>>580111
Even if she's not totally loyal, she's a summon. And dead to boot- she doesn't get to walk around expect when summoned. She would have to follow orders, meaning unless she's been asked to switch sides too, it could be a trap.

Just get a description of the mage.

>She's actually going to drain them
Well there goes the threesome right out the window
Dammit
All well, just make sure to flirt with the mage as you pick her locks. Something about how maybe later, you can show her how to pick a lock when you're chained up yourself. If the paladin lives through this the threesome might be possible with the mage and him.
Just do your best Story Seeker, this can't be a great story without something risque in it, only a good one.

>>580113
Well if it is Potarana then we should skip it since it's a trap. Even if we have some faith in Zirkala she has explicitly told us to act as if we are her enemy.

...actually, we should probably tell Kexluk that Zirkala said he has weaknesses he is unaware of, and that she is confident she will win. If we really want to fight Zirkala, then Kexluk needs to be well informed.

Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)17:42 No. 580133 ID: d470e9
File 140348415145.png - (63.43KB , 800x800 , 7-34.png )

>Would any of your bard magic work as a useful buff for a warrior?
... no, I don't believe so!

"Be careful, Zirkala probably won't show just because some of her animated bones are destroyed! She has powerful summons!" I say, as Kexluk puts me on his back
>"Oh? A lich with perpetual summons that are formidable?"
"Yes, including a fire elemental werewolf!" I offer a brief explanation of the other summons I'm aware of. "Furthermore, Zirkala said that there were weaknesses of yours that you were unaware of."
>"Forboding! If this is true, then this is a weakness of mine that I must confront. Even if I knew she was not bluffing, I would not turn tail at such a hint!"
"Say, could you offer me a description of the mage?"
>"Yes, she was of the lizard tribe, here! I do dare to say that I am jealous that you are the one to undo the lock! The lizardmen of the village have already spoke well of her, and would be in our debt if we rescued their mage. You don't think that Zirkala already believes that I would go rescuing that mage and has made a trap for me, do you It was scant moments ago."

Oh lordy what if it's another hot lizard chick?

SAVE THE BOOTY! But uh, don't forget the lessons you've learned. Do not allow a pretty face to distract you from the mission. Actually I wonder if that's one of his weaknesses.

A lizard mage you say? Well we had go better rescue her quickly then before the lich realizes whats up.

Try to keep from chuckling to hard if its Zirkala in disguise again.

...Zirkala can take the appearance of a living lizard, when she wishes it. It's possible we'll find the wrong lizard in the cage. I suppose the timing would be tight, but if she left through the portal immediately after I spoke with her, she could be here, setting a trap.

I suppose there's only one way to find out, though.

Hey, offer him the medal with her ghost signature. Can he use that with paladin powers in any way? Maybe so he can detect her presence easier, or attune his attacks or anything?

...What if the trapped lizard mage is Zirkala and she wants to bone Kexluk? That would explain his "weakness" and Zirkala's weird behavior. If so, go for the freaky 3-way.

You know what in the interest of fairness tell him that there is a small chance that this lizard mage might be Zirkala in disguise.

She said to treat him like a ally and not hold back against her so even if this is a big game lets help him the best we can.

1/2 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)19:00 No. 580164 ID: d470e9
File 140348883286.png - (101.75KB , 800x800 , 7-35.png )

"I should warn you, Zirkala can take the form of a lizard woman!"
>"Hm.. a good warning, but the lizardmen have acknowledged her with familiarity, and were you not just with Zirkala? Although it was moments ago, I am certain you were in the portal when this occurred!"
"I do not know!"
>"I will have to be on guard, but I will be able to tell whether or not a body is connected to a phylactery!"
"Say, would you like to take a look at the medallion? Rulgath said something about it having a ghost signature on it."
>"I doubt there is much I can do immediately with it, but I will take a look at it in time. For now, there is no time!"

2/2 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)19:01 No. 580165 ID: d470e9
File 140348891347.png - (203.88KB , 800x800 , 7-36.png )

Kexluk assaults the minions pulling the cage, and I run forward to see what I can do.

"Ah, this does appear to be Zirkala, Kexluk!"
>"Er, wh-what? My name is Nuzaffa! Are you here to rescue me!" the lady asks.
>"Story Seeker, I sense no evil presense nor phylactery link with this girl! Plus, you were still within the portal when I saw this girl. Are you certain?!"
"Well, I am certain that she at least looks the exact same, and dresses the exact same!"
>"Troublesome! But, we have already gotten this far, so if this is a trap, we have already fallen for it! Undo the cage, but keep those shackles on her, and we will carry her away from here! I sense a fiery object coming quickly!"

