Ecoa's about to attack him from an unexpected angle. Be as unthreatening and naively distracting as possible!

oh neat, so he doesn't know we where the ones who sent a pack of bounty hunters his way. Though speaking of them I wonder what the ones nearby are doing? You think they'd be trying to take a swing at this guy for his bounty.

As for a plan I guess you could walk back to the cart and see if weakness sight Magee back their can tell you if the guy has any weakness you could take advantage of while you dig around for all three books you got.

What is it with the strange influx of highly contested deliveries today?
Regardless, remember the librarian’s description of his capabilities (namely: crushing an ant with a boulder which he would also be crushed by.) and pray that something happens before we’re forced to give him the book.

He was attacked by an entire squad, so that crossbow won't help much. The gun isn't even loaded so I don't imagine it'll help either.

You could just take your time rummaging around in there. If Ecoa starts fighting him, THEN you should take out the crossbow. Be ready to shoot him dead; after all the bounty prefers him to be alive. Alternatively, if the fight seems to be going on for a while you could stop and load the rifle... uh, we have bullets for it right

Comply but stall as much as possible. Mention that you had to send the bounty hunters away from yourself somehow, and that he's enough of an asshole that it didn't matter who won.

"That is a lot of dots you are connecting..."
"I bought several books. Do you at least know the title of the one you want to steal?"

His instrument is a hurdy gurdy. Maybe this mean his bardic magic require uninterrupted sound. According to the librarian Lugwere isn't immune to his own abilities and their area of effect prevent him from attacking in small spaces.
Your range weapons are unloaded, but even if you had time to prepare your chances of hitting him before he attack are low. A close range attack should be safer.
Pick the book, approach him to deliver it and grab him firmly. If possible try to prevent him from rotating that hand crank.

>>1009953
Please don't tell Lugwere we denounced him to the bounty hunters.

1/4 Pascoe 2021/09/09(Thu)01:16 No. 1009960 ID: dd0add
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>His instrument is a hurdy gurdy. Maybe this means his bardic magic require uninterrupted sound. According to the librarian Lugwere isn't immune to his own abilities and their area of effect prevent him from attacking in small spaces.
That all makes sense, he is playing the music constantly to keep up whatever he is doing to control those limbs, and the fog seems symptomatic of an indiscriminate effect. As soon as he stops playing the music, he shouldn't be a threat.

The thought of using my weapons comes to mind, but neither are loaded, and neither would fare any better than the weapons being used by the bounty hunters.

>Ecoa's about to attack him from an unexpected angle. Be as unthreatening and naively distracting as possible!
>Comply but stall as much as possible
Operating under the assumption that Ecoa has a plan, I try to stall for as long as I can. And being unthreatening and naively distracting would be my middle name - if I had one!

"Sure, I'll get the books I got at the library, while I do that, mind telling me how you dealt with the group of bounty hunters that came after you?"
"I played a song which created a fog, then played another song which caused them to grow teeth."
"Oh. Uh, why didn't you grow teeth?"
"It only works once for each person."
When he sees my confusion, he points to his serrated beak.

I keep him distracted for a little while until his patience runs razor thin.
"So - what about-"
"Enough. Bring me the books or else I'll-"

A bright orange light emerges from the fog beside Lugwere

>"Hey moron, found your blind spot."
"What?"

2/4 Pascoe 2021/09/09(Thu)01:17 No. 1009961 ID: dd0add
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>"The only thing being delivered is this punch to your face! Free postage included!"

Ecoa somehow propelled herself through the fog and delivers a fiery blow to Lugwere, causing him to lose consciousness and stop playing the instrument. The shadow limbs holding him up disappear and he crashes down to the ground.

3/4 Pascoe 2021/09/09(Thu)01:17 No. 1009962 ID: dd0add
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>"Hey guys, get over here! It's one of the five-star bounties, and he's knocked out!"
>"Wait, really?! No way!"
>"Yeah, and he even comes with a free instrument! oh, wait, never mind, he crushed it."
>"Someone get a rope and tie him up, we're about to get a huge payout!"
>"Forget the payout, think of the reputation! We'll be moving up in the world for sure!"

4/4 Pascoe 2021/09/09(Thu)01:17 No. 1009963 ID: dd0add
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>"Don't worry, as soon as we get to the colonies, there will be guards to prevent this kind of thing! So, uh, Pascoe. We ready to go deliver some mail?"
"Ecoa, are you ok?"
>"Yeah, never felt better! Why?"

