrik before retreating, he spoke in English, this radio message was in Finnish. Could that be a clue?.... nah, I dunno.

I'm trying to see a hidden message in his sentence, but I can't come up with anything.

I say, ready the Buntline and Keihas, since those are the weapons that might actually do something against a dragon.

since we got so much info on the dragon, do not forget to ask Amen for advice and opinion

>>359401
SUST on the paranoia. I doubt Einrik would fuck with us in this particular situation.

>>359427
Isn't Einrik telepathic? It'd be better to only spread that info via mindmeld, just in case.

>>359407
Interesting thought. Let's go on that assumption for now.

 

[For those who need to know if their suspicions about who the three Einrik is facing are correct before finishing the post, look at the spoilers]
It's a single post, are you really that impatient? Are you even surprised I did this?
And I bet you thought this was going to be the actual answer, right? Nah.
Oh, surely Bob won't be an impish dick thrice in a row-you give me too much credit.
It's a Tanzanian Dragon, a Spanish Dragon, and a Finnish Devil.
Oh sure, the last spoiler, it's GOTTA be that one, righ-no.
>>359360
>>359361
>>359400
>>359401
>>359415
>>359427
Well it seems pretty obvious Einrik's fight is not over-at best, it's stalled out, probably for the same reason Einrik phrased his response the way he did, in the language he did. Probably not a good idea to try and call him back, in case he's actually busy, rather than just waiting for us-which does nothing about the massively curious and concerned stares from the Russians. Now, how to do this....
>[MM,MMMM Trait auto-activated]
I roll my eyes theatrically as I release a massive sigh, rolling my shoulders in a commiserating fashion before I start speaking loudly in Russian.
"Well, seems like as usual, things got more complicated than they looked to be at first-but since when's that a new thing for operations, eh?[i/]"
More than a few heads nod knowingly despite being so intent on what I say.
"[i]Anyway, Hillevi and I are going to go check on her big brother on sight."
It's one of the Russians I haven't yet learned the name of that speaks up, a man with a soul that feels... reflective, mirror-like and complicated, appearing to be a mass of polished chrome shards assembled into a single mass.
>[Russian][In, as it turns out, Russian]"So why are we even here?"
"Well initially it was thought there-"
>[Russian]"No, I mean right now-why are we still here when we established a dragon's here? None of us have equipment that could even scratch such a thing barring massive luck, and no way to defend ourselves-we can't move to support anyone since this is out of our league. So why are we still here?"
A bit of an antagonistic bastard this one-
>"Not like you're any different."
Point-
>[Sake]"Idea: Give them the Ramidreju compass with explicit orders to merely shadow it if they aren't certain they can capture it without causing harm. It's not like it would be of any use to us within the magical array the dragon placed."
And it gives them something to do that keeps them away from the dragons and is a perfect answer to this question-thank you.
>[Sake]"Thank me when I'm not just acting to preserve a future asset of mine."
I toss the strange compass over to the man that spoke as an easy smile comes to my face.
"Well, you all could continue to hunt the green weasel this compass points at in my stead-even though it's nest is on this mountain, I'd find it hard to believe it'd choose to stay around a mess like Einrik's been making. So how does following a compass that doesn't even work when you're near the known danger on this mountain for a creature smaller than your arm sound-is it safely within your realm of capacity?"
Okay maybe I was a dick back-that just makes it easier to not mind his own little moment. After all, he doesn't have a comeback, just looking at the glass orb in his hand speculatively as his comrades swiftly cluster around him. It's Matvey amongst them that speaks up next.
>[MB][In Russian]"We'll comply. Do you need an extra radio? We've always travelled heavy on communication gear."
"If you have more, I don't mind borrowing this one. Just don't call unless it's an emergency, or I talk first, okay?"
>[MB][In Russian]"We'll use a different frequency if we have to do inter-squad communication before you contact us."
I throw them a salute purposefully made into an embellished travesty as I grin from ear to ear.
"My thanks-now I've got to go, dragons to talk with, you understand."
More chuckle than glare at my parting antics. I'll call that a win.

I turn to Hillevi and speak in Finnish, idly enjoying the fact I'm finally putting at least one of the less common languages I know to use.
"Let's mosey."
She looks at me strangely.
...I said mosey, verbatim. It's a slang term to begin with, and I knew that there was no Finnish translation-I literally said 'mosey'. What the hell.
>"The harrows of having an organic mechanism that you derive your consciousness from are as ever distasteful to watch-a 'brain fart', was that the term?"
Shut it.
>>359407
As it happens, I had an idea that... distracted me.
>[Iron Trick]"Good thing you've gotten reasonably used to mental communication-your soul's other half juuuust barely missed seeing that lie. Course I never understood time to begin with, so I could be seeing things that aren't there-suppose if I was expected to be sane that'd concern me."
...
>"And your idea?"
Irregular sounds and fire-that's how Einrik describe the spanish dragon motiff. I'd call a blast of rock-melting fire and some memetic-effect demonic gong-bell 'irregular sound and fire' wouldn't you?
>"...You think there's a second dragon on this mountain, don't you."
Do you disagree?
>"I... would rather be prepared in case it is true, than be caught flat-footed. What do you propose?"
Confidence. One dragon, two, three-no matter how many there are, nothing changes the morbid point that, barring luck, any of them could kill me. So, where the dragons might be expecting surprise, fear, shock, hesitation, whatever-I'm going to rely on my experience at being cavalier in dangerous situations to act like nothing's wrong. And while I'm doing that I expect you all to cut me some slack-putting it on the table now that of all times, this coming conversation is NOT the time to fuck with me.
>"How committed to that stance are you?"
You tell me.
>"... Right, I suppose my cutting wit, as well as our dear brother Sake's, will be.. absent, until this is concluded."
>[Sake]"Agreed. Though of course if we think we can help you, we will comment as we deem it appropriate.
Obviously.

So it is that I find myself walking the ten minutes up the mountain side again-this time considering two disparate points that I hope resolving might prove directly useful in the coming confrontation.

The first point is the relation of attention and soul-sensing. I'd felt the two as being intrinsically related, both based off the soul-so by that logic, what reason is there that I should only 'see' the souls before my eyes, while I 'feel' the attention of souls no matter where they are? They hadn't felt divergent enough that they should be different.
>"On review it seems you have what could be a moderate mental block which I would assume comes from your presumption that to detect and observe souls, you'd have to use the sense by which you primarily identify the act of detection itself-vision. This is... not certain, as I'm not confident enough in my conclusions to call them fact-but it seems the most likely."
So-if I have a mental block, how would I deal with it? The instant you transmitted that thought onward I've tried to personally acknowledge that the distinction should not exist, is my own fabrication-but the block isn't changing.
>"Of course not-because you don't believe it, viscerally. Yet another detraction of a physical existence is there is a distinction between different forms of belief-allowing one to consider something logical and know it true intellectually, and yet still disbelieve on a physical level."
...While that may be true-
>[MM,MMMM Trait auto-activated]
>"What are you-"
I... obviously believe it, so there shouldn't even be an issue.

As I turn my attention outward-I find that there never was a distinction, no difference to be found-that in fact, I could always see the souls along with the attention-I just didn't let myself believe what I sensed was real. For instance-I've been able to sense Hillevi's uncomfortably self-aware soul behind me the whole walk up, even during the bus-ride out. I simply did not acknowledge it.

>Armas can now sense and assess souls that direct attention at him, irrelevant of whether he's actively looking at them, or even has line of sight.

>"But that's not true-if you had I would have sensed th-"
>[Sake]"There are certain places, dear brother, that logic should not tread."
I ignore the obviously irrelevant commentary of my brothers as I continue my walk-turning my attention to the second issue-or perhaps, more accurately, the only issue there ever was.

What I can possibly do to be confident to a dragon-without running afoul of it's arrogance. I'm not positive, but from the little I've seen and observed, arrogant, violent prickliness seems to become more common as one looks farther and farther up the ladder, in terms of magical might-and given Einrik cautioned how touchy they could be, this would seem... well, an excellent trial by fire.

Naturally, this motivates me to spend the entirety of the walk up carefully considering how to be confident-and humbly fit into the dragon's world view of how social hierarchies should work.


So it is I crest the mountain's recently shortened peak with Hillevi at my back to see a largely expected gathering.

On one side, the one nearest us, there stands Einrik, on semi-molten stone, his clothing largely shredded and covered in his own blood and gore, despite his own lack of wounds.

On the other side, perched atop one of the few unmelted outcroppings of stone a bit higher than everyone else, what looks like a 747-sized rust-colored pterodactyl that's massively over-muscled with a head far too similar to a tyrannosaurus' for my liking, it's maw some eight feet across and shoulders some thirty feet from the ground, the creature flares the horns jutting from it's oversized head as it cocks it's skull like a bird, a trio of glistening, glowing beady eyes focusing on my approach, but taking no action. I wonder how much of that is because Einrik's almost direct in between us.

On another side stands... a girl black as night, at best four feet tall, with monstrously oversized, bronze-scale-covered, claw-tipped hands and feet, the thigh-thick shaft of a massive Morningstar easily hefted in a single hand-even as I note her oversized clawed feet dug into the stone underfoot to help provide more stability in spite of the massive weight idly hefted over her head. I look at the mace's head for but a moment before choosing to look away-something about it's sinister darkness feels all to familiar-like that inhuman, thoroughly alien sense of hunger Iron Trick's bullet carried, when it ate those two of Odin's servants. Suffice to say-that would be the Tanzanian dragon there. She hardly spares me a contemptuous glance, even though she's nearly as close to us as Einrik, with nothing barring her way.

It is the fourth party that surprises me. It... looks something like a human, in that it has two arms, two legs and a head, complete with upright, bipedal locomotion.

That's about as far as the similarity goes.

Not a single speck of skin is visible anywhere on the creature's body. As if to draw emphasis to this gristly detail, it's shrouded in a sharp-edged, molded bone set of exoskeleton-even though I clearly see bones shifting beneath its raw flesh. It's own grown armor, perhaps? At six feet tall, the creature is, in point of fact, shorter than I-but the enormous, elongated skull and bone-helm it sports for a face keeps that from meaning much to me. Long, jutting and blood-spattered segments of jaw, complete with broken teeth of all sorts bristle out like a an exploded muzzle, the three dark pits on its domed skull ominously fixed on me-even with the Tanzanian dragon immediately between us.

...I also notice he's missing a hand, and now that I look closer at his flesh I bet if it shrivelled up right it'd oh god no.
>"You have to be right-that is the Finnish Devil you were cautioned of, there can't be a coincidence that great in the center of all this for it to be a DIFFERENT demonically imbued, one-handed creature."
-Focus Armas, you can do this-

It is Einrik that speaks at our arrival, even as I feel Hillevi's soul trying to shrug off the building nervousness she feels.

>[EV][In Finnish]"Ah and there they are-my companions in this little trek, my younger sister and her Warder for the year, a friend of the family. This-"
Gesturing with an inclination of his head at the towering monster he still faces.
>[EV][In Finnish]"Is the representative for the Spanish Dragon, she-"
Indicating the diminutive figure with the oversized manipulators who snottily sniffs in disdain at even being referenced-
"Is a South African dragon and our impromptu guest over there has been rather reluctant with his name-yet seems absolutely intent on interfering in my exchange with the South African representative. As it is, the situation has become somewhat... complicated."

Understatement seems to be a specialty of Einrik's....






So: What am I going to say and do here?
And should I be concerned I can't perceive the dragon's souls OR the devil's?

>And should I be concerned I can't perceive the dragon's souls OR the devil's?

Yes and no.

Yes: They are clearly far stronger than you. Welcome to the big leagues, Armas. However, they aren't leaping to eat you alive. Be glad these are the gentlemanly big leagues for the most part.

No: Our soulsight isn't broken, marred, or malfunctioning.

However, the devil likely came for you - and you alone. This means the extra dragon is either backup or an officiator, hopefully the latter. Wait - The Dragon he was fighting, it's unwounded? Well, uh. Hm.

In any case, he probably called you up here so you can quietly extract the devil and he can continue the fight in peace. Let us hope our manipulation can see us through the Devil. We do not want to fight him directly. Let us find out what he wants, see what we can offer, and find a way out that satisfies both parties. Only if he's truly unreasonable do we attempt engagement.

Remember Mammon's boy? It'll be like that.

>>359525
I think we need to manipulate Silja into the demon's face, but that's just me.

Greet all but the Devil respectfully and ask why a friend and a sister have been brought into this conflict.

Wait to be addressed and play off that. If it seems appropriate to address either of the Dragons, do so as respectfully as possible. Yes, even the one Einrik plans on killing. If it gets away, which it should be able to given Einrik's comments on it's mobility compared to his, we don't want to make an enemy of it.

Ask Sake if he knows much about how the weasel's fur works. Can it heal someone while the Weasel is alive? Perhaps we could offer to heal the Tanzanian Ruling Dragon if Einrik ends up fighting to a draw, assuming that's the Dragon's goal here. That might be taken as insult, but if someone can convince someone that our motives are nothing like that and we're doing it as an appeasement for our betters, well Armas is a manipulative ass. And it's true the Dragon is better then us, at fighting and magic at least.

As for the devil, if he mentions he's here for a hand, direct him to Amen who should be able to offer him a new one, and we "could" order him to give it for free. Then we order Amen to kill him when he gets there, and tell the devil we gave Amen the necessary orders and he's ready and waiting.

Einrik only planned on killing it if it is rogue. It seems it is here with permission from the local ruler and as such not a legitimate target for slaying... either that or the Spanish dragon here is another rogue and lying.

If I had to guess I would say they attacked einrik for being a mortal uppity enough to approach them, yet backed off when it didn't seem to take. This doesn't explain the devil though.

>Dragons are uninjured.
So is einrik... Remember dragons are masters of flesh magic, anything that doesn't kill them they will just magic themselves back to being healed.

While you should be polite, I wouldn't go so far as being groveling... Sake might know the proper way to address such dragons. Speaking of, haven't we been taking etiquette lessons from Einrik for exactly this purpose?
Also, einrik already introduced you so no need to do so again.

So, what are our goals?
1. Don't mention any plan for slaying dragons.
2. Don't start a fight you will lose.
3. Don't let the devil take Silja. This could very well mean to challenge him.
4. Find out what is going on. If I had to guess I would say that the devil is not here with the dragons. And our theory is that the african dragon is here for the rami.
5. Get rami - remember, that at worst you lost one trade with SM for its location in order to get more valuable trading data about these dragons and devil.
6. Try to find out the names of the dragons and devil, as well as their motives in coming here (all valuable trading commodities for SM)
7. Make friends with dragons (that might mean providing healing via captured rami, if even possible... ask sake). If the dragons are here for rami healing, and the rami isn't cooperating, and we can provide them with healing by capturing the rami... why the dragons could help us capture it and then kill the devil for us out of gratitude.

Any type of longer term is pointless without seeing what they have to say first.

>>359627
>Get devil to be killed by amen
HAHA! Oh god yes!
First, do we actually know how secure our communication link with amen is? We should consult sake first and then outright ask amen. "Amen, can our conversation be overhead or otherwise spied upon by any being? such as the dragons or the devil I am currently facing". if he says it is secure then ask if a God could. Don't be paranoid and second guess it, if he says it is secure then consider it secure. We just never bothered asking before and it would be useful to know.

The devil should THINK we are NOT manipulators and its not a trap. Sure we could use sayings like "Perhaps I could make mends" and "if it pleases you I could arrange for a master flesh crafter to repair your hands". Deceptive truthfulness... but that is what devils all supposedly practice, it will probably notice. Instead pretend to be a trusting yokel, trick it into believing you to be such a fool. Still with deceptive truthfulness but not overt.

