Sune's Solution (D&D/MGE)
- Thread starter Erien
- Start date
- Mature Fantasy
- Location
- Ohio
So, there was a comment in this YouTube short where someone mentions a paladin character he played once. He became a paladin by accident when he used the wording of the Oath of Devotion as his wedding vow. I'd love for at least one of the woman who marries Baerun to do something similar, whether it be on accident or on purpose.
DB_Explorer
Purveyor of alternate realities.
- Location
- San Diego, California
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Ignis obviously
Baddie: Who are you a paladin for?!
Ignis: Hubby!
Baerun: *facepalms*
Sune: *cackles*
So, like a modified Oath of the Crown?
DB_Explorer
Purveyor of alternate realities.
- Location
- San Diego, California
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Oath of the Thirst : p
2.4 - Confessions, Concern, and Cats
Erien
God's Weakest Soldier
- Location
- Georgia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMvMu1sNT6k
[You grab her arm]
… Things will change.
Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!
—
It was instinct, that's how you would describe it if anyone was ever to ask you why you reached up a hand to grasp your squire by the arm. But in that moment, that second, you didn't want her to leave your presence. Of course, you knew what you wanted to say, but your body was moving faster than your brain could ever possibly hope to catch up. Much less your emotions. Fuyao was… an interesting woman.
A friend to be sure, and the best one you had ever had. She had come into your own only relatively recently. Before then there had been others, people, men and women that you had traveled with for a year's time or less. Usually on assignment for a quest of some sort, or you had needed others for specific skills, a wizard, a burglar, that sort of thing. But they had been all temporary. Fuyao, meanwhile, had pledged herself to your service in perpetuity, she had done it out of a need for a balance of honor, and since then she had become someone you relied upon, and genuinely adored the company of. She was not the most beautiful, and you were not ashamed to say that, you knew beauty more than most. But there was more to a person than just the physical. Fuyao was short, she was not curvaceous, and, indeed, you had lost her in a crowd more than once.
But she had a strength of will and an iron drive that you found amazing, and her character of honesty and stalwart service caused her to shine more than even the finest jewels in Lord Neverember's collection. Of course, that was something you had appreciated but had never thought of in a romantic light, but now?
Fuyao looks down at you in surprise and shock, a visage rarely seen on her.
"I don't know if I love you Fuyao, but I am very fond of you, and I am certainly not against the idea of getting closer to you as a man and a woman might. Beyond our relationship as a squire and their master."
Fuyao stares at you, then her cheeks begin to burn a frankly adorable bright red. "I… um… boss, you uh… sure? I'm your squire and I'm not particular-"
You were not interested in whatever disparaging comment she had to make, instead you pulled her against you, wrapping one arm around her upper back, the other moving to rest upon the back of her head. It was not a kiss, that was something you believed should be saved. But it was a message of intent nevertheless. She smelled of sweat and strange herbs, a mixture you could not call pleasing. She was fidgety, clearly uncomfortable, and her hands didn't quite seem to know what to do. It was all very Fuyao, and you enjoyed all of it equally.
Fuyao coughs a moment later, and you let your squire pull herself back, she was still sitting on your legs, but she was no longer wrapped up in your embrace. She was red all the way to her ears, and her hands were in her lap fidgeting, not quite sure if they wanted to tap against her knees, each other, or just clutch together. Then she smiles, a goofy, uncontrolled smile she fought only for a moment before moving a hand to cover her mouth and look away. "Well… I'll… talk to you about it later, I guess. I mean, I… well, I've thought about this before boss, and I have some plans, but… well, you are okay with the whole courting thing and everything?"
"While I have still no plans about what I shall do about the more… exotic members of our group, including one who seems to firmly believe I am betrothed to her…" Indeed, that was something you were still having to figure out, especially after that talk with Brynhild. "My requirement has been someone I actually knew, not some damsel or lord flinging themselves at me. And I know you Fuyao, though I would like to know more. I just wasn't aware you were interested before now."
"Of course you didn't…" Fuyao sighs, dropping the hand and looking back. The smile was still present, but far smaller. She seemed… content.
"I am wise, but not necessarily clever." You reply.
Fuyao snorts. "Knew that already. Had feelings for you ever since you rescued me at that caravan boss."
