Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Topic started by: Hello Purvis on May 21, 2018, 12:19:34 AM
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>You are Lily Humboldt! Magus of Calumet City and a Master in a very unusual Grail War.
>Your Servant is Robin Hood -AHEM- Robin Wood, who is of the Archer Class. The two of you have gotten along well so far. You have met or at least heard of several other Servants in the Calumet City thus far, which is curious because as near as you can tell, the Grail is actually someplace in Delaware. That it's even on this continent is strange enough... Your servant has encountered Berserker, and the two of you decided to leave him be. You have had a battle with Rider; who turned out to be Henry Ford under the command of none other than Charles Koch; and came out victorious. More distressingly, you have also met Assassin, whom you have identified as Gavrilo Princip. He took to killing Charles himself, employing a Noble Phantasm that apparently strikes at the world order itself.
>Thankfully, the police didn't batter down your door that night as you slept, and even more thankfully Assassin was nowhere to be seen. Instead, you made your way out of Illinois while the nation went more and more insane in the wake of the murder of a highly influential billionaire. Passing through Indiana, you encountered Lancer and his Master, a Native America woman named Kimimela. Your meeting was tense, but ended somewhat peacefully, until Berserker showed up and you left them there to deal with it. After overnighting in the soulless husk of the eastern-most midwest, you make your way through the Appalachian Mountains and encountered another master, this one with a servant whose class didn't fit any of the ones that you expected. Just contemplating his information gave you a sense of disquiet. This time, things broke down and you ended up taking a more lethal solution to deal with things.
>Finally, you managed to reach your goal of Delaware, and had a reasonably peaceful and restful night. You then moved on to the Rehoboth area, where the sensation of the grail is strongest. You patrolled the area, found a reasonably secluded place to camp, and managed to find the Overseer, who is just about as clueless about the whole thing as you are; you were the first Master that she encountered at all! You managed to locate Caster and his Master, tracing them to a motel, and luring them out to beaches not far from your camp for the showdown, eventually overcoming his wind and mana distortion abilities through the power of screaming really loudly. You managed to part with the master on reasonably amicable terms, and engaged in a magical oddity that seems to break all the known laws.
>You got some rest and have woken up fairly sore. The news is full of even more of the nation going insane. You have been using the morning to take it easy.
> "Much appreciated."
> Plop down and have a seat.
>You have a seat close to Archer. "Feeling any better?" she says, not looking up from her work.
>_
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> "Kinda stiff, but I'll be alright. More anxious than anything. There are so many things to keep track of, I'm feeling a bit scatterbrained."
> "One thing at a time, I guess. Once Koch's mana battery isn't lighting us up like a christmas tree, I can start thinking about how to use it..."
> "Archer, you don't use much mana at all, do you? You didn't even notice the drain at all last night until you tried to use your noble phantasm."
> "If you had a huge amount of mana, is there anything interesting you could do with it?"
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> "Kinda stiff, but I'll be alright. More anxious than anything. There are so many things to keep track of, I'm feeling a bit scatterbrained."
> "One thing at a time, I guess. Once Koch's mana battery isn't lighting us up like a christmas tree, I can start thinking about how to use it..."
> "Archer, you don't use much mana at all, do you? You didn't even notice the drain at all last night until you tried to use your noble phantasm."
> "If you had a huge amount of mana, is there anything interesting you could do with it?"
>"Probably not, to be honest," she says. "I'm not very...magical in nature, I guess."
>_
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> "No complaints here, it means I can throw around a lot of magic without worrying about it affecting your abilities."
> "Anyway, there are lots of things I can do with a huge amount of mana. The only problem is that I need time to research them."
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> "No complaints here, it means I can throw around a lot of magic without worrying about it affecting your abilities."
> "Anyway, there are lots of things I can do with a huge amount of mana. The only problem is that I need time to research them."
>"Yeah, that could be difficult," Archer says, as she grabs another split branch and starts to work it in.
>_
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> We'll idle about until Archer finishes her basket.
> Actually, let's get started on picking out a good mark for Archer to rob.
> We won't settle for just any rich guy in the area - look for big-time assholes, like Church of Scientology or Monsanto execs.
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> We'll idle about until Archer finishes her basket.
