/monster/ - The Last Bastion of Romance

>Story continue

“Got everything loaded up?”

You turn and wipe a thin sheen of sweat from your brow atop the wagon. Nodding to Clint and Ginelle, who are also loading up crates, you leap down from the wagon to meet Finn, the man being helped over by Alice. It doesn’t escape your notice that Rayleigh gives sidelong glances to Alice, but she keeps her distance as well.

“Last one.” Ginelle says, lifting up a crate like she didn’t just get injured multiple days in a row. Clint finishes loading it and sighs, lifting his hat and wiping some sweat as well. Despite it being cooler here than in Deleor, it certainly is still summer, isn’t it?

“All supplies accounted for.” He says before tapping a crate next to him. “This one just appeared out of nowhere though, there’s two weird crossbows in here and a lot of potions.” He looks to you, raising an eyebrow.

“What? They’re useful potions.” You say, leaving it at that, though you’re certain you see Clint glance to Rayleigh. Moving along, you say, “Weird crossbows, you say?”

“Uh, yeah.” He says, lifting one up. “It’s a little smaller than what we’d see in Deleor.”

“Well, most Monsters are women sized.” Ophelia says, arriving with the help of Clarissa. “I think I could even use one of those effectively. Looks like I can even fit my foot in there to load it up.”

Clint tosses you the crossbow and you put it down, using the stirrup. You manage to pull the string back with less effort than the last one, which makes you feel plenty strong until you notice Finn’s smirk. Pouting, you return the string to neutral and give the weapon back to Clint, who also smirks. Assholes, both of them. Sighing, you turn back to Ophelia.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like I got slammed into a wall by plants and had my ribs broken.” She says, wincing. “But I could be worse. I don’t think I’m going to like riding in the wagon.”

“Sure you don’t want to stay?”

“What, and miss all the fun?” She chuckles. “Besides, I have to have lucky feet or something, because I’ve avoided certain death like, at least twice now. Maybe I should invest in that crazy Wizard’s maid constructs.”

“Woah, let’s not be crazy here.” Clint says. “There’s a difference between risk taking with investments and throwing money in a fire.”

“Yes, yes, we can discuss the finer points of being bourgeois later.” You say before turning to the side. “Patricia, you ready?”

The Wolf Girl places a book back in her bag and stands, stretching out her long, canine limbs. “Ready if you are. I’d like to see this place. Besides, I feel if we stay any longer we’ll run into trouble.”

“More trouble?” Clarissa says, blanching.

“The city isn’t going anywhere.” You say, waving your hand. “Trouble will be waiting for us.”

“Like Rose…” Finn says, frowning.

The party becomes quite at that, feeling a sense of nervousness. Despite everything burning, you know in your heart that Rose wasn’t in that fire, if she’s even here. If you have experience with these things, and you kind of do, you have no doubt you haven’t heard the last of her.

“Hey, let’s not get focused on that.” Ginelle says, stretching. “We’ll just beat her down like all the others if we need to.”

“Heh.” Clint says, ruffling her hair, not that she minds. “That’s why I love you.”

“Oh? Just that hmm?” She smirks, to which Clint clears his throat.

“Alright you two.” You say, waving your hand. “Everyone load up, we’re headed out.”

Getting the wounded into the wagon and everyone ready to go doesn’t take very long. While you do, Sophie exits her manor where your wagon is and nods as you finish up.

“I see you’re ready to go?”

“No thanks to you, princess.” Patricia says.

“I didn’t see you helping either.” Ginelle sniffs.

>>400305

“I had to finish a few things after breakfast.” Sophie says, though you’re certain she just wanted to get out of moving also. “But I wish you luck on your venture.”

“Well, we do have lucky rabbit feet.” You say, thumbing to Ophelia, who waggles her rabbit toes. “But we also have skill. We’ll be able to do this.”

“Mmm. I suppose.” She says. “If Saya chose you, then I’m certain you can do just about anything. Just make sure you don’t hurt her, okay?”

“Yes, yes, sis.” You say, to which she smirks.

“Fine, bro.” She chuckles, extending a tail which you shake from atop the wagon.

Everyone waves to her as Clint gets the horses moving, the wagon pulling away and out of the manor grounds and back into the city. You get the looks from before, perhaps even more, as you move through the city, the whispers of the Monsters a little too loud. Ophelia’s ears go haywire flipping about as she tries to listen, her expressions mixed and curious. It seems as if opinions are split within the capital, a day’s time allowing the residents to argue amongst themselves. Hopefully Selene and Sophie will be okay…

When you approach the edge of the capital, a group of guards checks your wagon and clears you, having been informed beforehand that you’d be leaving. Once clear, Clint drives you out into the wide expanse of fields leading off to the mountains.

While there is no true industry in the Monster Nation, the open fields and fresh air feel wonderful after the tension of the past few days. With nary a cloud in the sky, you sit in the front and bask in the warm summer air as cool winds drift down from the mountains from time to time. The spirits of the others seem to rise, even Rayleigh’s.

Speaking of which… she sits next to you on the driver’s seat, her size thankfully not enough to make it cramped, even with yourself and Clint. The man next to you gives her looks ever now and then, but neither say anything. Even with a day of rest, the group still feels awkward around her, huh?

“So, what do you think we’ll find?”

Rayleigh blinks in surprise at the sudden question from you. Frowning, she shrugs and says, “I don’t know, bugs?”

“Like, giant bug girls?”

“Or like, big roaches or something.” She says, rolling her eyes. “It’s an abandoned observatory, not an inn. I doubt anything is living there.”

“I don’t know.” Clint says, frowning as well. “I heard some places deep in the mountains still have some ancient Monsters living there.”

“What does that mean?” You ask, curious.

“Ancient Monsters are those who were old long before Dollora’s Great Transformation.” Patricia says, drawn in by a history discussion. You wonder how she heard before you remember, right, wolf ears.

“They are incredibly powerful Monsters, some of them even having resisted the change or even have control over it. Similar to the creature that Alice spoke of.”

“The Crocodile out in Ectria?” You ask, to which she nods.

“Yes. I’ve heard tales of ancient Dragons who live apart from the rest of Monster society, but who knows what else may live out here. There are places even Monsters before twenty years ago dared not venture.”

“Hmm.” Rayleigh says, tapping her chin. “Well, we’ll just have to deal with it when we come to it, right?”

“That’s exactly right.” You say, looking off toward the mountains.

——————————————————————————————————————-

>>400306

Later in the day, Clarissa flies about overhead, giving more room in the wagon as you ride along, taking in the sun. She keeps you up to date on the paths ahead, giving great news on the roads being clear. While there are some outlying farms, even the Monster Nation needs agriculture, they’re out of your way and nothing to worry about. Patricia and Ophelia, when they aren’t sleeping, are listening for anything else that could come, giving you a wonderful defense system.

Going from Patricia’s information, you get a better bearing of how to go, Clarissa finding you a path of which to follow, though she informs you the road starts to fade away into nothing. You figured you wouldn’t get so lucky going forward, but Clint is a great driver so you doubt you’ll have much issue.

And that’s exactly what happens. Nothing of much interest occurs in the next three days of traveling, though thankfully Finn and Ophelia begin to feel better, if not 100%. You feel very thankful you got the book back from that Cat Girl because between Patricia and Clarissa, you’re able to pinpoint where to go. Driving your wagon further into the mountains, the air becomes cooler despite the time of year. By the end of the third day, Clarissa spots the lake mentioned in the book. Thankfully it didn’t go anywhere in all this time.

The next morning you head toward the mountain lake and, nestled into the trees on the side of the mountain, Ginelle finds evidence of a human structure.

Arraying yourself outside, you take a look at the building. It doesn’t look like much that you can see, being built into the side of the mountain. A large dome the color of the stone around it sits intact, covered in layers of moss and vegetation while sharp stone corners do the same. Clarissa sees no one else around and neither Patricia nor Ophelia can detect any other Monsters present. As far as you can tell, the place surrounding the structure is empty.

Still… something feels off about the place. As you study the structure you feel a deep unease, like you’re standing before a great beast, afraid to awaken it. The others sense it as well, but you’re unable to place what it is. It’s neither magical or magitek as far as you can tell but… maybe it’s just your nerves.

“So it’s really here.” Patricia says, placing a hand on the structure, feeling the stone. She looks over at a set of large, stone doors that stand slightly ajar, vines and roots growing in between the cracks throughout Gods knows how many years. She nods her head. “I have to see what’s inside. Even if Hevensferth can’t be contacted, I have to enter.”

She turns to you and give you the most serious expression you think you’ve seen from her. Feeling her sense of resolve from Patricia, you give her a reassuring nod before turning to the rest of the group. They nod back, a similar resolve on their features.

“Alright.” You say, hands on your hips. “Let’s go speak with the heavens, shall we?”

>>400307

Hey! I'm back everyone! Had stuff to do like get my cat, etc etc but I had time to derp this out.

There wasn't much to say before we switch to Rommel actually and I didn't think I'd have time to write this anyway so it's something while I look into writing for Rommel tomorrow. If you have suggestions you recall from last time, let me know, otherwise Imma get goin tomorrow afternoon! But we're back!

Oh, and I'm considering another sketch page. What two characters would you like to see on a sketch page together?

My only last minute suggestions for Tobias is that Patricia should probably be the one to speak to Heavensferth, or at the very least she should inform us about his personality so we know how to talk to him. If Patricia does talk to him, then she needs to be fully informed about what happened in IQ, if she isn’t already. Be ready to react to the spooky feeling, and let’s have our weapons ready. Did we already go through that mountain pass that screamed ambush?

Also, I know I’m going to be the guy who thinks up the perfect response to an insult 10 minutes after it happens, but in response to Selene’s points that poked holes in our proposition, here we go:

Point 2 (I’m not going in order, so sue me): This was that Deleor doesn’t want to share tech with a foreign nation for fear of it being used to invade them. This is easily fixable, as we simply make the tracks in the MN, a different gauge (width) than those in Deleor. This would require a station within Deleor’s border to switch to the standard gauge, if they want to invade. We could also have an immigration station that doubles as a not-so-obvious fortress, to defend against any, future, and unlikely, invasions. This is also historical, as most of industrial Europe did it to slow invaders down.

Point 1 and 3: This was that MN lacks engineers/leg lines take time to grow. While it may take time, it would be possible to train new engineers, and do this with only superficial deleorian aid. Ophelia would make a great teacher. And the time it takes to train an engineer would probably be rather close to the time it takes for the lines to grow (I’m guessing they take like 2-3 decades, at most). As for the DSS restricting this exportation of engineers, we can always talk to Agent Anderson about this. The whole point of espionage is to prevent future wars from happening, or at least knowing enough to get the drop on the enemy. And this will certainly stop future wars. As for any lack of Monster enthusiasm for learning, just remind them men are involved.

For my art request, could we get something of the gods? They’re getting more important in this story, and although we already have pics of the magnificent Dollora and the futa Phallia complete with the appropriate bulge, I’d like to see the others. Perhaps one of Sveth and Heavensferth, as they’re the god of two polar opposites, earth and sky?

Also, Ace-chan the cat girl lover has a cat! Is her name Selene? ;^)

Oh and don’t take the above as needing to stay with Tobias. This can all be done when we switch back to him after we finally get to have control of Rommel/GW.

>>400309

>What two characters would you like to see on a sketch page together?

kinda want to see what >>400320 asked for with some sort of harvest/fertility god that inevitably looks like a holstaur as well because reasons

inb4 heavensferth and sveth look like not-thor (or perhaps not-magni and not-modi, and solos is not-thor)

Ya ever say you're going to do something, then get stuck on the other side of town for most of the day before falling asleep for 3 hours?

Welp.

>>400320

Character designs are going to be months delayed. Manos has been in the process of moving and she's basically done like nothing for a few months. I have our Dragon friend in queue as well as a Sylphie in her current outfit picture but I'm not going to order another design until things are back to normal. I will order sketch pages of established characters tho!

I could always get one of Dollora and Phallia before they went at each other's throats maybe…

>>400360

Sorry Beardicus

>>400424

>implying i'm bearicus

it's not like my his waifu is best girl, and all other girls a shit

>>400320

>Perhaps one of Sveth and Heavensferth, as they’re the god of two polar opposites, earth and sky?

I think adding Fillios into that mix to get the full land, sea and sky dynamic would be pretty cool were Ace ever to go down this route.

>>400424

>I will order sketch pages of established characters tho!

Assuming you aren't already decided, perhaps something with both Chaika and Harmony could work?

>>400437

You're correct, it isn't like that at all as Holstaurs are mediocre at best. Fight me. :^)

>Rommel

“So there’s a city inside the volcano.” Veronica says, lacing her fingers together as she leans on the table before her.

“Seems that way to me.” You say, nodding to Maya, who returns the gesture before yawning.

“It’s soooo hot down there, makes me kind of sleepy.” She mumbles to herself before rubbing her eyes. “Are we really going down there?”

“Yes, Maya.” Bardam says, arms crossed against his chest. “This seems to be our best lead to where this ‘Heart of the Crags’ is.”

“I agree.” Tabitha says as she enters the room with tea, placing cups before the assembled party. Everyone takes a cup gratefully, the warmth oddly nice despite the constant undertones of heat in Blackfire Reach.

You’d returned home after making the discovery, only stopping to have the mining crew widen the hole some. They seemed excited at what they found, ready to explore further, but you put your foot down. Who knows what is lurking in there? Even worse, what if one of the crew finds the artifact and damages or steals it? You believe you can trust them but…

{It’s really, really hot down there.} Erwin sends, rolling in the cushions you have on the floor. {Can I sit this one out?}

{No, you lazy bum.} You mentally reply before turning to the others. “I worry about what could be down there, as well as the heat. While I can use my magic to check for instability in the ground, if there’s an eruption we might be in trouble. There’s little chance we can escape before it would cover us.”

“Can’t you use your magic to shield us from that?” Veronica asks, to which you shake your head.

“Somewhat, but I can’t exactly fight an entire volcano.”

“So we need to get in and get out.” Tabitha says. “But make sure we’re properly supplied for the journey. Given how well hidden the place is, I doubt we’ll see much in the way out outside intervention however.”

“Assuming there are no Monsters down there.” Bardam says, holding up a finger. Tabitha frowns and crosses her arms under her breasts.

“They’d have to be positively ancient to live down there. It’s not like men can find their way there and what is there to eat? Anything that lived in that place likely died or left ages ago.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Veronica says, sipping her tea. “Some Monsters are a little different than what we’re used to. What if there is something akin to that crocodile you faced back in Ectria? It would pay to be cautious in our search.”

“I concur.” You say. “Please think of supplies we’ll need as well as places of interest and paths from what Maya saw.” Using your staff, you nudge Maya as she falls asleep again. The Mouse Girl pouts but just lays down on the table before her and yawns.

“Fiiiiiinnneee.”

“What are you going to do?” Tabitha asks as you rise from your chair.

“I need to settle a few things with the miners. Restructure the crews toward the gold mining as a focus and block access to this new tunnel. The Danuki blocked it off for a reason I’m afraid.”

“Alright, well, don’t be out too late.” Her eyebrow raises slightly at this. You feel that it would be a… pleasant… idea to be home at a reasonable hour.

“You got it.” Giving Tabitha a light kiss, you make your way out, not even needing to say anything for Erwin to dash after and leap on your shoulder as you exit toward the local mining guild.

To say it’s a guild is a little bit of an overstatement. It’s more of a common place for miners to store their gear and receive assignments. However, because it also has a bar, it’s often referred to by both the patrons and the workers as, “The Guild.”

You enter to the bar to cheers of “Rommel!” and “Foreman!” While it’s nice to go somewhere everyone knows your name, you’re a little miffed to see the crews drinking already. Sure, you let them go for the day but honestly you think they’d have a little more work ethic… ah who are you kidding, miners are the same whether they’re human or Monster.

>>400532

“Hey, hey foreman.” One of the Wurms on your crew earlier says, slithering up and putting an arm around your shoulder. “Tell the girls what we found today!”

The other miners, some a little inebriated, look at you with curiosity, but you know damn well that they know what was found there today. In all truth, you never really expected the miners to be able to keep quiet, or else you wouldn’t have picked Wurms for your crew. Still, you prepare yourself to berate them when a husky voice growls,

“Don’t you lot have something better to do?”

The assembled miners blanch as Valeria walks up, dressed in her usual miner’s attire. The Wurm berating you takes her arm off your shoulder and backs away, muttering an apology as the Dragon steps before you, arms crossed under her breasts. “What trouble are you causing this time?”

“I was actually looking to stop trouble from occurring.” You say, looking around at the others, who try to hide their curiosity. Like a gaggle of schoolgirls they are. “Anyway, just the person I was looking for. I need to discuss what to do with the mines as we progress.”

“Alright.” Valeria says, her voice still a little rough after, well, being stabbed in the neck. She nods to a table in the corner where the two of you sit down. The barkeep, a human male of all things, sets down two mugs in front of the two of you. Klaus is a good man and his wife is nice, but Gods above does he love to let the alcohol flow. He also won’t leave until you start drinking, something not even Valeria’s icy glare can dissuade.

Sighing, the two of you take a drink and the man nods his head before leaving. As soon as he’s gone, you place the mug back on the table and say, “Right back to business.”

“Uh huh.” Valeria says, drinking more. When you raise an eyebrow she says, “What? It soothes my throat.”

“If you say so… anyway, about the mines. I trust you’ve heard of what we found?”

“Some ruins at the heart of the volcano or something. I assume this is what you were looking for all along?”

“Something like that.” You say. “There was no stopping that from leaking, however I need to make sure no one tries snooping on their own. I’m worried it’s dangerous.”

“Also to keep your treasure from being found.” She says, giving you a knowing look. Thankfully you don’t betray much in the way of surprise as she says this, though it takes you a moment before it clicks. Right. Dragon. Treasure.

“I’d like you to divert all the teams to the gold mining operation. My associates and I will explore this new finding. To make sure it’s safe.”

“To make sure it’s safe.” She repeats, knowing this to be a lie, or perhaps, half a lie. A look of annoyance comes over her face for a moment before she merely sighs and takes another drink. “Whatever, I understand you have your reasons. Besides, I’d rather play with gold than go on some adventure in the heart of the volcano anyway.”

A smirk comes to your lips as you ask, “Are you… jealous?”

“Of exploring ancient ruins and finding possibly invaluable treasure? Not really.” She says, drinking again.

“Oh, that’s kind of cute.” You chuckle before avoiding a slap of her clawed hand. Holding up your own in peace, you shake your head. “Fine, fine. Anyway, think you can take over on the gold mining?”

“You’re the boss.” She says. “Just don’t get yourselves killed down there. I don’t want to go scoop your body out of a lava pit.”

“I’ll try.” You say, making to stand. Of course, the moment you do, Klaus returns and places a hand on your mug. He gives you a knowing smile and you sigh, thinking about leveraging your position when Valeria grabs your mug and downs it in one pull before slamming it back on the table. The surprised man backs away as other miners cheer at the feat.

Shaking your head, you stand up and say, “Well aren’t you full of surprises.”

“I wonder.” Is all she says before returning to her own mug, a smirk on her lips.

>>400533

—————————————————————————-

It takes a little while longer to finish up some paperwork with the so called “guild master,” aka: the one Lizardman who actually wants to handle the accounting, and everything is squared away. You look up as you leave the guild to find it still light outside, though not for too much longer. Guess it didn’t take as long as you thought it might.

“Maybe we should set up a rudimentary barricade.” You say as Erwin follows down the street next to you.

{Or you could go home and fuck your wife.}

“I’ve got plenty of time to do that.” You say, though he makes a very compelling argument.

{Well, as long as I don’t miss dinner.} Your familiar mentally sighs as the two of you walk back to the mines.

Despite only being a short period after the execution, the town seems calmer than before, much less on edge. It seems having someone, anyone, pay for their crimes really helped them. You aren’t exactly certain how well they’d take having those Kunoichi around, but you also don’t think they really know much about them either. You hope you can trust them at their word, though you’re pretty sure you can given your experience with them.

Instead of walking the whole way, as soon as you leave the more populous areas of town, you use [Rock Slide] to zoom to the mines. It’s not like you do this when you think you’ll be late for work or anything and have practice at it. Not at all.

The best part about this technique is you can move through the mines at speed as well. If anyone was present, it might be a danger, but when no one is around you can concentrate on casting [Survey] and moving through the tunnels. Erwin hangs on with practiced ease and the two of you make great time to the latest tunnel.

Dismounting, you walk up to the tunnel and notice a sign you’d put up, telling people to stay out. You’re certain no one would break the law of signs, one of the most powerful deterrents known to man or Monsters, but just in case, you think you’ll pull up some rock and make it difficult. Gathering your will, you begin to cast [Build the Wall] when Erwin cocks his head.

{Wait a moment.} He sends before sniffing. {I don’t think we’re alone.}

Going on guard, you prepare to use the damn tunnel of stone as a weapon as you peer down the tunnel. In the distance you hear sounds of movement getting closer and closer. Erwin confirms this and you kneel down, focusing on a [Survey]. The pulse goes out, traveling down the tunnel. It quickly contacts whatever is coming toward you and you get the distinct feeling of something slithering.

“Don’t come any closer!” You shout, rocks rising around you as you gather small pieces for [Shotgun Pebbles].

The movement stops suddenly. A moment later you hear, “F-Foreman? Is that you?”

“What the-? Miranda?” You shout back, recognizing the voice as one of the Wurm miners not currently on your team. “What the hells are you doing here?”

Grumbling, you head into the tunnel, Erwin hurrying behind you. For good measure, you keep the pebbles in your hand, ready to blast her, if needed. More than anything you’re just angry that someone would ignore your sign!

Creating a small orb of light before you, the tunnel opens up to your vision, though you could see just fine with [Survey]. In front of you is a large, Wurm miner dressed in her normal clothing, which is not very much to be true. She huddles down, shivering, though at your approach she cries out and leaps at you, running face first into a wall you erect.

>>400534

“Owwwww!” She says, rubbing at her face as tears appear. “Why did you do that?”

“Because you jumped at me you slithering rock.” You say. “What are you doing here? This place is off limits.”

“Uhm…” She says, folding her hands. “I wanted to see… the place for myself.”

“I swear to the Gods…” You mutter, looking down the tunnel. “Why were you moving so quickly?”

“Oh!” She says, hopping up and looking over her shoulder. “I forgot! I was being chased!”

“What?!” You say, peering down the tunnel again. You can’t sense anything and Erwin can’t get a smell either.

“I thought I was… anyway.” She says, looking worried.

“Miranda…” You mutter. “Gods, fine, what did you see down there?”

“Well, I didn’t actually go very far. I followed this little path near the tunnel exit and moved toward those cool rocks that look like buildings. When I got close though, I thought… I thought I saw something moving in there.”

Worried, you ask, “Like what?”

“A shadow of something! I thought it was moving toward me and I got scared when I saw it.” She shudders. “I slithered as fast as I could and then I met you!”

“I see.” You say, beginning to doubt her again. “Well, I was going to seal the tunnel off for now anyway. Let’s get you back home.”

“Yes! Oh, thank you Rommel!”

“You don’t be thanking me once I deliver you to the guild master.”

Miranda blanches, but bows her head in acceptance. She’s be on cleaning duty for a few weeks if she’s lucky you reckon. If you haven’t cleaned mining tools before, you don’t know how terrible a punishment that actually is.

As you reach the entrance to the tunnel, you pause and look back over your shoulder. At the edge of the light, you see something flicker and then… no, it’s nothing. You think her stories are starting to get to you. Using your magic, you draw a wall of stone up to block further access (though to be honest, they’re Wurms, they can dig through whatever, but at least they might have a hard time finding it).

{Hmmm.} Erwin says as you return back home. {I’m starting to feel a little more nervous about this. Are you sure I can’t just stay home?}

You begin to wonder the same thing yourself.

—————————————————————————————–

Due to having to escort Miranda back to the Miner’s guild, you find yourself a little late coming home. Tabitha taps her metallic foot as you trudge up to the house. A look of annoyance sits on her face and she raps your hand with a wooden spoon as you approach.

“And I even wore my favorite apron.” She huffs.

“It would be nicer if you didn’t wear anything else underneath it.”

“Hmph. After coming home late, I don’t know if that’s in the cards.” When you sigh, she just shakes her head and says, “I assume you have a good reason. Come on, dinner is ready.”

The others of your party give you smirks as you sit down at the table after cleaning your hands. Ignoring them, you detail what you saw in the mines as Tabitha plays the gracious host. Everyone listens carefully, especially the Order members (sans Maya, but you think she’s paying attention). As you finish, Veronica and Bardam exchange looks.

“While it is possible that it’s nothing…” Bardam begins.

“It might be best to be on our guard.” Veronica finishes. “We’ll be more vigilant.”

“And how were preparations on your end?” You ask as you eat. Mmm, stewed lizard. A specialty of Tabitha’s she picked up from the other wives in town. Her repertoire is still a little small, but she can at least cook this!

“I think we got the supplies we need.” Tabitha says. “We also discussed a plan of action, but we’d like your opinion.”

“Alright then.” You say, nodding your head as you look over a list Bardam hands you. “Let’s see what we’ve got here.”

>What do you do?

How could that Wurm ignore your sign?! Kids these days, terrible, no manners, awful.

Anyway, how do you want to handle your search? What supplies do you have? What supplies do you want? Remember, it's Blackfire Reach so some things may be limited though mining equipment is in good condition! Anyone else you want to leverage?

Please let me know

>>400437

It's okay budicus

>>400493

Someday I'll get the pantheon drawn I guess. I suppose they're important here :^)

Hmmm Chaika and Harmony could be neat, though of course they have no facial expressions but that may be neat to work with.

>>400537

>implying you had an idea for a harvest/fertility goddess in your autism setting, and dont want to steal borrow the best idea for reader-created content for said setting

>>400535

Bring the red dragon with us. In the best case scenario, we might run into a rogue group of dwarven survivors or their still operating ancient adamantium automatons.

But hidden fun stuff is always on the table and the last thing we want is to fight an untransformed fucking balrog, and if that happens I want a super powered fire breathing monstrosity of our own for backup.

Hell, you know what, fuck secrecy. Use our influence to get every able bodied salamander in the city and arm them to the teeth with the best shit we have.

Don't bring any explosives with us. Thats pure suicide. Chug a bunch of fire resistance potions. Fill a bag of holding to the brim with sand. If it comes to worst, we can pour all of it on whatever fire daemon lurks there to choke him out and temporarily slow it down.

Find a huge chunk of pure tungsten and craft it into several thick long sharpened rods. Take our time to get the feel for the metal if we have to. We will be completely shit out of luck otherwise as anything short of that will melt if we chuck it.

Use whatever is left of the metal to reinforce Tabitha's sword or better yet, tell her to stop being a sentimental bitch and get her something better.

As for the more likely scenario of automatons, fill another bag of holding with a mix of coal tar and iron grain. Breaking adamantium chassis is not likely so use this substance to slow down and then immobilize the targets by jamming their limb joints with the iron grains in the tar.

Arm our soldiers with blunt weaponry and order them to distract and keep distance. In case of direct confrontation use blunt force to knock them around and back away. Also bring lots and lots of chains to tie up the targets afterwards.

>>400597

Tungsten works specifically because of how damn dense, hard and heavy it is. The heat resistance is just the cherry on top of the spearhead that we'll be driving into the skull of whatever is lurking down there through it's eyesocket.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tungsten

See the armaments section.

It's about time we give Rusty Ronnie an honorable discharge with a full care package and let Stannis the Menace take the front lines by storm.

>>400611

Erm no, I’m not saying it’s probably not an option because of its specific properties, I’m saying it’s probably not an option, as if you read the history bit of the wiki page, it wasn’t isolated until 1783, and given that Ace’s setting echoes the late medieval period, it might not be possible for us to feasibly extract it, and use it.

How about we just call a truce before this devolves to /tg/ levels of autism over weapons/metals? We’ll just have to wait and see what Ace decides on what metals are available to us, and which aren’t.

>>400620

>Wizards managed to create a worldwide wireless information transfer network and regularly build multimedia machines in their basements that interract with it in real time, allowing for anything from instant text communication to replaying events from the past extracted from their memories.

<nnmghh separaeting rock iz 2 hard :(

::bigthink::

>>400535

Before anything else, we really need a way of keeping everyone on the surface out of the tunnel and everything underground in, because otherwise people are going to get injured or killed and then the council will be on our arses, leading to our mission becoming a hell of a lot harder when it really doesn’t need to be. As for how to go about doing that, I suggest we set up more signs, ideally with more images than text as they get closer to the entrance since Wurms don’t strike me as being all too literate, and have trustworthy guards posted near the entrance to both deter anyone trying to enter and to potentially block off the tunnel via explosives should the situation call for it because us having to figure out a new exit is better than the city’s population being slaughtered by some ancient demon that managed to escape to the surface. Another possible addition is to set up groups of wards at the entrance to create a pseudo-airlock to let us return to the surface without inadvertently bringing whatever lurks in the depths with us, but I have to question whether they would be powerful enough to stop anything that was strong enough to resist the Great Transformation from just simply passing through them like Selene did in the first quest—it’s still better than nothing though and would work on weaker threats, so we might as well consider it.

With that out of the way, the main plan. What we have so far works, with a fair few exceptions in what >>400596 said, the most egregious example being the whole abandoning stealth and conscripting as many soldiers as we can thing since a foreman and a single council member isn’t going to get an army together in a short period of time and that’s just asking for mass death when something inevitably goes wrong like a cave-in. Stealth is very much preferable, both for avoiding the consequences regarding the mission as a whole if we don’t employ it and for avoiding fights we don’t have to take that would likely lead to disaster otherwise, so I’d recommend we employ that where applicable.

Regarding exploration, to add to what >>400597 suggests, I’d recommend we also start crudely mapping out the city as we explore it, since we’re unlikely to get everything done in one day and having an idea of where we’ve explored and where we haven’t yet would speed things up a lot, not to mention that, should the layout of the city change for some reason, we would notice this change and whatever caused it much quicker than if we weren’t paying attention. We should also probably be using [Survey] fairly frequently, since any threats that both lack a magical aura and move by tunnelling would otherwise be unnoticed via the current methods of threat identification.

Regarding how we plan to deal with potential threats we may combat, utilising a bag of holding strikes me as being rather ineffective, since you wouldn’t really be able to pour enough material onto whatever target you are trying to disable or run away from fast enough to have much of an effect due to the smallish opening of the bag, and I’m fairly certain trying to modify the bag in question, such as by tearing it apart, just results in the enchantment being lost in this setting though I’d have to look that up to be certain, so take that statement with a grain of salt until Ace confirms or refutes it. We would probably have more success just using the materials around us as a means of slowing targets down, since it shouldn’t be too hard to spam multiple [Flurry]s or to simply collapse nearby buildings or cave walls by using [Tremor] which won’t cause an eruption because volcano science says so or by removing the supports structure with standard rock manipulation if needed and it saves us from spending precious time constantly refilling our bags of holding after every usage. That said, the anti-automaton bag of holding idea seems like it would work to some extent, so we should keep with that should the necessary materials be available to us.

>>400634

Moving on, the usage of thick, sharpened metal rods as an offensive option for us seems like it could work rather well, particularly against automatons and other constructs due to how the rods could break internal mechanisms if aimed right and potentially destroy their cores, though I’m with 315fbc with regards to the usage of tungsten, albeit for the reason of us never having had access to it mentioned prior to this point and just pulling everything we need out of our arse seems a bit cheap. The rest of our party is left kind of lacking though and we ideally need them to be equipped to deal with the threats that we would need assistance with, so I suggest we use the little runite ore we have or just any steel we can procure if smithing with runite isn’t an option to craft a few daggers of either the rondel or stiletto variant to give to Tabitha, Bardam and Veronica in that order Maya too potentially, but I’m not sure she would really use one to much effect compared to the others seeing as her current knife serves as an emergency close-quarters weapon. These particular daggers are very good at thrusting, which means that they should capable of getting into the gaps of the enemy’s defences much like the rod suggestion and thus they allow our party to help out on that front if necessary. As for the aforementioned order, skipping out on Veronica should we lack the materials would be best since her mace can sort of fulfil the same role of being anti-armour while the other two can’t really do much in this role outside of half-swording their weapons which no doubt works, but stabbing with a dagger tends to be more powerful and accurate than half-swording from my own HEMA experience, not to mention it would leave them a hand free for grappling. A final note before moving on, we should use any spare runite from the crafting to add to our arsenal of metal rods, because we don’t have a reason not to use it at this point, it blows any other metal out of the water in terms of durability, weight and strength and we can easily collect it again after usage, so there’s very little risk of losing it.

In terms of other options for combat, we have things like [Lava Flow], which could work very well both for destroying weaker targets like constructs and the undead and for slowing down stronger targets not to mention we could just utilise the already present lava which is technically magma since it’s still underground, right? instead of having to heat the ground, making it a fairly quick option should we be near enough to said lava to use it, [Mana Burst] and [Reverse Polarity], which can break any enchantments keeping undead or magical foes alive long enough for their connection to the realm of the living to be severed, [Twister], which would pull in lighter foes, rubble and potentially even lava and thus work well as an obstacle for anyone trying to pursue us, and [Daylight], which would blind the beings born in the darkness rather well should we need to hide. Something like [Flash Freeze] could also theoretically work to induce [Shatter] without needing to heat up a target, but I somehow doubt we’ll be strong enough to freeze something in close proximity to lava.

Other than all that, the only other things that come to mind are bringing more supplies that we think we’ll need and taking the [Oculus of Henhotep] with us. The former is to ensure that we aren’t screwed between resupplies if something goes wrong, while the latter is to both let us read any signs and directions this underground city may possess for easier navigation and to let us potentially communicate with any sentient and friendly denizens of the deep via written format should there be a language barrier and there will be.

>>400597

>Does the tunnel exit at ground level for the city, or at some distance above it?

To quote thread two:

<Looking through Erwin’s eyes you watch as they come to the edge of the tunnel as it opens up into a vast, expansive cave. The light from before is a sea of lava spreading out in all directions as it bubbles and pops while more flows down from the far walls. Around the lake you see swathes of tunnels crisscrossing through the sides of the mountain like cheese while below are rock formations that seem unnatural, as if long along they were structures.

Assuming the entrance is of a similar position to the rest of the mentioned tunnels, the entrance seems to be above the city.

>>400636

>and just pulling everything we need out of our arse seems a bit cheap

We've been doing that for four campaigns now. If General Rommel doesn't get his armor piercing tungsten armaments then I will riot.

>>400576

That's basically Phallia you baka head

>>400596

Eh, she probably would come along. Dragons do like treasure…

I don't.

I don't think you even know what tungsten really is. It ain't here mang and I ain't no metallurgist.

Hey! The GW made a very nice sword for her wedding present and she very much likes it. It's enchanted!

Coal tar and… iron. I mean, yeah we can do that.

Not sure about mobilizing the entire Reach for this operation, gotta see what the others think.

>>400597

Damn, a sensible answer. You are positioned above the city overlooking it in the distance.

Cooling clothing can be procured, especilly for, say, Veronica and Bardam.

I dunno about finding a husbando for her. The city needs men as well!

>>400620

>>400611

>>400627

Plz no bully

>>400634

Well, you did just block off the tunnel entrance. You'd have to deliberately want in at this rate.

Thankfully, as a foreman, making maps is something you got pretty good at. Also, magic.

And yes, you do not want to fuck with the enchantments on a bag of holding. Generally speak it would just stop working but sometimes you just breach some outer dimension instead. They are not always filled with heated bread pouches.