I must say, if that really is Zirkala, she's putting on an exceptional performance.

If it is we at least tried our best to warn him. And remember for all of his paladin powers some lichs are stronger than others. Zirkala seems to be one of the smarter ones and could have tons of trick up her sleeve he might not be able to detect.

Plus if its not her we get to rescue a cute girl so win win.

If its a fiery object its probably your personal gym trainer coming to fight so let him know what to expect.

...maybe she's a relative? (Suddenly wishing we'd read about her past) Or Zirkala dressed her up? (Are those your clothes, miss?) Does your own detect magic ping anything? Is she a mage, and are those actually anti-magic cuffs?

Well, save her or fight her, you need that cage open. And really, you're not one to leave a lady in a cage, no matter who she be.

>I must say, if that really is Zirkala, she's putting on an exceptional performance.
...which would be pretty out of character.

>I sense a fiery object coming quickly!
Ralex, I expect.

>>580172

I mean, Zirkala has shown herself relatively capable of at least some acting, by that time she impersonated a magical supply shop owner to seduce SS.

As suspicious as this is, if she is who she says she is it'd be kind of a dick move to leave her locked up. I suspect this may have something to do with Kexluk's unknown weakness though.

>>580174
...that's true. I think she has some sort of charm ability or illusion magic that lets her come across as a good actor in person, but when she was controlling the ghoul she couldn't do it and had to rely on her real acting skills.

>>580165
Well, I suppose it's possible that Zirkala modeled her lizardwoman polymorph appearance off of this lady. Or maybe Zirkala was a relative of hers before her lichification. Or maybe you're not good at telling lizardwomen apart, and that's a common style of clothing for lizardwomen?

But we should trust in a Paladin's senses... unless this is one of the weaknesses Zirkala spoke of? That those senses could be fooled? Also, Zirkala wanted to see if he was stronger than Ralex... Being present for the fight against Ralex makes sense.

...just do what he says. Uncage her. If that really is Zirkala we'll have to ask how she pulled this off, because it seems nearly impossible.

1/3 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)20:09 No. 580187 ID: d470e9
File 140349294659.png - (147.23KB , 800x800 , 7-37.png )

"Excuse my suspicion, miss, but the lich in question is a tricky one. Are those your own clothes?"
>"Ah, yes?"
"And, allow me to feel those shackles for just a moment... Thank you!" Yes, these seem like legitimate spell blockers. "That's likely Ralex, Kuxlek! He can spit molten fluids, so do be careful."
>"I expect it won't be an easy fight, if he is not bound by dark magic! While I would have liked to trust our mage to back me up, I'm afraid I will take the risk to fight this werewolf alone. Take her around the corner, Story Seeker, and keep her safe!"

I'm not going to complain about hiding from Ralex. There are many possibilities and unlikelyhoods about this Zirkala's physical form business, but

>"C-can you get these shackles off of me, please?"
"It pains me to say that at the moment, we cannot trust anyone so freely right now!" Ah, she runs rather provacatively, and acts rather dainty! I would not have even thought Zirkala to go this far to be convincing.

In fact, I've never seen a lizard woman act quite this way to begin with. Or, for that matter, any girl ever.

2/3 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)20:09 No. 580188 ID: d470e9
File 140349295366.png - (183.22KB , 800x800 , 7-38.png )

The fight between those two goes on for a full minute. Ralex's undead form leaves him able to withstand what normally would be several mortal wounds. Kexluk also receives dire wounds throughout the process, but is able to heal them near immediately! The battle is an attrition between Ralex's body holding, and Kuxlek's own healing stamina. The latter proves best, as Kexluk manages to bisect Ralex.

>"You... cheap son of a bitch."
>"Story Seeker, come out! I sense a great evil presence drawing closer!" Kexluk says.

3/3 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)20:09 No. 580189 ID: d470e9
File 140349296972.png - (134.22KB , 800x800 , 7-39.png )

>"Kexluk, you're.... a little smaller than I imagined, actually. But you did defeat Ralex, so I'm not disappointed."
>"Zirkala! Story Seeker has told me much about you."

>>580187
>Or, for that matter, any girl ever.
Noblewomen tend to train their daughters to be like that. Maybe she's of noble descent.
>>580189
And now he's saying Zirkala has arrived, so free her from her shackles!