You are actually somewhat surprised by that, considering how chaotic that whole affair was. "That far back?"
Fuyao gives you a look that would castrate a lesser man. "A knight upon a white steed coming over the hills to rescue a group in distress? What is a girl supposed to do other than that boss?"
Pushing herself up, Fuyao smiles down at you once more before looking towards the empty clearing. "I'm gonna… go make sure Ignis isn't setting fire to anything, we'll… talk later about all this boss. Thanks."
Then without another word she leaves.
…
You've never seen Fuyao with a skip to her step before.
It's rather adorable.
—
You were leaning against the tree once more, thinking. Despite your reputation of charging headlong into danger to protect and serve, you did in fact do that from time to time. Though you hardly let people know, having the reputation of a bold hero did have its perks. And, traditionally, bold heroes didn't think very much. Still, you were attempting to recall that day, the day you saved Fuyao from that attack of minotaurs. It was a foggy memory for you, many were, even as close as a mere five years prior. You had always remained so busy, always traveling, always adventuring. You had saved so many, yet there was always more. The details got lost to you over time.
It was not something you particularly enjoyed. The many faces becoming blurs, the events becoming muddled. You had been busy, some would say too busy. But if not you, then who else? You had been given gifts few others had, and if you didn't use them to your utmost then could your life be said to be spent wisely? If you tarry, would an innocent person die? If you rested, would evil thrive?
You push the thought away, instead refocusing on your squire. She was sat in the middle of the clearing, her armor removed. She stood over a large iron pot she kept attached to the backpack, idly stirring some form of soup. She was also raising the ladle she was using for stirring repeatedly in order to keep Ignis away from the food. The Salamander kept leaning over the pot, curiosity writ large on her features, every other minute or so the ladle would rise up and tap her on the forehead, causing the Salamander to lean back with a pout and clean the mess from her face. Not far away, currently laying out the large cloth to serve as a placemat that Fuyao also carried around was Brynhild, the bicorn grinning from ear to ear. She seemed very pleased, and you chose, deliberately, not to think about why.
Then, with a sigh, you turn your attention back to the woman sleeping at your feet. She looks far less… you wouldn't say hostile. She never registered as that, she never registered as evil either. If she had she would have been dead from the moment you met her. But she had an air of maliciousness in the shop, in appearance at the very least. Her words were tinged with confusion and regret. A clash of cultures that had gone very, very wrong. Just how odd were the humans in her world that such a thing would have been considered normal?
Her ears twitched in her sleep, and you find yourself staring at her for a few moments. You were not pleased with Fuyao's decision, you understood it, but you did not agree with it. There would still be further discussion regarding that, but for now you would let it lie. Especially since you still had a task to perform. Opening one of the bags around your waist, you pull out a small vial no larger than your thumb. Removing the small stopper from atop it, you lean down, and hold it just shy of Miki's nose.
The effect is immediate, loud, and violent.
"N-Nya!?"
She moved quickly, you'll give her that. The merchant leaped up from the ground, arms and legs poised beneath her, hit the earth, then scampered up the tree and to the lowest limb that would support her weight. Her hair was all over the place, her red eyes were wide and glaring down at you, her nostrils were flaring… and her dress had fallen down from the sudden movements to the point where you could see everything above her waist.
You politely looked away. "You may wish to cover yourself."
A rustling of fabric sounds out, followed by a hiss, and you look back to see her still glaring at you, though now she was fully covered once more.
She bares her teeth. "We were talking and you attacked me!"
"That would be my squire, actually." You correct. "She has since been reprimanded and I healed your wound myself."
Miki moves a hand to her head, rubbing the spot where she had been hit. A look of confusion comes onto her face as she feels not even a welt there, then she lowers it to look at you. Then to the village beyond. She squints, then her eyes wide. "My shop!?"
"I removed it from existence so that the villagers wouldn't start a manhunt for you. They would be… quite incensed once they returned to sobriety."
"My…" Miki begins.
You cut her off before she can begin to worry about her possessions. Untethering another bag from your waist, you toss it up. Deft claws snatch it out of the air, and Miki is now glaring at you quite intently. "If you believe mere coin can be recompense for the damage…"
"Of course not, now open the bag."