> Actually, let's get started on picking out a good mark for Archer to rob.
> We won't settle for just any rich guy in the area - look for big-time assholes, like Church of Scientology or Monsanto execs.
>Finding a mark is a little more difficult than it seems, most rich assholes don't seem to make their addresses particularly public. While Delaware is the sweet-heart incorporation capital of the US, if not the planet, it somehow manages not to have any actual billionaires, the closest you can find is the guy who invented Gore-tex. However, looking into Scientology does reveal that a particular top level scammer seems to have a bungalow around Rehoboth Canal that they're trying to sell off for 2.4 million. As far as you can tell, they were never successful.
>_
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> Perfect!
> Actually, wait, the guy probably doesn't just have a stack of cash waiting in there for us to take.
> Finding a fence for stolen goods is probably well outside our field of expertise, and identity theft leaves a paper trail. We'd have to be pretty lucky to actually get any easy money out of it.
> Make a note of the target, we'll consider going after it if we have time.
> Next order of business: get acquainted with the layout of the University of Delaware so we know where to look for the plant. Do they have an agricultural department or something of the sort?
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> Perfect!
> Actually, wait, the guy probably doesn't just have a stack of cash waiting in there for us to take.
> Finding a fence for stolen goods is probably well outside our field of expertise, and identity theft leaves a paper trail. We'd have to be pretty lucky to actually get any easy money out of it.
> Make a note of the target, we'll consider going after it if we have time.
> Next order of business: get acquainted with the layout of the University of Delaware so we know where to look for the plant. Do they have an agricultural department or something of the sort?
>They do seem to have a college of agriculture and natural resources. However, finding a catalogue of what they have is difficult.
>_
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> What day of the week is it? Are classes going to be in when we show up?
Actually, it may be a good idea for someone else to take over during this segment because I've never been inside a college before and I have no idea what kind of lies would be plausible.
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> What day of the week is it? Are classes going to be in when we show up?
>...What day is it?
>You check your phone, it's Saturday.
>_
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> "Hmm. Classes won't be in today, I'm not sure if that's good or bad. There'll be less people around, but it'll be harder to explain what we're doing there if anybody asks."
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> "Hmm. Classes won't be in today, I'm not sure if that's good or bad. There'll be less people around, but it'll be harder to explain what we're doing there if anybody asks."
>"Huh?" say Archer.
>_
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> "Oh, the Dancing Plant I spotted is at a university. So I think we can stroll right in, but people will be around to ask questions if we do anything suspicious."
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> "Oh, the Dancing Plant I spotted is at a university. So I think we can stroll right in, but people will be around to ask questions if we do anything suspicious."
>"If you can show me what we need, I can go in there and get it," says Archer.
>_
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> "I suppose that'll work. It's a big building, but I can wait."
> Does the picture on Instagram give any hints as to the plant's surroundings?
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> "I suppose that'll work. It's a big building, but I can wait."
> Does the picture on Instagram give any hints as to the plant's surroundings?
>It's indoors, and on a wooden table. But otherwise you aren't too sure.
>_
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I'm going to put in a vote for hitting the road and driving to the University, or close enough that Archer can scout it out.
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Yeah, I guess I don't have anything else.
> Idle about and relax for a bit until Archer finishes her basket. Then we'll hit the road.
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> Idle about and relax for a bit until Archer finishes her basket. Then we'll hit the road.
>You relax a little as Archer works on her basket. It takes her a little bit to finish it, as sunrise gives way to a solid morning.
>"Mind if I keep this in the tent for now?" Archer says.
>_
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> "Sure, why? Does it do something to the basket?"
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> "Sure, why? Does it do something to the basket?"
>"Keeps it dry in case it rains," Archer says. "It's not as likely as yesterday, but I wanna be careful."
>_
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> "Ohh, right." Go ahead and load the basket into the tent, then get our bag.
> "Okay, guess today's another road trip. Let's get out of town and then find a place for breakfast."
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> "Ohh, right." Go ahead and load the basket into the tent, then get our bag.
> "Okay, guess today's another road trip. Let's get out of town and then find a place for breakfast."
>"That's fine," says Archer as she crawls into the tent, deposits her basket, and gets the bag.
>_
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> Let's make our way back to our car.
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> Let's make our way back to our car.
