/monster/ - The Last Bastion of Romance

>>384138

>See if the offer still stands, even if it may be in poor taste to bring a +1 to an offer of a free meal

I doubt they'll mind feeding a friend of ours. We did them a VERY big favor.

Just thinking about our healing magic a bit more. But our healing magic is rapidly becoming very advanced. I may be wrong, but I suspect that healing magic this advanced would be rare and quite expensive if you were paying a mage to do the healing.

Is that a fair assessment, OP?

>>384147

I'd think so logically. The Aussie traders are likely not rich but I imagine are fairly well off if what he was offering to us earlier was true. Either that means healing mages are either hard to find or are very pricey, Because I'd imagine they'd have made it a priority if it was within reach. Even if it is however, I would dislike the idea of charging for it unless we are in a really tight spot.

I vote for meeting up with Rob&Gil to see if that offer still stands. He offered to feed us until we are stuffed for days, So perhaps we can get 2 decent sized meals and still come out ahead on the karma scale.

I'd also like to try and teach Thomas how to breath water. Maybe we can trade it for levitation or the fireball he used earlier. He's our bro and if we can do anything to help alleviate his fears then we should. Also I am against trying to ship him with Sapphire. He genuinely seems not to be that interested in her romantically. I still think we need to aggressively investigate why she won't try looking for a relationship, But I don't see her with Thomas.

>>384147

You are quite advanced in healing comparative to your experience, it's true. But you don't hold a monopoly. Tyrisian Priestesses and Paladins have you beat still, purely by the benefit of having a divine blessing.

As to why Robbo and Gilly didn't seek healing from them? That's a Dingo thing. Dingos are STAUNCHLY Ammittian, and unfortunately healing ability is pretty sparse amongst the Caretakers of Duat.

>See if Robbo and Gilly’s offer still stands.

“I’ve got a better idea.” You grinned. “Do you know where the ‘Ruby’s Legacy’ is?”

“Oh we’ll find no joy there…” Thomas assured you “…In fact we might come out with bruises on our backsides from the Hyaenae at the door.”

“We won’t be begging. I had an offer earlier for dinner from the Trader I was travelling with.”

“YOU had an offer…”

You clapped Thomas on the shoulder. “Well if he doesn’t choose to extend his charity, I’ll split mine with you.”

Thomas laughed openly at that. “You’re too good for this world, Deniel.”

“All part of my charm.” You grinned, gesturing for your fellow pilgrim to lead on. The streets were growing quieter, as more people crammed themselves into the noisy establishments which lined the waterfront.

“There.” Thomas gestured, pointing to an almost opulent three story building on the corner. There was almost an aura of peace about its threshold, as those entering or leaving did so with purpose, enforced, no doubt, by the intimidating pair of Mamono at the door.

“Those are Hyaenae?” You murmured, your eyes wide. To say the Mamono were canid-like would be to do them a disservice. Sure, they had paws instead of feet, and their small, rounded ears poked through hair brindled in tan and brown. Brushy tails moved absently from the small of their backs. But that was where the similarity ended. Their shoulders were massively developed, almost hypertrophic, and their clawed hands were oversized at the end of arms which seemed too long for their bodies. Their gaze was predatory, and occasionally one of the women would bark out a chilling, soulless chuckle which made nearby patrons flinch.

“They are. If they get pushy, just walk away. They’re tough, disgustingly so, and I’d rather it not devolve into ‘us or them’.”

“I’m with you on that front, brother.” You agreed, before swallowing and walking pointedly towards the door.

“Stop.” One of the Hyaenae demanded. “Looks like Reitian pilgrim, yes Harharie?”

“Does look, Seheesa. Does look…” The other agreed, hooting that chilling laugh.

“You no have money. No begging here. This classy place.” Seheesa ordered.

“Classy yes.” Harharie agreed “Many money trader. You go. No make trouble.”

“…or maybe do…” Seheesa pondered, licking lips on an overgenerous mouth, her face oddly soft and girlish for such a deadly-looking creature.

“Is two of them… Hahaha… Fun now, fun later?” Harharie drawled, her tone more than slightly depraved.

“I would rather you find Love, and Love more Abundantly.” You replied, trying to sound as serene as you could. “And we’re not here to beg. Trader Robbo of The Australs and his wife Gilly invited us.”

“Said.” Seheesa noted, pursing her lips.

“Said one!” Harharie objected.

“Not so full it make difference, and I no argue with Dingo Warrigal.” Seheesa retorted, shuddering slightly. It seemed that Gilly could give even these two pause.

Harharie hooted her agreement, before placing a palm on the door and pushing it inward. You began to head inside, nodding your thanks, before Seheesa grabbed your arm.

“Harharie bad girl, but not mean. Like all men, all time…” The Hyaena muttered, almost on the edge of hearing. “…Seheesa no want. Meet poet-man two days time… You ask Reitia-Goddess give blessing for Seheesa?”

“For a fulfilling date?’ You smiled. “I would be more than happy to.”

“You have good night pilgrim-boys.” Seheesa insisted, louder this time, shoving you through the doors and shutting them behind you. You stopped, stunned as a melange of smells struck you, each one more mouth-watering than the last.

“Reitia’s Mercy…” Thomas almost groaned.

>>384155

A Maitre D’ spotted you, making his way over in that hurried-but-not-hurried pace mastered only by the truly gifted restaurateur.

