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Jun 12, 2020 12:15
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B E I- get us a sweet rear end crab
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Jun 12, 2020 14:57
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Jun 12, 2020 14:58
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malbogio posted:A A- Loot the ship Loot!: 1d8 5 - Success You confidently stroll unto the merchant's deck. You didn't help take the ship, but neither did the pirates, really. Abigail did all the work, and you have as much right to the loot as any of these scalliwags. You start with clothes. No dresses you can see, just bolts of cloth. You never learned to sew, that's servant work. You quickly abandon the idea of wearing lady's clothes. As a Gentleman Explorer, you know well the wisdom of pants and pockets. The salt encrusted trash on most of these sailors is beneath you, so you slip into the captain's quarters while they celebrate the gold chest and take a fine pair of pantaloons, a fresh shirt, some worn boots, and a long leather jacket. They're all a bit loose, enough that you might pass for a men among the poorly sighted, but they fit well enough to be comfortable. With these clothes you'll fit in better with sailors without sacrificing your dignity. You gained an upper class sailor's outfit! You grin. Looting feels good! Really good! What else do you need? Maybe a weapon? Most of your training has centered on the rapier, but you doubt anyone on the ship has such a noble weapon. You know how to load and operate a firearm, but you're no expert. Besides, they're all in the share pile by now. Your eye catches on the belt dagger of a young surrendered sailor. There's fine floral engraving on the sheath. You take it right off his belt, staring him down when he scowls at you. As you expected, it's solid craftsmanship and well cared for. You gained a good quality dagger! What else? By now the other pirates were tearing up the deck in the faint hope of finding more valuable loot. Seems this honeypot is down to the dregs. You stop and think for a moment. Fast Jack was a clever trader. If he still had something extra squirrled away, where would he put it? On a hunch you go down to the stores and take a look at the hard-tack. Every ship had the stale bread-like food product, but it was near the last thing a sailor was willing to eat, right before boots and then their fellow man. You knock over a barrel and pry at the bottom with your new knife. You're rewarded with black bricks. Pressed opium. You squirrel some away and then alert your fellow pirates that Fast Jack is a drug smuggler. They cheer and smash through the stores with feverish enthusiasm. You gained a brick of opium! You gained some goodwill with the crew! C - Party Party: 1d8+1d8 13 Explode?: 1d10 4 Abigail invites you to the captain's feast and you accept. Makohanna, the tattooed man, serves four courses of Fast Jack's finest food and wine. At first your reception is cold and you fear Betty will knock your teeth out at every word. That is, until the captain breaks out the opium. As an aristocrat and adventurer, you are no stranger to the wonderful drug. It would put a raging bull into a stupor, for Betty it takes the edge off. Soon you're delighting everyone with slurred tales of adventure and discovery. You're not the only person willing to share in this relaxed environment. For the first time, you learn a bit about the pirate ship and it's leadership. You can't believe you went more than a month without learning the captain's name! Captain Theodore Iordanou - Captain of the Smiling Stranger claims to be the scion of a noble house. You've never heard of them, so either they're very minor or fictional. Claims he was educated at the National University of Suleiman. He was not, you know because you were educated there and you keep a list of Alumni. He advocates for sustainable piracy. Abigail Iordanou - Skilled witch. Claims she was once a beautiful lady who secretly used her powers to secure her husband's place in the New Anthen Court. They prospered for many years, until a curse backfired and took her beauty. She was imprisoned by her husband, who announced she'd died of the pox and took a new wife. When her grandson discovered the family secret, he broke her free and took to the sea. Her story sounds a lot like a fairy-tale, and she laughs inappropriately as she tells it. Betty aka "Backbreaker Betty" - First Mate & Bosun. Once captained her own ship, the Scourge. Won't share the tale of what happened to it. Will share the gruesome tale of the stupid woman who asked too many personal questions. Two Eyed Pim - Second Mate & Quartermaster. Says the Stranger and its original crew were his, before Abigail put a curse on him. If he betrays them his skin will melt off his flesh. That was a long time ago, and they're all friends now. It's water under the bridge. Definitely. Adul