Eternal_0bserver
(Unverified Bookworm)
- Location
- Earth, Northern Europe
[X] Ask Cadre 1F if they have any questions for you to answer or anything they want to know about you.
Chosen by the Dragon God
- Thread starter Chandagnac
- Start date
- Original
- Location
- World
- Pronouns
- They/Them
When I first started reading The Tinpot Princess, I didn't expect Mishrak to play such a huge role in the story; guy didn't make much of an impression in Hedge Maze quest, after all. But things like him taking Elys out on a world travel trip for her birthday made me glad he did!
Ismar and Windskil are names that feel like the salt & spray.
Dictators send their kid away to prestigious boarding school so enemies can't harm them. If her parents weren't benevolent, it'd be a funny situation.
How the hell do they mistake an 11-year-old for a 15/16-year one?? bleh
They really tried shutting her in the stables all day? Damn, I'll miss having the dragonling round out Elys's coterie into a proper trio, but wow does that not sound pleasant.
Well... A portal does mean things go through, so why am I surprised by this dramatic turn of events?
How precious! How delicate! I want to get my own grubby fingers on them.
Elys?!
Adore the evocativeness of the worldbuilding here, Dawnlands and Land of Roots and all. Also, Nevill solved the puzzle FAST. I thought it might be a substitution cipher, but I didn't think it would be this passage.
Hahaha, I love her! <3
Ohhhh, ohoho, is this crossing over with The School of Sorcery now? I've only read the beginning parts of that quest, but that's exciting! A proper fantasy franchise at this point!
Absolutely charming to see her dismay and other emotions inflect the exposition.
Elys is a quick thinker! This is the kind of thing you can sense in a social interaction but which few authors take the time to detail.
Since I'm naturally pretty stoic, I do the same thing, too. Otherwise everybody thinks I'm mad or disappointed or sad or whatever
Hm, I guess her skill is part of why students overestimate her age?
You can tell she's been through some situations, the way she immediately evaluates and reacts to things.
Uhhhhh. What's been going on in their quest...? These wizard schools are liabilities.
This, and the fact that he paused to dust himself off when he got freaking stabbed, goes to show how impressive the characters seem to think Elys is, hah.
Okay, I guess Elys does look older than her age suggests? Maybe it's the nutrition/good childhood she had, leading to taller stature, faster development, etc.
I LOVE HER!!! She's darling and so damn cool here, ahhhh!
Yeah, you're in a pile of shit now, aren't you. The twins blissfully in each other's embrace, lol.
What a glib guy. Knows when to skedaddle, and how not to anger the powerful.
I can just imagine the kids watching the whole fight from behind her aegis, slightly starry-eyed. Elys kinda has a habit for being the big damn hero to other kids, eh? She sets the pace
No kidding, the way she's casually speaking about her professor's death and monsters in mirrors and unfathomable uncles.
oh god, my sides
can i just say, how much of a fucking riot jana is
It reminds me of the Madoka & Homura situation. The things Hedgy accomplished, that shaped them into who they are, won't be the same set of circumstances anymore. What will they turn out to be like, having not had years of personhood that Madoka at least had? How will Kaerina interact with them, being the mentor this time around?
The sound-sense of these names is sick. Tondemonai Zhordra is like a battlecry and a drumbeat. What inspiration did you pull from, Chandagnac?
Ohhhh. Yeah. Yeah. Be still, my heart.
This is the dorkiest Elys moment yet
It's been years since I read the other stories in the Hedgeverse (well, haven't finished School of Sorcery), so the lore's not fresh in my head, but I like extrapolating from low context anyway. Hedgeverse holds a special place among SV's quests; I don't think I've seen a better original fantasy world here. Looking forward to what comes next! tempted to pen an omake
- Pronouns
- She/Them
this setting and these stories deserve all the attention. the world is a treasure. its just makes u go like alot
alot
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Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
I think Mishrak appears in only one chapter of A Hedge Maze Is You, but was memorable enough that my readers voted for him to appear again in The Tinpot Princess and Her Many Travels (TTPaHMT).
A minor running joke in TTPaHMT was that Gareth and Yslena were basically dictatorial rulers of Ismar and Windskil, even if they were benevolent about it.
Also, because Mishrak made her his Chosen, her growth and development has been boosted by his divine power. She's very tall for her age. By the time she's finished growing, she'll be strikingly statuesque.
The Dawnlands are in the far east. The Sunset Lands (also known as 'Chamdara' or 'the Western Continent') are in the far west. The Dark Ocean lies between them.
The Elder Gods created the Dawnlands first; they created the Sunset Lands last of all and were still tinkering with them by the time the War in Heaven broke out.
Yes, the first arc of this quest crossed over with the final arc of School of Sorcery (SoS). Several times, I basically just described the same events from different points of view, with only minor variations. By then, I don't think many people bothered to read both this and SoS.
Heh. Thank you very much.
That's the reaction I was going for, yeah.
