LonelyWorlds 2024/02/22(Thu)14:07 No. 1084178 ID: 0d1c28
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Castle Crym has become a lonely place
It's been that way for a long time.

Three weeks have passed since the fifth acolyte was lost.
second acolyte has fallen deadly ill.
The mistress has left with her favored attendants.

The first acolyte no longer numbers among them.
So instead he manages the castle, he trains the next acolyte, he defends his lord and lady's treasures.

He searches for the dead traitor.
Diavola Channeler.

He does all this from his personal chambers.
He names it "research".

LonelyWorlds 2024/02/22(Thu)14:09 No. 1084181 ID: 0d1c28
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his research however is disturbed.
Music echoes through out the halls.
The morose singing of some accursed minstrel

This can't be.
Music is forbidden in Castle Crym and has not graced it's halls in ten years.

yet music now there is.

Yeah, somehow I doubt she's dead.
Get dressed and be prepared to critique minstrels with extreme prejudice.

>>1084178
Music? For the first time in years? Let's do some dancing while we go to investigate

Also, who are the five acolytes?

Alright, let's consider what we're in for.

A: Some idiot servant forgot the rule or is ignoring it because they don't expect they'll get caught.

In this scenario, another servant would likely call them out on it quickly, not wanting to get in trouble through association, so you'd likely hear the singing come to a stop before you even arrive. It isn't impossible that other servants would stay uninvolved though, perhaps wanting the singer to get in trouble or because they're far-enough away that they feel safe from whatever punishment they'll receive. This is a harmless possibility, as well as the most likely.

B: Someone of greater status than you is present, and they sing because they are above the rules.

In this scenario, you mostly only have to be concerned with presenting yourself well. You'd hate to see Kalez while looking slovenly for example.

C: There is an invader.

This is the least likely option, as the sound of the invader singing would almost never be the FIRST warning you get. There would be alarms, shouting, maybe the sound of fighting. While it is a possibility, it is low enough that we can discard it until all others are proven false.

D: There is a reason for singing that overrules the rule against it.

What, did somebody bring their infant to the castle and could come up with no better way of calming it down? This would fall under A if it were a servant, but what if, for example, singing was necessary to calm a dangerous creature being transported? This may seem like a very niche and unlikely scenario, but consider the circumstances for a moment. It has been ten years since music has graced these halls, and someone has gone out and broken that streak. If ignorance can be ruled out as a suspect, would necessity not be the next most likely possibility? It's hard to know for certain what need for music could present itself, but it would do you well to investigate before issuing a judgment.

With all of this in mind: Perform some quick and simple grooming, and then head out to investigate the source of the music.

Duchess Kalez did refer to Diavola as a minsrel... Head on a swivel, this may an ambush.

Nethar 2024/03/11(Mon)21:51 No. 1086179 ID: 0d1c28
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Nethar reminds himself of his place in his order

he is second only to his High Priestess, Zarcadia Kalez. thought to Terrotha she is Kalez Multero wife of Arch-Duke Midas Multero, she is absent for this reason.
a tournament is being hosted and she is needed to represent her husband, who has fallen ill, or so the story goes...

He is first Acolyte, he is Aebin Nurom Thar, though most know him as Vizier N'Thar or some variation. names have power and it rarely serves to hold only one.
Kalez has left him behind, this is both symbolic and a warning. he has disappointed her in not finding Diavola Channeler she expects him to try harder.

Second Acolyte is Sir Garrin Veraki, he is no longer in Kalez' favor, he acted against her wishes and did battle with forth acolyte. infection and fever wracks his body while healers tend to him in the City of Herrone to the north. If he lives Kalez will likely give him another chance.

Third Acolyte is Oragatt Ruingarth, she works the forge normally but his been given a mission to prove her worth, she has made good progress.

Forth Acolyte is Laterna Rabollo, the most powerful of Kalez' acolytes, the high priestess was very impressed with her restraint in recovering a spy and overcoming second Acolyte's interference. Kalez is keeping her at her side now to imply protentional of higher placement in the hierarchy of the order.