>You make your way back to the car, and are pleased to see it hasn't been impounded or damaged or anything of that nature. There isn't much activity in the little community that you can see; it appears some of the semis have shifted around. Some are gone, new ones have arrived.
>_
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> "Good, nobody stole our tires. Let's roll."
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> "Good, nobody stole our tires. Let's roll."
>Archer nods and hops into the passenger seat. "Really looking forward to breakfast," she says. "I've been pleasantly surprised so far."
>_
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> "Let's see if we can find a breakfast buffet, might as well get our money's worth."
> Hit the road!
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> "Let's see if we can find a breakfast buffet, might as well get our money's worth."
> Hit the road!
>"I don't know what is, but I like the sound of it," says Archer.
>You hit the road! Where are you going, what are you looking for?
>_
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> We are going north to the University of Delaware, to steal us a Dancing Plant.
> "Archer, did I show you how to use google maps yet?"
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> We are going north to the University of Delaware, to steal us a Dancing Plant.
> "Archer, did I show you how to use google maps yet?"
>"No," she says. "I've seen a couple, though."
>_
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> Let's pull over for a sec and lean over to show her on the phone.
> "Okay, here's the gist of it. You bring up the map from the main page like this...the search bar is still up in the corner here, see? So you can put something in there, let's say, 'breakfast buffet'. And some locations will pop up for you to look through."
> "Let's scroll up the highway a bit to get away from town...look for a place just off the highway with a decent rating, and...here, we'll try this place. (https://i.imgur.com/3ejXygn.png)"
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> Let's pull over for a sec and lean over to show her on the phone.
> "Okay, here's the gist of it. You bring up the map from the main page like this...the search bar is still up in the corner here, see? So you can put something in there, let's say, 'breakfast buffet'. And some locations will pop up for you to look through."
> "Let's scroll up the highway a bit to get away from town...look for a place just off the highway with a decent rating, and...here, we'll try this place. (https://i.imgur.com/3ejXygn.png)"
>You pull over on the not-too-busy road leading back to town.
>"That looks a lot less complicated than I thought," Archer says, as she looks over the map. Then she reaches over and fiddles with the scrollbar a bit. "So what does it tell us for fight locations?"
>_
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> "Ah, for that...we use the satellite button." Press it.
> "That changes the map to an actual picture, so we can see what the area looks like. It's not super detailed, but you can get an idea of what kind of cover is around."
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> "Ah, for that...we use the satellite button." Press it.
> "That changes the map to an actual picture, so we can see what the area looks like. It's not super detailed, but you can get an idea of what kind of cover is around."
>"Why aren't you just asking it, though?" Archer says, as she looks at the satellite map.
>_
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> "Oh, uh, it mostly only knows locations of businesses and public property. It's not really able to evaluate something like that."
> "Although now I'm curious."
> Search for "fight locations".
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> "Oh, uh, it mostly only knows locations of businesses and public property. It's not really able to evaluate something like that."
> "Although now I'm curious."
> Search for "fight locations".
>"If it knows where to find everything, it ought to have a good idea where it's best to fight, right?"
>Checking it out of curiosity you get: a couple gyms, a couple outdoors gear places, a few yoga studios, a couple clothing stories, a massage therapist, some shoe stores, two hotels, and a Victoria's Secret at the very bottom. Wow.
>_
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> "The information it has access to is based on the information provided by businesses and organizations about themselves, plus what people have said about them."
> "For instance, the best answer it gave me here is a boxing gym, since that's really the only business associated with fighting."
> "It's not perfect, either. It'll give you a bunch of garbage answers in addition to what you're looking for, so you need to scrutinize it."
> "Like, uh, these clothing stores, for instance. It probably listed those because someone mentioned that somebody got in a fight there, or something like that...although I guess there are worse places to fight than a JCPenney."
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> "The information it has access to is based on the information provided by businesses and organizations about themselves, plus what people have said about them."
> "For instance, the best answer it gave me here is a boxing gym, since that's really the only business associated with fighting."
> "It's not perfect, either. It'll give you a bunch of garbage answers in addition to what you're looking for, so you need to scrutinize it."
> "Like, uh, these clothing stores, for instance. It probably listed those because someone mentioned that somebody got in a fight there, or something like that...although I guess there are worse places to fight than a JCPenney."