Miki looks at you in suspicion, then loosens the string around the edge and peers inside… and inside, and then she shoves her head into it. She pulls her head back out a few seconds later, ears flicking atop her head, confusion on her face. "It's bigger on the inside?"
"Yes."
"It has everything in my shop including my desk."
"Indeed it does."
The cat looks down at it, then at you. This process repeats thrice before. "An illusion?"
"Magic, though of what sort I couldn't honestly tell you. I retrieved all of your possessions that were in that shop, you are free to keep the bag and do what you wish. Though I would humbly but sternly request that you do not brainwash anymore villages, lest I be forced to take more drastic action." You gesture towards the village you had just left. "I removed the effects of your potion from their minds, and they will likely be quite upset with you should they see you. So I would suggest not heading in that direction. You are, however, more than welcome to join me and my companions for lunch."
Miki looks towards the clearing, her tail swishing around her. Then she looks back, "do you plan to make up for the fact you destroyed my shop?"
"I can provide gold for the cost you obtained the building, beyond that, I do not."
"You destroyed my shop."
"And in so doing I saved your life, though you are free to argue that with my squire, or the villagers should you so wish." You offer. "Were that you had done only slightly more I would have slain you."
Her ears lilt, as does her tail. "... Lunch?"
"That, I have already offered and would be happy to provide."
—
"I could beat you in a fight," Ignis says, you think sagely. As she looks down at Miki. The merchant sat upon the same cloth the rest of you were, having been given a bowl full of soup by Fuyao, the only interaction the two of them had had since she sat down. Fuyao, it seems, was rather insulted by her being at the 'table' given the looks your squire was giving you, but, to her credit, she hadn't said anything.
"Of that I would be certain," Miki says politely. "I would not deign to fight you brave warrior."
Ignis grins, leaning back once more. "That's right, I am extremely brave."
"Oh, incredibly so," Miki continues. "And so well toned as well, you must train very diligently."
"Three times a day!" Ignis says with a grin.
You have to contain a small smile as you see the direction this conversation is going.
"Would you be interested in some supplements that make you irresistible?"
"Nah, don't have any money, besides, don't need any help in that regard." Ignis says heartily, her flaming tail wapping against the ground and causing embers to shoot up.
"... Ah." Miki says. "Well, I do certainly hope you'll use my services in the future." Then the cat turns to look at you. "Where are you traveling?"
"North, to Baldur's Gate." You reply. "I am attempting to find the source of your species' arrival into this world. Do you recall anything by chance?"
Miki thinks for a moment, then shakes her head. "I was in Never-, in bed. Then when I awoke I was laying in a field a few dozen miles away. I've been traveling and peddling my wares ever since. I did have several of my possessions laid about me when I arrived."
"Things you… weren't sleeping with at the time?" you ask.
Miki nods.
"I wasn't wearing my weapon or armor," Ignis comments. "I was taking a bath at my waterfall when I found myself standing in that mountain range fully clothed and with my weapon."
… That both informs you of some things, and adds to the mystery. Whatever was bringing them here wanted them prepared, but why?
Your thoughts are interrupted however.
"I'm coming with you," Miki says, then takes another spoonful of soup.
Brynhild gains a grin that goes from ear to ear, her hands clapping together happily. You ignore it, focusing instead entirely on Miki. "Might I ask why?"
"Nowhere else to go," Miki replies. "And you owe me for destroying my shop."
"I have no means of transporting yo-"
"Oh, that's perfectly fine sir. I can carry two people, she can certainly sit behind you." Brynhild says with a smile.
…
"Are you certain?" you ask, looking at Miki.
The cat nods, "I have heard Baldur's Gate has plenty of merchants!"
"That it does," you admit. "Then we shall be continuing our journey in an hour."
In the meantime however, you were thinking about the other tasks you had to perform.
—
Before you leave.
[] [You attempt to clear the confusion with Ignis]
[] [You attempted to discern more about Miki]
[] [You questioned Brynhild about her… apparent plotting]
[] [Write-in]
—
Relationship Stats___
Fuyao : 9/10
Ignis : 4/10
Brynhild : 6/10
Ilias : -4/10
Miki : 1/10
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- Location
- USA
[x] [You attempt to clear the confusion with Ignis]
- Location
- Texas
Silly Fuyao, take it and run with it!