Fifth Acolyte is a recent addition, called "The Hydra" by the few that know of her, she is actually five conjoined sisters; Remia, Mifal, Fason, Solia and Laret officially of house Teedo, they are bastard children of stronger blood and potential, much to the contrast of their predecessor Eeyfel scrounge.
They are the only other acolyte still in Castle Crym, currently in the adjoining chamber still conducting their initial training in-

Nethar 2024/03/11(Mon)21:52 No. 1086180 ID: 0d1c28
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-'that blasted singing' Nethar mutters as his thoughts are interrupted.
Was it the Teedo Sisters chanting the repetitive tune? he didn't think so. The voice was not deep enough, besides the Hydra couldn't carry a tune to save thier lives.

The voice had the spirit of a tavern goer, and only barely anymore talent.

Nethar dressed quickly to be prepared to challenge whatever minstrel graced these halls. Diavolo Channel had been the last minstrel, and this invader would suffer no less.

Be sure to look before you leap. Try and see who is singing while undetected. sneaky sneaky.

>>1086186

Definitely this. If you can identify them before they notice you, you'll have initiative to determine how to respond.

Arm yourself. It is probably Vriolo having finally escaped. Even if it is just some passerby we will need to silence them.

Very kind of her to give the second acolyte another chance since her atrocious communication skills put him into traction to begin with.
Grab some stuffing for your ears, this singing is horrendously loud!

>>1086186
This

Nethar 2024/04/05(Fri)20:48 No. 1088060 ID: 0d1c28
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Nethar thinks about the events that led to the suffering of the second acolyte Garrin. he voices them aloud, to drown out the music

'Kalez had learned that her scribe Xietzu had escaped from the city and was intending to betray secrets to the crown.
She needed to be eliminated immediately, Garrin and Laterna were the closest agents, Kalez worried about sending Laterna into the city and chooses to contact Garrin to bring in Xietzu instead

I however advised caution, for Garrin is a xenophile with a weakness for noble blooded moralist, Xietzu fits his ideal, in addition his prolonged proximity to the princess was straining his faith in our mission. Kalez had promised Garrin the Princess for his loyalty, frustratingly he still wants her approval which he will not get through anything other then deception or betraying Kalez, she could hardly be expected to be complicit in overthrowing her own claim to the throne.

Kalez trusted that Garrin would only deceive the Princess, so she contacts Garrin despite my misgivings, yet still caution guided her hand and she gave him a test of loyalty.
Kalez and I had understood Eeyfel's condition was beyond our power, Garrin was given the same delema yet couldn't come to the same conclusion.
He had failed the test. Garrin was distracted by Eeyfel's illness and repeatedly evaded taking responsibility for Eeyfels fate and instead condemned Kalez.

As I already suggested Garrin was useless for the task, he lacked faith in Kalez lacked faith in the mission, and in no mental condition to deal with a traitor, assuming he could be trusted at all.
I recommended he be removed immediately, Kalez instead favored leaving him to his prior mission bringing the princess here, I suppose one last chance to redeem himself.'

Nethar 2024/04/05(Fri)20:50 No. 1088061 ID: 0d1c28
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'We had no choice but to use Laterna and hope for the best, I suggested to have Laterna bring Xietzu in alive.
She was desperate to prove herself and this would limit violent outburst and might inspire more creative solutions instead

Kalez told her to avoid Garrin if at all possible and that her mission takes priority to his, but should she encounter her superior she is is explicitly instructed to only take new order from Kalez.
Kalez additionally made it clear that Garrin was not an enemy and should not be harmed nor should his escort mission to the princess be interrupted nor interfered with, Laterna seemed to understand.

We did not hear back from Laterna for some time. when we did it was to report that Garrin's stooge Garcio was skulking about making things difficult, Kalez denied permission to remove him, and reiterated that if Garrin interferes to remind him of his loyalties as delicately as possible.