I originally created the names of the Demon Lords (Zhordros, Mamnioch, Agravash) for a tabletop RPG campaign setting, but I decided to jazz them up and show different versions of the same names to represent the fact that there are many different cultures and languages in this world I've created. So, Zhordros was given the name 'Tondemonai Zhordra' in the Western Continent, Mamnioch is called 'Imryl Mamnioch' in the Southern Continent, and 'Agor-Ravaash' is supposed to come from the same root as 'Avraash' (i.e. 'the ruined land').
Mamnioch is supposed to be reminiscent of 'Mammon'
Tondemonai obviously has the word 'demon' in the middle of it
I can't remember where 'Agravash' originally came from, but I suspect it may have had something to do with Trigun's Vash the Stampede.
Like I've said before, I wanted to make this quest somewhat understandable for people who haven't read my earlier works, but I'm not sure how well I've succeeded at that.
Anyway, thanks again for your lovely, detailed commentary! I hope you'll keep reading!
Just like real life. That's how I've always thought of it.this setting and these stories deserve all the attention. the world is a treasure. its just makes u go like
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The Dinner Party (Part Three)
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
All right, let's get this show on the road.
*
The Dinner Party (Part Three)
"Still, we've talked for long enough about problems and plans for the future," you say, smiling embarrassedly and then rolling your shoulders as if to shrug it off. "Although I know some of your darkest secrets, I don't feel like I know any of you very well. Not really. Will you tell me about yourselves?"
"What would you like to know?" asks Dorian.
"What are your interests?" you ask. "What do you like to do for fun?"
There is a pause. It appears that Dorian is considering what to tell you. "I read. I tend my garden. I'm a keen alchemist," he says, after a few moments. "Professor Kunrath has allowed me to join his third-year class already. And sometimes I play Bladderwrack."
"Don't be so modest!" cries Philander. "We're one of the best teams in our year group!"
"What is Bladderwrack?" you ask. "I'm assuming you're not referring to the seaweed, right?"
Philander turns to you, looking disbelieving. "You don't know what Bladderwrack is? Don't you have it in Quellonia?"
You shake your head.
"I'm so sorry," says Philander in a tone of mock-horror and sympathy. "I had no idea you were so deprived."
He goes on to describe Bladderwrack, his favourite game, which seems to involve two teams of mages using their various abilities to move a ball around, past each other, and into one of the goals on either side of the playing area.
"Only into the opposing team's goal," he hastens to clarify, when he realises that you had not grasped that point. "Otherwise, you'd be scoring points for your opponents – and you wouldn't want that!"
"Obviously not," you say, gazing bemusedly at him. If you took his word for it, you would believe that Bladderwrack was one of the greatest things the human race had ever invented. His teammates are less enthused, but that hasn't prevented them from joining him for at least a couple of games every month since they began their first term at the Tyrepheum Academy of the Magical Arts.
"I also like to tend my garden," says Isolia, who seems eager to change the subject. "I'm not so keen on reading, but…" She sighs. "It's something I have to do to succeed at school. No choice about it."
"Do any of you like to swim?" asks Catharne, looking up from her latest bowl of custard and apple tart; she has continued to eat steadily, even while the rest of you have been absorbed in your conversations. "Swimming is one of my favourite things to do!"
"No. I don't know how to swim," Venta admits.
The other members of Cadre 1F agree with her: none of them know how to swim.
"The river through Tyrepheum is fairly polluted," says Philander, by way of explanation. "No one wants to be swimming in someone else's…" He glances at Catharne, seemingly remembers that you've told him she was only seven years old, and hastily bowdlerizes what he was going to say: "Um, waste matter. If you know what I mean."
"Yuck!" Catharne wrinkles her nose and puts down her spoon. "Put me off my food, why don't you?"
"I'm sure you'll survive," you tell her, thinking of the vast quantities she's already eaten. "It's not as if you're undernourished – far from it!"
"Nevertheless," your cousin says crossly. Then, as she picks up her spoon again, another thought occurs to her: "I could teach you how to swim! Or Elys could. She looks like a mermaid when she gets wet."
Out of the corner of your eye, you can see Philander making a frantic effort to restrain himself.
"When I'm doused in water, I can shapeshift into an aquatic creature with webbed hands and feet," you explain.
"Uhh… yes, that's exactly what I thought!" cries Phil, nodding vigorously.
"So why do you look so relieved?" asks Jana, grinning at him.
There a moment's tense silence before he comes up with an answer: "I'm glad because… she isn't going to drown. You know, if there was an accident," he says, with a nervous glance up at the ceiling.
Jana gives him an approving nod. "Good one."
"You've no need to worry," you assure him. "Mishrak's palace was built by one of the elder gods and is protected by many potent spells. It has stood firm for more than seven thousand years and I have no doubt that it will continue to do so for many more."
"That's a relief," says Dorian, moving to stand by Philander. "It's a wonderful place, but… knowing that it's at the bottom of the ocean, under so much water…" He shakes his head worriedly. "I can't help feeling nervous about that."
