FE Quest: Silver Scales of the Past - Part 23

>You are one of three characters: Samson, a spoiled bard, Dyrus, an axe-wielding rebel's son, or Rene, an orphan adopted by a high-ranking Director of an ominous empire, now a prepromoted archer-lancer. POV will rotate between them on a thread-by-thread basis, with an off-chance that someone else might occasionally take a chapter.

>These protagonists' motivations and goals will very likely come into conflict with one another's.

>Character Death is always a possibility and sometimes an inevitability (this is Fire Emblem after all), but your actions can very easily influence who lives and who dies.

>Voting periods will last an average of ten to fifteen minutes, but this may be increased, decreased, or generally changed at any given moment based on voter turnout.

>Write-ins are encouraged.

>The previous threads are archived on suptg under "Silver Scales of the Past," and a pastebin summarizing each one's events will be provided at the start of the next, like so: pastebin.com/Ehqm8Mif

>A list of all current summaries and threads: pastebin.com/E9sXAcBx

>Our update Twitter is qmgrandflocto, and we have an ask.fm also under ask.fm/qmgrandflocto

>Preempting any memesters in the audience tonight. /qst/ is a trial board, and I am not currently under any obligation to migrate there.

Other urls found in this thread:

youtube.com/watch?v=IdJtQZFs8uY
youtube.com/watch?v=CpP0rFrc_xs
youtube.com/watch?v=6EfvzfZEU8o
youtube.com/watch?v=5lvtbhtR-MU
youtube.com/watch?v=A3BTZDQEPn4
youtube.com/watch?v=x1BZkz69gaA
twitter.com/SFWRedditGifs

"So, uh... There anyplace around here I could find a Guiding Ring?" Hal asks Rene a few days into traveling with her. "I, uh... All my studies say I need it to become a Sage or a Mage Knight, but... Shit, Methodius probably could've hooked me up." Though the newly-joining thunder mage is kind of an idiot, Methodius vouched for his skills, so... Rene will just have to make sure things work out. It's nice to see Veiz making a whole new rival, though, someone she can focus on bettering her magic purely to one-up. Rene's her immeasurable height for archery, so this guy can be that for...

"Hey, thanks, little guy," Hal says, Omar generously offering him a Guiding Ring in the middle of Rene's reflection on him. "Wait... You studied at the Tower, right? I remember you, I think! Mario, right?"

As Hal becomes the least sagely Sage of all time, Samson remains without a staff-user as he and his commandeered prison boats set off into the Southern Islands. Dough has proven to be a loyal sub-commander since resolving his issues with Samson, one he's quite comfortable leaving in charge of missions he can't be the one to lead. Still, though, setting out to sea with worries of the Dories and the Empire stopping him wherever he may head first is still quite a bit for the leader to mull over...

Dyrus, meanwhile, has seen his mother's rebellion make peace with the third faction of the desert's conflict, their alliance leading to an all-out assault as his "hello again" to human civilization. Chief Paisley has no interest in avoiding a confrontation with Director Cato like Denim did, and word is that she and her entourage are already en route to intercept our heroes at their first stop. All he can do is train and be merry as the day for him to trade blows with the second regional Director draws nearer.

>A. Be Samson
>B. Be Dyrus

>B. Be Dyrus

>A. Be Samson

Rolled 1 (1d2)

youtube.com/watch?v=IdJtQZFs8uY
You have a bit of a long day ahead of you as you set sail, reflecting upon your navigational decision determined offscreen in the recent past. What, exactly, this was will be determined via choice at the end of this update.

In the meantime, though, you check up on the named characters that make up your party. Dough is in charge of your second-largest ship, following your flagship re-purposed prison boat quite dutifully. With a half-dozen medium-sized vessels under your command, you need men you can trust at their helms, men who are few and far between on a prison island, you're afraid.

Your father's mostly been keeping to himself and his own writings lately, only coming out of his quarters either to eat or to get sunlight. Fabrice often pays him company, considering him the most civilized person onboard.

