>>454181
Hmm I dunno, would Muo have an easier time identifying them? I don't much see a way to test for it ourselves unless we flood the place and see who bloats.

The kobolds have the problem of being too close to home, and the goblins have the problem of being honry bastards that would cure that disease too early.

I say we stay here and train, unless Muo is very confident that she can sniff out the ghouls. Maybe she can have a different kind of job for us later.

You know, I'm not sure we can really afford to be associated with trouble in our own village, or the mysterious death of 3 'bolds. Besides, with our luck, the ghouls will all end up being people we know.

1/2 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)10:16 No. 454261 ID: f09b71
File 134755659408.png - (178.24KB , 700x700 , 3-73.png )

"I think, Zirkala, that I will stick around and train!"
>"So be it. Ralex is in the barracks down the hall. Have fun."
"Thank you."

And so is it! I suit up for fighting, and show up to training.

"Hello, Calex! Are you around? I am ready --"

2/2 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)10:17 No. 454262 ID: f09b71
File 134755663874.png - (99.37KB , 700x700 , 3-74.png )

BAMF

>"Doesn't look like it."

Fair point! Equipped but not prepared, shall we say.

...perhaps not.

Lesson 1: Your opponent isn't always going to give you a warning.
Lesson 2: Doors and corners are dangerous. You can be jumped when you go through or around one.

lesson 3: a person who is going to attack without warning, is not going to wait until you recover. Do not reflect long, get ready.

"Will there be actual lessons, or will you simply be beating me up? Because getting knocked out for the day doesn't sound like a very long lesson!"

Quip as you pull your sword and try to be some kind of a threat.

>>454265
I think SS should learn to adventure and train like he's in dark souls.

When you approach any corner or doorway, be careful, and on the lookout for threats

When you enter a new area like a room, the outside, or anywhere else you couldn't see before, immediately assess the area for threats, potential ambush points and defensive points that you can both use, and that be used against you.

Never let down your guard until you KNOW there are no threats around. Always be ready to either block or dodge, and always have a safe direction you can dodge firmly in mind. Do not wait until trouble has already come up to decide how you would handle it. That's the path towards jumping of a cliff to avoid an attack.

When you first encounter an opponent, stay defensive until you learn how they fight well enough to safely attack

1/2 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)16:14 No. 454338 ID: f09b71
File 134757804940.png - (166.92KB , 700x700 , 3-75.png )

"Uh, are there going to be actual lessons, or will you simply be beating me up?!"
>"The beating is the warmup, kobold! I don't care how much gold you gave Zirkala, you have to fight me to earn your lessons!"

2/2 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)16:14 No. 454339 ID: f09b71
File 134757806746.png - (111.78KB , 700x700 , 3-76.png )

8 hours later, back at the study...
Well that sure was a long time.

>"Uhh, are you sure you don't want me to heal you?" Muo asks.
"Nahhh, he said something about training? Building character or something, so he wouldn't heal me after the last fight. He said he'd give me lessons, but he mostly just beat me up while telling me what to do! I got pretty good at dodging at least, and he did offer some good pointers!"
>"Aren't you in pain?"
"Excruciatingly so!"
>"Did you get a single hit on him?"
"Not once!"

You're never gonna break a horn if you keep wearing that helmet during training.

Now would be a good time to practice learning your instrument.

Wow, harsh. I suppose it has some merit in a limited time frame though. I would hope that we at least get patched up enough to be fighting fit for the next lesson. As for attacking, it may be a good idea to attack his hands and arms directly instead of trying to get past them. It's a valid technique against the pugilist sort.

...How dd you get a black eye through the helmet? Did he punch it off of you?

Excellent, your training is going well for the first session. Next you need to work on avoiding some of those blows.

Haha, don't expect to land any hits any time soon unless you get better at dodging.

>>454342
probably agrees that healing before a fight is okay, but you gotta take your licks not just heal them as soon as you get them.

this is actually a lesson as well, being able to deal with and ignore pain will let you fight longer then the other guy.

Yeah... cycling your lessons is probably better for your health. Try some etiquette, some playing, some fighting... when it gets to be too much, road trip time.

Also, you should pick Muo's brain some on the whole slime ghoul bit.

The real thing to wonder here is if there's any kind of training that doesn't involve getting hit in the face repeatedly. So far etiquette and dodging seem to consist of trying to avoid the same thing!

1/3 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)17:18 No. 454360 ID: f09b71
File 134758192543.png - (86.42KB , 700x700 , 3-77.png )

>You'll never lose your horns if you keep wearing that helmet!
I rather like my horns!

>How did you get a black eye through the helmet
I... don't remember! After an hour or so, everything started becoming a daze. Perhaps I should sleep on it, he kept my long into the night. Wait, I think I remember something about that....

SOK!

Right, he did punch it off of me! The sound is still fresh in my mind, actually. Really smarted, too. That hit is probably why I can't remember it too well!

2/3 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)17:19 No. 454361 ID: f09b71
File 134758196235.png - (120.11KB , 700x700 , 3-78.png )

Then he, uh, ate it? Am I remembering that right?