HEY I CAN MAKE AN ERUPTION IF I WANT TO

>>400636

You'd need the council's approval to smith runite into a weapon and it would take a few days for the weaponsmiths in town to forge something with it as, to be fair, no one's used it in a long ass time. You can take the time if you want…

>>400665

Riot bby

>>400717

>thinking phallia is a god(dess) and not some piece of trash that belongs in a dump

Out of curiousity, is foul air going to be a major factor on this expedition? I'd imagine it probably wouldn't be outside of potentially some of those other tunnels, as the cave system would have to be habitable for any civilisation to build anything in there and thus would require adequate air circulation to be present, but, considering that volcanic caves tend to have foul air present more frequently than other cave types due to volcanic gases being a thing, I thought it would be best to check just in case.

>>400717

>You'd need the council's approval to smith runite into a weapon and it would take a few days for the weaponsmiths in town to forge something with it as, to be fair, no one's used it in a long ass time.

I thought we had our own, albeit much smaller, supply of runite to use for our own purposes though, which the council shouldn't give a shit about. Regardless, given the time requirements for such an order, it's probably better to just purchase steel weaponry instead for this mission and maybe make the aforementioned runite order on the side if we think that we'll be taking upwards of a week to complete this current expedition or that we may need such equipment for when the second act of this story begins I won't let the runite dream die, damn it.

Speaking of runite, we should probably start gaining proficiency in manipulating it in our spare time, since not only would it help with our offensive power were we to use it in our attacks but it would also help us should we encounter an opponent utilising the legendary metal. Considering our ultimate enemy is a goddess, it's not out of the question that she will pull all the stops when we inevitably take the fight to her, so it wouldn't hurt to be prepared for any possibility.

Rommel does need a reliable melee weapon for two reasons.

1. He is married with a lizardman. Not having one is just disrespectful.

2. An easy to use, no magic required, weapon is nothing but a boon on his part.

And with easy to use in mind. May I suggest a poleaxe? They are as much as a tool as they are a weapon. Not very complex to use and can be walking stick size without reducing effectiveness. Since Rommel isn't foreign to the idea of manual labor, a poleaxe should be a piece of cake to pick up and use as it really is just a multitool on a stick (axe, hammer, normally made with a needle point but it isnt unsusal to see a spade head pointy end.)

TLDR: Rommel should make a poleaxe for self defence when magic isnt available as it fits his charecter and traits. Also lizard wifu.

>Story continue

The list before you details a meticulous, step-by-step plan clearly made by bardam. You have doubts that Veronica would have been this thorough and you’re pretty sure Maya has basically been asleep. Running your eyes through the list, you take in what’s written.

From the description provided by Maya, there is one main area of interest in the cavern. While there are other tunnel networks in the cavern, it seems most likely that any relic would be housed within the structures you saw. Due to the ravages of time, there was no way to discern what any individual building could be, necessitating the need to accurate mapping. The proposal is as follows:

Rommel, utilizing his geomancy and [NSA] spell, will survey the city looking for routes of entry and any potential adversaries. Once an area has been scanned and mapped, the team will descend further towards the structures and continue this again. Veronica and Bardam will take point while Tabitha has rear. Maya is authorized to scout only once the area is deemed clear by the [NSA].

Resistance is not expected, but if it is, then potential elemental Monsters would be expected due to the time frame since this place was last inhabited. In which case, Veronica’s weapon and Rommel’s magic are to be the greatest assets. It is advised to bring along [Fire Resist] potions.

If excessive resistance is met, the party will escape with Veronica and Bardam on rear guard while the rest of the group will begin their retreat. Wall created by Rommel will also slow down the attackers. Once the tunnel exit is reached, it will be sealed off with Rommel’s magic until further support from the city can be achieved.

It’s not long, but you think it covers things well. Setting the list down, you nod your head and say, “Basically my thoughts as well.”

Instead of seeming proud, Bardam asks, “basically?”

“I’d like to see about getting others to come with us before we enter. Having more skilled warriors on hand could be useful.”

“I’m not certain that’s a good idea.” Veronica says, lacing her fingers together. “While I appreciate the reasoning, we cannot guarantee the safety of everyone in such a case. We also must make considerations for the secrecy of what we’re doing.” She raises an eyebrow. “Can you even raise an army that quickly?”

“Many of the Lizardmen here worked as mercenaries beforehand and can quickly jump into battle if needs be. However, now that they’ve got a new life and a measure of stability, most will need a good reason to fight.” Tabitha says, raising a clawed finger. “You should know this by now.”

“Very well.” You say, bowing your head. “But incase things go awry…”

“It’s in the plan.” Bardam says.

“I see. I agree about the potions, however…”

“The stock is limited at the moment.” Tabitha sighs. “Tainia is the only witch who makes them in town at the moment and they sell out almost as fast as she can make them. I’ll go check on it tomorrow.”

“Alright. I need to get some steel bars too.” You say, to which Bardam raises an eyebrow.

“For what purpose?”

“As evidenced in Ectria, they make excellent weapons when launched and are extremely powerful. I’d rather something stronger than steel but…”

“Where would you come across that?” Tabitha sighs, shaking her head. “You can’t exactly use that runite stuff.”

“If only. I don’t have THAT much.” Still, you consider. Perhaps finally doing something with your stash will be useful. “Maybe I should get some made into knives though.”

“Hmm.” Tabitha says, taking it seriously. “Emilia will probably jump at the chance if you ask her.”

>>400914

“Just who I was thinking, you agree.” I’ll check on this tomorrow. “Also…”

“You’re going to ask the Dragon to join, aren’t you?” Maya yawns, sitting up from where she was napping. She lets out a small chuckle, “If you want.”

Tabitha frowns at you and you hold up a hand to say, “Listen, the combat prowess of a Dragon is nothing to sneeze at and she’s a little more fire resistant than the rest of us. I think it might be a good idea.”

Your wife wears an odd expression before shaking her head slowly. “I can’t exactly deny what you’ve said. I suppose having someone who can fly will be useful as well, though she should probably wear a gorget.”

“Because it looks cool?”

“Yes because it looks co- you know the reason.”

Chuckling, you stand up and walk over to Tabitha to give her a light kiss on the cheek. “It’s fine. We’ll go and get this all taken care of. We might do the initial survey tomorrow afternoon if we can gather the supplies.”

“I don’t think Emilia will be able to make a knife that fast.”

“I don’t either, however I don’t think we’ll do all of this in one day, eh?”

“Very well. Anyway, finish your dinner and we’ll get to bed.”

“Oh? To bed?”

Tabitha sighs, but has a slight smile on her face. “Veronica, doesn’t he sound like our dear friend sometimes?”

“Unfortunately.” Veronica chuckles. “Though it’s still cute to see you two like this.”

Your wife gives her best friend a sour look as you sit down and make to finish your food.

—————————————————————————————————————————

Feeling rested in more ways than one after last night. You leave with Tabitha and Erwin out into the city while Veronica and Bardam finish their weapons preparations. Bardam insists on having rations, “just in case” and you can’t exactly blame him. Who knows what you’ll find in there? Probably nothing, but you’ve been goosed before!

The trip to Emilia’s smithy is a mix of trying your patience and Tabitha’s. Emilia is a nice enough Salamander, but her love of metals is nothing short of, uh, erotic. You know for a fact that she has made dildoes of just about every metal imaginable, but she is the best blacksmith in town. When you present her with the runite, you swear you hear her getting wet.

“No one’s used this in a long time as far as I know.” Emilia says. “I’ll have to experiment a little before I can figure out how to use it. Once I have the secret, it shouldn’t be too bad but… it’ll take a few days and I won’t be able to make more than two knives out of this.”

“That’s fine.” You say, worried as she begins to pant a little while feeling the metal. “Can I get some steel bars too? Cylindrical if you have them.”

“Oh, over there.” She says, pointing behind her. Using your magic, you manipulate them up and into your [Bag of Holding]. “Ah, and your spear is ready.” She says, as if suddenly remembering.

“Oh right.” You say, utterly forgetting. While you don’t fight too much, Tabitha does insist on sparring every now and again, but you’d sent the weapon in for repairs and, well, you’ve been busy. Taking the familiar item back in hand, you add it to your bag as well. “Thanks, I’d have forgotten.”

“Eh, your wife sure wouldn’t, not for long anyway.” Emilia goes back to ogling the runite in her hands. “And If you can get the council to get me more… ehehe.”

>You gain [Steel Rods]

>Heavy on their own, but with magic you can hyper accelerate them to do massive damage

>You gain [Spear]

>It’s a very nice, steel spear. Not enchanted but the metal flows easily with your magic

“Come along, dear.” Tabitha says, leading you away from the smithy and to the alchemist shop. Due to the lack of spellblades after the Wurm invasion, there are no Lizardmen alchemists in town, however a Lamia, sensing the demand and warm climate, Tainia, made to capitalize on this. You secretly think she just wanted a bigger cut of semen without having to have her supply taken away by competitors, for now anyway.

As you feared, she only has three of the coveted [Fire Resist] potions in stock. “First come, first serve I’m afraid.” Tainia says as you purchase them. “Though if you cum for me, I’m sure I can serve you up a few-“ She cuts off as Tabitha’s sword suddenly appears at her throat. Somehow unfazed, Tainia pushes the blade aside..

>>400915

“Ah, you Monsters down in Deleor are such prudes sometimes. Sharing is caring you know? Anyway I’ll be out of stock for some time I’m afraid.”

“I see, thank you for your help.” You say. Tainia takes your hand and rubs it against her cheek.

“Oh Rommel, it’s always a pleasure serving you…”

“Come along, DEAR.” Tabitha says, dragging you away from the Lamia, who giggles.

>You gain [Fire Resist Potions]

>While you don't become immune to hot enough fire, it makes it far less likely you'll be burned or feel the heat.

As your wife, who is basically dragging you behind her, stalks away, you cross your arms and ask aloud, “Tabitha, are you being jealous?”

“No, I’m just mad at those two being all over you.”

“Hmm, I didn’t think you got jealous.”

“I’m not.”

“Hmm.” You say, stopping her and taking her hand. She sighs and looks away as you try to piece it together. She didn’t care when Maya was found in a compromising position and, while Tainia was a little forward, she is known to be like that. So what’s different?

“Alright, well, we can discuss it later. We need to prepare for later, alright?”

“I know.” She says, sighing again. “I’m going to get some of those rations that Bardam wants. I’ll see you home soon.” She gives you a light kiss on the lips, which you reciprocate heartily. As she leaves to go back home you wonder if you should press her on this, it’s not really like Tabitha to act in this manner. Maybe it’s… just one of those bumps you get in a relationship?

{Gods, you’re stupid sometimes.} Erwin sends.

{Huh?}

{You’ll figure it out.} He replies, going silent after that.

Shrugging, you head on back toward home, stopping as you walk by the Mining Guild. Ah, right, Valeria! Entering the building, you find the Monster preparing her equipment to begin mining out the gold. When she sees you she smirks before going back to it.

“Working hard?”

“You seem to be hardly working.”

“Fair enough.” You say, looking over her personnel lists for the mining. Not a bad crew, all things told. Nodding in satisfaction, you ask, “I actually want to ask for your help.”

Surprised, she looks up at you. “I’m sorry, what?”

“I think we could use your help as we survey this underground city. I’d like to ask if you can come with us?”

“Rommel, I’m kind of busy managing the gold mining.” She says, confused. “Why did you ask out of the blue?”

“Felt right. The more strong players we can get, the better.” You say, to which she sighs.

“Well… the idea is certainly intriguing.” She looks down at her list and grabs a pen to circle a name. “Okay, I’ll get this set up with Rena. She can be the acting lead and I’ll check in later.”

“Great. Meet by the entrance to the mines in an hour.”

“Sounds good.”

Erwin watches the whole exchange with a flat expression, not saying anything as you speak with the guild master to get a supply of enchanted clothing with cooling properties like your coat. While it won’t help too much with the armor, it will give some relief to Bardam, Maya, and Veronica. Tabitha is cold-blooded so she should be fine as long as she doesn’t get drowsy.

Tabitha seems to be in a better mood after returning home a little after you, and you pass out your supplies to the others before heading out. You feel confident things are moving in the right direct, right up until you find Valeria at the entrance to the mines, the Dragon dressed not in her standard mining attire, but a sleek, black outfit that covers her scaled chest while showing some cleavage and tight fitting trousers. She keeps her mining belt with all the pouches, you notice.

Veronica looks between you and Tabtiha with a worried expression but says nothing as Bardam greets Valeria. “Oh? So you’re coming after all?”

“I trust that will be fine?” She asks, voice still a little raspy.

“Well, you are strong.” He agrees. “Though no gorget?”

She cocks her head in confusion as you interrupt and say, “Alright, let’s get going.”

“The others don’t argue though you feel an odd tension as you leave to walk down the tunnels. Here and there you see miners doing their daily work, waving to you as you make your way through. The air becomes warmer and more oppressive, much the same as the atmosphere of your group until you reach the tunnel you blocked off. Thankfully no Wurm demolished it or anything. Lowering the wall, another rush of warm air comes to you, but nothing else.

“Alright, stick to the plan.” Bardam says, moving forward before pausing. “I suppose we have an extra variable. Valeria, you stay in the rear with Tabitha.”

“Perhaps that wouldn’t be best.” Veronica says. “She should be in the front and you can be in the back.”

>>400916

Bardam gives her an odd look before shrugging. “I suppose that will work.” He nods to you and changes places, the confused Valeria moving with Veronica at the front of the tunnel. In the middle is you and Maya while the other two take up the rear as Erwin sits on your shoulder. The long, oppressively hot tunnel eventually leads out to the overlook you saw through Erwin’s eyes.

Seeing it with your own eyes, however, really puts it in perspective just how vast this place really is. It seems like the ruins stretch on forever as lava drains in waterfalls, splashing into a massive pool near the city. How anyone used to live here is a mystery, but part of you wonders if this place wasn’t always in a volcano. What did the world used to look like back then, you wonder?

“Nothing around.” Maya says, yawing. Erwin confirms and you look out toward the city before attaching [NSA] to a rock. Sending it outward with your Geomancy, you open your senses to the device and look around. While the range isn’t great enough to reach the city yet, it’s enough to get a bearing of the outskirts.

Ruins of rock partially melted and crumbling jut out from awkward angles, yet at points you can see signs of that it had been artificially altered. Here and here are obvious bricks or carved stone, though anything like signage is gone.

Listening through the device, you don’t hear anything but the crumbling of rocks and the churning of the lava in the enclosed space. Nothing flashes by you and, determining it safe, you instruct the others to start heading down the slope.

When you reach the bottom you start mapping out what you’ve seen with some tools you keep as part of your job. Making maps of tunnels and mining spots is something you had to learn quick, so cartography is sort of a hobby and a work thing for you.

“Kind of creepy, despite all the light.” Maya says, shielding her eyes as she looks at the lava.

{I agree with the Mouse Girl.} Erwin sends. {It’s unnaturally quiet.}

Feeling a little on edge, you reach the outskirts of the city and begin to scan again. Once more you find nothing terribly exciting as you go through larger structures. Part of you feels that a scholar would be better suited to this, or at least would have more interest in these buildings. Unfortunately you can’t tell what they may have been used for due to the wearing of ages, but you know for certain that this relic isn’t present at this stage.

After mapping the area ahead of you, Maya moves forward to scout along with Erwin. It’s cute how the Mouse Girl instinctively works with her now. Scanning with [Farsight] and then [Magesight], you still find nothing physical or magical that draws your interest, though as your [Magesight] plays before you, something toward the center of the city pulls at you. It’s indistinct but…

{Maya thinks she saw something.} Erwin sends.

Before you can send anything back, Maya seems to appear from nowhere and says, “Check the ground with your magic.” When [Survey] turns up nothing, Maya frowns and says, “A trick of the light, perhaps?”

“What are you talking about?” Tabitha asks, hand on her sword.

“I thought I saw something in the shadows, an indistinct form, but when I tried to focus it seemed to vanish. If Rommel cannot feel a presence then I do not think it was anything.”

Remembering yesterday, you feel an itching sensation between your shoulder blades. “The Wurm said something similar yesterday. Let me do anything look around.”

The [NSA] turns up nothing new, leaving you both confused and worried. Bardam is the one to make the decision by saying, “Look, we can’t be jumping at shadows. Keep a close eye out for anything hiding as we move forward, or we’ll never make any progress.”

Everyone nods in agreement, moving into the city a few blocks. Despite the structures being mostly destroyed, they still rise in places to two or three stories. While mapping out this section of the city, Maya gets your attention and leads you over to a building with something chisled into the stone. It’s faded almost the point of being unrecognizable, but you pull out the [Oculus of Henhotep], a relic you picked up in Ectria that translates whatever is seen through it, and put it up to your eye.

As you feared, most of it is unreadable and actually hurts your eyes a still trying to read it. Still, you’re able to discern the words, “Glory… fire… spirit.”

>>400917

When you tell the others of this, Tabitha frowns and crosses her arms under her breasts. “Hrmm… there were supposedly ancient stories about a spirit of fire that lived in the volcano and is what made it erupt from time to time. Perhaps the people here worshipped this spirit?”

“Think it’s real?” Valeria asks.

“I don’t know.” Tabitha says, looking over at the lava. “If it is real, then their worship didn’t do them much good.”

“Hey…” Bardam says, hand drifting to his sword. “Did you see that?”

The group turns in the direction he’s looking but you don’t see anything there. Worried, you move into your battle positions as that itching sensation returns. Something moves in the periphery of your vision as well and you turn as the others do, looking every which direction. Erwin and Maya’s ears perk up and twitch, the two looking suddenly worried.

{Something is whispering. I can’t make it out but it makes my skin crawl.}

“We may need to leave.” Maya says. “We certainly aren’t alone.

“Alright, let’s retreat as planned.” Bardam says. He begins to walk, leading the front as Veronica and Valeria take the lead, when something walks out of the shadow before him.

It looks like a naked woman with a hazy, indistinct form the color of ash. She looks at you with empty eyes and moves her lips, though only a light touch of something comes to you as she speaks. Maya’s ears twitch furiously and you quickly cast [Audio Tap] near by, boosting the signal to suddenly hear a voice like that of someone who smoked too much throughout their life.

“Flesh… after all this time, flesh. Escape it’s grasp, we have to escape it’s control, give me your flesh.”

“We have more incoming.” Veronica says as more and more of the feminine figures slink from the shadows as if they were part of them. You quickly become surrounded, your exit cut off as they form about you, their whispers forming like insect humming around you. They make no move to attack though, just looking at you and whispering.

“Well this wasn’t on the plan.” Bardam says, his sword drawn.

“They appear to be spirits of some kind.” Veronica says. “I do not believe physical weapons will have much of an effect.”

“They could have at least waited until we got further into the city you know.” You mutter, thinking of the best way out of this situation.

>What do you do?

Guess it's not fire elementals, huh?

Weird.

>>400903

As it turns out, you've fought with a spear before! You can probably make the weapon into a pole-axe with some manipulation of metal.

>>400913

Too late, I already posted the update :^)

But I'm sure Veronica can teach you how to swing a blunt object.

Oh, and as far as dragon's fire goes… Valeria can't do much of that atm on account of getting stabbed in the throat recently.

>>400918

the not-spirits need to chill out and let off some steam and other assorted arnie 80's movie puns

inb4 the reason Tabitha is acting weird is because Rommel finally gave her a daughteru

inb4 we also defeat the spirits by having them not kill us in exchange for making them bodies out of rock/stone, thus turning them into golems because "flesh" doesnt always necessarily mean muscle/bone

inb4 also also when we defeat convince the spirits to not attack us, we subjugate offer them jobs working in our mine

>>400924

Don't confuse ghosts and revenants, anon. The former are just an echo, or an imprint of an actual soul with about as much autonomy and coherent thought as a zombie. Only higher forms of undead possess a proper sentience.

With that said, communication is unlikely, unless there is a leader to this group that is more powerful.

Let Veronica take the lead here. We are a complete amateur with dealing with this shit so do everything exactly as she says.

Also Tabitha isn't preggers you autist. Her PTSD from getting snapped in half like a kitkat bar by Valeria's aunt is just acting up and mixing with her jealousy and growing feeling of insecurity, because her husband thinks she is not good enough to protect him and a dragon has far superior physical characteristics and combat prowess, which to a lizardman is the equivalent of erudition and beauty, respectively.

Before that violent cocktail explodes, tell her to stop acting up like a bitch and have a short spar with her to calm down her nerves and reassure her top position on the pecking order of our life.

>>400930

Oh yea and besides whatever Veronica and Bardam suggest, do everything in your power to keep away from the ghosts so they don't posses anyone. They tend to target primarily those suffering from emotional turmoil, as seen in the original WQ, so Tabitha is like free real estate for them right now.

Do not let anyone get possessed under any circumstance. In worst case scenario, activate [Twister] to suck the ghosts in. In worst WORST case scenario, jump into El Dorito with everyone to get the fuck out of there. Fighting The Wanderer or a red dragon while trying to subdue them is suicide, plain and simple.

>>400918

Yes, letting Veronica’s holy magic smash ghosts should work just fine, and if our magic can affect them (if not directly with earth/air spells, then perhaps environmental things, like [light], to blind them), then we should use that too. If it can’t then just use it to keep the team away from the spirits, such as by getting rid of obstacles in the way, or raising pillars with them on them, out of the spirits reach temporarily.

>>400915

>Talks about bringing dragon

>Your wife wears an odd expression before shaking her head slowly.

>>400930

Yeah, I think your assessment is right. Poor best girl doesn’t feel like best girl anymore. Rommel needs to take her aside at some point (not during major action though, that’s asking for trouble), allay her fears, remind her how easily the dragon went down in the bar compared to how she fought, thus demonstrating her superiority, along with any other sweet talk that we mean from the bottom of our heart. Finally, give her the mother of all head pats.

>“Tainia is the only witch who makes them in town at the moment and they sell out almost as fast as she can make them. I’ll go check on it tomorrow.”

Hang on a minute:

<“However, I know that a gift from a Danuki isn’t without cost. Since the only other magic user in the city is Valeria, I was hoping I could have you take a look at them…?”

Considering Tainia’s familiarity with Rommel, she’s clearly been in Blackfire Reach for a while now, so there’s a contradiction here.

>>400918

Before anything else, we absolutely need to do what >>400933 mentions and keep our distance from the ghosts because someone in our party getting possessed would put us in a really uncomfortable spot with little in the way of options for how to get out of it, so what >>400944 suggests regarding utilising our geomancy to remove obstacles and create distance vertically is an absolutely must in this situation. We should also use <Rock Slide> and [Gust] to increase our movement speed and to move people away from threats where applicable, because we don’t know how fast the enemy can move yet and even the slightest mobility improvement can be the difference between someone getting possessed and not.

As for how to combat the opponent, it’s fairly obvious that Veronica is going to be pulling the most weight here, seeing as she was eluded to have the ability to exorcize ghosts back at Lady Juliant’s manor but didn’t get to show it, while the rest of us are stuck just trying to avoid being possessed while fighting back in any way we can. However, that doesn’t mean we have to be completely useless outside of party mobility.

Considering our previous experiences with the undead and the line:

>“Flesh… after all this time, flesh. Escape it’s grasp, we have to escape it’s control, give me your flesh.”

…we can be fairly confident in saying that something or someone is binding these ghosts to the mortal realm against their will and that they are trying to free themselves in any way they can. With that in mind and also considering how the wights at Varruck died the moment the bindings powering them disappeared, I believe that [Mana Burst] should do wonders here, as it can be quickly cast, covers a given area rather than just a single target and should theoretically be enough to permanently remove the ghosts from play as their bindings shouldn’t reform after breaking, potentially making it a great tool for helping out Veronica if not showing her up. The only downside to [Mana Burst] is that it disables our own magic temporarily, but considering that our other magic may not even work against this foe geomancy especially it’s not that much of a loss and the ability to cast spells will return very quickly any way—that said, it’s probably best that we and the rest of our party are in a safer position before trying this, just to remove the possibility of us losing our magic at the worst possible time.

Should that fail for whatever reason, then [Reverse Polarity] may work in its stead due to it being a more powerful anti-magic tool and one which can last a much longer time should we dedicate the time to channelling it. It’s not as desirable as [Mana Burst], since it’s a single target spell and requires set-up to function properly, but it’s still better than nothing and at least the set-up is a one-time thing. So long as we pick our targets carefully, it should suffice as means to assist Veronica in making an opening.

Should both of these fail, then one final option before resorting to the standard move set is to try using [Daylight]. These ghosts were described as coming “from the shadows as if they were part of them” and have been constantly associated with shadows with every mention, which could imply that they are tied to the shadows and require them to function, sort of like how Pride from FMA works; were we to take away these shadows, then there’s a chance they may banished alongside them, or at the very least hampered. Seeing as plunging everything into darkness is both difficult and detrimental to us, doing the opposite and purging the shadows with light would be the better option. This probably won’t achieve anything knowing our luck, but better to test the possibility than not.

>>400955

>>400918

Should everything else fail, then we’re kind of stuck relying on our other non-geomancy spells, which are ambiguous to whether or not they work on spirits. Cryomancy wouldn’t do shit, partially due to our location and partially due to the ‘chill of the grave’ thing ghosts have making the cold negligible to them, aeromancy I would assume would technically fall under physical magic and thus probably have little usage offensively and audiomancy doesn’t really help us out here either, so we’re basically left with pyromancy and fulgromancy for options. I’d recommend usage of both [Flame Lance] and [Lightning Bolt] from the two since they’re our most powerful spells from those divinations and the ghosts will likely still resist magic even if they are vulnerable to it.

Two more things that didn’t really fit anywhere else. Firstly, Bardam’s sword [Conviction] has the quirk that it “clears the user's mind of unnecessary thoughts” to allow the user to focus better in battle. Given what >>400933 points out about certain party members being rather vulnerable to possession due to their mental states, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to have them occasionally take hold of Bardam’s blade in order to bring themselves clarity as to give them a better chance at resisting any possession attempts that may slip through our vigil. Secondly, in the off-chance someone does end up getting possessed, we should use [Rock Solid] to lock them in position while Veronica goes ahead to perform the necessary exorcism to free them, because every other option for restraining the victim is either detrimental to them or detrimental to Veronica, both of which aren’t ideal.

>>400930

>>400944

>Giving Tabitha reassurance

Agreed, but we should wait until we’re actually back on the surface before doing anything majorly intimate, since even calm moments in the depths can quickly turn sour, ruining the moment. Smaller gestures during said calm moments wouldn’t go amiss though.

>>400955

>Ace makes shit up as he goes along, instead of paying attention to his own narrative and setting. Not even bothering to sneak in an excuse, like the council keeping a potion surplus for emergencies, or sending a flier to pick some up from the trading outpost on a short notice.

Nothing to see here people! Business as usual! A perfectly ordinary day in WizardQuest.

>>400913

A battle pick is also a choice I considered.

I just suggested a poleaxe because multi tool of murder and it can still he a proper staff size so we can continue the haha wizard staff motif.

>>401061

Sage, you faggot.

>>401061

Indeed! SAGE.

It ain't that difficult.

>Story continue

The shadowy figures around you constantly shift and move in ways that make your eyes hurt if you try to focus on them. Whispers drifting from their mouths buzz at your ears like those of insects and slowly it begins to gnaw at you, making you feel anxious and wary. What are they waiting for?

Next to you, Veronica begins a litany of her own, a slow, yellow glow beginning to suffuse her and her mace. Bardam’s expression goes calm as he holds out his own sword, preparing to fight. Maya, on the other hand, begins to sweat and cover her ears, her sensitive Monster hearing putting her at risk from the spirits.

“Why aren’t they attacking?” Valeria asks, looking around with a stern gaze.

“I do not know.” Veronica says, finishing her chant. She is now fully suffused with yellow light, her eyes glowing softly as she raises her mace. The tide of specters looks on as she shouts, voice booming in the cavern, “Be gone, lingering spirits. Vacate this place or Solos’ light shall banish thee!”

They make no response, merely continuing their whispering. Maya whimpers and says, “They didn’t like that.”

“What does that mean-?” You begin but are cut off as one of the shadow specters runs toward you, her form almost seeming to glide along the volcanic rock and ruined stone under her ethereal feet. You create a wall before you, hoping to stop her advance, but a hand shoots out of it as the rest of the body pulls through like it wasn’t even there.

A woosh of air heralds Tabitha’s sword cutting through the specter, the blade seeming to shine as it cuts through ephemeral flesh. The spirit looks unfazed before a moment later, its head joins the hand and the shadow vanishes into nothingness.

Without so much as skipping a beat, the rest of the spectral horde pushes in toward you, their whispering increasing in intensity, if not volume.

Cursing, you drop your wall and prepare fire, lashing out with a wave of Pyromancy to catch a group of the specters in the magical flames. They shudder and begin to moan but fade into nothingness and take their place. Beside you, Tabitha’s sword reaps more of a toll as well, her bladework sending them to Nerg.

Bardam swings his enchanted blade, the magicks on it cutting through the ghostly forms, his ever blow decapitating or bisecting them. Veronica holds up her mace and light shines down around her, almost evaporating the specters before they can get close to her. And yet, they still come onward.

You spare a glance toward Maya to find her huddled on the ground, covering her ears much in the same way as Erwin, though you doubt her weapons could do much good here anyway. While the rest of you are holding your own quite well, the last end of your defensive position is weaker than you might have expected.

Valeria stands with one claw out, the other digging into her belt, ready to fight. She swipes at the specters, but her claws go right through them. She stumbles back as they try to latch onto her and she pulls her backward, making ready to let loose a torrent of flames before coughing violently, a vial of white fluid slipping from her oversized hand and shattering on the ground. Oh right, she just got stabbed in the throat. Well this could be bad.

Thinking desperately, you see another pulse of light come from Veronica, dissolving more of the specters. Perhaps if you could replicate that…?

Well, you can’t use holy magic, but you can do the next best thing. Raising your hand in the air, you cry out, ‘[DAYLIGHT!]”

A blast of pure light appears over your head, nearly blinding your comrades and yourself as it obliterates all traces of shadows. Unfortunately, it doesn’t remove your shadow specters, but they do stagger back, holding up ethereal arms in a futile attempt to block out the light. It’s not much, but it’s enough to keep them off Valeria.

Pushing back, you grab Valeria by the arm and pull her toward you, the Monster almost tripping over Maya. She turns to you, blinking the sunlight out of her eyes, looking confused as she coughs. With a groan, you say, “Stay put!”

“But I can cast magic-!”

“I can’t protect you if you’re out in the front like that!’ Turning to Veronica you shout, “Cover her flank!”

Veronica nods, not at all affected by your light as you turn back around and cast [Twister]. The violent whirls of air don’t seem to harm the ghosts unfortunately, but they do draw them, as well as a great amount of stone, destroying nearby crumbling buildings as it travels. Unfortunately, you can’t control it too well, but it does seem to be staying away from you, for now.

>>401155

The spell opens up a swath of space around you thankfully, and you’re able to better cover Tabitha. You’re surprised she has so many around her though as her swordsmanship is typically better than this. When one of the specters slips in and makes to hug your wife, you fire a [Flame Lance] pinpoint through its face, making it pop like a bubble before dissolving.

“Tabitha!” You shout, pushing in close to her while creating a swath of fire before you. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” She says through gritted teeth. “There’s just a lot of them.”

“That hasn’t stopped you before.” You put a hand on her shoulder and look her in the eyes. “I need to know if you’re alright.”

“I said. I’m. Fine.” She says through grit teeth before slashing at a specter that gets too close.

Without any more time to question her, you pull away and take note of the situation. Despite destroying many of the shadowy spirits, they continue to come, almost seeming to pull themselves out from nowhere. They haven’t harmed anyone yet, but their intentions and words worry you greatly, almost as much as Tabitha’s current condition. They can’t have cursed her or something, could they? No… that seems unlikely.

“We are to be overrun.” Veronica says, motes of yellow drifting from her mouth. “While weak, they come in numbers that we cannot handle. I am afraid of their intentions as well.”

“What does that mean?”

“I believe they wish to possess us.” She says, as if unperturbed by her earlier statement. “A wise move to remove the Dragon from the fray. It may be wise to remove Tabitha as well.”

“What? Why?”

“Her emotions are in turmoil. She is easy prey to possession, as she has shown in the past.”

“Wait, what are her-“ You cut off as the specters return in force, causing you to lash out with an arc of electricity that removes a swathe of them before you. Unfortunately, more and more continue to take their place.

“Alright, fine.” You say, putting your hands on the ground. “We’re going up!”

The rock below you rumbles and shoots up into the air along with the rest of your group, placing you high above the horde. From your position, you can see clearly just how many of them there are. Where do they keep coming from and why are they so persistent?

“This should allow us to clear them out.” You say, lashing out with fire down below you.

“I don’t think it will.” Bardam says, pointing his sword toward the bottom, where the specters begin to pile upon each other, forming a sort of ghostly ladder to reach the top. Well shit, you didn’t really think that was going to happen. You and Veronica are the only ones able to attack until they reach you, which is happening shockingly quick.

“Tabitha.” You say, as you let loose a torrent of flames, sweat dripping down your brow from the effort of the spell slinging. “If things get bad, you go with Valeria and get out of here, okay?”

“Hells no!” Your wife says, anger tinging her words. “To even insinuate I’d leave is insulting!”

“Damnit Tabitha, can you just listen to me and do this? Please?”

“Hey, can you two stop having a lover’s quarrel when we’re about to be overrun.” Valeria says, frowning. “It’s not the right time.”

>>401156

“It’s not a-“ You say before cutting off. “Fine, we’ll deal with it later.”

“You have a plan?” Bardam asks, sword at the ready.

“Give me a second.” You say, touching his sword hilt. The man’s eyes go wide as you do so and suddenly all your anxieties melt away. The sounds of the horde moving up toward you and their frantic whispers become sharper, more clear, but you’re only interested in the their movements and how to fight. If such thoughts were necessary, you’d be shocked at the power held in this sword, but instead you’re left only with a honed conviction.

“I see.” You say, releasing the blade. Everything slowly creeps back to you, but you already know what to do. “This is a gamble, I’m not going to lie.” Turning to Veronica, you ask, “How quickly can you restore your powers if you lose them?”

“A few seconds maybe, if I chant fast enough.”

“Perfect. Prepare to do so and prepare for one hells of an exorcism.”

Veronica nods her head as the specters finally reach you. Hands but mere inches from you, you let burst a wave of power in a spell you’re loathe to use except in emergencies. This, however, counts as an emergency, you suspect.

[Mana Burst] explodes out from you, shorting out your magic. But the effect on the shadow specters is much more pronounced. The ones close by begin to dissipate as if sand blown away by a storm while those farthest away sag and become even more ephemeral, the bonds holding them weakening. It spreads out in a ring around you, catching every specter in sight and your [Twister], dispelling it.

You sag to your knees, feeling utterly drained after using all that mana and now having the burst go off. Bardam gasps as his sword’s enchantments fail while Veronica’s light flickers before she hurriedly begins to chant, the yellow-light slowly reappearing.

Tabitha falls down next to you, her legs giving out as well as your burst disables them. She groans and looks down at the shaken specters before looking to her legs, a miserable expression on her face. You make to take her hand when Veronica finishes her chant and gasps, becoming suffused with holy power. Thank Solos she’s so well practiced in summoning this gift, that or Solos likes her better than he likes you.

She holds her mace in two hands as the specters begin to stir, their formless eyes looking back at you. As they crawl forward, Veronica grows more and more incandescent until she suddenly raises the mace up to the sky and shouts, “SOLOS VULT!”

The ground seems to shudder for a moment as a wave of pure light issues forth from it. The Monsters in your party wince and look away while you and Bardam stare with rapt attention as Veronica’s form appears almost angelic for a moment before a wave of force threatens to throw you from your perch. In fact, you have to grab Erwin to keep him from tumbling!

This wave of raw light shoots outward and catches the specters, each one it touches removing as if they were never there. Somehow you think the whispers are thankful as they are obliterated but you can’t be sure, or perhaps you don’t care as tears begin to trickle down your eyes. As a human, there is no way you cannot look upon such a sight and keep from crying.

