Sleeping Gods Quest #46

>I wanted to ask you something... (Write in)
Are you two going on this tour with Sho as well?

In time, you ask, for what?

“To accompany us, of course!” Miura smiles again, “Sho... the Emperor has asked me to accompany him on his travels. I was given to understand that you would be travelling with us, to serve as a mediator between the Emperor and... whoever else he may speak with.”

That's certainly painting your role in a more pleasant light. If you would be accompanying them – and this is news to you – then you'll be serving as a bodyguard, no different from Ishida. So, you ask, does she know where the Emperor plans to go?

“First, to the Dragon's Head – I dearly wished to see it again, under better circumstances – and then to the Nameless Temple. Won't that be nice?” she asks, “You can show us around, I'm sure he'd be fascinated by it! When we're finished there, I asked if we could visit Garuna. I believe that the Emperor should have the chance to meet with my... with the high priestess. Sooner, I should add, rather than later.”

Frowning again at that vague suggestion, you wait for Miura to explain. She gasps slightly, as if realising her error, and then hastens to reveal her secrets.

“You mustn't spread this around,” she whispers, “But I believe the Emperor plans to ask for my hand in marriage.”

So, you think to yourself, it looks like Sho has finally found his nerve. What does she think about that, you ask, how are things between the two of them??

“Oh, well, I...” Miura hesitates – just for a second, mind, but a significant second nonetheless – before continuing on, “I like him. I feel that... it would be no hardship, becoming his bride. I would have to put aside my duties as a priestess, but that's a sacrifice I am prepared to make.”

[1/2]

What about her, you ask, how has she been doing?

“I mustn't complain,” the young priestess complains, “But I find it rather lonely here. Ra is often busy with his duties, and there are so many layers of... protocol. Sho and I, we cannot just speak as two teenagers should speak. If will be a relief, I think, to visit Garuna for a time, even if it is a short time. If we are to marry, I fear this may be the last time I will see it. Not... as I see it now. If I should visit Garuna again, it will be as an ambassador, a politician.”

The conversation dies here, quite naturally fading into an awkward pause. Clearing your throat, you pick a topic at random to discuss. Someone woke up from their nap a few days ago, you tell Miura, can she guess who?

“A nap?” she frowns slightly, “I... cannot say, Sir Ira. Is this a riddle?”

Nodens, you tell her, he has risen to the surface once more. You spoke, actually – he's an interesting man to speak with.

“Ah!” Miura's eyes widen a little, “Amazing! I wonder... what will Selene think about this?”

Perhaps she'll get the chance to find out, you tell her, when she visits Garuna again. Speaking of that visit, are they both going to be attending – Ishida as well?

“She will be coming,” Miura confirms, “I dare say, she wouldn't let me out of her sight for long. Her orders are quite strict – I was to be protected, no matter the circumstances. Ah, I don't wish to sound ungrateful – Ishida is a good friend, and a fine companion. I'm lucky to have such a devoted attendant.”

Before Miura can add anything to that, your former escort appears. “I have orders,” he begins, “To take you speak with the Emperor's advisor. His business has concluded, and he wished to speak with you.”

>Lead on, then
>Can it wait? I had some other business... (Write in)
>Miura, I wanted to ask you something before I go... (Write in)
>Other

>Lead on, then

>Lead on, then
Looks like we'll have to protect both of them when Ascetic attacks.

>Lead on, then
Ishida's got her work cut out for her, if she ever has to face one of Ascetic's men.

Lead on then, you tell the guard, you've got your own reasons for wanting to speak with Ra. The informal note in your voice causes his eye to twitch a little – a soldier, through and through – but he turns to lead you away regardless. As you're heading out, Ishida catches your arm.

“Garuna hasn't had a visit from an Emperor in... ever,” she murmurs to you, “It'll be quite the mess. I dare say that nobody would notice the pair of us creeping off to explore the catacombs. I can't see us getting a better chance.”