Alafa- Gunner - Spins a wild tale about being rescued from savages in the Wildlands. Makohanna - Cook - Has not shared his story. You've gained significant goodwill with the senior officers! +1 Mood G - Drink the Soul Knocking potion (Quite an upset!) Abigail laughs and rolls her eyes when you go with the potion. It's clear she wanted you to get a familiar, like her. Her path is well-tread, however, and you prefer virgin territory. As far as you know, no one has discovered the abilities you now wield. She spends the day brewing up your potion. The main ingredient is a stinky mushroom that she handles with great care. Then, to your surprise, she has the ship drop anchor at a small atoll. She tells a pair of sailors to row you out and then leave you there. She has you strip, drink the potion, and lay in the surf. Soon you loose all sense of your own body, you can feel your awareness merge with the waves crashing against the island. You spread out along the surface, and you feel luminous ocean as it touches dark spots of empty land across the whole chain. Then you sink deeper again, to the crushing heart of the sea. It still refuses to bend to your miniscule will. But you feel something else there, a great beast resting in the depths. You see a vast toothy maw flash in the darkness, then many enormous eyes. You connect to it, like you did with the dolphins. A vast intelligence touches your mind. Tendrils of thought probe at you, measuring. First you see yourself on a great throne made of shifting darkness, but that image quickly fades. Another asserts itself, of a ruined city under the sea and at its center a dome covered in glowing glyphs. Within the dome, safe from the sea's destruction, you see a library. Your perspective shifts again, to a casket wrapped in four chains. One chain shatters, and the dome floats gently to the surface. You follow the four chains, and as you do they seem impossibly long and immaterial. They stretch across the known world. You flash to the end of the first chain, to a temple in a wild jungle, far to the east. Another is closer, in an underground tomb. The third goes north, and you recognize the Royal Scepter of New Anthens. You know it's an artifact of Ancient Anthenia, and a major component of their claim to the Anthenian legacy. You are intimately familiar with the last chain. You spent a lot of time in the Suleiman Museum. You see the Gem of Arkas in its display case. As the visions fade, you feel one last thought tendril guide you back to your body. Silvery power suffuses you, a gift from your new friend. First post updated with a character list. Character sheet updated. You have gained another level in Chosen One! +1 Magic +4 Herald of the Deep History Vampiric Trait. When you deal harm to others, either magical or physical, you can heal damage. If your health is full, gain +1 mood. Abyssal Magic has upgraded 1. What are your plans for the "chains?" A. Go after one of the chains B. Ignore the creature's offer 2. What are your plans for the pirates? C. Ingratiate yourself with the pirates and learn everything you can from Abigail. Become a respected member of the crew, until you can steer them where you want to go. You expect this will mean several years of living the pirate's life. D. Mutiny. Take the ship as your own as part of a well-laid plan. E. Leave the pirates when you have a good opportunity. Make your own way. F. Write-in Mr. Prokosch fucked around with this message at 01:30 on Jun 14, 2020 |
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Jun 14, 2020 01:01
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A C
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Jun 14, 2020 01:24
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AC the best place to use Deep magic is in the deep ocean. Why not get ourselves a pirate crew of our own in our back pocket helping us gain untold powers
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Jun 14, 2020 01:26
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A C
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Jun 14, 2020 01:44
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AC What better way to chase after those treasures than with our own pirate ship?
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Jun 14, 2020 01:46
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AC
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Jun 14, 2020 01:58
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A C
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Jun 14, 2020 02:37
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AC Best place for a forbidden sorceress type specializing in ocean-based stuff is on a pirate ship. Chase all the forbidden stuff all day every day.
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Jun 14, 2020 04:44
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A & C Seem like they were meant to be, I would hate to separate them.