“Pilgrims.” He greeted you with ineffable politesse. “I don’t know how you convinced our staff to allow you entry, but I fear this establishment cannot permit begging…”

“We did not come to beg, sir.” You assured the man. “We are expected. Robbo of the Australs invited us.”

“Ammit be Gracious…” The Maitre D’ breathed a long-suffering sigh. “…Then I pray you can convince him to be a little more restrained as he throws himself face-first into every passing ale tankard?”

“We can but try, sir.” You mused philosophically.

The Maitre D’ sniffed. “Of course, this way please.”

“I don’t get it…” Thomas remarked in your ear. “…It looks like a tavern, but people are…”

“Behaving themselves?” You chuckled. “Apart from the decor, is it any different from the Shining Sands back home?”

“Yeah well Dalila isn’t shy about setting on folks who get too rowdy with a freshly peeled switch.”

“And those two ladies out the front don’t serve similar purpose?”

“Good point!” Thomas chuckled, as you approached a long, rowdy table. A familiar shape stood up unsteadily, spreading his arms as he circled towards you.

“Maaaaaaaaate.” Robbo drawled drunkenly, embracing you in a rough hug.

“Reitia’s blessings upon you, Robbo.” You smiled, returning the embrace.

“Whozzis then?” The trader demanded, breaking the hug and peering owlishly at Thomas.

“A brother pilgrim. Thomas by name. Forgive me, I know it’s presumptuous in the extreme to impose but I couldn’t have him beg alone while I was here.” You apologised.

“Well that depends.” Robbo pondered, affecting a studious expression. “D’you drink?”

“I’ve been known to partake, sir.” Thomas grinned.

“Then sit the fuck down cunt, grab a tankard and wish blessing upon my wife and our unborn child!” Robbo laughed, shoving Thomas into an empty space at the table and forcing a heavy mug into his hand.

“So soon?” You blurted in surprise as you were manhandled into a seat next to the trader’s Dingo wife.

“A Woman Knows, Deniel.” Gilly sniffed, before giving you a brief, soft kiss on the cheek.

Robbo laughed drunkenly, shoving another tankard in front of you. “Drink! Drink all youse cunts!”

“To Gilly.” Thomas proposed, raising his tankard. “May Holy Mother Reitia multiply this blessing with many more brothers and sisters in the future.”

“Gilly!” The table declared in various degrees of sobriety, beer sloshing down its length as tankards were clumsily clanked together.

“Skoll.” A rumbling voice insisted, a positive hulk of a man with a wealth of straw-blonde hair raising his tankard to you. “Or… ‘Cheers’, as you are saying in the Westerlands.”

“Cheers.” You smile at the Nordenlander, drinking deeply of the rich, bitter ale.

“Where are me fuckin’ manners?” Robbo lamented. “These two bright young lads are Deniel and Thomas of th’Reitian Temple. Deniel’s th’one who healed th’wife, and if this Thomas bloke is worth half the regard that old mate seems to put on him, he’s a good cunt too.”

The table laughed, and a few hands reached over to clap Thomas on the back in camaraderie.

“Pilgrims, we’ve got here Director James De Sephiny of the IMFC… fucking pirate.”

“Freelancer!” The richly adorned man cried in mock injury.

“Captain Sigurd of the Shieldmaiden…” Robbo continued, ignoring the man and pointing at the blond, bearded Nordenlander. “…Mad Corvidian cunt he is.”

Sigurd grunted, a small, tolerant smile on his lips.

“…Earl Charles of Longley… that’s in the fuckin’ Angel Isles if anybody gives a shit.”

“I’ll job you one, mate…” The surprisingly humbly dressed man promised with a laugh.

“…and Ellie, mage of the Circle… though I don’t know who invited this bitch…” Robbo continued, waving dismissively at a robed human woman.

“Is that any way to talk about your little sister, cunt?” The woman laughed in a broad Australian accent, blowing a kiss at the trader.

“Love you, y’vile cow.” Robbo declared fondly. “And all this talk’s made me hungry. Waiter! Are you raising that fuckin’ beast from infancy? I’m paying a shitload of very good coin to see this lot properly fed! Step to!”

“I’ll see what the delay is at once, milord.” A waiter promised obsequiously, ducking his head and hurrying towards the kitchens.

>>384157

The sour looks of the unmentioned spoke louder than any words that some kind of power play was in motion here, and not a few had shuffled closer to Thomas, clearly trying to ingratiate themselves to the Trader’s new favoured guests. Who WAS Robbo, you wondered, to be rubbing shoulders with people of this renown?

“You’re from Caladon, yeah?” Earl Charles asked you pointedly, filling your tankard unbidden.

“Williamsberg… The Temple at Sea-of-Grasses if I have to be specific.” You replied.

“Lovely country that.” Charles sighed. “Love to go someday.”

“If I might recommend the Shining Sands during your stay?” You smiled, raising your tankard in thanks. You hoped the dinner wasn’t too far away, the ale was rich and strong, and you were aware how quickly it could catch up with you.

“He won’t go.” Sigurd stated simply. “He will meet some Caladonian Taurean and fall desperately and hopelessly in love.”

“It’s the horns…” Charles justified lamely.

“Horns. Sure.” Gilly quipped mockingly.

<Short one today, who do you want to talk to?

>James De Sephiny, director of the Independant Merchant and Freelancer’s Combine, not so much a pirate king as one of a large handful of constantly bickering pirate princes.