She seems... different than usual? She is likely open to explaining things but if I don't feel like pressing for an answer we can just head to the ship and meet up with Pilot.

Get moving. You can walk while you talk.

"Because your arm's on fire. Does that not hurt?"

>"Yeah, never felt better! Why?"
Well you’re kind of on fire right now.

But yeah head back to the ship and I guess ask if things are this exciting all over the frontier? I mean we’re just on a boarder town and it looks like we’ve run across half a dozen big names, and at times felt like we were moments away from a turf war or two. Am I going to need to learn how to fight just to be able to walk down the street?

"You are... brighter, and not only because you arm is literaly on fire"


I know that Hudy gurdy sounds like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj1n1-Xch7s
But in my mind I could only hear him like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8x56JkHKtI

You seem to be in a good mood. Would I be flattering myself by assuming the reason was the act of heroism on my behalf? By the away, thank you for saving me.
After such display she got me curious: How does this kindler thing work? Is it emotional? Do we only get to see bright happy Ecoa when you are on fire?

Lugwere didn't plan this mugging very well. Even if Ecoa weren't here he was surrounded by enemies.
Interesting fellow, but he seem too willing to take unnecessary risks.

"You've really brightened up, and not just in the 'literally on fire' sense. Though I take it that letting those bounty hunters take all the credit and reward is an intentional move on your part?"

Your arms on fire and you’re smiling, both of those things feel unusual to me but maybe I just haven’t known you long enough.
Also are you gonna claim that guy’s bounty or just leave him for whoever carries him to the guards first?

>>1009963
Huh, so, the teeth song didn't work on him because he had already grown some. And I'm guessing it disabled the squad of bounty hunters because growing teeth is painful? Then he could use his shadow arms to take them out, which seems to be a different ability.

Ecoa doesn't want to claim the bounty? That's a lot of money.

Don't ask about the bounty.
Ecoa will probably be passing on it for the same reason we do: It attracts undesired attention.

1/3 Pascoe 2021/09/10(Fri)20:41 No. 1010179 ID: dd0add
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"You've really brightened up, and not just in the 'literally on fire' sense"
>"Yes! that's right, I'm still kindling. probably shouldn't be doing that for too long, I’m literally burning my life away after all."
"Does that not hurt?"
>"Not one bit! It feels natural to me."
"You seem to be in a good mood. Would I be flattering myself by assuming the reason was the act of heroism on my behalf? By the away, thank you for saving me."
>"Aw don't mention it, but I know you could've handled it even if I didn't step in. As for my mood, I’m just acting how I feel, not much to it!"
"So does this mean you plan on claiming his bounty?"
>"He has a bounty? I just don't like power hungry bullies threatening and pushing good people around! You're a good person by the way Pascoe, let me just get that out while I'm letting my emotions out. I look forward to working with you!"
"huh."

2/3 Pascoe 2021/09/10(Fri)20:41 No. 1010180 ID: dd0add
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We decide to walk the cart to the ship while we talk further

>such display she got me curious: How does this kindler thing work? Is it emotional? Do we only get to see bright happy Ecoa when you are on fire?"

"Hey Ecoa, do you only act like this when you're on fire?"
>"Correct! Which reminds me, I really need to go back to supressing my emotions. Easy as blowing out a candle!"
In a short moment her expression shifts back to her usual stoic look.
"Anyway, we should get a move on. I'm sure Pilot will be happy to see us."

3/3 Pascoe 2021/09/10(Fri)20:42 No. 1010181 ID: dd0add
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He was.

>"Yesssssss! We got the group back togetherrrrr!"
"You seem excited."
>"I ammmm! We are gonna deliver sooo much maaaail! Alright, you got the maps and stuff, right? So where to? which will be our first destination? and before we get a move on, do you have anything to declare?"

well we do have that guy hiding in the wagon still so might as well see if he's still in there or if he hopped out at some point... hope he didn't steal anything if he did.

we also have those special packages to deliver for Faspan at the islands of Grandflores, Picarta, and Answell so I say we start off at Mamerti then hop to Grandflores for our first two islands (as the postal chief did say we should take each island 2 at a time) and then hit Fera and Picarta next. That way we can get the one island were we have no special package to deliver our of the way right away, then go and try and deliver the three packages one after another and before hitting the anomaly belt so we don't have to worry as much about the packages getting damaged by some odd anomaly.