"Next time, we can meet up somewhere else," you promise him. "Truinon, maybe?"
"Where's that?" asks Isolia.
"It's the capital of Rivayne," Jana informs her. "One of the many nations that make up Greater Quellonia."
"Oh." Isolia looks thoughtful. "I don't know much about geography."
"It's never too late to learn," says Jana. She gives Isolia a crooked smile. "I don't know anything about portal magic myself, but… with Elys's help, I'll show you the world."
"That sounds lovely," says Isolia. The ghost of a smile haunts her lips, just for a moment, and then vanishes. "But remember what I said, all right?"
"Sure," says Jana, with a nod. "I won't forget."
Later, you ask her, "So, what did Isolia say? I assume it was when you asked her out, right?"
A contemplative expression settles uneasily on Jana's face. "She seemed flattered and said that she'd like to go on a date with me… but not right now. Not while there are so many problems and dangers swirling all around her and her friends. Life is too complicated right now, she said."
"So, she didn't turn you down," you say, trying to encourage her. "And that gives us yet another reason to solve all of their problems."
"Yeah. I just hope she was being honest with me," says Jana. "Not like Mel."
"I don't see why she'd lie to you. Unlike Mel, she felt confident enough to be able to say 'not right now, but maybe later', didn't she? Why wouldn't she just say 'no' if she didn't want to date you?"
Jana gives a small, apprehensive shrug. "I dunno."
"Don't worry about it," you say, putting an arm around her. "It'll work out, in the end, I'm sure."
"Thanks, Elys," she says, hugging you tightly.
That's the end of another in-game month. As usual, the Aspiti Warscore increases by 1. Also, because they have hired the infamous Battalion of Torment, led by the fearsome Everrarc Ninefingers (who claims to be the Chosen of Lothol), they gain an additional 3 Warscore. They now have a total of 21 Warscore.
What do you want Elys to do next month? (Choose one)
[] Go to Mishrak's undersea palace and spend time meeting various representatives of the different groups that make up the Coalition. (+Warscore?)
-[] Ask Sildar and Jorantul how they're getting on.
-[] Meet some of the Wranni.
--[] Be pleasantly surprised to see an old friend.
-[] Talk to some of the Deep Ones.
-[] Meet Red Ruin and a few of the orcs.
[] Join Sildar and Jorantul in one of their attempts to defend the Rivayni coastline from Aspiti slave raiders. (+Warscore)
-[] Fly around protecting innocent civilians while the Chosen of Mawroth do all the fighting.
[] Join Gareth and Yslena in trying to sort out what's going on with the Rivayni royal family, demon cultists, and the upcoming trial.
-[] Rescue them from a difficult situation.
[] Jana is worried about her mother.
-[] Go with her to Truinon and spend some time with her mother, Moraine.
[] DIPLOMACY TRAINING: Elys will attempt to convince the Kelwe clan to join Mishrak's coalition (+Warscore?)
-[] She will be thoroughly briefed on how to approach the Kelwe clan and what to say to them.
--[] Then she will travel to Vashiira and go to the Kelwe clan compound.
---[] Elys will try to persuade the Kelwe clan's chieftain that they should join in the war against Aspitolm.
[] DIPLOMACY TRAINING: Elys's mother, Yslena was once a member of a knightly order known as 'the Sisterhood of the Iron Orchid'. She believes that they might be willing to join Mishrak's coalition. (+Warscore?)
-[] Elys will be thoroughly briefed on how to approach the Sisterhood and what to say to them.
--[] Then, she will visit the city of Epiny and go to their headquarters.
---[] Elys will try to persuade the Sisterhood's leaders that joining the war against Aspitolm is the right thing to do.
[] Go to Norrange and meet her grandfather, Count Lymond Sayce. (+Warscore?)
-[] Visit her uncle, Elward, and his wife, Raene.
--[] Visit her cousin, Jesric.
[] Finish reading Kelamon Dumar's How to Enter the Underworld.
[] Ask Raef how you can free Green Flame from the magical bonds that keep her as a slave.
---[] Attempt to free her, maybe? (Warning: this will be extremely difficult and potentially dangerous)
[] Bring Dorian's father to the undersea palace.
-[] Mishrak will attempt to cure his supposedly incurable disease.
[] Invite Philander to the undersea palace.
--[] Get Bellona to examine his soul and the curses that bind him.
[] Go to Lyones. Visit the headquarters of the Dream Knights.
-[] Tell them what is going on in Tyrepheum.
--[] Convince them to help.
[] Get Raef to open a portal to Dharta Thennir.
-[] Speak with one of the captains of the Night Blades.
--[] Hire them to protect the goblins of Tyrepheum.
[] Tell Sildar and Jorantul about Humferth Hygmalion.
-[] Convince them that killing him would be the right thing to do.
--[] Transport them (via portal magic) to Tyrepheum.
---[] Keep an eye on them. Try to limit the amount of collateral damage.