"Please if you would allow me, I would compensate you for your loss, to begin with a new hand. I know a master of flesh magic beyond the ken of mortals as well as most immortals, it is a truly powerful being. The cost would be unspeakable (deceptive truthfulness, it is unspeakable because it doesn't exist) but I believe it would be able to restore your hand". At that point give amen orders telepthically, then call him on the phone and pretend to negotiate a deal where amen restores the devil's hand at "the standard rate" (deceptive truthfulness, we always pay amen nothing, the standard rate). This would be a good spot to find out the devil's name too.

The orders to amen are to restore either kill it outright and then restore the hand of the corpse. Or restore the hand with a trap which will be used to kill it. Whichever is easier for amen to do. Also tell amen he is not to utterly destroy / consume / claim. He is to preserve as much of the corpse as he can without risking the escape of the devil.

>>359519
>And should I be concerned I can't perceive the dragon's souls OR the devil's?
No. Remember what Einrik said- if we can't sense a soul, it's because they're more powerful than us and choosing to hide it. This also explains why we couldn't sense any attention from Amen, way back; he was concealing his soul from us. But coming into this we knew that we'd likely have the least sheer power of anyone present, so this state of affairs isn't really any cause for concern.

They can almost certainly all see our soul, though, and because of that won't be fooled into thinking that we're anything other than the kind of greedy, conniving git that we really are. Don't try to imitate another personality type; no one will be fooled.

>So: What am I going to say and do here?
First, be aware that we are outclassed- enough that I wouldn't be surprised if one or more of those here is reading our mind. So don't think anything sensitive; anything we think is another card laid on the table. This includes any kind of communication, even mental communication; just like Shadowbro can read our memories to see what we just said even if he can't hear the conversation itself, no matter how secure the communication is anyone reading our mind can get a full view of the contents. Of course, they may not be bothering to read the mind of someone so unimportant... but why take the risk?

Speaking of risks, Einrik hasn't used our name, nor his sister's, nor given actual names to anyone else here. That means that giving out names is not secure, probably because Names hold power and players in the big leagues (like these) can use them to do things on the spot. So refer to no one by name.

Remember that we are the least powerful one here- but also that there are several parties present, each with their own interests which do not necessarily overlap in any fashion. Our objectives here have to be to find out those interests and then play them off each other as much as possible. The more they focus on the other powerful people here, the more the not-so-powerful people are likely to get out of this with everything intact- and perhaps even what we want. So speak respectfully in ways that get them to talk- anything they say gives us more information to work with; if we can get them to start conversing with one another rather than talking to us, so much the better. We do not want to be the centerpiece of this conversation, just its facilitator.

The devil's motivation here seems all too likely to be focused on us, unfortunately- and particularly, on Silja. We must not let it get her, and I would prefer that we don't even let the two of them become aware of one another, though that's likely impossible. But until we get more details about what it wants- and what it has- I don't feel confident making plans about how to deal with it. The curious point is, if the Devil was after us/Silja, why did it interfere with Einrik's battle instead of coming for us directly? What does Einrik have to do with it, that it'd be able to track Einrik down? These are answers that we need to take control of this situation.

A few things-

First, let's talk to Iron trick, and ask him how safe it is to talk to our other voices in our head near such potent people. Iron Trick, at least, shouldn't be overhead.

Now, if they can't overhear, ask Amen what he feels through our improved senses- maybe he can get some kind of echo of their souls. Then, if he can, it means we should be able to. Ask him why he can, and realize you always could.

Check with SB all is right with Whaitiri.

Then, try to see if we can get Silja in our eye one way our another: The Devil could try to tempt her to sell herself for Her Armas' soul if it manages to speak to her. Better be over-prepared than sorry.
However, we probably can't- next best thing is to give her sight, and tell her what's happening, and the Devil in front is known for tricking people into selling their soul, so she should help us not get too greedy (it should stabilize her and make her wary).

Then, we shouldn't interrupt anyone else, but first try to see what the Devil is going to say/pretend.

You don't know yet if you need to stall for time, try to make it back off by having Amen make a new arm for it and possibly killing the devil. However, We must Order Amen not pass on any information to the Devil that may be detrimental to us or our allies prior to trying to kill him.

We must try to know if its goal here is Silja, Another Arm, or something else. It will most probably try to lie though, so be extra attentive to any details.

If the Devil is going to want to kill us for whatever reason, we may need to try to get to make it look arrogant and intruding untoward the dragons.

The dragons themselves seems to be official, given the use of the word REPRESENTATIVES. There is only one reason i can see for a Tanzanian representative to be here: they might need the Ramidreju to heal their Ruler. Ask Sake, Iron Trick, SB, and Amen how likely it is. Try conforming this theory in any way we can, as it's prime info material for SM.

We must NOT let the devil get Silja's soul, and trying to get back Armas' Valkonen's soul may be important, at least for Silja's happiness.

EDIT:

>>359690
>First, be aware that we are outclassed- enough that I wouldn't be surprised if one or more of those here is reading our mind. So don't think anything sensitive; anything we think is another card laid on the table. This includes any kind of communication, even mental communication; just like Shadowbro can read our memories to see what we just said even if he can't hear the conversation itself, no matter how secure the communication is anyone reading our mind can get a full view of the contents. Of course, they may not be bothering to read the mind of someone so unimportant... but why take the risk?

Because it's letting fear controlling you. If they can read our mind, the appropriate response *is* to talk to Iron Trick/Amen, ask them how likely it is they can do it, and then ask them if there is any way they can ward your thoughts for a while without making any permanent, lasting, or debilitating effect.

Thinking they can go read our mind, but actually not doing anything about it but shivering and being afraid, means we can't parley at all, nor plan anything. Let's not be paralyzed by fear.

>They can almost certainly all see our soul, though, and because of that won't be fooled into thinking that we're anything other than the kind of greedy, conniving git that we really are. Don't try to imitate another personality type; no one will be fooled.

Actually, they will. Being a conniving, greedy git is what they expect, so let's give them a different kind of conniving, greedy git.

>Speaking of risks, Einrik hasn't used our name, nor his sister's, nor given actual names to anyone else here. That means that giving out names is not secure, probably because Names hold power and players in the big leagues (like these) can use them to do things on the spot. So refer to no one by name.

Very good idea- let's not think of Names, either.

>I don't feel confident making plans about how to deal with it. The curious point is, if the Devil was after us/Silja, why did it interfere with Einrik's battle instead of coming for us directly? What does Einrik have to do with it, that it'd be able to track Einrik down? These are answers that we need to take control of this situation.

It was looking for us, as told in the letter we got with its arm. Odds are, it somehow knew about the ramidreju.

>>359693
Upvoting. Iron Trick is our only safe option for now. So talk to him first. Then, do whatever crazy plan we come up with.

Although, do you guys really think that letting Amen kill or get in contact with this Devil is a smart thing? Yes, I know that we can just lay down some pretty strict and rigid orders to Amen, but still I doubt that this Devil will be gullibly enought to fall to our trick and that he'll be weak enough to be killed by Amen as easily as you guys seem to think he will. Don't forget, Amen is sealed in a contract right now and I wouldn't be suprised if most of his powers have been sealed away and that our ordering him to kill this guy will allow him to use more of his abilities. Which can be bad for us.

>And should I be concerned I can't perceive the dragon's souls OR the devil's?
You should; that they can hide from our senses suggests to me that they are used to people with senses like ours, know how to guard their souls and are smart enough to do so - and are likely a great deal more powerful than us. You expect that sort of thing from Dragons, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Finnish Devil is on a tier with them.

I wonder if these guys can pick up on Einrik's version of telepathy. The dragon being from Tanzania might be useful enough to risk it. It gives Einrik an out if he needs it for why he attacked the dragon, being obviously out of her territory and up to something furtive. In return, find out from Einrik if we can, if the Spanish dragon and Tanzanian dragon were here together; that would indicate the intruder was sanctioned, and we may be shit out of luck. If not... there's wriggle room for us.

>So: What am I going to say and do here?
I think the tack we should take is to be self-assured but not confrontational. Acknowledge that the Dragons are your superiors in magical power, but don't lose a jot of your own pride over that fact.

Quick, poll the brain trust: proper etiquette when addressing Dragons. Is 'My Lord Dragon' appropriate? Senor? Do they have a title they prefer?

"My apologies for my tardiness, -respectful title here-. If I may ask, for what purpose was our presence desired?"

Obviously someone must have wanted us there, probably the Devil. We probably shouldn't even bring up that we're in his territory without leave (do Dragons get pissed about that?) if he doesn't.

Our goal with the Devil: find out why he's here without coming out and admitting - ever - that we fed his hand to our rifle. Dance around it if you have to, but we do not want the Spanish Dragon's rep to feel the Devil has just cause against us. If it's not the hand... well, bit of a long-shot, but perhaps it thinks to collect on Armas Valkonen's Contract somehow? Or it probably has Armas Valkonen's soul if it fulfilled the pact, maybe it's looking to sell, trade or bargain?

It may try to tempt Silja that way (being the emotional little she-weapon that she is), so we leave her blind and deaf here. Hopefully she won't sense a familiar soul or something.

Secondary goal (less immediately important but potentially more interesting): Who took his hand (and sent it to us with a love note attached).

A final suggestion: if we find ourselves wanting to work the deceptive truth angle, using phrases such as 'I owe you thanks' or 'You may consider me chastened' are both more formal and slightly different from saying 'I am'.

>>359627
This sounds workable. Explain we have a master fleshcrafter working for us.

Myself, I'd try and bargain the hand for Armas Valkonen's soul (by saying we are friends with the Valkonens, the implication would be that we want his soul for them). Start by asking for a more 'valuable' soul from his collection, let him bargain you down to Armas's - or request a Valkonen's soul, and then the devil will feel like he's fucking you by offering a powerless Valkonen's soul as payment.

I'd also say don't get into involved debates with our head-voices here more than absolutely necessary, we're diplomacizing for our lives here.

>>359690
Look, either they're reading our mind or not. Not thinking of pink elephants doesn't work very well.

Forge on ahead regardless.

 

>>359690
I decide I'm not uttering a single damn person's name and taking Einrik's cue on that.

>>359699
>>359700
Before I do absolutely anything else, I mentally commune with the one being I think has the best chance of not being detectable-Iron Trick.
>[Iron Trick]"They can detect some sort of consciousness detects in me-dragons are great with fractal-format spell patterns like that-but there's almost no chance either of these two could detect anything. If it was the Spanish Dragon himself, or any upper tier one-well, Rabbit's craftings were only so... involved... in my creation. I am just one of many tools-but yes, the Devil's less magically overwhelming than the dragons, even if by only a slim margin-oh, I love the northern tribe of devils for making their face's shape and arrangement the next best thing to a power assessment tool than a helm- for now our words should still be ours alone. What's on your mind?"
Do you think I could get away with communicating with my soul brothers, Silja and Amen?
>[Iron Trick]"Realistically-yes to your soul brothers, since unless the dragons specifically focus on you any internal thoughts-that is, ones you do not transmit to someone else in a telepathic fashion-the communication never even leaves your body so you should be fine-but Amen's ultimately external, blood connection or no. Silja is likewise out, as a pre-existing soul in an item rather than a soul born from an item's power, any communication with her could be read with ease by a dragon or a devil."
Okay then. ...Wait, does that mean they could detect me transmitting my thoughts to you?
>[Iron Trick]"So far as they are concerned I technically don't exist-so you couldn't be transmitting your thoughts anywhere."
But you said they could detect there was a consciousness within you.
>[Iron Trick]"A consciousness that, barring them physically touching me-not my projectiles-simply will not let itself be associated with the non-existent voice you are communicating to-frankly, your mind is not twisted enough for me to properly relay to you how Rabbit fashion the... specifics of my quirks. Simply know that you will be able to speak to me in privacy whenever you wish because, in a way, I'm not here."
Huh. Thanks.

Shadowbro, can you verify through your mere everything's fine with Whaitiri?
>"Fine? She's ecstatic, to be accurate. Einrik seemed to give her some rather tasty snacks before the cessation of combat-and no, I already asked, she didn't pay attention to the battle itself in the slightest."
Okay-and how likely is it that, given Einrik called the Tanzanian Dragon a representative just the same as he called the spanish one, that she's here for the Ramidreju for her ruling dragon's recovery? The Ramidreju's hide is supposed to have some amazing healing abilities.
>[Sake]"Contact-Only Restricted regenerative ability-and yes, rather potent."
>"The issue is that from every single comment I've yet been audience to, from every observation made-I have to say the Tanzanian Dragon's bluffing. It's not a representative-it simply claimed that when it realized the Spanish dragon was here-after all, that which could not sense us, or find what drew her to the mountain swiftly, certainly wouldn't have noticed another dragon that did not wish to be seen."
>[Sake]"You don't have any proof her magical sensing abilities are that poor-but I agree it is likely a ruse, an attempt to save face-and one that Einrik wisely did not question, and so break the tenuous peace that currently presides."

>>359627
Not majority decision

>>359535
>>359541
>>359719
So... is there some sort of polite, respectful, non-violence inducing way to properly address dragons? Titles to use, things to not say or do...?
>[Sake]"In my homeland dragons were rather insistent on being addressed with the prefix of 'Heavenly Emperor/Empress' and slew any that dared make direct eye contact with them for getting above their station."
>"No comment, nothing I'm certain of."
>[Iron Trick]"The American dragons absolutely abhor technology and would probably kill us for even having radios when in their presence, let alone thermal scopes. ...Yeah, American dragons are basically aggressive, immensely powerful , holier-than-thou hippies. I don't recommend meeting them. Turkish dragons, at least, are pretty well kept in line-then again one of the oldest Dragons rules here and he likes to keep his hand in things. ...I suppose I'm saying that there are some constants, but more importantly there are regional variations and we can't really predict what either of these dragons possess in terms of personality quirks and definitions of proper etiquette. ...So, if you're going to talk to them, don't over think it because there isn't really an answer."
...Alright then.

I turn to the Tanzanian dragon first, bowing deep and avoiding eye contact, just in case.
"Honored by the meeting, most esteemed and beneficent Tanzanian representative."
She says nothing, not even acknowledging my presence as I ignore the non-reaction and turn on to the Spanish dragon perched on the rock, bowing again.
"I-"
[DISCONTINUITY]
>[GGG Trait activated]
>[AAE Trait activated]
With a swell of power simultaneously burgeoning and draining away, spent-
There is a sound of something shattering-or perhaps the echo of such a sound, given how distorted it is. I find myself on my back, feeling incredibly dazed, and more than a little bit puzzled. Somehow I feel like my Soul Brothers were dazed as we-
>[Iron Trick]"Good, good-you didn't die... how did you know to weave your stored Summer Bloodline healing energy and your Winter bloodline's spiritual energy together to perform rapid healing... ah, you didn't know. You... didn't do it. Your instincts then? Hm... I suppose-"
I hardly pay attention as I nearly begin to hyperventilate, only now realizing I'm missing not just my left arm, but nearly half of my torso, the edges cauterized and already festering with boils. I was hit? I didn't even feel it coming, and I nearly die-
>[GGG Trait activated[]
>[level 4[small]DANGEROUSLY DAPPER DISCUSSION AND DEBATE TRAIT BECOMES LEVEL 5 TRAIT DANGEROUS[i] & DEBONAIR [i]DISCUSSION and DEBATE]
>-So long as Armas has even one second, he can instantly recollect himself from anything save a direct mental attack.
>-Armas is now more skilled at plying the lingo practiced by the magical community.
>-Improves existing discussion in dangerous circumstances ability.