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Jun 14, 2020 11:56
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AC is unanimous You cough up salt water as Abigail pulls you from the surf. She starts a fire with one of those new alchemical sparkers and entertains you with a story from her youth, something about a poisoned apple. You’re not really listening. Whatever that thing was, it wants you to break some very valuable things. The library it offered was worth infinitely more. You can’t imagine anyone parting with the gem or scepter willingly. The other two are so remote you’d need a full expedition. As a guest on the Stranger you can’t chart their course, and you doubt they’d see the profit in going after any of them. If you were home, you could mortgage what remains of your family’s estate and hire one last ship. But then you’d have to stop learning magic from Abigail, and she has so much left to teach. She’s right, there’s no better place to be a witch than a pirate ship. You can practice illegal magic openly, without fear of being traced and without magical interference. You smile at her as she mimics a young woman going comatose. Your parents died when you were young, leaving only their vast fortune to keep you company. You were raised by nursemaids and tutors. She’s treated you right since the moment you met her. Gained an Inspiration: Loyalty to Abigail (1) You’ll need to take it slow, then. Study magic and become a trusted member of the senior crew. When the time is right, convince them to go after one of the chains with you. --- You step back on the deck with new eyes. You can’t do anything about the crew’s fear, but you also can’t keep pretending to be a wraith. You start by helping Abigail with her more mundane tasks, like brewing cures for sailor’s ills. You practice your magical precision by scouring the deck clean without harming the tar. You also convince the captain to let you help with navigation. He’s a fair hand at it, but you’re a true expert. It isn’t long before you’re treated like a proper mate. You helped chart the course, so your destination is no surprise. It’s still an impressive sight: the great city of Alexia, the trade hub of the vast Nabash Court, breadbasket of the world. You spot the Watchtower first, its eternal flame rising high above the city of marble. The grand double-docks stretch before you, one side holding lines of warships, the other bustling with trade. The captain steers confidently for the trade docks. A quick application of paint renamed the Stranger to the Magnificent, and its one unremarkable ship among hundreds in Alexia’s enormous docks. It’s a calculated risk. There are so many ships coming in every day, it’s easy to hide in the crowd and turn over your loot. On the other hand, if you’re discovered as pirates in port, there’s no escape. A bombardment here would turn your ship to dust in seconds. The captain offers up some stolen papers and a perfunctory bribe, and you make it past the first hurdle. Most of the crew will be taking shore leave. There’s no point in all the pillaging if you can’t spend it. The senior officers plan to enjoy themselves too, but they also have shore duties. You have no assigned duties, and the captain has generously fronted you an officer’s share of the ship’s profits. What do you do? You have gained 300 Silver Pieces. Not literally, it’s a mixed bag of coins that add up to 300 silver. This is several years of earnings for a laborer, a month for a skilled artisan, or a fun day for an aristocrat like you. Pick two. There will be follow up choices or actions depending on what wins. No need to write in what you want to buy at the market, for example. A. The captain needs to sell his stolen loot. The opium in particular is high profit but hard to offload. He’s taking Betty as backup, but could use one more. B. Abigail needs to restock on alchemical supplies. Most of it is black market. She might be a terror on the sea, but you fear the old woman is much more vulnerable here in a crowded city. She could use an escort. C. Two-Eyed Pim is the quartermaster, and he always handles the mundane purchases that keep the ship running. It’s a big job and you could help him. D. The Gentlemen Explorers have a prominent Lodge here. You’re a respected member. You might be able to find rare maps, restricted knowledge, or skilled help with flexible morals. If you’re lucky, a friend willing to lend you money or high quality equipment will be there. E. The Great Archives are in Alexia. You only have access to the first floor, but it’s still the largest library in the world. You’re also a pirate, so maybe you don’t care so much about where you’re allowed to go anymore. F. You are very well known and liked among scholars. The University of Alexia is second rate compared to the National University, but it’s large and reputable. You could hire someone for an obscure research task without rising too many eyebrows. G. You could send a letter from here to your retainers. If you can convince them of your identity, they can send you back identifying documents and bank notes, granting you access to what remains of your liquid assets. The ship won’t wait the requisite months for this exchange of letters, but if you do this now you might have a lot more money waiting for you when you get back. H. You go shopping on your own in the open markets. This is among the busiest trade cities in the world, you can find anything legal in these markets. I. You go shopping on your own in the black markets. You can find almost anything illegal in this city as well, if you know where to look. J. This is a time to relax and enjoy yourself. Most of the crew are enjoying themselves at seedy bars and whorehouses. You’re a fine lady and would not stoop to such things. You go to a high class pleasure club. Totally different. K. Makohanna is staying on the ship, someone has to. You stay with him for a while and watch for trouble. L. Write-in. It’s a big city, and there are a lot of thing you can do. Mr. Prokosch fucked around with this message at 21:48 on Jun 16, 2020 |
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Jun 16, 2020 21:45
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D G Forgot to pick two. Bob Tuskins fucked around with this message at 23:12 on Jun 16, 2020 |
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Jun 16, 2020 22:48
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B D
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Jun 16, 2020 22:58
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B Entirely because there is so much choice and Abs is important to us. F Knowledge!