>"Not too many trees, though," Archer says. "So this thing is like a guy just living in a cave, huh?"
>_
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> "I would say it's like a guy living in a giant library, but he can barely read, so when you ask him for something he just brings back a pile of books he thinks are related to what you asked for."
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> "I would say it's like a guy living in a giant library, but he can barely read, so when you ask him for something he just brings back a pile of books he thinks are related to what you asked for."
>"Weird," she says. "They should get someone who knows what they're doing instead."
>_
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> Is she joking or does she think there's a literal single guy answering our queries? ...Better not get into it.
> Give Archer the phone. "Here, you can try messing around with it."
> Get back on the road.
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> Is she joking or does she think there's a literal single guy answering our queries? ...Better not get into it.
> Give Archer the phone. "Here, you can try messing around with it."
> Get back on the road.
>You do suspect there's some element of this that is eluding her.
>"Okay, let's see what this thing can tell me. We'll see if it's smarter than that Wikipedia."
>You get back on the road, and it's a fairly easy route to get to your destination. Traffic is not particularly good, but you manage. The Smyrna Cafe turns out to be set int he corner of a shopping centre, and the interior is a bit more modern-looking than the mid-twentieth century style you were imagining. It is also crowded to the gills, and little mistaking why. You never expect breakfast buffets to be particularly high quality, but it seems this place put a fair amount of care into it. And the clientele is well aware of them; many assault that buffet as if it were the first meal they've had in days. You certainly aren't shy about it yourself. Archer is fairly reserved at first, but once she notes that the buffet gets refilled, she decides to make the most of it herself.
>You are about midway through your second round when Archer's head suddenly perks up. "Lily, there's a servant near here!" She looks like she's about to say more when someone walks through the front doors. Your eyes are immediately drawn to his brown suit as he walks toward you, in a style and cut that would have been the height of fashion about a century ago, and could probably still pass today. Under his jacket is a collared shirt and a muted tie, much like the suit itself. He is a stout man, just a smidge taller than average height, just past middle age. His face is wide and blocky, wearing pince-nez glasses and well-trimmed but bushy mustache. A wide-brimmed hat, also brown, rests on his head and carries a simple-looking cane of dark wood. There is no mistaking this man, you've seen his face numerous times over your life, and it is carved into the very rock of this country.
>"Excuse me, young ladies," Theodore Roosevelt says as he approaches your table. "But I would like to join you for just a few moments, if you would."
>Information update: Saber
>_
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And here I thought that if there was gonna be any Roosevelt, it'd be Franklin as Berserker.
EDIT: Though I suppose that this doesn't make that impossible!
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Holy shit.
> "Uh...I'd feel a bit better about it if your m-- associate was here, but I guess I'm not in a position to complain."
> "Coffee?"
> Check info.
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Holy shit.
> "Uh...I'd feel a bit better about it if your m-- associate was here, but I guess I'm not in a position to complain."
> "Coffee?"
> Check info.
>"No need for that, I don't intend to take too much of your time," he says, as he has a seat. You notice that rest of the diners have taken notice of Saber, and there is definitely some mirth going around in response. "Rather, I need to speak with you two about stepping out of this war."
>Saber: Theodore Roosevelt
>Strength: A
>Mana: C
>Endurance: B
>Luck: A
>Agility: B
>N. Phantasm: A++
>Class skills:
>>Magic Resistance: A
>>Riding: B
>Personal skills:
>>Charisma: A+
>>Instinct: A
>>Gunboat Diplomacy: A
>Noble Phantasm:
>>Rough Rider
>Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States, and left a huge impact on the modern world. Beginning his career as a soldier and a historian, he found his way into politics in New York, eventually serving in a variety of offices before becoming president of the United States due to the assassination of William McKinley. He was born a sickly child, but managed to overcome this by leading a strenuous and vigorous lifestyle that defined his public persona, taking on something of a cowboy's air to his approach. His policies set into effect an end to the Gilded Age's monopolies, as well as a start of American imperialism in South America, Southeast Asia, and other places. While his military service was mostly in fairly small conflicts, he served with distinction, and carried a belief that every man must be a soldier in order to truly be a man, an idea that would be tested to the limit as World War 1 defined what modern warfare would look like. He is lionized as a vigorous opponent of American corruption, cronyism, and exploitation, and identified also a tireless exporter of these things into other parts of the world. In his era, he was also lambasted as a buffoon who tried to reform standardized spelling, among other things, but these have largely been forgotten.