Maybe, you mutter back, but it might not be safe enough. You've got a damn good reason not to stray from the Emperors side.

“I'm just thought you should know,” the bodyguard tells you, releasing your arm, “It's not what I'd call “ideal” either, but sometimes you've got to take what you can get. That's life, right Furyo?” There's a certain cynicism in her voice that you don't care to dwell on, so you simply give Ishida a vague nod and hurry after the guard. With the Ascetic on the loose, you might have to put everything else on hold.

The sooner you get the chance to put him down, the better.

Into winding corridors and finely decorated halls, the guard leads you towards Ra's private chambers. Once again, he gives you a generous distance once you get close, allowing you to finish the short trip without the sound of his boots thumping against the plush carpet. A small blessing, but one you appreciate nonetheless.

When you knock, Ra calls out for you to enter. When you see him, you nearly mistake him for a far older man – the room is gloomy, and stress has done the spymaster no favours.

The fact that you're about to make his day a lot worse doesn't improve your mood any. Still, he needs to know about this.

[1/2]

“It's a bloody mess, Ira,” Ra sighs, once you've finished telling him about the Ascetic's plans, “I know there's a lot to gain from the excursion, but the risks were already enormous. This only makes things that much worse.” He reaches for a thick crystal bottle of some spirit but then changes his mind.

It's definitely an additional risk, you agree, but there's no way of knowing that the Emperor would be any safer within the palace. The Ascetic seems patient enough, but he's also smart – if a hole in the palace defences doesn't show itself, he isn't above making his own opportunity. A second attack on the capital isn't out of the question, and he wouldn't be nearly so delicate.

“And he wanted to leave as soon as possible,” Ra complains, “The Emperor, I mean. He was undecided about this for so long, and Hirohito almost convinced him to stay here. Then, quite suddenly, he was determined to leave. I can't say why... but I can guess.”

Miura, you think to yourself. Either she convinced Sho, or the foolish boy did it to impress her.

“Then, Hirohito said that he'd come with us,” Ra grimaces, “Another sudden change. Before now, he had nothing but scorn for the idea. Still, that matter has been dealt with, at least. You probably saw the chaos about the palace as you were coming in. Well... no matter.” Sighing again, he casts a longing look at the crystal decanter. “Oh, I'm sorry for rambling. What do you think about all this, then?”

>I'm not coming along. This isn't my problem
>I think it should be cancelled. It's too much of a risk
>So, when do we leave?
>Could you tell me a little more about Hirohito's part in all this?
>Other

>Could you tell me a little more about Hirohito's part in all this?

>Could you tell me a little more about Hirohito's part in all this?
>So, when do we leave?
"Ra, I am going to need to be by the Emperor indefinitely until Ascetic is dead. I'm the only one that has the means to counter his sorcery. I don't think the Ascetic knows my capabilities or that I am onto him so that gives us a slight advantage."

>At least we probably won't need to worry about warrior zealots
>When the attack comes, don't mistake the enemy for regular humans. Outnumber them 5 to 1, and I would still worry. They won't be very many, at least.
>Could you tell me a little more about Hirohito's part in all this?

>Could you tell me a little more about Hirohito's part in this?
I have a bad feeling he knows Aya is still alive.

it's not exactly hard to figure out for the spymaster. The question is who ordered the attack in the first place, and if THEY know/care.

If he doesn't he is going to know soon enough with new paper coming out. Still, trying to go for Aya would be an taken as an attack on the Nameless Temple so I don't think he is going to try anything.

Well Ra knew all along since we told him.

>Other

Ira Can't be the only wanderer. Why don't we call in backup to secure the Emperor? Get a couple dudes to petition Murmur to help them get rid of a Sorcerer and such.

I'm just saying, body doubles are a thing. Maybe Selene could even help him appear to be in two places at once?

I meant Hirohito, not Ra.

Well Song of Discord just stays on and covers a long range. I don't think having more of the spell would change anything.