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Jun 16, 2020 23:13
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AB
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Jun 16, 2020 23:22
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B - Not only do we need Abigail alive, she can introduce us to the alchemists which can come in useful. G - Plan for the future. Let's get more cash available for our next visit.
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Jun 17, 2020 00:45
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A & B
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Jun 17, 2020 01:52
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BD Get in with our new info source and cultivate our old one
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Jun 17, 2020 02:41
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BD. Need more Teacher Rep and leads on those chains.
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Jun 17, 2020 06:08
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B We'll need information on all that alchemical stuff eventually, stick with someone who can teach us for now. E Let's see if we can't find more books that'll help us with either our magic or getting back on track for exploration.
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Jun 17, 2020 10:35
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Azhais posted:B Abigail eyeballs you when you try to escort her, "you think I'm some helpless old bag? I can wrastle Betty, good as you!" she cackles, then suddenly stops, "wait. You didn't even try it. Cheat." She shakes her head in mock disappointment. You grin at her, "I know you'll be fine, but what will I do without the brilliant light of your wisdom? Besides, a proper witch should know alchemy too! The guilds keep their secrets close, yet you're a master alchemist in addition to your many other talents." She takes one last bustling inventory of her cabin, "Magic and Potion Brewing are the prevailing winds of witchery. Some use only one or the other, but a proper master knows both. These days, they call brewing 'alchemy.' It's a foolish affectation, trying to lift it from its roots," she pauses and considers for a moment, "though I suppose calling it potion brewing is no better. It ain't a potion if I'm rubbing it on a wart, or lighting a stick of incense. Not proper brewing either. Whatever you call it, it's natural magic. You're just bringing out what's already in the plant or beast. Don't have to be soulbound, and if it explodes on you, blame your ignorance. It's why the guilds survive the inquisition." A quick change of clothes and a strategic shawl transforms Abigail from an obvious witch to a slightly witchy grandma, it will have to do, but you're still worried. The Inquisition has always maintained a strong presence in Alexia, in no small part due to mutual antagonism with the Roja. So far, fear of the Owl has kept them from taking the archives, but they've been increasingly belligerent about any restricted knowledge coming out of them. If they knew who Abigail was, they'd hold a city-wide festival after her burning. Setting them aside, the White Guard were a threat to any black market dealings. You heard a lot about their reforms from a simple garrison to a 'modern police force.' Those dogs would happily enforce the Guild's monopoly, they know who throws them their scraps. "We're going to meet a friend of mine in the local Guild supply chain. We could collect most of what we need from the food market, herbal shops, garden supplies, drug dealers, and the jungle. I've done it a time or two, but I'm too old to bother. We don't need bits and pieces here and there when some jingle in the right pocket will get us the whole collection sitting in some Guild warehouse." You make your way through bustling docks and crowded markets. The shouting vendors slowly give way to fancy glass storefronts protected by glaring guards, and then to large, boxy buildings with tiny signs out front. It's a long walk, and you only grow more nervous as you an Abigail lose the protection of the crowds. Finally you reach your destination, an imposing building with "alchemical supply" on a tiny bronze plate next to its huge doors. The old woman strolls in to the bare reception area, thankfully there are no other customers. Reason: 1d8 1 Herald of the Deep: 1d10 9 The clerk's face flickers when he sees Abigail. You have no idea what that means, though he settles quickly on a pleased smile. Abigail smiles back, "hey slick, been a while. I got a list here with what I need. Oh, and throw in a beginners set. Need to break in my new apprentice!" You tune out their dickering over price. Something is very wrong. You can't tell what exactly, but you can feel it. Like there's a riptide about to pull you down. What do you do? A. Play it cool, keep an eye out B. Try to give Abigail a subtle warning C. Shout a warning D. Grab Abigail and RUN E. Confront the clerk about the... Something. He knows what he did! F. Write in
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Jun 19, 2020 21:48
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B
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Jun 19, 2020 21:54
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E
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Jun 19, 2020 22:41
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A the calm before the tempest
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Jun 19, 2020 23:07
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B
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Jun 20, 2020 00:36
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B
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Jun 20, 2020 00:41
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B
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Jun 20, 2020 01:00
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A
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Jun 20, 2020 01:01
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B
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Jun 20, 2020 08:32
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Uh oh. B
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Jun 20, 2020 16:45
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A. Best way to survive a riptide is to ride it out to sea. Fighting it will just tire us out until we drown. Relax, but be ready and keep an eye out.