>_
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> "Do you have any terms to offer, or is this just a formality? Because I'm sure you know we can't just surrender and walk away even if you ask nicely."
> Examine skills and noble phantasm.
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> "Do you have any terms to offer, or is this just a formality? Because I'm sure you know we can't just surrender and walk away even if you ask nicely."
> Examine skills and noble phantasm.
>"I am open to hear your terms, of course," Saber says.
>Magic Resistance: Grants protection against magical effects. Differing from the Resistance effect that merely rejects Magical Energy, this ability cancels the spells altogether
>Riding: A Class Skill of Rider and Saber class Servants, denoting the ability to ride mounts and vehicles. Rider-class Servants will typically possess a high rank. It is said that dragon type mounts are an exception, requiring a different ability other than Riding
>Charisma: A composite Skill consisting of a person's charm as well as the natural talent to command or unify an army or country. Increases the ability of allies during group battles. A rare talent, and an ability inherent to Servants of the Saver class
>Instinct: The ability to instantly identify ?the best personal course of action? during combat. Because this Skill allows for the prediction of trajectory, it is possible to avoid attacks from firearms
>Gunboat Diplomacy: A talent unique to Theodore Roosevelt, this ability leverages his considerable personal charm with with his penchant for applying force to obtain reactions and solutions that are typically outside of what others would be willing to do. This can serve him well in combat, wherein he can intimidate many opponents into making mistakes.
>Noble Phantasm: Rough Rider - Theodore Roosevelt never had a single weapon or action particularly associated with his personal legend, but rather his entire life and way of life contributed to it. As such, he is able to draw upon things that can be associated with his life and and times to serve as his weapon of choice. Accordingly, this may be an anti-unit or anti-fortress Noble Phantasm, depending on his weapon of choice, taking on aspects suitable to his legend despite mundane construction. Items that are too modernized will not work.
>_
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> Send to Archer: "For fuck's sake, it's ANOTHER servant that you can't shoot."
> "No, unless there are any circumstances you think would convince me otherwise, I think we've got no choice but to fight. But I'd prefer to do it in a civilized fashion by setting a time and place."
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> Send to Archer: "For fuck's sake, it's ANOTHER servant that you can't shoot."
> "No, unless there are any circumstances you think would convince me otherwise, I think we've got no choice but to fight. But I'd prefer to do it in a civilized fashion by setting a time and place."
>"We'll just have to catch him in the woods," Archer sends back.
>"That is shameful, but I understand," says Saber. "I will have you know, nonetheless, that we will not be affording any particular mercy. There is no shame in backing away."
>_
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> "Are you saying you want to do this now? Because I'd really like to finish my breakfast first."
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> "Are you saying you want to do this now? Because I'd really like to finish my breakfast first."
>"Oh, hardly," he says. exhaling and making his mustache billow out a little. "We'd of course meet once the sun has set and the good people are safely away, I understand that's how these sorts of things are handled."
>_
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> "I'm glad we can agree to that much."
> "Well, here's my offer. There's a parking lot near the tip of Cape Henlopen. We'll meet you tomorrow night on the beach just east of it."
> "I still have some business to take care of, so if you want me any sooner than that you'll have to find us."
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> "I'm glad we can agree to that much."
> "Well, here's my offer. There's a parking lot near the tip of Cape Henlopen. We'll meet you tomorrow night on the beach just east of it."
> "I still have some business to take care of, so if you want me any sooner than that you'll have to find us."
>He chuckles. "Oh no, my dear. I'm afraid we won't be falling for that one. We'll find you when we're adequately prepared."
>_
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> Mutter "nuts" under our breath.
> "Well, until then, Mr. Roosevelt."
> "Oh, by the way, you didn't happen to run into Berserker on the way here, did you?"
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> Mutter "nuts" under our breath.
> "Well, until then, Mr. Roosevelt."
> "Oh, by the way, you didn't happen to run into Berserker on the way here, did you?"