Norman, growing antsy and wary of sea travel despite his attempts to hide it, passes the time by being instructed in the art of fishing, 'the huntin' of the sea' by salty seafarer Adam. He neglected to mention that it was quite different until too late for the archer to back out.

Dinah and Edwyg art talking about this, that, and whatnot, the latter asking the former about small-town non-coastal life in Alder, why she would leave it behind (Dinah doesn't seem terribly comfortable answering), etc, as well as shooting the shit about the differences between knighthood and less refined brawls.

Millie is by your side more often, admittedly feeling nervous around many of your new allies, having grown up around disreputable folk... Nice to know she finds you reliable.

As for your course of action...

>A. You followed the route of Oswald Dory, hoping to stop his company wherever they go next before they wreak too much havoc
>B. You went in a direction they didn't touch so you might initially focus on the Imperial presence in the islands.

As for what you're doing...

>A. Skip ahead
>B. Specify what you're up to

>B. You went in a direction they didn't touch so you might initially focus on the Imperial presence in the islands.
> We are learning about the place we are headed to.

>A. You followed the route of Oswald Dory, hoping to stop his company wherever they go next before they wreak too much havoc
>B.We are learning about the place we are headed to.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

You set off for Bryton Island, the Southwesternmost of the Southern Archipelago's "big three," or largest and most important island states. While several smaller isles and islands, such as the one housing Fort Dalshin (which is somewhere between all three), or the Isle of Wyrm, or DePlume Isle, obviously contribute to the area, the Westernmost Bryton, the Northernmost Briggid (and capital, just off the shore of which was the home of Director Waldrick and his family), and the Easternmost Nedata Island (current stronghold of the Dory family's elicit operations).

You, Millie, and Fabrice discuss Bryton Island and its tactical pluses and minuses in the particpationless presence of your father.

"See," he says, pointing out a map, "they're also the closest of the three to the Isle of Wyrm, and thus able to secure powerful Wyrmite weaponry and funds from its trade the easiest... It's only a matter of time before the fate of Fort Dalshin is learned, so time is of the essence if we're to capture them and their surrounding areas with any ease. That being said, with it being the closest to Holmstead, should the Nobans capture it, we'll also be able to send word to them faster with its immediate capture."

"I don't feel good about leaving the Dory company to do their own thing," Millicent admits.

"Not much we can do about Oswald until we've gotten some ground of our own," you say, sadly. "Still, though, this gets me thinking. Do we really need to immediately rush the gates? The Isle of Wyrm could be a strategically great point to capture now, before they learn of us..."

"But that will give the main island more time to prepare," Fabrice says, "so... We'll get wyvern-slaying weaponry's production out of the Empire's hands... But neither of our sides have dragons, even if it's a powerful material on its own merits..."

>A. He has a point. We take Bryton quickly
>B. This detour could be vital Teege over!
>C. Write-in response

>B. This detour could be vital Teege over!

>B. This detour could be vital Teege over!

"No," you say, "we need to take the Isle of Wyrm as long as there's a possibility the Archipelago doesn't know about us. Plus, Wyrmite's one of the region's most important exports, so having its mines in our grasp will play out well in the long-run both for us and for damaging the Empire without even thinking of the Resistance-aligned wyvern riders the continent over whose enemies just lost their access to Wyrmslayers, Dragonpikes, and Dragon Axes."

"...You make a point, I suppose," Fabrice says, turning towards your father. "Any objections, Lazare?"

"Just... Rein in our men. We are not pirates and brigands, so do not allow them to behave as such."

"Would your son ever let his men fight savagely? You know he stared down Dough over there being prisoners who thought we needed to slaughter captured guards!"

"Right... Don't lose sight of your inner humanitarian," Lazare implores.