It was Garrin who contacted us next, he had met Laterna and things had not gone well, he was badly injured despite Kalez' orders.
whether he had learned from his mistakes or was just dying of blood-loss he finally seemed pliant to Kalez's orders.

we heard nothing more about the mission for another two days, when Laterna had returned with Xietzu
she gave a long report on her actions, after arriving in Heronne she charmed a few poor laborers to find where Xietzu was staying: The verdant field
This is when she found Garcio watching for suspicious activity. This is when she contacted Kalez'

Nethar 2024/04/05(Fri)20:51 No. 1088062 ID: 0d1c28
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'Garcio left on his own shortly after. Laterna set up a rainstorm to drive most of the remaining witness indoors, to cut down on visibility and mask the sound of most of her spells.
getting Xietzu out of town would be easiest in Laterna's home domain, water, the riverway would be key to this.
Even through the rain the guard houses would notice a floating carriage and would have time to close the Seagate all of them would have to be delt with.

First she disabled the guardhouses at the Seagate mouth to the city, and after she moved to Bellgate.
charming the guards was simple but taxing. and there were too many garrisoned, she was certain that some would return from drinking in the cellar in at most thirty minutes.
she was about to leave when she heard movement, she was shocked that her charm seemed to have failed and just as she was planning some manner of desperate intervention
but instead it was Garrin who would appear.

Garrin ordered her to end the storm, but her plan would fail if she did, she tried reasoning with him he remained stubborn. she tried using her charms to persuade him but he responded with violence. Garrin grabbed at her lure if he damaged her lure she would be crippled, she bit him in self defense, he then fell down a ladder and ran off. Laterna did not see Garrin again.
the rest of the mission went as predicted, save for the surprise assistance of the coachman who turned out to be a servant of mine. the coachman usher Xietzu into the wagon and-'

The Music cuts in and over powers Aebin's thoughts

Nethar 2024/04/05(Fri)20:52 No. 1088063 ID: 0d1c28
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again the music ever pervasive troubles Aebin

he peaks out of his study carefully,
The Hydra is still in his audience chamber reading tomb on basic ether syphoning
Laret seems to have earned her sisters ire yet again.

Ask if she hears that too, and request that they stomp out the source.

...She risked her own mission regarding the princess? Laterna's power once caused a flood. Had that happened here she would have lost Garrin and Reefa plus Xietzu would not be taken alive. Of course the bridge might also be destroyed which would complicate logistics vs the undead if they made a move. Was she the only option to extract xietzu because this was a huge roll of the dice. Surely there were better ways?

Interesting how the hydra is able to concentrate on reading when there is annoying music around here.

Maybe this is no ordinary music

An idea: if the hydra cant hear it and only you can, maybe you should listen to the lyrics. The song might be somehow directed towards only you through some form of magic.

Nethar 2024/04/25(Thu)10:37 No. 1089686 ID: 0d1c28
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Nethar can't bother himself further dwelling on the Heronne incident, ultimately everyone in the city was and still are expendable as far as he's concerned.
Kalez's misguided attachments and fickle goals are meaningless when compared to the dictates of the King of Pentacles.

The dreadful song now that deserves his attention. 'That blasted music, girls doesn't it drive you mad?'

Mifal snaps back first 'Oh definitely! We had to shut Laret up right fast!'

Fason growls 'It was driving us mad, would that we had a more permanent solution for Laret'

'So you don't hear it anymore?'Nethar questions Laret muffles a response but it's unintelligible.

'I still hear echoes sometimes reading is enough to drown it out though'Solia muses

Remia bows her head 'it's hard not to have it stuck in our heads, so annoying, forgive us for disturbing your first acolyte'

Nethar thinks, was it just a tune stuck in his head? a haunting memory? no too unfamiliar too loud, he hears it even know.
he focusses on the words.

... burning....
..... So filled with wrath, so filled..... hate!
such an endless need.... the world great!

It’s possibly a song about Kalez and not one that’d get past the censors. If she can’t hear it, if it’s only you, your mind may be vulnerable right now.

I think whatever song is playing in your head is in Laret's head too. Perhaps she is suffering the same curse you are? she looks like she is suffering, and not just because of getting gagged.

lets remove that pumpkin and question her about her current condition.

maybe the song is the same but her lyrics are different? maybe she is hearing one verse and you are hearing another? if she and you can hear it and not her sisters, this song might be directed only towards certain people for some reason

What exactly did that one head do to make the others want to muzzle it with a……is that a pumpkin?

>>1089702
they said she was singing, and it was annoying them. Whether she is singing because she has the same issue we have is something we need to know.