There are a few things you wanted to suggest, you tell Ra, about how best to handle this situation. First of all, you need to be by the Emperor's side as much as you can – maybe even indefinitely. The Ascetic is likely to use sorcery, and you're the only one who can counter that. If there's one advantage to this, it's that you don't think the Ascetic knows about you yet – he'll not be expecting someone with your skills when he attacks.

“Excellent,” Ra nods, “I'm only too happy to have you by the Emperor's side. I don't think he'll have any complaints, either, although I suspect his reasons would differ from my own. What else can you give me?”

These assassins the Ascetic will bring, you begin, don't mistake them for normal men. When fighting them, outnumbering them five to one might still not be enough. If there's one blessing, it's that he'll only have a dozen of them. Anyone else he manages to sway to his cause, they'll just be normal men.

“Which is still a threat,” Ra reminds you, “A rifle is a great equaliser, after all.”

Of course. At least they won't have to worry about Kala's own warrior-priests. The Ascetic saw to that. This time, as you fall silent, you're the one to cast a hungry eye over at the flask of liquor. This thing with Hirohito, you mention, it's bothering you – what's his role in all this?

“He first decided to travel with us, with the Emperor, after meeting with Takino. I can't learn what they talked about, not with all my resources,” Ra grimaces, “However, whatever they discussed, it had an impact. Perhaps Hirohito fears losing his influence over the Emperor, because he added himself to the excursion. The Emperor... didn't take that well. Suffice to say, Hirohito found himself with new orders – he has been moved to the Stone of the South-West, along with many of his troops. For now, the capital is in Takino's hands.”

Takino, the brave defender of the city. Bastard.

[1/2]

So, you ask after you trust yourself not to curse aloud, when does the Emperor plan on leaving?

“If it had been up to him, yesterday,” Ra shakes his head wearily, “I was able to stall him, though, in the hopes that you could make it here. As you can imagine, I'd planned to have you serve as an intermediary between the Emperor and the more faithful individuals he met with. Like, say, Lapis. Now, I'm especially glad you're with us. I wager the Emperor will want to leave immediately.”

No time to make extra arrangements then, you sigh. You had been hoping to draft in a few extra Wanderers, to train them to defeat sorcery as you can.

“If you sent a bird ahead, they might be able to meet us at the Dragon's Head,” Ra offers, “But I doubt there would be any time to train them specially. Still, if you feel the reinforcements would help, by all means send for them. I dare say their help will be as welcome as yours.”

And what about a body double, you ask, is there any time to arrange that?

“I've arranged to have a number of carriages prepared,” Ra replies, “Identical to the Imperial carriage, and fully enclosed. It's not exactly a body double, but it should offer some concealment as we travel. Again, without time for anything more effective, this is the best I can manage. The Emperor, you understand, is impulsive – he doesn't take well to waiting, even when his life is in danger.”

That's something you've come to realise.

“So...” Ra stands, smoothing out his clothes, “I could make the preparations for us to depart, if you wish.”

>I'm ready. Go for it
>Let me send for those reinforcements first
>Can you stall a little longer, I had some more business... (Write in)
>Other

>>Let me send for those reinforcements first
Give a status report for everyone about recent events as well. Kala, Nodens, Veragi, Ascetic, the tour, etc.

Then let's go.

>Let me send for those reinforcements first
Give everyone the news, Also make a separate letter Howa only. She'd like that I imagine.

Should we tell Ra what we know of the prophesy? That Sho is generally okay with putting his life on the line defying gods because otherwise, he's fated to die anyway?

>Let me send for those reinforcements first

Suppose so. I'm sure Ra has been curious for years now.

The boy isn't dying young if we have anything to say about it.

may as well, also tell him who and where we got it from. Nodens looks weird, but he's a cool dude.

You have a few letters you need to send first, you tell Ra, before you can leave.

“Sending for those reinforcements, then?” he asks.

