Disagree with Takabanda's sentiment as demons are not physically appealing by any stretch of the imagination.

So... we should probably split up at this point. We're pretty sure the source of this is in those mines, and we need to put a stop to it. But the knights need to get back to town and warn people so defenses are up before any demons get over there.

while regrowing and getting your stuff back on explain your idea that curing the one dwarf triggered the rest into acting because they sensed the demon that was growing in him suddenly getting destroyed and knew if they didn't act then they were next.

Have the two knights of the flame go warn/protect the town and take Diamante with us to the mine so we can find the cave/den.

>>699808
Gonna have to agree with you there, Takabanda.

Okay the knights can report back to town and alert the guard there so that they can defend properly. We'll go to the cave and try to eliminate the problem at the source.

>>699827
Given how Takabanda normally talks, this is the perfect assumption for the meaning to his wording.

>>699808
Now that you're away from demons, ask how long until the potion wears off. And if it takes too long to wear off, ask if you can have a potion that turns you back to normal size. And if Sizzle doesn't have a potion like that for some reason, glare at her and ask, "Why do you have a shrinking potion, but not a growing potion?!?!"

Gnuk 2016/02/14(Sun)05:06 No. 701773 ID: b405ab
File 145545519862.jpg - (63.87KB , 650x600 , 01of4.jpg )

>Disagree with Takabanda's sentiment as demons are not physically appealing by any stretch of the imagination.

>Gonna have to agree with you there, Takabanda.

>Given how Takabanda normally talks, this is the perfect assumption for the meaning to his wording.

You tell to Takabanda that you agree with the sentiment as long as he doesn't mean having sex with them, because you can't imagine whoever would be so stupid to do such a thing.

Takabanda: "Oh boy! You'd be surprised about the people i met in my life hahahahahah!"

Gnuk 2016/02/14(Sun)05:12 No. 701774 ID: b405ab
File 145545553360.jpg - (66.34KB , 600x620 , 02of4.jpg )

>So... we should probably split up at this point. We're pretty sure the source of this is in those mines, and we need to put a stop to it. But the knights need to get back to town and warn people so defenses are up before any demons get over there.

>while regrowing and getting your stuff back on explain your idea that curing the one dwarf triggered the rest into acting because they sensed the demon that was growing in him suddenly getting destroyed and knew if they didn't act then they were next.

>Have the two knights of the flame go warn/protect the town and take Diamante with us to the mine so we can find the cave/den.

>Okay the knights can report back to town and alert the guard there so that they can defend properly. We'll go to the cave and try to eliminate the problem at the source.

>Now that you're away from demons, ask how long until the potion wears off. And if it takes too long to wear off, ask if you can have a potion that turns you back to normal size. And if Sizzle doesn't have a potion like that for some reason, glare at her and ask, "Why do you have a shrinking potion, but not a growing potion?!?!"

You ask Sizzle how long it takes for the potion to wear off.

Sizzle tells you that it's permanent but she has several enlarging potions so the effect will balance out.

While you and the dwarves grow back to normal size, you explain to the knights and Diamante what might have happened. The knights agree to run back to the town to fortify and to alarm the rest of the temple.

Knight: "May the flame light your path, friends!"

Alaiv: "May the flame shine upon you too, friend."

Gnuk 2016/02/14(Sun)05:14 No. 701775 ID: b405ab
File 145545569336.jpg - (98.40KB , 715x600 , 03of4.jpg )

>Get to the cave, and stop this nightmare before the demons reach the city. Some of your minions may die if you rush the dungeon, but the entire city is in danger.

>take Diamante with us to the mine so we can find the cave/den.

>We'll go to the cave and try to eliminate the problem at the source.

It takes one day to reach the mines, while avoiding any possible encounter with demons and other creatures that might lurk around.

Diamante guides your party down in the shafts, the poisonous mist seems to be completely gone already, but the caves smell horribly. The stench of rotten meat hits your nose at every second, but you are sure that the rune is protecting you, as you feel it warms over your skin.