When it dies down, Veronica’s body stops glowing and she slumps as if unconscious, barely being caught by Bardam, who almost tumbles off your pillar as well. Sighing, he gently lays the woman down and lets out a sigh as he surveys around.

The specters are gone. No sign of them ever existing is present, leaving you with only the shifting of crumbling stonework and the lava stream in the distance for sounds.

Relieved, you fall backward, surprised when your fall is arrested by a pair of large claws. Looking behind you, you see Valeria looks down at you. She blinks once before smirking and saying, “Well that was more interesting than mining, I suppose.”

“Ah… yeah.” You say, trying to rise but instead falling into her hands. Shit, you’re drained after that, huh? “Sorry about this.”

>>401157

“It’s fine.” She says, looking around. “Though… how are you going to get down from here? I can fly but you…”

“Are stuck until Rommel recovers.” Bardam sighs, sheathing his sword. “Honestly, that was a crazy stunt there. What if it didn’t work?”

“But it did.” Veronica murmurs, pushing herself up with Bardam’s help. She sighs and looks to Maya before stroking the Mouse Girl’s head. Poor thing looks ill. What were those things saying that whole time.

“Yeah, thankfully.” You say, lifting your head up. “Hey, how are you doing Tabitha?”

Your wife doesn’t respond. She merely lays on her side in a heap, sword held out before her. Worried, you motion for Valeria to help you up. She does so, though it hurts a little to move, and you place a hand on Tabitha’s shoulder. “Hey, honey, what’s wrong?”

You’re surprised to see her with her teeth clenched and… is that a tear in her eye? Oh Gods, you forgot about her complex with her legs! Gulping, you say, “I’m sorry I had to do that so suddenly. It was the only thing I could think of, I’ll give you a nice massage later, okay?”

She squeezes her eyes shut and says, “Please leave me alone for a moment.”

You pull away, shocked at her words. Turning to Veronica, you see the woman looking worried at her friend. She turns to you and shakes her head. Guess you should leave it be for awhile. Would be easier if you weren’t on a tiny little raft of stone elevated in the air, but what are you going to do?

“Damn, this place really is huge.” Bardam says, looking around. You follow his gaze to find that this vantage point gives a great view of the city. How grand a civilization must have lived here in the distant past, and how grand must their fall have been to produce such… things.

“Were those… whatever they were, human once?”

“Maybe.” Veronica sighs. “They felt relief when beaten, I can say that much. Something was shackling them to this sphere. Perhaps not truly ghosts but something else, something that couldn’t quite reach Nerg’s halls completely.”

“Why wouldn’t a Dullahan have come for them though?” Bardam asks, confused.

“Perhaps something obscured his vision to this. Or perhaps it’s something about a Dullahan’s pay grade.” Veronica says, shrugging. “I think that-“

“GGGGGRRRRRAAAAAAOOOOOOORRRRR!”

The lava flow in the distance churns violently as the entire cavern shudders. Buildings around you crumble and fall while the pillar you’re on sways and shakes before snapping and the base, sending all of you tumbling off in a shower of rock.

The stonework beneath you shatters and falls inward, opening into a chasm like a maw waiting to devour you. As the chasm makes to snap you up, you desperately reach out with your magic, taking hold of the barest trickle of power you can manage and unleashing it in a torrent of aeromancy. The spell slows your fall just enough that when you collide into the ground, it just hurts like you got kicked into the face rather than snapping your spine.

Everyone groans in pain. Wincing, you look around to find Tabitha conscious, if still unable to move, and Valeria next to you, the Dragon stunned but otherwise unfazed. Maya lets out sounds of pain as she pushes herself up while Bardam and Veronica look beaten, but fine thanks to their armor. That will leave a bruise though. Searching about however, you can’t find Erwin!

{Erwin?!} You send through your bond, knowing at least the familiar has to be alive or you’d probably be dead.

Nothing comes to you for a long while before the face of the fox appears above you from the edge of the hole. He blinks twice and sends, {You okay down there?}

{Erwin! Thank the Gods, how did you escape that?}

{I jumped on some falling rocks and made a landing here.}

{That’s- okay, that’s fine actually. Everyone else is fine, I just need more magic back and we’ll get back up there.}

{Alright!} He sends back before looking around. {What was that just now?}

{No idea, but I hope we don’t have to find out.}

>>401158

Finishing speaking with Erwin, you push yourself up with a lot of effort and help Valeria stand before moving to Tabitha. Her legs are trying to start up at least, so you think she’ll be ready to move soon. Kneeling down, you ask, “Are you alright?”

She groans and pushes herself up enough to shake her head. Looking at you, she sighs in relief before turning to see Valeria behind you. Her eyes fall again and she says, “Yes. I’ll be fine in a moment once my legs work again.”

“Take your time, I need my magic to recharge.”

Bardam helps Veronica up and then Maya, the Mouse Girl properly awake, even if she has a nasty scrape on her forehead. The man wipes the blood off and checks her before grunting. “I think she has a mild concussion.”

“Crap.” You say. “We should probably turn back.”

Veronica purses her lips and takes a magitek lantern that somehow didn’t get cracked from Maya’s pack, switching it on. “Perhaps but… where are we?”

You turn about to take in the area around you. Illuminated in the light of the lantern is a wide array of hallways with ancient, tiled floors. They spread out in various directions, giving a sense of a city underneath the city. How many layers does this place go?

Closing your eyes, you spark what little mana you have available to look with your [Mage Sight]. Nothing jumps out at you down here, but that pulse you felt before toward the center of the city, it seems… closer?

“Don’t tell me it’s under this place…” You mutter, looking about. Perhaps you accidentally stumbled onto something larger and more important?

A hum of magic drags your attention over to Tabitha, her legs shining as the magitek powered devices finally work again. She winces before standing up and stretching, going through the motions with her legs before sighing. Closing your eyes and shutting off the flow of magic, you walk over to her and say, “Thank the Gods, are you able to walk okay.”

“Yeah.” She says, in a way that leaves much doubt on whether she actually is okay or not.

Worried about whether you should confront this here and now or not, you pull back and say, “Alright well, I’m glad you’re safe, okay?”

She winces, rubbing at her thigh where the leg connects a moment later, though you’re not certain it’s entirely from pain.

“What should we do now?” Bardam asks. “I think it might be wise to turn back, however I worry if things like that are still around and they follow us out through the way we came in. Veronica can make some wards but I’d worry if it’s not enough.”

“My sentiments exactly.” Veronica says. “We have at least one wounded and our energy reserves are low, however. But I believe we may be able to go onward, if we must.”

Valeria shrugs and pops open her pouch to grab a vial. She downs the white fluid quickly and shudders before saying, “I feel fine enough to continue.”

You look to Tabitha who says, “My legs are functional. We can do whatever is best.”

Looks like it all falls to you. Should you continue forward or return back to the Reach? And if you do press on, should it be above ground (relatively speaking), or below?

>What do you do?

Oh, I forgot to write my thing.

Uhhh. Choices! You have them!

Time to speak with your wife about what's going on with her, you don't!

>>401159

Hell fucking, no.

We are folding immediately and getting the fuck out of here. Have Valeria fly us out of the pit and retreat. We barely set a foot down here and are already encountering heavy resistance. Not to mention whatever that thing was that opened a fissure by casually grunting in our general direction.

Leave, recuperate and plan. Tabitha doesn't want to listen to us, so when we are outside and safe, bring our concerns about her and Maya to the ascendant. I feel like she is more qualified for dealing with emotional trauma then our own brand of armchair psychology. We'll discuss our next line of action after these issues are addressed.

>>401159

So we have Maya being injured and the rest of us being fairly beaten and bruised, alongside the issue of Tabitha being a ticking time bomb due to her bottling up her emotions to the point of her mask slipping in public, something which never happens outside of serious circumstances, and yet everyone seems to think we’ll be fine continuing? If we encounter anything else we’re kind of fucked, since that last fight took nearly everything out of everyone and we’re unlikely to be in a position to fight back against threats of either the same variety or that happen to be more powerful, of which the latter is very much likely. So, considering we still have a lot of time to complete our mission, how about we don’t effectively commit suicide and instead just leave while we still have the chance?

As for how to go about doing just that, start by telling our party our reasons for leaving while purposefully leaving out Tabitha’s emotional state being a factor in our decision, since she will stubbornly refuse to leave otherwise. Regarding pathing, simply retracing our steps is probably our best bet, as there’s a chance we may find resistance should we take a different, quicker route and we aren’t really in a position to deal with more fights right now. As for how to move, we should ideally just be walking back without usage of magic, relying on Valeria like >>401181 brings up for vertical movement when needed, because while something like <Rock Slide> would be quicker it also would be very tiring, which could lead to some nasty situations should more threats pop up since we would be too tired to fight effectively because of continued spell casting—<Rock Slide> and [Build the Wall] should be saved in anticipation for these potential moments, or at least until we are certain we can make it out safely even if we do use them. Other than that, I suppose it would probably be a good idea to follow the same procedure of scouting before moving that we had earlier for the retreat sans the out-of-commision Maya, just so we can avoid potential encounters where applicable.

An alternative option for retreat is to use [Destination Dorito]. This would be pretty good as a means for immediately getting to safety, but there’s no guarantee that our exit point back into the depths would be safe when we do decide to return, not to mention El Dorito probably isn’t going to have necessary supplies immediately available, so it’s best that we don’t use this as our main escape strategy. It could and should be used as an emergency escape should our retreat be compromised, however.

Assuming we used the first method of retreat, we should have Veronica set up wards at the entrance like Bardam mentioned and block off the tunnel again, as well as set up some guards watching the area just in case to alert us of threats if necessary. I have my doubts about anything following us outside, seeing as nothing left the tunnel back when Miranda decided to go snooping around the area despite her being followed, but it doesn’t hurt to prepare for such a situation regardless, especially when we lose nothing for doing so. We should also probably keep up such wards and watches when we next delve into the tunnel as well, seeing as right now we’ve kind of left the entrance exposed to ethereal enemies.

Other than that, I guess it’s time we confronted Tabitha about what’s going on in the privacy of our home, because we’ll have the opportunity to do so and we really need to if we want things to go by smoother and of course because we love her and want her to not be in emotional turmoil, but that’s a given at this point.

Yeah, I agree. We’re injured, have emotional problems to deal with, and are low on juice. Also, that artifact isn’t going anywhere anytime soon (if we put the proper protections on the entrance that is), and having our team in tip-top condition is a very necessary when we’re about to talk to a god. We also have 10-11 days to get to it as well. Though it wouldn’t hurt to take a few moments to figure out exactly where the artifact is(I’m guessing below ground, though using mage sight/drones to get a better idea wouldn’t hurt). Other than that, once we return home, we NEED to talk to Tabitha, and do what was discussed earlier to alleviate her concerns, and solve our first marital dispute. Perhaps talking to Veronica would give us a better idea of exactly why she’s mad, and how to fix it.

Do I want to know what the smiley face was about?

>>401159

Yeah, We should go. We are in no shape to fight the bbeg of the area. "opened a fissure by casually grunting in our general direction" seems something we'd need Rommel in top shape to deal with. Not even mentioning how whatever it is also held those shades from passing on. There is plenty of reason to call it off even without using Tabs as an excuse.

On that regard, When we get home we need to figure out this thing with wifey. I recommend either we join her in a bath, Or we ask while cuddled up next to her in bed. Either way would make it hard to ignore.

>Relieved, you fall backward, surprised when your fall is arrested by a pair of large claws. Looking behind you, you see Valeria looks down at you. She blinks once before smirking and saying, “Well that was more interesting than mining, I suppose.”

>“Ah… yeah.” You say, trying to rise but instead falling into her hands. Shit, you’re drained after that, huh? “Sorry about this.”

“It’s fine.” She says, looking around. “Though… how are you going to get down from here? I can fly but you…”

So guys, I've been thinking, why don't we ditch the bitchy crippled granny lizard in favor of a smoking hot, powerful dragoness? She is obviously into us by showing concern as dragons are notoriously greedy and selfish.

Clearly Rommel deserves a much better woman, being an all powerful cunning geomancer in the peak of his life. Just imagine how powerful their kids will be! We should start easy though, have an affair behind Tabitha's back, ignore her and act aloof to make her grow distant and become more open to a divorce. Nothing wrong with that. People move together and apart all the time and really it's her own fault for being so pushy and clingy all the time, instead of letting us grow as a person and follow our dreams. If she takes it too hard we can also try an open relationship first. When she sees how much better of a pairing Rommel and Valeria are from witnessing their lovemaking, she will surely realize that she is being a third wheel and then we can gently let her go. She will be able to travel around the world again instead of being stuck in her backwater ancestral home that she helped recently liberate. So many exciting new opportunities and things to try out!

Then Tabitha wakes up from her nightmare next to Rommel and immediattely bites into a pillow, to not wake him up with her sudden, uncontrolable wailing. She cries her eyes out for almost an hour, while trying to regain control over her ragged breathing and shaking body. Eventually she calms down and lays on her back with an aching pain in her chest and a feeling of nausea. She is tasting bile and blood in her mouth from throwing up a little from the stress and splitting her gums from clenching her teeth too hard. She doesn''t dare to close her eyes for the rest of the night in fear of the nightmare playing out again. When the morning comes, she acts natural, like nothing is wrong, as showing more weakness will surely make her husband even more disgusted with her and accelerate his eventual decision of abandoning her like the useless old relic that she is.

>>401203

>Divorce Tabitha

REEEEEEEEeeee

>>401203

Wow,

Like I deadass have no words.

Fantastic bait Anon

>>401196

>>401195

>>401181

>>401194

Fair enough, it's all back to the surface to recover then.

>>401203

What can I say but, wew?

>>401196

>I recommend either we join her in a bath, Or we ask while cuddled up next to her in bed. Either way would make it hard to ignore.

Sounds good, though it would have to be the latter if we're going down this route, seeing as the city only has public bathing available. I guess we could set something up within our house, but the jury's out on whether we'll have the strength left to do that after retreating and there's probably a reason we haven't done such a thing earlier.

>Story continue

There’s nothing for it. Nodding your head, you stand straight and stretch, your tired muscles already protesting. You let out a sigh that encapsulates your weariness before turning to the others and saying, “It’s in our best interest to retreat.”

No one disagrees, in truth. Their outward bravado begins to show signs of relief. With a wounded comrade and everyone else feeling off their game, it would be a poor idea to stay. You still have time to reach the artifact, you can afford to leave. At least, you hope so.

“Valeria.” You say to the Dragon, who turns to you. “Can you fly us up out of this pit?”

“Yeah.” She says, walking over to you.

You shake your head however and say, “Get Veronica and Tabitha first.”

She nods without missing a beat and the two women walk over to her, being scooped up in her strong arms before she flies up, her wingbeats kicking up a torrent of debris that makes you cough. As you watch them go, you sigh and turn to Bardam, who just looks tired.

“I didn’t expect things to get this bad so quickly.” You say, feeling as tired as he looks.

“Well, we’re all alive and not possessed at least.” He says. “But Rommel, man to man, what are you doing with Tabitha?”

“Huh?” You ask, confused.

“What happened? Everything seemed to be going fine, but she’s mad at you.”

“Is that what that is…” You say, feeling worried. “I’m not certain, but I’ll talk with her once we get rested.”

“Alright. You two are good together, I don’t want anything to ruin that.”

“Ah, thanks.” You say, feeling a little embarrassed for some reason. Then, maybe because you’re tired and maybe because you just want to know, you ask, “What’s the story with you and Veronica?”

“Co-workers, assigned to a mission six months ago, have been working together since because I can keep her in line.”

He says this without missing beat or batting an eye. It surprises you how smoothly that was said. Maybe he really means it? Probably not, in truth. But you’ll let him have it as Valeria swoops back down, settling hard on the stone flooring.

“Alright you two, time to go.”

“What about Maya?” Bardam asks, pointing at the Monster who sits on the ground, looking groggy.

Valeria sniffs and picks up Maya, testing her weight, before shrugging. “It’s fine, I can take the three of you. She doesn’t weigh much.”

Loading up, Valeria flies the three of you out of the pit and to an area of stable ground where Tabitha and Veronica are waiting. Valeria continues to hold Maya as you lead the group back the way you came, keeping close attention for anything coming to attack you. Thankfully nothing does, and you eventually make your way back to the entrance of the tunnel. As the others walk back through the dark confines, you turn to look out over the ruined city that caused you trouble, and the massive pool of lava. What caused that growling you heard and the earthquake? Would it happen again?

Wiping sweat from your brow, you head out with the others, reaching the end of the tunnel where Veronica pulls out papers that she whispers prayers onto before affixing them to the edge of the tunnel. You feel a soft warmth from them, different from the oppressive heat of the tunnel. She places four before wiping her own brow and saying, “There, that should keep out any undead… hopefully.”

“Hopefully?”

“There were a lot of them, alright?” She says before chuckling. “Anyway, let’s head back.”

No one disagrees, though the trek is long and arduous. As you get close to the mine entrance, you’re surprised to find no one around working. Infact, there’s a few pickaxes laying on the ground, as if dropped in a hurry.

“Did that earthquake hit all the way out here?” Valeria asks, surprised. “That’s the only thing I can imagine that would make those girls drop their tools like this. I’ll have to scold them anyway.”

“We’ll find out.” You say as you continue out into the city.

From a distant vantage point overlooking the city, you can’t see anything broken in the city, no fires, no damage you can recognize. When you reach the base of the mines, however, you find a group of miners huddled around, muttering to themselves. Valeria notices them first and sets down Maya before leaping forward and landing before the assembled reptilian Monsters.

“Alright, who’s idea was it to take a break from work?”

>>401441

The Monster let out little shrieks of terror before one Lizardman miner stands straight and says, “There was a rumbling, we were afraid of a cave-in, but neither you nor the foreman could be found so we didn’t know what to do but run for it.”

“I was afraid of that.” You say, walking forward. “But that was the right call. I think we’ll be fine for now, however, if you want to collect your tools and head home for the day.”

“Ah, foreman…” The Lizardman says before shaking her head. “Alright, sounds good to us.” She eyes you for a moment before frowning, making to say something, then shaking her head and leaving.

While the miners had their troubles, the city itself seems fine. People present give you weird looks, though one Wurm voices it by asking why you look like shit. Looks like nothing happened here, though you do still feel warm. Ugh, you need to relax.

“We’ll depart ways here, Valeria.” You say as you pass by the Miner’s Guild. She looks at the building before nodding.

“Very well. Keep in touch when you wish to explore further.”

“I will. Stay safe.”

She smirks at you before her characteristic stern expression reappears and she walks away, headed back to her own home. You watch her go for a moment before sighing and turning back to your party, who give you mixed looks.

Ignoring it for now, you head toward your home where everyone gives a sigh of relief. Bardam and Veronica remove their armor while Maya sits down on the cushions, cradling a health potion as she tries not to fall asleep as per Bardam’s instructions.

You create ice for everyone which helps them cool down tremendously. Sitting back in your chair, you sigh as you apply some to your own forehead, feeling the wonderful relief as Erwin jumps in your lap to rest. Gods, being a Wizard is fantastic sometimes.

Veronica, clad now only in an undershirt and trousers, sits down next to you and folds her hands. She says nothing, merely watching you until you ask, “Something wrong?”

“Yes, but not with me.”

It takes you a moment before you realize what she means and you clack your tongue. “Oh. Right.” Rubbing your head, you groan and ask, “Veronica, I’m a Wizard, I don’t know much about women. What did I do wrong?”

“It defeats the purpose if I tell you.”

“Sure, okay, but I’m not really in a position to play guessing games.”

She sighs and holds up a hand before saying, “Tabitha… has always been self-conscious.”

“Huh?” You ask, confused at the change of subject. Veronica notices your confusion, but continues.

“Ever since I’ve known her, she’s been unwilling to talk about herself in much detail, or about her past. It took years of us training to overcome our disabilities together before she would open up to me like she has you.”

“Well.” You say, feeling embarrassed. Erwin looks up at you, silently judging your response as you say, “I guess I just showed interest in her. She seemed so strong willed yet vulnerable.”

“Exactly. You have to remember, Tabitha is someone who has suffered much tragedy in her life. Losing her father when she was young, losing the man she was convinced she loved, and then losing her legs?” Veronica shakes her head. “You’re not the only one whose shoulder she’s cried on, though I suspect she’s opened up to you even more than she has me.”

“I… well, yes. She is very open with me. I think she feels liberated knowing there’s someone she can trust and confide in. And I feel the same way.”

Veronica gives you a wan smile and looks down as she folds her hands in her lap. You feel momentarily stunned, not sure you’ve ever seen someone look so serene, yet sad, as the motherly woman before you. She says softly, “I’m so glad you’re there for her, to be that rock of stability for Tabitha. If you were to leave, to shift away from her, she’d fall into despair again.”

“I’m not going anywhere though.” You say, rather quickly. Blinking, you pull back and think about what she said. “Does Tabitha think I… don’t love her anymore?”

>>401442

Veronica gives a soft chuckle. “A woman’s heart, be she human or Monster, is a fickle thing. It doesn’t take much for us to begin to doubt ourselves.”

Leaning forward, you put your hands together to consider. What could she be talking-

“Oh, you’re kidding me.”

Veronica smiles as you nod to Erwin, who jumps over to Veronica’s lap. Standing up, you stretch, feeling the weight of your tired bones, before creating more ice, putting it in a tray, and heading up the stairs and toward your bedroom. The door is closed when you get there, so you knock on it and ask, “Tabitha? Can I come in?”

Her reply is a long time in coming before she sighs out, “Fine.”

Your heart grows heavy at those words. Opening the door, you find your wife laying down on your bed, only wearing her undergarments as she stares up at the ceiling. She doesn’t so much as look at you as you set down the ice next to her, then head to the other side of the bed where you sit down, back away from her.

An interminable silence stretches, your ears pounding with the sound of your own breathing before you say, “I’m sorry.”

You hear a slight shifting of the covers and a few moments later, Tabitha asks, “For what?”

“For not paying attention to you. I’d thought maybe I was doing right with the husband thing, but throwing all this save the world stuff in there made me lose sight of your feelings.”

“Rommel, it’s not-“

“It’s about Valeria, isn’t it?”

You feel the sheets shift again and you turn around to see Tabitha clutching the sheets tight in her scaled hand, a look of apprehension on her face. Ah Gods, you couldn’t have noticed it, though you should have. Somewhere downstairs, you feel a sense of relief from Erwin, though it’s surprising he isn’t smug as usual.

“It didn’t occur to me how it would look when suddenly the stand-offish, brutish Dragon from the north mysteriously began to act friendly toward me after a short period where we’ve had limited time together. Gods, looking back on it, if it were the other way around, I’d be suspicious too.”

She looks away from you, pushing a strand of brown hair out from her eyes. Pushing yourself onto the bed, you take her hand on yours as you lay next to her. She doesn’t pull away, but nor does she make eye contact with you. If it weren’t so serious, perhaps it would be a cute expression to see on the legendary Wanderer.

“It must be especially hard given her family and what happened to you. I swear to you though, I have eyes for no one else.”

Her cold, reptilian hand squeezes yours as she says, “I couldn’t stand the thought of someone else taking you away from me. I know you’re not like that but I… I couldn’t stop myself from thinking those things and…” Tears begin to flow from her cheeks as she whispers,

“I’m a terrible wife, aren’t I?”

She gasps as you take her chin and pull her head toward you before giving her a long, passionate kiss. Her body, so taut with emotion, goes slack under your embrace and she falls into the motion, still crying until slowly, you pull away to view her visage. Her eyes are red and puffy, and she sniffs, letting her stoic mask fall away completely.

“Gods, you’re beautiful.”

“You fucking ass.” She says, but ends up snuggling close to your chest as she does so. “You smell like sweat.”

“Are you complaining?’

“No…” She murmurs.

“Do you believe me that I love you?”

“Yes… but are you sure you’re okay with a crippled lizard and not a strong, beautiful, well scaled Dragon?”

“Doesn’t sound like my thing really. I like what I already have.”

She presses her head into your chest and lets out a soft chuckle as the two of you lay there in each other’s embrace.

>>401443

Tabitha takes your hand and smiles as you sit at the table, eating a meal cooked for you by your darling sister. Thank the Gods too, it’s still a little warm and while your magic has recovered some time ago, you feel like shit.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well after that earthquake in the mines” Helene says, using her long body to push forward and serve more of her amazing sautéed potatoes. “Though it almost seems like immediately afterward the whole reach feels a lot warmer. I’m not complaining on account of my, well, but you look as uncomfortable as the other men in town.”

“Us women are not too fond of it either.” Veronica says, enjoying the iced water you created.

“Huh, well, first time I’m glad for being cold blooded now I suppose.” Helene says, chuckling. “But I suppose that’s what happens when you live near a volcano. Must be the summer heat too. I bet things will cool off eventually, though I’ll have to enjoy this while I can!”

“Indeed.” Tabitha says, smiling. She turns to Maya, “How are you feeling now?”

“Much better.” Maya says between bites of food. “This cheese is melted quite well!”

“Thank you.” Helene says, nodding her head. “You all looked a little worse for wear earlier, but I figured a good meal should righten you up.”

“And when are you going to find a husband you can pamper like this?” You ask, to which she slaps you with her tail.

“Rude as always, LITTLE brother.” She huffs and crosses her arms. “So, when are you exploring again?”

“I suppose we should figure that out.” You sigh, standing to go get the map you were making. Clearing some room, you roll it out on the table and trace a line from the place you fought the specters to where you felt the pull.

“I believe our quarry is in this direction. The question is whether or not we should go underground in that tunnel we found. I assume we can always enter the tunnels from another point, but it may be more advantageous if we do so early on. Still, I want to hear your thoughts.”

“I would be easier to clear confined halls of more specters.” Veronica says. “As long as they don’t phase through the walls, of course.”

“And we can fight off other foes easier too, though I assume Valeria’s size might make it difficult for her to fight well.” Bardam says.

You look to Tabitha, but she doesn’t batt an eye as she says, “Above ground we can get better views and escape easier if need be. Given our last encounter, that may be more prudent. We can also leverage the Dragon if needs be.”

“Mmm, and I’m not as great in tunnels as I am out in the open.” Maya says. “But it’s your call.”

>What do you do?

>>401444

Ooo, trips. But yes, you've had your heart to heart. Ah but I do like writing these. Anyway, do you want to head back tomorrow or wait a day or two? Also, up down, side to side? How do you want to proceed?

Oh and btw, tomorrow is Shadowbringers so I'll be uh… preoccupied for a few days. Next week I'll get back on it!

>>401444

Okay, that's one bomb disarmed. Now I personally think that we should take the slow and steady approach to the dungeon, since we technically have enough time, but Ace is hinting of something terrible happening with this sudden temperature rising in the city.

So before everyone dies in a volcanic eruption and we release an ancient greater daemon into the world, we need to take care of it by jumping straight down into the hole that said daemon so invitingly created for us.

Before that however, there is one essential thing we absolutely have to do.

Find a bigger stick.

Nothing in our arsenal as of now can reliably kill what we are about to face. We need our own [Plasma Blast] tier bullshit overpowered spell as our ace in the sleeve/last resort. With that in mind, continuing with our recently discussed steel rods idea, I suggest we bring back the rail gun concept back on the table as the final step in the evolution of our [Pebble Gun].

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_bombardment

>>401455 Is there anyway to super heat the rods with our magic? Would it even help it?

I'm gonna throw out random ideas and see what's decent.

Mercury as a weapons. Maybe the liquid nature can be put to use? Better weight to use watio?

Can we manipulate gems with our magic? There a type of mineral so maybe diamond tipped rods? Or a biting dust storm of ground hard gems? Also I like the idea of enchanted crystel weapons for us and Tabitha.

Go full magneto and rip minerals out if people's blood?

Fuck it we cast meteor.

>>401458

>Superheating.

Something to consider when we go to the Craddle, but right now we need something hard and solid to minimize collateral damage in fear of a cave in.

>Mercury

Can be game breaking if we force it into the target's lungs and but again, we are gonna be fighting in super heated environments and all that mercury will just turn into gas and kill us.

>Gems

Diamonds are rare and expensive and we won't have time to drill into our enemies. Donte combined with Twister can already do the flesh rending thing but it won't be enough.

>Magneto

Only necromancers can manipulate things inside living people. So no blood bending.

>Meteor

Conjuration isn't a thing in this setting unfortunately.

Come on people! Throw more shit at the wall and see what sticks. We need to power game with every possible advantage here and cheese the system as hard as we can if we want to survive.

>>401444

>Though it almost seems like immediately afterward the whole reach feels a lot warmer.

Oh dear. This volcano is going to explode, isn’t it? Well, to guess in the creature we’re going to face as the big boss, it sounds like some sort of guardian of Sveth, as it lives in the same area of the Heart, and it seems to have some control over fire/earth, which is in his portfolio. Perhaps talking would work for once?

Now, for the choice offered, as we can more easily move about through the city rather than below it, and also track the Heart while doing that, we should track it that way until we are directly on top of it, and then tunnel down. This will let us avoid any thing in the tunnels, and make use of our dragon power, and everyone else. When we tunnel down, also do so in a way so we don’t just drop straight down, as there could be lava, and we don’t want to hit it.

As we’re facing more magical foes, I think it’s time for Rommel to improve his abjuration. We should probably pick up a book on it, and read it in the time we have this afternoon, so we can make a magic shield/circle to better protect everyone from the ghosts. If we can buy more fire resistance potions (one for everyone), or put a reservation on some, we should do that as well.

Also, just an idle question for everyone: How do you think Phallia hides her cock from Solos when they canoodle? My moneys on either well placed lingerie, or some form of shape shifting, as it’s a part of her true form or something

>>401471

She hides her cock in Solos

>>401478

>>401471

She(?) is the master of "tucking it in". Also she never got past the first base with Solos, despite technically being his new wife. He still loves Dolora and this enrages Phalia to no end. And before Ace shows up, crying and denying this, consider for a moment that most plants are hermaphrodites. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermaphrodite

>>401478

Explains why he's been a little bitch this entire series

>>401455

Yeah I think we should start moving Rommel down this route as well. [Kinetic Bombardment] is the next evolution of the [Pebble Gun] Line, And the basic principle's should be something Rommel already knows a bit about.

Rommel's fulgromancy isn't at a level yet where I think he could use [Rail Gun] at its most effectiveBasically being a no questions asked one hit kill on anything flesh based as well as being one hell of a bunker buster, But we can carry around some small bits of metal like ball bearings and can combine our fulgromancy with our geomancy to give us a very substantial increase in our damage

while also helping us get a better feel on manipulating magnetics

>>401482

I am calling it now. I don't know how we are going to manage this but by the end of this story Rommel is going to hit Phalia in the dick. I don't care if its a kick or we just throw a rock, Hell even if we hit her with [Rail Gun], But Phalia is getting a hit to the dick for being such a cunt

Shush up Ace, Phalia has a dick. It may be your story but you've been over ruled

Well that certainly went over smoothly. Not that I’m complaining, mind; a happy Tabitha is always a good thing.

>>401444 checked

From my understanding of volcanology, eruptions tend to be caused by pressure changes within a volcano—resulting from things like the movement of tectonic plates, cooling magma falling and causing newer, fresher magma to rise upwards and so on—which makes predicting whether or not a volcano will erupt basically impossible due to the lack of external signs. With that in mind, this sudden increase in ambient temperature probably isn’t indicative of a volcanic eruption coming soon, and is instead simply the previously mentioned fire spirit getting pissed at us, though that isn’t much better. Then again, this fire spirit may have possibly caused eruptions in the past, so I guess we still have that threat to worry about.

Speaking of which, what’s our contingency plan for eruptions? Surely you’d think people living by a volcano which pumped out enough lava to create the mountain pass would have something in place in the off-chance the volcano erupted a second time; it’s dormant, not extinct, after all and even if it wasn’t, extinct volcanoes can still potentially erupt. Assuming we don’t have one already, the best I can come up with is to have the miners dig tunnels to divert potential lava flows away from the city and to help release pressure where applicable, since running away isn’t really an option and at least this would buy us time to prevent the fire spirit from doing anything itself. Any ideas guys?

That aside, we should head back down early the next day, since we’ll need time to recuperate but don’t want to spend too much time and risk something like a potential eruption or other retribution from what lies below fucking over everyone on the surface. Regarding how we want to proceed towards our objective, I’m with >>401471 on the whole ‘taking the city route’ idea. Certainly, that tunnel we discovered isn’t likely a trap since the fissure was designed to kill everyone and probably not to expose a path towards our goal, but we kind of need mobility options available to us in case of dangerous opponents or other threats like sudden lava flows and a tunnel takes such options away due to limiting where we can move within it. Also, the city was mostly expunged of spooky spectres, to the point where we had no more encounters or hints of being followed when we left, while we have no idea what awaits us down below in the tunnels; as such, we’ll probably avoid more encounters taking the upper path. The main downside is that we would then have to find or create another entrance to proceed further down, but that’s not much of an issue in the grand scheme of things and we’ll probably save more time and energy doing that than fighting something like a random Balrog wandering around down below.

Other than that, it may be prudent to theorise some more anti-ethereal options, since we don’t know if we got rid of all the spirits or not and it would help to have an easier time dealing with any that may still remain. Maybe blessed salt?

>>401445

>Oh and btw, tomorrow is Shadowbringers so I'll be uh… preoccupied for a few days.

>He actually thinks he'll be able to play when Stormblood showed how shit the server stability is at expansion launch

I have a feeling you'll find plenty of time to write when the spiritual successor to Raubahn (Extreme) inevitably rears its ugly head.

>>401458

>Fuck it we cast meteor.

While a true meteor spell isn't really possible, a combination of spells to make a pseudo-meteor shower in the form of a kinetic bombardment like >>401455 brings up could potentially work. Something like using [Epicenter] to make a bunch of material quickly available, then a strong upwards [Gust] to send it skyward, followed by what would effectively be a remote [Shotgun Pebbles] to launch them at a target's position, maybe with an added mild application of [Lava Flow] if we feel like it. An attack like this, while taking a while to set up, would work rather well at dealing massive damage in a large area at longer ranges and doesn’t require us to bring specific materials that would be consumed on use with us to function though we could use them if desired since rocks are basically everywhere and anything rock-related can work. It might also be viable within the confines of the underground too, since we could just skip the first two steps and use the rocks on the cavern ceiling instead; that said, it might not be the best idea due to the risk of a cave-in regardless of how careful we are when we claim materials from above, so perhaps just stick to actually using the materials we have on hand for the time being.

>>401460

>Come on people! Throw more shit at the wall and see what sticks.

I don’t really have any ideas for ‘ultimate attacks’ other than the above, but to spit ball more ideas for offensive options:

>Mix [Rock Solid] and [Flurry] to fill a target’s every orifice with fine particles

<Sort of like the earlier ‘dump sand on anything chasing us’ idea

<Would cripple living targets, would potentially also have some effect on the ‘fire’ spirit if we use enough of it to extinguish its flames

>Mix [Lava Flow] and [Twister] to create a vortex of melting rock

<Could potentially add in [Galeforce] to spread lava absolutely everywhere once it’s airborne

>Embed some [Rutile] in a target and then [Flame Lance] it

<The rock is aspected towards electricity, meaning we could have our own form of [Plasma Blast], albeit one that is smaller and rather unrenewable but safer at least

<May require charging the rock with fulgromancy first though

>Make rock bombs by encasing lava in rock, compressing it and then letting pressure do the rest when our influence disappears perhaps?

<Or maybe just figure out how the hell [Fire Bomb] works and combine that with rock or metal shrapnel, I don’t know

<Would probably require a lot of pressure though

>Just cause a cave-in

<The Samson option, though one we could survive if we were prepared for it

<Definitely is a last resort though due to the associated consequences of performing such an act

>>401477

>>401482

By that logic, Dollora has a dick too since the beasts she created before the Great Transformation were capable of being male.