Among other things, you answer vaguely, you want to keep everyone updated. If nothing else, you can have them clean up the Nameless Temple a little before the Emperor arrives. It wouldn't do to make a bad impression on him, would it?

“Well, that's certainly true. I can't imagine he would order the temple shut down because of a little dust, but it never hurts to be presentable,” Ra forces a laugh, seeking out what little cheer he can find in the situation. In that moment, you decide to answer one of the man's longest held questions – the nature of Sho's prophecy. As you tell him this, Ra's eyes widen. “You learned it?” he gasps, “How... I mean...”

Nodens, having risen from the depths of the ocean, was able to tell you. The prophecy, you tell Ra quietly, is a simple one – Sho would die young, and as the last of his line. With that grim fate hanging over him, the boy had no reason to fear the gods – either he would defy them, with all the dangers involved, or he would succumb to the fate laid out for him. Resignation can make a man dangerous, after all.

“You're right, it's simple,” Ra sinks into his seat as he thinks, “And still, it destroyed his parents. To think, so much of this suffering could have been averted if only Selene had kept her poison words to herself. At times such as these, Ira, I confess that I can sympathise with those who hate the gods. They really don't understand us mere mortals, do they?”

With nothing else to say, you find yourself murmuring a vague apology to Ra. What you're apologising for, you couldn't quite say.

“Thank you for telling me this, Ira,” the old advisor says, his words solemn but heavy with gratitude, “I feel... like I understand the boy a little better now.”

Well, you reply awkwardly, you'd better go. You've got a message to send, after all.

[1/2]

You spend a long time writing your messages, your concentration hardly helped by the constant murmur of birds in the distance. How the aviary attendant can endure this place, you'll never understand. Finally, when you get them worded just right – admittedly, it's the letter to Howa that takes the longest to pen – you hand them over and pay to have them flown to the Nameless Temple. Hopefully, they reach their destination as fast as the attendant claims they will.

Making your way back to the palace entrance, you meet with Ra halfway and he leads you to the gathering party. He carries a map under one arm, rolled into a tight scroll. Outside, in the shadow of three grand carriages, he crosses to a low table and spreads out the map.

“Our plan is to travel roughly halfway today,” Ra explains, tracing one finger along the map, “This outpost here is where we'll stop and rest. Yesterday, I ordered troops out to secure it. After spending the night there, we'll ride into the Dragon's Head with the rising sun. The Emperor insisted that it had to be that way.”

Gazing down at the route, you remark that it's a slow one. Setting off now, they could make it far further before nightfal.

“A lone rider could, certainly,” Ra points out, “But we'll be travelling in convoy, taking it slowly and cautiously. In addition, we won't ride at night – the risk of ambush is simply too great.”

A fair point.

“Now, you could ride here, in one of the decoy carriages,” Ra continues, nodding to the vehicles, “Or you could ride ahead with the scouts. They're well trained, but not infallible. If there's any traps along the road, your help might make the difference. Then again, there's always the rearguard, but that might be a waste of your talents. Where do you want to place yourself?”

>I'll ride in one of the decoys
>Get me a horse, I'll ride ahead with the scouts
>I'll handle the rearguard
>Other

>I'll ride in one of the decoys
Stay close to the Emperor.

>Stay with the Emperor
we have Towards the Great Land to immediately move him somewhere else, then possibly Veragi's Step back into the fight.

>I'll ride in one of the decoys

>Get me a horse, I'll ride ahead with the scouts

>Other
Couldn't we get a horse and ride alongside in the middle with the decoys and Emperor? We can get to the rear or front quickly if need be.

this

>Yes, that's certainly possible. I'll add that in, if anyone wanted to vote for that or change their vote.

Thirding this then.

First rule of escort missions - Don't Ditch Your Escort.

You said you'd stay by the Emperor's side, you tell Ra, and you meant that. You're not going to ride in one of the decoys, however – carriages were never really your kind of thing. If they give you a horse, you'll ride by their side. That way, you can move to where you're needed the most at a moment's notice.