I dimly hear someone, not Einrik or Hillevi, speak with a voice like an avalance.

>[???][In Finnish]"A just reward for a disgusting mongrel thinking it can address it's betters without permission."

I have to force myself to think-and use my right arm to carefully push myself back up-as I wonder about how I survived what clearly... hit my heart. Trick mentioned that I might have done it instinctually-oh fuck are my weapons okay-yes, whew, nothing broken other than me, my clothes and part of my two longarm's straps. ...Right, so if I just... healed myself? What exactly did I even do, Trick?
>"Armas? ...Wha, what happened..."
>[Iron Trick]"You effectively performed an inefficient form of instant regeneration by pooling both bloodlines powers, and did so just enough you did not die from what should have been nigh-instantly fatal wounds. Had the attack been continuous rather than a single speck of a fireball that Einrik largely deflected, I doubt you would have survived-and I suppose we would have seen how your acquired resurrection ability functions."
Instant hea....
Still midway through sitting up, passing through that special segment of time that moves at the speed of thought on the brink of death-
>[MM,MMMM Trait auto-activated]
Instinct or subconscious, id or otherwise-I have already done this, and done it recently. It shouldn't be hard to-

>[NEW STAT BARS UNLOCKED]
>[Hybrid technique used: Spiritually Fueled Restoration (S.F.R.)]
[WINTER ENERGY: -27, 73/100]
[ SUMMER ENERGY: -27, 13/40]

Even as I feel as if my blood has... been strained in some way, my hunger getting closer to resurfacing in an uncomfortable rushing sensation-

I school my face, avoiding goggling as my ribs regrow, a lung forms as sinew and cartilage race over empty air, bone and muscle and skin all weaving together-

In one second, one, single fucking second, I regrew an arm and a third of my chest. Holy fucking shit.

I just barely avoid marvelling at my perfectly restored yet unclothed limb as I finish sitting up with a smile on my face, turning to Einrik... and rather distinctly noting that both dragons are now very much so looking at me.

"You could have told me it was impolite in Spanish circles to address a dragon."
Doing a rather amazing job at maintaining the illusion of him simply being here because he's bored, Einrik easily replies.
>[EV][In Finnish]"Well this was an easier way of showing them that, small soul or no, you do in fact stand apart from mortals and 'common' practitioners alike-isn't that right?"
>"Don't even self-narrate, I can feel them on your mind."
"I suppose so."
Einrik turns back to the Spanish dragon.
>"Honored Representative, I was under the impression you were here to decide which party or parties of those present should be banished from Spain for creating a disturbance in a draconically inhabited range, just as I thought you were likewise deciding if the South African Representative's claim to be seeking healing aide for a wounded dragon is worthy of being allowed."
>[Sake]"Well that goes a long way to explaining what we walked into-and I should note that so far, they have no reason to believe you can survive dying-merely that you are hard to kill, an immensely critical distinction."
It is the Spanish dragon that speaks-and from it's voice I know it to be the one that spoke while I lay nearly dead on the ground scant moments ago.
>[Spanish Dragon][In Finnish] "...So your broken mockery of what the Valkonens were that you call a family can still pick individuals of slightly less pathetic than the rest of you primates. Ultimately this changes nothing, and I shall-"
>[???][In archaic Finnish][small]THOU WILT DO NOTHING UNTIL THAT MORTAL'S FATE IS BROUGHT IN ALLIGNMENT WITH MINE OWN. MINE PURPOSE WAS MADE CLEAR.
The Spanish dragon looks at the offending speaker, the Finnish Devil with distaste-
And does not attack.
>[Tanzanian Dragon][In Finnish]"Since arriving you've destroyed more than either of us did in our altercation-do what you will but leave, you insufferable nuisance."
His jawbones clacking in an odd manner, the devil begins to walk my way, even as I feel Hillevi readying herself behind me.

>[Finnish Devil] ]BEAROR OF THE NAME ARMAS.

He continues that incessantly slow walk, as if time was no obstacle to his hunt, his prey finally in sight.

>[Finnish Devil] ]CLAIMER OF MINE HAND.

He's twenty feet away when Hillevi grows even more tense at my side.

>[Finnish Devil] ]THOU OWES A DEBT OF LIFE OR SOUL THAT MUST BE COLLECTED. HAST THOU ANY LAST WORDS?

>>359638
>"...Useless. I can't find a way for Sake or I to contact Amen in lieu of you via the blood without alerting the dragons and possibly the devil too. I will note, however-that the devil's shadow feels... very ordinary. Strangely so. It's not a magical thing I detect-more like... it's lack of resonance with the Dark, top match the presumed magical might the creature has. I know it is possible to hide a soul-but to hide the imprint of one's soul upon the shadow and the Dark at large? I didn't know that was possible."
"Please allow me to compensate you for your loss-to start with a new hand . I know a master of flesh magic beyond the ken of mortals as well as most immo-/"

The world goes white as my eardrums rupture, the smell of ozone filling my nose even as I slowly clear my eye and see-

The semi-molten scorch mark and blasted rock crater where a bolt of lightning landed not five feet from my person.... ah.

>[Finnish Devil] ]THOU ALONE CAN PAY THINE DEBT-DOST THOU OFFER THEIR LIFE, OR THEIR SOUL?

....Weeeell then....








So what exactly am I going to say and/or do here?

>>359740
We didn't die from the dragon's fire, we got messed up but we healed from it. He's not asking to mess us up, He's asking to kill us, big difference. Anyways you seem to be forgetting that neat bloodline we picked up that allows us to comeback from the dead, which might fulfill his request and is winter based thus doesn't need summer energy to work.

>>359742
we would come back, but sake and shadowbro wouldn't, it would also free amen

>>359743
Guess we're going to have to talk our way out of this then.

rolled 26, 69, 51, 87, 85, 78, 5, 41, 29 = 471

---

Iron-Trick: How long per shot do you think you could hold him if I used you to fire at his shadow? Considering the considerable power of such artifacts I think it will be long enough.

He is NOT asking us to choose a payment. He is using fancy words but what he is actually saying "I am going to kill you unless you sell me your soul to live out the rest of your life". Or rather, that is what he is IMPLYING. It is a TRICK, he is using deceptive truthfulness! Choosing your soul will just result in him killing you immediately and claiming your soul, as he only implies but never promises that selling your soul spares your life for any duration of time.

On the plus side he can't claim your soul without you selling it. Also on the plus side, if you die you come back. On the downside if you die he will probably kill you again and again until it sticks. And worse, on the first death we lose SM deals, Amen goes free, Sake dies truly, and SB dies truly. It might also mess up our bloodline as its incomplete. All resolvable issues we have not gotten around to solving yet. Both choices are thus utterly unacceptable.

He is unwilling to speak and thinks he has an easy way to trick a soul out of us, so the amen plan is out. We can pretend to try it again as a momentary distraction but it would not be ideal and hopefully it wouldn't get to that. The plan is as such.

First, look deep in thought. "I..." *wonder a bit* "I choose..." *wonder a bit* "If I was to choose the soul would you promise to not kill me yourself until the rest of my natural life" and move such that your shadow intersects Einrik's and einrik has a clear path to the devil. This suggests to him you are considering the soul deal and should not result in being interrupted with a lightening bolt. If you are still not in position by the time you finished saying that you should try "I shall pay an obscene (obscenely low, free) cost to a being I know can restore thine arm". But it probably would not take that long to get into position and he will probably just lightening us again if we stall with that tactic.

As soon as SB intersects Einrik's shadow he is to convey to him the plan (all but what Armas would be doing) as rapidly as possible and Einrik is to immediately execute it. The plan is rather simple. Einrik attacks him directly at full power with mere preferably, while covering his sister if need be (or telling her to stand back). SB uses Einrik as a tank and distraction to get to the Devil's shadow and attack it with his Shadowmere; preferably in the face.

This is where the plan diverges based on what Iron Trick said, I expect it will most likely be Option A as Iron trick has considerable power.

Option A: If Iron Trick said he could hold him to a reasonable amount of time. Fire non stop at his shadow while the other two are going at him. SB is not to reload but to focus on harming him with the shadow mere. This gives us exactly 6 shots. You are to charge him yourself while firing those six shots and finish up by dropping the iron trick, crouching low, and shooting silja once into his torso while in an upwards motion that ends with shoving silja vertically as deep as you can so that her butt is in his guts and her bayonet goes into his head through his neck.

Option B: If Iron Trick said he cannot hold him at all / any reasonable amount of time. Try to fade from his perception as einrik takes him head on with SB distracting further with plinking. Maneuver behind him, and then get low and shoot silja into his back at point blank while shoving her into his spine with an upwards motion such that her butt is in his guts and her bayonet goes into his head through his neck.

Rolls:
1x Einrik Attack, 1x SB Attack, 6x Iron Trick Shots, 1x Silja Attack.
Ignore Iron Trick Shots if we do Option B.

>>359753
Upvoting them turnabouts.

>>359747
Downvoting them Amen contact + attack.

This guy WAY WAY WAY outranks us on power! Getting in a fight with him is inadvisble. To say the least. We can't risk even drawing. Our every movement must be as nonthreatening and provoke as little wrath as possible!

Furthermore: Amen himself is something demonic or devilish. It's not out of the question that contacting, naming, receiving contact from, or anything else about him might tip off who he is to our buddy here.

>>359747
Ok, ANYTHING UNDER the words AMEN PLAN, I SUST, lets not take a route that didn't work, and as for attacking the guy... ONLY DO THAT IF WE FAIL NEGOTITIONS.

Now, technicalities, we can do this, words and deceptive truthfulness are our friends and we are far better than when we dealt with the Knight of Mammon and avoided a really bad deal, basically this is no different.

To Start with, argue the name Armas with him, there is lots of Armases, we are not the sole bearor of that name. Be ready to dogde and keep dodging while talking, Shadowbro can help here, also both our bros should be of great help in dealing with technicalities. Shadowbro is so like us after all.


>[Finnish Devil] ]THOU ALONE CAN PAY THINE DEBT-DOST THOU OFFER THEIR LIFE, OR THEIR SOUL?
Who's soul, who's life, sounds like he isn't refering to us, get him to clarify, we can't give anything if we don't know what he is asking for (not that we are giving anything.) Then we twist whatever he says to make us not accountable and the souls/lives something that is not ours to give.

..technically we have no right to whatever he is asking for.


>[Finnish Devil] ]THOU OWES A DEBT OF LIFE OR SOUL THAT MUST BE COLLECTED. HAST THOU ANY LAST WORDS?

Contradicting himself is it us he wants or other people?, twist that. Also get the contract, which we never signed, We as Armas Laine never had any dealings with this devil...
MIGHT WANT TO GO WITH THAT FIRST.
We made no deal, so there is no debt.
We claimed no hand.
We are not Armas, but Armas Laine or alternativly Krypa Peikko.

Also asking for our last words then flinging bolts? How unclassy.

We can take this guy on words, we need not do something as risky as fighting him.
We are not the right Armas. Lure him into a trap of words of his own making.

>>359755
was upvoting
>>359757
this

BTW, when we correct him on his mistake, do not say our last name. Just say that ''We are not the Armas who is also a Valkonen'' Or something like that, but DO NOT say that our real name is Armas Laine.
Actually, judging from the words of the spanish dragon, all of them think that we're actually a member of a branch Valkonen family, instead of what we really are, which is a Friend of the family.

>>359760
Downvoting mentioning Silja. Also, he said last words. We need to put out why we owe him nothing quickly. So, I suppose we should say something like this.

"I'm the wrong Armas. From what I understand, it was Armas Valkonen who took your hand, correct? Einrik here can attest that I'm not a member of his family. As such, we have made no deal which means I have no debt to you.

If the one who claimed your hand has reneged on payment, then I'd ask you take it up with them. That it was later gifted to me has no bearing on that, especially since it's no longer in my possession."

>[Finnish Devil] BEAROR OF THE NAME ARMAS.

"Well, yes, but there has to be at least...what, twenty thousand Armas in the US alone."

>[Finnish Devil] CLAIMER OF MINE HAND.

"No, didn't do that." And we didn't, we never took his hand from his arm. We just found a box and gave the contents to Silja. We claimed nothing.

>[Finnish Devil] THOU OWES A DEBT OF LIFE OR SOUL THAT MUST BE COLLECTED. HAST THOU ANY LAST WORDS?

"Yes. If this Finnish Devil was summoned for a reason let that reason be made clear, or otherwise let this devil be dismissed," Look to the Dragons as you say that.

However if that doesn't work, we have some more last words: "I have a debt, what was given in payment. I do not merely give my life or soul to any devil that asks for it."

>>359774

Sounds passable. I suppose. May wish to not say everything straight out and wait for responses. Answer questions as they come, only giving out what is absolutely necessary. Because information is valuable you nitwit!

>[Finnish Devil] ]THOU OWES A DEBT OF LIFE OR SOUL THAT MUST BE COLLECTED. HAST THOU ANY LAST WORDS?

>>/questdis/354349
><AmusedBob> Word choice is important-you need to make what you're saying clear from the get-go, and be as concise as possible.
>Word choice is important
>you need to make what you're saying clear from the get-go, and be as concise as possible.

>>359757
>argue this! ask questions! word choice not specified!

>>359779
>argues things that have already been said

>>359747
>starts with a long pause and ends with trying to attack the demon

....AAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!

>>359774
>instantly says you're wrong
better but still not good enough. Armus should first say "i owe you nothing and here is why". upvoting the rest

>>359757
Is he speaking of our fleshcrafter's life and soul? I don't follow.

>Stuff about the shadow.
Does this mean he is so strongly aligned with lightning that he is COMPLETELY cut off from the Dark, and thus there's no way for Shadowbro to strike at him? Or does it mean the Devil is completely cut off from the Nevernever and so Shadowbro's nevernever teleport would be more effective than normal on a being of the Devil's weight-class?

In a 'putting our affairs in order' kind of way:
Just before we die, might I suggest that we give Amen the order to seek out and obey others as he would us in the event of our death, sort of like Smets did for Savoy?

Probably in this order, going down the list as necessary until he finds one still-existing: Shadowbro, Sake, Einrik, Camella, Hillevi.

Without our half of the soul as an anchor, SB's will collapse, right? If we die and our soul briefly flees the body, maybe he could open up the taps and flood the body with Dark energy to bolster himself for the few seconds before our soul comes back to the body? Sure, we'd end up irradiated with Nevernever energy when we come back, but it might keep him going briefly. Or flee into the Dark and hope that sustains him, maybe?

As for the Devil: we cannot fight this guy. During his entrance, he unleashed over 100 BOLTS OF LIGHTNING within a FEW SECONDS. And we just taxed both halves of the bloodline with the regeneration trick. Diplomacize. Diplomacize like your life depends on it, for it does.

Now, Iron Trick can tell what rank this guy has based on his skull structure: is this guy at the top, like Perkele? Lempo? He seems too strong to be a Hiisi or Piru.

If we could name him, we might have some leverage.

What is it with Demons trying to bully us into accepting their deals? So, be succinct... How about: "Your claim is weak. I owe you neither life nor soul. We have never met; nor do I have any recollection of taking your arm.

I am willing to bargain, but you will not have my soul through threats and fear, any more than Mammon's representative did." Or maybe we shouldn't mention Mammon, I dunno; he might hear about the MD auction and put two and two together.

If the Devil does manage to kill us, we should sit back up, brush ourselves off and say, "Well, you took my life. I hope that satisfies you. Off with you, now."