Diamante: "There. that's the spot!"

Gnuk 2016/02/14(Sun)05:17 No. 701776 ID: b405ab
File 145545586658.jpg - (58.50KB , 800x500 , 04of4.jpg )

The mineshaft is partially collapsed.

Alaiv asks Diamante if the knights have sealed off the opening where the gas came out.

Diamante: "Nay. No one came here after the accident. And that is neither a good or a bad job. No miner did that. Nor delicate-finger knights. I know for sure."

okay, watch out for ambushes and try and shift some rocks, if it's clear its not going to open then we need to get to the temple instead and get in there from the other side.

Examine the collapse with Diamante and try to figure out if it's supposed to keep people out or keep something in.

Diamante should lead the way as the expert so you don't cause a cave-in, considering the poor state of support columns.

There should be some tools lying around. Find a way to reinforce the tunnels as you dig your way through.

Advance, cautiously. Let your former miner check out that collapse, see if he learns anything from it.

Unless there's something hidden behind the rockfall, there's only one way to go, until we hit a fork in the tunnels.

>>701776
that second beam is dangerous, might we need to reinforce it less it caves in immediately after we walk past it?

>>701776
Don't mess with the rocks. Whoever or whatever did this is likely still here. Explore a bit down the tunnel to find the culprit.

Gnuk 2016/02/16(Tue)13:58 No. 702416 ID: 364ed6
File 145565988333.jpg - (102.64KB , 800x530 , 01of4.jpg )

>okay, watch out for ambushes and try and shift some rocks, if it's clear its not going to open then we need to get to the temple instead and get in there from the other side.

>Examine the collapse with Diamante and try to figure out if it's supposed to keep people out or keep something in.

>Diamante should lead the way as the expert so you don't cause a cave-in, considering the poor state of support columns.

>Advance, cautiously. Let your former miner check out that collapse, see if he learns anything from it.

>Unless there's something hidden behind the rockfall, there's only one way to go, until we hit a fork in the tunnels.

>that second beam is dangerous, might we need to reinforce it less it caves in immediately after we walk past it?

>Don't mess with the rocks. Whoever or whatever did this is likely still here. Explore a bit down the tunnel to find the culprit.


The tunnel ends abruptly few meters after the turn. There is no one around here. Not even tools.

You ask Diamante if they managed to grab their own tools when they opened the breach.

Diamante: "Nay. We barely got out of here alive. Someone must have picked the tools..."

He checks the rocks

Diamante: "Probably the same that did this. They closed the breach with rocks and other shit. But they didn't do a good job."

You ask if that is the breach he was talking about.

Diamante: "Aye. Behind this there is a small tunnel that we didn't manage to check, since the gas hit us."

Gnuk 2016/02/16(Tue)14:01 No. 702417 ID: 364ed6
File 145566007748.jpg - (94.78KB , 930x800 , 02of4.jpg )

Diamante tells you that he will reopen the breach again. Sizzle suggests that she can help out with rock acid if necessary.

It takes almost an hour for the both of them to reopen, while you and Alaiv help out by clearing the rubbles and reinforcing the beams with a couple of unmovable nails.

You then enter the tunnel, which descend for a while, until you reach a underground cave with a lake.

Sizzle: "Well... this is certainly different."

The large statue on the other side reminds you of the first dungeon you visited.

You are sure now that this should lead to the right place.

Gnuk 2016/02/16(Tue)14:03 No. 702418 ID: 364ed6
File 145566019267.jpg - (70.62KB , 960x400 , 03of4.jpg )

Your group has to swim across the lake, to reach the little opening on the other side.

You help Sizzle out since she admits she isn't really a good swimmer.

After you reach the other side, you take a moment to dry up.

Gnuk 2016/02/16(Tue)14:05 No. 702419 ID: 364ed6
File 145566030072.jpg - (86.93KB , 800x490 , 04of4.jpg )

Takabanda: "MMMMMMMMH"

You ask Takabanda what's wrong.