“I see,” Ra nods, “Excellent idea, Ira. Ah, here's someone I wanted to introduce you to. Captain, could you come over here?”

The man that heeds Ra's call wears the white cloak of a herald, but otherwise looks remarkably unimpressive. He is, quite possibly, the laziest looking man you've ever seen. His moustache droops, and his long, grey hair is tied back. The only thing about him that doesn't look half-hearted are his eyes, alive with a bright intelligence. Saluting, he offers you his hand.

“Ira, this is Captain Akito, the lead scout,” Ra explains, “He'll be riding ahead of us. With a little luck, you won't see him again until we arrive at the outpost.”

“Charming,” Akito grumbles, his voice as slow and easy-going as you expected, “Here, gods willing, you won't need this.” He hands you a tin whistle, a long cord allowing you to hang it from your neck. “If any of us runs into trouble, we'll give a single long blow on it. To signal the all clear, two short blasts. You got that, friend?”

One call for danger, you repeat, two for safety.

“Good man,” Akito nods, “I'll be going ahead with three of my best men. If we run across anything – a trap, a blockage in the road, anything – I'll send one of them back to you with the news. Other than that, I don't think we'll need to bother each other much. Good travels, friend.”

Saluting once more, Akito turns and wanders away without another word. “Not much of a talker,” Ra explains as he departs, “But an excellent scout. Well, I think that about wraps up the preparations. Ready to hit the road?”

>I'm ready
>I had some other business to take care of... (Write in)
>Other

>>I'm ready

>I'm ready

>I'm ready

>I'm ready

You're ready, you tell Ra, ready for whatever dangers the road might have to throw at you.

“Good,” Ra looks out along the three carriages, all sturdily built and nearly identical. Only a faint sloppiness marks out the pair of imposters, a testament to their hasty construction. Nothing, you hope, that should be particularly noticeable out upon the open road. “The Emperor will be riding in the middle carriage, with Miura, Ishida and I. The other two will have soldiers – well trained men, ones I trust absolutely – in them. With a little luck, we won't need their strength.”

With a little luck, you echo hollowly. Right now, you're not about to put too much trust in luck.

-

By nature, you're not a slow rider. You tend to hurry from place to place, from job to job. Slowly guiding your horse along this forested path seems like something you'd do to pass the time on a lazy weekend. It's almost leisurely, relaxing and calm.

Your pace is the only calm thing about the journey. Ever noise, every rustle of leaves or crack of a breaking branch causes you – and every other soldier riding around you – to look around in carefully controlled panic. Even if you could forget the constant tapestry of noises surrounding you, the military issue carbine in your hands is a reminder of your duties. It's a heavy weapon, without much in the way of elegance, but it's easier to use from horseback than a full sized rifle. The other soldiers carry identical weapons, occasionally bringing them up to scan the treeline.

Without looking at your map, you can't be sure, but you're about halfway between the capital and your destination when the first problem arises. A rider, wearing the white armband of a scout, comes racing down the path towards you. Staring down the rifle barrels that suddenly turn to face him, he cries out a hasty explanation.

[1/2]

“It were the rope we saw first,” he says, in between heavy breaths, “Strung right across the road. I don't rightly know how it worked – I'm no mechanic or nothing – but Captain Akito said it were a bomb it was hooked up to. A real nasty one, he said, something ready to blow a horse right in half. He took a look at it himself, while we stood guard.”

And, you prompt, what happened?

“Well, he took it to bits,” the scout explains, “Good with his hands, the captain. Damn thing was crammed full of nails, bit of sharp steel. No danger now, thank the gods, but it was a close thing. No sign of anything else, no bandits or nothing, but I was sure we were being watched. Like, maybe this was just to slow us down, that's what the captain said. Too obvious to be a real trap. He sent me back, told me to tell you that it's safe to proceed. He'll be there at the outpost to meet us, right like we planned.”