She might be acting that way because Zirkala got her acting lessons from trashy romance novels. Honestly I do not doubt that she could pull off being in two places at once either. Its not hard to make a construct that looks like you and jam a bunch of dark magic into it.

Also Zirkala showing up in person this quickly is also suspicious.

So if Kexluk gives you the go ahead consider letting her go. If you do keep the shackles so you can bop her with them if need be. And if you decide to leave her locked up then support him with your own magic as best you can.

Do you have a mirror (or a spell that works like one)? See if the mage recognizers her own face, or if she's under some kind of spell that makes her look like Zirkala.

...wait. It's also possible she put a spell on us to mess with what we see. And you already handed the coin over, so it's not that affecting you.

...I suppose you could close your eyes, and see if she feels like Zirkala? You should be rather well acquainted with that, by this point. Although this idea does make me feel kind of skeevy.

>In fact, I've never seen a lizard woman act quite this way to begin with. Or, for that matter, any girl ever.
So... a guy pretending to be a girl, and doing a bad job of it?

I wouldn't remove the shackles. Except... Kexluk would totally have freed the mage, if he was alone. Is his hidden weakness that she sent you to provide a false warning?

>>580189
Ask him if he wants you to unshackle the mage now that Zirkala is actually here. Bizarre... I wonder if that's a duplicate body? To allow him to "imprison" her so she can assume a new identity?

>>580200
>spell on Story Seeker to mess with his perceptions
That would explain why the lizard mage's appearance matches Zirkala but she doesn't act like her at all. Zirkala would have easily known that there was a lizardwoman mage in this place that could help Kexluk, and put the spell on SS so that the mage wouldn't be able to help against Ralex. That way Zirkala would know if he was stronger or not.

Yeah the more I think of it the more likely this is, rather than the mage being Zirkala and the "lich" being a decoy, both somehow able to foil Kexluk's perceptions.

>>580201
Look, if it is her, she said she had no intentions of killing Kexlax, so I doubt a failure is going to do anything but teach him a lesson and give him a chance to return at a later date. Best case scenario, it is an act and she compliments him for his strengths and points out his weaknesses, and then offers a foursome with her doppelganger.

AHAHA I figured it out! She's a MAN, baby! The polymorph spell is standardized. Zirkala just used the same spell, that's why she looks the same. So the mage is a dude who wants to be a girl.

Story Seeker, cast Detect Gender on the mage.

It occurs to me that if we can determine it's safe to release the mage, the shackles suddenly become a sneaky weapon to use against Zirkala.

>>580205
We actually do know detect gender, don't we? That could work. I suppose it's possible the villagers didn't mention the gender of their mage, and Kexluk could have just filled in when he saw her?

1/9 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)21:35 No. 580209 ID: d470e9
File 140349813789.png - (114.07KB , 800x800 , 7-40.png )

>A guy pretending to be a girl, and doing a bad job of it?
I am not sure any guy would take to this so naturally!

Unfortunately, I do not have any reflective surface to see if her reflection is true. Ah, the shackles!

"Miss, do you recognize yourself in your reflection?"
>"...yes?" It appears true for me as well.

I do hold her by the forearm as I lead her forward, however, and her skin... it seems like Zirkala, but it could just as well be that is how lizard girl skin feels!

Ah, Zirkala begins a spell.

>"Not so fast, Zirkala! I am..." Kexluk starts his speech once again, and the light vortex is starting to take form! This doesn't look so good.

>Detect Gender
Aha, the useful spell!

Gender unknown.

Ahhhhhhhh....

2/9 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)21:35 No. 580210 ID: d470e9
File 140349815693.png - (282.55KB , 800x800 , 7-41.png )

But something I hadn't seen before occurs, in which Zirkala destabilized the magic, but unfortunately, this causes an explosion that seems to harm her body.

Zirkala hisses, and starts running away.

>"Come, Story Seeker, she's on the run! There is no shortcoming to my sword's magic, another one will do her in!"

Well, I'm in for the ride at this point. I've exhausted what I could think of doing regarding this mage, but nothing yields anything saying that this mage is Zirkala or one of her minions! I can't exactle pick the lock while we run forward, though, so I'll just have to do it when we sit still up above.

3/9 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)21:36 No. 580211 ID: d470e9
File 140349818070.png - (167.06KB , 800x800 , 7-42.png )

Zirkala runs back to the portal zone, which appears completely abandoned.