Takabanda: "I can hear someone chanting down the tunnel. At least two dozens of people. I can't understand what they are chanting though."

You try to listen, but you hear nothing. You ask Takabanda if he is sure.

Takabanda: "Trust me. If we bard are good at something is hearing other people singing ahahah."

>>702419
Two dozen... that could be a problem. We need to scout the area, see if there's a way past without getting into a fight with numbers that big. Who's the best at being quiet? Maybe a potion would help too.

Ask him if he feels kinda drawn to it. Hope there's no such thing as Cave Sirens.

>chanting in an abandoned tunnel
That sound like cultist stuff. Cultist are the worst. You better sneak up on them at see what they're doing. Use some any stealth potion that are available.

Well, shit, Takabanda, anything you can deduce about the meaning as we get closer?

>>702419
...I'd be reluctant to attack someone completely blind, but I rather doubt we're going to find friends down here.

Sneaking up on them to see what's up seems reasonable.

Wait, I've been rereading the thread, and I think I have a concern, I just wish we could talk to S'shimh right now.

We might be coming around the Mud Dragon cultists. Annnnnd the Mud Dragon might be the demon source or allied with demons. S'shimh said the sickness was Mud Dragon Magic, and said magic produced demons eventually. Logically speaking, we're not walking into a potentially old ally of S'shimh's ruined temple, we're walking into a potentially CURRENT enemy of S'shimh's fully functional and working temple, and that enemy is a dragon that can produce demons with its magic.

So those cultists that we're likely hearing right now? Fuck them, and fuck that mud dragon. The [;ace we're coming up to has likely been MAINTAINED. Be careful for traps. Really good, recently made traps even.

>>702435
I'm pretty sure that the demon from S'shimh's temple wasn't the only one. I think it was just one of many that were sent out to different temples to infect dragon eggs. The demon Flycatcher killed infected him with a soul bug thingy of some kind, so maybe the demon that was sent here was actually successful and the Mud Dragon hatched infected. That means it's an Infected Mud Dragon that we're going to end up fighting!

>>702589
If that is the case, I wonder if Takabanda can heal it? May as well ask him now.

I mean if we just try to kill it without discussing our options... what if we could have saved it?

>>702596
The soul virus was likely designed to spread and integrate with the host until it would literally be easier to create a dragon from genetic manipulation than to "undo" what has become a core aspect of its being. So I don't think we can cure the dragon after a few months of uninterred infection.

However, we might be able to capture the dragon alive, which should open up some PAINFUL alchemy experiments. All we need to do is sever their arms and wings and then torture them until they can't think straight. With any luck, we can bleed the dragon dry and purify their blood for crafting reagents.

Gnuk 2016/02/22(Mon)13:24 No. 704536 ID: c923aa
File 145617625761.jpg - (69.75KB , 800x500 , 01of3.jpg )

>Ask him if he feels kinda drawn to it. Hope there's no such thing as Cave Sirens.

Takabanda: "No. Their voices are really rash. They should get some singing lessons. Seriously!"

>Well, shit, Takabanda, anything you can deduce about the meaning as we get closer?

Takabanda: "Well i can. But i am really bad at sneaking around. Not my style! As bards use to say: 'If they can't hear you, what's the point in singing?'."

Gianni: "I COULD! B-BUT I AM NOT GOING THERE ALONE..."

>I'm pretty sure that the demon from S'shimh's temple wasn't the only one. I think it was just one of many that were sent out to different temples to infect dragon eggs. The demon Flycatcher killed infected him with a soul bug thingy of some kind, so maybe the demon that was sent here was actually successful and the Mud Dragon hatched infected. That means it's an Infected Mud Dragon that we're going to end up fighting!

>If that is the case, I wonder if Takabanda can heal it? May as well ask him now.

>I mean if we just try to kill it without discussing our options... what if we could have saved it?