What if we simply used our magics to create a barrel, and used a combination of hydro/pyromancy to create super high pressures with steam to propel our rod, which can then be sent even faster and spun with our pre existing aeromancy? 1000 hours in QuickMemo+ :^)

>>401533

>>401534

>>401535

You not saging any of your three posts aside, while interesting, I can already see some flaws with that idea:

>Using a mix of pyromancy and hydromancy to make steam for pressure

Unless you want the weapon to be under pressure all the time, which isn't a good idea, the steam would have to be produced in the moment, which would take a fair bit of time to accomplish given the high pressure requirements the steam must meet. In the time it would probably take to set up a single shot, we could have fired off a large number of other attacks that likely would have done more damage overall.

>The heating mechanism

I don't think there's ever been a case of someone using pyromancy inside a container they have no access to, so we would probably have to heat the barrel itself to boil the water, which in turn would make the barrel very hot, particularly since the barrel would need to be fairly thermally conductive for the steam production to be viable. This would force us to use the weapon remotely since touching it is not an option, which would make aiming it very difficult.

>The barrel

The container would require pretty good construction for the shot to go where we want it to as well as to not be torn apart by the internal pressure, not to mention there would be certain mechanisms required for function like a method of holding the ammunition in place, meaning we can't create it in the moment at least, not easily and without fault and would instead have to spend precious time we don't really have making it. This also means we're now lugging around a big metal barrel, which isn't exactly ideal.

>Using a weapon in the first place

With what we have now, we can be fairly confident in where our attacks are going due to prior practise; using this new method of delivery for our attacks would require training to aim the thing correctly, even if the projectile fired is rather large and thus forgiving. Using this weapon would also limit our options for how we want to send our projectiles, since it can only really fire in a straight line while we currently have the option for arcing our attacks should we desire though we haven't really had the reason to take advantage of such an option sadly.

All in all, I have to wonder why we don't just improve our aeromancy to throw a rock faster instead.

We live in a volcano so sulphur should be in good supply, so maybe we can learn how to make gunpowder and turn our rail gun into a missile or maybe a gunpowder version of a fuel air bomb. The Bomb probably wont be useful in the next fight cause of premature detonation by fire demon but might be useful in the future.

Also could we make synthetic diamonds with our magic? do we even know how diamonds are made? Also Obsidian is extremely sharp right, what if we made our own obsidian and slap on a sigil to keep it from breaking?

also just thought how could we use magic to make a Pyroclastic flow fits with the volcano theme?

Hmm, maybe this is true and the whole idea is too complex at this point, but what about a simple tube instead? This would allow us to focus our aeromancy over a longer acceleration dista>>401552

nce right? It would be like the difference of blowing out of your mouth and blowing through a straw right? i mean im guessing about the physics behind magic

We could then use >>401545 to maybe launch a sulphur bomb or some other wizard shenanigians

Whatever speed a steam cannon can shoot, Rommel’s pebble gun probably already is, especially given how deep it’s been shown to dig into flesh/wood. As for the other ideas:

Sand control: Pretty easy with geomancy, the only problem would be actually finding sand, and Dante already does the whole “flying rocks that cut” well enough.

Lavanado: Rommel has to concentrate on two types of magic just to make lava, now you want to add a third? He’ll have an aneurysm from that.

Lava bombs: Ehh, again, too many magic types, probably better to do fire bomb/some sort of shatter.

Cave in: Feasible, underground, surrounded by earth, Rommel is probably second only to a god, as that’s his playground, but collateral damage should be considered.

Explosives: Anything we can cook up in the night before we go back in, magic can do better.

I’ll admit, Rommel has a few holes in his spell repertoire, but they’re not in the offensive section. The major ones I spot are in the more ethereal areas of magic shielding/mind control, which I tried to fix, by suggesting he read the books GW did in the afternoon we have, before we re-enter the cave. Now, this is mostly our fault, as Rommel didn’t face any real magic/mind enemies, like the previous two characters did. But, like any sane, rational, intelligent wizard, we should be moving to patch these holes, especially as the likelihood of facing enemy magic increases.

>>401565

>Sand control

I'm not sure how viable this is, but considering we can break rocks into smaller rocks by simply willing it already, couldn't we just repeat the process a number of times to get the desired result? Also, the idea behind the sand was to bind targets by burying them in it which I completely forgot to mention, so my bad there, suffocate living targets and smother fiery foes like the one we may be encountering, not replace Donte’s shtick of basically being a deadly [Flurry].

>Lavanado

I was more thinking we make the lava or uses the already present magma and then make a tornado to pick it up, but I can understand that would probably still be rather exhausting to perform. That, and it’s probably more dangerous for us than it is for the enemy, but who knows.

>Everything else

Fair enough.

>I’ll admit, Rommel has a few holes in his spell repertoire, but they’re not in the offensive section. The major ones I spot are in the more ethereal areas of magic shielding/mind control

I can agree with us having a weakness in defending against possession from spiritual foes and mind manipulation in general, but I'd argue our magical defences are fine as they are now. [Build the Wall] is perfectly capable of blocking magical attacks and can be spammed with ease see the Prophet fight, things like <Rock Slide> and [Gust] can be used to dodge attacks that have travel time as well as to redirect them in the latter’s case and our two anti-magic options, [Mana Burst] and [Reverse Polarity], are powerful enough to completely shut down the spells of an opponent who isn't under constant divine influence, meaning only the most powerful of spell casters can really pierce our defences if they actually manage to hit, that is—and even then, the likes of [Counter Circle] and [Shield Circle] wouldn’t really help alleviate this problem since the former is basically just [Reverse Polarity] in function only it can also backfire very hard if we fuck up and the latter is reliant on the skill and mana of the caster, not to mention there’s a backlash upon the shield breaking, which makes it worthless against opponents who are magically stronger than us since they’ll just easily break it and thus break us as a result.

And regarding our weaknesses, we’re not completely screwed even if we do encounter them in our current state, since not only can we still fight back to some extent as shown in the last fight, but we can also just rely on Veronica and Tabitha to help out with our failings when necessary due to the former being capable of performing exorcisms and the latter being immune to mental manipulation and thus able to snap anyone else back to reality. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t invest into learning to deal with such problems ourselves at some point, since we will no doubt encounter them later and it definitely helps to be prepared especially against the potential threat of direct mind control exhibited back in Ectria with the whole thraldom thing, but I believe that investing into such defences now when we’re unlikely to encounter much more threats said defences would counter than we already have is a waste of valuable time we could spend investing into other areas that actually help us, like our offensive options which are relatively lacking compared to the likes of the Grand Wizard.

Hello from shadowbringers! I power leveled gunbreaker in a day and now pain is my friend. I'll get an update in next week but for now, back to pew pew slice slice.

>>401455

I never use foreshadowing for anything ever, that would imply literary talent. I'm just stating it's warm you loon.

>>401471

There is nothing wrong with talking, or going for a headpat. You'll surely live if things go wrong, right?

>>401484

Hey now, Solos is a good boi. He's just a sad boi

>>401486

REEEEEE

>>401482

But Dollora and Phallia are twins, so would that mean that Dollora has a dick? Thonk

>>401494

Happy waifus the best thing

>>401494

Well, there used to be a plan in place before the Wurms moved in, but without spellblades it's kind of pointless. You're not that good of a geomancer to protect the whole city! The current plan is for the able bodied to get to the outpost as soon as possible and the Wyverns to transport those who can't. It's not the best, but it's something. Thankfully the Reach is fairly well sheltered against the lava, but a full eruption would be too much.

>Blessed salt.

I mean, I guess Veronica can bless salt if you really want it

Oh god I'm going to have to parse all this spell stuff later I think

>>401496

Oh no, math

>>401545

Thinking smarter, not harder, I see, I see

>>401552

Yeah, you're not sure how diamonds are made sadly. Obsidian is, of course, present, however Rommel didn't pick up the knack for sigils that the GW did.

>>401553

A what now?

>>401613

Lavanado just sounds cool as fuck though

>>401759

>Lavanado just sounds cool as fuck though

but ace, lava is hot

>>401759

https://youtu.be/VRZ08vp1izY

Hello from my ff14 cocoon. I'll start to pick the pieces of my life up off the floor tomorrow, including writing so, sorry about the wait!

Vidya, right?

>>401786

So am-

Anyway.

>>401799

Oh no, science.

>Story continue

“Well, in that case we’ll just go along the surface, such as it is.” You say, nodding as you roll up the map. “I think a goods night’s sleep will see us fine to go in tomorrow morning.”

The rest of the group nod their heads in agreement. The remainder of the evening meal goes well, though for some reason Veronica takes a lot of salt. Apparently she’s going to bless it, though you’re not certain why exactly someone would have blessed salt. It’s been far too long since you’ve been to a church of Solos, it seems.

As the sun rises the next morning, you find yourself drenched in sweat and feeling like, well, you’re in a volcano. The irony of the situation not lost on you, you find that at least your wife is feeling energetic, the heat making her cold blood pump with some extreme vigor. She usually uses you as a pillow to get that kind of heat and it’s both a blessing and a curse that she didn’t last night.

The others fared no better, their soggy appearances telling the same story as you. You haven’t been here during a summer yet, but does it always get this hot? Maybe you should install ice blocks around the place and an enchantment to blow air… no, that would never work. At least you can cool down water for everyone, and you feel a little more like a person and not soup as you head over the mines to meet with Valeria.

Unsurprisingly, she stands tall, seeming in good spirits because of the weather. While Dragons have an internal heat that means they can live in cold places without much issue, they clearly prefer hot climates the same as any other reptilian Monster.

“I see all of you are enjoying the weather?” She asks as you trudge forward, your coat mitigating at least some of the heat.

“I want to take a naaaap.” Maya says, snuggling into her enchanted clothing too.

“We can nap later.” Bardam says, gently removing the Mouse Girl from his leg as she tries to fall asleep next to him. “But really, it is quite hot here.”

Valeria shrugs, “It is next to a volcano after all. But is summer too and the sun probably bakes it like an oven.” She looks up and smirks, “I’m not complaining though. How about you, chairman?”

Tabitha frowns before looking to you and then sighing. “I like it as well, though if my husband is uncomfortable, so am I.”

“Hmph.” Valeria says before clacking her tongue. “Right, I forgot. On my way here I passed by Emilia’s, in between trying to sell me a jumbo sized dildo, she said she had something for you.”

You cock your head as she pulls out a sack and places it in your hands. The weight of the bag almost makes you drop it and you stumble a step as you adjust. The contents clack about and you look inside to see it’s filled with metal spheres. Confused, you look up to see Valeria shrug.

“I don’t know, she said you’d like them. Apparently she was trying to make some anal toy, but the alloy of metal she used was too heavy.” The Dragon touched her chin. “She mentioned something about washing them too, but I wasn’t paying attention.”

“That’s… great.” You say, putting the [Ball Busters] in your coat. “Did she mention anything about another project she has going for me?”

“Maybe, again, I wasn’t paying attention.” She shrugs before nodding to the mines. Following after her, you make your way steadily toward the cave systems.

“How did she even know you’d be with us today?” Tabitha asks as you walk, a look of doubt on her face.

“Well, we were seen leaving the caves together yesterday.” Valeria says, not looking back. “I’ve also been on his crew for mining recently, so I figure she just gave it to the closest person she could find who could carry the damn things.”

“Uh huh.” Tabitha says. Gently, you take her hand in yours and she looks to you before sighing and nodding her head before smiling. That’s your girl.

>>402275

The other miners have returned to work, chattering about the heat as well, though as you pass some they mutter about the rumbling. Speaking of which, you’re still not certain what that was. Is it something living down there? A Monster perhaps? Or is it just the mountain? It’s a little early to say for certain, but you better keep some options ready in case it is something.

“How would I even go about calling down a meteor…” You mutter to yourself as you walk through the mines. Bardam gives you a confused look, but Veronica and Tabitha just chuckle. At least Wizards are known for muttering to themselves. You think, anyway.

The wards Veronica set yesterday seem to be unmolested, which is good. Arriving at the cavern however, you’re surprised again at the increase in temperature. The Reach was hot, but this is another level. It’s as if lava is trying to reach out and touch you, something you dearly hope won’t happen. Even Tabitha and Valeria exchange glances, worried.

[Ugh…] Erwin mentally murmurs. [Why couldn’t I get a fancy coat like everyone else.]

{They didn’t know how to make one for your size, sorry. Are you going to be okay?}

{Yeah, I’ll manage.} He murmurs as he lays down over your shoulder, something which is quite uncomfortable. {At least I have a ride}

“Harr, harr…” You mutter as your group heads back down to the city.

“I don’t detect anything.” Veronica says as your [NSA] returns. “Not that I did beforehand.”

“I don’t see any sign of anything in the shadows either.” You murmur. “Did we really purge all of those things?”

“Perhaps. There were quite a few.” She looks out toward the center of the city as she wipes her forehead. “We may just be in store for more as we go along.”

“Well, at least we’re staying up here.” You say as you move along. Passing by the destruction wrought yesterday, you take a moment to peer into the hole broken in the earth. Nothing moves in the tunnels down below, yet you feel an eerie sort of pull, like something in the back of your head is saying, “Go ahead, go down there, everything will be fine.”

You ignore this voice and continue forward.

Maya ranges ahead as before while you use your [NSA] to scan the city as you make your map. The heat makes it difficult to concentrate, but you’re able to get a decent view of the city. Not much is different from the area you’ve been in, though there are signs of perhaps more recent destruction. The entire cavern had to have shuddered back then. This poor old city looks like it would crumble if given the chance.

“I wonder something.” Bardam asks as you move forward, watching every shadow. “What did the people who lived here do to earn this relic?”

“I guess they just really liked Sveth?”

“Maybe. Or he liked them. Perhaps they were great warriors in the past?”

“Maybe, but that’s unlikely to have gained his patronage.” Veronica says. “Don’t forget that Sveth only recently in the scheme of things has been declared a God of War. He is, at his heart, the God of earth and fire.” She points to a relatively unmolested building.

“He is something referred to as ‘the builder’ as well, because his actions shaped the very earth our feet are upon. Some architects revere him, especially those who work with stone. It is possible that they showed their devotion not through battle, but through art.”

“But why would they build all of this inside a volcano?” Bardam asks. “To be closer to their God?”

“I don’t know about that.” You say, looking around. “A civilization like this must have had farmlands to sustain itself, there’s no way they could live on trade alone all the way out here in the mountains unless there was some route out of here we don’t know about or-“

“Or this place wasn’t always underground.” Valeria says, finishing your sentence. The Dragon looks around, her wings unfurling and furling unconsciously. “But enough history, we should focus on the here and now.”

Bardam nods his head in agreement and your party sets forward again.

>>402276

You make it a good distance with nothing happening. The mapping seems to be going quite well. Pleased with your progress, you call a rest. Everyone essentially collapses as food is brought out, and you create ice that melts very soon after it’s cast. Either way, the warm-blooded part of your group enjoys it greatly.

Tabitha and Valeria take watch as you sit down next to a ruined fountain and go over your map. You’ve yet to see where your [Might Sight] is pulling you, but you feel it getting closer and closer. The current goal is to head above ground until you reach and then tunnel downward. A simple enough affair as long as you don’t encounter any difficulty.

Leaning your head back against the stone, you begin to wonder about this place. What would it have been like when it was at the height of it’s glory. It had to have existed before Wizards, so magitek wasn’t a possibility. To create such grand architecture then… perhaps that would have impressed a God.

You place your hand against the floor and cast [Survey]. Your senses course out into the very stone, getting not just a feel for the composition, but also the outline of the structures. Closing your eyes, you’re almost able to tell what it must have looked like based on what’s remaining. It brings a smile to your face to imagine it. Perhaps the Reach can learn something from this place, once you’ve gotten the relic? Oh and saved the world, that too.

Sighing, you quest out further when your ability seems to slide off something. Momentarily confused, you move back to that spot but find it’s no longer there. Searching about, you find the same feeling a little further way, but it soon moves from you. What the hells?

Opening your eyes, you toss out the [NSA], which flies quickly toward the direction where you felt the disturbance. Scanning around, you don’t find anything out of the ordinary. Just piles of rock and debris. Worried, you dispel the [NSA] and inform the others of what you found.

“A type of rock that moved? Are you sure it’s not some lizard you’re feeling?” Bardam asks, dubious

“No, it had the property of granite, it’s just… I can’t get ahold of it. It’s almost like it’s alive.”

“Living rocks?” Bardam says before cocking his head. “Now where have I heard of that before…?”

“Earth Elementals.” Veronica says, looking worried. “A kind of Monster born of the energies used by the great awakening, pulled together by aetherically charged rock. They’re incredibly rare and most of them were destroyed ages ago.”

“They’re golems?” You ask, surprised.

“Not quite. Golems may react to rudimentary commands but they aren’t truly possessed of intelligence. These Elementals, on the other hand, have a mind of their own, basic as it is.”

“Are they a danger?” Tabitha asks.

“Typically, no. They were said to keep to themselves, however they’re very durable and very strong, so when they get angry there’s much collateral damage. Most of them were eliminated during the purging that destroyed many races of Monster.”

“So they’ve been down here all this time.” You mutter. “But if they’re Monsters, shouldn’t they want to, you know, have sex? What keeps them down here?”

Veronica purses her lips. “If I recall right, it’s said that despite being formed during the Great Transformation, some Monsters of incredible power could create more. If that’s the case then they could also control them.”

“Like what controlled the specters.” Tabitha hisses. “So there is something like that down here.”

“Well, we’ll just have to stay out of their way.” You say, nodding. “I’ll continue to feel the ground around us while the rest of you keep an eye out for shifting rocks.”

Maya gives a salute and ranges ahead while you use [Survey]. This slows your movements, but it keeps you appraised of the situation as you press forward. Every so often you feel the sliding sensation on the periphery, but it moves away before you can pin it down. The sensation grows more and more frequent the closer you get toward the center of the city, however.

“That’s it.” You say, rubbing at your forehead as you drop your spell. “We’re clearly being followed.”

>>402277

Again?” Bardam asks, weapon at the ready. “Can’t they be more imaginative?”

“I’ll take being encircled over tricks any day.” Tabitha says, to which you can’t help but agree.

Sending out another [NSA], you look out further into the city and see nothing of value until you clear one section of large building ahead of you to find what you assume you’re looking for.

Standing aside from the other buildings is a large structure that evokes a temple to you. Stairs run up along three sides of the ruined building, but a few tall columns supporting an arched roof remain. Atop the structure is an ancient belfry, the bell long having collapsed through its bindings long ago while what look like broken windows line most of the building.

And yet, you get that pull again somewhere… below the structure. Perhaps it has vaults where it’s being kept? Pulling yourself back, you make to speak with the others when you notice something is wrong.

Tabitha’s sword is out, her expression wary as she look around. Valeria has the same expression while Bardam and Veronica band together. Maya is out searching ahead with Erwin, but what could have worried everyone so?

Unable to sense anything, it hits you a moment later. Touching the ground, you cast [Survey] and find-

“Shit!” You cry as something bursts out of the ground to grab your leg. Before you can react, it drags you to the ground and away at a rapid pace, as if part of the stonework. Thinking fast, you slap your hand on the ground and channel power, causing an explosion of rock which carries you down until you hit something hard beneath you.

Disoriented for a moment, you stand up and look about to see darkness. Casting a quick light, you find yourself in the tunnels from before. Confused, you whirl as you hear rocks dropping from the ceiling. They clatter pebble by pebble until a whole chunk of rock falls, causing you to leap backward to avoid it. Shielding your face from the resulting dust, you watch as the rock picks itself up and turns to regard you.

A shapely, feminine form made of stone granite looks at you with glowing red eyes. Strands of rocky hair course over jagged shoulders as the creature lifts oversized, craggy hands. Despite the unnatural construction of the body, it still seems to hold an allure that you’re certain did not end well for many men who tried to bed one in the past. You… think anyway.

Above you, the sounds of combat are heard. You suspect your party is battling their own share of the creatures. Thankfully, you only have one to deal with. Your magic is unlikely to directly work on them, but you’re pretty sure there’s something you have that can remove this obstacle. So, with that in mind,

>What do you-

The sounds of more rock come tumbling down around you and you curse as two more stone drop from the ceiling, revealing themselves to be more Earth Elementals. The three loom over you and you get the distinct feeling that they want something more than just to pulverize you, though you’re certain they’d do that anyway.

Well… this situation just got worse.

>What do you do?

Uh oh. Rocks fall on your head and you… move out of the way and don't die. Probably.

You're on your own for this one. Hopefully they can survive up top without you?

>>402278

we still have Babyface, right?

no idea what we'd do with him, but our hunk of granite might be useful since we're dealing with granite golems

Speak Rock and convenience them you're not a enemy. Maybe take Babyface and sculpt it into a sexy little lady that looks like them?

Just smash them into sand using out stupid heavy anal beads, or the rock from the walls around us. We are a badass mage with badass magic. Magic the duck out of them.

Forgot to sage. Kill me

It's a shame we didn't learn any water magic, I'm pretty sure earth elementals are going to have pretty high physical resistances.

>>402293

>>402307

Exactly! Do not engage! I repeat, do not engage! Pass this order along through Erwin with <Vox Caster> as well, have everyone back away and run if they have to. We got this.

Raise our hands with palms outward as universal sign of submission and then pull out Babyface and speak out through him with <Vox Caster>. If this doesn't work, give him the [Oculus of Henhotep] and make him carve out the word "PEACE" on the ground and put the lens over it.

Basic or not intelligence is still intelligence. This means they can be manipulated or tricked. The moment, they lower their guard use our divine touch to headpat one and pacify it. try and feed them some [Quartz Clusters] afterward. (A long shot but hey, elementals eating rocks is not too farfetched.) If it's not to their taste, then one of our health potions.

If our persuasion roll fails, chug our [Strength of the Mountains], tackle one of them and forcibly wrestle it into submissiveness with aggressive petting. Do not underestimate Rommel's golden touch. It was pure enough to cause indescribable, debilitating agony to to the Apophis. If these things are under some sort of mental control, it will break it too.

Only if every single attempt of negotiations fail, should we attack. And by that I mean jump and cast [Galeforce] directly under our feet to launch us out of this hole and back up where the rest of our party is. Then when we can test our new oversized anal beads as ammunition for [Pebble Gun].

>>402344

Also if combat is inevitable, aim our balls at their chest area. Elementals are usually similar to slimes in that they posses a core akin to a heart which binds their forms together.

Yes, we need to attempt peaceful dialogue before we kill anything. The above suggestions should work for that, but we should also ask if they have a leader/creator who is currently in the city, as “Monsters of incredible power could create more”. Once we’ve gotten this across, make sure our intentions of saving the world/using artifact (not necessarily stealing it), are known. Because they and their master have lived here for so long, it’s likely that they know the precise location of the [Heart of the Crags], saving is some time.

If they attempt combat, despite our talking, use mana burst to disrupt their own magic, as Ace seems to be hinting that, and then break them with geomancy. If that doesn’t work, rapidly heating, then cooling them will also work, as that will cause the rock they’re made out of to crack and crumble.

>>402293

>>402307

>>402344

These are the right course of action. Rocks are our friends and you know Rommel is going to have a nerdgasm over giant sentient rock elementals . Imbue Babyface into a golem and try to use him as a middle man. If there is literally anybody made for befriending them, Its Rommel. Also call me crazy but I just can't imagine Rommel overpowering a giant Earth Elemental physically, Even with the potion to help. That said, >Your magic is unlikely to DIRECTLY work on them

So can have some power over them but can't control them like a boulder. Perhaps that means we can use our magic AND the potion to help bridge the strength gap. Golem Rasslin sounds hilariously fun and I whole hardheartedly support it. Having Rommel single handedly wrestle all the Golems into our signature [Headpat] Submission hold while having the time of our life and playing it up like Randy Savage just sounds far to tempting to ignore,

If none of the above works, Our group is really hard countered here besides us. Going off them being mostly granite, They're not going to give a shit about any kind of bladed attack, And trying to punch a rock into submission is crazy talk, Except for possibly the dragon but even then I have my doubts. We on the other hand have a good amount of options should a fight be unavoidable. [Flash Freeze] followed by concentrated [Sonic Blast] would be effective, [Shatter] in the same vein, While also softening up targets for our allies and our [Ball Busters] to do massive damage per shot. We also have [Mana Burst] which would probably shut them down, But I think [Reverse Polarity] to be the better choice since they are likely share the same magic frequency, So we can easily just shut them down once we learn their signal and not have to lose all of our magic.

Also we have to find out whether Earth Elemental has Puss Puss

>>402293

>>402307

>>402344

>Using Babyface

Good luck with that:

>"Was… was that rock dust?" She hisses, visage furious.

>"No, it was the remains of a trusted friend who fell in the line of duty against this madness."

>"But was it ROCK DUST?"

>"He was a rock, yes." You bow your head. "Rest in peace Babyface."

>>You lose [Granite Dust]

Babyface is dead and gone, having died suffered severe wounds in our defence against Hent-Ateh before finally heroically sacrificing himself to deal a mighty blow to the final boss; the pastebin just isn't accurate due to what was taken from the previous quest being from a version not up-to-date with the ending of the story and Ace being lazy, but I don’t blame him. Also, I'm fairly certain we didn't replenish our granite stocks out of respect for our friend, so we can't do such plans with a replacement either.

>>402278

Our inability to use Babyface for this aside, I’m all for diplomacy. We’re a rock autist who considers our collection as friends, so it only makes sense that we try to befriend the rock girls before resorting to violence. There’s also the benefits of not killing potential sources of information and allies, but that’s a lesser reason compared to the prior.

As for how to go about doing that, what >>402344 and >>402347 have outlined seems to work rather well. That said, the lack of Babyface means we would have to use our other friends to act as diplomats, so I would recommend picking out the rocks that have some similarity to granite to make things go over smoother—my vote’s for Donte and the unnamed Pumice who we should really name, seeing as the two are igneous rocks like granite, alongside Acilis, as quartz is a large component of granite and igneous rocks in general. Also, should we really risk the [Oculus of Henhotep] here? We’re can’t be certain if the elementals can even see in the way we do and there’s the risk that the elementals just smash the artefact upon approach which would suck since you never know when we might need it in the future, so I’m rather hesitant to go with that idea. Finally, we’re absolutely not feeding part of Acilis to the elementals under any circumstances; that would be like him giving one of our arms to a cannibal, and considering he would never do that to us, we shouldn’t do it to him either.

Should diplomacy fail, I recommend we start by trying to incapacitate our foes before using lethal force, because there is a definite possibility the elementals aren’t acting out of their own free will and murdering them without trying to free them via things like [Reverse Polarity] and divine head pats first doesn’t seem right, not to mention ending one of Sveth’s children’s lives may potentially lower his opinion of us. As for how to go about doing that, a mixture of [Build the Wall], [Trench] and [Rock Solid] to clear space, trap them and bind them respectively should suffice, as this would allow us to keep our distance from them, thus making the one thing they have against us, raw strength, pretty useless, as well as prevent them from continuing to attack once bound, since it’s rather hard to move when you’re buried in rock and I doubt the elementals would somehow add the rock to their bodies, since they would have shown this skill by picking up the rubble we left behind if they had it. Failing that, using [Trench] and [Lava Flow] could work, since forcing the already hopefully slow moving enemy to wade through lava would pretty much make them move at a snail’s pace and give us plenty of time to figure out if we can do anything for them—it’s not an ideal option though, since there’s a risk of the elementals dying should the cores they likely possess be damaged in the lava somehow, which defeats the point of trying to spare them.

In the off-chance either we can’t remove any mind control effects or they are attacking us out of their own volition and thus lethal force becomes a necessity, then we can bury them in a much deeper [Lava Flow] to slow them down further, if not melt them outright, and use [Reverse Polarity] to cause them to lose control over their bodies and fall apart, leaving their cores should they have them exposed and easily destroyed. It should be noted that [Reverse Polarity] is preferable to [Mana Burst] here, since we aren’t completely surrounded and the latter would leave us and a number of our party members rather lacking in the defence department, which would be very bad should anti-magic not work as intended not to mention we want to avoid having a low-spirited lizard lover again.

>>402360

>Babyface is dead

I am disgusted with myself that I forgot his heroic sacrifice but not as much as I am disgusted at the fact that Ace did too.

With that said though, I think it's between highly likely to almost certain that there is granite to be found around here, considering the composition of these girls. So we can just pull that out and temporarily call Babyface back from the dead one last time to act as our mediator.

I would personally go full on autism and have a fully sentient ghost of him appear to tell the elementals that Rommel is basically rock Jesus and a champion of Sveth in all but name.

>>402359

Also in regards of wrestling elementals, didn't we learn some geo flexing in Ectria? Surely we kept up with our training in it? We apparently practiced some spear fighting off screen so it's not that unlikely and that could help bridging the gap.

>>402390

Lying to ourselves about Babyface being gone forever and trying to resurrect him aside, I'd argue taking the rocks from our collection would work better here. Taking the rocks from the surrounding area only shows that we can control rocks, which may be taken as a sign that we want to control the elementals too; taking them from our bag, on the other hand, shows that we love and cherish rocks to the point of bringing them everywhere with us, which gives a stronger impression. Speaking of which, we should probably pull out a friend who hasn't come specifically from volcanic sources, like Greg, Stan or Barry I think these three at least, since an unfamiliar rock would prove that we didn't just grab some material that was lying around.

>>402391

On that topic, anyone have any idea what the benefit to Geoflexing was over just standard Geomancy? It seemed rather redundant and I don't remember us doing much with it.

>>>402391

Was Geoflexing mana free? I remember a bit of talking about it but I don't recall ever really using it in a fight, So maybe that was why it existed, So we wouldn't be completely fucked in a situation like post [Mana Burst].

>>402390

Its bad enough we forgot our friend but we will never replace him. Remember him as he was.

Oh boy, let's see what the responses ar-

We want to headpat the elementals…. Well it worked on a Goddess, lets go for it!

Oh, and manos started work on Valeria, hopefully I'll have at least her lines soon. It's funny, I totally forgot to describe her hairstyle. Oh well, hope it goes over well.

>>402321

One option, I suppose. You sure hope she actually cleaned those.

>>402323

Rommel knows… some Hydromancy, but not enough to be all that useful without sources of water around.

>>402344

I-

I guess this has to be written, if nothing more than for the words aggressive patting.

>>402346

Gotcha.

>>402347

Also applicable!

>>402359

Well, he's more concerned with trying not to die, but yes, this is pretty cool. Poor Tabitha, a Dragon being nice to her man and now rock ladies? How can she compete?

There is a visible gap between the legs of the elementals. Gods know what is in there or even how deep that rabbit hole goes.

>>402360

>>402390

I'm not gunna lie, granite is kind of AROUND should you wish to call upon Babyface's family.or something. I mean, you haven't beforehand because of devotion to your friend but.

yes, I'm lazy, I'm sorry the fucking pastebin is such a damn chore

>>402391

It's more of a martial art than magic, but it does use mana. It channels the mana into you and through your core, allowing you to become one with the earth and move it as an extension of your body. While it is sort of redundant to geomancy (because it's used by geomancers) it basically is like fucking earth bending, there I said it. Making rock as one with your body though? Well, you practiced mostly with the ability to concentrate with your hands and feet. Make of that what you will.

And yes, you practice it from time to time. Tabitha likes how it tones your core.

>>402472

Y'all have until tomorrow to decide what friends you want to join this parley.

>>402504

To be fair, I just forgot to change the supplemental pastebin. That's partially on y'all also and I'm sorry please forgive me

>>402531

>It channels the mana into you and through your core, allowing you to become one with the earth and move it as an extension of your body.

It may not be the worst idea to show off some Geoflexing here in that case, as it could work as a way of showing a physical connection to rocks alongside the prior mentioned emotional link.

>Y'all have until tomorrow to decide what friends you want to join this parley.

Sticking with my guns of what I've said previously, so Donte, Acilis, the Pumice maybe the elementals have ideas for names for him/her and I suppose Greg should join us. The others I’ve already given reasons for, and Greg has been with us the longest out of everyone, so it only makes sense to have him display our bond with our mineral mates. We could grab some granite if we really wanted, but again, that reflects poorly on us and honestly it probably doesn’t matter what types of rocks we bring out considering elementals aren’t necessarily forced to be made of granite; they just so happen to be so at the moment.

>>402536

Donte is a respectable individual who has helped us in a myriad of different situations. We wouldn't be friends with him if he was a nigger.

>Story continue

Surrounded by vaguely attractive creatures made purely of earth and stone who seem intent upon killing you. Generally speaking, this is what one would call a, “bad situation.” It seems quite likely that without your help, your friends are going to be in trouble and you might have difficulty yourself since you can’t directly affect them with your magic. Given how they pulled you through the stone as well, you suspect their control over the flow of rock is equal to, or greater than your own.

The prudent thing to do would be try to run, or perhaps stand your ground and use some of your higher powered magic. You can probably use those [Ball Busters] you received to make a real mess of them or even melt them with [Flame Lance] or [Lava Flow]. If you’re creative, you can probably do this quickly and with minimal damage to yourself.

But you aren’t going to do that, are you? No, you’re going to do something entirely different.

Quickly throwing a spell upward, you jump back as the Elementals dive at you with surprising speed. Dust kicks up all around you as you shout out, “Don’t engage them! Retreat for now!”

You hear your voice echo out as the spell, [Vox Caster] repeats it through the caverns. A moment later, Erwin says in your mind, {Are you fucking crazy?}

{Erwin.} You send back, dead serious. {They’re rocks.}

{Oh no, you better not be thinking of doing what I think you’re thinking of doing.}

{There is a distinct possibility that I will do this thing you are thinking I an thinking of doing.}

{Do you want to be divorced? Ugh, whatever you’re stuck on your path. Just stay alive.}

You feel Erwin moving away, hopefully with the rest of your party. Veronica is the only one who can reliably fight these Monsters and even then someone might be get in the process. It’s best they leave while you take care of this. Yes, you. The Geomancer.

Crouching down slightly, you hold your hands out to the side toward two of the Elementals while facing down the one in the middle. Surprisngly, you notice differences between them, in the shapes of their earthen bodies and the length of their rocky hair. Are they intelligent enough to choose their appearances?

“Alright. Let’s calm down. No one needs to be hurt.” You say, nodding between the Monsters. “We can talk this through. I don’t want to see any of you lovely ladies hurt.”

They do not respond, their facial expressions set as hard as stone as they plod stand still, watching you.

Licking your lips, you slowly reach into your pocket and pull out some of your friends. Greg, Donte, Acilis, and the Pumice who needs a name. You’ll just call him the Lone Ranger for now. Holding out your friends to the Elementals, you gently drop them on the floor where you feed magic into them. They take on their humanoid shapes, standing before you and between the Elementals.

If rock could look perplexed, it would be like the expression on these Monster’s faces. Not that it changed much, but you’re pretty sure you saw it. You are, after all, an expert in Geomancy.

The one in the middle with the long hair and slender body takes a step toward you, her(?) glowing red eyes staring down at your golems. Then, surprisingly, she cocks her head and kneels before them. You watch in surprise as she reaches out a hand toward the Lone Ranger and strokes his defined facial features. She stays like this for a long while before looking up at you, perhaps with curiosity in her eyes?

“You understand, don’t you?” You ask, heart hammering in your chest. “I am not your enemy. I am Rommel, and I speak for the rocks! I speak for the rocks, for the rocks have no tongues. And I’m asking, ma’ams, at the top of my lungs, why must we fight?”

The Earth Elemental pauses before turning to the others. They look between each other before looking down, as if trying to process and incredibly difficult question. As they do so, your golem friends walk up the to kneeling Elemental and give her a hug, which makes the Monster look down in surprise. You’re not certain how much emotion these things can feel but something very real seems to be happening.