>"Ah! I can't cast?!" Kexluk says.
>"Correct. I have silenced both of us. An advanced form."
>"Yes, I realize this! It is far powerful, but at the same time, it does not let any magic seep from your own body, either. So you wish to fight using physical powers? Unfortunately, your minion was strong, Zirkala, so I'm afraid I cannot give you a good fight! However... Story Seeker, bring her close! You made one mistake, Zirkala!"

4/9 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)21:36 No. 580212 ID: d470e9
File 140349819514.png - (162.13KB , 800x800 , 7-43.png )

>"Miss, of whom I would love to know your name after this! My sword is light as a feather, and it simply needs magic injected, and it will steal the Lich's soul! I ask of you, take my blade and deal with this lich that assaulted your homeland!"

Good, you're clear. Stop being his ally. Do nothing.

That sounds like Zirkala speaking, so... I guess that's it, then.

5/9 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)21:36 No. 580213 ID: d470e9
File 140349820649.png - (100.25KB , 800x800 , 7-44.png )

>"Ah... " Zirkala starts.

6/9 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)21:37 No. 580214 ID: d470e9
File 140349822997.png - (131.05KB , 800x800 , 7-45.png )

The doppleganger runs through the portal.

>"... you really do instantly trust any lizard girl with a big rack."

7/9 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)21:37 No. 580215 ID: d470e9
File 140349824240.png - (138.83KB , 800x800 , 7-46.png )

Zirkala releases her partnered silence, and shifts earth over the portal. While it may not take long to free the portal for access, it will be enough for Zirkala to get away.

>"That girl... she really was... you warned me, Story Seeker, and I didn't listen. Girls... I can't help but think them of as innocent and pure. So much so that the mere sight of them... your Zirkala. That is her form? And yet, she performed such a backhanded trick. She played me for a fool! That mage, she must have been living, and yet I sensed no altercations on her, no illusions, no black magic, no nothing! Story Seeker, what unfathomably powerful lich have you been under! Zirkala!"

8/9 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)21:37 No. 580216 ID: d470e9
File 140349827411.png - (63.05KB , 800x800 , 7-47.png )

>"Yes?"


>"Er... Zirkala!" Kexluk continues.
>"You're a good guy. You were right about Rulgath. He stepped out of line awhile back, we just prefer paladins kick liches asses rather than other liches. You can have your sword back."
>"What?"
>"You can have your sword back. Well, in a bit, I want to study it. But I'll return it to you with Rulgath still inside, and you can seal him away if you want."
>"What game is this, Zirkala? Do you wish to humiliate me, more?"
>"No, but I do want to talk with you. If you hadn't noticed, I pulled my undead out of this cavern and back into my own. If you don't come back to chat, I'm going to enslave the whole cavern. For real, this time."

9/9 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)21:38 No. 580217 ID: d470e9
File 140349828497.png - (139.34KB , 800x800 , 7-48.png )

In a stuper, Kexluk comes with us. I admit, I'm rather jarred, mself! Zirkala sets us down by the fireplace. There's a long silence before Zirkala breaks it.

>"Welcome to my lair, Kexluk. Story Seeker, you did well, and did everything you were told to do. Kexluk, I told Story Seeker to act as your ally through everything, right up until you tossed your sword away. And Story Seeker, that was a test, although not one to pass or fail. Simply to see what kind of actions you would take under certain criteria. I'm not disappointed in either of you."

Seems like the time for a threesome is now. What better way to convince him that Zirkala should be trusted?

Sooo... Any lessons to be spoken or are we to just stew in what happened on our own?

Yay +1 not disappointed points acquired! Maybe someday you will manage to impress her.

As for Kexluk tell him that you hope he does not feel to bad about all of this. You did your best to help him and hope you can be friends. Now you just wait until there is a good spot in the conversation to bring up a three way and your day is set!

>>580217
Tell her you're very glad to not disappoint her, and you're also very glad that she wasn't going to enslave the settlement. You're also glad she didn't get seriously hurt, though you didn't think that was particularly likely either. Ask, however, how she managed to plant that... construct or whatever it was ahead of time.

>I'm not disappointed in either of you.
I'm somewhat disappointed in myself! If I'd been a little quicker thinking, I could have actually beat you at your game! If I'd jumped and caught the sword, or snatched it from your decoy, I could have fed it with bard magic. It's not much, but with the two of you silenced...