You wish you could ask a couple of questions to S'shi'mh. But entering the mindlink in the middle of a dungeon where monsters can pop out at any moment is too dangerous.

You ask Takabanda if he would be able to heal the dragon, if they have been possessed by a demon, similar to the way he cleansed you from the parasyte.

Takabanda: "No. At least i don't think. We were lucky your parasyte hadn't start to spread. But it might be too late for the dragon. The demon might have already completely absorbed and corrupted the soul. If we are talking about a demon-dragon here, our only option will be to..."

Alaiv: "...Kill them"

Takabanda: "Yeah"

Diamante: "I'm ok with that. Serves them right for what they did to Pirite!" He spits on the cold stone.

>Two dozen... that could be a problem. We need to scout the area, see if there's a way past without getting into a fight with numbers that big. Who's the best at being quiet? Maybe a potion would help too.

>Sneaking up on them to see what's up seems reasonable.

Since you are the only one that has been into a ranidae dungeon, you are the only one that might have the experience to deal with whatever waits for you inside the tunnel. You volunteer to scout ahead, but you ask the group if they have anything that can help.

Both Takabanda and Sizzle raise their hand.

Takabanda: "I can enchant you to be completely silent. It will also make you unable to speak, but no one will ever hear you move around. It only works for one hour though. "

Sizzle: "And i have a couple of potions of invisibility! With these you can move around without being seen! They only work for half an hour so you'll have to take that in consideration and drink a new dose. Don't drink three potions in a row though! It might cause... secondary effects..."

Gnuk 2016/02/22(Mon)13:26 No. 704538 ID: c923aa
File 145617637389.jpg - (67.85KB , 950x500 , 02of3.jpg )

You drink the potion after Takabanda enchants you.

You and Gianni then begin your scouting route inside the tunnel.

You ask Gianni if it feels alright. But you are unable to speak at all, as Takabanda warned you.

Gianni seems to understand anyway, and tugs you with one of its tentacles.

You proceed down the tunnel, until you can finally hear the chanting.

Gnuk 2016/02/22(Mon)13:29 No. 704539 ID: c923aa
File 145617657079.jpg - (84.00KB , 800x500 , 03of3.jpg )

You reach the end of the tunnel, which opens into a large cavern.

Here you can see other small tunnels caving the entirety of the walls of the cave.

But your attention is caught by the large pool in the middle of it. And what looks like an ancient church on the side of it. A towering construction of white stone, covered in moss.

That's where the chanting is coming. Now loud enough for you to be able to hear it clearly.

The chant is irregular and awful to listen to. It sound like a bunch of creatures gargling all together in a cacophony of sounds.

>>704539
Completely silent and invisible means that we can just go kill all of them. Go get a look at them to see just how killable they are.

Uh, avoid puddles and stuff like that. If your feet get wet they'll be able to tell where you are by your footprints.

>>704538
Be careful, they MIGHT be able to see your clothes and Trident.

I mean, they look faded out right now so they might be invisible but... I don't know how that invisibility potion works, if you were to drop your Tridant, and it IS invisible, would you be able to pick it up again? Can you see your Tridant and yourself right now?

Careful- you're invisible, but any ripples or displaced water you create won't be. And splashes might not be silent. And if you get wet, you might leave wet footprints or dripping water as you move around. So you need to avoid water - hop over it, don't swim through.

No attack or ambush, yet. Just get over to the door and peek around. See what we're dealing with, here.

Sneak a peek into the church interior.

Try to identify what they're doing and then get all wraith on their asses if you think you can take them on.

...oh. One issue is that we don't know if additional materials that get on you will turn invisible too. Like, if you get in a fight and blood splashes on you, will the blood reveal your position? If it did, then that means we absolutely cannot fight the mob. The first kill will get blood on your weapon at the least, and you'll no longer be undetectable.

The only way to test this would be to say, pick up a rock, and see if it turns invisible.

They're souleating demons, Its possible they have some sort of 'life sense'. Be careful.