With that, the scout guides his steed in a tight circle and takes off ahead of you, carving out the trail that you'll follow.

-

The sun is starting to dip low in the sky when you arrive, and it isn't long before you start to sense danger. Contrary to what the scout told you, nobody rides out to meet you, to welcome you and offer you shelter. In fact, the outpost is completely deserted. Slowing your horse right down, you ride to the Emperor's carriage and rap your knuckles against the door. As Ra opens a thin slit – you hate speaking to a closed door – you explain the situation in a clipped, terse voice.

“I see,” Ra replies simply, “I fear that our scouts may be... no, it's too early to say. What would you suggest, Ira?”

>We get out of here. Ride hard, and we might make it to the Dragon's Head within a few hours
>I want to search this place carefully before deciding our next move
>We hole up in the most secure building and wait until dawn. Then we move
>Other

wait, the scouts aren't supposed to use the whistle signals to give an all clear, just us?

>I want to search this place carefully before deciding our next move
Detect Magic on the outpost.

No one has been using whistles...

>That's correct - they SHOULD be using their whistles. Assuming everything is going to plan, of course.

>I want to search this place carefully before deciding our next move

We didn't smell sorcery on that scout did we?

>I want to search this place carefully before deciding our next move

>We didn't sense anything abnormal about him at the time, no.

You want to search this place, you tell Ra, and you want to search it well. Once you know what happened, you can make a decision about your next move. For one thing, you want to know where the scouts went, what fate befell them. That, you feel, could shed a great deal of light on things here.

“Very well,” Ra nods, “I'll have some of the troops spread out to cover more ground, while the others stay close to guard the Emperor. I hope-”

Anything else Ra might have to say is cut off as Sho Tatsuhiro, Emperor of all Tenngaru, pushes his boyish face over to the slit in the door. “This is exciting!” he announces, with an idiot grin, “I knew that leaving the palace would be interesting, but I didn't think it would be like this. Is travelling with you always so eventful?”

Actually, you sigh as you dismount your horse, he's not that far away from the truth.

“You'll have plenty of stories to share, then?” he asks, his insistent voice following you as you take a few cautious steps away. Ignoring him as best you can, you check the carbine over one last time – loaded and ready for use – and begin to prowl through the darkened outpost. As you walk, you let your senses expand to take in any kind of magical presence.

It's hard to say exactly what you sense, but the effects are immediately obvious. The gun in your hands feels cold, as dead as a lump of stone. Suddenly, you recall the vision of those massacred sailors, and how their weapons failed them as well. Some magic stopped them from firing, leaving the powder dead and their primers inert. That same magic is here, draped across the outpost like a wet blanket.

The Ascetic is, at the very least, close by.

[1/2]

Would Song of Discord or Veragi's Blade nullify the anti-gun spell? Don't do it now though, don't want to tip our hand just yet.

Veragi's dagger would cancel the spell, yes. Song of Discord would as well, and it would prevent additional spells from being used.

Following some nameless instinct, perhaps the guidance of your heightened senses, you creep around to one of the darkened, deserted buildings. A general store, you assume as you spot the sign hanging above the door, one with neither clerk nor customer. The shop itself is of no interest – there's an identical copy in every outpost you could stop at – but as you approach, you hear the buzz of flies. When the wind shifts, the smell of death reaches you.

Grimacing, you creep around behind the shop and stop, the stench hitting you harder now. With barely a scattering of dirt to cover them, you easily make out the outlines of bodies, nearly a dozen of them – it's hard to say exactly, such is the state of dismemberment. Despite the bile rising up in your throat, you kneel down and brush aside some of that dirt. One of the smashed, bloodied faces staring blindly up at you is familiar – that drooping moustache in unmistakable.

So, you think to yourself with a cold precision, that's what happened to the scouts.

Then, behind you, there is a rustle from deep within the undergrowth.