>>359739
>I feel Hillevi readying herself behind me.
>He's twenty feet away when Hillevi grows even more tense at my side.
As her Warden we should make sure Hillevi does nothing rash. Like attacking or even standing in the devils way.

>>359779
SUST. While i dislike grovelling, we should. Or at least not be arrogant.being eaten by Dragons is Unfun.
>>359747
SUST
>>359757 a bit too hesitant, and not precise
>>359774
Not bad, but disliking making any comments on how the hand was taken from the Devil. Believing Armas Valkonen 'took' the hand may not be the best thing.

I would suggest something like this myself:
"Well, that would teach me to be 'nice' with a Devil, especially one whose statements are so deceptive. I owe you no debt. My soul is not wholly mortal. I am not this Armas person you are talking of: i know the Armas who sold his soul to you was a Valkonen, and i am no Valkonen, Branch or not."

"I have not stolen or claimed your hand: It was gifted to me."

"I repeat: I owe you no debt."

After that, if it stalls him enough, we should try to get him to tell us what he told the others about his legitimacy here, because we have no idea how he angled that to them.

Now, theory time : The Devil talked down to the arrogant spanish dragon, even though it seems weaker. This is either because there are Accords between Devil and Dragons, or because the Spanish Dragon knows attacking the Devil will leave itself open to betrayal by the Tanzanian Dragon- or both. Asking Iron trick about it could be worthwhile.

Second theory : our S.F.R comes from using our internal soul manipulation to force winter energy into our regenrative ability. It is inefficient because it needs an equivalent Summer energy to act as Buffer. Maybe trying to to force our Summer energy to power our regenerative ability by itself is possible, or maybe spinning the Summer and Winter energy in such a way that the Summer part doesn't merely act as a buffer.

>Now, Iron Trick can tell what rank this guy has based on his skull structure: is this guy at the top, like Perkele? Lempo? He seems too strong to be a Hiisi or Piru.
Upvote

>>359862
Upvote

>In a 'putting our affairs in order' kind of way:
>Just before we die, might I suggest that we give Amen the order to seek out and obey others as he would us in the event of our death, sort of like Smets did for Savoy?

>Probably in this order, going down the list as necessary until he finds one still-existing: Shadowbro, Sake, Einrik, Camella, Hillevi.

Not the right time to contact Amen unless things have degenerated into total combat AND can't get worse. However, if it comes down to dying- make sure you use SB or another way to tell Einrik to authorize Sake to come down to Valkonen's ground, and maybe still get the Ramidreju for him. He was our bro.


The 'teach me to be nice with a devil' is in order to look like we were polite and giving him a gift, and not in any way admitting a debt
The Wholly mortal bit is about him calling you mortal, and trying to gain the soul of someone bearing the Soul Graft of a Goddess.

 

>>359745
Words... would seem to be my friends here.

>>359757
>>359779
>>359871
"I must clarify something. My name may be Armas but that is true of many people-how do you know it's me?"
>[Finnish Devil]THOU CLAIMED MINE HAND, WHO ELSE COULD I REFENCE?
>>359769
"Armas Valkonen, the one that actually TOOK you hand, so far as I understand it. I'm not the Armas who is also a member of the Valkonen house-which I'm getting the feeling you believe."
It is at this, that the devil finally seems to hesitate.
>[Finnish Devil]THOU... IS NOT ARMAS VALKONEN?
"To my recollection I've never gone by that name. "
>[Finnish Devil]THINE WORDS... CARRY THE STENCH OF TRUTH.
"Am I to understand, then, that you are here to claim payment from Armas Valkonen?"
>[Finnish Devil]I EXIST HERE AND NOW TO DERIVE PAYMENT FOR A BOON BOUGHT YET NOT PAID FOR-EVEN IF THOU ARE NOT THE ONE THAT INITIATED THE DEAL AS THOU INTIMATE, MINE PEROGATIVE IS STILL TO BALANCE THE SCALES ON MINE END ALONE.
Well, he's certainly not apologetic or deceptive about his goals-I suppose that's something.
"Ah, but if it is not Armas Valkonen who you are claiming payment from-then who?"
>[Finnish Devil]THE ONLY OTHER THAT CAN BE TITLED ARMAS, AND CLAIMER OF MINE HAND-THOU.
...Dammit, can't deny that my name's Armas, or that I claimed his hand, even if I immediately fed it to Silja.
>>359840
Thoughts... rather dark in nature about what would happen should I die... are forced aside.

Shadowbro, his shadow-can you in any way determine if that's a purposeful affectation on his part or an actual gap in his magical capacity?
>"I tentatively say that it is an actual gap in his magical ability-but that just... seems far too easy..."
It does, doesn't it-Trick, what about his rank? You said you cou-
>[Iron Trick]"Yeah-hm. How to put this so-ah. Assume all Devils are students in a High School. Presume this devil to be a Junior that ranks in the eightieth percentile-really, I don't think I can give a better analogy than that, in terms of analogies that would actually make sense to you. The dragons, incidentally, would also be juniors-in the ninety-fifth percentile."
...So what's a Senior?
>[Iron Trick]"Upper tier Gods and Dragons, Wizards, Nobility amongst the Courts... those kind of things."
Don't suppose you have a Name I co-
>[Iron Trick]"Hah, NOPE-no idea which specific devil this is."
>>359862
Feeling more informed about the situation I was dropped into by the second, I swiftly check Hillevi's soul-to find her ever so slightly less tense than she was moments ago-I can't detect the specific thought process that led to the change, but I'll take it.

I decide to take a calculated risk.

"Is it customary for devils to transfer debts to people they never negotiated a deal with?"
This, it seems, gives the devil pause.
>[Finnish Devil]MINE FLESH WAS PROMISED TO BE RETURNED-AND THOU DESTROYED THE CHANCES OF THAT EVER OCCURRING. THINE INVOLVEMENT IN THIS AFFAIR RENDER THOU COMPLICIT, AND THUS ELIGIBLE FOR THE DEBT TO BE TRANSFERRED.
"But that's not the point-you came here thinking me someone else-your premise for being here itself was flawed-or is my reasoning inaccurate?"
I dare not turn to look at them, but I can feel the continued appraisal of the two dragons as I converse with the maimed monster.
>[Finnish Devil]...A DEBT MUST BE PAID, NO MATTER WHO THE PAYEE IS-IT IS THE WAY OF DEALS THAT THEY BE SETTLED SO LONG AS ONE PARTY YET LIVES.
Never heard that before-especially not stated as boldly as that-but if it's true... a detail to file away for later.
"And for that reason, I ask-why me? You say that I must pay the debt, but when was that decision made? It could not have been prior to my arrival-after all, you were not aware which Armas I was until I corrected you."
>[Finnish Devil]IRRELEVANT IN THE FACE OF THINE INVOLVEMENT IN THIS AFFAIR-OR DOST THOU DENY BEING THE LAST TO HANDLE MY LOST LIMB BEFORE IT WAS... LOST?
Well, not without lying, I can't, so-
"By that logic, anyone that in any way interacted with your hand is complicit and owes you payment-but you came here to claim payment from a singular individual, did you not? How do you know I am the right one of those partly responsible for this to lay the burden on? Simply being the most proximal would not seem a rational reason to me."
When the world goes white with a roar of thunder this time, I feel rocks bombarding my body, several ripping gashes in my flesh as they pass me by at breakneck speeds. Yet another lightning bolt-this one just three feat from my person.
>[Finnish Devil]THINE OBSESSION WITH SEMANTICS BECOMES TIRESOME.
"If you aren't required to follow the exact letter of your deals, be it in fulfilling them or collecting payment, please inform me and I'll drop the subject."
>"I truly hope your bluff was accurate..."

For a time the pitiless gaze of the devil stays fixated on me as the jutting shafts of jaw with broken tooth and fang alike wavering in the air, the Finnish monster carefully picks out it's reply, even as I note both dragons to be completely engrossed in eavesdropping on our conversation-even as I note Einrik beginning to sport his trademark smile.

>[Finnish Devil]....THEN WHAT DOST THOU PROPOSE? THE DEBT MUST BE PAID, BY ONE HAND OR ANOTHER-IF YOU REFUSE TO ALLOW THE DEAL TO BE ASCRIBED TO YOU, WHAT DOST THOUGH PROPOSE AS AN ALTERNATIVE?
>"Huh. Seems he's really just looking for energy as payment-probably has a way to convert it to mass and regrow his lost limb."

...Well, I've mostly got the death-threat that was directed my way dealt with, and I've managed to not just make it clear I'm not the Armas he thought I was, but to argue semantics just hard enough he did not fry me, but has still been aggravated enough he seems to be capitulating to my viewpoint.






So what exactly am I going to say or do from here?

This time, I suppose I don't want this to be a trap.

"Well then, I did offer up the talents of a fleshcrafter under my service. I'd imagine The Slayer of Ramses should be able to restore your hand, and that should deal with the issue of not being able to return it. That said, if I'm paying off the debt of another, why should you be entitled to payment from them? By all rights, I'd essentially be buying his debt from you, which means his payment should belong to me, not you.

So if you want me to lend the services of my servant, I should have sole rights to Armas Valkonen's soul."

Now, I expect the other Armas to have sold his soul along with the promise to return the hand. When the Devil brings this up
"One never buys debt at it's full cost. I receive the risk that Armas Valkonen's soul is destroyed or otherwise will never be capable of payment, and you receive a flat payment with no risk attached. Unless of course you'd like to try and track him down and hope to manage to find a way to take both his soul and milk a way to restore your hand out of him."

"Debts must be paid, one way or another."

First plan (Plan Awesome): offer an equivalent exchange. Amen could almost certainly hang on to one of the intruders smashing themselves on our defenses, and he is a master of flesh and blood and souls (we then have the option of telling Amen to slay him after the deal is done, later, when we don't have dragons watching over our shoulder, if we judge our Word of Gold to be less important than the whole devil, the hand of which brought Silja to awareness). We effectively buy the debt from him in exchange for ownership of Armas Valkonen's soul, wherever it is.

Tell him this happens all the time in the mortal world.

Second plan (Plan Excellent): Have Shadowbro take him through the shadows. All the nevernever radiation/energy he could want, and more besides.

Third plan (Plan Undefeatable): Offer an Erinyes heart.

>>359938

Im going to have to SUST this since I doubt mentioning Ámen is a good idea at his moment, try asking the Devil how much energy it needs before we offer anything since we have no idea how much it needs.

>>359938 Good point about Armas Valkonen.

I'd say involving Amen might not work, and i don't want to mention him right now, may lead to too much attentions from a class of beings that are too powerful. If we go with that however, we must NOT lost our Word of Gold Trait.

>>359942 Still good point about Armas Valkonen

>Second plan (Plan Excellent): Have Shadowbro take him through the shadows. All the nevernever radiation/energy he could want, and more besides.

SUST on SADOWPORTING
It is likely he is Dead to shadows, and if one could eat all the energy in the Dark like that, no shadowmancer or peopel who go into the nevernever would need any other kind. It may not be the best time to show off how little you know about magic. Water is wet and all that.

>Third plan (Plan Undefeatable): Offer an Erinyes heart.
For the Erinyes plan, i am pretty sure we ate both- however, we should have a Phoenix Heart left. If any other plans do Not Work, this might be an acceptable trade. (PHOENIX HEART PLAN)

We have a Phoenix heart because it comes before troll/Vampire/were, and troll/vampire/were was our last shipment, i think.

OTHER PLAN (NEVERNEVER STRIKE PLAN) : Another possible option would be to sell him a NeverNever Strike (though that might cost us a lot more than a Phoenix heart or involving Amen).

Now, theory time : The Devil talked down to the arrogant spanish dragon, even though it seems weaker. This is either because there are Accords between Devil and Dragons, or because the Spanish Dragon knows attacking the Devil will leave itself open to betrayal by the Tanzanian Dragon- or both. Asking Iron trick about it could be worthwhile.

OTHER OTHER PLAN (RAMIDREJU HEALING) : THIS might bring up the option of maybe using the Demon's accord (if Iron trick tell us we are right) to get the Ramidreju before the Tanzanian Dragon. After all, we could possible heal the Devil with Sake possessing it, and the Devil might have right of first action before the Dragons.

Whatever we do, our paying means we should get Armas Valkonen Soul Ownership- of course, we should the risk he is dead, etc.

Second theory : our S.F.R comes from using our internal soul manipulation to force winter energy into our regenrative ability. It is inefficient because it needs an equivalent Summer energy to act as Buffer. Maybe trying to to force our Summer energy to power our regenerative ability by itself is possible, or maybe spinning the Summer and Winter energy in such a way that the Summer part doesn't merely act as a buffer.

We used accelerated healing on self to regrow our limbs in just a second. Who says we cannot use Spiritual Healing on others by re-routing it?
I say we try to do that. Hopefully, healing the demon is not fuck-expensive compared to healing a human mortal. I hope the cost is just the same.
Take our Summer healing and direct it outwards to a target using our Sami powers.

>>359938
>The Slayer of Ramses
Fuck man, we are trying our best to not let anyone know we have a link to Amen and you suggest we just go and name-drop him?
Don't say his name or title.

>>359942
>First plan (Plan Awesome):
This is fine and all but we have no way of knowing if any intruders have been caught. Which is bollocks, since I specifically asked Amen what he did with the intruders and not if he had killed them. We, the players, and Armas know enough of Amens bullshit to know that the answer "They will never bother you again" is not the same as "Yes, I killed them all". Heck, we even noted that he didn't actually answer the question after the update.
Now, we can't ask him unless we call him or something.

>Second plan (Plan Excellent):
Eh, I dunno. We should ask first before attempting this.

>Third plan (Plan Undefeatable):
You know.... just eating a heart is not enough to heal shit.... Oh well, this might be worth a shot. Mentally go through how much meat and hearts we have and offer him some till he has enough to heal his hand. I suggest we leave the Phoenix heart as the last as it is a very potent and expensive thing.

>>359944
This.

>>359953
>If we go with that however, we must NOT lost our Word of Gold Trait.
I think we can only lose the TWG only if we break the deal. By having Amen restore his hand, thus sealing the deal and only after that capturing/killing him should not break our trait. Although I am against trying any shenanigans against devils.

>OTHER PLAN (NEVERNEVER STRIKE PLAN) : Another possible option would be to sell him a NeverNever Strike
What?
We don't have any say on NN strikes. Unless you suggest we buy one from Goblins which will cost us so much.

>Now, theory time : The Devil talked down to the arrogant spanish dragon, even though it seems weaker. This is either because there are Accords between Devil and Dragons, or because the Spanish Dragon knows attacking the Devil will leave itself open to betrayal by the Tanzanian Dragon- or both.
More likely because the demon did more damage than Einrik and Tanzanian dragon combined so it is pretty damn powerful. Enough to shut up non-ruling dragons in fact.

>OTHER OTHER PLAN (RAMIDREJU HEALING)
This is a good plan.
Remember, Einrik aims to kill the Tanzanian dragon, so we shouldn't have any problems from it. The only thing that could stop us is the Spanish dragon.

>>359965
>Poor devil, it doesn't know what it's got itself into.

AaaaryyyNO. I am going to downvote trying to do anything with the devil.
It just seems to me a bad idea.

>>359999
Plan Awesome here is good. Offering up the life and soul of one of the intruders is a good idea. We want to make no reference to Amen at all, just that you have some entities that have forfeited their lives by trespassing on your property that would serve admirably for the devil's purposes. Also, the implication is strongly that Armas Valkonen escaped his fate - otherwise the devil wouldn't be here trying to collect his soul.