>Captain Sigurd of the Shieldmaiden. Nordenlander and lay-worshipper of the Dark God Corvus.

>Earl Charles of Longley - Minor noble of the Angel Isles (not-britbongistan) and apparent cowtit afficionado.

>Ellie, Circle Mage and Robbo’s little sister.

>Robbo, who keeps surprisingly august company for a seemingly simple trader

>Nobody, shut the fuck up and listen to other people’s conversations

>Something else?

>>384159

Who to chat up?

>Earl Charles of Longley - Minor noble of the Angel Isles (not-britbongistan) and apparent cowtit afficionado.

Don't want anything to do with anyone who worships Corvus. The pirate king sounds less than trustworthy as well. And it might cause problems with Ellie realizes we're the one that Archmage was probably ranting about recently. But Charles, he sounds alright. I'm curious about these Angel Isles too. Are their angels on these islands, or is that just the name? Aside from that, I'd also like to learn more about Robbo and see who he really is. Because he sure as hell seems to have a lot of influence.

>>384159

Let's talk with Robbo and ask for tales of how he met all these interesting fellows.

>>384159

>Charles

>has a thing for cow girls

>Caladon

Interesting.Let’s talk to Charles, see why he doesn’t want to go. I think there’s something we may need to help along there. Also we need to be doubly sure to congratulate them again on their child(ren?). Maybe find out who he is in the process of talking to the earl.

>>384162

>I'm curious about these Angel Isles too. Are their angels on these islands, or is that just the name?

It's a devolution of "England", though it is a VERY Tyrisian region of the Magisterian Empire (The Great Necropolis of Londinium aside) so…. maybe?

>>384159

>Robbo and Gilly

I'm pretty interested in our hosts.

>>384159

>Robbo

Let's be friendly while avoiding diving headfirst into some sort of international trades politicking.

>Charles/Robbo/Gillie

“If you know your heart’s desire, why not follow it, my lord?”

“Please, just Charles, Pilgrim. You’ll be falling over titles all night otherwise.” The Angel Islander chuckled.

You nodded your thanks. “Then I’ll insist you call me Deniel. I did notice the company tonight is surprisingly… August.”

“Spotted that did you?” Charles drawled. “This is apparently how Australians conduct a war council.”

You started at that. “War?”

“He didn’t tell you?” Charles mused in puzzlement. “Strange…”

“Tell him what?” Robbo slurred, retrieving another tankard and clapping Charles on the shoulder familiarly.

“About your most righteous campaign, My Lord Baron.” Charles smirked.

“Ah shit.” Robbo cursed. “Got m’self deposed. Fuckin’ Succusluts on the council of matriarchs STILL consider the Dingo tribes feral for no good fuckin’ reason, so some climber used me marriage to Gilly to have me given the arse.”

“That’s monstrous!” You cried in horror. True love was to be celebrated, not punished! “I’m no expert on Politics but aren’t the Australs still a Magisterium protectorate? Surely…”

“The Magisterium Court will spend half a fucking century just readin’ the legislature to prepare the notice to consider hearing the petition on the possibility… Fuck me you get the idea.” Robbo drawled cynically “And the current Dominus is a fuckin’ post turtle.”

“Post turtle?” You echoed confusedly

“Yeh. Like a turtle on a fencepost. You know the cunt didn’t get up there on his own, he doesn’t belong there, you wonder what cunt put him there, he can’t do anything while he is there, and the kindest thing you can do is knock the fucker off.” Robbo explained.

“Hohohohoho.” Sigurd rumbled in laughter. “That is of never gettings old.”

“Course not.” Charles drawled. “I taught him it.”

“But still…” You interjected “War?”

“Put it from your mind, Mate.” Robbo assured you. “I invited you as thanks for what you’ve done for me and the wife. I don’t expect anything from you, and I wouldn’t dare to ask. But Toowoomba is MINE.” The man snarled with surprising vehemence. “The bones of my family have enriched the earth in that place for eleven fuckin’ millennia. I’ll get her back…”

“Even if he has to disrupt trade for a decade to do so.” The IMFC director interjected cheekily.

“Shaddup cunt, I’m paying you to agree with me.” Robbo retorted, rounding on the man in mock fury, before taking his tankard and resuming conversation further up the table.

“This doesn’t seem possible…” You mused.

“What’s that, Deniel?” Charles prompted.

“This morning Robbo and Gilly were just a couple in a wagon… now…” You trailed off helplessly.

Charles rocked his hand back and forth. “There’s an explanation for that… Though technically it hinges on blasphemy.”

“I’m not that precious.” You assured the noble.

“You can thank the Tyrisian church.” Charles began. “And please understand, I am a loyal and devoted servant of The Most High… but administratively?”

You shook your head. “I’m afraid I still don’t follow.”

“Eons of nobility during the Pax being the only ones who breed with humans exclusively… well… on paper anyway.” Charles noted. “Add to that two… no… three near-global wars? It’s gonna get heavy at the top, every second and third son trying his damnedest to find whatever loophole in Pater Familias they can to eke out their own claim.”

>>384266

Your brow furrowed as you studied the noble. “You sound like you’re speaking from experience…”

“There’s the legendary perceptiveness of the Reitian Pilgrim…” Charles chortled. “…My ‘Earldom?’ A simple town and a handful of farms and forges. You’d call it little more than a Holding here in the Westerlands. Given to my great-great-great grandfather to stave off civil war.”