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Jun 20, 2020 17:26
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Confront the clerk wins in another upset! Intimidate Charisma: 1d6 3 Intimidate Herald: 1d10 10 Explode?: 1d12 12 EXPLODE?: 1d20 20 Something is wrong and you don't know what it is. You do know it's nothing obvious, but this prick gave Abigail a funny look when you came in. You step between them and stare him right in the eye, "what did you do!?" He startles and you can see the wheels turning as he holds your gaze. Then his eyes widen like a trapped doe, "I'm... I'm so sorry. I see now. The Deep calls and I answer..." His voice drifts down to a whisper. Over a long moment, you see him go completely slack, then straighten again. When he speaks again, his eyes are fire, and his voice steel. "This front is a honeypot now. I already triggered the alarm, it rings a bell in the adjoining building. White Guard will be here in seconds. I can hide you in the back." Abigail sneers at the man, but for the moment her rage at the betrayal is weaker than her curiosity as her eyes flicker between you, "I'd take his eyes for this. But... I think he's yours now." You know he is. You're not sure how you did that, but you can feel him radiate absolute devotion. You have gained your first Thrall.  You squat in a crate while your Thrall fast talks the guards into thinking it was a false alarm. Ten minutes later, you're back where you were. Except the clerk's face is a picture of adoring worship. "How can I serve you? Please, I... I must serve you as best I can. I just don't know how. I will provide all that you asked, and more. My life savings are yours. I could steal more! So much more! We could empty this place! It's so clear now, how little it matters. Or does it? I could move up. I see now, it's so easy when your sight is clear! Some hard work here, some poison there. I think, no I know, I could give you the guild! Do you want it? If you don't, I could go with you! Serve you! Kill and die for you! Tell me what to do. Please command me!" What do you want him to do? He will do literally anything in his power and serve you with absolute loyalty and obedience. This vote is in addition to giving you what supplies he can easily sneak out for free. A. Burn his Guild membership and everyone he knows to give you a large amount of money, rare alchemical ingredients, and secret Guild texts on alchemy. B. Same as A, but he'll leave with you. C. Work in the Alexia Alchemists Guild as your agent. He will try to position himself to help you as much as possible. He can provide fewer immediate rewards, but he will give you sustainable funds and ingredients, and you can burn him later for much more than he can access now. There is some risk that he'll be caught. D. Nothing, I refuse to take advantage of this strange mental bondage. E. Write in. Mr. Prokosch fucked around with this message at 01:34 on Jun 23, 2020 |
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Jun 23, 2020 01:30
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 C. . Infiltrate everything! One thrall at a time.
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Jun 23, 2020 01:40
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C put in a command to bite his own tongue out if hes forced to name us by authorities.
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Jun 23, 2020 01:40
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B. I think we can get better returns from investing the lump sum ourselves than from the annuity.
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Jun 23, 2020 01:58
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B
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Jun 23, 2020 01:59
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Quick someone give me something better to think of when something like this happens. All I got was Rolling in the Deep. That's a lot of exploding dice. C
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Jun 23, 2020 02:30
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Burn it All
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Jun 23, 2020 03:57
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