[] Go to Tyrepheum and spy on Humferth Hygmalion
-[] What is he up to?
[] Visit the Headmaster of the Tyrepheum Academy, Opernus Prentigold.
-[] Offer to buy Green Flame from him.
[] Go to the Tyrepheum Academy and talk to Jaqari Pruyte, head of the space gonne project.
-[] Ask him what he needs to finish it.
[] Go to the Tyrepheum Academy and find Moroth Noorandiun.
-[] Convince him to tell you everything he knows about the Melphior cultists.
[] Go to the Tyrepheum Academy and find Simony Bulhac.
-[] Convince him to tell you everything he knows about the Melphior cultists.
[] Visit Archironaeus and ask him about…
-[] The Magic Mirror.
-[] Demon cultists at the Tyrepheum Academy.
-[] Green Flame's attempts to learn about portal magic.
-[] Something else (write in).
[] Do something else (write in)*.
*If there's anything I've forgotten to add to this list, that doesn't mean that you can't do it.
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- Pronouns
- Male
I feel like the dinner with carade 1F went well. We came up with a solid game plan to help them in the future and actually learned some things about them probably making Elys seem less like a nosy but helpful busybody.
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- Location
- Earth
Yeah, this did a good job of humanizing Elys to cadre 1f. I also appreciated the references to the various interests of cadre 1F.
Urgh, so many important things to do. I'm tempted to try and delegate the handling of cadre 1f to Jana while Elys runs off to meet Sildar and Jorantul in the undersea palace and then eventually help defend Rivayni's coastline.
But there's also helping Gareth and Yslena with a difficult siutation involving the Rivayni royals and finishing reading how to enter the underworld.
I don't like splitting up Elys and Jana, but it would let Jana and Isolia get to know each other a bit more.
Urgh, so many important things to do. I'm tempted to try and delegate the handling of cadre 1f to Jana while Elys runs off to meet Sildar and Jorantul in the undersea palace and then eventually help defend Rivayni's coastline.
But there's also helping Gareth and Yslena with a difficult siutation involving the Rivayni royals and finishing reading how to enter the underworld.
I don't like splitting up Elys and Jana, but it would let Jana and Isolia get to know each other a bit more.
A nice finish to the dinner.
[X] DIPLOMACY TRAINING: Elys will attempt to convince the Kelwe clan to join Mishrak's coalition (+Warscore?)
-[X] She will be thoroughly briefed on how to approach the Kelwe clan and what to say to them.
--[X] Then she will travel to Vashiira and go to the Kelwe clan compound.
---[X] Elys will try to persuade the Kelwe clan's chieftain that they should join in the war against Aspitolm.
Haha holy cow they're both getting close to 27 Warscore.
Coalition 24 Warscore.
Aspiti 21 Warscore.
If we do both Diplomacy Training missions over the summer, Elys will be able to talk to people better and we may reach 27 Warscore by the time school starts again.
[X] Have Mishrak attempt to heal Dorian's father.
[X] DIPLOMACY TRAINING: Elys will attempt to convince the Kelwe clan to join Mishrak's coalition (+Warscore?)
-[X] She will be thoroughly briefed on how to approach the Kelwe clan and what to say to them.
--[X] Then she will travel to Vashiira and go to the Kelwe clan compound.
---[X] Elys will try to persuade the Kelwe clan's chieftain that they should join in the war against Aspitolm.
Haha holy cow they're both getting close to 27 Warscore.
Coalition 24 Warscore.
Aspiti 21 Warscore.
If we do both Diplomacy Training missions over the summer, Elys will be able to talk to people better and we may reach 27 Warscore by the time school starts again.
[X] Have Mishrak attempt to heal Dorian's father.
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Awe :'( So cute!
Also yeah that seemed to go well but ah so many option ><
Hmm, this for now but I could be convinced into something else:
[X] DIPLOMACY TRAINING: Elys will attempt to convince the Kelwe clan to join Mishrak's coalition (+Warscore?)
-[X] She will be thoroughly briefed on how to approach the Kelwe clan and what to say to them.
--[X] Then she will travel to Vashiira and go to the Kelwe clan compound.
---[X] Elys will try to persuade the Kelwe clan's chieftain that they should join in the war against Aspitolm.
Arrrgh... as usual, choosing between all these options is agonizing.
Not voting for
[] DIPLOMACY TRAINING: Elys will attempt to convince the Kelwe clan to join Mishrak's coalition (+Warscore?)
-[] She will be thoroughly briefed on how to approach the Kelwe clan and what to say to them.
--[] Then she will travel to Vashiira and go to the Kelwe clan compound.
---[] Elys will try to persuade the Kelwe clan's chieftain that they should join in the war against Aspitolm.
actually, though it would be one of my runner up choices and I will be fine if it got picked. Instead, going for:
[X] Join Sildar and Jorantul in one of their attempts to defend the Rivayni coastline from Aspiti slave raiders. (+Warscore)
-[X] Fly around protecting innocent civilians while the Chosen of Mawroth do all the fighting.