We don't have that guy hiding in the wagon. He left with the duelist. We DO have the weird book that probably contains sheet music, and the mysterious package from the inventor.
We also have some weapons, and the breastplate.

Speaking of weapons and such you gotta ask Ecoa if she can explain kindling to you. Can it be taught? What are the drawbacks?

Forget business, we just survived three (four?) terrible, horrible, very bad events.

Party time!

We might want to hurry, things in the city has become a little crazy. But when we manage to leave this port we have a lot of stories to tell.

Also we got a free book in the library! We can read it if the travel becomes boring "8 Kings on fire".

Oh, and do you know of any griffon who happens to be on route and likes to fight? I might have accepted a dual and don't know how to fight.

"Weapons I'll try not to use, armor, some informational books. Um... While the one who absolutely shouldn't get his talons on it is in custody now, I should also mention that the librarian handed off a storybook that likely has some dangerous sheet music stashed in it. Also, I think we agreed to go to Memerti first."

I don't think you need to declare Faspan's packages - you're the one who loaded the cart, so only you know they don't technically belong. They're labeled with their island destinations at least, right? If not, make sure to label them appropriately before you forget which goes where.

I will miss happy Ecoa...

Pilot, the postmaster send you an identification badger you need to wear. There are a few policy changes related to impersonators.
I bough you a book on weather anomalies. I hope it will help.

Ecoa, would you like a book about the phoenix kings? Thematically relevant, but if you don't like this kind of story you can have the book about plants.

Any of you ever heard of new world magic related to paper? The librarian said I shouldn't open the 8 Kings of Fire until I got far away, so I'm not entirely certain something won't happen when we open that book.

>>1010217
I'd advise against mentioning that book until out of town.

Let's head for Mamerti first to get some more neutral ground and experience here in the new world. Then we can hit up Grandflores for the first of Faspan's delivery points. That way we'll have a little better grounding and experience in case we run into trouble with that.

1/8 Pascoe 2021/09/12(Sun)22:35 No. 1010390 ID: dd0add
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>when we manage to leave this port, we have a lot of stories to tell.
You said it!

>Party time!
Sure, maybe we can play cards or something. Ecoa does have one hell of a poker face.

"Well first off, the post office gave us badges we need to wear to prove our authenticity while out in the new world, apparently there are issues with impersonators. You can put it anywhere on your uniform."
>"Sounds good to me, I hear that was a big way smugglers were getting contraband past guards."
"I did also get a few things for myself, armor and stuff I can use to defend myself."
>"Nothing is against the rules if you aren't using anything as a weapon to cause harm! That being said, armor is a very good idea, if a little uncomfortable in the more humid weather."
I decide to refrain from talking about the book the librarian gave me or the deliveries I got from the inventor until I figure out what I want to do with those.
"Oh, and besides the supplied you asked for, I also got you this." I hand him the handwritten meteorology book
>"Woooaaaah score! The ones handwritten by crazy people are the best! This has much more detail than the company issue stuff! I'll let you have a look at it when I don't need it. Wooooaaaah it even has nice pictures and everything! He put down little skulls everywhere!"

2/8 Pascoe 2021/09/12(Sun)22:36 No. 1010391 ID: dd0add
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>Speaking of weapons and such you gotta ask Ecoa if she can explain kindling to you. Can it be taught? What are the drawbacks?
I am curious, so I decide to ask

>"Kindling? Without oversimplifying it, it means you can turn your emotions, and by extension, soul into power. It can be taught but it isn't compatible with all mindsets. If you were thinking about it, don't even bother. It is unheard of for a non ave to be able to do it. As for the drawbacks, A good rule of thumb is that all obtainable forms of power in the New World have a trade-off. kindlers, bloodshots, the casted, dark bards, conduits, you name it. In the case of kindling, it shortens your lifespan the more you use it. That is why good control is key. I've been pretty good with turning off my emotions, but even I'm not perfect at it, some things will still cause me to crack."
"Want a book?"
>"No thanks, I don't read. I can, but I prefer not to."