>>402682

“May I come closer?” You ask. They make no reply, though you believe they probably can’t. Slowly, ever so slowly you inch forward, until you’re directly before the crouching Monster. Gulping slightly, you extend your hand forward. The Monster looks at you warily, the other two taking steps toward you, ready to strike if needed. But they do not, and your friends continue to hug the creature of rock.

Gently, ever so gently, you place your hand upon her stone head.

Nothing happens. Despite doing your best to run your fingers through the hair, all you get are scrapes. You stare down in shock as your godly hands have no effect upon them. Does that… does that mean you’ve lost your touch? Oh Gods, you never knew how important that was to you before now and-

Greg gets your attention by pulling on your legs. Momentarily surprised, you look down at the little golem, who stares at you with eyes that belie much more wisdom than a golem powered only by your magic and following simple commands should ever be able to. In fact, it’s basically impossible, so either you’re subconsciously doing this, or something else guides your friend. Perhaps friendship… is magic?

Either way, your little friend’s gestures make you think deep. What could he be hinting at? What could you be missing? You hands, normally so in tune with those you pat, able to give them great pleasure as you run your fingers through their hair, feeling their warmth, same as your- oh, of course.

Closing your eyes, you feel the strength of the mana within your core. Drawing upon it, you breathe out slowly as the power of the land itself rises through you, to suffuse out into your hand. When you open your eyes again, you feel as if you are one with the stone, that it’s rocky blood flows in time with your own. Only then do you place your hand back upon the Earth Elemental’s head.

“Ahhhhhnnnn!”

If you weren’t so focused on your dark art, you’d be shocked to hear the moan of pleasure issue from the stone lips of the Monster. She looks up at you, glowing red eyes staring at you in an indescribable expression as your hand caresses her head. Where before, your fingers caught upon her rocky crags, the structure of her hair now parts at your touch, and you glide along her scalp as effortlessly as if it were water.

When you finish, you slowly retract your hand and look down at the Elemental. She makes no move toward you, merely staring at you, mouth open slightly. Letting the flow of earth within you go, you take a deep breath and ask, “Can you talk?”

The Elemental doesn’t respond. She merely stares at you, or perhaps, as you realize, she’s looking through you. Wow, did you really pat her that good? You suppose that Valeria had a similar reaction to her first pat, but this is a little excessive. The other two have similar expressions and you begin to wonder a little moment later if something is wrong when, with a gravely, yet feminine, voice the Elemental before you says,

“How-?”

“GGGGRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

The entire cavern system shakes around you, far more violently than before. Stone fall down around you as the ceiling begins to cave in. Hurriedly, you form a shelter against the falling rocks with your magic, but the scream continues onward. The cadence is different now, you realize, as if it were the sounds of a woman crying in anguish instead of a beast roaring in anger.

When the rumbling subsides, you sigh and rub at your forehead, wiping sweat away. Did it get hotter again? And what was that scream about? It sounded like the thing from before but… is there truly another Monster in here? Was it even possible for one to have a voice that loud?

Shaking your head, you look down to your friends and the Earth Elementals and ask, “Are you alright?”

Your friends nod their heads, not that they… could understand the question and are just an extension of your magic but- maybe you are going crazy. Regardless, you turn to the Earth Elemental you just pat and smile as you ask the question again.

She cuts you off by driving a fist into your gut.

>>402683

You sag to the floor, the air being driven out of you. Bile wells in your throat and you vomit up the contents of your lunch as pain wells through you. Oh Gods, it’s like you were just punched by a damn boulder! Not withstanding the fact that you basically were, it still HURTS.

Disoriented, you’re unable to stop the next blow that smashes into your head, dropping you to the floor in a daze. Warm blood runs down your head as you try to look up, your vision swimming. The Earth Elemental stands before you with a vacant expression, her eyes glowing in the darkness of the cavern. All pretense of former emotion is gone as she stares down at you, raising her foot to smash your head in.

Before the blow is struck however, your friends leap in the way, holding their arms out wide!

The foot stops in it’s tracks as the Elemental stares down at your friends. It’s not much, but it buys you enough time to thrust your hand into your pocket and pull out something you never thought you’d have to use. [Strength of the Mountains].

Popping off the cork, you down the eastern solution in one go. A sense of something deep and vast wells up within you suddenly, your eyes growing wide as your pains dull and fade away. Your arms, they fill with a vigor you hadn’t known possible, a strength you can scarce imagine! Though the world around you seems to fade a little, the sounds and colors growing dim and muted, it’s of little concern as you push yourself off the ground and tackle the Earth Elemental!

Your friends scatter out of the way as you drive the Monster to the ground. She tries to push you off, her arms filled with unnatural strength, but you have a better position atop her. She struggles to break your grip as the others rush in to attack. With a flick of your wrist, you throw up walls of rock to distract them, at least for the moment, before you flip the Earth Elemental around and put her in a submission hold.

“Stop your attack! I don’t want to hurt you!”

The Earth Elemental continues to push against you, her strength starting to wear through even your enhancement.

Gritting your teeth, you place both your hands upon her head and cry out as the power of the land runs through you once more. With a shout, you adjust your position, and perform the dreaded [Double Head Pat].

The Earth Elemental lets out a mixture of a cry of agony and pleasure and tries to writhe her way out of your grasp. The other Elementals begin to phase through the rock, their bodies seeming to melt and become one with it as they pass as though it were water. But you have eyes only for the one before you.

She throws you back against the ground and drives her head into your chest. Distantly, you think you hear something crack. Regardless, you continue your assault, your hands patting with a power once thought impossible. You are so focused upon this task that you can do nothing else but weather her assaults as she tries to free herself and way from your hands. Despite suffering what you assume will be painful injuries, you continue pressing onward, knowing that somewhere within this constructed creature lies a heart that just wants to be loved.

The other Elementals are before you now, their arms poised to drive into you. Using everything within you, you cry out and press your feelings into your patting!

Something feels like it breaks around you. The Elemental in your hold suddenly throws you backward and leaps up, intercepting the blows of the others. They tear off chunks of her granite form but she stands firm and, in a fluid motion, grabs the two around the necks and flips them over her, sending them flying into the wall. They hit and slide down before picking themselves up, staring at their former comrade.

>>402684

“The walls, quickly!” The Elemental shouts.

Your mind addled as it is by the potion, you have trouble making that out until the others are almost upon you. Thrusting out with your arms, you push the other two away with walls that you propel backward in a form of [Rock Slide], smashing them into the sides of the tunnel. Another earthquake happens as more of the tunnel begins to collapse.

The Elemental grabs you and waves to your friends, who run forward and attach to her body, their own seeming a little less shaped than before. She grunts and digs her hand into the side of the tunnel wall before pushing herself up it, dragging you and all your friends to the top of the tunnel and back into the caverns.

She tosses you heavily onto the ground and you wheeze, feeling pain start to creep back into your system as the potion begins to wear off. Searching quickly in your pocket for a [Health Potion], you down the viscous fluid, coughing as it begins to take effect.

“She is angry.” The Elemental says staring off toward the lava flows.

“What?” You ask, picking yourself up. Your friends begin to leap toward you and back into your pockets as you wipe your chin. “What the hells just happened?”

“I…” The Elemental’s expression changes, markedly so, as she looks down. “I don’t know. I’m don’t know what I am or what’s happening but… but I know she’s angry, or perhaps sad. Both? She’s as confused as I am.”

“Who are you talking about?” You ask, confused yourself.

“My mistress, or… my former…” She furrows her brow, an odd sort of gesture on such a being. “What did you do to me?”

“I don’t know, but maybe we should go?” You ask, sensing Erwin’s signature. “My friends are over there.”

“I-“ She begins before looking to the side. “I don’t-“

“What are you doing?” You say as you take her hand. “We need to go before your friends come looking for us.”

“Huh?” She asks as you try to drag her, but find a creature made of granite is a little harder to pull than you thought. Grunting from pain of exertion, and possibly a cracked rib, you fold over, hand at your side. A moment later though, you feel yourself lifted as the Elemental picks you up. “Over there, right?”

“Uh… huh.” You say, to which she starts moving.

“There are others like me around them. They are trying to keep away but-“

“Can you distract them?”

“Perhaps, though it would be best if you were to reach a higher level. We have… difficulty seeing there.”

“Got it.” You say as she lets you go before dashing toward the others of her kind. All you can do is watch in amazement at the absurdity of this situation. When she distracts the others of her kind, you dash forward and into the building ruins where your friends are taking cover.

“Rommel!” Tabitha shouts, a look of relief on her expression.

“Lovely reunion later, we go up now!” Planting your hands on the ground, you form a set of stairs with your magic. Tabitha moves first, not doubting you, the others following suit as you reach the second floor. Once there, you run to a window and stare down at the Elementals outside.

>>402685

The Elemental who helped you stands surrounded by five others, their expression dull and blank like hers was before. They turn about, looking around in confusion for you and the others, spreading out to search. The Elemental who helped you looks about for a moment before heading in your direction. When she reaches the building you’re in, she looks about and says in a low voice, “Are you there? I can’t see you.”

“Go inside, there’s stairs.”

She does so, much to the confusion of the rest of your party. As she approaches, they stand ready to fight, but you hold your hands out to calm them. “Easy now, she doesn’t mean us harm.”

“That is true.” She says, standing before your group.

“What the hells happened down there?” Tabitha asks, sword still held out. “You look like you got beat up and now there’s a talking one of these things?”

“He placed his hands upon my head and I felt a warmth that-“

“Damnit Rommel.” Tabitha sighs. “I turn my back and you’re patting random girls again!”

Valeria looks to the side, trying not to make eye contact with Tabitha as she says this. For your part, you merely sigh and say, “Listen, it kept me from having to kill her, alright?” You rub at your chest and say, “Though she almost killed me.”

“I… apologize.” She says, looking worried. “My mistress she… exerted influence but I believe I am finally free.” She looks down at her hands, “Though I don’t think I understand what the word means.”

“An Earth Elemental with rational thought.” Veronica says, looking the Monster over. “I never thought that was possible. I knew they had a crude intelligence, but this is fascinating. Tell me, how did you come to be here?”

“I… don’t know.” She says. “I believe my mistress created all of us. I do not know why.”

“Wait, wait. You keep saying mistress, who is that?”

She turns toward the lava flow and points. In the distance you see it once placid lake of molten rock bubbling and agitated. The heat around you become more and more pervasive as time goes on, your enchantments not enough to contain it again.

“But that’s… just…” Bardam whispers as he stares out at the lava. “What in the Gods?”

“I don’t see anything.” Maya says, frowning. “But something is clearly changing here. Rommel, we can’t stay here long.”

“But if we leave, we’re not getting another chance at the relic. Besides…” You say, folding your arms as you look out at the lava. “I have a feeling if we ignore this, the Reach might be in danger.”

“Well this just went from bad to worse then.” Tabitha says, shaking her head. “But we’ve done worse. We can do it again.”

>What do you do?

Well, beyond being surrounded by super strong elementals and whatever the fuck in that lava, you really did come out of that well. Good thing you told everyone to leave or bardam was going to not be in great shape!

I mean, you're not in the best shape either, but you did make a friend. She's kind of crumbling, but still a friend.

Anyway, better figure out how to proceeeeeed.

NEW OBJECTIVE: Headpat Lava

We need all the fire resistance we can get, go down there and Pat the bad out of this Mistress.

Also It may be hard but how about we use a friend to patch out new friend up?

Also I nominate to name her Galatea. Google it if you need to know why.

I don't know what I was thinking, I guess I got caught up in Headpat fever. If this Mistress is controlling these girls forcibly then she's most likey is evil and not deserving of pats. Opinion subject to change at a later date.

>>402686

>Gotcha! Earth Elemental was caught!

>Give a nickname to Earth Elemental?

>Yes

>>402702 I would find Babyface Jr. an acceptable choice too.

Okay now that Rommel had satisfied his immense autism, and we confirmed that the elementals are unwilling, sleeping slaves to the local, trapped, volcano dwelling, lesser fire deity, let's sit here for a while and use our geomancy to repair the future officer of our rock squad and try to properly bind her to ourselves with a familiar contract, so she won't be blind anymore.

After we confirm that everyone is good to go, healthy and that the side effects of the potion have worn off, send Donte in the form of a heatproof [Remote sentry] with a <Vox Caster> attached to it to that bubbling lava spot that is way out there and politely ask the greater daemon dwelling there why she is trying to burn Blackfire Reach to the ground.

There is quite clearly something deeper to all this here, and as far as I am concerned, our only REAL enemy is the local futa bitch plant goddess, and if we can sick this daemon on her in the final battle, for releasing her, that would be just great. We are all fucked either way if Phalia wins, so the Godzilla threshold has long since been passed.

Well, Lorax memes and head patting a golem into sentience aside, we need to get to the artifact, but first we need to stop whatever is in the lava. If it really is a guardian of Sveth that’s just gotten a little annoyed, like it’s master, than try to calm it down. If it isn’t, and/or keeps trying to kill us, than kill it. As it’s living in lava, it’s immune to heat, so all fire spells are out the window. I think the best thing to do, assuming a humanoid body shape, would be to distract it with glaciemancy such as [Flash Freeze], which will give it a taste of frostbite, even if it warms quickly. Veronica can use her power to help distract as well, while the rest of the group smashes up any golems that try to get at us, and make sure everyone drinks their fire potion as soon as combat begins. Now, I’ve talked about distracting the BBEG, and protecting us, but we still need the finisher. And for that, we will use [Geoflexing], and send a stalag/cmite through this things brain, in order to size up [Pebble Gun] for a larger target. Given that it’s affecting the lava around it, I’m assuming it has a corporeal body, so this should work just fine. Once it dies, and begins to fall, scoot everyone out with a geoflexed rockslide to save mana, and avoid the splash zone.

Also, golems appear to be using tremorsense, so just have the party be off the ground when fighting them.

>>402712

No. Patricia describes it as a large, jewel. This isn’t warriorquest. Or Barbarianquest.

>>402708

I agree with everything here.

>>402702

Listen, I'll be straight with you. A fire resist potion will make it not hurt as much as lava devours your hand.

But hey, you can try it.

Ohhh, good name also. And yeah you can probably patch her up with the surrounding rock… well, you can try at least. Who knows what will happen.

>>402708

>Satisfied Rommel's autism

>Not satisfied y'all's autism

I suppose y'all are Rommel tho so one in the same. Also, you haven't exactly show them to be unwilling just… well, you're not certain what the deal is with them.

>>402712

What if the Heart of the Crags was just the friends you made along the way?

>>402713

You seem to be implying that you don't appreciate references to one of the most philosophical works of modern history next to One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

Oh, and she isn't a Golem, nor was she not sentient beforehand, it just seems she was maybe not… fully cognizant of the fact?

>>402714

So… you're saying it's not the friends we made along the way?

Darn, hoisted by my own petard.

>Our friends are showing sentience

We clearly can’t be going mad, so either Sveth is fucking with us or rocks have souls and we didn’t realise that until now.

>>402686

Are we sure we really want to be taking the elemental with us? She claims to be free now, but she showed a similar display of docile behaviour earlier along with the other elementals before the angry fire spirit started screaming and instantly made her and the rest of the elementals attack us. Unless we can guarantee she’s completely immune now, she’s just a walking time bomb waiting to turn on us, albeit unwillingly, so it’s probably for the best if we have her do her own thing while we do ours, maybe with some overlap towards the same goal of dealing with the fire spirit.

Since we’re probably not doing that though, we should at least keep our distance where applicable to minimise consequences should she fall prey to her mental afflictions again. Also, we should probably have [Privacy Barrier] ready to be cast around her at a moment’s notice as a preventative measure in the off-chance that the sound of the screams is what leads to the mind control being re-established. It probably wouldn’t hurt to take a peek at her with [Mage Sight] during such screams either, since we might be able to identify the magical frequency leading to the mind control and thus be able to counter it when necessary.

Regardless of whether we’re taking her with us or not though, we should definitely attempt to patch her up with the nearby granite deposits like the others have said, followed by asking her how she and her fellow elementals function, such as how they perceive the world around them and if they actually have cores keeping them alive like we think; seeing as we’re going to have to deal with more elementals should our interactions with the fire spirit come to blows, it would help to have an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses so we can play around the latter while avoiding the former where applicable. It’s also probably a good idea to ask about what she knows of this place and the fire spirit’s history, because, while it’s a long shot that she knows much of anything regarding the topic, there may be useful nuggets of information in there that could help us in the upcoming encounter, such as a means of pacifying our foe.

Once that’s done, I guess it’s time to go look for that fire spirit, since searching for the Heart of the Crags doesn’t really help us avoid the potential eruption or at least unbearable heat that would kill us and everyone in Blackfire Reach that the fire spirit is likely preparing, not to mention we would probably have to deal with her regardless of our choices since she’s rather pissed at us and is likely a guardian of our sought artefact. With that said, I’m all for what >>402708 suggests regarding the diplomatic approach, because even if it fails and it will it at least brings our opponent out into the open so we can actually start theorising how to take her down.

>>402702

>Also I nominate to name her Galatea.

She's an elemental made of granite, not a marble sculpture made by us that's come to life, but I suppose this sort of works and it’s a lot better than the other proposal of ‘Babyface Jr’. The two are barely related and are different genders, not to mention she’s probably older than he was, so it makes no sense.

>>402708

>try to properly bind her to ourselves with a familiar contract

I'm pretty sure that requires blood from both parties alongside proper consent to work, of which the elemental lacks both. Also, having a bond in which pains and injuries are shared between parties with a front-line unit is just asking for us to die horribly, so perhaps this isn’t the brightest of ideas.

>>402783

>So… you're saying it's not the friends we made along the way?

I mean, the artefact is a jewel, which is basically a rock. So maybe it could be?

>>402862

We find the heart and give it boobs!

>>402862

We turn it into a elemental/golem fuck buddy for Tabitha and us?

Oh god.

You guys.

Guys, what if.

No seriously, what if.

What if.

WHAT IF, the spirit/monstergirl (most likely a lava golem or something similar) inside the volcano/lava is actually just Sveth's waifu that got trapped somehow, and she's just really upset she hasn't gotten headpats/snuggle time from her husbando in who knows how long.

Fix your shit CipherSimian

>>402862

That our fleshy friends are all secretly rocks and gems in disguise?

>>402875

But she's underground—as in, within Sveth's domain—so the reason for her anger being because she's trapped and unable to see him makes no sense; he could theoretically just pop in to say hi at any time.

Oh hey guys, I'm not writing today, just not feelin it but let's see what we have her-

>>402862

>>402870

>>402873

>>402875

>>402876

Ah, that's the kind of autism I expect from y'all. Warms the heart it does.

>>402854

Checkin out what's goin on in dat Lava, I see, I see. Fair enough. Looks like everyone else wants our new friend to come along tho!

>familiar contract

Well, to bind a more sentient creature to you would make them a thrall, which isn't great for them and is universally reviled. Earth Elementals, on the other hand… that's harder to place. Either way, a familiar bond is unlikely to be a smart idea.

>>402862

Better idea, use nonlethal takedown methods on the boss and then have her teach us how to make elementals, so Rommel can wave his dick around in front of GW and The Union with his superior true AI construct designs.

>Story continue

Veronica looks out over the ruined city toward the roiling lava in the distance. Grunting, she takes out her canteen and drinks before wiping sweat from her brow. Only once she’s replaced the container does she say, “I fear one way or another we’ll have to deal with whatever this ‘mistress’ is.”

You and the Elemental look to her, both confused. She turns to you and says, “If nothing more, then we will not know peace from these Elementals, present company excluded, until she is at least pacified. I begin to wonder her connection with this heat as well.”

“How so?” You ask.

“This heat began once we heard the roaring the first time. I assume it is her as after the second, the lava began to change. I know not what manner of creature she is, but it is something vastly more powerful than I’ve faced.”

With a frown, you turn to the Elemental, who shrugs.

“I don’t know who or what we she is. I don’t really know what I am, as I’ve said before. I just know she’s always been there, always been in the back of my core.” She touches her chest before sighing, an oddly human gesture. “But I can say she lives there, we can all feel her.”

“Are the others like you uh…” Bardam begins before rolling his hand. “Do you have a name?”

“Name?” She asks, cocking her head. “What is a name?”

“Something we call you by, a personal identifier.” You say, rubbing your chin. She frowns and shakes her head to which you say, “Well, let’s go with Galatea then.”

She looks up at you, a curious expression on her face. “Galatea? Well, I suppose that will have to do. Very well, refer to me as Galatea.”

“Right then.” You say, smirking at her. “Galatea, we may need to fight your mistress. Are you okay with that?”

The Elemental looks down, a look of worry on her face. “I don’t know, to be honest.” She touches her chest, “I wonder if… should she perish, my core would fade away. Perhaps that’s not something I would have thought of before, but something is…” She winces, “I don’t know. I’m not used to this, this whatever it is.”

“Emotions.” Valeria says, putting a hand on her shoulder. “It’s not something I was used to either.”

Tabitha gives Valeria an odd look before shaking her head and saying, “If you believe it to be the case Veronica, then I suppose it must be so. What will we do about the relic?”

“Well, assuming we don’t destroy this place in an eruption of lava, we can go in at our leisure once the threats are eliminated.” Bardam says, smirking.

“Ah, of course, so easy.” Maya sighs. “Can I go back to sleep?”

Bardam chides the Mouse Girl as you look out at the lava flows yourself. Gods above, what could be in there? Is fighting truly the only option left to you? Perhaps…

“Maybe we should try talking to her?”

The rest of your party looks at you with a mix of skepticism and tiredness. Seems no one is surprised at your declaration at least, which makes you feel a tad predictable. Some part of you finds that annoying while the other sees it as comforting. They understand you, how nice.

“Are you going to try to headpat her too?” Tabitha asks, to which you raise a finger before gently lowering you hand and looking off to the side.

“Does he… headpat many girls?” Galatea asks Valeria, who looks in the other direction.

“Alright, well my husband’s ploys to lose his hands in a tragic headpatting accident notwithstanding, she clearly must be some kind of sentient. Perhaps we can argue with her.”

“And if we can’t?” Maya asks, her eyes serious for once. “I don’t have to remind you, but few very of us can do anything against that kind of creature. If it lives in lava, I don’t think my arrows will do much good.”

>>402968

“Indeed.” Veronica says, frowning. “I can attain divine protection for a time and Tabitha’s legs should be resistant to such heat, but neither will last long. Rommel is perhaps the best out of all of us, assuming he does not succumb to the heat.”

You wipe sweat from your brow as you say, “I’m not that weak.” She gives you a sidelong glance and you sigh before turning back to the lava. “I suggest we send out a probe from a distance. I can speak with her like that.”

“From this distance?” Tabitha asks, frowning. “You can’t reach that far.”

“Unlikely, no. We’ll have to get closer.” You frown and look out at the roving Earth Elementals. “What will we do about them then?”

“Please don’t hurt them.” Galatea says, worry in her voice. “They are… I don’t know what they are to me, but I feel something of a kinship with them. Perhaps they are merely awaiting some kind of awakening as well but… If you can avoid it…”

You place a hand on her head and smile with reassurance. Out of the corner of your eye, you catch Tabitha crossing her arms and you quickly place you hand lower, on her rocky and oddly well formed chest. When Tabitha makes a low noise you hold up your other hand and say, “I need to do some repairs.”

“Repairs?” Galatea says, not seeming to understand why what you’re doing is embarrassing. She looks down at the holes in her sides and says, “Oh, I see.”

“Do you feel any pain at all?” You ask, to which she shakes her head.

“No, as long as my core is intact, I do not feel much of anything. Though your hand…” She trails off, eyes looking far away.

“Right then…” You mutter, closing your eyes and extending your geomancy into her. From a distance your magic would slide right off her, but touching her you’re able to invade her with your magics, though for some reason she only seems to hesitate for a moment before letting you in. Some part of you feels embarrassed at this act, like the first time you saw a naked woman, but you press on, exploring her body.

She is a composite of granite and other, trace minerals found around the area. Fixing her is simple enough, and you reach out with your consciousness to take broken pieces around you and mold them into her body, shaping her curves back into place with your easy of manipulating such stone after much time with… with…

You gulp for a moment before taking a shuddering breath. It still hurts to think about his loss. Oh Babyface, your dear, dear friend.

Once the repairs are complete, you focus further upon her structure, both for your own curiosity and to better understand how such a Monster works. You find that the majority of the body is solid, with no cavities present at all save for the mouth and… well, oddly enough she seems to have a deep area between her legs but given it’s granite down there, someone would have to do a lot of work to make that do anything but grate a dick like cheese.

Her head is solid as well, making you wonder if she can’t do fine without it. You decide to save that testing for later as you go lower and reach something in the center of her chest, something which radiates with a soft, aetheric energy. It must be her core, the object which is synomous to a brain and a heart for a creature like this. Similar to a construct you suppose, but the energy is much more… alive? You guess that’s the word for it.

You barely caress the core with your magic when you hear Galatea let out a soft moan and you’re brought back to your senses, blushing. She places her hands over her chest and says, “I-I’m not sure that was a proper thing to do.”

“I thought you said you couldn’t feel.”

“Well, it seems I could feel that at least.” She looks to the side. “This day is so very strange.”

“Well, sorry about that.” You say, rubbing the back of your head. Rocks are just the best, huh? Looking over to your wife, you say, “Right then, if we have to battle with the others, it seems we’ll be fine to remove portions of their bodies as long as we don’t break the cores in their chests.”

>>402969

“Didn’t one of them drag you through the stone though?” Bardam asks. “I couldn’t see really but it looked like it was part of it.”

“Yes, as long as our cores are intact, we can meld with the stone around us.” She sinks into the rock some before pulling herself out. “We are, afterall, made of the same.”

“Couldn’t she have repaired herself then?” Maya asks, to which Tabitha and Valeria look to you.

Ignoring their looks, you say, “Anyway, let’s make for the lava then.” You look outward nearby buildings and nod your head. “I can probably form bridges so we can cross and not have to touch the ground. Will that keep us safe?”

“Yes, it should.” Galatea says. “We see through the tremors in the ground, after all. I wonder why we even have them sometimes.”

“Alright, let’s be off then.” You say, moving toward the edge of the ruined building. Your party follows after you, pieces of rock falling off ledges around you. Licking your lips, you reach the gap between buildings and look down to find three Earth Elementals below you, wandering aimlessly. Should you fall, you might be mobbed by them. Or break your neck. Best not find out.

Using your magic, you take hold of ruined rock around you and form a bridge from the rubble. Nodding your head, you turn to the others and ask, “Who wants to cross first?”

These hardy fighters, who has been with you through certain death before, look hesitant. You frown at them before sighing and looking to Erwin. “Well?”

The fox sighs and leaps up to your bridge, where he crosses without any issue. The others look dubious until Maya does the same. When she makes it across, Tabitha moves and the bridge holds, despite her legs. Veronica and Bardam cross with only a little creaking. Galatea steps up to the bridge and it begins to groan under her weight. She steps back and looks to you, wondering what to do before Valeria picks her up and grunts before lifting into the air.

“You weigh as much as a boulder.”

“Thank you.”

The Dragon chuckles and hauls her over while you cross your own bridge. It strains a little under your weight, but you slowly make your way across. As you reach the halfway point, a piece of the rock crumbles beneath you and you gasp, getting your balance before looking down.

A small stone hits one of the Earth Elementals in the head. She frowns and looks up, staring directly at you. You prepare one of the [Ball Busters] in your hand to fire out at her if she makes a move, but a moment later she looks down, picks up the stone, and then carries on with her wandering.

Breathing a sigh of relief, you cross to the others, who look equally terrified.

“Who’s idea was this again?” You ask, though at Tabitha’s unamused expression you clear your throat and make for the next bridge.

The next few bridges cross without incident, making your way closer and closer to the lava flow. The heat only rises in intensity as you approach, but approach you must. You’re not certain how long you’re at it, but it wear of holding the bridges up begins to get to you after about five and you stop, taking a rest and a literal breather in the heat.

>>402970

As you apply ice to yourself, which melts very quickly, Maya comes up and puts a finger to her lips. She points toward the lava flow and to the ground. Crawling to the edge of the building, you look through a ruined window to spot something else which seeks to ruin your day.

Crawling up through holes in the ground, likely the tunnels you saw before, are Monsters that appear to be made of lava itself. They have very feminine, alluring figures that seem to flow and shift in the way of a slime, with pieces of rock embedded into their bodies as they slide across the ground, leaving trails of hardening lava behind them.

“I’m fairly certain they are not limited by the ground.” Maya whispers.

“Describe them.” Galatea says. At Maya’s description, the Earth Elemental nods her head. “Lava Golems. Another Monster who lives here under the mistress’s will. They normally stay under ground in the tunnels. What has driven them up here?”

“Your mistress, I would suspect.” You say, frowning. “I think the time for stealth may be over.”

“Are you close enough?” Veronica asks. Looking out toward the sea of bubbling lava, you nod your head slow and say,

“I might not be, but I have a friend who is.”

Galatea cocks her head. “Who else is present? None of you can reasonably survive the lava I believe.”

“It’s a rock.” Tabitha says. “Sometimes, I wonder if you love rocks more than me.”

“Oh!” Galtea says, looking down. “That explains why he touched my core like that.”

Tabitha turns her gaze to you and you sigh before patting her head. It’s… not as effective as you’d like. At least she sighs and understands. You have room in your heart for rocks AND Tabitha. She understood this when you got married.

Digging into your pocket, you pull out [Donte]. The sharp piece of obsidian shimmers in the dim light given off by the volcano, as if he recognizes his home. Holding him close to your chest, you cast [Vox Caster] and [Audio Tap] on him and then stand up before throwing your friend as far as you can, then propelling him even further with your magic.

As he sails through the air, all the eyes, such as they are, of the Lava Golems turn to the piece of obsidian, then to you. They pause for a moment before moving toward your position, burning hands ready to tear apart you and your party. The others prepare for combat but you just kneel and ready yourself as Donte hits the pool of lava and-

“GGRRAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!”

The whole of the cavern shakes again as the violent scream echoes again. For you, who are listening in close through the lava, it’s enough make your teeth chatter and your head hurt abominably. Your vision narrows to a slit as blackness threatens to overtake you, but if you do, you’ll lose Donte forever when your enchantment fades.

Barely keeping conscious, you fight vomit rising again in your throat as you say, in a hoarse whisper through Donte,

“Please. We don’t want to fight.”

The lava slows its churning before growing as still as a pool of lava can get. As you senses come back to you, you feel something, a power that echoes through the halls of the caverns and whispers back into your ears, or perhaps, in your head.

{Why?}

The voice you hear, feel, whatever it is, is soft and melodious, yet filled with a sorrow as deep as the earth. Your very bones shake and you begin to understand the scope of what you’re looking at here. And yet… you don’t know how to answer her question. Still, you attempt it.

>>402971

“We wish you no harm, we merely want to take the relic so we may speak with Sveth.”

{Sveth… the name is familiar… Why is it familiar?}

“He’s a God. A God of earth and fire. Is he your God?”

{No… no Gods except her… her… HER!}

The lava begins to roil again as the grows in intensity. {I never asked for this! I wanted to slumber! Why?! Why did she do this to me? WHY?!}

The heat grows rapidly as the mistress wails, {Your voices, too loud! Your heartbeats too strong! Passions too powerful! Quiet, quiet, quiet! I will once again have quiet in my heart! Oh, why have I been cursed with this heart?!}

You feel a ripple of sound and have the sense at least to cut off the [Audio Tap] before your ear drums rupture as another scream echoes through the cavern. The building you’re in shakes and shivers as more buildings around you topple and fall. The Lava Golems below you let out bellows in the tune of their mistress while the Earth Elementals hone in on you, following behind the Lava Golems.

Galatea lets out a scream and drops to her knees, placing her hands to her chest. Through grit, rocky teeth, she hisses, “She is coming! My core is burning! R-Rommel, help!”

An eruption sound behind and you turn to see the lava rising and rising as it swells outward and explodes toward the city, covering both Lava Golems and Earth Elementals in the molten rock. The former almost seem to swell from it as it washes through the streets while the latter become awash. You don’t have time to count your blessings as you quickly weave [Farsight] to view what has emerged from the lava.

It is not a massive creature made of lava or rock. It is not a being of unimaginable ferocity and terror. No, what you see in the aftermath of the localized eruption, such as it is, is the shape of a woman floating in the air.

Her body is long and lithe with immaculate curves. Her skin, made of molten lava with pieces of smooth rock in places that almost appear to be clothing in a way, almost seems smooth and delicate. Her hair, long and flowing, is made of trailing crystals that glint in the light of her body. From behind, you see a long tail made of smooth rock that ends in a wicked point, matching the horns that grow backward from her head in two rows. Upon her back beat wings made of the same rock, trailing molten embers as they keep her aloft.

She slowly lowers her hands, revealing a beautiful face that almost makes your heart skip to see it. Yet when she opens her eyes, you’re forced to catch you breath at the sorrow you see in the burning irises surrounded by black sclera.

{Cursed to be like this… cursed to hear the voices, feel these feelings… I will remove it all again. Each and every time, I will remove it until I can slumber eternal!}

“Rommel.” Valeria says, looking about. “This isn’t good, the heat is rising and if this place keeps shaking, I don’t know how well this will all hold up, though the little ones may get to us first.” She grits her teeth. “I don’t know what she means by all this shit, but I have a bad feeling if this keeps up, the Reach might suffer her wrath next.”

“Yeah.” You say, looking up at the Monster swelling with power. “I’m not going to let that happen.”

>What do you do?

>>402972

Ahah… what in the name of fuck is even happening here anymore. I mean, you should probably figure out quickly what to do but I should warn you, the floor is hot lava.

Yes, had you gone underground, you would have met with the Lava Golems instead of the Earth Elementals

>>402972

>her

fucking phallia

>Sveth is (a) familiar (name) to her

HAH, FUCK YOU GUYS, I WAS RIGHT, SHE *IS* SVETH'S WAIFU

she also could've been cursed to forget him entirely, and considering the possibility of her being the waifu of a god, some serious magic was at play in doing so which has the possibility of sveth forgetting her too, which would explain why he hasnt come down to visit her (apart from the obvious of the complications of gods having to take on physical forms to visit us mortals)

or sveth could be a cunt and had said that he was just going out for a pack of smokes and some milk and he'd be back in 15 minutes, except it's actually been a bajillion years

>>402972

>>402975

oh yeah, we should probably do something about the angry lava golem that is the heart of the volcano

we could try asking who she means by "her", and what "she" did to make volcano-chan so angry and why "she" did it

and once we totally not die and save the city, we should look into creating geothermal power with all the lava that's around

>>402972

>{No… no Gods except her… her… HER!}

>{I never asked for this! I wanted to slumber! Why?! Why did she do this to me? WHY?!}

Okay, better not to mention our religious affiliation in present company. Dolora ain't popular round these parts.

I'll be honest lads, this might be the spiciest situation we've been in yet. Not even the final campaign bosses come close to odds this bad.

This thing can casually withstand immense temperature and pressure and is strong and dense enough to sink into and swim trough molten stone. At this rate, not even dropping a high velocity, spinning stalactite will kill it in one hit.

But talking to her did reveal what I feel is a crucial piece of information.

>The heat grows rapidly as the mistress wails, {Your voices, too loud! Your heartbeats too strong! Passions too powerful! Quiet, quiet, quiet! I will once again have quiet in my heart! Oh, why have I been cursed with this heart?!}

This might be a long shot. This might be really stretching it. But before anything else, we need to chug a fire resist, douse ourselves in water, cover ourselves in stone and waddle over to the daemon trough lava, while maintaining [Ice] under the stone, until we are close enough to cast a semi permanent privacy barrier on her.

>>402783

>Sips tea to enter aristocrat mode

My dear sir! The Lorax is indeed a phenomenal work of environmental literature, and ranks among other great works such as Silent Spring and The Uninhabitable Earth. In fact, one could argue it is more important than any other piece of environmental literature and philosophy, due to its ability to influence the young!