Nethar 2024/05/13(Mon)09:19 No. 1090841 ID: 0d1c28
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Nethar removes the pumpkin from Larets mouth

Remia Objects 'No don't do that! she'll start-'

She doesn't get a chance to finish as Laret starts screaming a song 'MULTERO BROTHERS OF THE DAMNED, FROM YOUR THRONES SET FIRE TO THE LAND-'

'OH you've done it now!' Fason hisses
'I just finished forgetting this...' Solia whines

Laret continues to belt out off tune lyrics 'WATCH YOUR HATRED EAT EVERYTHING YOU LOVE, BUT IN THE END IT'LL NEVER BE ENOUGH'

'Make it stop' make it stop!' Mifal pleads

Nethar can tell whatever is afflicting him is afflicting Laret much worse.
how does he handle her problem?

A)Enchant Laret into a dreamless sleep to ease her pain.
B)let her sing to gather more information
C)place the pumpkin back
D)leave in search of answers elsewhere, The Hydra can handle themselves.
E)other

>>1090841
Lick Laret

A, if you can incapacitate Laret, the others may be able to help you deal with the source of that noise. If you don't, she may woeld her control to fight against the others on the singer's command.

Put the pumpkin back. Why did you do that?

A or B. I cant decide. On one hand, we might need the info. On the other hand, we might anger the hydra by continuing this singing, resulting in them hurting Laret.

C first. The others can tell him what she is singing. Then he should keep looking for what could be causing this.

A, don't need to give the other sisters a headache. Just ask them the lines of the song she was singing.

Additionally, ask the sisters if Laret also mentioned hearing that singing or did she suddenly just break out into song. Might give us an idea on if this progresses to something worse. Maybe grant the Hydras permission to shut you up if you start breaking out in song uncontrollably.

B makes most sense to me in case more information is revealed.

Lets put the pumpkin back and ask the Hydra how much of the song they remember themselves. If any of the other heads can remember the whole song then we should just put Laret to sleep.

Learning those lyrics might be crucial information, HOWEVER! If N’Thar could already hear the music *while* she had the pumpkin in her mouth, it’s fully possible this song is being spouted forth from other vessels scattered across town, which could be REALLY bad, depending on the contents of the lyrics.

Therefore I would prioritize a plan of C then D, but if you absolutely must know the full song immediately, then >>1090950 seems the way to go about it. C -> A if the remaining sisters can give us the full song themselves The pumpkin still being put in to inquire as to whether they can recall the lyrics, then taken out for B in the event they cannot.

N'Thar 2024/05/22(Wed)10:52 No. 1091575 ID: 0d1c28
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N'thar returns the pumpkin and places a simple charms to sooth Laret into a peaceful sleep
bringing silence back to the chamber.
Solia sighs 'Thank you first acolyte.'
He asks the hydra about the music 'What do you know about the song Laret was singing?'
'It was mostly treasonous talk about the royal family'Remia answers honestly.
Fason growls 'Shouldn't you know? you were pouring over those papers yesterday, the ones Eeyfel found in the streets'
N'thar has only a faded memory of this 'Yes well I seem to have misplaced them'.
Mifal narrows her eyes 'You gave them to Niffle for safe keeping'
The Vizier thinks he remembers this but can't imagine why he would have given them to that scrounging rat.

Hang on a minute, that isn't correct. Didn't you give the parchments to Eeyful? You left to go tell Kalez, and you told her to give them to Midas. She then went on to be attacked by the undead. Is the hydra just misnaming the 'bolds, are both of these actions you took, or is something wrong with your memory of the incident?

There's some foul magic at play, and it seems targeted at your mind. You need to take the threat of this song seriously, and take care of it before you lose touch with reality.

Yeah, something is definitely fishy here. Especially if it’s capable of tampering with so many minds at once. Whatever this song is, it’s trouble.

Does N'thar have any spells which can detect the presence of other spells? If he can, using it to try to find where the song is coming from could be wise.

Probably best to try to find where the song is coming from before it causes permanent brain damage to you and others who is cursed with this song if it's able to mess with your memories.

Considering it is music based, maybe a bard is causing it? Maybe vriolo? are you hearing any instruments along with the singing, like say, a harp?