"In the meantime," Fabrice ponders, "Bryton Island still very much exists. In fact, it's along the way to the Isle of Wyrm anyway. Even if it's to be our first destination, surely there's no harm in letting Dough oversee our other five ships in taking the larger target. The Isle of Wyrm may have ramped up security slightly since Adam and his deceased crew stole so much from them, but the might of a single ship should be enough to handle this with only slight trouble..."

>A. Any more than one would be overkill...
>B. We should bring along at least (specify either 1 or 2) more ship(s)...
>C. We can't divide our forces!

>A. Any more than one would be overkill...

>A. Any more than one would be overkill...

Gah, guess whose laptop decided to get shitty with him. Might be a few more minutes than usual until I can slap some sense into it, but the post was mostly done.

9/10 odds the post is gonna be swallowed up by the void by the time I actually fucking get things back under control, so. Might just meme up an abridged version of what I had written.

You can do it, Octo.

(short version courtesy of mobile!)
You agree that Dough and five ships is more than enough to at the very least not horrifically bungle claiming Bryton while you first head to Wyrm, to which Fabrice sarcastically applauds the faith in Dough you jokingly implied lacking.

Fabrice leaves to send word to the other ships, leaving you, your father, and Millicent in the room.

Your girlfriend asks if your father is doing well, considering how gloomy he's been since, as she quite descriptively put it, "...you know."

"I'm... Not well, I must confess," he says, "and all of the idealism in the world cannot console me in the short-term, but I will eventually recover, surely. Regardless... Son, it would not be overly-detrimental to our operations were I to permanently set down my tomes, would it?"

>A. Of course not
>B. Very! If he trains further, perhaps he might become a coveted staff-user!
>C. You can't decide that for him
>D. Write-in response

>A. Of course not

>. Of course not

"Of course not, father," you reassure him. "I'm not out to force anyone to fight for us, and mother's the one who dragged us both into this..."

"It still makes me feel guilty to know my son is the one taking on so much responsibility in my stead..." He says, shaking his head, "but you are right. I'm hardly a warrior, or even a man who could be shaped into one like yourself... I'm a philosopher, an anthropologist..."

"And you deserve to keep up your work," Millie says, "temper it with your new understanding of different walks of life..."

"Right," your father says to her. "It is... Embarrassing to reflect on now, but I had difficulty empathizing with those in poorer situations than myself before now. They had my sympathy and attention, certainly, but knowing how convicts and the penniless live... I can truly consider how to improve their condition."

"...yeah, honestly, I had my doubts about you when Samson talked you up," Millie admits, taking your hand, "but it's clear how much good you've instilled in your son, Mr. Lazare."

"Now, Millie," you chuckle, looking away, "you're making me flustered..."

"Ah, young love... I remember when your mother and I fell for one another..."

So you have awhile on the boat before you actually reach your destination, anyway.

>A. Skip ahead to the Isle of Wyrm
>B. Spend time with someone (specify)

>A. Skip ahead to the Isle of Wyrm

>A. Skip ahead to the Isle of Wyrm

Time passes, with Dough and your main forces breaking off as your ship alone takes the Isle of Wyrm.

youtube.com/watch?v=CpP0rFrc_xs

Your ship docks with what is initially only mild speculation among the people of the Isle of Wyrm. Could someone on their humble isle be yet another criminal like those Wyrmite smugglers?

Regardless, it could be a trap, Fabrice warns, so as you initially disembark, you're flanked by Dinah and Edwyg, the latter finally atop a horse.

You are, however, met with a group of about a half-dozen soldiers right out the gate, equipped and suspicious, though not immediately hostile.

"Never seen you around on prisoner runs," one of them says. "And for that matter, things've been quiet from Fort Dalshin lately... Identification, please."

>A. Attack!
>B. Announce your intents plainly
>C. Write-in response
>D. Let your allies speak for you

>D. Let your allies speak for you

>D. Let your allies speak for you

Dinah steps forward, Edwyg keeping close. "I am a knight of Noba and agent of the Holmstead resistance under Sir Samson. We've come to claim the Isle of Wyrm."