>Dumps out tea to exit aristocrat mode

Bleh, I hate hot leaf juice. Where were we? Ah yes…

>>402972

Well, she clearly hates Dollora for giving her the gift of life, and can’t seem to handle all the sensation of it. I say we still try to initially talk her down, using privacy barriers to limit sound, and remaining calm around her. Maybe bring Galatea you know it means ivory, not marble right? You called a thing made of granite after an elephant tooth and have her explain how she deals with emotions as both are made of rock, so they’ll be able to relate. As for calming her personally, she’s basically just a teenager who’s telling her parents that she wished she’d never been born, so we just have to counter that.

If we fight her, focus exclusively on cooling her down. We can’t control her body without touching her, and that will kill us. Though, could we perhaps channel any body magic through a probe? Worth a try. As the main strategy, combine [Gust] with [Ice]/[Cold Blooded], as both spells cool on their own, but combined will cool her body even more, perhaps creating a spell combo of [Chill Wind], which will do exactly that. If that doesn’t work resort to >>402713 Sized up [Pebble Gun], but aim for her core (detect it with [Magesight]) instead of her head.

>All this unintentional playing of Tabitha’s heart

>After already doing something similar earlier

We really have to make it up to her after this.

>>402972

Before anything else, have Donte retreat back to us immediately since his role here is done. We are not losing a friend, especially not to something as anti-climactic as falling into lava without some form of heroic sacrifice prior.

Following that, we should try to stop Galatea from losing herself to the will of the fire daemon again, because she will become an immediate threat to our party otherwise and we’re kind of stuck with her since the area below us is about to be covered in lava and is currently filled with enemies out for our blood. We should begin by trying the two options I outlined back in >>402854 for this sort of situation, namely [Privacy Barrier] and [Reverse Polarity], to see how they fare; I have my doubts about the former working after the screaming has ended, but the latter may suffice due to how the orders given to the daemon’s underlings seem to be magical in nature unless you want to tell me a scream can somehow contain information regarding our exact location as well as be capable of convincing someone to murder people they don’t or barely know—preventing this order from either reaching the intended targets or continuing to pester them should theoretically free said targets and leave them passive until the earlier process is repeated, which at the very least should buy us enough time to get away from her if needed.

If that doesn’t work, then priority should go to disabling Galatea since killing her is absolutely a last resort. Breaking the ground beneath her to send her to the lower levels of the building before destroying the stairs leading back up should work as a means to get her out of the way long enough for us to make some distance, as she would struggle to reach the upper levels without assistance. Failing that or her somehow reaching us despite the hindrances to her, continually breaking apart her limbs with the [Ball Busters] to limit her offensive capabilities should suffice to buy time.

With that dealt with or currently being dealt with, we need to decide what the rest of our party is doing, since no one else in the party but us can really do much in this situation due to the magical nature of our opponent and staying here is a bad idea. I’d recommend we have everyone retreat to higher, more stable ground, as the lava flow is rapidly approaching our position and the current location likely won’t hold much longer, not to mention the current location is on the verge of being swarmed by the daemon’s minions of which our party is ill-equipped to deal with. To accomplish this, we should have Valeria ferry people across, starting with Veronica as she can sort of handle any threats that may accost her at the destination, followed by everyone else before Valeria returns to us so we can plan our next moves. A final, rather important note, we should borrow Bardam’s sword [Conviction] before he leaves, since he won’t be needing it and we can potentially make some rather good usage out of it in this situation—more on that later.

With our party whisked away to safety, we need to figure out how the hell we’re supposed to reach the daemon to actually do anything to her unless we’re expecting her to come to us, which she is unlikely to (at first at least), as long-range attacks aren’t really feasible in this situation due to the amount of distance that needs to be covered for them to reach her. Out of the choices of going over, under and through the lava lake, it’s pretty obvious the former-most is the best here, of which I can come up with two ideas for application: trying to bridge over the lava and having Valeria fly us over it.

Of the two options, I believe the latter is preferable, since trying to bridge over the lava would be immensely taxing for us and it only takes one section of the bridge to collapse for everything else to sink into the lava, us along with it, not to mention flying would let us avoid all of the elementals and golems that would otherwise threaten us. That said, the flying idea has its own share of flaws we need to counter or at least mitigate, namely how Valeria being knocked out of the air would lead to us plummeting towards almost certain doom and how flying above the lava means we’d be flying in extremely hot conditions that are nigh un-survivable due to how heat rises, because otherwise we’re fucked when something goes wrong.

>>403024

>>402972

For the first issue, the best idea I can come up with is to use [Gust] underneath us to slow our fall to keep us airborne long enough for Valeria to recover us, or at least long enough to attempt to cool the lava beneath us to give us a temporary platform to land on to buy further time if needed. For the second issue, we can either utilise [Gust] to create a much stronger circulation of air above the lava, thus bringing cooler air in while pushing warmer air out, or we can try the [Chill Wind] idea that >>403005 mentioned when he wasn’t doing cringe worthy roleplay to cool the surrounding air while hopefully not being too detrimental to Valeria due to the earlier mentioned resistance to cold mixed with the air not really reaching freezing temperatures. Anyone have any other ideas here?

As for actually combatting our foe, it’s pretty clear we’re trying the non-lethal approach first. To add another idea to the pool of options everyone has come up with, we could use [Conviction], which we should have borrowed, to our advantage here.

It’s not entirely clear what denotes someone as the ‘user’ of the sword, but contact with the weapon seems to the do trick. With that in mind, stabbing our quarry with the blade to induce contact could theoretically clear her mind of these unnecessary thoughts plaguing her, leading her to calm down somewhat which could create an avenue for us to try diplomacy or at least abuse her sudden change in demeanour to finish her off should that be required. This does put the sword at risk due to plunging it into lava, but even assuming the magic sword wasn’t designed to have protection against heat it should still be fine if we don’t leave it in there for too long and we can always utilise our [Metallurgy] to ensure the sword at least keeps its shape while it’s submerged if we have to.

Should non-lethal and diplomatic approaches fail, then we’ll have to try and destroy her core, or at least remove it from her body to break apart her form. Options for this include the [Ball Busters] and the [Steel Rods] which I’d imagine are better than the [Ball Busters] when it comes to accuracy and piercing, making them the better option here, with not much else available to us unless we want to use the cave ceiling to gather material. One more, slightly unorthodox, option is to use Geoflexing, which makes rock part before us easily and thus should also work against molten rock in the form of lava, alongside a [Fire Resist Potion] to plunge our hand into the daemon’s chest to rip out her core in the way >>402712 was probably hoping for—this will probably go badly, but the low contact time with the lava, combined with the potion at least helping to protect us from some of the heat and maybe also the application of [Ice] to induce the Leidenfrost effect for a barrier should let us get in and get out relatively unscathed, which makes it a fairly reasonable near-last resort option.

Three more things that didn’t really fit anywhere. Firstly, if Erwin contacts us to request our assistance in getting out of a sticky situation, then we should go to the rest of our party as soon as possible, because we will have time to take down the daemon but not much time to bail our party out of likely death. Secondly, if we can help it, we should avoid sending large chunks of rock down into the lava and instead prioritise focused attacks. One cause of volcanic eruptions is for older, cooler magma to sink and force fresher, hotter magma to the surface, so replicating that effect would risk speeding up a potential eruption which is the last thing we want right now. Thirdly, just to make sure, is the pull of the Heart of the Crags still where it was previously? Because the daemon mentioned being “cursed with this heart” which may or may not imply she’s kept alive by the ancient artefact, and if so we would have to change tactics to focus on retrieval over destruction of her core.

>>402975

>The name of Sveth sounds familiar to her

<CLEARLY SHE'S HIS WAIFU

If that were the case, then everyone who knew his name would be his waifu, which is retarded. This isn't confirmation of anything.

>>403005

>Ivory, not marble

I could’ve sworn there was a version where it was marble instead. Either way, not much that can be done about it now, but at least it still sort of fits due to the living statue aspect.

>>403005

When i suggested it i was going more off the living statue than the material aspect.

Also what >>403024 is saying.

>>403025

First off. Mad props for remembering that sword's vague but overpowered ability again. It just might win the fight for us. Second. Mad props for indirectly pointing out that she is an elemental too, and that the heart of the crags is probably her core.

>>403005

>she’s basically just a teenager who’s telling her parents that she wished she’d never been born

Replace "teenager" with the crystallized essence of the earth itself, likely made by Sveth as a reward for his worshipers. One that was never meant to become alive, getting sentience forced on it against it's will along with a botched transformation that rendered her into a state of hyper sensitivity, due to the heart's powers. That probably caused her to go mad with unimaginable agony and slaughter the very people whose object of worship she used to be. And then dig herself as deeply down as possible to escape the screams that send her out of control, so she won't kill anyone else. Living in absolute, crushing solitude for millennia, with her only company being dolls that she made and the ghosts of Sveth's worshipers reliving their last moments over and over in an endless loop.

>>403024

Back on topic.

>have Donte retreat back to us immediately

Absolutely.

>we should have Valeria ferry people across

Absolutely x2 . No one can really contribute anything here unfortunately, so they should run.

>we should borrow Bardam’s sword [Conviction]

For sure.

>how the hell we’re supposed to reach the daemon

You are overthinking it. Remember the spell description.

>[Lava Flow]: Rapid melting of rock leads to molten lava, allowing manipulation of this deadly substance. Limited control if moving both yourself, very good control if you only do one part.

>very good control if you only do one part.

Have Valeria fly us close, removing our need to move ourselves, after she finishes ferrying everyone over to safety and forcibly drag the heartbearer on the shore, where we can engage properly. She might try to resist, but if gods favor us, a privacy barrier will completely shut down her senses and allow us to get the opening we need to eject her out of the lake.

>One more, slightly unorthodox, option is to use Geoflexing, which makes rock part before us easily and thus should also work against molten rock in the form of lava, alongside a [Fire Resist Potion] to plunge our hand into the daemon’s chest to rip out her core in the way >>402712 (You) was probably hoping for—this will probably go badly, but the low contact time with the lava, combined with the potion at least helping to protect us from some of the heat and maybe also the application of [Ice] to induce the Leidenfrost effect for a barrier should let us get in and get out relatively unscathed, which makes it a fairly reasonable near-last resort option.

Valeria is far more fireproof than we are and with a fire resist potion, along with her natural strength, will have a much easier time physically restraining the heartbearer.

That will be the moment where Tabitha, following our secret directive jumps out with her legs overclocked, to give her enough agility and speed to jump from roof to roof and reach us and will thrust [Conviction] straight through the spirit's head.

At the same time, Rommel will thrust his hands into the heartbearer's chest and grasp The Heart of the Crags, using the method you described, but instead of ripping it out, will use point blank, max power [Mana burst] to knock her out.

>>403061

And by drag to the shore, I mean by manipualting the lava around her.

>>403061

What?! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: This isn’t Barbarian quest or Warrior quest. The lava creature does not have the heart of the crags either. Our Mage sight showed us it was in the center of the city (>>400917), and the lava pool (>>401441)

where the lava lady is, is at the edge of it. QED She does not have it. Also, I doubt even Valeria could withstand lava’s heat, so let’s have a no touch rule on the lava girl.

Also, no, I was not advocating ripping her core out with our hands, but rather with a stalag/cmite right through her, penetrating/shattering her core, so no touching is involved. Use geoflexing to minimize mana use. Another potential use of [Chill Wind] could be to drive her to the ground, so as we get close to her, she’s forced to land, as she uses her wings (indicates by her flapping them), not magic, to fly, and flying in a freezing windstorm isn’t easy, which would help with >>403024’s ideas about how to get close enough to use our ranged attacks/sized up pebble gun.

Welp, I'm suitable messed in the head for writing after the Shadowbringers finale. Soooo, I'd say tomorrow but I think it's pirate day so it varies on how busy work is. Might be friday.

So! Everyone think about what you want to do carefully because this is an important battle here. Let's make it count!

>>402975

Sveth can go everywhere tbh. Just like all Gods, he'd have to be careful with how much he intervened anywhere. Which is a shame for the former inhabitants of this city. Something to make a God forget though. Hmm. I suppose it's possible?

>>402976

>Geothermal power

>When there's so many mana crystals around

How silly. What would you even do with that power? Ha, ridiculous.

>>402990

Dollora? Hmm. A possibility!

Well, it is the big story, gotta have big bosses. And… stuff.

>Semi-permanent privacy barrier

Only possible if you continually upkeep the spell. I mean, you can try it if you really want.

>>403005

See? You understand! It all makes sense.

>>403024

Poor Tabitha. She knows you have place in your heart for rocks AND her. Though shit, rock woman, hmm, that's much more difficult.

Yes yes, Donte will come back to you. He a good boi.

Poor Galatea. She just wants to do her own thing, but her upset mom is making her take out the trash. Well, if you drop her to the lower levels, she'll just be awash in lava like the others. You can probably chip her out later though I doubt she'll appreciate that.

The building you're in has a few more floors you can climb I suppose, though everything is looking really shaky atm.

Hey now, Conviction can maybe cleave through Lava Golems or something. Shit I dunno. But okay you can probably have it. We'll see.

>>403025

Good points and, maybe everyone is Sveth's waifu, you don't know.

>>403061

All good points but you are nowhere near close enough for Tabitha's legs, even overcharged, could make that jump. And if she moves out of the way, you'll have a charred wife.

>>403091

Wao, a dissenting voice. What path will truly be followed?

Also, Valeria can withstand the heat but she can't take more than a few seconds in lava and it would NOT be pleasant or leave her unscathed. The potions, as someone mentioned. Well, they certainly would have more effect on her.

>>403061

Good call on utilising the geomancy component of [Lava Flow] alone, since we could also use that to deflect or redirect any lava-based attacks she may employ against us. However:

>Have Valeria fly us close, removing our need to move ourselves, after she finishes ferrying everyone over to safety and forcibly drag the heartbearer on the shore, where we can engage properly.

>>403062

>And by drag to the shore, I mean by manipualting the lava around her.

She’s not bound to the lava, she’s flying above it; manipulating the lava around her would accomplish nothing in the way of moving her where we want her. We could theoretically use [Lava Flow] to move the lava as to create a path towards our target, but the lava lake is probably really deep considering it’s near enough to the centre of a volcano, so that’s not really a viable option—and that’s before you consider how her control over the elements is likely vastly superior to our own and she could quite easily counter any lava manipulation we try. Also, the flying option has another advantage that’s just come to mind, namely how it allows us to avoid a repeat of the earlier fissure that nearly killed everyone as we would be off the ground, which I’d argue is pretty important when our foe was capable of performing such a feat by simply yelling.

>At the same time, Rommel will thrust his hands into the heartbearer's chest and grasp The Heart of the Crags, using the method you described, but instead of ripping it out, will use point blank, max power [Mana burst] to knock her out.

The moment [Mana Burst] goes off, our Geoflexing fades and the enchantments the [Fire Resist Potion] would also likely fade to, leading to us suddenly enduring the full heat of molten rock and also potentially being stuck inside her form. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like it would be pretty bad, particularly since we kind of need our hands for casting, head patting and holding Tabitha's hand. Stick to [Reverse Polarity] for this if we’re going down this route at some point.

>>403091

>Our Mage sight showed us it was in the center of the city (>>400917), and the lava pool (>>401441) where the lava lady is, is at the edge of it. QED She does not have it.

That only proves that the Heart of the Crags wasn’t in the lava lake when we last checked, not that it’s still where we last saw it. Granted, it’s highly unlikely to be inside of our opponent, but the possibility is still there and I’d rather confirm or deny it by checking again than risk destroying the sole reason we’re down here because we couldn’t be fucked to play it safe.

>Another potential use of [Chill Wind] could be to drive her to the ground, so as we get close to her, she’s forced to land, as she uses her wings (indicates by her flapping them), not magic, to fly, and flying in a freezing windstorm isn’t easy, which would help with >>403024’s ideas about how to get close enough to use our ranged attacks/sized up pebble gun.

Using this [Chill Wind] idea to cool down the environment so we can actually stand extremely high temperatures is one thing, but somehow making the air around our opponent—who is made of lava and is thus naturally extremely hot temperature-wise, I would like to stress—cold enough to have any meaningful effect is another entirely. When our cryomancy is weak enough to have any created ice immediately melt and the temperature barely drop, how the hell are we supposed to keep the daemon cold enough for her to be unable to fly?

That said, clipping her wings in some fashion to limit or prevent her from flying is actually a really good idea here, because it makes her an easier target while reducing her physical offensive options. I’d personally recommend using [Rock Solid] with some carefully extracted material from the cavern ceiling for this idea, since any obstruction should be enough to at least cause a hindrance for her flight and one we can target and mould specifically to our needs should work even better here.

>>403175

>Well, if you drop her to the lower levels, she'll just be awash in lava like the others. You can probably chip her out later though I doubt she'll appreciate that.

Given the choice between being a little mean to someone we just met and who nearly killed us and having beloved party members get injured or worse, I’d rather take the former if it comes to it. Galatea is a good girl at heart, but if we can’t snap her out of the daemon’s control then we’ll have to get her out of the way somehow and at least we won’t be forced to kill her this way.

>>403179

>That only proves that the Heart of the Crags wasn’t in the lava lake when we last checked, not that it’s still where we last saw it. Granted, it’s highly unlikely to be inside of our opponent, but the possibility is still there and I’d rather confirm or deny it by checking again than risk destroying the sole reason we’re down here because we couldn’t be fucked to play it safe.

Then we use [Magesight] again to check it isn’t. The signature should be very different if it’s just her core, as the power difference between one golem/daemon spirit core, and a god’s personal telephone should be quite easy to tell.

>That said, clipping her wings in some fashion to limit or prevent her from flying is actually a really good idea here

Eh. I can compromise. So far our cyromancy has been quite weak, so merely forcing her to the ground with [Gust], will save us mana, and for greater effect, bringing her in range for our missile.

>All the heart ripper/Mortal Kombat finisher wannabes

If we lose [Hands of Solos] (and our actual hands), there will be problems. Those puppies are Rommel’s most dangerous weapon. We’re not wasting them to kill a molten rock emo teenager with amnesia. The only saving grace we have is that Ace likes good ends AKA minimal damage due to stupidity. Shall I remind everyone of the “let’s stand still and take a spear of dark magic to the gut” incident?

>>403186

>let’s stand still and take a spear of dark magic to the gut

To be fair, this setting runs on the power of love in every meaning of the phrase. Almost every major event is tied to the concept in some way.

The Hunter mellowing out due to her romantic love for Victor and then GW causing global political shifts in racial tensions.

GW subduing Saya with parental love.

Delilah not slaughtering GW and Blake outright when they interfered with her duties due to the love for her son.

Xanthia keeping herself sane and under control with the love of the children she is caring for. Valinthia raising to power due to a lack of parental love in her upbringing. Blake manning up due to the love for his country and the Order. Tobias saved from misery of his condition and family by Richard's though love and then repeating it with Akella. Lor managing to resist Phalia's control, due to his affection for the catgirl scout. Rommel starting as the most bitter and vengeance fueled protagonist saved by the love of his friends and ultimately becoming the most powerful conduit of it, as he realized the true nature of Dolora which then allowed him to save Tabitha and his sister. And that's just from the top of my head.

>>403204

And where, pray tell, did the power of love dispel a magic weapon headed towards someone at lethal velocities? Nowhere. The whole idea of standing still was based in the moronic premise that because Dollies controls dark magic, she wouldn’t let us get hurt, COMPLETELY ignoring all of Ace’s canon that divine magic is granted due to faith, and as such, is not directly controlled by the god it is tied to. Just look at all the atrocities the Order committed with Solos’s magic. You think he wanted any of that? Love has been powerful, but that’s no reason to throw common sense, such as weapons hurt and lava burns, out the window.

>>403217

>Love has been powerful

Powerful enough to tank what was described as beyond mortal damage straight to our midsection and still have enough energy left to physically restrain a demonic lamia into submission, with our bare hands, after every overpowered spell in our repertoire had failed. Rommel not only survived it, but did so without so much as a scratch left as consequence.

So yea, I'd say Love is pretty fucking overpowered. I am willing to bet against Jackor, in a game of heads and tails played with a marble, that Rommel can pull a gods damned miracle out of his ass when it counts.

Regarding the whole ‘plunge hand into opponent’s chest’ thing, I’d recommend we only use one of our hands preferably our non-dominant if we ever do actually end up performing the feat, because that way at least we still have a hand for doing stuff with even if the worst comes to pass.

>>403179

>our Geoflexing fades and the enchantments the [Fire Resist Potion] would also likely fade to

<our Geoflexing fades and the enchantments of the [Fire Resist Potion] would also likely fade too

It always kills me inside whenever I notice a mistake after posting despite proof-reading constantly before doing so.

>>403186

>Then we use [Magesight] again to check it isn’t.

That’s what I suggested earlier.

>So far our cyromancy has been quite weak, so merely forcing her to the ground with [Gust], will save us mana, and for greater effect, bringing her in range for our missile.

I’d prefer geomancy here for a physical restriction that lasts, but I suppose using [Gust] to assist with disabling her wouldn’t hurt.

>>All the heart ripper/Mortal Kombat finisher wannabes

>If we lose [Hands of Solos] (and our actual hands), there will be problems. Those puppies are Rommel’s most dangerous weapon. We’re not wasting them to kill a molten rock emo teenager with amnesia.

There’s a reason I called it a ‘near-last resort option’ and said it would ‘probably go badly’ even with all of the protections in place. The whole point of the idea is to have something in reserve for when the diplomatic, anti-magic, ranged and close range options in that order are exhausted, since at that point we would need to try anything at risk of us, our party and the populace of Blackfire Reach dying, consequences be damned. Also, considering I’m the only person that mentioned actually ripping out her core 7d1df1 suggests disabling it after touching it and you thought >>403061 was saying you were advocating for the idea despite you never mentioning it and him discussing what I proposed, I have to wonder if you actually bother to read the posts you reply to.

>Shall I remind everyone of the “let’s stand still and take a spear of dark magic to the gut” incident?

>>403217

>Love has been powerful, but that’s no reason to throw common sense, such as weapons hurt and lava burns, out the window.

As one of the two anons to actually oppose the ‘power of love protection’ idea, I can say that this current idea and that idea are two separate things entirely. That idea ran without logic entirely on the belief that we can do dumb shit and get away with it because ‘it’s a Wizard Quest’, to the point where no one really suggested much in the way of combat options because they thought them unnecessary not that I can really talk when I couldn’t come up with much in the way of offensive options myself, but my point still stands. This idea, on the other hand, uses what we know about our spells from previous examples such as Geoflexing letting us easily move Galatea’s rocky form about and the physics behind how heat is applied to circumvent the risks where applicable—a hot thing can only burn you if it has sufficient contact time, hence why people can fall into lava and survive with burns varying from minor to major but not life-threatening, but at least they didn’t die, so a quick ‘in-and-out’ attack with added resistances from enchantments and a water barrier should prevent the most serious of burns. Also, that idea was the main plan of action while this one absolutely isn’t and I would never advocate for it to be because of the risks involved.

>>403226

>Rommel not only survived it, but did so without so much as a scratch left as consequence.

We were comatose for two weeks and received a huge scar on our abdomen that hasn’t been mentioned to have disappeared by now, not to mention we struggled to keep down food for the longest time after our injury to the point where eating whole food and not gruel was considered a success. I’d argue that’s a pretty big consequence.

Having put more stock into matters, it’s occurred to me that [Reverse Polarity] would work extremely well as an offensive option and I’m not sure why we’ve not really considered it here.

The source of the daemon’s magic can’t be divine, since none of the gods would fit the bill for a provider—she didn’t completely recognise Sveth’s name, implying she’s not actively worshipping him or receiving his blessings, Phallia wouldn’t have given away her magic to the daemon far enough in the past for her to kill off the previous civilisation that worshipped her via a volcanic eruption, she despises Dollora and thus wouldn’t be getting her patronage, and the rest have no stakes in this battle nor any other relation to the daemon—as such, [Reverse Polarity] has no reason not to work here, even if it doesn’t work perfectly due to our foe’s magical potential. And regarding its potency it should work wonders; our target relies on her magic to control the environment around her to her advantage, seeing as she isn’t explicitly bound to the environment else she would still be physically touching the lava in some fashion and not flying above it, which means cutting off her access to this manipulation ability would completely shut her down outside of physical attacks, of which we can deal with a hell of a lot better than her current state. The only real downside to the spell is that it would probably take some time to set up, but we’ve seen her magic at play earlier and it’s currently in usage against Galatea, so we should at least have a starting point to work with in finding the correct frequency.

With all that said and assuming Ace hasn’t already started writing, I’d recommend we start with [Reverse Polarity] before we try our other options, as there’s no reason to give her the opportunity to murder us when we don’t have to and we might as well make every other approach go by smooth where possible, particularly since a few of them involve getting dangerously close to her person. However, it may be prudent to at least let her throw out one attack that we anticipate and intercept before shutting down her magic, since crippling her may hamper the diplomatic approach if we don’t have the reasonable excuse of self-defence available to us.

>>403501

I did start writing but I just can't seem to get into it today which is a pain in the ass. It feels a little half assed at the moment so I'll try for tomorrow. How annoying.

But [Reverse Polarity] eh? Well, it certainly can be tried!

>>403502

Eh, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Better to have good writing than fast writing when your story isn't strictly being read solely in the moment, I'd say.

>Story continue

Lava roils at your feet as the cavern continues to shake under the power of the Monster before you. Though she is too distant to reach out and touch, the heat and force of her presence makes it seem as if she’s right in front of you. It almost seems to be too much at first and you feel yourself having difficulty breathing, but you stand your ground, steel your will, and prepare for what will come.

“Well, the Elementals are stopped, for now.” Tabitha says, looking down at the lava flows through the streets. “It doesn’t seen that deep, but I don’t think anyone but me could wade in it and I’d rather not get any of that on my scales.”

“It doesn’t seem as if the Lava Golems are perturbed, however.” Veronica says, frowning. She readies her mace for battle alongside Bardam. “I suspect they’ll be making their way up the stairs soon.”

Shooting your hand out to the side, you channel a flow of magic that breaks the stone staircase, sending a rumble through the building, but still keeps it whole. The others look to the break and nod, understanding. It will be a little harder to get up here now, at least.

“What are you planning?” Tabitha asks, giving you a side eye as you stare at the Monster flapping her wings above the pits of lava.

“I just… I wonder if we really should…”

“Rommel, don’t you dare think of doing anything risky again. I can’t feed you gruel like that again!”

“But I love gruel…” You mutter as you study her. Opening your [Mage Sight] you see her glowing with a brilliance of energies that almost hurt your eyes. And yet, over near the temple, you feel the pull from before. So she isn’t possessed of the [Heart of the Crags], despite the poetic JUSTICE, yet she doesn’t have a core of her own. What exactly is she then?

“Galatea? How are you doing?” You ask, looking to the Elemental.

“I’m… fine.” She says, voice concerned. “But if she calls out to me again…”

“Shall I put up a barrier to stop her sound?”

“No, that won’t do anything I think. It’s like she resonates with my core. The screams are just… her anguish.”

“What is that about?” You ask, looking around the area for a way to reach the Monster. Riding the lava on a board of rock? While stylish, it probably wouldn’t end well without a lot of protection and if you fall, that’s the end of that. No amount of gruel will help you from dying miserably. This would make Tabitha sad and you’re trying not to do that any more than necessary.

“I don’t know. I barely know anything about her, you have to believe me.” Galatea says, placing a hand to her core.

The air, that’s the only option, isn’t it? Damn. Sighing, you turn to the Elemental and put your hand on her head to which she blinks in surprise. “It’s fine. I’m going to go speak with her.”

“Uhm. What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, I’m going to try to calm her down. There has to be a reason she’s like this and maybe we can solve this without violence.”

Reaching into your pocket, you pull out one of the metallic spheres and roll it between your fingers. “Failing that, I’m well prepared for violence.”

“Speaking of which.” Bardam says, hand at his side. “We should be prepared also. Those Lava Golems are starting to look for ways up here and the big lady isn’t exactly sitting pretty also.”

“Right.” You say, nodding your head to him before turning to Tabitha. She blinks in surprise as you reach forward to pull her in and give her a long, passionate kiss before releasing her. Taking a few steps back, she places a finger to her lips before frowning.

“What are you up to?”

By this point you’ve turned to Veronica. “Keep everyone safe and hold position. Move to the upper levels if you must but just try to hold tight.”

“We are all capable here.” She says, frowning.

“Yes, but you’re the one with the holy mace.”

“Tabitha has an enchanted sword if you somehow forgot and Bardam does as well.”

“About that.” You say, turning to the man. “I need to borrow your sword.”

He blinks, surprised. “What?”

“I have an idea, a back-up just in case.” You look the man dead in the eyes. “Will you let me?”

The man hesitates for a long while before sighing and unclipping his sword belt. Nodding, you clip it to your waist and put on your [Goggles] before turning to Valeria. “Alright, let’s go.”

“Go?” She asks, before looking at her wings. “Right.”

>>403643

The Dragon grabs you around the waist and makes for the edge of the building. Though below a pool of spreading lava seeps through the streets and creatures made of the molten core of this world swarm your position, you’re not afraid. At least not for yourself.

“Hmph. Relying on me again it seems.” Valeria says as she starts running to the edge.

“Why do you think I gave my wife that reassurance?”

Valeria lets out a single bark of laughter as she leaps from the edge of the building, extends her wings out and soars out over the burning city.

Hot wind currents easily drive you upward as you become awash in scorching winds. Thankfully your eyes are fine, but the goggles become fuzzy at the edges soon enough from all the smoke and debris carried in the wind. You deliberately do not look down as Valeria soars over the buildings, straight toward the Monster seething with magical energy.

It’s hard to admit that she doesn’t possess a certain kind of powerful beauty, though given your wife perhaps that’s just what you’re attracted to. Still, her raw anger and sadness make your heart sink as if watching an unfortunate soul on the streets of Sanctifrond rave in a gutter.

Or perhaps she reminds you more of something closer to home.

“What’s your game plan? You’re not really going to try to talk to her, are you?” Valeria shouts, her voice dampening in the wind.

“I was considering it, yeah.”

“I should have just mined gold instead of coming to this insanity.” She sighs.

You’re about to make a quip about her and that blacksmith masturbating to metal when the Monster before you turns and regards you for the first time ever. Even though you’d looked at her with [Farsight] and [Mage Sight], you couldn’t truly appreciate the aura of power she radiates before getting closer to her.

It’s not just heat, though she does radiate this also, but it’s a deep, primal power. Something lies in her gaze, a glare of such raw potency that it makes your breath catch. She lets out a growl that you can hear from here and begins to flap her wings harder as balls of fire appears from her hands. Before you can so much as say anything, she fires out streams of blinding flames toward you.

Valeria doesn’t even need your warning as she dives to escape the searing beams of heat. They cut past and slice through buildings behind you, cutting huge pieces off that fall into the roiling lava below. But the beams continue to fire, chasing after you and Valeria, forcing the Dragon to do her best to bob and weave as she gets closer.

Strong, Draconic hands pull you tight against her muscular chest as a beam sears past your face and nearly fries your eyebrows from the heat! Then, a moment later you find your world going upside down, your recently abused stomach feeling nauseous again as Valeria folds in her wings and barrel rolls through the sky before leveling out with an outthrust of her wings, jarring you back into the moment. All the while, her arms hold you tight, something you’re quite grateful for.

The beams stop as you get closer, close enough to look into her eyes. You almost gasp, though you already find it difficult to breathe. Though you’d seen the red irises from a distance, you’d expected her to be some kind of Elemental or Golem, but instead these eyes seem incredibly alive. So much for tearing out her core!

“Stop!” You shout, weaving a quick [Amplify].

Your voice booms outward because of it. Inwardly you curse, not meaning to be so loud after her agonizing over hearing voices. She doesn’t flinch however, but merely lips up a lip in a snarl, revealing a rather human-looking set of teeth. Power begins to build-up again in her hands but you speak again as Valeria circles the Monster,

“We don’t mean to fight! Please, stop this!”

“Stop?” She says verbally, seeming incredulous. “Oh if only I could. I would stop everything if I had the chance. I’d stop these thoughts, these emotions!” She points a finger at you and says, her voice carrying through the chamber,

“But everything is too loud, I can hear it, feel it!”

“Then let me stop the noise!” You shout, weaving [Privacy Barrier].

Suddenly the sounds of the roiling lava abate, leaving you in a blissful, yet eerie, sense of calm. Tapping Valeria’s hand, she pauses in place, wings beating to keep her aloft as you look to the Monster while wiping your face to remove sweat and grime. “There. It’s quiet.”

>>403644

The Monster looks about before turning and giving you a look of pure and utter scorn, like that of a monarch looking down upon an ant. It makes you feel infantile almost, and you reflexively gulp in the face of such raw power and authority.

“Noise? You think it’s just noise?” She almost laughs, a choking sort of grunt coming from her instead, as if she never learned how to create the actual sound. Her wings flare outward before beating hard, propelling her through the air at speeds that shock both you and Valeria. The Dragon barely has time to pull away as her hand shoots for your throat, the burning red of her fingers leaving after-effects in your vision.

She doesn’t follow as Valeria pulls back, clutching you tight against her. Instead, the Monster keeps in place, arm outstretched, her wings flapping slowly to keep her aloft as she stares out into nothingness. She begins to speak again, her voice slow and steady, as if barely able to keep a boiling liquid underneath from exploding.

“Joy, sorrow, laughter, heartache. All of these and more do I feel, do I hear. Distant though they are, I hear them growing, feel my own heart resonating, aching! Love, perhaps, is the worst of all.” She slowly turns to you, eyes wide, expression neutral, yet terrifying. “I could ignore it, could pretend to sleep, blessedly sleep, but you come here.”

“What are you talking about?” Valeria shouts to her. “Are you some kind of moody teenager? You’re sounding as bad as your damn Elemental!”

“Valeria…” You mutter. “Maybe we shouldn’t piss her off any further.”

Ignoring you, the Dragon snarls, “What even are you?”

“I… I am the volcano.” The Monster says. “I am one of the first children of…” She growls, “Her.”

You blink, startled. Wait, this creature can’t be that old, can she? Dating back to the dawn of animals made in this world? You can’t even comprehend how ancient that must be.

“Her? You mean Dollora?”

The Monster growls louder and the lava below you, though you cannot hear it, boils ever harder as pieces of rock from the ceiling fall through your bubble of calm before falling into the lava. She places a hand to her chest as she folds in on herself, almost falling for a moment before her wings catch her, not even acknowledging the small stones that rain upon her in contrast to Valeria, who bobs and weaves to dodge them.

“Dollora…” She growls. “She who is my mother, she is who the seed of my damnation. This form is HER fault, this body is HER fault, and this pain… it’s her fault.”

The Monster, whatever she is, turns to you and you’re shocked to see tears, brilliant and burning, roll down her cheek. “I never asked for this.”

You and Valeria look between each other, expressions troubled. Despite the heat, despite the pressure of being held aloft by Valeria, you compose yourself enough to ask, “What is your name?”

“Name?” She asks, closing her eyes. “I do not need a name.”

“We can help you. If you’d like I can give you a name, same with Galatea, the Earth Elemental.”

“No.” She says, looking up at you with tired eyes. “I do not need a name because I will purge the mountain of you and everyone else, then there will be no need for such a thing. Blissful quiet will return and I will be able to forget these feelings as I did before.”

Stunned, you turn to look out at the ruined city, now crumbling even further as the cavern shudders. “You did this? Killed all those people and made them into those shades?”

“Yes.” She says, not hesitating as she rises up further into the air. She seethes with power for a moment and your ears ring as your [Privacy Barrier] is suddenly destroyed into a violent backlash of power. It takes you a moment to readjust before Valeria violently jerks you to the side to avoid another lunge by the Monster.