N'Thar 2024/06/04(Tue)09:30 No. 1092369 ID: 0d1c28
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Vriolo the bard, a strong suspect even before current events. Kalez took him with her to the tournament, She wanted him far from Crym-Z'Garr.
First Acolyte is confident Kalez will take no chances.

N'Thar feels a few fleeting memories drift back, Niffle had some mediocre ability to sing in the local tavern, Midas claimed to need a singer, with Eeyfel having failed her delivery Niffle made an obvious choice.

He casts forth the spell SEEK RELIC to track the parchments, quite likely the source.
N'Thar is guided in the direction of the Duke's tower mostly filled with the gallery, audience chamber and guest rooms.

Go after them! While you do, perhaps a recap on what all spells you know might be prudent.

I agree with both of Himitsu's courses of action.

Go get ‘em!

Now that I think about it, are we absolutely sure that Vriolo isn't around? (I couldn't see any mention of him being moved elsewhere in any previous chapters or the Discussion thread so I'm wondering if the idea that he's in Kalez's custody could be a false memory too.)

N'Thar 2024/06/17(Mon)14:03 No. 1093044 ID: 0d1c28
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N'Thar hears voices ahead. the music seems to have faded away but the whiny chattering is hardly better

'uuuuugh there'sss nothing to do here, we can't play cardss, we can't patrol, we can't even train!'

Serpents fill the entry way to the Gallery
It's Madame Lylene Eshekath speaking, Last knight of Crym.

'It's almost like his grace wants us to die of boredom' she moans

The woman is a complete joke but Kalez finds her amusing.
Tradition dictates that he Arch-Duke is to be guarded by knights at all time so usually she's assigned to this pointless position.

Another Serpent Niole nods 'Indeed, thiss new edict prohibiting drink iss worsst of all!'

Thats a new one N'Thar thinks, another cost cutting measure surely.

Now hang on, you have reasonable cause for suspicion here. A new law just materializes right as the song goes away? The music stopping means whoever was doing that fishy song thing decided the song had done whatever it was supposed to do. Did it somehow plant weird memories throughout the castle? This could be really really bad. It could also be nothing at all, but it’s worth investigating cuz you could be in massive trouble if things are allowed to take their course. Who KNOWS how the people’s minds have been altered?

Are all these guards normally assigned to this post? Why aren't they patrolling?
It's not befitting your station to share goss with the guards, but if her grace has forbidden consumption while on station, then they should spend it soberly guarding rather than kvetching!
(Ironic given the titlecard?)

I'd assume the lack of drink is due to everyone having been drugged to allow the prison break awhile back. Keep using the spell to find what you need but it probably leads to just normal items we own as this is a gallery place.

>>1093046
Yeah this is pretty suspicious

N'Thar 2024/07/03(Wed)15:40 No. 1093735 ID: 0d1c28
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>>1092371
N'Thar considers his magic as he waits for the clearly blind underlings to notice him

N'thar's Magic(listed are his lower and moderate powered spells, each spell can be cast once per day)

Spell power 1:
-Golden Mirage (create an illusion of treasure)
-Dust cloud (stir up blinding cover)
-Preserve (keeps an object fresh and clean)
-Stash (hide an item in a safe place)
-Soothing Sleep (sooth an individual to rest) SPENT
-Sap health (steals life force and gives it to you)
-Alarm ( a magical sensor that sounds loudly if disturbed)

Spell power 2:
-Mirror form (blind foes and repel magic)
-Slave (forces the weak willed to obey orders)
-Golden key (unlocking spell)
-Trap maker (Casts with another spell to create a delayed reaction)
-Guardian Weapon (enchants a weapon to protect and attack)

Spell power 3:
-Magical circle (allows casting of more powerful ritual magic)
-Seek Relic (guides you in the direction of an object) SPENT
-Crystal barrage ( batter foes with thousand of razor sharp crystals)
-Spell Steal (take a target's spell)

Spell power 4: Ritual magic power 1
-Curse Treasure (Cause treasure to mark those not permitted for punishment)
-Remove curse (cleanse weaker curses)
-Searing sand (a powerful burning spray able to repel numerous foes)

'Oh! Lord Vizier! how long havve you been sstanding there?'Lylene finally takes note'Isss there ssomething we can help you with?'