“Then why not go to Caladon if the situation irks you so?” You prompted. “Find a nice girl, build a home, raise a family…”

“A minor noble named Charles with a weakness for Taureans appears in Caladon…” The man laughed bitterly. “…The poetry is exquisite… Long story short, I’d be MOBBED, man! And I’d spend the rest of my life wondering if my wife was ever truly with me because she wanted ME, or wanted to birth the next Hathor.”

You shook your head sadly at the man’s cynicism. “You think people that fickle?”

“Observe your friend, Deniel…” Charles prompted. You looked over to where Thomas was regaling Ellie with some tale or another, the female human staring at him with smouldering eyes, a slender finger held teasingly between her teeth. “…The Suudenlanders have a saying. “Beware the huntress when she sights her prey.”

“If it be Reitia’s will…” You began lamely.

“If.” Charles echoed pointedly “Love is not the only motivator to drive one into the arms of another.”

Thankfully, at that moment dinner arrived, and the Earl’s cynicism was swept aside as the table stooped to the more pressing concern of filling belly.

“This is excellent!” You murmured to Gilly, pointing at some cut of moist, white-fleshed meat. “What is it?”

“Bungarra.” The dingo replied daintily around her own mouthful.

“Those awful lizards you use as horses?”

Gilly sniffed in confirmation as you paused in your chewing. The meat was soft, yet delicately flavoursome and almost seemed to melt in your mouth. “Miracles never cease…” You chuckled.

“Technically they’re not, not being from the Australs and all…” Thomas explained “…Memphis in the Old Nagaraj has similar beasts, they call them ‘Sand-Striders’.”

“You’re so well travelled, Pilgrim!” Ellie gushed girlishly, staring at Thomas in seeming adoration. You frowned slightly, the mage couldn’t lay it on any thicker with the aid of a trowel.

“I’ve been around…” Thomas drawled, clearly lapping up the attention.

You glanced askance at the Dingo to your side, who simply rolled her eyes. You were glad to see you weren’t the only one who could spot it, and prayed sincerely that Thomas himself was not exempt from that number.

True to his word, the spread Robbo put forth was generous and astonishingly diverse, and your frequent declarations of being full ‘clear up to here’ were weakened by the passing of yet another delicious-smelling dish.

“You have murdered me, Baron!” Director De Sephiny moaned, loosening his belt and leaning back in his chair.

“Pretend I said something profound in reply to that.” Robbo grunted, his face red and his hands holding his own distended stomach. Gilly laughed, leaning over to kiss the man warmly.

“I think I need some air…” Ellie remarked, before dramatically stumbling “…Whoops!”

Thomas, fool that he was, reached out, catching her about the waist. “Are you alright?”

“Teehee… my Hero.” the mage giggled brainlessly, stroking him along the cheek with her delicate hand. “…Though it seems I’ve had a bit to drink? Will you walk with me, Pilgrim?”

“Ellie, I am having something I wish to show the Pilgrims. You can steal him later, yes?” Sigurd rumbled.

“Not to mention Deniel still looks disgustingly mobile, and we can’t have that!” Robbo laughed drunkenly “After all, I’m a man of my word…”

A few guests shuffled uncomfortably at that, and you guessed some deeper political thrust had just struck home.

<What do?

>BEGONE THOT! Thomas isn’t going anywhere with 3dpd.

>Cockblock time, offer to go with them.

>Convince Thomas to stay and see what the Nordenlander wants to show you

>Not your Brewery, not your Satyros. If Thomas wants to flirt with breaking his vows that’s his problem. Stay here and keep drinking.

>If it be Reitia’s will, who are you to stand in the way? Let the thot fish for dick.

>>384267

>Convince Thomas to stay and see what the Nordenlander wants to show you

Gotta protect our brother and his vows. I also am curious what Sigurd wants to show us.

>>384267

>Convince Thomas to stay

Let's hear out Sigurd. Also, Ellie just screams political maneuvering 3dpd. She can fuck off.

>>384267

first off: dirty fujo kraken >>> 3D

in light of this, Thomas is going fucking nowhere with her and will be coming along with us with the russian nordenlander.

>>384267

>Convince Thomas to stay and see what the Nordenlander wants to show you

I'm in agreement on this. Deny the thot. Besides, I think Thomas might actually really like Miss Kraken, though he is reluctant to admit it. Maybe a bit less reluctant if we teach him water breathing :^)

>>384267

Convince Thomas to stay. Maybe give him a little jab about the flirtations of miss sapphire.

>>384267

She trying to pussywhip our boy for nefarious means.We are duty bound and brother pilgrims and as bro's to stop them. Convince him to stay and listen to what the Nord had to say

>>384267

>Convince Thomas to stay and see what the Nordenlander wants to show you

Hope she's not too sour about being boxblocked.

>>384294

who cares if the cunt gets clamjammed?

>>384332

Potentially us if she takes it personally?

>>384267

Bros before hos. Convince Thomas to stay, she probably only wants him for his phenomenal cosmic power.

>Convince Thomas to stay and see what the Nordenlander wants to show you

“We’d be glad to oblige you, Captain Sigurd.” You announced, looking pointedly at your brother pilgrim. “Wouldn’t we Thomas?”

“Deniel I’m sure we…” Thomas began lamely, glancing at the giggling mage still lounging in his arms.

“I’m sure the Baron is more than capable of making sure his sister… you know, the CIRCLE ADEPT… gets safely to wherever she’s staying tonight.”