Even if we don't want to telepathically call Amen, we can always phone him up to give him the order to prepare one of the intruders to be handed over. Don't speak his name.

When negotiating, agree that the exchange will take place in one week's time. If he has access to modern technology, we can agree the location by telephone later (I'm sure the Devil doesn't want to give the dragons too much information on his movements either).

Poor devil, it doesn't know what it's got itself into.

Oh, and it was mentioned earlier that we've started carrying around emergency supplies of food, so if there is an appropriate pause in proceedings, drain the bottle of basilisk blood. If there's no such break, have SB teleport the blood into your stomach. If you have an erinyes heart on you, then have him do the same with that, after tearing it into pieces first.

For the Ramidreju Healing plan, optimally, and if a lot of assumptions are corrects, it will go like this :

1°) Have Devil destroy jamming, call team, get Ramidreju
2°) The Tanzanian Dragon, seeing what we are doing, may want to attack/challenge us before we have Sake possess it. Einrik kills it.
3°) Sake possess Ramidreju, we heal Devil.
4°)Devil leaves, Spanish Dragon Leaves
Or

Devil leaves, Spanish Dragon wants the hoard for itself and attack us, all of us kill it with Sake's new awesome Body and Einrik awesomness.

For this to work, it would need Accords between Devils and Dragons, where Devil are allowed to finish their Deals before Dragons interferes. As such, Einrik *may* be able to fight the Tanzanian Dragon as our 'Champion', as we still are in the middle of a deal with the Devil.

Lots of assumptions, though.

>>359938
>This time, I suppose I don't want this to be a trap.
upvotins but why can't it be both a trap and true? have amen fix it's hand and then capture it or murder the fuck out of it. or murder/capture it and then fix it's hand. it it doesn't work whatevs. if the demon can be tricked into it though jump on it

>>359942
>Second plan (Plan Stupid as Shit): Have Shadowbro take him through the shadows. All the nevernever radiation/energy he could want, and more besides.
SUST the entire fucking idea of sending a demon who wants our fucking soul through half of it.

>>359953
>OTHER PLAN (NEVERNEVER STRIKE PLAN)
not ours to give dumbass. SUST

>OTHER OTHER PLAN (RAMIDREJU HEALING)
you want to give a demon who is willing to force us to pay someone else's debt access to weaselbro's body? moreso, you want to mention we're here for that in front of the fucking african dragon who is saying she's here on official bzns for the healing weasel? SUST

>>360003
As much as it pains me to do this, to support a bloody cunt who types like a Chav, I am upvoting this. We however need to ensure his body stays around to feed to Whaitiri, so any orders to Amen need to specify he not outright destroy the devil as well as keeping it hidden and safe and not disposing of or doing anything odd with it.

>>359938
You wish to casually state that the one who slew an upcoming God-Wizard is in our service in front of Dragons? That is absolutely hilarious. I support this solely to see their reactions. I suppose it may also help that you you are the only one who has posted any actual dialogue and it's good dialogue at that. Hint Hint fellow posters.

>>360001
Offering Ramidreju healing MIGHT work (I am now codenaming it Plan Unstoppable, just in case), but this could also backfire on us even more than just having our russians make off with the prize. Remember, to the Spanish dragon, the Rami is HIS to do away with, ergo the Tanzanian and Einrik battling for it.

This is the kind of plan that has us exploded by Spanish dragonfire for our temerity.

Also, as a sidenote, if the devil doesn't go for us buying Armas V's soul, we could offer a barter for the knowledge of who exactly took his hand (and gave it to us).

And Armas, try and make sure none of this actually crosses your mind, okay? Use MMMMMMM if you have to. You need to think only of ways to help this Devil (and in doing so, getting him to leave you alone).

>>360020
SUST!

>>360003
Agreed and shared the upvote.

>Lose word of gold
That is just stupid. We just order amen to restore his arm... after or before killing him.

>Slayer of ramses
SUST! DO !NOT! name amen in such a manner.
>In my service
SUST! DO !NOT! make such a claim, especially not in the presence of dragons and devils.

>Offer him payment
Our argument thus far is that it is not our debt. "I would like to propose a separate deal which I believe would resolve our issues. Specifically, I shall soon make you an offer to buy from you all debts you are owed by Armas Valkonen. While I still argue that I owe you no debt, we shall agree that if I am to buy all debts owed to you by Armas Valkonen then it would remove your claim, which I do not concede, that I owe you debt as well."

"I can, at great personal risk (giving amen orders is very risky) and a cost I am compelled not to name (compelled by my desire for my ruse not to fail), arrange for a being of a kind I shall not name with a mastery of flesh magic beyond that of mortals and most immortals to attempt to restore your hand. It is located at this address (Amen's Mansion) and I advise against forced entry, I shall arrange for it to attempt a restoration of thine hand in 3 days at midnight."

"Although I do believe it would succeed in restore your arm, should the attempt fail we shall renegotiate at that point.

Be VERY attentive to the wordings he uses, do NOT let him reword the deal. If you renegotiate then ask for a moment to reconsider the exact wording, as your culture warns about deals with devils and you wish to ensure you have considered all aspects of the wordings.

At this point you do NOT contact Amen, nor mention his name in any way shape or form. After wrapping up our dealings here you go back to Amen's mansion and deliver your orders in person while amen is securing the conversation. You order amen to not refer you as master, but as "Mr. Laine" from here on out. You also order it to heal that devils hand and capture, kill, or let him go depending on his relative power to amen. If we cannot make it there it time we contact amen via phone and order him to heal the hand and let him go unharmed. (he might follow us, wait near the mansion, or put some sort of tracer on us until the deadline and overhear any orders so beware of that). If we do kill him, we shove his entire corpse into the mere.

Giving us 3 days will also allow us to do some research and further refine our plans for it, and meeting it at Amen's Mansion could allow us to discuss other plans and propositions with it in safety in case we decide not to go with the lethal option.

>>360009
We do need some words, however

So, for my suggestion:
>>360000

Remember all the effort and time we spent with Einrik learning supernatural etiquette and the habits and preferences of supernaturals, use it to your utmost now.

"Well, as all you want is a life or a soul without qualification, then it seems like your needs are easily met. My butler is currently looking after some uninvited guests, and I do not see that they have a pressing need for either. Now, as it seems that your business is far less urgent than that of the dragons, if you look for me in my mansion in Istanbul in one week, then we will settle this matter for one life. Perhaps then you might be interested in having the matter of your hand addressed as I had previously suggested."

If that is done and the devil gone, speak to Einrik, but so the dragons can hear, and suggest the following, after confirming with Sake that it is possible. We know that Einrik only wanted to fight a rogue dragon, and this will make it obvious if the Tanzanian is really on official business.

"It seems to me that we actually have compatible goals with the Tanzanian representative. She wishes the Ramidjeru to heal her Ruler, but clearly the creature has so far proved unwilling. My soul brother is capable of seizing control of the weasel and its powers, and as a kamaitachi has his own healing powers, small as they may be to contribute. This should conclude the matter of the duel, and afterwards, perhaps, the healed Ruler may be so kind as to sponsor your entrance into the duelling arena."

Things to NOT do:
-Mention Amen in any fashion, either by name or as someone who works for us and has power. Hell, even mentioning "my butler" is excessive; any sentence involving him can likely be phrased so that he doesn't come up. We don't want anyone knowing that he exists or that we're involved with him.

-Mention the Ramidreju in any fashion. It hasn't come up yet, and once we finish dealing with the devil Einrik and the Tanzanian can go back to fighting with no need whatsoever for input from us; there is no gain in drawing further draconic attention to ourselves and our objectives.

Any attempt to deal with the dragons further should be avoided, in fact; we should take a hint from the Goblins here, and avoid getting involved with things that could turn us into a smear on the pavement without blinking. Let's not assume that we understand anything about the dragons or their objectives.


>>359925
>So what exactly am I going to say or do from here?
Some decent other ideas have already been posted on this, but a couple critical points.

We owe this guy NOTHING. We accept no transfer of debt, and anything that we offer him- new hand, soul of someone random, whatever- must be done under the rules of equal trade and contract, which honestly I would prefer to avoid because making Contract with devils is rarely a good idea. Even trying to lure him around with implied promises is wildly risky.

Ultimately, the debt he speaks of might need to be paid as he claims, but we don't have to propose an alternative because we have nothing whatsoever to do with this debt and it is not our responsibility to help the devil resolve his Contract in any way.

If he tries to keep transferring the debt to us, we can attempt to demolish his right to do so by establishing dissimilarity to the original Armas. The key point he's used is that we claimed his hand, which is arguable- because we were gifted his hand by parties who knew what our immediate intent with it would be, making them responsible for its destruction (the logic here is the same as the logic that says if one of our minions kills an Einher, we killed the Einher). We are disinclined to say anything further about who those parties were, of course. But ultimately we did not "claim" the devil's hand; instead, we were manipulated into acting as someone else's tool by taking it and ending its existence. Beyond that, we have fundamentally different beliefs, heritage, motivations, soul composition and structure, and magical abilities. Our name is Armas, but that is only one part of our Name- if he's going to claim that matters, then he must also claim that anyone else who shares even part of the original Armas' full Name is equally culpable, which is a hell of a lot of people. We have never accepted bargains from devils nor demons. If it comes to it, we can even say that we're not in love with Silja- in fact, we can honestly say that we didn't enslave her soul because it would have been a social misstep. We are involved with her in an effort to gain power from her potential- quite the opposite of the original Armas, who sought power because of his involvement with her and was more interested in treating her as someone to be protected than an ally to work with.

>>360000
>>359953
>>360001
>>360022
>>360026
>>360017
>>359999
Upvotan all these, this Devil's probably out for our soul...and tries to screw us over by putting another's debt on us.

>>360042
Upvotan as well, but say this: 'Magical Contract have the one deciding the action ebbing responsible for it. If I soul swear to kill my sister, and make my father kill her, it is fulfilled. As such, Having the one who took your hand organizing to have it be destroyed is on him, not on his tool.'

 

>>359938
>>359942
>>359953
>>360017
>>360022
>>360026
>>360042
"Debts must be paid, one way or another-on that topic I agree wholeheartedly."
The glowing pits in the demon's face... narrow as if in suspicion, before he continues.
>[Finnish Devil] THEN WHAT DOST THOU WISH TO PART WITH?
>[MM,MMMM Trait auto-activated]
"A rather poignant bit of phrasing, that-what I find agreeable is balancing the scales-but it seems you do not wish that yourself."
>[Finnish Devil] WHAT JUSTIFIES THINE CLAIM?
"Well frankly you want me to shoulder this other Armas' debt-but he got something in exchange for being placed in debt to you, did he not? While my service as a replacement Armas would remove the deficit you suffer from-it would leave me with an equivalent net loss, if not greater. Correct me if I am wrong, but that simply sounds like me giving you a gift at that point, one you coincidentally use to negate a loss you suffered, rather than a payment of a debt."
Again, that ominous silence.
>"Are you certain this is a good idea to push him so?"
>[Iron Trick]"It actually is, because you already established that his claim on you was not near so strong as he hoped, and you are now following that to it's logical conclusion-that being that what he proposes to you, as a third part, is a contract, a Deal, no matter how you look at it-and no Bargain is one-sided. His demonic nature won't allow it."
>[Finnish Devil] ...TREAD CAREFULLY MORTAL: THINE DESIRE FOR THE ACCORDS TO BE FOLLOWED MUST BE RECOGNIZED, BUT KNOW MINE PEROGATIVE IS NOT EQUIVALENT TO THE GOBLINS I SMELL UPON YOU-NO EQUIVALENCE IS NEEDED, AND THINE GREED-SOAKED SOUL WILL BE ILL-RECIEVED IF IT DOES NOT RESTRAIN ITSELF.
Again with the strange phrasing, but it's starting to become a bit more predictable-and if I can predict how he'll react-
I pointedly maintain my cavalier air that I barely maintained through my recent de-then re-limbing, continuing to show no signs of the rampant fear I am keeping a tight lid on, refusing to even let my heart rate elevate.
"By all rights, I'd essentially be buying his debt from you, which means his payment should belong to me, not you. After all, if I can offer services that would see your hand fully restored as a separate issue to providing you a mortal soul to you as demanded, that would seem to suggest whatever you got from Armas of the Valkonens, you no longer need it. Unless despite your impetus to chase me down is in no way reflectant of your dissatisfaction with what you received from the aforementioned prior deal."
At these words I note that, while both dragons looked to be watching me, both had a sense of... distraction about them, their attention elsewhere: But as I get more into the rhythm of using the lingo of deals I've heard from goblins and to a lesser extent gods and demons, I note that the Spanish dragon's gaze roots to me so heavily I nearly feel immobilized, whatever else it had been observing forgotten in its fixation on me, while it feels like the Tanzanian dragon, who'd been much more attentive to me from the start, seems to be growing less interested by the second... odd, it's almost like I feel a shadow of the sense of attention from directly observing someone's eyes when they're directed my way-but it's so faint I feel pretty confident it's just in my head.

>[Finnish Devil] THE NEW BARGAIN THOU OFFERS, THEN, IS NOT RESTRICTED TO BALANCING THE SCALES-THOU WISHES THEM BALANCED, AND MINE FLESH RESTORED? HOW IS IT THOU CAN TRUTHFULLY PROMISE SUCH A SERVICE?
>[Iron Trick]"Play up that you know how to barter away info the goblin way!"
I keep my eyes bland and flat even as I marginally widen them with my near manic grin.
"Oh, a chance to play the goblin in bartering away knowledge? I'd certainly be happy to pursue a secondary deal with you on-"
>[Finnish Devil] MINE QUESTION WAS RHETORICAL-THOU DOST BE O'ERGREEDY IN SEEKING BUSINESS.
>"I... suppose there are benefits to being a meat bag, if unfounded inspiration such as that, can have results such as these. Be warned-I think Einrik's gathering power right now-I'm not certain because I have no direct data, but I've seen his magical patterns enough times that I can tell something is... building pressure."
"Only the one deal then-a pity. Well, there is a caveat to the deal, and is why I can make the offer at all: my side of the payment will have to be held in abeyance until you can meet me in Turkey-Istanbul, specifically. I... don't suppose you follow modern mundane communication systems?"
The devil looks at me blankly.
"...Right, well, then, how about I give you my address, and you come calling once I've returned to Istanbul? That would seem the easiest way to pay you."
>[Finnish Devil] THINE SUGGESTED ARRANGEMENT IS ACCEPTABLE-BUT WHAT DOST THOU DEMAND IN EXCHANGE?
"Well, if you want me to provide the services I mentioned, I should have sole rights to Armas Valkonen's soul-it would seem only fair."
Again, that long, ominous silence as I wonder if I finally overstepped my bounds.
>[Finnish Devil] THAT IS A COST THAT CANNOT BE ABIDED.
"Cannot, rather than will not? Do you not have the Valkonen's soul?"
>[Finnish Devil] THINE SUSPICIONS... ARE ACCURATE.
"Well, I find that agreeable, as it happens-hunting is something I'm not averse to, nor am I leery of risk. I receive the risk that Armas Valkonen's soul is destroyed or otherwise will never be capable of payment, and you receive a flat payment with no risk attached. Unless of course you'd like to try and track him down and hope to manage to find a way to take both his soul and milk a way to restore your hand out of him."
>[Finnish Devil] MINE OWN POINTS OF CONTENTION ARE STILL NOT COMPLETELY NEGATED: HOW DOST THOU MEAN TO PAY ME IN SOUL AS LIKEWISE PROMISED?
"Well, as all you want is a life or a soul without qualification, then it seems like your needs are easily met. At my abode I am looking after some uninvited guests, and I do not see that they have a pressing need for either. Now, as it seems that your business is far less urgent than that of the dragons, if you look for me in my mansion in Istanbul in one week, then we will settle this matter. Perhaps we could even discuss.... future arrangements."
Again, the devil stares at me for a long, silent moment.
>[Finnish Devil] THOU... IS MOST SIMILAR, YET DISSIMILAR, TO THE ARMAS THAT CREATED THIS DEBT.
His lone hand is stretched forth as the intervening space between the devil and I vanishes.
>[Finnish Devil] THINE OFFER IS AGREEABLE-DOST THOU SEAL THINE OATH ON THIS MATTER?
>[Iron Trick]"If you shake his hand you are bound to the letter of your word, nothing more or less."
I take that bloody, bone-ridged hand and shake it confidently as I mouth Smets' manor address to him, my back to the dragons.
"I do indeed."
As our hands part, the devil nods consisely.