3/3 Story Seeker 2012/09/13(Thu)17:22 No. 454363 ID: f09b71
File 134758213628.png - (136.06KB , 700x700 , 3-79.png )

Yes, followed by chewing it up and spitting molten copper at me! That took a couple healing scrolls, there. It was all less than graceful, to make an understatement!

>You're going to lose your horns!
Uh oh.

Regardless! I think I will cycle through training. Manners, music, and fighting. However, there may be something I'm forgetting to do during the week! I will pry Muo's knowledge of the slimes should I change my mind and head there.

>>454363
Well, at least Sili will like your soon-to-be-broken horns then. Maybe this training is the type of safe danger she's into, because I don't think your teacher will purposefully kill you at least. You might want some pointers from her too. She has to know some things.

>>454363
You might want to check your friends for tattoos, just so you know if they're gonna die or not.

>>454362
Oy, destruction of items wasn't part of the deal. I wonder if we can get compensation... well just as long as he doesn't eat the rest of our stuff we should be ok on that end. The helm probably makes dodging harder anyway.

If you're going to be traveling with Muo, perhaps some lessons on etiquette can be delayed until later? It isn't like you'll have this fire gnoll hanging around with you to train with.

>>454366
Why? Isn't like we're going to save them or anything.

>>454363
That thing isn't a teacher. It's a barely restrained psychopath. It doesn't matter how good a teacher he could be, if he rings your bell so hard you can't remember half of it.

You might as well tell the Lich that bringing him in was a mistake. You need someone more.. natural, to learn the BASICS from first.

>>454416
>won't be saving our friends
It will soften the blow. Plus, we can maybe say goodbye.

Suggestion 2012/09/14(Fri)15:02 No. 454598 ID: f09b71
File 134766015990.png - (76.50KB , 700x700 , 3-80.png )

That helm did cost me, actually! I take a visit to Zirkala.

"Hello, Lady Zirkala! I have lost my helm, that Ralex person chewed it up and spit it back out at me!"
>"Yes, he does enjoy throwing some flare in a fight. No pun intended."
"Well, you see..."
>"Yes, fine, you may have your helm, but I will not replace it twice. Take a chance with it, or leave it behind for when you hopefully aren't fighting fire elementals."
"Thank you! Also, it is my concern that this person is, ah... well, I don't want to be crass by saying that he is a barely restrained psychopath, but..."
>"What? Crass? Those are the nicest words I've ever heard about him. He won't kill you, but he's a ravenous monster. I didn't defeat him because I've got a heart of gold, but I certainly did the world a big favor. Nonetheless, if you can even almost defend yourself against him, I think you'll be able to handle a bandit or two on the overroads."
"True as that may be, I am concerned that he expects me to know the basics of combat, when in fact I feel there are fundamentals I should be knowing."
>"Hm... that is a fair point. I suggest you still train with Ralex, as I have firsthand experience knowing that however questionable his methods are, the people who training under him were exceptional. Nonetheless, perhaps they did have formal studies beforehand? Well, you have time. I can teach you for a more modest sum, as those skeletal guardsman you've been passing on your way in could teach you. That, or you can find someone else or practice on your own. Another concern of mine is that a week is not long at all. If you insist on travelling with Muo, I may ask if she would stick around for a few weeks longer until I get some task for you to do on your way to Muo's home. I will handle that, though, for now, you concentrate on your studies."

Sili may actually be willing to teach me the basics in this regard. On the other hand, she is a trapper, and, well, us kobolds aren't known to be the highest prowess of fighting, so I do wonder if that is the best choice. Although I am tempted to see who are the ghouls, as while I may not like knowing it, I would like to say a proper goodbye!

Sili might get you losing your 1000 gold disease, too, if you go for lessons this week. Still, I think she'd be a good person to learn from, if for learning a variety of fighting methods, if nothing else.

>>454598
I think we should take the offer of basic training from the lich, and talk to Muo about her itinerary. If she doesn't mind staying an extra week, then let's do so.

>Sili might get you losing your 1000 gold disease
I don't think there's any immediate risk of that! SS would have to work pretty hard to bed Sili at this point. Well, unless people beaten up by fire elementals are her secret fetish.

I'd say we should accept the skeleton basic training, and talk to Muo. She's only bound here a week, but might be willing to hang out longer. That course will probably necessitate planing some additional shenanigans though- Tom's not gonna want to sit around doing sensible training and preparations for the journey. We'll need to get some "Chaos for the Chaos God!" going on.

A trapper is going to know a lot more than a skeleton about how to come out of a fight in one piece. I say go for it.

Oh also leave the helmet off when training, obviously.

>>454598
We shouldn't pass up on any training from Ralex, anything else we can learn from anyone simply does not compare. However, you'd get a lot more for your time and suffering if you were not so clueless going in! Especially since you can't practice attacking if all you can do is barely defend.

How about a bit of the best of everything: Have the lich oversee and advise you in weapon practice against her skeletons. Afterwords, wield those lessons as best you can against Ralex, with only weapons and the magic armor equipped.

Training with Muo can be put off almost entirely for now, replaced by lich/skeleton lessons. Talk with her about waiting for you bit longer in exchange for you entirely funding her trip. She and Tom should agree to that. You can study the finer things with her later.