This choice:
1. Gives guaranteed +Warscore, at a time when we need all the extra Warscore we can get
2. Saves the lives of innocent civilians
3. Gets to know better how Sildar and Jorantul operate in battle, which could be important for future decision making
4. Gives Elys a chance to use her powers, either for practice or just to make sure she hasn't gotten rusty, possibly even including her new portal magic
Oh, one more thing. For the future, a couple of these newer choices seem like they could be very easily combined into one option. For instance, we could have:
[] Bring Dorian's father and Philander to the undersea palace.
-[] Mishrak will attempt to cure Dorian's father's supposedly incurable disease.
-[] Get Bellona to examine Philander's soul and the curses that bind him.
[] Go to the Tyrepheum Academy and find Moroth Noorandiun and Simony Bulhac.
-[] Convince them to tell you everything they know about the Melphior cultists.
Not voting for
[] DIPLOMACY TRAINING: Elys will attempt to convince the Kelwe clan to join Mishrak's coalition (+Warscore?)
-[] She will be thoroughly briefed on how to approach the Kelwe clan and what to say to them.
--[] Then she will travel to Vashiira and go to the Kelwe clan compound.
---[] Elys will try to persuade the Kelwe clan's chieftain that they should join in the war against Aspitolm.
actually, though it would be one of my runner up choices and I will be fine if it got picked. Instead, going for:
[X] Join Sildar and Jorantul in one of their attempts to defend the Rivayni coastline from Aspiti slave raiders. (+Warscore)
-[X] Fly around protecting innocent civilians while the Chosen of Mawroth do all the fighting.
This choice:
1. Gives guaranteed +Warscore, at a time when we need all the extra Warscore we can get
2. Saves the lives of innocent civilians
3. Gets to know better how Sildar and Jorantul operate in battle, which could be important for future decision making
4. Gives Elys a chance to use her powers, either for practice or just to make sure she hasn't gotten rusty, possibly even including her new portal magic
Oh, one more thing. For the future, a couple of these newer choices seem like they could be very easily combined into one option. For instance, we could have:
[] Bring Dorian's father and Philander to the undersea palace.
-[] Mishrak will attempt to cure Dorian's father's supposedly incurable disease.
-[] Get Bellona to examine Philander's soul and the curses that bind him.
[] Go to the Tyrepheum Academy and find Moroth Noorandiun and Simony Bulhac.
-[] Convince them to tell you everything they know about the Melphior cultists.
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Flashkannon
Aqua Iconographer
- Location
- TM 91
I believe we have the full trio again, now that Catharne has perfected her shapeshifting!
Also welcome!!!
"Fun... I hadn't quite considered that. Do I do things for fun? Here are some of the things I do, at least."
Heheh, Phil is having a time of it tonight.
Jana is going to give him a heart attack with one of those teases, one day.
Good luck, Jana. I do wish we weren't saddled to one action a month... there's so many non Warscore ones that I yearn to do, but the action economy is against us.
[x] DIPLOMACY TRAINING: Elys's mother, Yslena was once a member of a knightly order known as 'the Sisterhood of the Iron Orchid'. She believes that they might be willing to join Mishrak's coalition. (+Warscore?)
-[x] Elys will be thoroughly briefed on how to approach the Sisterhood and what to say to them.
--[x] Then, she will visit the city of Epiny and go to their headquarters.
---[x] Elys will try to persuade the Sisterhood's leaders that joining the war against Aspitolm is the right thing to do.
I wish we could talk to Raef too... we are still having Portal lessons with her, right? If we promise to be really good and not vote for anything that'd extend that too long, could that be like a... side-along vote? A B-roll activity, since it's summer and School isn't taking up as much time?
Eternal_0bserver
(Unverified Bookworm)
- Location
- Earth, Northern Europe
[X] Join Sildar and Jorantul in one of their attempts to defend the Rivayni coastline from Aspiti slave raiders. (+Warscore)
-[X] Fly around protecting innocent civilians while the Chosen of Mawroth do all the fighting.
-[X] Fly around protecting innocent civilians while the Chosen of Mawroth do all the fighting.
- Pronouns
- Male
[X] DIPLOMACY TRAINING: Elys will attempt to convince the Kelwe clan to join Mishrak's coalition (+Warscore?)
-[X] She will be thoroughly briefed on how to approach the Kelwe clan and what to say to them.
--[X] Then she will travel to Vashiira and go to the Kelwe clan compound.
---[X] Elys will try to persuade the Kelwe clan's chieftain that they should join in the war against Aspitolm.
-[X] She will be thoroughly briefed on how to approach the Kelwe clan and what to say to them.
--[X] Then she will travel to Vashiira and go to the Kelwe clan compound.
---[X] Elys will try to persuade the Kelwe clan's chieftain that they should join in the war against Aspitolm.
- Location
- Earth
[X] DIPLOMACY TRAINING: Elys will attempt to convince the Kelwe clan to join Mishrak's coalition (+Warscore?)