>[Finnish Devil] MINE BUSINESS HERE IS CONCLUDED-THE ACCORDS HAVE BEEN HONORED BY THOSE PRESENT, SO IN TURN SHALL I UPHOLD THEM.
I'm not sure about the Spanish dragon, but the Tanzanian one, at least, looks immensely relieved to see the devil's back as he promptly begins to trek down the far side of the mountain without once pausing or looking back.

...Okay, great as that seems like it went, I have to ask-why did the dragons let him get away with his effrontery? Did it have to do with the accords he mentioned?
>[Iron Trick]"It did indeed. The Accords exist between the demonic residents of the Never Never and Dragons-it states that a demonic creature's outstanding contracts, debts and bargains MUST be allowed to conclude, no matter where they are-but any demon or devil without a pending arrangement to lay claim to MUST follow the directions of an dragon native to the land they currently occupy. ...There's more to it, but that's the essential core, right there.[/i][/u]"

Now, it is Einrik that speaks.
>[EV][In Finnish]"As I suggested, my comrade was able to amicably remove the devil's presence while functioning within the accords."
For a time the Spanish dragon looks at him with disdain, before begrudgingly responding.
>[Spanish Dragon][In Finnish]"You managed to not break you word-I suppose then you are free to go, as promised."

Einrik nods graciously as he walks over, expansively sweeps an arm around each of our shoulders, and begins marching Hillevi and I down the mountain, the stormy expression he sports enough to quell any notion of asking him questions. Instead, I occupy myself pulling free the bottle of Basilisk blood and the lone remaining Erinyes heart to my name at the moment-and have myself a hearty snack.
"The danger's over-"
>[Sake]"So don't think we shall let such atrocious comedy pass un-heckled."

I decide to not comment-as I lustily feast.

[ SUMMER ENERGY: +11 , 24/40]

>>359999 [FOUR OF A KIND]
>>360000 [FOUR OF A KIND]
>>359953 [PALINDROME]
I don't really pay attention to Hillevi's probing questions to her brother once we're nearing the spell's borders, having already identified them as being simple queries as to what I was doing that Einrik easily answers-

When I see something just as we crest the spell's border that makes my jaw drop and nearly shit myself.

The very same Russian that challenged and questioned me, at the front of the other seventeen, smirks as he stands before us.

A long-bodied, green-furred beast with a nose like a cross between a bat's and a pigs and front limbs far more similar to a moles than any other creatures lays limply sprawled in the man's grasp.

>[Antagonistic Russian][In Russian]"I don't know why you made such a big deal about hunting a creature that goes into a dead sleep, but here it is, completely unharmed-now can we get the fuck off this mountain?"
I can practically feel Sake drooling inside my skull.

We are seventeen hundred feet from the mountain's peak.







What should I say or do?
Do I have questions for anyone?
Is there any reason I should have Sake abstain from immediately possessing the Ramidreju?
LAST CALL: Any last things to do on this trip?

Hmm, I don't know about you guys, but I like this guy. We should consider making him a leader sometime in the futur.

Before we let Sake get his new home, first, we should have Einrick look it over with us. It never hurts to be careful, Just in case.

, ask the Russians ''Where did you find him?'', ''where is his hoard?'' and ''How did you catch him?''

Now, does anyone want to go and try to from some sort of contract with the Tazmanian Dragon? After asking Einrick's opinion on the matter and after the Spanish Dragon goes away, of course.

Oh and premptively SUTS any question to Einrick about what happened just now. He clearly doesn't want to talk about it, so we don't ask.

I can see no reason not to let Sake have his body as soon as possible - if Sake can find us that Hoard. Oh yes, and ask Sake if it will take a while for him to get his body. Because if it will, we might have to head down.

Unless the Russians have already found that too, in which case awesome.

"Almost, almost. First, to wake this little guy up," Sake, take your body. "Second, to find a shit load of gold, jewels, and other various sparklies. Unless you guys have already found that and were going to give me a suprise."

>>360066
There might be. Ask Sake is what he's about to do will be big and flashy. Should we get off the mountain first, so the dragons aren't going to be tipped off?

I mean, a ward like they have up might block outside magics from being obvious to those inside, just like vice versa.

>LAST CALL: Any last things to do on this trip?
"Nope, let's get the fuck out of here. Two dragons and a devil are more than I want to deal with, ever again."

Once we're safely away, consider making a sort of living will: tell Amen that at any time our body ceases to function, he should take orders from people in this order: Shadowbro, Sake, Einrik, Camella, Hillevi. If he really wants to get free that just means he'll target them, but still good to have a fallback in play (and with Einrik higher up the list, it would make sense to go after him first). Also once we're back in the jet, explain to Amen the whole thing with the devil, ask if he is capable of placing any surprises in a fleshcrafted hand that even the devil whose hand it is (one almost equal to a low-tier dragon), or other devils, will not notice.

Also discuss with Shadowbro ways for him to survive our (temporary) death, vis a vis fleeing to the Dark, flooding us with Dark energy... having an extra soul handy to soak up the cracks in his half - if he knows of a way, we're willing to do it.

Einrik is the most experienced memory manipulator here. Can Einrik retrieve from it its memory of the location of its hoard before sake takes possession?

Sake should possess it immediately after einrik does so, or immediately if Einrik Cannot. We should let the Russians know it is now our friend and then demonstrating its healing immediately (some of the Russians had more severe injuries currently unhealed). Say something such as "I did promise to try and find you healing did I not?" which suggests that the purpose of the endeavor was to acquire healing for them.

The hoard would be in its lair, its lair is probably at the center of draconian magic.

Going back to the dragons with the offer to flush out the Tanzanian as a rogue is one possible plan. Or if we find the hoard location we can wait for a bit until the dragons leave and then go claim it.

Start by saying. "The fine bottle of vodka that we will be sharing tonight will be but the first of many that I owe you in return for this, my friend."

Then lean in, and say, "I don't suppose you noticed the treasure..." and wink. With the dragon's still hear, it's a lost cause.

Then, ask Einrik if he can make sure the Ramidjeru remains unconscious but not in danger for a while, and ask Sake what are the optimal circumstances to perform the possession. Would a ritual of some kind help, and can we do anything with our Samir abilities. For that matter, inspect the Ramidjeru with our spiritual senses. If he can wait, then it would be far safer to do this when we're away from any watching eyes.

On the other hand, if Einrik can give us a little privacy with his wards, and Sake doesn't not need any ritual preparation for the best results, Sake can go ahead now. That would give us the opportunity to follow up on the earlier plan to force the issue of the Tanzanian dragon's rogue status.

Then, get on the phone to SM right now, if, Einrik is OK with it, and sell him some limited information about the conclusion of the duel with the dragon:

A representative of the Spanish ruler intervened to settle things peacefully
The Tanzanian pretended to be a representative of her ruler seeking healing for an injured dragon - which is interesting, considering what he told us of Grigori's activities.
It's possible she was telling the truth, but no one really believed it - she appeared no larger than a child when wearing human form, unless this was a deception we would have expected a more potent dragon to be sent on such a mission.
Also tell SM the relative power assessment of the two dragons.
He may also be interested to know that the goddess Whaitiri feasted well on the Tanzanian dragon before the duel was terminated.

We can finish off by observing how strange it is that just as we were showing up, some dragon from thousands of miles away just happened to turn up in the same place looking for the same thing. Odd that. Also interesting how SM was able to tell us where the dragon was from without being asked, and volunteered it at a discount. Whatever game he was playing, or test he was planning, hopefully we succeeded.

For this information, we are interested in the Kameosa that was previously discussed, and if he has it, information on how one would bind it to the spirit of a divine animal inhabiting a Ramidjeru, when one has a dose of the soul softening drugs of Big's tribe available.

>>360085
SUST. We are not going after the hoard.

I just though of something. We should probably get the hell out of here before Sake possess his new body. You know, because of the 2 dragons behind us.

SUSTING all inquiries to the hoard, it is under the Dragons.

THANK THE RUSSIANS, make a joke out of the Rami being asleep, that is a very pleasant result. Also GET THAT LOVELY MAN'S NAME! If there is some reward or loot you can give him, then give it.

>>360066
SUST YOU IMPATIENT ONE!
Now ask Sake how he is going about this, is there any precautions that need taken? We failed to specify gender, it may be female is that a problem? WE ARE NOT GOING AFTER THE HOARD AS THERE IS TWO DRAGONS IN THE AREA, it is a bad idea, auto SUST of any attempts to get the hoard. After Sake has gained his body, Introduce him as Sake Laine, or let himself introduce himself!

>>360070
>>360085
SUSTING GREED

Now deal with Amen, ask him if he can kill or bind a finnish lightening devil of slightly less power than a weaker dragon. Also order him to tell you, ONLY IF THERE IS NO PREVIOUS ORDER THAT WOULD RESULT IN YOU DYING, without damaging your mind or soul, what he has done to the intruders.

Not my idea, but it is good;
"Ask Amen if he's capable of installing a self-destruct (magically speaking) on a crafted hand that would be invisible to Devils of power on par with alow-level dragon."

Now then Call SM after all that or while in transit.
Sell the information, all of it, nothing needs to be held back in this encounter.
Now as for what we want;

1. Better training for shadowbro
2. A nice Eyepatch, preferably one that can absorb the water and also has some other power, possibly sight related, we'll see what he offers.
3. An immunity/or a charm that grants such to poison on the level of a Doonagaes.
4. Order a Kameosa

>>360086
Hold off on language lessons. Couldn't we bargain with them to give us a no age/sleep/hunger pocket in the nevernever for a subjective year or two, where we can teach/learn whatever we want ourselves, with a maximum of 23 people who can be brought in it, along with various objects of learning/training?

All of those can be delivered later rather than presently, some of the things may take time to make or acquire.

>>360093 ALRATAN'S POST
Fine with this, UPVOTAN BUT SUSTING THE PURCHASE OF INFORMATION FROM SM, that is nearly always a bad idea. Also we can play on the fact we know that the dragon being directed here was SM's doing, which is in part why the info on it was free, take not that the Devil was not in his calulations, SM wasn't trying to get us killed as he would have known that Amen would have been released.

>>360079
Upvotan!

>>360083
We should let the Russians know it is now our friend and then demonstrating its healing immediately (some of the Russians had more severe injuries currently unhealed). Say something such as "I did promise to try and find you healing did I not?" which suggests that the purpose of the endeavor was to acquire healing for them. This, BUT SUSTING THE REST OF THAT POST FOR GOING AFTER THE HOARD

>>360064
>What should I say or do?
>LAST CALL: Any last things to do on this trip?
Not really, no. Lets finally get back to Istanbul ffs!

Congratulate the Russians on job well done.

When we are back in the plane ask Hillevi "Now what have we learned today?" (actually, I do not know what we learned, I just want to know what she thought about all this)

>"I will note, however-that the devil's shadow feels... very ordinary. Strangely so. It's not a magical thing I detect-more like... it's lack of resonance with the Dark, top match the presumed magical might the creature has. I know it is possible to hide a soul-but to hide the imprint of one's soul upon the shadow and the Dark at large? I didn't know that was possible."
>Shadowbro, his shadow-can you in any way determine if that's a purposeful affectation on his part or an actual gap in his magical capacity?
>"I tentatively say that it is an actual gap in his magical ability-but that just... seems far too easy..."

There is something here we could use for our advantage. In fact, I think we could do the same and hide our soul the same way!
Or, perhaps we could even hide our soul in our eye!
Lets ask around. Ask Einrik and Amen about how strange the shadow of that devil was and the possibility of hiding our soul that way (naturally when we are on the plane)

Alright, I think this is a good time to ask the question to Amen which we had in Disc thread. Ask these when we are away from the mountain, of course.
I'll go ahead and post what MrTT asked along with mine:

>1. "I cannot help but notice that our direct method of communication is rather fast. Would it harm me to spend a significant amount of time each day talking to you in such a manner? Specifically for the purposes of learning things of either mundane or magical nature?"

>2. "Can I learn blood magic without any bloodlines? Would the bloodlines I currently possess or am aiming at acquiring allow me to perform blood magic? Or perform it at a greater proficiency?"

>3. "List, in broad terms, your abilities and knowedlge"
Addendum: "Do not take more that 15 minutes on this"

>5. "Can you teach me anything about making charms, casting ritual magic, or making magical weapons?"

>6. "What would be the result if I ordered you to treat my soul mirror and/or my <insert sake's species> soulbrother as if they were also your masters"

>3. Tell me, have there been any intruders into the house since I gave you permission to do with them as you pleased? If yes, who were they and what have you done with them?

>1. "As soon as you are able to do so, without triggering a fail-safe or otherwise harming me, after any oath binding you to secrecy expires, inform me of the contents of the now expired oath"
Amendment on this: Instead of immediately informing us the contents, lets just have him inform that the oath expired. We will ask for specifics as we see fit.

>4. "You shall assemble and curate a library about magic and history in this mansion, to be accessible only to your master and those designated by your master. If you can make exact replicas of books written by authors other then yourself about these subjects, then you are to do so without changing those books except as I will soon explain. You should also write books on history and magical fields you are knowledgeable about. All books in the library, those you author, those you replicate, and those we acquire shall have no magical traps and shall carry warnings if merely learning their contents warps the mind or damages the reader in any way. Furthermore, those you author shall not attempt to manipulate the readers personality, mind, or decisions.
Amendment: Have him write them in English language along with the Original. Instead of writing them on books (which will take fuck ton of space and paper) have him write them on the computer, on the best possible format (so that we can read them on e-books on our leisure) and then make several back-up, high-quality HDD which have been encrypted by the best system availible. He can use our funds to aquire the the external drives, a simple notebook which costa about ~500$ (if there are no computers in the Mansion) and the encryption software (which does not cost more than 1000$).

If we ever feel the need to sell a book, we can just ask him to write it immediately instead of having a huge stockpile of books.

>5. We are going to bring our squad for amen to remove the bonds jadova placed on them. In the process he will also acquire her blood from them and preserve it. We want him to analyze that blood and see if her blood manipulation ability comes from bloodline, if so what season and whether we can get it, whether it can be used to kill jadova, make her kill the general, or sell it to SM (preferably after she is dead).

>"Amen, do you use Blood as fuel to your power? If we run out of blood reserves, will you be unable to perform?"

>"In broad terms tell me which matters concerning Savoy you can discuss. Tell me things that are useful to me. Do not take more than 20 minutes on this."

>"Do you now of any other devils? Less traditional ones who would deal with me?"

>"What did Savoy pay for the arm?"