Well, she's kinda got a point there. I bet his armor was shining bright at the time too.
The idea of using smelling salts on a cat sounds a bit cruel. Poor kitty.
That's... genuinely impressive, it must have been a pain to finagle a desk through the 2 food diameter hole of a bag of holding.
Wait... wait. Akashi, is that you, you scam cat?
It also kinda rules the idea of it being a natural or inadvertent phenomenon, though I guess it still could be with just some intelligence attempting to mitigate things a bit.
Brynhild is just having the BEST day, living her best life, watching her chosen man pick up girls.
[X] [You questioned Brynhild about her… apparent plotting]
Brynhild is having a good time, let's make it better by talking to her!
Nottheunmaker
Altman be praised
- Location
- USG Ishimura
We did know that the Monsters Girls weren't just snatched because of what Ilias told Bearen. Knowing that it's grabbing their stuff and giving it too them more indicates the level of understanding whatever is doing this has, which is to say it understands how mortals use tools and weapons. We're still very unclear on it's goals, why it's doing this and how a grab-bag of monster girls and hell monsters helps. All we really know is that's it's powerful, what with being able to reach into Wonderland and grab fallen gods.
[X] [You attempted to discern more about Miki]
Strangely, this is less me wanting to know more about the cat, and more a very lacking desire to hang with Ignis and Brynhild. Ignis is just kinda a headache right now and Brynhild's fine.
- Location
- Texas
[X] [You questioned Brynhild about her… apparent plotting]
Yeah, we need to have some words with her about all of this mind fuckery. If we're wringing the cats' tail about her stuff then we should hold our centaur companion to the same level of scrutiny.
Yeah, we need to have some words with her about all of this mind fuckery. If we're wringing the cats' tail about her stuff then we should hold our centaur companion to the same level of scrutiny.
Zeroth Jupi
Sporadic Writer and Haver of Ideas
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- He/She/They
[X] [You questioned Brynhild about her… apparent plotting]
- Location
- Newer England
[X] [You attempted to discern more about Miki]
This seems like the safest option? If Miki's going to be sticking around it's probably best to find out who she is beyond "wandering drug dealer". More importantly, we do need to handle Ignis but I expect that to turn into at least an attempted fight and Baeran explicitly didn't want to have a duel with Ignis here earlier. To be fair that actually has me half convinced it might be a good idea to do it now if that means Ignis is already primed with the assumption it's not fighting time right now, but the convo is still going to figuratively or literally blow up so I'd prefer waiting till evening to let her sleep on it instead of triggering it in the middle of a traveling day where she'd be stuck either trudging along with the group after that bombshell or immediately leaving the party entirely. Meanwhile the last conversation with Brynhild was explictly committing to talking with Ignis. No horse time allowed until the lizard is handled.
This seems like the safest option? If Miki's going to be sticking around it's probably best to find out who she is beyond "wandering drug dealer". More importantly, we do need to handle Ignis but I expect that to turn into at least an attempted fight and Baeran explicitly didn't want to have a duel with Ignis here earlier. To be fair that actually has me half convinced it might be a good idea to do it now if that means Ignis is already primed with the assumption it's not fighting time right now, but the convo is still going to figuratively or literally blow up so I'd prefer waiting till evening to let her sleep on it instead of triggering it in the middle of a traveling day where she'd be stuck either trudging along with the group after that bombshell or immediately leaving the party entirely. Meanwhile the last conversation with Brynhild was explictly committing to talking with Ignis. No horse time allowed until the lizard is handled.
Erien
God's Weakest Soldier
- Location
- Georgia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] [You questioned Brynhild about her… apparent plotting]
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] [You questioned Brynhild about her… apparent plotting]
[X] [You questioned Brynhild about her… apparent plotting]
[X] [You attempt to clear the confusion with Ignis]
[X] [You attempt to clear the confusion with Ignis]
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[X] [You attempt to clear the confusion with Ignis]
chellewalker
President of the Water Seeker Fan Club
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] [You questioned Brynhild about her… apparent plotting]