Too bad you don't have Golden Beer Mirage, or you could see what happens when violation of this so-called edict occurs.

I'd suggest setting up a magical circle, but your most powerful arsenal might not work as well as a subtle approach. If this is a curse, it certainly is not a weaker curse, and you have no particular treasure location you need to defend with curses or searing sand.

Probably just best to continue on in search of the parchments. You can't be letting that seek relic spell go to waste.

>>1093735
Ask Lylene how she got her special underwear from mommy.

Wait, wrong thread. Ask her about the edict. Not just what it is, but who gave it, how it came about. If it's a result of this mind-altering song rather than any actual law, grilling her about specifics might raise her suspicion and get her working with us against the songmaster.

We should tease her about her underwear if we can justify it though. It'll be funny

I'd say finding the parchment first and then asking about the edict makes sense (I don't know how long the Seek Relic spell will last so making the most of that seems logical).

Agree with >>1093763
Especially on the undies teasing. Not sure how it’d be justifiable but I DEFINITELY wanna see it.

N'Thar 2024/07/28(Sun)11:42 No. 1094863 ID: 0d1c28
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the Seek Relic charm points towards Midas' chamber within the gallery, it seems likely the first acolyte that the parchments are in the Arch-Duke's possession.

however before N'Thar moves foreward he is curious about this strange edict. he addresses Niole, What is this edict you speak of? last I checked I was responsible for new laws in the duchess absence.

Niole begins'Well you ssee his grace-' Lylene interrupts 'Sssorry sssir but I'm in charge actually and that edict isss on a need to know bassssisss' she hisses

N'Thar is not impressed 'I'll acknowledge your authority "Champ " when your appointments are relevant and not merely presents from your mother to make you feel valuable in the same way as the trophies you wear under your clothes.'

Lylene huffs 'H-hey! are you making light of me?'

Niole 'Lord Vizier with all due ressspect this came from the Arch-Duke himself, hisss grace told usss sstrictly to not drink any alcohol, sssaid it would be dangerousss with the magic in the air'

Did you have any alcohol recently sometime before the singing happened?

Wait, how did N’Thar know about the trophies under her clothes? Scandalous!

Well that makes sense after the last drinking time. Really drive home that you're making fun of Lylene by using Slave on her. Then make her do a little snakey dance out of her armor to show the undergarments you speak of to the others.

Since when is the archduke in a condition to give orders?

>>1094868
Hey now, we shouldn't waste that too early. What if there's someone else who deserves greater teasing. We can probably find some excuse to make her strip without magic anyways. It's Lylene, she's a pushover.

>>1094869
Something is definitely up. We need to see the archduke, or whoever is giving orders in his name.

>>1094907 Legit question here. Who said this was the archduke's orders? Figuring that out gives us a lead. What's wrong with investigating? Either it's legit and we get lauded for Opsec or it's fake and we uncover enemies.

I agree that trying to see the Arch-Duke ASAP is a good idea to check that he actually gave that edict.

N'Thar 2024/08/30(Fri)12:35 No. 1096705 ID: 0d1c28
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N'Thar is pretty sure both himself and Laret have partaken of wine.
could this decree have some connection to the song?
he needs to know more'Who said this was the archduke's orders? did he tell you in person? did you see him?'

Niole flushes 'welll no, Niffle told us '

Of course! N'Thar remembers, he had tasked Niffle with delivering the paper to the Duke.
did Midas really relay this order through Niffle?
'didn't that strike you as odd? since when is the archduke in a condition to give orders?'

I ssupposse ssince now?Niole guesses

Niole apparently knows nothing.
Does N'thar go in to see Archduke Midas? or is something else that needs to be done first?

Looks like Niffle's fiddling with people's brains.

I wonder if it's connected to Niffle specifically or if the rat's weakened everybody's will. We could try giving a few orders to the snakes ourselves, see if they budge.

~~And I'm always up for a chance to strip Lylene~~

I think he should go and see Midas while asking someone else to find Niffle so they can be questioned about what's going on.