The guards, all armed with dragonpikes, scoff. "You and what army?" One of their leaders says.

"Plenty of army to take on a buncha losers with overpriced equipment!" Edwyg shouts, brandishing a Poleaxe. "Stand down or get crushed, 'cuz we've got five more ships fulla Fort Dalshin's nastiest just waitin' to ride in and back us up!" Waving it in front of one of her foes-to-be, she adds with a quick smirk on her disfigured mug, "not that there'll be anyone left to fight back by the time backup comes."

"Edwyg, be less brash, please," Dinah says.

Edwyg, in turn, has her steed hop out of the way of a dragonpiking.

The rest of your troops, named and otherwise, begin pouring out into the port.

"Y-you..." One of the soldiers points his lance towards the lot of you. "Positions, men! Not a single one of these criminal scum is passing this harbor!"

Dinah and Edwyg stand just slightly in front of you, ready to counter the incoming assault.

>A. Immediately blast the shouting guy with magic
>B. No time like the present to test out your sword training...
>C. Fall back and let the more physical fighters lead
>D. Keep your mind on singing for your friends
>E. Write-in response

>A. Immediately blast the shouting guy with magic
Swords have triangle disadvantage on lances.

>A. Immediately blast the shouting guy with magic

An Elfire tome shuts the man up quickly enough, and another of your greeting party is quickly hacked up by Edwyg.

Two of them team up on the triangle-disadvantaged Dinah, who bears the brunt of two Dragonpike wounds rather impressively before wounding both. Rather than follow up, she follows your instructions to use vulnerary liberally in light of your lack of available healing magic.

Norman, Millie, Adam, and Fabrice enter the scene soon enough, Norman and Adam cutting through and shooting down one of Dinah's opponents, Fabrice taking the other, and Millicent dancing for Edwyg so she can rush towards a fifth felled foe.

The last soldier retreats into town to rally the rest of the isle's forces and, if they can, seal off the mines so, at the very least, the isle's namesake doesn't fall into your rebelling hands.

"What now, Jumbo Shrimp?" Edwyg asks, your few dozen once-incarcerated allies beginning to pour out into the harbor.

>A. We hold the harbor until our foes give out
>B. We fight our way into the isle fast and hard!

>>B. We fight our way into the isle fast and hard!

>B. We fight our way into the isle fast and hard!

>B. We fight our way into the isle fast and hard!

"Didn't you hear that guy?" You ask Edwyg. "He said he'd seal the Wyrmite mines. We can't let that happen, so we need to fight through to them fast!"

"Yeah, that's what I like to hear!" Pointing her poleaxe forward, she shouts, "try not to break too many more laws, ya bastards!"

At her call, many of your troops rush through into the town, attacking soldiers and guards and the like yet again, though both sides of the fight are much better-equipped than they were during the Fort Dalshin uprising, with literally every one of your opponents in the Isle of Wyrm packing Wyrmite.

Your lungs and Millie's legs have their work cut out for them speeding things along, but it all ends up more than worth it, as the two of you and Norman manage to reach the entrance to the mines before too much time has passed.

"B-but..." A bespectacled fellow standing by its entrance stammers, holding an entire box of magic mines (the explosive variety, not the "place that has materials of a magical origin" variety).

"But nothin'!" The surviving soldier from earlier shouts. "We can't let anything in this mine go into rebel hands!"

"But... There are miners still inside, and..."

"And all my buddies are getting slaughtered! They can take one for the team too!"

Norman, wordlessly, takes aim at the soldier.

>A. Write-in dialogue
>B. Ask Norman to let you take that bastard out
>C. ...

>B. Ask Norman to let you take that bastard out

>B. Ask Norman to let you take that bastard out

>A. Or you can put your weapons down and no one gets hurt.

Switching to this

"Let me take this," you ask Norman. He, in turn, shrugs.