“What, upstairs?” Robbo murmured in apparent incomprehension.

“Oh why not just piss DIRECTLY into me fuckin’ porridge, brother mine?” Ellie hissed, pushing herself off Thomas, her drunkenness seemingly evaporated in an instant. Grabbing Thomas’s collar, she shamelessly pulled the shocked man’s mouth to hers.

“Wh-what?” Thomas blurted in shock as the mage broke her kiss.

“Don’t make me spell it out.” Ellie seethed at him, as if the whole thing was somehow his fault, before storming from the tabled commonroom.

“Seems to have taken quite a shine to the Pilgrim.” Charles remarked phlegmatically.

“When she does she does, I s’pose.” Robbo mused philosophically, before turning his head slightly and winking at you.

“That was unworthy, Deniel.” Thomas accused, straightening his clothes.

You fixed your brother pilgrim with an innocent expression. “You weren’t planning on taking her up on anything, were you?”

Thomas’s face flushed. “No, of course not, but…”

You grinned. “Ware your ego, brother mine. No castle has been built that will withstand the machinations of that particular traitor.”

“Truer words, little brother…” Sigurd chuckled in his rumbling voice, and your ears pricked up. Did he use that particular reference deliberately? “…Come now, you must be seeing.”

>>384476

“Really though?” Thomas murmured.

“Have you grown so inured to the touch of a woman staying with Sapphire you don’t recognise the kinds of silly decisions a man makes with a woman’s softness pressed against him?” You replied levelly.

“That’s different. She’s not…”

“What, Human?”

“Yes… I mean no! Sapphire doesn’t… Understand.”

You raised an eyebrow askance. “Understand what?”

Thomas sighed. “What it means to be a mage… Deniel you’ve been on Pilgrimage for under a month, you haven’t had to come to terms with it yet.”

“With what?”

“Loneliness.” Thomas replied honestly. “I’ve helped breathe life into Love across half the world now… and I keep none of it for myself. I’d never met anyone who could truly UNDERSTAND what we do, not really.”

You squeezed Thomas’s arm in sympathy. “Disciple Jonathan told me something, before I began my pilgrimage. It’s hard to think that someone can understand you without empathizing with you… but it happens, and it’s the most vulnerable position we can find ourselves in. After all, what is the Remonstration of the Seeker?”

“Guard thou well the Treasures of thy Heart, O beloved.” Thomas Recited almost automatically. “For yea, that which heals can be made to harm. The fire which comforts shall also burn, the water which sootheth may yet drown, the linens which succor may also suffocate.”

“Glorified be the Wisdom of the Holy Mother.” You intoned, placing a hand atop your breast.

“Glorified be.” Thomas agreed with a sigh. “But she’s not like that!”

“You’ve known her for an hour? Two?”

Thomas grumbled in reluctant admission. “You’re right.”

“Do not worry about Loneliness, little brother.” Sigurd interjected from where he walked ahead of you. “For it is said, that the millstone of power must ever be born alone, and none shall bear it from us, for its price is ours, and ours alone to pay.”

“I don’t recognise that… Tyrisian?” You frowned.

Sigurd shook his head. “This is wisdom of The Raven of the North. Corvus, Itreks-jod”

“The Dark God.” Thomas breathed with not a little trepidation.

Sigurd paused, a look of surprise on his bearded face as he looked between you. “You think Him so? Then we have been leavings it for too long already. Come… you must see.”

The Nordenlander led you through the maze of back-alleys, coming at last to a strangely peaked building, looking as if it had been strangely grown, rather than built, its buttresses and arches spiked in the manner of a coral reef.

“So quiet now… once always full of life. But none allowed here any longer… It doesn’t want it remembered.” Sigurd murmured almost to himself. “But the Sea remembers… and I remember.”

The neglected doors were pushed open with a creaking of wood and rusted hinges, and the Nordenlander busied himself with flint and steel at an oil-stained brazier until it sputtered to orange, smoky light.

“There.” Sigurd pointed to a pool of water at the far end of the room, tiles elevating it like some kind of altar. Compounding that were the stylizations of Mer and Kraken in mosaic on the wall above it, beatified like saints where they pointed tridents and cruel coral-swords towards the pool. “We go. Is not far. You can hold breath yes? Ten seconds, maybe twenty, is not far.”

“Y-you want us to go… IN there.” Thomas gulped, his eyes widening and his face going pale in the ruddy glow of the brazier.

“I go first. Show you. Is no danger.” Sigurd promised, stepping without hesitation into the pool, which submerged the big man in dark water to the neck. “Deep breath.” He instructed, before taking in a huge lungful of air and pluging his head beneath the water.

“I can’t!” Thomas whimpered in sheer terror, stepping backwards away from the pool as if the water would come alive and grab him. “I… I just can’t! I’m sorry Deniel.”

<I didn’t want to break it here but it allows for more options if I do. Good news is I have all the rest planned out so it should be fairly quick to post the next part once you guys pick

<What do you want to do?

>Tell Thomas to go back, whatever Sigurd wanted to show you, you can tell him about it, and this isn’t the most soothing environment to have your brother confront his fear.

>Bully him for being a little bitch, try and guilt him into it

>Teach him Waterbreathing and hope that stills his fear.

>Cast Waterbreathing on the both of you, guide him through yourself, time enough to teach him later. (This will strain you magically)

>Knock his ass out, cast waterbreathing on him and drag the pussy little faggot through while holding your breath like a real man.