>Please roll 1D100, aiming to beat 60/80/90. I'll take the highest of the first three, and spell cards can be used. Choose wisely!

Rolled 16 (1d100)

Rolled 55 (1d100)

Let's see the rolls first.

Rolled 80 (1d100)

Ok solid. Would Wrath just this one combatant or this entire conflict at the outpost?

>I'd say it would last for the entire conflict, until the danger has passed.

Alright let's start Wrath early then.

Only works on one target though

If it only works on one target I'd rather save it for Ascetic but if it works for the whole conflict then use it.

>Yes, that's correct. Once we move onto a new target, the bonus will drop back to +5. However, that minimum bonus will last for the entire combat.

Oh! That's fine then, go ahead and use Wrath. Saves us from needing to activate it later.

Also stab this dude with Veragi's dagger.

Rolled 41 (1d100)

As you rise and start to turn, the rustle turns into the crash of a charging animal. The figure that bursts from the trees is muscular, his skin painted with flowing, intricate designs that seem to blur his outline. His eyes bulge from his skull, and the teeth that leer out from drawn lips are very white indeed. All those details, you notice in the space of a second.

The sword he carries, you notice as he raises it above his head, howling like a beast as he prepares to bring it down upon you. This bestial creature, this soulless animal that hides behind the shape of a man, could only be one of the Ascetic's chosen few – one of twelve savage beings. With the useless carbine still clutched in your hands – you curse the decision to keep hold of it – you can but raise it to catch the falling blade. The sword bites deep into the carbine's wooden stock and catches fast. The rifle might be in a poor shape, but it served its purpose.

As the savage stares at you, a faint confusion entering his eyes, you kick him in the stomach. It's like kicking a damn statue. Still, you knock him down and away, buying yourself enough time to draw your sword and dagger.

Facing the barbaric assassin, you hear a distant shout – the first of many, no doubt – and more of those savage cries. Other attackers are emerging from the trees, falling upon the soldiers with hungry blades.

Then your enemy lunges forwards once more – his sword abandoned and replaced by a knife – and your world narrows to him and him alone.

>Please roll 1D100, aiming to beat 70/80/90. I'll take the highest of the first three, and this will be at +10.
>I'll roll an attack for this guy, aiming to beat 60/80/90.

Rolled 100 (1d100)

As the mountain

Song of Discord! Those men need their guns and it will disorient the Berserkers.

This. Also I don't think I need to roll.

Nice

Also whenever this fight ends try to keep him alive just for a second and use
>[Panoptes] Testing the Web
And find the connection that he is the most 'Loyal' to. Find Ascetic.

You're welcome, hopefully Ira one shots him.

As the assassin charges towards you, you duck and step quickly towards him, allowing the clumsy attack to fly straight over your head. With his momentum carrying him past you, the berserker is helpless against your attack. You slash across his back with your sword, splitting those intricate designs adorning his skin and spilling out a wash of dark blood.

Not enough blood – your blade just doesn't seem to bite into him as it would a normal human, as though his skin was as tough as thick leather. Neither does the wound seem to cause him even the slightest trace of discomfort or inconvenience. Oh, he cries out as your sword slides through him, but it's a howl of simple, blood-drunk rage. There's no pain in his voice, no fear or dismay.

No humanity at all, in fact. It's just as Marlo said – it's like the Ascetic pulled out whatever it was that made him a man, and replaced it with a beast.

With an anger building within your heart – it's a familiar anger, but a pale phantom of the true rage that abominations stir – you thrust your sword through the back of the barbarian's knee, pinning him to the ground. Disarming him with a savage twist of your hand – you feel bones shatter as you crush his wrist – you cast his knife away. Then, with the enchanted dagger held in a tight grip, you plunge the blade into his back. As the black metal enters his, his eyes lose that blank ferocity.

“What-” he mumbles, every trace of pain and anguish that had been missing rushing back to him. Ignoring his words, you drag up the memory of Panoptes, of the spider's great web. This time, it's easy to read.