N'Thar 2024/09/24(Tue)19:46 No. 1097781 ID: 0d1c28
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N'Thar decides to test if the serpents will has been compromised'Lylene, remove your clothes'

Lylene flushes 'W-whaat?'

N'Thar nods satisfied 'Testing to see if you accept every command without thought'

'Hey! I'm not that dumb!'Lylene objects

Nothing to learn here, first acolyte continues inward to the gallery proper.

* * *

N'Thar enters the old planning room, like everything in the "Gallery" all surfaces are covered with a thin layer of gold, these days it's only used for testing the [POLISH] spell.

To the left is Midas' resting chamber.
To the right is the art vault.
Ahead is the Exhibition Hall, N'Thar can hear voices within

>>1097781
Going to resist the urge to go see the exhibitionism in the exhibition hall and check on Midas's resting chamber first. Unless we can glean some information about what's happening in the hall by listening more closely

Head to the resting chamber. We should see if Midas is in fact awake enough to give orders. That would be a problem.

before you leave, inspect the pictures on the walls, they're nice, but I think each pic tells a story of some sort, especially the one in front of us. Give us the lore!

Try listening in to se what the conversation is about first in case they're somehow connected to the odd things which are happening.

N'Thar 2024/10/06(Sun)09:00 No. 1098303 ID: 0d1c28
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The Vizier looks up at the engraving.
it focuses on the founding of Terrotha, Multero Prisma second prince to the emperor, second to found a new kingdom. Multero offered coin, magic and power to the kobolds who once held this land, of course it wasn't long before the kobolds to squandered their gifts and the coin, magic and power belonged to Multero again. Kalez claims there's a lesson to this, but she never specified.
N'Thar can imagine a few.

N'Thar listens to the voices
a squeaky voice seems to be pleading '...I can't! it would be treason!'

Eavesdrop!

yes, Eavesdrop. We might catch some information

Eavesdrop the hell out of that conversation

Eavesdrop and try to figure out who made the treason claim if the voice is recognisable.

N'Thar 2024/10/20(Sun)22:14 No. 1098831 ID: 0d1c28
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N'Thar listens in

A deep voice responds to the first 'Treason? that isn't what you fear, else you wouldn't disobey me.'
The calm patriarch can only be Arch-Duke Midas Multero, favored champion and god's chosen.

His grace isn't ill, well not as the common people would understand it. though he is meant to sleep...

'Your Grace these words have the stink of the heretic!' the simpering voice can only be one of the castles kobolds, perhaps Niffle

'Ah the heretic, Diavola Channler back from the dead it seems.' Midas muses

'the pages are magic your grace! perhaps the same dark magic that brought her back, they're dangerous!' the kobold pleads.

Midas speaks with a steady gentle voice as one would use to calm a child 'Indeed they are, but one must confront danger to destroy it'

b-but... the kobold stutters

'Niffle, sing it again.'Midas says with finality

wimpering and the shuffling of pages can be heard

Does N'Thar interrupt or continue listening?

Interrupt. Oh, THERE are those papers! Thank you for finding them, Niffle!

Interrupt!

Caught them red-handed. Yes, let's interupt them. But how should we go about this, go in playing dumb, and put pressure on them, or go in confronting right away

Playing dumb may be safer but I doubt the Duke would fall for it (at least unless you wait a couple of moments so it's less obvious that you heard the conversation).

Interrupt, but try not to come off as too hostile. You were simply investigating an issue of song where there was not meant to be, and that investigation led you here. You would like an explanation for the kobold's actions.

>>1098837
Yes, play the dumb functionary.

N'Thar 2024/11/02(Sat)09:25 No. 1099286 ID: 0d1c28
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N'Thar enters the exhibition hall, the floor is polished to a mirror shine yet no one ever seems to slip.
the hall is filled with monuments to the Duke's many triumphs, or at least that's what the mighty lord calls theme. this is the Arch-Duke's favored room.

Midas Multero lazily looks to the advisor following him as he approaches 'Hello N'Thar.'

N'thar give a deep bow 'Your grace, please forgive the intrusion.'

'You are forgiven', is the duke's curt response.