Gnuk 2016/02/23(Tue)14:47 No. 704851 ID: eb8330
File 145626764591.jpg - (46.58KB , 700x800 , 01of5.jpg )

>Be careful, they MIGHT be able to see your clothes and Trident.

>I mean, they look faded out right now so they might be invisible but... I don't know how that invisibility potion works, if you were to drop your Tridant, and it IS invisible, would you be able to pick it up again? Can you see your Tridant and yourself right now?

>...oh. One issue is that we don't know if additional materials that get on you will turn invisible too. Like, if you get in a fight and blood splashes on you, will the blood reveal your position? If it did, then that means we absolutely cannot fight the mob. The first kill will get blood on your weapon at the least, and you'll no longer be undetectable.

>The only way to test this would be to say, pick up a rock, and see if it turns invisible.

You pick up a nearby rock, and you can clearly understand that it hasn't turned invisible with you. Which means that if you ever get something on it would make you visible. Good to know. You should avoid blood splatters at any cost. And probably even getting wet.

You choose the easiest path. Jumping over any gap you can find, avoiding water and anything that could give away your position.

Gnuk 2016/02/23(Tue)14:49 No. 704854 ID: eb8330
File 145626777723.jpg - (35.39KB , 600x600 , 02of5.jpg )

>Uh, avoid puddles and stuff like that. If your feet get wet they'll be able to tell where you are by your footprints.

>Sneak a peek into the church interior.

>They're souleating demons, Its possible they have some sort of 'life sense'. Be careful.

>Completely silent and invisible means that we can just go kill all of them. Go get a look at them to see just how killable they are.

You carefully move toward the church and take a peek inside

Gnuk 2016/02/23(Tue)14:53 No. 704855 ID: eb8330
File 145626801633.jpg - (95.03KB , 800x580 , 03of5.jpg )

Inside, you can see finally the chanting creatures.

Over two dozens of them, chanting and praying to what seems to be a dragon skeleton.

Your attention is attracted to the skull in particular, sitting on a broken pillar.

And then, you fall unconscious.

Gnuk 2016/02/23(Tue)14:58 No. 704858 ID: eb8330
File 145626828039.jpg - (71.59KB , 800x500 , 04of5.jpg )

You wake up in the familiar sensation of the mindlink. S'shi'mh standing right next to you.

You ask her if she opened the communication and why would she do that now.

She looks at you confused.

S'shi'mh: It wasn't me, Wielder of the Trident! I can't even open a mindlink on my own!

???: Not yet at least.

Gnuk 2016/02/23(Tue)15:01 No. 704861 ID: eb8330
File 145626849666.jpg - (59.50KB , 600x600 , 05of5 END.jpg )

You both turn to see to whom the calm and warm voice belongs.

???: I greet you and your lineage, child of Si'Fud. Welcome Home.

[END OF CHAPTER 03]

>>704861
"hey you got a little something you know right... EVERYWHERE"

You okay, brah?

>unconscious
Well I guess we won't be found until the invisibility spell wears off, or until someone trips over us. At least we wouldn't have made any noise falling over or dropping the trident, with the silent spell.

>>704861
Looks like a mud dragon, yep. And not obviously corrupted by demons, either.

Dumb question, but that's not your skull they're worshiping, right?

"WHEW ITH TUH BEBEH?! I WAWWOW NO WHEW ITH THUH BEBEH!!!"

>>704861
Looks like... the dragon died, but its soul was bound to its corpse. It lives on, and the worshippers might even be loyal Ranidae. If that's the case... did they unleash the mud curse to try to keep this place secret?

If that's the case why is the curse creating demons?
Or... were the miners infected by demons all along, were guided to break into this dragon crypt to try to destroy the dragon's soul, and the curse isn't responsible? It could be the rune merely alerted the demons to the presence of someone who had access to dragon knowledge.

>>704863
Hey, Ranidae get that all the time. There's nothing new about it.