>[Amen]" This one has confirmed that The Sicilian is getting private tutorage in his Contract abilities at the Facility Wizard Khubiliai runs."
"Do you have more information on that? What is the nature of this tutorage? What kind of Contract did he make and what did he pay for it? How did he get acquainted with the Wizard and would the Wizard deal with me? If so, what do I personally have that could interest the Wizard?"

>"Do you know of the matron Witch of the Werewolves from Turkey? If you do, give me the useful information regarding her. Do not take more than 15 minutes."

>[Amen]"...Were such records, contacts and connections to exist, and were my prior master to be that competent at his primary function with the Clan he served, he would have most likely bound me to reveal his network to no one without his express permission. On an entirely unrelated note to hypothetical musings, this one hears master, and obeys."
>"Ah, it is good to know that that was not the case. On the unrelated note, if you had a master who was known for having extensive intelligence gathering ability, who would operate from a mansion, what are, by your opinion, the 3 most likely places where he would hold the documents concerning his intelligence activities?"

>"Amen, can you use memory grafting on me like Grigori did and implant new knowledge? For example other languages? Would it harm me? How much? And would the damage be permanent or could i recover from it without leaving any soul-scars or other wounds?"

>"now that I have opened all the chakra points and have directed them towards stealth, is there anything more that I can do to improve them? How far am I from reaching my maximum potential?"

>"Is it possible for me to increase my attention-field? For example, encompassing a car that I am riding instead of just my own body? If it is, how? Can you teach me it or give me right direction?"

>"Is it possible to improve my regeneration powers using Chakra and how?
How does one reconfigure chakras?"

Sorry Bob, these questions kinds piled up

>Do I have questions for anyone?
Any questions should be asked in the plane far away from the mountain.
I am curious what transpired on the peak. We should ask Einrik that later.

>Is there any reason I should have Sake abstain from immediately possessing the Ramidreju?
I don't see any reason but then again perhaps we shouldn't be too hasty.
Anyway, I suggest we ask Einrik first (do not ask Sake as he will be obviously biased and will not give objective opinion).
When taking over the body ask Einrik and Hillevi for help. I want to minimize any danger involved.



>>360068
>ask the Russians ''Where did you find him?'', ''where is his hoard?'' and ''How did you catch him?''
Eh, the Russian said it was in deep sleep, so it is rather obvious how they caught it. It doesn't matter where they found it and the hoard is on the peak.

>Now, does anyone want to go and try to from some sort of contract with the Tazmanian Dragon?
No.
I do not want to do anything with the Dragons at all.

>>360079
>Also discuss with Shadowbro ways for him to survive our (temporary) death, vis a vis fleeing to the Dark, flooding us with Dark energy... having an extra soul handy to soak up the cracks in his half - if he knows of a way, we're willing to do it.
I say we also ask Einrik and Amen for opinion (Amen is a master Shadowmancer after all)

>>360086
>I also like the idea of asking Einrik if he wants us to try and plan to show that the Tanzanian was a rogue.
>Study him carefully (both aura and body and voice) when he answer, as it's possible the Spanish dragon was a rogue too, and he promised not to say anything in exchange for them letting us go.
>If he is interesting, tell him that with Sake in the Ramidreju, you can come and ask the Tanzanian Dragon if he wants us to heal his leader- it will be forced to back off if it ran away, and Einrik could challenge it.
>If either of you feel the possibility of the spanish being a rogue is too great (or Einrik just tells you he wasn't as potent as he hoped), then just leave.

Einrik is not a retard. In fact he regularly can finish our thoughts just by knowing us. If we came up with what you suggest, it is an almost certain bet that Einrik has contemplated that too. If he doesn't do that, then there is no need to mention it to him.
We are way out of our league to suggest dealing with such high players. Lets leave those kind of deals with Einrik, shall we?

>-There was a Devil, a finnish one, who tried to establish someone's elses debt on you. You managed to refute it.
>-Describe the ensuing deal
Lets not.
Remember the note we got with the hand? Lets play it safe and keep all the information regarding Armas Valkonen, the deal he made and the demon with us.

>Ok, there are many things we need to ask for SM. First thing though, is asking Sake if he thinks he will die now, if we do.
Fuck. Sake already told us what will happen if we die. His spirit will get loose and he will dissipate after a while because he will be unable to get back to his bones. If we come back immediately after death, he wont die as he can/will be bound with us again.

>-Our deals were not worded with Romanov in mind. We had no clue this could be happening, and we are very, very embarrassed. There is a need to retalk our deals past and future,
Our previous deals could be re-arranged when we speak with SM again and the partial reward for the information we provided could act as payment.

>>360087
>Now deal with Amen, ask him if he can kill or bind a finnish lightening devil of slightly less power than a weaker dragon. Also order him to tell you, ONLY IF THERE IS NO PREVIOUS ORDER THAT WOULD RESULT IN YOU DYING, without damaging your mind or soul, what he has done to the intruders.
Do this when we are on the plane far away from this mountain.

>1. Better training for shadowbro
But we already arranged that he will be taught everything that he can learn/the goblins can teach him

>Hold off on language lessons. Couldn't we bargain with them to give us a no age/sleep/hunger pocket in the nevernever for a subjective year or two, where we can teach/learn whatever we want ourselves, with a maximum of 21 people who can be brought in it, along with various objects of learning/training?
Sounds nice but:
it will be probably much more expensive
who do we have to teach us those languages then? Don't suggest self-learning, it is not a good way to learn a language.

>We can finish off by observing how strange it is that just as we were showing up, some dragon from thousands of miles away just happened to turn up in the same place looking for the same thing. Odd that.
Are you implying that SM sold the information to the dragon too? While nothing says he cannot have done that, I do not think it is a good idea to make roundabout baseless accusations.

If Einrik wanted to fight dragons some more, he could have stayed and fought the Tanzanian for the right to the hoard. He did not.

If we have to ask him if he wants to call out a dragon and accuse it of being a rogue, then do it mind-to-mind. And maybe start out with: "So, how was your first experience at dragon-fighting after so long?"


>>360093
I could see him selling the Spanish dragon on the Tanzanian's whereabouts, but the other (that SM got the Tanzanian here) seems a little convoluted.

Not impossible, of course, but surely even in the magical world coincidences (such as a Tanzanian looking for the most powerful of the healing weasels to take to her lord) exist?

EDIT: Oh, and I do recommend we call up Woosley on the way back down the mountain rather than in the mansion. I'd rather Odin not know where we live if he doesn't already, in case he takes umbrage with the 'killing his dudes' thing.

We can find out if Armin the Craftsman happened to die (doubt it). We can exchange news (nothing we'd pay SM for, but he did us a good turn with the Armin thing, even if it was for his own reasons). Maybe note the Einher are spread out a fair bit - if they have cause to get down into southern Europe much (I still hold out hope for Odin being another mission-giver - quest-giver? Whatev).

Perhaps we should have Sake give them a small demonstration when we get off this mountain.

>"Amen if i give you the genetic material of a border and a item user, would be possible for you to create a homunculus with both bloodlines?"

Apologize to Einrik for using his name on the radio when we knew that he was going up against a dragon. That was careless of us.

Hillevi is asking questions about what we said and why we said it, presumably, and Einrik's filling her in. That's fine, but ultimately we are responsible for her education during this year; we need to pitch in and make sure that she has a full understanding of how and why we talked our way out of that in the way that we did, and hopefully we'll be able to get her to be a little more skilled in the arts of conversation and negotiation. This is also an excellent opportunity to seize upon for Einrik to explain a few of the finer points of what the fuck was going on, since we were pretty much flying blind through a lot of that. Learning a few points of draconic or demonic etiquette that might stop us from getting torn in half again would be nice.

>Is there any reason I should have Sake abstain from immediately possessing the Ramidreju?
Unless the dragons are likely to sense it, no. Be sure to grin at the Russians when he possesses it, subsequently flies or talks or otherwise shows off his magical powers, and thereby proves why it was so important.


>LAST CALL: Any last things to do on this trip?
Nope. We're finally done here. There are several things to do in preparation for our arrival in Istanbul, however.

Call Sometimes Merchant, as suggested. Sell the knowledge of our recent encounter. While we should hold back information about the details of our Bargain with the devil, I see little reason to hold back any information that Sometime Merchant will find out as soon as the devil shows up at Smets' address anyway; after all, Sometimes Merchant's people are running security for us and will see him then anyway, probably strolling right up and openly talking about having a Contract with us. To stop Sometimes Merchant from screwing us with that last information, it may be worth having him agree not to share the information about the devil with anyone until after the matter with the devil has been resolved.

Things to acquire on short notice:
-Eyepatch. Magical would be nice, vision enhancement of some kind and/or something so that Shadowbro doesn't have to teleport water constantly... but any eyepatch will do, really, as long as it's stylish.
-A subjective period of a couple years in a timeless nevernever pocket usable by ourselves and Hillevi, to be redeemed sometime soon. We can teach her all kinds of things in such a place, perhaps at less cost than having the goblins teach her.
-If it turns out that it's actually more expensive rather than less to do teaching ourselves, then have Hillevi learn English. Russian can be thrown in if we somehow have excess budget.
-Inquire as to if any parties hostile to us are actively watching for our arrival in Istanbul to the best of his knowledge, and if so, who they are. Take further action as necessary following his answer to this.
-A Kameosa would be nice but I seriously doubt we'll be getting one on the cheap.

Since while it may not be certain exactly who he sold the information to it is all but certain that Sometimes Merchant did sell the Ramidreju's location to someone else, and a comment that we know he did so is in order. It's even possible that the Spanish dragon arrived because Sometimes Merchant immediately sold it the information we gave him that there was a dragon in the area, though that may not be true. My chosen line would be something along the lines of "In the future, I shall be more prudent in adding exclusivity clauses when purchasing information."


We will need several vans or something of the sort in order to get the Russians from wherever the jet lands to our mansion. Ensure that we have made arrangements in advance. Note that we can't afford legal problems in our current situation, so it's important that we get them and all their gear to the mansion and out of sight before something goes wrong.


>>360101
>a bunch of stuff for Amen
The questions are fine, as they're just getting information; clarify that he should provide answers telepathically and in a fashion which does not harm us in any way just to be safe, since I think a couple of those wordings might have given him a little leeway to screw us.

Do not order him to make a library. We don't even know if Smets has a magical library or not. Instead, let's order him to provide us with a brief summary of the assets and facilities to which he has access, ordered according to what we would find important or relevant.

Obviously he can't muck about with the bonds on the Russians until they get to him, so that's not going to happen. We might ask about what the limitations of his abilities to act on Jidkova with some of her blood would be, though, obviously to be answered in brief.


On the topic of downloading information into our head as part of a fast-learn process, which may or may not be similar to those used by Grigori or Einrik, some necessary restrictions which will hopefully suffice follow. Other posters, please review these restrictions for completeness, then offer approval or improvement. Learning otherwise very difficult-to-learn things in an accelerated manner is a priceless boon to Armas and one which it would be foolish to pass up, but using Amen is highly dangerous and we must take the utmost care; focusing our mental efforts on this is required to ensure safety.

-He is to take only the minimal amount of action needed to accomplish our orders as intended, and no other action.
-At the end of the process, the only change in our state should be the one requested.
-No damage or alteration should be done to our mind, body, or soul by the process. If the process cannot be accomplished without damage, pause and discuss what is necessary and why, and what is needed to mitigate any damage to an acceptable (i.e. can be rapidly healed) level and any alteration to a minimal (i.e. will not significantly impact our abilities, personality, or decisions) level.
-The process should not alter our personality in any way, nor influence us to take actions we would not have taken before except insofar as we have additional knowledge to draw upon. It should not make us more inclined to like, dislike, trust, or distrust any party, or otherwise change our views or inclinations towards others.
-No information in our mind should be lost, destroyed, or altered by the process.
-No information or alteration which would by its nature harm us in any fashion should be given to us. If information we have requested would be harmful in nature to us, pause and discuss what kind of information it is and the expected harm.
-If at any point in the process we begin to take significant damage, either as an immediate part of the process or due to accumulated stress from the ongoing process, it is to be immediately stopped in a fashion which will cause us no further harm.
-The information given should be as lasting as any real memory.
-The duration required to transmit the information in the outlined fashion should be stated before the process begins, and transmission should not proceed without approval of that figure.
-The process should leave the information with us in a form which does not bear significant signs of or influence by its origin in any way.
-Prior to carrying out our orders, Amen should summarize in terms which we can easily understand all practical effects and side effects of the actions which he is about to take, and proceed only if given approval. The summary should require no more than five minutes and omit no points which we would consider significant.

When these caveats have been adequately reviewed and approved by at least two other people, we can proceed with requesting the following information, preferably one at a time and undergoing mental or soul examination by other parties in between each. We can potentially expand this list, but as this would be easy to get really crazy with it would likely be best to keep things minimal. No information transfer should be undertaken until we are back at the mansion with all those accompanying us and under observation by those we trust, with Amen given orders not to harm them, relocate us, or otherwise pull funny shit during the process.
-Turkish, Mandarin, Italian, and Japanese.
-Shadow Magic fundamentals and practical applications sufficient to qualify one as a competent practitioner. (We would promptly give the relevant knowledge to Shadowbro.)
-Soul magic fundamentals and practical applications sufficient to qualify one as a competent practitioner. (Hopefully of use with our Sami powers.)
-Blood and flesh magic knowledge sufficient to give us an accurate sense of what is and is not within Amen's capabilities in those fields, and what would be required for him to undertake any given task.
-Basic information on all groups and beings knowingly involved with magical activity and active inside Turkey in the last decade to the best of his knowledge.

>>360094
SUST for paranoia
>>360093
Upvoting this, though SUST on buying info.
>>360083
>We should let the Russians know it is now our friend and then demonstrating its healing immediately (some of the Russians had more severe injuries currently unhealed). Say something such as "I did promise to try and find you healing did I not?" which suggests that the purpose of the endeavor was to acquire healing for them.
Upvote this part


I also like the idea of asking Einrik if he wants us to try and plan to show that the Tanzanian was a rogue.

Study him carefully (both aura and body and voice) when he answer, as it's possible the Spanish dragon was a rogue too, and he promised not to say anything in exchange for them letting us go.

If he is interesting, tell him that with Sake in the Ramidreju, you can come and ask the Tanzanian Dragon if he wants us to heal his leader- it will be forced to back off if it ran away, and Einrik could challenge it.

If either of you feel the possibility of the spanish being a rogue is too great (or Einrik just tells you he wasn't as potent as he hoped), then just leave. Take back the mere though.

Now, you did said to SM you'd call him once that's done if einrik is ok with it.

Here is what i suggest you tell him:

-Two Dragons were 'somehow' there, one Spanish and one Tanzanian, both claiming to be representatives. The Tanzanian had 'tells' of someone lying, and you aren't sure when the Spanish one got there.
-They Claimed this was a 'draconically inhabited range'
-Tanzanian was a young woman of four feet etc (describe her and her weapon), and claimed to be there for seeking healing aide.
-Describe the Spanish Dragon
-Describe the power assessment of the two Dragons, and the Devil
-Describe how you were almost killed
-There was a Devil, a finnish one, who tried to establish someone's elses debt on you. You managed to refute it.
-Describe the ensuing deal, including both mention of the Devil saying we knew globlins and dealt like one.
-Describe the interesting feeling you had about their Observation: but do say you aren't certain.
-Describe the spanish Dragon letting you go, and Einrik's mood.
-If Einrik looked like he knew the Spanish was a rogue (or helping the Tanzanian loot the Ramidreju Hoard), describe it.


Tell him that sadly you didn't manage to get a Dragon body, so no feast, but your men managed to get the Ramidreju.