The first acolyte feels his confidence fading 'I was investigating a song you see'

'the song you sent me, curious that it's right where you had it delivered' Multero smiles as if amused but N'Thar sees only a predator barring it's fangs.

The Arch-Duke radiates danger, N'thar knows the Duke has no love for him. and could crush him should his mood take that turn.

Explain that you actually hadn't sent the song. That is why you were investigating.

>>1099286
So, we should probably get those pages away from him.

You did have those pages delivered to Multero, as well as Kalez. You tasked Eeyful with informing them of the situation.

Explain that you are surprised, not that he has the pages, but that he's chosen to sing the songs from them despite knowing their source. Clarify further that you're concerned of potential charms hidden within them, either to affect the reader of the page or those listening to the melody.

>>1099323
this

I agree that you should say you didn't send him the song.

N'Thar 2024/11/22(Fri)21:54 No. 1100230 ID: 0d1c28
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N'Thar can't claim he didn't send the parchment to Midas.
He did send them and Niffle will verify that.
'Well I didn't expect you to read them'

The Vizier approaches his lord, and the lord raises a mask to conceal his twisted face 'Are songs not meant to be sung? how else would you know it's tune.' the smile he gives and the words her speaks are meant to be warm, but Midas is no longer capable to inflect his old charms.

N'Thar's clears his throat 'Ah well you see this song is charmed and-'

'I know' Midas widens his smile but the bones under his flesh don't move the way they should, he is tainted, heavily so and by all right should be locked in the dungeon with Via Vardek and her ilk.

'Y-You know?'N'Thar stammers

Midas shifts his position, armor bulges and strains across his right arm'I'm doing research of my own, finding out how this magic works' Midas's armour is not for his protection, it's to protect others from him.'how it is corrupting my people'

N'Thar tries to calm Midas 'You're grace, you should be resting, It is my task to find-'

'You are taking too long, you must Work quickly Aebin, every day that passes her plans threaten ours.' Midas places a large hand on Niffle, a hand that could effortlessly destroy the small kobold

N'Thar Pleads'Forgive my your grace I-

'You are forgiven, now find Diavola Channler, destroy her again, don't force me to handle this myself' Midas takes the Parchments from Niffle and offers them to N'Thar.

Bow, tell him you'll take care of it and quickly get out of there.

Take the papers and leave quickly.

N'Thar 2024/12/21(Sat)16:53 No. 1101479 ID: 0d1c28
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N'Thar bows'I will not fail you' then approaches to gather the parchments.

Midas raises his hand 'Niffle carry these to N'Thar's chambers'

Niffle doesn't waste any time and follows the First Acolyte.

N'Thar plans for the confrontation to come.

Oragatt 2024/12/21(Sat)16:54 No. 1101480 ID: 0d1c28
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Far to the north on the upper foothills of the Ivera province
Kalez' third acolyte Oragatt Ruingarth stalked her pray.
Oragatt has been doing so for weeks hiding inside rocks, but she had learned all she coul so now was the time to take action.

her prey was the Harbinger group led by inquisitor Sabria, they'de been tailing Kalez' giant Herocea
there was nine of them now, the Harbinger sisters had supplemented their number in the village of Itan with hardened miners and workmen

Oragatt couldn't let Herocea fall into the hands of the Harbingers
she had some ideas
A) Throw them off course (Oragatt has been doing that, and though it buys time Oragatt would like a more definitive end to her mission)
B) Bury the Harbingers in a rock slide, (Sabria is a powerful warrior, would this work?)
C) Set up and Ambush with Herocea
D) Help Herocea cross the nearby border into the kingdom of Globala
E) something else? Oragatt wants to impress Kalez and show that she's so much more than a forge slave

E. Get the new hardened men to drop their agreement with the sisters and instead get them to try and take the ladies for their own playthings. They will lose probably, but the distraction will break moral and also make the sisters have misgivings about their work and who to trust.

C. What if you hid in a rock that she tossed into the camp, and attacked them from the rear?

Go for a good old reliable ambush.

C, Prepare an ambush and be ready to cover Herocea's weaknesses. Don't let them run her off again.

C sounds best to me.

D. Herocea's failed to overcome these harpies before, your job is considered complete if they cannot pursue her.