A pity he didn't realize he had another option to throw the sword too, or that I didn't know how the weapon worked till the last minute.

Although then I supposed Kexluk wouldn't have learned a lesson and I'd be left in the awkward position of trying to convince him to let you go.

...I think Kexluk needs a crash course in how to see women as who they are, and not idealized innocents. Sounds like a job for a certain bard. (And if this is a real serious case, we may need to break out the gender changing spells).

1/4 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)22:18 No. 580224 ID: d470e9
File 140350068321.png - (57.64KB , 800x800 , 7-49.png )

"Perhaps you could share any lessons to be taught, Zirkala, or should we simply stew in what just happened?"
>"A little reflection is always good. But, I think the main lesson for Kexluk is already taught. As for you... did you learn anything?
"Ah... not quite!"
>"I didn't think so. There wasn't much to learn, after all. It was an examination, not a lesson.
"But! I do have questions. For one thing, you healed your face quite fast."
>"Yes, I had a spare. Face."
"You know, I almost thought of grabbing the sword and defeating you myself, the moment I saw!"
>"Ah, yes, that voice in your head may have made you hesitate. It could have been anyone, you know. I would have been honestly surprised. Not mad, of course, as it was entirely justifiable."
"I'm not sure I could have convinced Kexluk to release you! I'm sure there are limits to even my own charm, if I may boast so openly."
>"Distrusting a voice in your head was an option I prepared for, don't worry about me."
"Well, okay then! And, Zirkala, you seem to speak favorably to Kexluk! Do I dare say that you may have taken a liking to him?"
>"Oh, absolutely. At first I thought he was only powerful because of his sword, but that was only so for liches. Against Ralex, he was able to win simply using it as a normal blade."
"I hope you don't feel too bad about this, Kexluk?"
>"It... I don't know if I have it in my to thank Zirkala for this, but it is a lesson I won't forget. Only my pride is hurt, now."
>"You aren't really a paladin. They train for years to hammer in their righteous dogma, and getting handed a sword isn't much of an approval. Think of yourself.... ah, yes, I'll call you Kexluk, the White Knight."
>"... I would rather be known as Kexluk."
>"So be it. I am going to make you an offer, Kexluk, but I want you well rested to consider it. So rest tonight."
>"That I will thank you for."
>"Story Seeker, did you have any more questions for me?"
"Yes, two! First, I only recall one bed for resting, and I too am tired! And I think you may be tired too, after all of this."
>"Story Seeker, are you asking us two if... ah, of course you are. If Kexluk isn't too beaten up about my form, then that is what we will do. Your second question?"
"Your doppelganger. I'm sure Kexluk would wonder, too! It evaded all detection."
>"Oh, yes. She is still around, but she will be leaving soon. Go around the corner, she'll explain how she pulled it off."

2/4 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)22:18 No. 580225 ID: d470e9
File 140350069313.png - (72.95KB , 800x800 , 7-50.png )

"Ah, excuse me, miss! Might I receive an explanation as to who you are, and how you look like Zirkala?"

3/4 Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)22:18 No. 580226 ID: d470e9
File 140350070745.png - (131.97KB , 800x800 , 7-51.png )

poof

4/4 Chapter 7 END Story Seeker 2014/06/22(Sun)22:18 No. 580227 ID: d470e9
File 140350072728.png - (93.73KB , 800x800 , 7-52.png )

>"Hey SS, Lich King here in case you forgot. I still got my eyes on you! Don't you ever forget that, little buddy."

pffffthahahahahahahaah

Huh. So the lich king doesn't have a gender? Or the lich king is so old that whatever species 'he' was predates male and female, or used some other model? Interesting.

That or he's just a strong enough a mage to block or mess with your scan.

>>580230
Or he's a skeleton and the spell doesn't care about what you identify as so much as what you're packing downstairs.

>This amazing adventure ends with a threesome between a lich, a powerful paladin's apprentice, and a bard

This is the stuff of LEGENDS Story Seeker.
LEGENDARY!
You will go down in history, as another name of course for believe-ability, but whatever name you have for yourself in your stories will go down in history. Years from now, when another bard is telling your story, he will have been talking about you. For generations to come. This is the story that will never die. Shit, even if another bard steals your story before you manage to tell it, who even cares? They're still talking about you.

>>580231
Or the lich king was once, in life, an artificially created genderless kobold of incredible magic power. That happens sometimes, apparently.