Ok, there are many things we need to ask for SM. First thing though, is asking Sake if he thinks he will die now, if we do.

Then, when talking to SM, mention a desire for a future adoption from the his clan.

ok, here is what we want:
1. The Romanov bloodlines comes with three major drawbacks that we have glimpsed so far:
-SB may die when we have our temporary death. We may need a item or maybe lessons with better Golbins to make sure he can survive.
-Amen might get Free. Maybe Designating Sake as a temporary heir could work, though, and then have Amen back to us as Master if we are alive less than 2 seconds later
-Our deals were not worded with Romanov in mind. We had no clue this could be happening, and we are very, very embarrassed. There is a need to retalk our deals past and future, to make sure it takes this new bloodline in mind
2°) A Kameosa
3°) Turk, Mandarin, Russian and English lessons for Hillevi, preferably in the least costly way, and she should get fluent in the languages immediately, as long as it doens't hurt her.
4°) Turkish and Mandarin for us, under the same type of timeframe/cost/safety.
5°)As Usual, all our hearts weekly is always something we want

We probably can't get everything there, but it's always good to have a list of what we want.

EDIT :
>Remember the note we got with the hand? Lets play it safe and keep all the information regarding Armas Valkonen, the deal he made and the demon with us.

We should not talk about anything that may reffer to the note, but describing the deal can be done without with a bit of verbose juggling.

>Fuck. Sake already told us what will happen if we die. His spirit will get loose and he will dissipate after a while because he will be unable to get back to his bones. If we come back immediately after death, he wont die as he can/will be bound with us again.

Sake told us what happens if we die if he DOES NOT have a body, not if he has one. We need to know if there is enough of a difference.

>But we already arranged that he will be taught everything that he can learn/the goblins can teach him

No, we arranged from 'some' goblins to teach him- certainly the least talented ones.

>Oh, and I do recommend we call up Woosley on the way back down the mountain rather than in the mansion. I'd rather Odin not know where we live if he doesn't already, in case he takes umbrage with the 'killing his dudes' thing.
Upvote, with the caveat of only doing this once out of the mountain- it might be considered impolite to summon a Agent of a Top God there. Also, do we have anything to tell him that's worth summoning him like that ?

>Apologize to Einrik for using his name on the radio when we knew that he was going up against a dragon. That was careless of us.
Upvote

>Hillevi is asking questions about what we said and why we said it, presumably, and Einrik's filling her in. That's fine, but ultimately we are responsible for her education during this year; we need to pitch in and make sure that she has a full understanding of how and why we talked our way out of that in the way that we did, and hopefully we'll be able to get her to be a little more skilled in the arts of conversation and negotiation. This is also an excellent opportunity to seize upon for Einrik to explain a few of the finer points of what the fuck was going on, since we were pretty much flying blind through a lot of that. Learning a few points of draconic or demonic etiquette that might stop us from getting torn in half again would be nice.

Upvote


HELL, UPVOTING ALL OF >>360182

Other things to do :

We managed to tie our soul-sense with our attention sense, now let's try to tie our others senses with out soul sense. There is no reason we shouldn't be able to smell, taste, or hear souls. Experiment with this a bit.

IT IS A SAD DAY WHERE WE ARE DEPRIVED OF DELICIOUS DRAGON FEAST.

Maybe we should think about purchasing from SM enough common magical meat for a single feast, with tasting good more important than being potent. Hell, given we want to share it with our Russian men, we should probably not get potent magical meats for this.

When we arrive in Istanbul, we must make the best impression possible to Camella. I am sure your Soulbrothers would be delighted to plot numerous way to prank her.

Be sure to ask if Einrik minds before selling the story. I really doubt he will, but we don't know everything that happened up there.

 

>>360068
>>360079
>>360083
>>360093
>>360094
>>360099
>>360182
>>360216
"Nope, let's get the fuck out of here. Two dragons and a devil are more than I want to deal with, ever again."
>[Igor][In Russian]"You are not the only one to think that comrade!"
As we share a quiet chortle, more than a few eyes darting up towards the mountain's peak at my blithe mention of such ludicrous magical threats, before I happily step forward, clapping the mirror-souled man on his shoulder-only now noticing that, of all the Russians, he's the only one bigger than me, staring me in the eye despite being lower on the mountain-and so far as I see has not a hair on his head-not even eyebrows.
"The fine bottles of vodka that we will be sharing tonight will be but the first of many that I owe you in return for this, my friends."
As the rest are happily wallowing in the thought of the coming drunkenness, I speak somewhat more quietly to the man holding the Ramidreju.
"And I think you will be getting something special all to yourself...."
>[???][In Russian]"Most call me Gloom, or Creep. I'd rather you call me either, than give out my name-those of us lacking magic walking in such circles must be... cautious."
His words still hold a challenge and aggression, same as before-but some of the antagonism's bled off.
"Alright, if that's how you choose it-though from your name am I to infer you are knowledgable on the art of stealth?"
With a twinkle in his eyes-
>[Gloom][In Russian]"Oh, I know this and that."
Still holding back, huh? Well, I can't complain with results.

As Creep hands me the limp, green-furred body, I find Sake nearly screaming in my ear as we start marching down the mountain.
>[Sake]"LET ME OUT I WANT A BODY OH IT'S IN YOUR HANDS I COULD BE THERE NOW JUST SAY THE WORD COME ON COME ON!"
Well first, tell me this: Would possessing this body properly create a magical or physical reaction-something one could detect?
>[Sake]"OF COURSE IT WOULD IT... the dragons. Of course. I guess I just get to... look at my body in your hands as we hike down the mountain, then? Wonderful, that's going to... to.... wait hold on."
What?
>[Sake]"Hey, stare at the body's genitals."
What?
>[Sake]"I can only see through your eyes, remember? Just do it."
After taking a moment to assure myself no one is currently looking at me in the back of our group... I inspect the weasel's pelvis, not really sure what I'm looking for since I've never bothered to look at-
>[Sake]"...You had best not have me with you whenever you meet with your Goblin friend, dear brother."
Why's that?
>[Sake]"He gave us a female's coordinates."
I neatly avoid stumbling-
That... that a fact?
>[Sake]"Do not think I shall foolishly reject the body just on it's gender-any body is better than none, and one that is both aligned with my original form and possesses innate magic? No, I will take what the goblin gave us, and in a way at least be grateful-but don't expect civility towards the goblin from me."
Ah... can we, I don't know, change the bodies ge-
>[Sake]"Were it a body I was born to, perhaps-but a possessed body is tenuous enough to permanently claim-such an undertaking even after years to entrench myself could be disastrous. No... this, I think, must be accepted."
>"Well... that should be interesting, I suppose."

I mull this new debacle over for a time before turning to Einrik after he's finished recounting the events that unfolded to Hillevi-with the most that I learn being that Einrik ultimately stumbled on the Tanzanian dragon trying to bring the mountain down, and things... escalated.. from there. I address him as I get the sense he's paying attention to me, even if it doesn't register as the type of attention the goblins trained me to percieve.
"So, how was your first experience at dragon-fighting after so long?"
>[EV][In Finnish]"Simultaneously heartening, and disappointing. Unlike before, I was not the beast's plaything, discarded when bored-but all the same, no matter how well I weathered their assault, I wasn't able to meaningfully harm them, and it cost me more magic to sustain such performance than it did them. I've come a long way-but I'm still not there. I need... something that could ignore massive wells of magical energy, as well as regenerative abilities-something potent, something that sticks... If I'm not a good conversationalist right now, it's because I find this topic fascinating, and think I finally know what the general idea I'll need to finish my style is."
"Well, I won't keep you from your musing long-I just wanted to apologize for foolishly using your name on the radio-your circumstances were unknown to me, and I didn't err on the side of caution."
>[EV][In Finnish]"While your mistake was... vexing, I'd argue it lead better into the behavioral patterns you chose than would caution-so at least it proved a functional mistake."
"Well I suppose that makes me feel a bit better about it. ..I don't suppose, since Sake will be possessing it soon, you could try to pull the memory of where the Ramidreju's hoard is from her memory?"
>[EV][In Finnish]"I'm relatively certain it's under the mountain's peak-after all, why else would the Tanzanian dragon have been searching so recklessly? That... and I couldn't guarantee I wouldn't harm the prospective host body in the process.
>[Sake]"I find myself abruptly abhorring Einrik's option and wanting nothing to do with it."
"..Okay, well last question for now: Teach me draconic etiquette?"
>[EV][In Finnish]"Oh I am NOT the person to look to on that-my interest has always been fighting them, not being polite to them. I just followed general formal clan relation protocols, which only worked because they couldn't easily dispose of me."
"Damn. Well, I won't keep you from your thoughts."

It is at this point I pull out the phone, happily noting that not only do I have reception-but we're now more than a mile from the peak-that's GOT to be far enough they won't overhear us, right?

I dial an increasingly familiar number-
>[SM]"And?"
So it is I talk for a spell. I ramble about a possible representative of the Spanish Ruling dragon, I meander my way through describing it's features, it's mannerisms and actions-I flit over to describing the Tanzanian participant, my ideas as well as Einrik's as to what each one's true motivations were. I speak of presented covers, as well as how each dragon's power was very informally assessed. I speak of the Summer Goddess Whaitiri getting a sampling of the Tanzanian dragon's flesh-before backing up and intimately describing the massive Artifact weapon she carried. I speak of the Finnish devil that further complicated the mountain's events, and how I was able to make the devil withdraw with wordplay, before my own companions and I could withdraw. When I finally finish explaining everything save that involved in the secret of Armas Valkonen, SM... starts with something I did not expect.
>[SM]"Because I know you speak the truth, I will tell you something now, a rare example of free information: The Spanish dragon lied-the Cantabrian mountains are accorded neutral ground-far too many claim them as home for any one group to say the mountains are 'theirs'-even dragons. Make of this information what you will. Now... what is it you desire, for this information, and the Sami bodies you yet have stored with us? I will note we will have to start charging for storage soon."
"Well for one I want to be certain that my shadow is getting the best training available."
>[SM]"We can make no greater offer than to teach him all we wyld goblins know that he can learn-we do not contract out instruction from third parties."
"Hm-well, I've been wanting an eye patch, something magical, that can at least absorb the water from my eye. What do you have in that category?"
>[SM]"Did you have a specific format of magic you wished to pursue?"
"Stealth's always nice."
>[SM]"Then a Lurk-skin eye patch with a backing of Dutter's wool would suffice-the eye patch would be difficult to acknowledge, and no mortal would even be aware you were missing an eye unless you told them-even magical mortals could be fooled, should their sensory abilities prove sub-par."
"That'll work-what about poison resistance charms?"
>[SM]"I hope you are not speaking of the exceedingly rare, potent and costly universal poison charms-I would hate to have to inform a Friend of our tribe that he could not afford such a thing."
"No, no-just something for resisting Doonongaes poison."
>[SM]"That is much more easily crafted and provided. We can provide an imbibably brew that grants such specified immunity for a week after consumption, with a one-hour delay from consumption to the ability being manifested. Would this fit your needs?"
A week of ignoring Doony's contact poison? Yes I think that would suit me just fine.
>[SM]"As it is, your sami bodies are still 'on the table'-was there more you desired?"
"Well, I still want to get a Kameosa at some point, but since that's not really a product you carry, and the only other thing I can think of is information which you understandably charge a premium for..."
>[SM]"Would you trade all rights to the remaining Sami corpse material, for us to pursue a special order of a Kameosa for you? I could not speak for when specifically we would acquire it, but it would be before the next season has ended. Oh-as you are returning to the Smets estate, do you find delivery of promised goods to that location acceptable?"
Less than half a year for bodies I realistically didn't have much of a use for? I'll take it! And as I can't see a reason to reject the Merchant's delivery suggestion, I take that too.

Of course, the deal isn't struck quite THAT easily-I spend time bickering and fighting over the specifics of the deal, trying to squeeze more and more out of the Merchant-I snag a delivery of one hundred pounds assorted scrap meat, magical and mundane alike to the Smets mansion once a week now-meaning that all I need to get for feeding the twenty new mouths I'll have to deal with will be fruits and vegetables. Should help keep the cost of supplying board down. Other than that-I don't really get anything extra for it, and I get the feeling the Merchant's pissed-but not at me. Maybe he did sell information to a dragon-but the dragon lied to him? It's possible, I suppose-I haven't heard anything suggesting Dragons can only speak the truth.

Finally I hang up-and do a different kind of calling, with us nearly off the mountain.

Amen.
>[Amen]"Yes, master?"
Can you kill or bind a Finnish lightning devil of slightly less power than an average dragon?
>[Amen]"Assuming they are upon the house grounds, this one could provide such service to this one's master-an interesting guest to expect, a Devil in an urban setting. They usually are quite more fond of rural settings than their Demon brethren."
Eh. So another thing: If there is no prior order that would result in me dying, being harmed physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually, would unbind you or harm allies related to the following topic, then I ask what specifically you have been doing with intruders.
>[Amen]"It is well master added that conditional modifier-this one would be loathe to find itself master-less, less, less."
....Right.

After breaking communication with Amen, I talk with Hillevi for the last bit of the walk down, making sure she didn't have any nagging concerns from this most recent encounter. But even that trails off as, nearing the bus stopped on an isolated stretch of mountain road, I finally am unable to ignore Sake's presence.

Okay-before you have at it, are there any rituals or something that could-
>[Sake]"The only kind of ritual that could help would be based in blood magic and I'd rather cease to exist than let that monster you have at your beck and call anywhere near the blood of a body I plan to use."
...Okay. Then go for it-body's yours.

There is no response.

Instead, there is a swirl of lusty, warm summer air that feels oddly at home on these chill-stricken mountains, carrying with it a spicy, nutty scent of fresh growth, of new life. The limp body in my hand begins to vibrate-and slowly lifts from my palm, floating in the middle of that summer-wind nexus. The winds swirl and dance, and out of the corner of my eye I see leaves that never were, dancing elusively without ever coming to be. I feel my head ache, and my blood aches-even as it sings in joy at the suffusion of warm, blazing energy gathering before me.

There is a crack like a dozen bullwhips all around me, the wind dies-

The Ramidreju body continues to float in place, slowly unfurling from its limp fetal pose like one stretching after a long slumber.

>[Sake]"Well, well-well-well-well-well... well. A body again."

He seems to take a moment to process this as the russians stare on in cautious focus.

Sake promptly goes ballistic, chittering away like made, squeaks and whistles echoing through the air as he ecstatically bounces about like a pinball.

>[Sake]"Aaaah I have my own body again YES! "
"Sake-I'm happy your happy-but do you think you can help the Russians? Some of them are still pretty-"
>[Sake]"That's right the wounded."
Without giving me time to finish he's flying through the air like a hornet, spastically rubbing himself against the wounded, fur against flesh-

And where he travels in his wake are left the unbroken, the healed, the whole-and where before there was a look of caution, now there is outright awe directed Sake's way as he gloats while idly licking one of his shovel-like front paws.

"I did promise to try and find you healing did I not?"
>[MB][In Russian]"Was it... necessary to take something from out beneath two dragon's noses to get healing?"
"Necessary? Not really-but you deal with surprises during missions as they happen, and things worked out pretty well. So... last call guys, anyone not interested in coming to Turkey to stay at an urban mansion and in general make a big splash in the private sector?"
Not a single person offers a complaint even as we load into the bus.
"Okay-then to Istanbul.... we go."






GfH ARC: THAT'S RIGHT WE STILL HAVE TO GET BACK: CONCLUDED
Next ARC: TO MAKE YOUR MARK

(new thread http://tgchan.org/kusaba/quest/res/360354.html )