The soldier turns around at the sound, jumping in fear and shouting at the man behind him. "H-hurry and do it, you asshole! Forget some miners buried in rocks! Busting up rocks is their JOB!"

You can hear no more, instead setting the man ablaze.

"You're this... Rebel scum, I presume?" The man who was being asked to seal the mine asks.

youtube.com/watch?v=6EfvzfZEU8o

"We're not all that scummy, I like to think!" Millicent answers with a smile.

"Eheh..." The man turns a bit red, reaching into his box of mines. "Er, we wyrmite mines aren't picky about who pays us, but on a personal level the Empire has really fallen down the tubes since Director Waldrick passed... So, er, please take this as... As a token of gratitude for stopping that madman from burying my men!"

"Er..." Millie eyes the magic mine she was handed with a blank expression, "thank you?"

"It's quite simple to use," the man says, "you simply set it where you wish to use it, either set the timer there or set it to trip based on pressure, and it even magically vanishes! They're, er, not supposed to be used for warfare, so that's the only one I'm willing to part with. Use it wisely, miss..."

"Millicent."

"R-right, Millicent... A-anyway, yes, business as usual..."

You'll need to factor compensating Wyrmite miners for their being good sports about this whole takeover thing into the budget, but all in all the Isle of Wyrm was a very fruitful and successful endeavor!

>A. Now to hold the isle until you hear word from Dough...
>B. Now to leave a garrison here and hurry onto Bryton Island!

Sorry, guys, the post was... Pretty much entirely ready by the time I saw that. I was just picking out the music.

For what it's worth, I'm not sure that would've successfully talked the soldier guy down.

>A. Now to hold the isle until you hear word from Dough...
We probably need to put things in order now that we have taken it over.

Also, in regards to the late write-in, I just thought it was worth a shot, and the way things proceeded went about as well as I had hoped.

>B. Now to leave a garrison here and hurry onto Bryton Island!

>A. Now to hold the isle until you hear word from Dough...

The Isle of Wyrm is very lovely this time of year. It's just starting to get cooler the world over, and Bryton Island is only a quarter of a day's travel away from it, so you'll be able to hear from Dough in a flash, certainly.

You and your father account for these new financial things, and Edwyg sees no objection in claiming the island's soldiers' Wyrmite in your group's name. Fabrice sends word to Noba of the Isle's capture and of Bryton's imminent capturing, and Adam waxes nostalgic for his old group's heist here. "Alfred..." He ponders along, "what in the hell were y'thinkin' workin' for that Veiz..?"

"Lady Veiz?" You ask. "I'd met her, actually. If that's who Alfred's been made to work for, I can understand how he grew loyal to her. She's a truly compassionate person despite her loyalty."

Dough arrives with one of his own ships a short while later, triumphant-looking as he shares with you the good news right there in the Isle of Wyrm's harbor. "Bryton Island's ours for the takin' too! Word is Nevasa Island's completely fallen to the Dory company, but they've yet to mobilize into Briggid's neighboring islands thanks to relentless repelling from Director Hera... Which is even better for our forces!"

"Oh, my," an elderly voice rings out from beside both of you, a bearded, robed figure suddenly standing there, "I thought that Fort Dalshin was... Oddly empty when I went to revisit it."

youtube.com/watch?v=5lvtbhtR-MU

"Who's this geezer?" Dough asks, staring the old man down.

That voice, though... You absolutely recognize that disarmingly jovial voice.

"Dough, correct..? An ambitious baker, you always were, but to instigate a prison riot and take over a third of the Archipelago!" An axe is swung into Methodius' face, but he simply disappears to a few steps away from where he stood before. "My my, aren't we irritable?" The old necromancer turns to face you.

>A. Attack!
>B. What does he want?!
>C. Write-in response

>B. What does he want?!

>B. What does he want?!

"What do you want, Methodius?!" You ask, quite openly hostile. Your assorted troops, most prominently Edwyg, begin to surround the lot of you.