“You leave us no choice!” You shout. “We will protect our home, even from you!”

>>403645

Opening your [Mage Sight], you lock onto her magical signature. She’s a little bit of an enigma to you, given how she is obviously a Monster so she must be some kind of witch unless she has the blessing of a God which you highly doubt. So where is she getting her mana from?

“Keep us alive, Valeria! I need some time!”

“I’m fucking trying!” She shouts back as the beams of fire appear again, slicing through the air and into the ceiling, dropping huge chunks of stone that cause explosions of lava as they hit. Though you grow incredibly nauseous, keeping your vision focused on one spot really helps. Unfortunately her signature is so unique that it makes it difficult to pinpoint her magic and find a way to reverse it.

“Shit, Rommel, I need help!”

Snapping yourself back into focus, you see a wave of rocks falling toward you. Reaching out with your magic, you stop a large boulder in place long enough for Valeria to fly past. As she makes to circle around, the Monster busts through the rock as if it wasn’t there and swings toward Valeria’s wing. The blow does nothing more than Clip the Dragon’s wings, but it’s enough to throw her into a tailspin, throw of you hurtling down toward the lava.

Valeria shouts and levels out mere yards before the roiling lava, the heat of it searing your face and causing you to let out a shout of pain in response. As she swoops upward and turns to face the Monster, you shield your face at another intense source of heat. Thanks to your goggles, you’re able to see the sphere of fire that the Monster has above her.

“Uh… Rommel?” Valeria asks. “I know you have those [Fire Resist] Potions, but I don’t think we’ll survive that.”

“We won’t need them.” You say, finally locking onto the signature. “I’ve got this.” With a burst of power, you use [Reverse Polarity] and negate her magic.

The sphere of fire fluctuates before exploding violently, the pressure of it causing the Monster to let out a scream of shock as she’s thrown like a missile into the lava below you. Surprisingly, only a small gout of flame shoots up as she hits and then she’s gone from your sight.

Valeria hovers in place and lets out a sigh of relief. “That easy huh? Damn why didn’t we do this at the start?”

“It takes time.” You say, scanning the lava below you. A moment later you pull upward and a piece of obsidian flies up from the molten depths, floating before you. Smiling, you take out a [Fire Resist Potion] for yourself and Valeria before drinking it and taking Donte. The magic suffused in you from the potion, he now feels merely warm instead of ready to burn your hand off. That being said, you do coat your hand in ice before taking him. Just in case.

“Well, I guess the others should be okay now, right?” Valeria asks as she takes the open potion from you with her mouth and knocks it back to drink it.

You turn your gaze over to the building where the others are and activate [Farsight]. As soon as you do, however, you gasp at what you see.

The building is swarming with Lava Golems, the flowing Monsters crawling upon themselves to form bridges as they try to reach your party. Veronica, suffused with the glowing light, smashes apart the Golems as they get close while Tabitha takes the other side. Bardam and Maya stay in the center, doing their best to support the others, but the number of Lava Golems is immense! They’re holding their own for now, but how much longer will they hold out?

“Damnit, the Golems must still be working off their instincts, we need to go over there and help them.” Valeria says, even her eyesight enough to see the building covered in red forms.

Something doesn’t feel right about this though. Frowning, you look down at the lava and notice it still roiling, in fact it’s roiling even more than before. It hits you a moment later and you shout, “Valeria, MOVE!”

The Dragon pulls back just in time as the lava explodes upward in a lance of fire and heat. Thankfully your potion keeps you from the worst of the heat, but it does not prepare you for the Monster flapping her wings again before you, eyes filled with pure hatred.

“Your little tricks are pathetic!”

>>403646

W-what? How did she? Sure the Lava wasn’t going to kill her, but how is she still flying? Quickly scanning your find that her magic, while not as powerful as before, is still present. Whatever she’s doing now, she’s doing because of her and not just this arcane power. Dear Gods, what kind of creature is this?

“I told you, I didn’t want to fight!” You shout as you pull the [Steel Rods] from your bag.

“You seem well prepared for it, however. The heart of man is a liar and we were much greater without it. Us beasts were never meant for such weakness as it gives, we never asked for the pain that it entails.”

Valeria stiffens and lets loose a growl. The Monster takes notice of her and says, “A Dragon, another creature spawned at the dawn of this world. Look how far you’ve fallen since Mother broke us.”

The Dragon looks down for a moment before looking in the Monster’s eyes. “We Dragons knew of creatures from ancient times, as our history is longer than those of men. My cousin thought as you do, thought that we were made weak by our need for men.”

Her grip on you tightens, though you’re not certain it’s from anger entirely. “Perhaps I thought that way once as well. But living here with these people, growing close to humans, I begin to wonder if Dollora didn’t do us a service by giving us these forms, by making us need to co-exist with humanity.”

The Monster, whatever she is, flaps her wings gently as her anger simmers. She looks down for a moment and you hope, perhaps foolishly, that she’ll relent in her attacks. Your fears are proven right as she straightens herself and says, “No. I once allowed humanity to live near and around me, but that was when my mind was less muddied with these emotions, when I could slumber and not have to think such thoughts. It is too late to turn back the clock, and I will have my peace.”

She closes her eyes before opening them and looking at you with, what you suspect is a hint of sadness. “But before I destroy you, I believe the humans used to call me ‘Vesta.’”

With this, she flies toward you, hands reaching for you. Valeria anticipates this and dodges out of the way. Vesta flips about again in the air, showing great skill and swings with her tail. Valeria, unable to dodge, grabs the tail with one hand and uses the momentum to fling her foe toward a wall. Before she hits, Vesta stops herself by beating her wings backward and flies toward Valeria.

The Dragon grabs you up in both arms again as you begin to slip, narrowly missing being struck by Vesta Perhaps if she wasn’t carrying you, Valeria may be able to fight her one on one now that her magic is dampened. It also makes her movements much slower and more predictable- there’s no way she’ll be able to attack anything like this.

Thankfully, that’s why you’re here.

All the while they’ve been fighting, you’ve been gathering up your [Steel Rods]. She’s powerful, this Vesta, but she’s alive and not just a Golem or Elemental, despite her rocky appendages. You suspect with enough force, you can hamper her movements or, as much as you hate to do it, kill her. While the [Ball Busters] would also be effective, the rods will be easier to aim, and aiming is important in a fight like this.

Valeria does a mid-air flip, sending your world spinning and she avoids a blow by Vesta. As you flip, you see the Monster pass by, almost in slow motion. Lining up the shot, you fire off one of the rods floating about you.

It zips through the air where you anticipate her going, but she almost seems to know it’s coming and stops, flipping herself about as it sails overhead. She growls dives again, becoming more aggressive with her movements. Valeria makes to evade but you shout, “Hold still!”

>>403647

She does so with a curse and you fire off the rods, one by one. Vesta dodges nimbly, her wings folding inward as she tumbles through the projectiles. The murder in her eyes grows as she comes closer and closer, a roar of anger sounding as she prepares to strike. She’s mere yards away when the last rod you fire, hiding in the shadow of Valeria’s wings, hits home.

Unfortunately it doesn’t puncture her body, but it does make a rent in one of her wings. Pieces of stone fly away to reveal flesh underneath and bleeds out blood which burns with the intensity of the lava around her. Vesta lets out a gasp of pain and spirals down again, her body unable to keep up the flight after the sudden shock.

She goes into a complete tailspin, but you don’t leave it at that. Doubling up on her, you pull out your [Ball Busters] and fire them downward much as you would [Shotgun Pebbles], hoping they’ll catch her. Some of them to, piercing her wing in two other places while one shatters the rock casing on her hip, revealing the fiery flesh underneath.

“Get us closer!” You shout to Valeria, who dives down as you prepare more spells to end her. Should she hit the lava, she may not be able to get back up, but she’ll recover eventually. You need to end her before she can do that.

Valeria’s speed increases and you ready your magic when suddenly Vesta’s wings flare out and she flips in the air, arresting her fall. As she does so, she takes in a deep breath and exudes a raging torrent of flames.

Valeria, unable to move out of the way due to her descent, takes in a breath of her own and, despite her condition, lets out flames of her own.

Ancient fire and Dragonic power meet, causing a backlash of heat even more potent than the ambient heat. You grit your teeth against it as Valeria continues to hurtle toward Vesta, driving back the heat and keeping it from reaching you.

Moments later they pass and Valeria evens out, flying over the lava and regaining altitude. As soon as she does, she hovers in place, coughing as she asks, voice croaking, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Gods, why did you do that? Your throat isn’t recovered!”

“I did… to protect…” She begins to go into a coughing fit and you feel her grip on you slip. Cursing, you hold onto her tight as you look out to Vesta.

She hovers, though her movements aren’t exactly as fluid as before. Bleeding from multiple places, you feel a surge of hope that with a little more, you can do this! Unfortunately both your flight mechanism and hers are almost out of commission, meaning you’re both in bad places to continue this fight in the air. But how can you get her onto land?

Looking up, you smirk and say to Valeria, “I’m going to get her on my turf.”

“Wha-?” Valeria croaks before coughing.

Concentrating, you reach out to the ceiling with your Geomancy. It’s hard, the strain of it and the spells you’ve already weaved causing you to get a little out of breath but with the integrity loss already caused by Vesta they give and fall.

Vesta merely flaps her wings in place and dodges the rocks, seeming unconcerned, yet not making a move toward you as boulders rain down from above. Her expression is confused, but despite her wounds she is able to keep herself steady and move with enough speed to avoid the rocks.

That’s when you combine both your skills with Aeromancy and Glaciemancy, such as they are, to create wave of violently cold air. Even with the heat of the volcano, it hits her hard and she gasps in shock as she narrowly avoids being hit with a large rock. Though the smaller ones bounce off her, she’s too preoccupied to notice until it’s too late.

The rocks cling to her body more and more, forming a rather impervious armor, yet one that weighs her down tremendously. She lets out a curse as you use the rock attached to her with your [Rock Solid] and drag her forcefully toward one of the buildings still standing. She struggles against you, but the more rock you pile onto her, the easier she is to move, though the strain wears upon you.

You begin to feel the wear of your magic as your breathing grows heavy. If you can just get to shore, just a little bit more you can-

“GRRRRRRAAAAAAHHHHHH!”

>>403648

The rock around her explodes off her as she seethes and surges with power. You recoil from having your magic broken so rapidly and everything goes black for a moment before you come back to yourself to see Vesta flapping lazily in the air, breathing hard and heavy. It seems breaking free of that took everything she had too.

You’re unable to summon much magic without a little time to rest, with Valeria holding you, she can’t fight, not that she can do too much with her coughing anyway. Groaning as you run through your options, you touch at your side and are surprised to find the sword belt there.

[Conviction]! Of course, you do have a weapon!

“Valeria, get me close. I want to hit her with my sword.”

She coughs in response and flies you forward. Placing your hand on the sword hilt, you feel a calm come over you. Though tired, much of that seems to fade away as you focus on the task at hand, unnecessary thoughts leaving you. You will strike with the sword in a vital area and kill her. It is that simple.

And yet, you can’t help but notice something about your opponent. The way she looks at you with an expression that says she’s not done fighting, with a resolute heart. Does she have something up her sleeve? You will have to keep watch for anything and as a precaution, tell Valeria.

“I would watch for another retaliation as before. I believe she might-“

Vesta stops flapping her wings and falls straight into the lava below you.

She hits with barely a splash this time, but as she does the lava, which was roiling before, grows still. The rumbling in the cavern finishes as well and an eerie sort of quiet pervades the place.

“Did… we kill her?” You ask, scanning the lava again. It seems calm, such as it is, but you’d been tricked before. Turning your gaze back to your friends, you see the Lava Golems retreating, falling from the building and into the flowing lava beneath them. Your party, weary but intact, sigh in relief as they lower their weapons. Even Galatea is there, thankfully not having to be put down during the battle. Guess her master was too busy fighting you to control her.

Breathing a sigh of relief, you make for Valeria to take you back to the others. She lands close to where she started, her feet stepping in rapidly cooling lava left by the golems without any apparent problems. Of course, her coughing is a cause for concern, one which you give her a health potion for. It soothes the throat at least but isn’t going to fix much that it wouldn’t have earlier.

“Hey honey, I’m back.” You say, giving a small smirk before falling to one knee before Tabitha.

Your wife, bless her, sheathes her sword and walks toward you kneeling down and patting your head. “Only a little reckless then it seems. Thank the Gods.” She embraces you as everyone has a collective sigh of relief.

“She’s not dead.”

Blinking, you look up to see Galatea frowning. She points over to the lava pool and says, “I can still feel her presence.”

“What?” You ask, suddenly feeling incredibly tired. “But she… she dropped into the lava and-“

“GRRRRRROOOOAAAARRRR!!!”

A rumbling the likes of which you hadn’t felt before issues from below the lava. More rocks fall from the ceiling while the lava once more boils upward. And upward. And upward still. A gout of lava rises up from the depths before crashing down, sending a fresh wave coursing through the streets, eating up the lower level of the building you’re standing on. When the rumbling is finished, you look up and gasp.

Standing knee deep in the lava is a massive monster. Not a Monster as you know them, no this creature has only the vaguest impressions of feminine form but it clearly predates the Great Transformation. While the majority of its skin is fiery like the lava its in, patches of black rock form plates of armor across the body while massive wings, spread from the back made of what appears to be stone. It turns its head toward you and you see rows of bestial teeth in an elongated mouth while eyes that burn like fire glare at you.

It takes you a moment to realize what you’re looking at. Pieces of rock on the hip and the wings are chipped and damaged, revealing skin that oozes bright, volcanic blood that has begun to slow to a trickle. Your mouth goes dry as you whisper, “Vesta?”

{I am tired of these games. I will drown this land in fire once more and recreate the mountains so that no one will disturb me again!}

>What do you do?

>>403649

Oh that was unexpected.

Well, ancient creatures from primal ages, whatcha gunna do, right?

I was considering pulling this fight to a conclusion but it would take more time than I have available today and y'all might want a say anyway.

>>403649

Welp, we tried. Hopefully Sveth won’t be too upset with us when we offer the sweet embrace of death as the cure to all of Vesta’s ailments.

To start off, we should definitely get to safer ground at this point, because I somehow doubt anyone in our party that isn’t us can hold off the flow of lava swamping the area. I’ll refer back to what I said in >>403024 regarding the whole ‘Valeria transportation’ thing since it’s still relevant here and the others probably aren’t going to be all too useful for the next phase of this fight either unfortunately. Valeria could be used to assist with our mobility, but we don’t need to fly above the lava too much anymore since Vesta will likely be moving towards us at this point and Valeria is in a bit of a bad state even if she’s had a health potion, so it’s best to not use her exclusively and only rely on her when needed.

Regarding our opponent, I have my doubts about this being a true undoing of Dollora’s Great Transformation, because not only is such a feat basically impossible to do without serious assistance—case in point, Valinthia was unable to transform into her ‘true’ self without direct interaction with the Groodle Tether—but if she had somehow achieved it, she wouldn’t be complaining about humanity and monsters being a thing anymore; this is most likely just a mimicry of the appearance she would have had. It also strikes me as odd that Vesta didn’t begin the fight in this form she holds now if she was capable of achieving it, since you would think the will of the volcano would call upon all of the volcano’s resources to her advantage from the get-go if she could, which implies to me that she can’t without other factors being in play.

With this logic in mind, and considering that all of the lava golems retreated at the same time back into the lava alongside the already awash earth elementals just before this grand entrance, it makes me think her current form is made up of said lava golems and earth elementals and that Vesta is rather reliant on their presence in order to maintain her form. As such, one possible method for taking her down may be to disable her connection to each of the monsters making up her form and thus causing her form to fall apart and become unwieldy, which in turn would make her very much vulnerable to either more of the earlier attacks we’ve used or [Conviction] should we feel the need to go for a melee finisher.

We could probably just destroy the cores of the monsters, but ideally we want to spare as many of Sveth’s children as possible, so I’ll recommend the anti-magic route instead. [Reverse Polarity] should do the trick once again for this since I have my doubts about her suddenly gaining divine magic, but it will be rather slow going if we can’t target her connection at the source since we would have to peel each golem and elemental off one at a time to get anywhere with it, which may not be fast enough to make a difference. [Mana Burst], on the other hand, would cause all of the monsters in the vicinity to fall apart temporarily, thus creating an immediate effect that could potentially just end the fight there and then; we would have to be careful about doing it though, seeing as even if it does indeed work it would leave us rather vulnerable, so best have Valeria on stand-by to move us when necessary.

Another option for disabling Vesta is using [Tornado] on her position to create the earlier theorised [Lavanado]. She’s clearly struggling to keep her form together after our first bout if the fact that she’s ‘bleeding’ is any indication, so sudden violent winds that tear at her from all sides and chip away at her form would be fairly detrimental to her, not to mention all of the lava being sucked up would cause further hindrance by slowing down her movements even more and making hitting her easier. The two downsides to this option are that this limits our ability to get close to her and that we won’t be able to control the destruction our spell causes once it’s cast, but we probably wouldn’t be getting too close to her any way unless we were planning on making the killing blow and both us and our party should be relatively unaffected by the tornado due to distance, so it’s not the worst.

Other than that, I guess just aim projectiles at key targets so joints, vital organs, etc. where applicable and make good usage of our geomancy and [Lava Flow] to deflect any and all attacks thrown at us. And please don’t drop the ceiling on her outside of a last resort, because that risks both an eruption and crushing us and the rest of our party.

>>403649

So, quick question before we proceed with anything, what is going to happen to Blackfire Reach, and this volcano in particular, if we murder the living, breathing personification of it?

Like, will it just fizzle out and turn into a regular freezing mountain, forcing the populace to abandon it, or violently erupt first, killing everyone?

>>403649

>Pieces of rock on the hip and the wings are chipped and damaged, revealing skin that oozes bright, volcanic blood that has begun to slow to a trickle.

To quote another great killer of monsters, “If it bleeds, we can kill it”.

Cold seems to be quite effective at slowing/disrupting her, so use that when necessary to disrupt her. If possible, we should move to higher, but still stable ground so Vesta can’t use the lava lake to her advantage. The Megazord theory of >>403661 is definitely worth testing, but before wasting mana on [Reverse Polarity], check for golem cores in her body. To kill her, just jam a sharp, hard piece of rock into the chinks in her armor. If we can control it through her body, aim it for her heart and when it reaches it, set it for blender mode. If we can’t, just fire it as quickly as possible at her heart through the gap.

As for the actions of the rest of our team, run distractions? The more fragile members should stay out of trouble, but Veronica, Valeria, and maybe Tabitha can handle themselves to annoy her. After this is done give Valeria another health potion for her throat.

>>403691

I think the volcano will just go back to dormancy, after all, they do say “rest in peace” ;). In all seriousness though, killing the spirit of the volcano shouldn’t really do anything except perhaps prevent future eruptions, as it would take serious geologic activity to render a volcano extinct, beyond even what the temper tantrums of one spirit can do, which means there is still lava, it just won’t erupt.

>>403709

>Shouldn't really do anything.

>>403645

>"I am the volcano."

If this is a bluff, then she is the creation of Jackor, not Sveth, because I am buying her bullshit at a premium. The consequences of her death are very likely to be real.

With all that said though, we did kind of break into her house with the intention of robbing her and beat her up after she tried to eject us from her property. Even the Danuki were smart enough not to fuck with her and left her alone. So killing her, even after she threatened to waste the Reach in retaliation for our actions, still feels morally abhorent to me.

Can't we beeline straight to the temple and grab the heart, now that all opposition has combined into a single, easy to hit target? We can even taunt her loudly about our affiliation with Dolora and about how stupid Vesta is for even daring to call the priceless and most precious gift, that is the ability to love, she was granted, a curse. We must spit on her for the sheer display of ignorance that she has shown. Not even trying to embrace it for a single moment and rejecting her mother's legacy and heirloom so blindly. She is almost as bad as Rommel used to be, but even he knew of platonic love, thanks to his sister.

Valeria is completely right. Vesta really is just a moody, stupid brat and we must beat a modicum of sense and respect into her, even if it's the last thing we do. Her retarded attitude is personally offensive and contradictive to everything we stand for.

Once she is sufficiently pissed off at us, she will ignore everyone else outright. Hopefully the heart of the crags is as powerful as we heard and will get us some quality deus ex machina action. My personal favorite would be total immunity to heat so we can use our blessed hands for the first time not to reward, but to punish and bend that bratty fire spirit over the knee and spank the living hell out of that little mouthy shit.

Very off-topic, but do we have the [Pipe] and some herb of possible purple colouration laying around our home anywhere? I have some ideas on how to celebrate once this current mess is dealt with.

>>403691

>>403725

>The consequences of her death are very likely to be real.

Why would they be? She’s not literally the volcano, otherwise she would have both reacted to the influence of civilisation earlier seeing as Blackfire Reach is built into the volcano and has had a constant mining operation since it’s founding and brought more of the volcano’s resources to bare throughout our entire time we’ve been in here, such as causing more fissures, creating more lava floods, caving in our exit points so we couldn’t retreat, anything that would involve manipulating the volcano itself as it should be her body. Even if she was, I’d imagine her death would function similar to a golem that no longer has magic sustaining it, namely it would just stop being alive and go back to simply being the materials that first made it; seeing as a volcano is really just an outlet for the lava in the planet’s crust to escape from and her death wouldn’t affect things such as how the tectonic plates move and how magma flows and functions, the only consequences to killing her seem to be that she won’t be able to cause eruptions anymore, which is ideal. The lava that’s already present isn’t going to suddenly disappear or cool and even if it did, fresher, hotter magma would rise up in a relatively controlled manner to take its place as a result, nor is an eruption suddenly going to occur when she dies because that makes no sense whatsoever—she’s not holding back the lava, she’s forcing it to move.

>With all that said though, we did kind of break into her house with the intention of robbing her and beat her up after she tried to eject us from her property. Even the Danuki were smart enough not to fuck with her and left her alone. So killing her, even after she threatened to waste the Reach in retaliation for our actions, still feels morally abhorent to me.

Vesta has murdered a previous civilisation because she felt like it and enslaved their ethereal forms for thousands of years which you would think would actually make her problem worse, but I digress, has tried to kill us multiple times before we had actually met her to explain our situation, has enslaved sentient beings in the form of earth elementals and lava golems without so much as giving them a taste of free thinking and has now decreed she will once again murder another civilisation despite said civilisation wanting to help her with her condition and trying every diplomatic option available to them. We may not be the most morally correct here, but you are seriously downplaying how vile this bitch actually is. Besides, she was given a chance for peace and spat on it, so whatever happens to her now is 100% deserved and justified; we don’t have time to fuck around when an eruption is seemingly imminent.

>Hopefully the heart of the crags is as powerful as we heard and will get us some quality deus ex machina action.

The last time we explicitly relied on a god to do something for us, we got stabbed in the gut. We don’t have the best track record for this sort of thing to solely rely on a god to bail us out of a bad situation.

>>403709

>but before wasting mana on [Reverse Polarity], check for golem cores in her body.

I don’t know why I didn’t consider that factor, so good catch there. That said, I’d imagine [Reverse Polarity] would still be good here regardless of cores to disable being present, seeing as Vesta still has to be using some magic to hold that form together and I doubt that she is doing that via whatever non-arcane life force bullshit she was using earlier as otherwise she would have pulled this trick out much sooner instead of waiting to reach near death.

>>403725

Eh I think we are at worst at netural when it comes to the morality of our actions. She killed an entire city's worth of people because she couldn't handle having feelings, And clearly has no regret over her actions. Meanwhile we are here to prevent a fucking genocide by borrowing something that probably isn't even hers to start with.

Her being a moody teenager is actually a really astute observation, And ironically enough I do think giving her a nice long headpat would help. She has spent millennia trying to suppress her new emotions thinking them to be nothing but pain without ever trying to experience the good sides of having them. I think giving her one might be able to pull her out of her shell and show her how much more there is to her existence then she believes. I think she'd grow to love interacting with the city and its inhabitants, Possibly even coming to love them as something she has never known, Family. Also not gonna lie, Having such an immensely powerful figure supporting the city would greatly beef up our ability to defend ourselves. Having an entire army of Granite and lava elementals combined with her own powers would make the city damn near impossible to conquer. Especially in the case of an all out war with the plants

TL;DR

We need to find a way to headpet her so good she has a life altering orgasm.

>>403725

We can’t leave Vesta for the gem because she has the ability to destroy Blackfire Reach. On the other hand, if we use that as an opportunity to to draw her out, make her reckless, and give us an opening to jam a spear of rock into her heart through a gap in her armor (after testing the megazord theory), it would be quite effective. Nice to see that my moody teenager observation has come to fruition

>>403741

She seems too far gone, even for Rommel, and she’s resisted every single one of our attempts to help her, and the whole “even though it’s quiet, I still hear things” seems to signify that she’s gone crazy as well. She’s a mad animal, and the kindest thing we can do is send her to Nerg’s embrace, where she’ll find peace and quiet once and for all.

>>403661

That's one way to cure her I guess.

The lava is about at the first story level at this point but it's not rising… yet. There are other, tall buildings but their stability is in question. The temple or whatever that structure nearby is happens to be solid, however.

>>403691

Guess you'll have to find out one way or another.

>>403725

You could beeline for the temple, except part of it is submerged under lava. It's kind of risky to do when there is a time crunch but you can, if you want.

>Using your hands for spanking.

Damn son, that's crazy. But diving for the heart certainly is an option, though I'd need more people on board for this.

>>403736

No, you leave the [Pipe] at home next to the lube.

>>403741

Another one for trying to pat her. TBH might be a little hard, or easy I guess since there's more surface area, in her current form, but I digress.

>>403756

Oooo debate. Do you try to help her? Do you kill her? Is she lying?

Wao.

Big decisions everyone. Hope you make the right call.

>>403741

>We need to find a way to headpet her so good she has a life altering orgasm.

To quote Ace earlier ( >>402783 ) when someone else suggested head patting lava:

>Listen, I'll be straight with you. A fire resist potion will make it not hurt as much as lava devours your hand.

Touching lava is one thing that we can get away with assuming we have the necessary protections like the potions and a water barrier, because physics and real life examples dictate that we’ll be relatively fine so long as we don’t remain in contact with the lava for too long. Head patting lava, on the other hand, involves prolonged contact with the extreme heat, of which no protection we have available to us would prevent us from losing hands by attempting the feat unless we somehow gained such protection as some form of deus ex machina like what was suggested, but frankly that would be a huge arse pull and terrible writing. And that’s not even taking into account the difficulty we would have simply getting close enough to Vesta in the first place to attempt the pat, let alone the difficulty of staying close to her to keep the pat going. Also, she’s currently covered in lava that isn’t a part of her body, so we can’t be sure if the pat would even reach her.

But let’s pretend we can in fact get a successful pat off. Why should we give Vesta one? She’s proven herself wholly undeserving of our pity, let alone our praise, seeing as she’s a monster in the truest sense of the word that has shown no remorse for her horrible actions and is currently trying to fucking kill us, yet you would have us give her our highest form of praise? She’s basically a slaver of the undead and material for fuck’s sake, so for all intents and purposes we should absolutely despise her. The ‘suffering’ she’s endured doesn’t somehow justify or excuse everything she’s done, and as a man of JUSTICE it is our duty to punish her for her crimes against us, the elementals and golems, Sveth and that former civilisation.

Furthermore, how would we even benefit from this action? If it doesn’t work, then we’ve achieved nothing except wasting time and almost certainly injuring ourselves. If it does work but causes pain much like it did with Liala, then it doesn’t achieve anything more than our other options could have done much easier, faster and safer. And in the best case scenario that it actually does achieve the desired effect of giving her a taste of affection, do you really think she would just stop and let us be on our way? She’s a monster, one of the most primal at that, of whom has never understood love; a taste of what she’s been missing all this time will only prompt her to seek more of it, leading to the confrontation continuing as her new-found lust draws her towards trying to claim us, the source of her pleasure, our marital status be damned.

And even if everything goes according to your plan, why would she help out in the defence of Blackfire Reach? She has no obligation to nor any reason to listen to us and I doubt we can convince her, even if we had Sveth backing us. Also, would we really need the help? Blackfire Reach was only ever breached once in history by the Wurms, a weakness which is now a part of its strength; a bunch of plants aren’t going to be able to do much of anything even if they did attack the city (despite it being nowhere near any important objectives for Phallia nor near the Cradle, I might add). And it’s not like we couldn’t shore up defences with the earth elementals and lava golems, who will no doubt be looking for purpose following their freedom, should we need to.

All in all, it’s more dangerous than it needs to be, doesn’t give us much benefit in any of the possible outcomes and would involve going against our values as a slaver-hating wizard and practitioner of JUSTICE. So fuck that.

>>403768

>But diving for the heart certainly is an option, though I'd need more people on board for this.

To make my stance clear, vetoing this. This option would involve putting ourselves, our party and our home at further risk we don't need to all for the hope that the god's aren't fickle and give us exactly what we need when we need it which would be boring and cheap. Better to just deal with the threat before us unless the artefact is at immediate risk.

>>403649

Years of reading hentai have given me the answer!

We must create a massive dildos of stone and shove them down all of her orifices at the same time, then after vibrating them for at least 10- minutes, she will become docile. It is truely and without question a flawless plan.

Also voting no on touching the lava.

>>403775

To be clear, I was not arguing to trying to headpat lava. We'd have to find a way around that, And the heat she not naturally generates. My most likely guess would be to beat her to within an inch of her life, In hopes that doing so would cause the heat to stop, Allowing us access. The lava on the otherhand, I agree with the megazord theory. She was badly injured and was showing strong signs of exhaustion. I'm willing to bet she just took direct contol of the Lava Golems and has more or less had them latch onto her real body. She is likely using their own energy reserves to fuel it and keep it one big cohesive entity, [Reverse Polarity] should wreck her shit.

I don't jig with the idea of this being entirely her because you can't just go from exhausted and sitting on deaths door to pulling out a transformation using magical power strong enough to overrule a god's. Even assuming she did somehow just barely have enough mana left for the transformation, It has to be very short lived. You don't recover mana and health by transforming, If anything you burn mana at a much faster rate. And I don't want to hear she's "Drawing power from the Volcano" Because if that was the case then we should have been curbstomped immediately by a enemy with virtually unlimited mana.

Now for as to why we should,

First and foremost is because we should pity her. She was suddenly granted emotion but had no one to teach her about how to deal with them. She's been in agony for millennia because she doesn't know any better. I think she can be reformed because I believe at some level she wished to accept the transformation back in the day. You mean to tell me that a fucking crocodile in the sandy asshole of nowhere had the power to resist Dollora's [Great Transformation] but a fucking volcano spirit couldn't have? She had become a social creature and got scared/failed on her first attempts and then went all isolationist, Which over the generations weighed down into a sort of mental illness. If we can possibly free her of it and give her a chance at a proper life we are morally obligated to try it first atleast. She has no sense of morality to base her actions against since she never interacted enough with others to develop one, The same as a small child. She didn't know that killing those people that she perceived were hurting her was wrong. I would hope that doesn't mean she is inherently evil and she can be rehab'ed. Hell fuck it, Maybe her current state is resulting from her husband from eons ago passing away abruptly and all this was because she never managed to accept losing him.

While on that note, I can't really blame her for slavery either since she actually created the golems and elementals and none of them actually have any sentience until we got involved. Thats not much different then what we do to our little collection of friends on a fundamental level.

Any secondly is because having her with us is a fucking immense boon. She's a tremendously ancient monster who has lived through eons of history and wields immense power that is even is arguably capable of producing life. Not only is she powerful relic that I'm sure Sven would look favorably upon us for helping, But she's also a massive boon to the city itself. Blackfire Reach is in shambles compared to pre Wurm invasion and has little manpower at the moment. Optimistically we'd really need 60-100 years to really bounce back. Vestra and her Golems could help fill that gap so we can focus on nation building while also maintaining a fair bit of muscle so as to not get pushed around geopolitically. Also for a heavily focus mining town, Who else would better know where big deposits of materials would be then Mother Mountain? We have the one danuki tunnel already broken open and its expected to really kickstart our economy, But it will eventually run out. Having easy to access backups in place is great forward planning.

I have a couple of lesser reasons as well but I've already written a really drawn out and babbling comment so I'm kinda done. All I'm saying is maybe we can try one final time before we are forced to off one of the perilously few wonders left of the old world.

>>403849

>To be clear, I was not arguing to trying to headpat lava.

Yet in >>403741 you said:

<And ironically enough I do think giving her a nice long headpat would help.

<We need to find a way to headpet her so good she has a life altering orgasm.

I don't know about you, but that seems to be advocating for head patting lava, seeing as Vesta is literally made of lava.

>My most likely guess would be to beat her to within an inch of her life, In hopes that doing so would cause the heat to stop, Allowing us access.

That’s not how hot things work, at all. That aside, she’s not going to suddenly cool down upon receiving severe injuries, as otherwise she would have already shown signs of cooling after we nearly killed her earlier. If we touch her, she will be hot and we will get burned or worse if we stay in contact for too long.

>She was suddenly granted emotion but had no one to teach her about how to deal with them. She's been in agony for millennia because she doesn't know any better.

And yet when the offer to help her was made, she declined it and tried to kill us. Also, we have no idea if the previous civilisation made a similar offer or not, so saying she had ‘no one to teach her’ isn’t necessarily true. If anything, there probably were people trying to help her considering they worshipped her and wanted what was best for her as a result.

>I think she can be reformed because I believe at some level she wished to accept the transformation back in the day. You mean to tell me that a fucking crocodile in the sandy asshole of nowhere had the power to resist Dollora's [Great Transformation] but a fucking volcano spirit couldn't have?

The reason for this was explained back in Wizard Quest 2 by Ebe:

<"My Father died when I was young, killed by a greater Sandgorger, a lizard-like beast which prowls the deserts. And yes, I know what you are about to ask, but not all monsters became Monstergirls, especially not here in Ectria."

The Great Transformation wasn’t a world-wide spell; it had a set range that happened to miss certain areas, leaving certain monsters in their original forms. Vesta never asked for this, nor did any other monster, so saying she ‘wanted it’ because the transformation worked is factually wrong.

>She had become a social creature and got scared/failed on her first attempts and then went all isolationist, Which over the generations weighed down into a sort of mental illness. If we can possibly free her of it and give her a chance at a proper life we are morally obligated to try it first atleast.

We did try to free her, and she refused. And then she tried to kill us. And this was after she had already tried to kill us multiple times. How many times would you have us extend the olive branch before you accept that she clearly doesn’t want to be helped?

>She has no sense of morality to base her actions against since she never interacted enough with others to develop one, The same as a small child. She didn't know that killing those people that she perceived were hurting her was wrong. I would hope that doesn't mean she is inherently evil and she can be rehab'ed.

She had an entire civilisation worshipping her; you’d think she would have some interaction, even before her transformation. Also, she’s an ancient monster, so she has had plenty of time to reflect on her actions. Furthermore:

<“No.” She says, looking up at you with tired eyes. “I do not need a name because I will purge the mountain of you and everyone else, then there will be no need for such a thing. Blissful quiet will return and I will be able to forget these feelings as I did before.”

<Stunned, you turn to look out at the ruined city, now crumbling even further as the cavern shudders. “You did this? Killed all those people and made them into those shades?”

<“Yes.” She says, not hesitating as she rises up further into the air.

She’s awfully quick to declare her intent to kill us all and doesn’t seem to care about what she’s done and is about to do.

>>403858

>>403849

<The Monster, whatever she is, flaps her wings gently as her anger simmers. She looks down for a moment and you hope, perhaps foolishly, that she’ll relent in her attacks. Your fears are proven right as she straightens herself and says, “No. I once allowed humanity to live near and around me, but that was when my mind was less muddied with these emotions, when I could slumber and not have to think such thoughts. It is too late to turn back the clock, and I will have my peace.”