Two frail connections – the memory of a savage kinship, perhaps – stretch away to the rest of the battlefield. Other assassins, you presume. The final connection – tainted, but recognisable as a fanatical loyalty – leads you further away, into the forest.

And it's getting further away with each passing moment.

>Pursue the Ascetic
>Stay and continue the fight

I need a look at how the fight is going outside to decide. Execute this dude and look. Did our Song of Discord as they were charging give our men the edge with the rifles being available along with the weakened Berserkers?

No wait! Go outside and address all the assassins. Get all their attention somehow and
>[Lapis] Draconic Authority
"Find and kill your Master Ascetic. Do not stop until he is dead."

That way the convoy is okay and we have our own bloodhounds.

If we can do this, fucking go for it.

Let loose the hounds. Hopefully Ascetic will kill them all in self defense and he'll be tired out when he fights us.

+1

>Okay, a few more details about the fight, in spoiler tags:
With rifle fire, the soldiers were able to bring down one of the attackers, with two left to reach close combat. Even weakened with Song of Discord, they have the edge over the soldiers

>That would also work, yes.

Only 4 attackers are here? Did Web point out the other 8?

>They were too distant to be caught in the radius of the spell. However, that does mean that they're too far away to be any kind of danger.

Hmm alright. I don't leaving those 8 as an unknown but pull the trigger on the Lapis plan. We can always retreat if we need to.

Can we keep Web on when we are chasing Ascetic. In case of any surprises.

>Yes, that would be possible.
>Sorry for the slow response. I've got something of a bad headache, and it's slowing me down a little. The next update is almost ready.

As the first cracks of rifle fire begin to reach your ears, you crush down the tide of anger rising within you. It becomes a cold thing, a cruel thing. Tearing your sword out of the ground – the fallen assassin screams as the blade leaves his body – you take a single step back and swing, beheading the defeated man in a single slash. Leaving his body, you rush back towards the field of battle, flicking blood from your weapons as you go.

The situation, as you arrive, is grim. A scattering of bodies – some reduced to pieces – lie upon the darkened earth, and the two surviving berserkers seem intent on adding to the toll of the dead, even as the soldiers stab and slash at them. Murmur's magic has slowed them, leaving them clumsy and vulnerable, but they still lash out with terrible strength. In the midst of the fighting, you see a flash of white as the moonlight falls upon Ishida's garb. She stands between the Emperor's carriage – Miura's carriage, really – and the assassins, her silver blade licking out whenever one stumbles towards her.

Calling upon the power Lapis granted you, you draw breath and howl out an order to those reeling assassins. Find their master, you cry, track him to the furthest corners of the land. Hunt him down, and kill him! Do not stop, not until the Ascetic is dead!

The magic burns your throat as if it was fire, but the words take effect in an instant. The assassins break away from the soldiers they duel with and race off towards the forest. With the tenuous connections that bind them growing further and further away, you know that you'll lose track of them soon – unless you give chase. But then, that would leave the Emperor here, guarded only by the remains of his soldiers.

>Pursue the Ascetic
>Remain here and secure the area
>Other

>Pursue the Ascetic

>>Pursue the Ascetic
While I do want to protect Sho, we've shown too many of our cards to the Ascetic. We need to gut him now.

Fuck, alright. Web said there are no other Berserkers in a long range, we tipped our hand to Ascetic, and we mitigated the damage to the convoy.

We are going to need to kill him now.
>Pursue the Ascetic
Tell Ishida what we are doing then go.

>Ah, okay. Looks like we're chasing after him. Could I get a D100, then, aiming to beat 60/80?
>Spell cards will NOT apply to this roll, and I'll take the highest of the first three rolls.

Rolled 19 (1d100)

Not even traverse?

Rolled 51 (1d100)

Fuck we are totally going to lose him aren't we?

Rolled 43 (1d100)

Rolled 49 (1d100)

Here comes the Clutch?