>>384477

Give a short speech about how one must overcome his fears and how you experienced learning water breathing. Then teach him water breathing.

>>384477

>Teach him Waterbreathing and hope that stills his fear.

Try to teach him, but if he's 100% against this right now, let him go back.

>>384479

this. but I do like the idea of konking him on the head with Deniel's staff if he doesn't co operate. so: all for "teach Thomas water breathing" … and if there needs to be a tiebreaker for knocking him out or not … consider me in the "bop him on the head" camp.

>>384477

Teach him Waterbreathing and hope that stills his fear. If he can't learn it soon, cast it on both of you.

>>384477

Teach him to breathe underwater

>>384477

>Teach him Waterbreathing and hope that stills his fear.

Try this.

>Cast Waterbreathing on the both of you, guide him through yourself, time enough to teach him later. (This will strain you magically)

This as a last resort.

>>384493

Yep, Though I really do like the idea of smacking him upside the head. It out of character but it would be hilarious

>>384497

It would be pretty funny. But I doubt Thomas would like it very much.

>>384477

Teach him waterbreathing

>>384515

Hey, we're the follower of the Goddess of love, and some people need a little tough love.

>Teach Thomas Waterbreathing.

You gripped your brother pilgrim by the arms. “Thomas! Don’t worry, I can help.”

Thomas looked at you helplessly. “How?”

“Open your mind to me.” You insisted, putting a hand atop Thomas’s head.

Screwing his eyes closed, Thomas nodded, sinking to his knees on the paved floor with you. “Sahnate, Pora, Reitia Dei in Excelsius…”

As you chanted, you felt the world fall away from you, standing again in that twilight of the Astral Plane. You paused, amazed at the difference in how your minds wrought the endless maze of The Path. Thomas’s mind was much more regimented, almost geometric in its structure, a vast web of glittering gemstones, every facet a new intersect on The Path.

“Alright Thomas, I want you to think of Water for me. Make it real.”

You sensed liquid swirling around your ankles as reality shifted within your fellow mage’s mind. Suddenly, you were presented with a boundless vista of ankle-deep water, the sky blue and clear from horizon to endless horizon.

“No chance you could make it just a bit deeper?” You ventured. Thomas stared at you levelly. “Alright, fine. Can you make a wall of water? Just make it taller than me.”

Thomas made a strangling noise as his will fought against the primitive fear in his mind.

“Remember our lessons.” You assured him. “You’re the master here, my brother. Nothing happens in this place but that you will it.”

“Unless a memory runs roughshod over your consciousness, or did you forget so quickly?” Thomas spat derisively.

“Build my wall, Thomas.” You smirked, not rising to the bait. Thomas sighed, raising his hand in front of him, the water flowing around your ankles as he raised it into a rough block of water, some fifty feet in length and ten or so in height.

“That’ll be fine.” You assured him, before deliberately stepping backwards into the wall.

“If you’re thinking of simply shaming me into…” Thomas began, his voice muffled as he stood without.

You shook your head, putting your fingertips to your throat ”Aalco De Zlida”. Once again a fizz of bubbles erupted from your mouth, and in a moment you were breathing normally.

“How are you…” Thomas gasped, at once too amazed to be afraid.

“First you need to change how you view water. You can’t change its nature, but you can work within it. There is air within the water, and all you need do is draw it out.”

“I have to try this… but…” Thomas paused, fear once again warring with eagerness.

“The wall’s not going anywhere. You can just lean back anytime.” You reminded him assuringly from within the elongated block of water..

Thomas leaned forward, seemingly agonizingly slowly, his face breaking the surface of the water, then his shoulders, then his arms. “Aalco De Zlida” he intoned, a bubble of air appearing suddenly around his mouth and nose. “Hey! It worked!”

“Why make the transition in front of your face though?” You asked, floating within the water.

“What if the water’s full of weeds or sand or whatnot?” Thomas replied, stepping forward unthinkingly.

“That’s a fair point… Guess what?” You chuckled.

“What’s… Hey! I’m in here!” Thomas remarked in amazement. “This is… fine… I don’t know why I…”

A deep, burbling laugh resonated through the water, and you fancied you could see a massive shape moving somewhere along the wall’s length.

“Nope.” Thomas declared, and your feet were driven out from under you as the wall collapsed into the endless, innocent, ankle-deep pool.

“What…” You coughed, blinking as you regained your equilibrium.

“Something I do not want to deal with.” Thomas replied firmly. “Not yet at least.”

“Memories are assholes.” You declared, sluicing water from your hair.

“You said it, brother.” Thomas agreed as the world once again fell away.

>>384658

“Why did I think this was a good idea?” Thomas moaned as he gripped your shoulders.

“You’ve got this, Thomas.” You assured him. “Now just focus on holding the spell. I’ll take care of the swimming.”

“Reitia’s Mercy…” Thomas groaned as you gently dragged him along with you into the darkness of the pool.

“Still with me?”

“Y-yeah. Yeah… Hey is that light over the…Ack!” Thomas gasped as a powerful current suddenly thrust you forward, hurtling down a weedy, brick-lined corridor, pale phosphorescence coming from strange growths spaced far too regularly to be completely natural.

“That damn Nordenlander lied!” Thomas yelled, his voice burbling through the magical bubble around his mouth and nose. “This is very far! Very far!”