"I'm just trying to follow my obligations to the Empire," Methodius says, "by looking over the sight of things. And here I thought you'd been scared out of following violent morons like this by Lady Helen's poor timing..."

"You're dodging my question, Methodius!"

"Speaking so authoritatively... But my business is with your friend." Every once in awhile, someone attempts to take a potshot at Methodius, but he simply uses that pendant of his to get out of the way. "And Dough... My, I should've gotten to you and your brother's appointments when I had the chance."

"You gonna throw some skeletons at me, old man?!" Dough asks, raising his axe challengingly. "Go on, then, do it!"

"Mere bonewalkers in an open area like this?" Methodius asks, laughing in a friendly manner once more. "Why, that would be hideously wasteful!"

As he speaks, out from beneath the water rises a quartet of undead, winged monstrosities, which quickly take to the skies above the isle and, in one's case, hover right beside Dough, making some sort of awful, choked-up breath sound.

"Hah!" Dough calls out, lifting his axe. "A bunch of half-baked dragons? Look at what isle we're ON, you old dumbass!"

>A. Attack the one that's up close (specify if not with Elfire)
>B. Attack Methodius (again, specify if not Elfire)
>C. Try to take down the ones flying around (unless they land, Wind or Elfire are your only options)
>D. Be ready to sing for Dough
>E. Write-in response

youtube.com/watch?v=A3BTZDQEPn4
Whoop, almost forgot the music. Since Methodius' theme is Milky Way Wishes, logically this is his associated battle music.

>A. Attack the one that's up close (specify if not with Elfire)

Oh lord, Marx's theme. Does Methodius wish to become a god?

Not particularly, it just suits the Super Star association and "not as pleasant as he might initially seem" vibe.

I mean, Megalomania is the Regional Director fight theme and none of them are named Odio.

>A. Attack the one that's up close

Dough, having JUST arrived on the island, has not yet had time to take up a Dragon Axe, but he manages to cut through most of the Dracozombie's neck in a single powerful slice anyway. Your Elfire is more general, bathing the faux-corpse in fire.

Clinging to dear unlife as more of your allies rush to finish it off, the Dracozombie's "breaths" cease, and its maw opens.

"Oh, shit," Dough curses, shoving you several feet away before being cloaked in dark death-reeking breath.

People are too afraid to approach the cloud of breath until it dissipates, though they do manage to rend the Dracozombie into pieces with Wyrmite.

As the breath cloud fades, Methodius appears within it, clinging to a pale, weak, shaking, but still very much not dead Dough's shirt as his axe falls to the wayside. "That's... Six, now."

>A. Try to attack!
>B. Sing!
>C. Watch in horror!
>D. Focus on the other Dracozombies!
>E. Write-in response

>B. Sing!

>B. Sing!

>B. Sing!

Your first instinct at the sight of Dough, about to be taken and turned into a Deadlord like your mother, Raleigh, and whoever Bovis was (and, by the sound of things, at least two more people), is to sing to your wounded companion.

His flesh gaining just a tinge more pigment, he builds up just enough strength to shove the ancient fellow away as his pendant glows, vanishing without the person he assumed seizing to be a shoe-in.

"You..." Dough pants, immediately collapsing again, "saved my life..."

"Of course," you say. "I know we're not friends or anything of the sort, but... You've proven your loyalty, saved me from that same fate. I'll..."

"Just... Shut up and kill those other dragons!" Dough demands, being carried away by two of his men, hidden hopefully out of Methodius' notice.

The Dracozombies, on top of their weakness to Wyrmite, also hold their normal winged beast-wide weaknesses to arrows and wind magic, so the Isle of Wyrm is barely inconvenienced by their presence.

You and Fabrice speak with your father and Dough in your one of your ship's cabins, Dinah, Edwyg, and Adam also all standing guard nearby and outside.

"He... Came just to kill me and turn me, didn't he?" Dough asks.