-[X] She will be thoroughly briefed on how to approach the Kelwe clan and what to say to them.
--[X] Then she will travel to Vashiira and go to the Kelwe clan compound.
---[X] Elys will try to persuade the Kelwe clan's chieftain that they should join in the war against Aspitolm.
[X] Have Mishrak attempt to heal Dorian's father.
-[X] She will be thoroughly briefed on how to approach the Kelwe clan and what to say to them.
--[X] Then she will travel to Vashiira and go to the Kelwe clan compound.
---[X] Elys will try to persuade the Kelwe clan's chieftain that they should join in the war against Aspitolm.
[X] Have Mishrak attempt to heal Dorian's father.
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Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
What would you want her to do with them?
Indeed. The war is not yet coming to an end, or even the beginning of the end, but it seems to be coming to the end of the beginning.
The Diplomacy Training options will give you Warscore so long as you succeed in convincing the Kelwe clan or the Sisterhood of the Iron Orchid to join in the war.
I'll leave that up to you. The 'Do something else (write in)' vote option exists for a reason.
There's a reason why I didn't combine those: Simony and Moroth don't associate with each other, so it might take some time for you to find them both.
Yup. Elys's first year at the Engelram Academy is now over. Shapeshifted!Catharne will be joining as a first-year student at the beginning of the next academic year.
Well, it's taken more than fifty updates for Elys to age a single year. If I didn't restrict the number of actions you were allowed to take, she'd never ever have a chance to grow up. (Technically, it hasn't been a full twelve in-game months since the beginning of this quest yet.)
Possibly. What do you want to talk to Raef about?
Here's the vote tally so far:
So far, 'DIPLOMACY TRAINING: Elys will attempt to convince the Kelwe clan to join Mishrak's coalition' is in the lead. But I'm going to leave the vote open for a while longer, just in case anyone else would like to vote.
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- Location
- Earth
I considered asking Jana to handle bringing Cadre 1f and Dorian's father to either Mishrak or Bellona, as appropriate, while Elys did her diplomacy training.
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
All right, since Elys's summer holiday has just begun, I'll allow it, this once.
Choose one 'minor' action from this list:
[] Have a brief conversation with Raef. (Write in: about what?)
OR
[] Have Mishrak attempt to heal Dorian's father.
OR
[] Have Bellona examine Philander's soul and the curses that bind him.
These actions will take place while Elys is (mostly) busy with something else. You can still vote for her 'main' action next month as well, if you want. See the list above.
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Eh, considering we go to Sambia only rarely, I'd say it still saves time to do all the information gathering stuff on Melphior cultists at once. Simony, Moroth, and anyone else in the area who might know something.
Anyway, for the minor action:
[X] Have Mishrak attempt to heal Dorian's father.
Flashkannon
Aqua Iconographer
- Location
- TM 91
Why, Green Flame, of course! Specifically, her previous plans to free her. That's a good, good start to freeing her. However... I must concede that the matter of Phil's soul comes before GF's freedom, if only because it means the lives of several who are close to the chopping block. I am sure she'd agree, if asked.
[x] Have Bellona examine Philander's soul and the curses that bind him.
All of them are minor actions that have major consequences... I know Dorian's dad is also not doing especially well, but I hope he can hold out for a bit.
That is... totally fair, though. I just hope none of the NPCs who we love very much are put off by the delays...
Eternal_0bserver
(Unverified Bookworm)
- Location
- Earth, Northern Europe
[X] Have Bellona examine Philander's soul and the curses that bind him.
Diplomatic Matters (Part One)
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Well, you may still get your chance.
*
Diplomatic Matters (Part One)
When you tell your parents about your recent visits to Tyrepheum and your conversation with Headmaster Prentigold, they are concerned.Diplomatic Matters (Part One)
"Please be careful, Elys," says your mother, shifting uncomfortably; she looks like she wants to settle into a combat stance, as if by force of arms she could fight off anything that might threaten you. "It doesn't sound like he's a very nice man."
"That's an understatement." Your father chuckles. "Still, your mother's right: I'm sure Prentigold could be extremely dangerous and – as you've said – he's linked to the Mystic Path, who are even worse. I hope you'll keep Raef close to you whenever you visit the Sambian Empire, just in case you need to make a quick getaway."
"He didn't come with me when I went to see the headmaster," you admit. "That's probably because he was worried that Prentigold would recognise him somehow."
Most of the time, when Raef is teaching you about portal magic, he wears the form of a scholarly old man, which is why you tend to use male pronouns to refer to him. However, while Raef is shapeshifted into a female form, she prefers to think of herself as female. His or her gender is fluid; it changes to fit whatever role he or she is playing at any particular time. Whereas Samaya always thinks of herself as a woman, even when she shapeshifts into the form of a man. You find that quite fascinating, but – even though you've seen her with Raef on a couple of occasions since you first met them a few months ago – you've so far refrained from asking about it. You worry that it might be rude to ask personal questions like that.