3/8 Pascoe 2021/09/12(Sun)22:36 No. 1010392 ID: dd0add
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The crew comes together, and we all agree that Mamerti will be out first stop. It should be a fairly straightforward job, and I hear it's a nice place this time of year, so I'm sure it is the right choice.

After a while of preparation, we get moving. We get further enough away that I can get a good view of the ridge, as well as the storm wall. I'd like to be the lucky guy who finds another way through the wall, the prize money would set me up for life. We're not far away enough where I can see the top though.

4/8 Pascoe 2021/09/12(Sun)22:36 No. 1010393 ID: dd0add
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I was never very fond of dirigible travel, and I much prefer sea faring to sky faring. But minus all the scary weather, it can be pretty relaxing at times. At least I can get a good view of the trench and the spires that come up from it. I always wonder if anything is below there, even if there was, I'd probably prefer it up here.

"Are those rocky islands there the pinnacles?"
>"Not even close! The pinnacles are much bigger and go much higher! These morsels are barely worth putting on the map! It'll take us a day to reach Mamerti, but when we approach a pinnacle, you'll know it when you see it!"

5/8 ??? 2021/09/12(Sun)22:37 No. 1010394 ID: dd0add
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Elsewhere

"Five packages!"
"Make that Six."
"Six! great great nice nice, can I open one?"
"Hold it. We still don't know what's in them."
"We don't? I thought we did!"
"We have an idea. The dimensions are perfect for something we'd lost track of years ago, but all these packages are identical in terms of dimensions and weight. The chances of this being a coincidence are point zero zero zero zero zero-"
"Sheesh I get it! So why don't we open it already if it has what we're looking for."
"We don't know if it has what we're looking for. What we're looking for is one of a kind. We got these six packages from the first six couriers we checked as soon as we got a scent of the dimensions.
"So then we open all of them and it'll sure to be in one of them!"
"You're not paying attention. If our assumptions are correct, there are hundreds of these on the loose. If one contains the object, then what do the others contain? What if they are rigged with explosives?"
"The possibility that the real object is in any of these packages is less than point five percent.
"Then how about we uhhh go to the destination and sort out the guy doing all this?"
"Impossible. Each one is going to a different location. If we assume all of them are like that... ugh. damn!"

6/8 ??? 2021/09/12(Sun)22:38 No. 1010395 ID: dd0add
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"Who the hell is behind this! Why are they doing this?! What do they have to gain?! Where the hell are they?!"
"Puzzling, isn't it? We thought we were the only ones who knew the existence of this object, and yet here we see someone demonstrating knowledge of it."
"How dare they make fools of us? We're supposed to be the ones keeping knowledge from others, not the other way around!"
"How about you, big guy? Got any bright ideas?"
"..."
"There is something you are all missing. This is all a message."

7/8 ??? 2021/09/12(Sun)22:38 No. 1010396 ID: dd0add
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"...What kind of message?
"Cleary, someone wants us to know that they know we exist, and that they have something of interest to us. If they don't have it, then in the very least they know of the object in question. It is another question entirely whether they know how to use it or not if they do in fact have it."
"So if they have it, why are they telling us about it?"
"A good question. Time will tell. For the time being, we will pursue this situation as we do with all situations, without direct interference."
"Ooooh I'm getting excited! We haven't had something like this happen in a long time!"
"You all know what to do. Be subtle about it."

Return to Sender - Thread 1 END Pascoe 2021/09/12(Sun)22:40 No. 1010398 ID: dd0add
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I probably don't have a thing to worry about. This job might even be as laid back as it was in my hometown. This trail mix is nice. I'm going to go take a nap.

Choose a character to follow for the beginning of thread 2
-Pascoe(?)
-Pilot

Let's "follow" "Pascoe" again.

Pascoe again! I like him.

Pilot!

Pascoe, only because I'm wondering about the question mark next to the name.

Pascoe

Pilot!

Pascoe. This has been an outstanding quest, BTW.

Pascoe is a cool gryphon.

Pascoe

>>1010398
Pascoe's rad but pilot seems like a nice intermission character while pascoe naps.

Hey Ecoa, now that we have time to spend in private do you want to try the reins? I can even put the blinders, just for you.

Pascoe
And can i say this is one of the best quests ive read? Ourstanding artwork with a very engaging story and characters and updated at a decently fast pace. Thanks so much for joining the questden community