"And he failed at that," your father says, sounding very pleased. "A fate that's befallen five others..."

"Knowing that Raleigh and Marion are two of these Deadlords, and Dough was considered a viable candidate..." Fabrice starts, "it... Makes me dreadfully curious if there's any significance as to who he selects for the part of undead supersoldier. Could the man who became Bovis have been a person of importance? Who are the other two?"

"Like we can figure any of that shit out," Dough answers. "What worries me more's that... These Dracozombies got me feeling weak. It's half a miracle I ain't dead already, and I certainly can't help you guys anymore..."

>A. Did he want to drop out?
>B. No, he could (suggestion)
>C. He can get back in shape!
>E. Write-in response

>B. No, he could lead a garrison on this Island as we move on to others.

+1

"No," you say, "we've... Got a garrison established on this island, and you've shown an impressive amount of guile as a subcommander. So long as you lie low... Lay low? Er, anyway, the point is that you can absolutely safely do this and be guarded from Methodius..."

"Then do so I shall!" Dough declares.

youtube.com/watch?v=x1BZkz69gaA

With a few forces installed in the Isle of Wyrm, you set sail to Bryton Isle to pick up your main forces once again. Still no healers lending a hand, but oh so many staves nobody can actually use enter your army's inventory.

Fabrice, soon enough, provides you with further intel on your opponents' movements. "Oswald Dory's son Cornelius is guarding their holdings in the Nevasa Island subregion, while his daughter Adelais has broken through Director Hera's defenses and begun to take the isles surrounding Briggid. Her forces are smaller in number and in the midst of Empire territory, but far more elite than her brother's equivalents. I'm not certain if they're going to be able to win against the Empire, but it's clear that they're still... Very much distracted. It would be wise to use this opportunity to take the Northern island's subregion while it's distracted, if you don't mind leaving the Dory Company's stronghold to spread a little... For the moment, they've yet to display any aggression toward our own forces, only a lack of any support."

>A. Director Hera can say her prayers!
>B. We'll hit that sea mob before they have the chance!

>B. We'll hit that sea mob before they have the chance!

>B. We'll hit that sea mob before they have the chance!

"The Empire is better than a bunch of smugglers, Fabrice," you say, "and we're in this revolution to lessen people's suffering, not take advantage of the machinations of smugglers."

"I worried you would say that..." Fabrice sighs. "You're the boss, I suppose. Play hero all you like... I'm going on a makeup run so long as we're on a main island. Can I get you anything? Perhaps something to hide those bags under your eyes..."

"Bags?" You ask, being handed a hand mirror. "Shit, when'd I start looking 30?"

"War is a nightmare on your mental age, and it spills out all over your face," Fabrice says, "it's why it's even more important to pretty ourselves up..." He swipes back the mirror and immediately begins applying several different products. It leads you to silently wonder just how much he uses if he still needs to go buy more...

"I mean, if you prioritize being pretty, suit yourself," yous say. "Just, uh... Don't get on people's cases for not bein' up to your standards."

"Samson darling, some of these men need to be reminded to WASH. It was a miracle and a half to find spry young swordsmen who cared about cleanliness, and then the two I liked most were Dory cronies all along... Oh, Fort Dalshin, you cruel, cruel mistress."

The next morning, several more pounds of beautification items than is probably entirely necessary stowed aboard your boat, you set off for Nevasa Island. The Dory family seems as though an era of law-breaking mercantile success and fortune is their destiny, but you'll do whatever you can to to defy the stars.

>To be continued next thread
Ah, the forces of "it's a prequel, X can't happen." It's why I set Silver Scales 200 years before Generically based around events only vaguely described. It's also why I said in the prologue's OP, "...maybe you can outright break history!"

Thanks for playing, as always. Update twitter/ask.fm are qmgrandflocto, and I'll be around in-thread for awhile.

Thank you for running, Octo. Goodnight.

Always a pleasure.

Thanks for running.

The appreciation is appreciated and mutual!