"Are you listening to me, Elys?" asks your father, looking worriedly at you. It occurs to you that he must have said something else before that, but you missed it because you were too wrapped up in what you were thinking about.
"I'm sorry," you apologize meekly. "It's just… There are so many things I need to do!"
"Is there anything we can do to help?" asks your mother.
You take a deep breath and consider the question carefully. "Jana said that Prentigold was running rings around me and that it was painful to watch. I want to be better than that. The next time I have a meeting like that, with anyone, I want to be better prepared. I want to be persuasive, to be convincing – and not to be manipulated."
"It'll come with experience," says your mother, consolingly. Then, she looks thoughtful and continues, "Perhaps we can help you get some experience."
"What do you mean by that?" asks your father.
"I would like to visit some of my old friends from the Sisterhood of the Iron Orchid. I am sure that I could convince them – at least a few of them – to join the coalition against Aspitolm. But we've been so busy with Prince Kristan's trial…"
"How is that going, by the way?" you ask, as her voice trails off into silence.
"I am quite sure that he will be found 'not guilty'," says your mother, speaking in a tense voice that you don't find particularly convincing.
"So… are you suggesting that Elys could visit the Sisterhood of the Iron Orchid on your behalf?" asks your father, making an effort to reroute the subject back onto its original course.
"Why not? It'll be an opportunity to get some practical experience in a safe environment." She gazes directly at you and says, "My old friends will treat you well and listen to what you have to say. I hope you will be able to persuade them, but even if you don't they will do you no harm. What do you think?"
"It sounds like a good idea, mom," you say, giving her a nod.
"Alternatively…" Your father folds his arms, looks up at the ceiling – there are some interesting paintings of fishy elves and seashells up there, you notice – and frowns. "The Wranni have taken heavy casualties in our recent battles against the Aspitis. Not so many that they're thinking of dropping out of the war, but enough that they're in need of reinforcements. There are a lot of them who are merely injured; given enough time, they'll recover. For now, they're stretched thin, which is why they asked me to play diplomat for them. I said no because I knew I'd be too busy with the trial. But maybe they'd be willing to accept Elys instead."
"Why did they want you to 'play diplomat for them'?" you ask.
"They wanted to invite one of the other Wranni clans – the Kelwe – to join the coalition," your father explains. "Most of the Kelwe are merchants, trading back and forth across the Sea of Squalls between Vashiira and the Avanni Empire, so they don't have a reputation for being great warriors like some of the other clans. Still, they're wealthy, their ships tend to be well-armed, and they have no love for the Aspitis."
"Why does it matter that they're wealthy?" you ask, curiously. "Surely Mishrak has more than enough money to buy whatever supplies the coalition needs?"
"Well… yes and no." Your father's frown deepens. "Mishrak has plenty of money, but sometimes it's difficult to know where to buy the things we need or how to transport them back here – or get them to wherever they're needed. The Kelwe could help with that, I'm sure."
"So, you want me to visit the Sisterhood of the Iron Orchid," you surmise, looking at your mother. "And you want me to visit the Kelwe." You turn to your father. "Why can't I do both?"
"I don't see any reason why you can't do both," says your mother. "If you're keen to get as much experience as possible, you probably should do both. But I don't rush into anything. Take some time to prepare."
"I'll visit the Kelwe clan first," you decide. "The Wranni need reinforcements as soon as possible."
"Good choice," says your father.
"It's probably for the best," your mother agrees. "It would be good to have the Sisterhood of the Iron Orchid on our side, but they're better suited to fighting on land. At this stage of the war, while most of the battles are taking place at sea, the Kelwe will probably be more useful."
"If he agrees to have you act as a diplomat on his behalf – and I don't see why he wouldn't – I'll introduce you to Gelfavar Wolfshadow, the Wranni warchief," says your father. "He'll tell you what you need to know before you can approach the Kelwe."
"When?" you ask.
"Tomorrow. It's too late tonight," he says.
"All right." You nod. "Tomorrow."
In the morning, while your parents are busy elsewhere, you visit the hospital for victims of the Sea Ghouls, where Bellona is hard at work. There seem to be fewer comatose bodies here than there were before; you hope that means some of her patients have recovered, not that they have died.
"Do you have time to talk, Belle?" you ask.
She looks up from her notebook, gives you a faint smile, and says, "Certainly, Elys. What do you want to talk about?"
"A friend of mine – his name's Phil – is under a curse that was put there by his father. I think it has something to do with his soul," you say. "I was hoping that you might be able to help him."
You go on to explain everything you know about Philander's condition, his siblings, his evil father and the deal he made with the Demon Lord Achamat, the fact that his surname keeps changing, and so on.
Belle is silent for a long time after you've finished speaking, long enough that it makes you nervous. You start to babble questions at her like, "What do you think? Can you help?"
"I'll try," she says at last. "Can you bring him to me?"