“Hang onto me. We’re alright!” You insisted. “It’s barely been fifteen sec…”

With a rushing swirl, you were emptied unceremoniously out into a mirror image of the pool you had entered. Thomas spluttered, kicking for the surface and dragging himself out of the pool as quickly as his flailing limbs would allow. Shaking your head, you could do naught but follow.

“Captain Sigurd?” You ventured, blowing water from your nose as you approached the hunched figure in the centre of the dark, vaulted room you found yourself in.

“Little Brothers!” Sigurd cried in apparent relief, standing and turning to face you. In a hand soaked with gore was held a cruel looking knife, coated with foul ichor, as if he had completely forgotten he held it. “What was of takings so long?”

“Reitia’s Grace!” You exclaimed in surprise “Never mind us! What in the name of All the Gods happened here?”

“Is trouble.” Sigurd grunted, bending and wiping his knife on the wet, stinking remains of whatever it was that was evidently stupid enough to engage the big human. “Is trouble I hoped not to be seeings.”

“Okay I’m done with the obfuscation.” Thomas declared, sluicing water from his tunic pointedly. “Why are we here? What is this place? What the fuck was that? What the fuck did you kill?”

“This? This is history. Show you.” Sigurd insisted, striking flint and steel at an oil-filled channel that jutted out from the side of the wall. A greenish flame leapt up as a spark caught in the oil, and you gasped at the intricate mosaics that were brought to light in the verdant fire.

“This one…” Sigurd began, pointing a thick finger at the nearest “…Is of showings The Antient Mariner meetings the Ruby Witch.”

“Meeting.” Thomas echoed, and as your eyes panned across the image you felt your face grow hot. Idealized and Beatified the images may have been, but this was CLEARLY a mosaic of a human and a crimson-skinned Kraken copulating.

“Stops beings old lady.” Sigurd chuckled mockingly. “This one is The Antient Mariner and Ruby Witch sheltering the Fallen afters the War of the Angels.”

A white-haired infant was surrounded by a glowing halo as it was held between golden angelic hand and crimson tentacle, the baby’s face preternaturally calm and a silver Triskelion floating above his imperiously raised hand.

“No prizes for spotting Lord Heirarch Enoch in that one, Ammit Rest his Soul.” Thomas snickered softly, and you nodded, frowning as you noticed another figure in the mosaic.

“Who’s the man in the Feathered cloak?”

“You are not beings serious…” Sigurd stated incredulously. “…Is Itreks-jod! Lord Corvus!”

“I’ve never seen him depicted like… that!” You remarked. To depict the Lord of Destruction as something so… Ordinary! It defied belief.

“No, you are of seeings scary childrens books yes?” Sigurd snickered “Not be doings of Evil or Corvus come throw you in the Void, yes?”

“I’m pretty sure I read that one…” Thomas admitted. “…What? I did!” He protested as you fixed him with a disapproving stare.

Sigurd shook his head, blowing air through his moustache as he pointed to the next mosaic. “Here, Seeing Transcendence of the Mariner, birth of new sea-witches.”

“Whoever did these mosaics REALLY had a thing for showing Krakens getting ploughed…” Thomas remarked, the mosaic again being at once reverent and graphically carnal at the same time.

“Getting you all hot and bothered?” You quipped mockingly.

“Tentacles, Deniel.” Thomas replied levelly, shaking his head before pointing at the largest couple in the mosaic, the crimson-skinned Kraken of the pair unmistakeable. “They made a mess of this “Mariner” though, he almost looks like he has fins!”

“He was of changing.” Sigurd explained “Is not mistakes.”

Thomas shuddered involuntarily, and you couldn’t help but agree with your brother pilgrim. Tyrisians you were not, but forsaking your humanity? That was a Taboo bred into your very cells. Sigurd moved to the next mosaic, the green fire lighting his face with an almost eldrich radiance as it spread along the channel.

>>384659

“This one, the martyrdom of the Ruby Witch. The Exile of the Mariner.” Sigurd explained, the Kraken being peirced through by countless cruel weapons, the dusky-skinned demons holding them warped and twisted in comparison to the Kraken’s benignly Beatified features, hands folded and eyes raised reverently to heaven. Below, the Half-man form of the Ancient Mariner, a battered tricorn hat pulled down to obscure his face.

“Are we reaching some kind of point, Sigurd?” You sighed wearily, your nerves frayed with tension.

“Is all coming to bear, little brother.” The Nordenlander promised, crossing to the second-to-last mosaic. “Here, the Purification and the Ascension. The Mariner is Anointed.” Sigurd turned to face the pair of you, a wry smile on his lips. “Am sure I am not havings to explain who that is.”

“Holy Mother!” Thomas exclaimed, putting his hand over his heart and bowing his head reverently. You stared open-mouthed at the mosaic. There, an unmistakeable figure, her wings storm-grey, hair the azure of a spring sky, lupine ears and tail so exquisitely detailed you expected them to move any second. Her slender arms reached towards the monstrous half-man form of the Antient Mariner, and the artist, clearly in the throes of some kind of artistic fervour, had encrusted the stylized power emanating from her hands in a king’s ransom of crushed gemstones.

“Mother Reitia.” You murmured reverently, mirroring Thomas’s pose.

“Thanks be to the Rafnsdottir for Life and Joy. Beings they ever abundant on the world.” Sigurd intoned, making the same respectful gesture. “And look, little brothers, what is of coming from the mariner’s back?”