Oh c'mon, she's sweet on you, and this'll assuage her previous fear you are gonna get yourself killed. Just because you are a big shot doesn't mean you shouldn't still be involved with your tribe.

Train with Sili.

+1 for sidled training. Just seems more practice. Do hang out with the trapper chick though and let her know what you're doing. She'll have to respect you now.

1/4 Suggestion 2012/09/15(Sat)00:54 No. 454827 ID: f09b71
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"Well, I will not skimp on my training with Ralex, but perhaps you would be willing to oversee me, and give me pointers?"
>"No. Let me tell you something. I do not like magic. But you saw my mortal form, and I should hope you do not think that I beat him in hand to hand combat like that. In short, I am a mage, not a fighter. Yes, I have basic knowledge, but it has been ages since I have done anything of that sort, and have forgotten any conscious awareness of techniques needed to teach. In any case, I am busy."
"Very well! I think I will get some help from Sili, but I may take on the offer of skeletal training if it does not pan out! Perhaps I will go soon, despite my wounds."
>"I am impressed. I was under the impression mortals needed sleep. It is the middle of the night, after all. And after so long training, even with stamina potions, are you not tired?"

2/4 Story Seeker 2012/09/15(Sat)00:54 No. 454828 ID: f09b71
File 134769566347.png - (81.56KB , 700x700 , 3-82.png )

fump
The next thing I know I am in bed, and I am asleep!

3/4 Story Seeker 2012/09/15(Sat)00:54 No. 454829 ID: f09b71
File 134769569998.png - (106.81KB , 700x700 , 3-83.png )

As I had a quesetion for Muo, it is almost convenient that she finds her way to me while sleepwalking. I am not surprised. I am probably the warmest thing around here! Er, wait...

"Muo, are you okay?"
>"Mm? Oh, yeah. Uh, I sleptwalk right into that fire elemental. He laughed pretty hard, saying I was welcome to stay in his bed! But he was practically on fire, so I left. Sorry!"
"Quite alright! Would you be willing to spend an extra week or so here?"
>"Hmm. Sure? I'll not be around as much, I might have to go visit the slimes and spike their ponds or something more imaginative, but I'm not in that much of a hurry."
"Excellent, thank you!"

4/4 Story Seeker 2012/09/15(Sat)00:55 No. 454830 ID: f09b71
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I head off to Sili after getting a healing scroll for Muo, careful about any lizardmen. I do not see any, so I sneak in and hop into Sili's house.
>"Yapper, what are you doing?!" "Greeting! Lizardmen look for me?" >"Yes, fool! What you do? No, no want know. You steal armor?" "I tell you later! Armor got fair and square. But first, need train!" >"What?" "I need train. For fight." >"You are hurt." "Yes, and hope to to avoid that in future!" >"I will train Yapper." "Thank you! Say, that was easy. Afraid you disagree!" >"Idiot Yapper. Been waiting years for Yapper to stop being dumb and ask to learn fight."

Gotta ask the lady why.

>I do not like magic
>I am a mage
D:

The sads!

>learn how to fight
Training not just getting smacked in face a lot, I hope?

Thanks Sili!

Don't get caught staring trying to see if she has tattoos, kid.

show her your moves
THEN
show her your moves~~~~

>>454830
Tell her you're just as dumb as ever, but now you need to learn to use this sword and crossbow so it can't be helped.

>>454844
Those would be overly expensive moves, I fear. At the very least it can wait a few days, I'm sure.

So get to it! Train train train. Of course, this is a different kind of training. You have to not hurt her, so you need to do a more normal training routine.

Be sure to flirt lots.

Oh man! She wants to beat you to a jelly. Be ready for even more bruises! Maybe some of the (minimal) dodging you picked up from Angry McElemental will work?

>>454827
That may explains why she likes peaceful solutions... has forgotten to fight and does not like magic...

>>454829
fireproof beds!
(stone-blankets)

It's made no sense to me why she's so nice, being a lich and all. Maybe if she doesn't like magic this was something that was done to her and she's just making the best of it.

But training! Leave the scabbard on your sword and get to it.

Chapter 3 End Suggestion 2012/09/19(Wed)12:35 No. 456119 ID: f09b71
File 134808334229.png - (136.37KB , 700x700 , 3-85.png )

"Good! Hope by not smacking face all time?"
>"Not all time. Only some."

She does help significantly, helping me with things like basic postures and balance and that sort of stuff. With this, I will learn moves, but of course in the interest in finance, will spare from showing her my moves. And although she insists that I learn how to move with my body first before armor by taking it off. While that makes me nervous, she does not appear to have any indication that she would want bedside training sessions! Or at least enough that I can postpone any such investigations until this week is up.

And someday I may ask Zirkala about her odd dislike of magic. But for now, she, and I, have a busy week and can't worry about asking or explaining such things!

>>455903

The formula for becoming a lich doesn't even require human sacrifice or excessive cruelty, just being in a large but unprepared adventuring party. Enough corpses accumulate fighting the right monsters, and you're golden.