"I think so," you say. You will need Raef's help to travel to Tyrepheum and back; although your abilities have greatly improved, you still can't open a portal to somewhere more than a couple of miles away without his aid. "In a couple of days, maybe?"
"Very well," she says. "Do you need anything else?"
"No, thank you," you reply.
The next time you see Raef, you explain the situation to him. "And that's why I need to go to Tyrepheum," you say.
"Your friends won't be in school right now," he points out. "They have almost exactly the same summer holidays you do."
"Isolia and Green Flame don't have anywhere else to go," you say. "And I'm sure Philander would rather stay in school than go home to his evil father."
"Judging by what you've told me, I very much doubt his father will allow that."
"Well… let's talk to Green Flame," you say. "I'm sure she can tell us where to find her students."
Obligingly, Raef shapeshifts into the form of a young girl, about the same age as you, dressed in wizard robes and looking like she might be a pupil at the Tyrepheum Academy of the Magical Arts.
"Can't we just teleport straight into her office?" you ask.
"I'd prefer not to. I could very easily open a portal to the wrong room by accident." She gives you an appraising glance. "You should know by now that, when it comes to portal magic, the tiniest mistakes can have a disastrous effect."
You sigh. "Oh, all right. I suppose I'd better get changed into my robes."
Later, after you have travelled to Tyrepheum, sneaked through the Academy's grounds and entered the main building, you head upstairs to Green Flame's office. When you knock on the door, she opens it and doesn't look surprised to see you. Or maybe that's just because her face is as inscrutable as ever.
"Isolia stayed here at the Academy while the others went home to their families," she confirms.
"Do you think I could talk to Philander?" you ask. "Is he being allowed outside at all?"
"No," says Green Flame. "His father is angry with him. He is being punished."
While I was writing this chapter, I realised that getting hold of Philander would be more difficult during the holidays than while he's at school. Sorry if anyone feels like I've misled you about that.
What will Elys do next? (Choose one)
[] Ask Green Flame to guide her to Philander's father's crumbling mansion.
-[] Attempt to rescue Philander from where he is being kept locked up.
[] Ask Green Flame to guide her to Dorian's house.
-[] Introduce herself to Dorian's family.
--[] Offer to take Dorian's father to be healed by Mishrak.
[] "Hey, maybe Mishrak should practice a few more times before attempting anything as difficult as trying to heal Dorian's father?"
-[] Persuade Mishrak to de-age her mother.
--[] Persuade her mother to go through with it.
[] Decide to back off, for now.
-[] Head back to the undersea palace and meet with Gelfavar Wolfshadow, the Wranni warchief.
OR
-[] Spend some time talking to Raef.
--[] Ask about her plans to free Green Flame from slavery.
[] Do something else (write in).
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Hmm. Does this mean that we might not have access to Phil until school starts again?
I feel like going to the home of a demon-worshipping crime lord right after her parents asked her to be more careful would be a bad idea, especially since she hasn't gone through the diplomacy training yet. I don't think he'll budge.
[X] Ask Green Flame to guide her to Dorian's house.
-[X] Introduce herself to Dorian's family.
--[X] Offer to take Dorian's father to be healed by Mishrak.
I feel like going to the home of a demon-worshipping crime lord right after her parents asked her to be more careful would be a bad idea, especially since she hasn't gone through the diplomacy training yet. I don't think he'll budge.
[X] Ask Green Flame to guide her to Dorian's house.
-[X] Introduce herself to Dorian's family.
--[X] Offer to take Dorian's father to be healed by Mishrak.
- Pronouns
- Male
I get that magically Elys is "packing heat" but I'd still like her to get some more real life experience before we send her into a demon cultists house.
[X] Ask Green Flame to guide her to Dorian's house.
-[X] Introduce herself to Dorian's family.
--[X] Offer to take Dorian's father to be healed by Mishrak.
[X] Ask Green Flame to guide her to Dorian's house.
-[X] Introduce herself to Dorian's family.
--[X] Offer to take Dorian's father to be healed by Mishrak.
Haha, was wondering when and if that dude would show up at some point! Will be good to finally find out what that dude's deal was, after... how many years has it been? Hedgy never asked him, since there was so much higher priority stuff to deal with all over the place. Funny how Gelfavar is now getting second billing after Gareth and Yslena, but maybe after the war he'll still get to be the governor of Aspitolm (or perhaps, the island formerly known as Aspitolm?), just like with Roylott Flawse for Flotsam.
Anyway, agreeing with Indivisible on this; for now, I don't think we are quite ready to directly oppose Cinna. Elys is strong, but not quite "beat up the entire demon cultist mafia" strong. At least, not yet. Diplomacy training at the very least should come first, so we don't have to fight our way out of everything every time the plan inevitably falls apart. Sorry, Philander. On the other hand, congratulations, Dorian!
[X] Ask Green Flame to guide her to Dorian's house.
-[X] Introduce herself to Dorian's family.
--[X] Offer to take Dorian's father to be healed by Mishrak.
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