She clearly knows what she’s done and is going to do is wrong, yet she doesn’t care. Also, she only let humanity live near her before because she didn’t have to deal with her emotions at the time, showing that she couldn’t give less of a shit about humanity otherwise. Her low opinion of humanity is further shown by the line:

<“The heart of man is a liar and we were much greater without it.”

Furthermore, her opinion on the transformation is low in general, her own situation aside:

<“A Dragon, another creature spawned at the dawn of this world. Look how far you’ve fallen since Mother broke us.”

As such, it’s pretty clear she won’t accept any rehabilitation offers, as if her turning down the first one we made didn’t already make that obvious enough.

>Hell fuck it, Maybe her current state is resulting from her husband from eons ago passing away abruptly and all this was because she never managed to accept losing him.

There is no proof of this and there is evidence to suggest the contrary. And even if this was somehow the case despite it being impossible, it’s no excuse for her actions whatsoever.

>While on that note, I can't really blame her for slavery either since she actually created the golems and elementals and none of them actually have any sentience until we got involved.

Not true at all. Case in point:

<“Earth Elementals.” Veronica says, looking worried. “A kind of Monster born of the energies used by the great awakening, pulled together by aetherically charged rock. They’re incredibly rare and most of them were destroyed ages ago.”

<“They’re golems?” You ask, surprised.

<“Not quite. Golems may react to rudimentary commands but they aren’t truly possessed of intelligence. These Elementals, on the other hand, have a mind of their own, basic as it is.”

They are monsters and they have intelligence, which means they also possess sentience, even if it may potentially be limited because we have yet to see an example of a truly ‘feral’ monster. Also, the earth elementals were clearly capable of understanding us and our intent, going so far as to trust us before the daemon fucked things up—that doesn’t happen without proper sentience.

A final point here, we absolutely can blame her for slavery when she forced all of those who originally worshipped her to be bound to her realm as spirits against their will for all eternity until we released them, of which they were thankful for. That’s basically the definition of slavery.

>Thats not much different then what we do to our little collection of friends on a fundamental level.

We’ve never forced our friends into doing anything they didn’t want to, and have gone so far as to actually check with them if they’re alright with certain decisions, such as when some of our friends went on to become Tabitha’s current weapon. That’s pretty different to enslaving the minds of her creations to do her bidding.

>Any secondly is because having her with us is a fucking immense boon.

Again, there is no guarantee she actually works with us, even if we do help her. And again, her creations would be capable of working with us with or without her, so she’s not required.

>Also for a heavily focus mining town, Who else would better know where big deposits of materials would be then Mother Mountain?

If she was the volcano, then she would have shown it in the myriad of ways she could have done so. She has not shown any of the tell-tale signs however, so she’s not and is most likely just a spirit strongly associated with the volcano or its will personified. And we’re a fucking geomancer with [Survey] who is paid to excavate the mines; we can quite easily do the job ourselves without any issue or need for extra help, not to mention we have plenty of time to find more materials once we’ve dealt with Phallia.

>All I'm saying is maybe we can try one final time before we are forced to off one of the perilously few wonders left of the old world.

And I’m saying that’s pointless because it would involve trying something we tried earlier that failed without the situation being different in the slightest to give it even a slither of a chance at success. If anything, diplomacy will go even worse now that we’ve brought her close to death’s door. So why bother, especially with someone who was wholly undeserving of mercy in the first place?

Its fine to stop being head pat sluts and unleash out full wizard autism on her dum lava ass.

End this birch.

>>403882

I am still in favor for a non lethal takedown, simply because of the amount of war assets that she could potentially bring to the table, against Phalia, when we eventually go knocking on the Cradle's front door. Not to mention, I am still creeped out at the potential fallout of her death, in regards of the environment, especially so after Ace's

>>403768

>Guess you'll have to find out one way or another.

Cryptic nonanswer.

That said, since we are not equipped with dealing with teenagers, why don't we tell Veronica everything that we've learned and ask her to help us try to talk her down one last time? I mean, if a walking, living, breathing saint of the church of Solos that saved countless souls from misery will shrug and say "Shit's fucked, fam." Then even I will concede and agree to go for the kill.

Also I want to add that there has been a precedent of reforming emotionally and psychologically unstable monsters before with Saya. She literally ate a couple of completely innocent people alive before GW managed to calm her down.

>>403898

>when we eventually go knocking on the Cradle's front door

How exactly do you plan on bringing a fire spirit seemingly bound to this volcano over half-way across Deleor to the Cradle? Even if you somehow could do that which would be difficult in its own right seeing as she's made of lava and is basically impossible to quickly transport as a result, she would have none of her assets available to her and thus, as our fight so far has shown, she would go down really fucking easily come any real resistance Phallia isn’t going to have strictly plants you realise, since she’s been pulling strings in Galmathoria and has assets there too as a result. And again, that's if she wants to help us.

>I am still creeped out at the potential fallout of her death

Just saying, the logic of that making no fucking sense whatsoever as already established aside, Ace was poised to kill off Vesta as per what everyone prior had said to do once diplomacy failed and only stopped since he didn’t have time to write out the rest of the fight and thought maybe giving us options here would be for the best. He didn’t stop solely to give us a chance to avoid consequences on our current route, else there would have been foreshadowing hinting at possible bad outcomes much earlier, such as when Vesta was getting weaker, to give the readers a chance to recognise said potential consequences and react accordingly instead of pulling them out of nowhere and leaving people confused and annoyed as a result.

>why don't we tell Veronica everything that we've learned and ask her to help us try to talk her down one last time?

I somehow doubt we’ll have time to discuss this with Veronica when Vesta is very close by, knows exactly where we are and has plans to kill us. And even if we did, you’d then either have to get Veronica close enough to Vesta to talk, which puts the former in extreme danger due to her limited protection against the heat and inability to deflect fire and rocks like we can thus making it a dumb idea in its own right, more so when our options for getting her close are by themselves unreliable as the only formerly reliable option, Valeria, isn’t in the best of spots health-wise, or weave an [Amplify] for her while keeping her in the same spot to use it, which leaves her very vulnerable. And even if everything works out thus far, why would Vesta even listen to Veronica in the first place? Vesta doesn’t give a shit about humanity and thinks very little of them in her belief that beasts are superior, nor do she seem to give a shit about the gods outside of despising Dollora, so why would she listen to a human following Solos after already not listening to another human? Also, I’m fairly certain most lost souls still seek some form of redemption; Vesta clearly doesn’t.

>>403908

>She literally ate a couple of completely innocent people alive before GW managed to calm her down.

There is a very big difference between Saya and Vesta, so the two don’t make for an apt comparison. The former was a young girl born into the world a few days prior whom was scared, only killed two people and did so quickly I would add, was extremely remorseful after the fact and didn’t murder any more innocent people after our intervention, not to mention we had an obligation to help her as she was our creation and effective daughter and we wanted to avoid a Frankenstein’s monster situation. The latter is an ancient monster who has been around for millennia and clearly knows better, has previously murdered countless people and fucking enslaved them all which alone is reason enough to kill her and there’s legitimately a precedent for that seeing as we have never spared a single slaver and part of our whole shtick established in the last quest was hating slavers, so sparing her would go against our entire character, doesn’t give a shit about the suffering she’s caused because only her issues matter and they can apparently only be solved by murder, she’s planning on murdering another countless lives for the same reasons and we have no obligation whatsoever for helping her at this point as we’ve already tried to help her earlier technically twice, both us and Valeria.

Also, it should be noted that Saya was spared by the Grand Wizard, while we are currently playing as Rommel; the two characters will have different reactions to the same situation, so using what the Grand Wizard as a precedent for what Rommel should do seems rather wrong.

>Checks back today to see what the choices are

> 50-50 split between spare her and kill her

>One vote is ambiguous but leans toward sparing her?

help.

>>403933

Here is a suggestion: stop being such a huge democracy cuck and play the GM's absolute authority card to do whatever you want.

>>403939

The irony being yours is the ambigous one. Ah well, I'll make do then.

>Story continue

You hang your head and sigh. You feel weary, bone weary, and it’s hard to think right now of the correct choice. This Monster seems so very, very sad, but she also caused so much harm. You’ve tried reasoning with her, tried showing your intention and now this? Why should you even bother? Why go through the effort of even attempting to save her? It’s like she doesn’t want to be saved.

Veronica puts a hand on your shoulder and you look up to see the motherly woman giving you a soft smile. “Seems we got off a little easy, hmm?”

“Hmph, and I figured the Grand Wizard was the jokester on your adventures.” You say this before sighing and pulling yourself up, though your feet wobble a little underneath you. At least, that’s what you assume is happening, though when it continues you realize it’s the building you’re in swaying.

“We need to go.” Tabitha says, looking about. She points toward the temple-like structure you saw before. “There. Rommel, can you get us there?”

“I might be able to.” You say, looking about for rock to form bridges.

The cavern quakes again and you look to see Vesta slowly trudging forward through the lava, her every move sending waves of the molten substance ahead of her. Cursing, you draw upon the little strength you have left to form a bridge while ushering the others to move. Valeria grabs you and flies you forward as you continue to move the others to higher ground.

Vesta lets out a roar that hurts your ears, the force of it causing the building you were just in to finally collapse under the strain. Thanks to your magic, you’re able to keep the bridge up, but it drains you. By the time you get the others to the safety of the temple, you’re panting with the exertion while Vesta moves ever closer.

{Scurrying away? To what end? Accept your fate!}

“We need a plan, Rommel.” Tabitha says as you slump to the ground next to your wife, trying to get your breath. Looking up to Valeria, she gives a similar sign of concern as all the while the heat and lava rise, the shadow of Vesta looming closer.

“We… we should…” You say, trying to formulate a plan. Your head hurts, you body hurts, everything hurts at this moment. But what’s even worse than that is you honestly do not know what you want done about this situation. Half of you says to end her while the other half says to give her one last chance or perhaps this half wonders what will happen if she’s gone?

“Ah, she does act a little like someone I know.” Veronica says, crossing her arms and shaking her head. “But I suppose a moody teenager would be a more apt description of her.”

“Huh?” You ask, turning to her. “What does that mean?”

“It means she’s angry and doesn’t know why.” Maya says, shrugging. “Even Monsters go through puberty.”

“Essentially, yes.” Veronica says. “Vesta had tremendous power and suddenly underweight massive change. Unable to cope with it, she lashed out and did…” She waves her hand. “This.”

“But is that enough reason to try to save her?” You ask, slumping against a wall. All the while she wades closer, her legs reaching out of the lava now. “Is it worth the risk to my home? To our mission?”

Veronica closes her eyes and rests her hand on her mace. She pauses for a good few seconds to think before saying slowly, “If there is a shadow of doubt, then mercy is always worth trying.”

Bardam looks at her with a sad expression before sighing and shaking his head. “That’s why you’re the Ascendant, after all. But Gods, Veronica do you think it will be that easy? How can he stop her without killing her?”

The woman smiles at her and says, “Well, he does have those hands.”

“They are nice.” Galatea says. “But I believe my mistresses’ body would consume them, at least in this form.

“We have to get her back to the small form anyway.” You say, pushing yourself up and hearing a small creak in your back. Neat, that pain is back. “But we’ll see about the patting. I’m just confused how she had the energy to revert her form.”

“It’s unlikely to be a true reversion.” Valeria croaks out, rubbing at her throat. “Even the most ancient Dragons can’t do that for long. She would need to have gained a large amount of mana to do so anyway. This area isn’t replete with it, but it’s not like a crystal cavern in Galmathoria either.”

{What happened to all the Lava Golems anyway?} Erwin sends. {I haven’t seen them.}

>>404000

You scan about for the Golems and gasp, turning to Galatea. “Can she absorb the energy from the Golems?”

“I… yes, I suppose.” She frowns. “From us too if she really wanted but… but she wouldn’t-“

“She might have.” You say, frowning. “If they were true Golems then they weren’t technically alive but… arrrghh.” You rub at your head and turn to Valeria. “We’re going.”

“Hmm.” Veronica says, looking at the temple. “Well, assuming it’s not flooded with lava, we might as well explore inside there. Beats staying out here.”

“Will you be alright?” You ask, to which Tabitha cups your chin.

“I should ask that of you. You don’t look good.”

“I don’t feel good, but hey, here we are.” You think for a moment before chuckling. “Didn’t we just do this?”

“No, this seems different.” Tabitha says before leaning in and initiating the kiss this time. “I don’t recall me being the one to kiss you.”

“Hmph.” Valeria says as she flies you away. Looking behind, you see Tabitha watching you before heading into the temple after the others.

“Alright.” You say, opening your [Mage Sight]. Vesta begins to light up with magic in your eyes, her form seemingly suffused to with mana. It’s strange though, given her earlier easy at manipulating magic that she didn’t just obliterate you with a fireball or something while you were talking with the others. Is she unable to from your previous [Reverse Polarity]?

“Fly us in close.” You say, locking onto her signature further. It’s hard to make out, but there might be something inside of her that’s a little different than it was before. There’s a lot of them too, but what are they?

“Closer he says.” She wheezes out. “Fine.” Flaring out her wings, she dives in toward the massive Monster, the [Fire Resist Potion] still working to repel most of the heat.

Vesta’s massive head swings toward the two of you and she lets out a roar which threatens to topple Valeria out of the sky. The Dragon tries to roar in response, but settles for a low growl instead. As she dives lower, avoiding the rush of air from the sound.

{This time, I will not play with you.} Vesta sends. She raises a massive, clawed hand which burns with intense head and swipes it down toward you.

Valeria curses and passes through her fingers, trails of fire streaking your vision as a wash of heat passes by. The hand slaps the lava underneath you and flies outward, threatening fly up and reach you. Seeing this threat, Valeria flies up to avoid it, but Vesta seems to have anticipated this.

A wave of lava rushes forward as Vesta’s rocky tail dips in and throws a wash of the molten rock toward you, the large tail coming as well. With such an oncoming wall of fiery death, Valeria hesitates, not knowing what to do.

“Drop down and keep flying!”

She breaks out of it at your words and does so, even though that lays ahead is just more lava. Still she flies toward it, trusting you. Thankfully, you do not abuse this trust as you reach forward with your magic and cast [Lava Flow].

A hole just large enough for the two of you opens up in the lava and you sail on through to the other side. Valeria lets out a small cry of pain as stray drips of lava hit her back, but she grits her teeth and keeps on flying up and through the air.

Unable to focus on her, you keep your gaze on the Monster as she turns to face you. She doesn’t seem surprised, but at the same time you can’t see much in those eyes. They look so alien, and yet the intelligence in there is clearly great. Gods if you’re wrong about Veronica’s words though.

Taking a few, deep breaths, you steel yourself for what’s about to happen next. As you sail close by her body, you scan further with your [Mage Sight]. As you suspected, you see multiple twinkles of light in your vision- what you assume are cores of the Lava Golems, though curiously you don’t see that of the Earth Elementals.

>>404001

“Hang on a little longer!” You shout to Valeria as she dodges another swipe by Vesta. “I’m getting the signature!”

“Easy… for you to say.” She croaks out while flying up and around Vesta’s arm. She flies on her back, holding you facing the ceiling as she flies through to Vesta’s shoulder. The large Monster roars and tries to snap at you, but Valeria drops down under her jaws and flies away, raising one claw off you and raking it through the exposed section of skin at her hip.

Vesta lets out a cry of pain, pain by the Gods as she does so, buying you precious time. Just a little longer and you think you can do this… at least, you hope you can. It takes all of your concentration to gather the energy to do this, however, so you close your eyes and hope for the best from Valeria.

With your eyes closed you hear the violent currents of air changing as Valeria twists and turns. Flashes of heat through your potion speak of her getting close to the Vesta but not making contact. Occasionally you feel a sharp twist of her body before she lets out a grunt a pain, yet she never complains or slows, continuing to fly. Damnit, if only you hadn’t exerted yourself so much beforehand you wouldn’t be in this situation!

Digging deep within yourself, you pull upon your will for more power. Mana courses through you, concentrating in your mind until it wells up, forming the spell almost without your input. Reaching out, you open your eyes and cast, [Reverse Polarity].

Vesta stops in place, as if frozen. Her eyes go wide as she stares out at nothing. You pant from the exertion as Valeria hovers in place, watching as Vesta’s body begins to shake. Pieces slowly slough off her as she turns her head toward you, staring dagger at Valeria.

{What… have you done?}

“Nothing that didn’t need to be done.” You say, not bothering to weave [Amplify]. Honestly, you just don’t have the strength to cast anymore magic. This was your last gambit, to disrupt the connection between her and the cores of the Lava Golems. You’re glad it worked, but you’re barely hanging on as you’re entirely out of mana. Instead, you draw [Conviction] from its sheath and hold the sword in your hands, allowing its magic to wash away your doubts.

Tightening your grip, you say to Valeria, “Fly me in.”

“What if she drops into the lava again?”

“She won’t.”

Valeria pauses for a moment before nodding her head and swooping down toward Vesta’s chest.

Despite pieces of her burning body sloughing and the rocks falling off her, she has enough power to turn in your direction and open her mouth. Inside the cavernous orifice, you feel an insane heat rising up, even at this distance. So she had enough energy left for one more blast of fire, huh?

You don’t need to say anything, Valeria understands perfectly as well. She continues to fly straight toward the Monster, her wingbeats increasing in speed if anything. Though you are so much smaller than her, though she is a creature of unfathomable power, you are not afraid. You’re just tired and ready to finish this.

The fire comes, washing out in a gout that threatens to engulf the two of you. Valeria lets out a choked cry, the best she can do under the circumstances and flies straight under the fire as it comes. Seconds later you’re right in front of her a sloughed piece of rock exposing the raw skin underneath.

[Conviction] plunges into her body, and perhaps into her heart.

She lets out a gasp, the fire choking in her throat as she pulls away, breaking your grasp on the sword. Valeria flies you backward in a hurry while the Monster groans as more and more pieces of her body fall into the lava below, sending up bursts of fire and splashes of lava as their rejoined. Slowly, then very quickly, the body falls apart until, around the sword, the flesh falls, revealing Vesta’s body, unconscious and impaled through the abdomen by [Conviction].

“Valeria!” You shout as Vesta begins to fall. The Dragon swoops down and grabs her hair with a claw, dangling the Monster beneath you as she circles back toward the temple. The landing is messy, her basically dropping the two of you before she herself falls to the ground, groaning in pain.

>>404002

Pushing yourself up, you turn around and gasp to see pock marks on Valeria’s back where lava had eaten into her scales and flesh. The Dragon lets out muted cries of pain as she slams her hand onto the rock, bearing her pain in silence.

Unable to pull forth any magic in which to help her, you dig into your bag and find two more [Health Potions]. You walk (crawl) over to Valeria and offer her another of the potions. She takes it slowly and drinks, giving a sigh of relief as the burning sensation seems to go away. The burns, however… some of them are going to stay, despite her draconic resilience. Gods, to think she was shielding you and ended up this way.

“Our… guest.” Valeria wheezes. “Is she?”

“I don’t know.” You say, making your way back to Vesta.

She lays there, sword impaled in her gut, her body seeming much less warm than before. You frown down at her and sit down, unable to do much else. She still exudes some heat, but nothing like before. In fact, with the potion still working, you dare to reach out and-

Vesta raises a hand and grabs your wrist. You gasp in shock and try to pull away, but find that she isn’t burning you. In fact, it doesn’t even feel warm. Is that the effect of the potion, or is she able to regulate her own temperature? Or… or maybe-?

“I think I understand.” She whispers, eyes open and staring at the ceiling. She places her other hand on the sword hilt as she continues. “The emotions, the ceaseless torrent in my heart, it’s gone. It’s just me now and I can… I can think.”

Tears well up in her eyes as she says, “It’s so blissfully quiet now.”

She lets go of your hand and you lean back on your heels as you look at her. Despite the wounds, despite a sword in her gut, she seems happy of all things. Sighing, you look down at her and ask, “What now?”

Vesta blinks and turns to you, as if seeing you for the first time. “What do you mean?”

“You tried to kill me, threatened to kill my friends, and my family. You said you’d destroy my home and level this entire mountain.” You thumb behind you. “Valeria is badly hurt because of you, and Galatea’s wonderful personality was suppressed because of you.”

You lean forward and place a hand on hilt next to hers. “Why shouldn’t I just end you now?”

“I don’t know.” She says.

You blink in surprise as she looks you straight in the eye, clean and clear. Even without the sword, it would take you a moment to realize that she’s being honest, dead honest here. As everything unnecessary washes away, the two of you seem to be almost in your own space, where you can freely speak.

“I don’t know why you’d let me live. You have no reason to do so. I have not given you one.”

“And yet, I hesitate. I want to kill you so badly but what would happen if I did?”

“The volcano will live without me. But I do not know if it will erupt on its own. Perhaps it did before I came be there by Dollora’s hand, perhaps it didn’t. It seems as if I’d always been there, keeping it in check.”

“So if I end you, then what you threatened may come to pass anyway.”

“Perhaps.”

“What of Galatea and the others you created?”

“Their energy feeds off mine. Without suitable mana stores and soon, they will crumble into nothing.”

“I understand. And what would you do if I spared you?”

She turns to you, tears still dripping slowly despite her calm, collected composure from the sword in her gut. “I don’t know. I don’t know how to carry on like this.”

Sighing, you take the sword with both hands and pull it out from her gut. She lets out a cry of pain and arches her back, writhing as hot liquid begins to drain from her gut. It’s not quite blood, but she’s not exactly normal, is she? Letting the sword clatter to the ground, you turn and start pulling something from your bag.

“A-AHHHH!” She cries out, her body flaring up again. She turns her face to you, horrified and confused as you reach into your bag and pull out the last [Health Potion]. Before she has time to react, you open the vial and dump it into her mouth. She coughs and sputters, but her color improves some and the bleeding stops in a few moments.

“W-what the-?” She asks, looking at you with confusion her eyes drift to the sword and she reaches for it, but is unable to get up.

>>404003

“I need you free of the sword. It’s strong, perhaps too strong, but it isn’t the wide array of emotions that make up who you are. I need to see something for myself before I decide what to do.”

Pulling out the last [Fire Resist Potion], you coat your hand in it. Perhaps not exactly the labeled use for it, the effect is immediate as your hand, which a little sticky now, is quite dulled to the heat. She watches you with confusion as you then douse your hand with water and, while still wet, place your hand upon her head.

“Oh.” Is all she says as you begin. Steam rises up from her head as the water on your fingers boils away. Despite her hair being made of what feels like stone, it parts easily, allowing you to reach her head underneath. You see your hand growing red, fingers blistering slightly as you perform the duty, but perhaps a minute into it, her color becomes less vibrant, the heat dying down.

You look at her and see tears continuing to stream down her face. When you finish, you remove your hand, the skin blistered and peeling away, though you can barely feel it. Sighing, you coat it in more water and bandage it up without saying anything. It comes to Vesta to say in a soft voice,

“I never thought to experience it firsthand.”

“A headpat?”

“No. Affection.” She pauses, still not moving on the ground. She turns to head to you a few moments later and says, “I can feel the emotions of those in the volcano. I can feel their hopes, their fears, their love, and their tears. I can feel it all, but I could never understand it.”

“And?” You ask.

“It was nice.” She whispers. “Dollora help me but it was nice.”

Valeria drags herself over to two of you and sits down with a thud. She sighs and rubs at her forehead as she looks down at the other Monster. She speaks, her voice better thanks to the other potion, “So you get it now, do you? Dollora didn’t curse us with these feelings and they don’t make you weak. It was a harsh lesson my cousin had to learn, but you thank the Gods that Rommel was kind enough to spare you. I wouldn’t have.”

Vesta turns to you and, surprisingly, smiles. “Is that so?” She raises a hand to cover her face. “What do I now?”

“I don’t know.” You say honestly as you pick yourself up. You wobble slightly as you do, but you’re able to keep balance. “That’s between you and the Gods.”

“As if they’d speak with me.” She whispers.

“Dollora, at least, cares for all her children.”

Vesta goes quiet that that, merely laying there and weeping. Valeria turns to you as you walk toward the side of the temple and sit back, aching everywhere, just wanting a nap. At least it feels cooler, though it may be due to potions more than anything. Your hand itches abominably, but you refrain from scratching it, at least for the moment. As you sit there, you let your eyes slowly drift closed, just for a moment and-

{Rommel?} Erwin sends.

You start awake in surprise, having forgotten about the others for a moment. Shaking yourself, you send back, {Erwin! Are you alright?}

{I should ask that of you! But Tabitha kept saying she knew you’d be fine and everything so we kept on going… anyway, what happened?}

{We subdued her. She’s still alive but I can’t… I just…}

{I understand. I’d normally let you rest but… we need your help down here.}

{If it’s fighting, I’m out of juice.}

You feel as if he’s mentally shaking his head as he replies, {No, it’s not that. Maya thinks we found a chamber, but it’s locked tight and we can’t get it open. We were hoping your magic could-?}

{Alright just… come meet me. And bring Tabitha, I’m going to need some help walking.}

{You got it.}

With a groan, you push yourself up from the stonework and look to Valeria. You must not have been out for long because neither have moved very much. Vesta still lays there while Valeria sits next to her, sighing.

“I’m going inside. Keep an eye on her and if she does anything strange, kill her.”

“After what I said would happen, you’ll still do it?”

“Of course.” You say to Vesta before heading inside.

>>404004

The stairs are rather steep and frankly you almost fall more than once before Tabitha reaches you. Instead of helping you along like a good wife, she immediately presses you to the floor and gives you a very deep kiss, one you have no strength to fight against. As soon as her very warm (partially due to her body heat from the ambient temperature) embrace is finished, she excuses herself and helps you up, much to Erwin’s, who stood by the entire time, amusement.

The walls of the temple feel a little warm to you, which must mean they’re very hot. The lava outside hasn’t seemed to seep into here thanks to its construction, but it’s heating up around the place, turning it into an oven of sorts. Without the enchanted clothes, you doubt the others could have made it down here.

As you tell Tabitha about your adventure, you look at carvings on the walls depicting what you believe is Sveth as well as what can only be Vesta. You frown at their adoration of her, never knowing truly who she was nor she of them. Perhaps they thought her merely some spirit, which explains why Sveth is more prominent. To them, the Gods were quiet real while the volcano, a mystery.

Eventually you reach a chamber with empty pedestals with a large, circular door at the end seal tight. The rest of your party is standing there, doing their best to cool off as you enter. As you do they all run up to greet you and welcome your return. You give them reassuring smiles and give a run down, though when you look into Veronica’s eyes she merely nods her head as if expecting the outcome.

“Alright, well, we need to confirm if this is what we’re looking for.” Bardam says, pointing at the door.

You take a deep breath and open your [Mage Sight]. On the other side of the door is what you’d sensed beforehand, a strong, magical energy pulling your attention inward. It seems to resonate with you, trying to draw you toward it.

The door in front of it is not magically attuned, however, merely wedged in place by millenia of disuse. With extreme effort, you’re able to use a little of your magic to budge it aside while the others push it open fully. As it rolls aside stale wind reaches you noise and you cough as you behold the contents.

A small room greets you where upon a pedestal stands. Atop it is a large, triangular piece of stone not cut into any particular shape. The moment you lay eyes on it, you drop to your knees, knowing without a shadow of a doubt what this is.

[The Heart of the Crags].

“Rommel, hey, are you alright?” Tabitha asks, kneeling down next to you.

“It’s the heart…” You whisper. “I can feel Sveth’s touch on this.”

>>404005

Your wife looks up at the crystal and says, “So, we found it after all…” She nods to Bardam and the two pick you up before helping walk you over to it. Veronica had already entered and looks over the artifact. She reaches out a hand and pauses before shaking her head and turning to you.

“You’re closest to him. It was your work that got us here. It’s your right to speak with this God.”

She closes her eyes, places her hand on her breast, and smirks as she says “I have my own, after all.”

Nodding slowly, you turn to the crystal and reach out with a shaky hand. A soft, gentle warmth pervades the artifact, much different from the pervasive heat all around you. Steeling yourself, you touch the crystal.

Nothing happens.

You blink in surprise and then dread as you whisper, “No… Oh Gods, no, we can’t have been wrong… can we?”

Tabitha grips your arm and gives you a nod of reassurance, though you see the concern in her eyes as well. Both of you turn back to the crystal, still devoid of anything happening. Closing your eyes and feeling the weight of it all upon you, you kneel down, both hands clasping the artifact on it’s perch.

“Sveth… why? We went through all this effort, all the suffering here and for what? To be denied?”

You can’t help yourself as tears begin to trickle down your cheeks. You’ve had enough today, been forced to expend too much magic, been worn down by the environment, and have had to battle with your own ethical dilemmas. Adding this too the mix is too much. Too heavy, like the weight of the earth is crushing down upon you.

Strong hands wrap around you as Tabitha pulls you into an embrace. She leans her head down against yours and strokes you head while saying in a soft voice, “It will be alright. We’ll find another way. We won’t give up without a fight.”

{Nor should you.}

You look up suddenly at the voice that booms in your head. Everyone else does the same, looking around while drawing weapons. No threat is present however, adding to the confusion. It takes you a moment before you look over at the artifact and gasp as you see a rough-hewn, clean shaven, masculine face before you, a face you had seen once before.

{No one should ever give up until the last.} He squints his piercing eyes as if studying your expression before speaking again, his voice as rough as a mountain. {It is the child who once pretended to be me. How have you found this relic and what do you wish of me?}

>What do you do?

>>404006

Welp, the keep her alive crew won out in the end.

Yes, Galatea would have died very quickly after her if you killed her. Yes, you can still choose to kill her if you wish. But you'll probably have to think of something to do with her now that you've subdued her.

More on topic, is this is real Sveth? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.

Open your eyes, look to the stone, and seeeeeee

Anyway what are you going to say to him?

>>404006

Pretty much we just need to tell him what we know and ask for his assistance in the matter. Ask why Phallia would try this now, Out of all these years. Mentioning how she damn near killed us personally back in Ectria, So he's aware she has already broken Solo's rules.

Try to be as respectful as possible while also not being an insufferable kiss ass who drops his spaghetti everywhere. Also would probably be prudent to apologize for impersonating him, Saying we were just trying to avoid needless bloodshed at the time.

I'd like to get hisAce's opinion on how we should handle the Vestra situation. I get she isn't really his domain anymore but I'm sure he could give us some solid advice. We should also thank him for allowing Ebe to use his guitar and hope she is living up to his expectations.

Also ask him How big is Phalia's secret futa cock

>>404006

"By studying ancient texts that spoke of your worshipers from before the day of the great transformation. As for what I want? I believe it's no secret that the world around us is beginning to shift. For the first time in millennia, the terrible rift between the races of monster and men, born from aeons of strife and wars is slowly starting to heal. The old, savage ways of slavery are slowly coming to an end. But while most of the world and it's people celebrate and embrace the peace and love that was so hard fought, with so many sacrifices put forth to reach this state, others scorn it and are scheming in the shadows.

I don't think this has escaped your attention either, as you command the very earth that all living things stand upon. If it was a mere plot conceived by mortals, we wouldn't be wasting your precious time, but the enemy who opposes us stands so far above us that our only hope is to ask for aid and guidance from others of equal or even greater status.

She has been covering her tracks well, but the one responsible for these plots in the past twenty years is no other than Phalia, the goddess of plants.

Sveth! Lord of the Mountains! I ask thee for but one thing! The knowledge we need to oppose her! Tell us Sveth! The very fate of this land, nay the world depends on your answer!"

How big is Phalia's secret futa cock?

>>404028

>not being an insufferable kiss ass who drops his spaghetti everywhere

>drops his spaghetti everywhere

>implying we wont inadvertently empty our pockets and spill our eastern theatre pasta noodles everywhere all over the floor

>>404007

As for what to do with Vesta. First inquire the range of her abilities. Will leaving the mountain hamper her? If not, will it make the mountain spontaneously erupt if she leaves for a while? If not, are the elementals required to be within a certain range of her to function? If the answers to all of the above questions are a no, then we take her with us back to the meetup place along with with Valeria to wave our dick around in front of GW and Tobias about our smashing success in not only contacting Sveth, but also recruiting powerful allies.

If at least one of the questions has a yes answer, then we leave her in the reach to perform community service and undergo a rehabilitation proccess in the care of a Hospitalier psychiatrist. All the elementals should be freed from their mental blocks and gently integrated into the local community lead by Galatea.

More importantly however, Valeria should be paid a king's ransom in gold and everything else she wants, as well as a promise of a personal favor. She literally and figurativelly hard carried our ass throughout the whole endeavour and had we not invited her, then our party would have gotten grievously injured, or possibly even completely wiped out.

Not only that, she did so with minimal snark and naught a word of protest, regardless of how suicidal and insane our actions and suggestions looked like, or how we basically descended into the fourth circle of hell and forced her to fight an elder fire spirit, receiving severe injury that left her scarred in the proccess. This broke so many of her employment contract regulations as a mine worker, that it's not even funny. This goes beyond loyalty and dedication to her employer, considering how she is not even a local and we hardly know her.

Give her every single fucking benefit our influence can get, from free drinks in every bar in the city for life, to a seat on the city council. Ask her if she would like to continue to help us in our quest and if she declines, don't push the matter. She already did a lot more then she ever should have.

And last but not least. In fact, even more important than above. Go to a hot springs resort with ONLY. Keyword. ONLY with Tabitha. That means no Erwin. No Galatea. Not even our rocks. ONLY. TABITHA. The local volcanic activity should logically produce something like that.

Drink fine wine. Spar. Bathe. Massage each other and heal in preparation of the second act. Maybe have a filler episode with a low stakes midboss tier villain like a danuki poisoning the spring water to buy the land for a pittance.

>>403939

>>403944

Ah, the conundrums and paradoxes of the internet. Tzeentch would be proud.

>>404007

Before we talk, ask him how secure this communication is, especially from other gods. Sveth is a straight shooter, and so are we, so answer him like it. Offer him only minor pleasantries, as too much will come off as flowery, tell him how we found his relic (research by Patricia and suffering by us). Then, we tell him our mother lode of information about all of Phallia’s machinations that we know about, beginning with Ectria, and then telling him about Tobias’s (I’m assuming we got a debriefing on that), and about the other, smaller things she’s done.

Then we get to the most important part: why should he care? For this, the most obvious answer is that if he follows Solos’s mandate to interfere as little as possible, Phallia’s violation will make him unhappy. But besides this, there is another issue, that of his daughters. What will happen to monster kind if their goddess, their creator, disappears? Will they regress, or lose their passion for life, or simply die? We don’t know, and neither does he. And even if he decides to pick up the loose end of his daughters, what about all the other monsters? The wurms are quite dumb, as even he should realize, and without any more intelligent sisters to look out for them, they’ll be all on their own, and vulnerable.

Another way to communicate this would be to go full rock autist, and compare it to the variety of rocks in the world, and ask “How would it be if only granite existed?”. Where would the beauty be, in such a world, that has lost so much of it, all due to the cock-mongering of one futa (we probably shouldn’t say this, as Rommel is our most serious character, and we’re talking to a god). After we communicate this to him, we need to figure out what we want him to do. Telling Solos would work, but then it would be his word vs hers, though I suppose Solos is good at determining the truth. So, do we want him to tell Solos immediately, or wait for other gods to come forward as well? I don’t see why going forward immediately is all that bad, as even if it is a his word vs her word affair, there is still ample evidence of Phallia’s crimes littering the world (remains of plant abominations/infected people), to back him up. Can anyone think of a reason to ask him to wait for Filios and Heavensferth?

Finally, Valeria IS getting a good husbando when we finish this story. She’s gotten her throat slit, back burned, and been forced to fly through lava. The time for her to meet a nice, deep, sensitive goldsmith looking to move to the Reach to get to the new supply of gold is nigh. And of course Tabitha and us will get a nice, relaxing night, preferably after a back massage from her to fix our back (palms work just as well as fingers, her claws won’t get in the way).