“Darkness…” Thomas replied thoughtfully, and you nodded agreement. Crushed obsidian was set in similar manner to the bright gems, trailing away to a single gemstone so dark it seemed to suck in even the dim light.

“The Raven was of fightings against The Dragon… and The Dragon was of fightings… and was prevailings not.” Sigurd recited, tracing his fingertips along the ebony gemstone before placing his palm to his forehead in a ritual gesture. “Light from light, dark to dark… Purified of all corruptions. No longer Arin, no longer Mariner…” Sigurd traced off as the fire finally reached the end of the vaulted room, springing to roaring life as it illuminated a majestic figure wielding a pair of trident blades, a finned, coraline crown resting upon gem-crusted brow. “…But God! Oannes! Lord of the Waters!” Staring open-mouthed, for a moment you were struck dumb by the sheer theatricality of the gesture.

“Never heard of him.” Thomas remarked simply, shattering the spell and drawing a muttered curse from the muscular Nordenlander.

“That is of beings the POINT!” Sigurd lamented in frustration. “How is entire city of forgetting Oannes? Entire Country? World maybe?”

“It seems impossible.” You admitted.

Thomas nodded. “But here we are.”

“Yes. Before the doors to the Abyss.” Sigurd grumbled, bashing his fist against the statue, and you noticed for the first time a seam running up the middle of the majestic figure, a seam from which leaked a thick, foul substance.

“Eurgh…” Thomas remarked in distaste.

“Dark Magics.” Sigurd explained. “I am simple Captain. I am not of having magics, I am not of being annointed with the Void. I am of having no power to make of fixings. I am hoping that maybe you can?”

“Why?” Thomas asked in puzzlement. “I mean, if Oannes wants to be forgotten, who are we to gainsay a God?”

“Oannes is of being a Proud God. He is of welcoming sacrificings and praise. His altars were of running red with the blood of traitors and criminals… But now those altars are of being dried black, and shadows are of whispering a new name. A foul name. A name which should be beings dead long past… Dagon.”

<Woah nelly! We’ve gone and stumbled into a fucking blue between sea-gods.

>CLEANSE THIS PLACE WITH HOLY FIRE! FOR REITIA AND HER FAVOURED ONE!

>Fuck this could get seriously sideways right quick. Maybe scarper and ask Ellie if there are any more Circle Mages who could be meatshields provide support.

>Lots of Krakens in these murals… wonder if we know anyone who could provide a Kraken’s-eye view on this shitshow?

>Try and contact Cirice, if Gods are involved we’d probably better ask Mum if it’s okay to poke at first.

>If there’s that much Dark Magic, why hasn’t this Corvidian summoned the Black Knights? Something’s fucky here… Nope the fuck out of there and get as far away from Atlantea as you can.

>Something else?

>>384660

This shit is getting heretical.

I am really weary with touching Dagon shit.

That said I think we have to do something. Oannes is someone Retia cares about, and this can be seen being about love. Sigurd loves his God and can't do anything to help. Thats a good enough excuse for us I think. Also gathering some goodwill from the Gods is never a bad thing.

So I'd try to ask Mother or Cirice, When that inevitably gets us no where since we don't have a direct line to a God and the angel on our shoulder is still to embarrassed to talk to us, Ask why hasn't he made a call for the a Black Knight. Given a good enough answer then we start Mass Cleansing this shit.

We will likely get attacked by deep ones once we start so make sure everyone is prepared and knows whats going to happen. Also we should have an evac route should shit go sour.

Sigurd and Thomas can easily carry themselves in a fight, So can focus on purifying.

>>384660

>Try and contact Cirice, if Gods are involved we’d probably better ask Mum if it’s okay to poke at first.

Let's do this. Cirice will probably be more receptive if we come without Thomas. Be sure to lovingly thank her for her help too. Tease her if she starts acting all shy again, telling her she better get used to it! Just like she expected us to get used to her nudity. :^)

>CLEANSE THIS PLACE WITH HOLY FIRE! FOR REITIA AND HER FAVOURED ONE!

Do this if Cirice is still acting like a shy little girl, despite our earnest request for guidance.

The bottom line is that this place needs to be cleansed of the darkness.

My gut instinct is to immediately purify it, but last time we were rash like that it ended poorly. Let’s ask sapphire about this. Given her name it wouldn’t surprise me if she was a descendant of Ruby. Depending on what she tells usif anything it might be wise to call for backup. If we end up summoning a horde of demons or something having extra mages on hand would be useful.

>>384681

Really rather not have circle mages sticking their noses into this. They seem like the types who would blow it to bits instead of trying to cleanse or understand it.

>>384695

>>384681

Oh wait, Sapphire is the kraken, not the circle mage. Never mind. Asking Sapphire probably isn't a bad idea. I know you didn't imply this, but I still wouldn't want to mention it to Ellie.

>>384660

>Lots of Krakens in these murals… wonder if we know anyone who could provide a Kraken’s-eye view on this shitshow?

Let's start with asking Sapphire, we can kick it upstairs to Cirice and Mom after we have some more info if needed.

>>384660

Sapphire seems a good person to ask, but even better would be a Shoggoth. Where we would find one I don't know, but if we're dealing with an eldritch threat it would help to ask something that is also eldritch.

>>384660

>Ask Sapphire

And afterwards, if that doesn't get us a comfortably solid way forwards

>Ask Cirice and Mum

>>384660

count me in for asking the dirty fujo Sapphire

>>384660

Call Circe