>"You're a very confident young lady," Saber says with an approving nod. "My daughter would have approved of you, I think."
>"Berserker? No, I'm afraid I haven't," he says. "Or if I have, he's a slippery bugger."
>_
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> "He's the opposite of slippery, but thanks anyway."
> @Archer: "Archer, I swear to god, at this rate we're going to have to personally beat every single servant ourselves."
> "My name is Lily. I'd wish you luck, but...you know. May the best man win." Offer a handshake.
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> "He's the opposite of slippery, but thanks anyway."
> @Archer: "Archer, I swear to god, at this rate we're going to have to personally beat every single servant ourselves."
> "My name is Lily. I'd wish you luck, but...you know. May the best man win." Offer a handshake.
>He nods and takes your hand, shaking it firmly. "Don't worry, I can promise there won't be any of that funny ambush business. Rather, you might not see us coming, but you'll see us plain as day before we do anything."
>_
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> "I understand. Archer's no slouch, so be ready for a challenge."
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> "I understand. Archer's no slouch, so be ready for a challenge."
>"Oh, I do love a good challenge," he says, giving you a toothy grin you've seen in political cartoons in your history texts. "But I'll have you know that I'm no brute, once you've realized your outmatched, I'll accept your surrender just the same."
>_
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> "I appreciate it. Let your associate know I'll extend them the same courtesy."
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> "I appreciate it. Let your associate know I'll extend them the same courtesy."
>He chuckles. "Of course, of course. I do need you to understand, however, that you are making a mistake."
>_
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> "Everyone makes mistakes. But we can't let that stop us from trying, can we?"
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> "Everyone makes mistakes. But we can't let that stop us from trying, can we?"
>He grins again. "Young Miss, I'll have you know I told H.G. Wells that very thing. You would have gotten on my with daughter!"
>_
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> "Alice, wasn't it? I think I would've too."
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> "Alice, wasn't it? I think I would've too."
>"The very same," he says, Then he stands. "I'll be sure to let Molly know about your decision in full detail." He tips his hat, and says, "Thank you for your time. Good day to you both."
>_
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> "Nice meeting you. Goodbye."
> Wait for him to step out the door, then lean over and groan quietly to Archer "We are so screwed!"
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> "Nice meeting you. Goodbye."
> Wait for him to step out the door, then lean over and groan quietly to Archer "We are so screwed!"
>"What's wrong?" Archer says.
>_
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> "Imagine having another round with Explorer, except this time he can use anything as a weapon and he's got no issue with killing me!!"
> "This is the first time I think the fight's not really in your favor. We're gonna need to go in with some kind of edge if we're gonna beat him."
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> "Imagine having another round with Explorer, except this time he can use anything as a weapon and he's got no issue with killing me!!"
> "This is the first time I think the fight's not really in your favor. We're gonna need to go in with some kind of edge if we're gonna beat him."
>Archer nods. "Really? He seems even less likely to kill you than Explorer," she says. "And, he really didn't want to do it, from what I remember."
>_
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> "He said no mercy!!"
> "Agh, look, let's just go over his abilities..."
> Switch to sending, and go over his information with Archer.
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> "He said no mercy!!"
> "Agh, look, let's just go over his abilities..."
> Switch to sending, and go over his information with Archer.
>"I thought he meant that as a threat that he wasn't going to hold back, rather than saying he'd go after you in particular," Archer says. Then she frowns as you share what you've found. "Hmmm. That might be tricky."
>_
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> "Even though he's Saber, he can use guns without any problem, and he can dodge bullets on top of that. I thought we'd at least have the range advantage when it came time to fight him, but that's not the case."
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> "Even though he's Saber, he can use guns without any problem, and he can dodge bullets on top of that. I thought we'd at least have the range advantage when it came time to fight him, but that's not the case."
>"I've dealt with guns," says Archer. "They don't worry me too much."
>_
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> "Sure, I'm just saying that it's a bad idea to fight a Saber up close, but fighting from a distance is difficult too if he can shoot and dodge just as well. Where does that leave us?"
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> "Sure, I'm just saying that it's a bad idea to fight a Saber up close, but fighting from a distance is difficult too if he can shoot and dodge just as well. Where does that leave us?"
>"Well," says Archer. "We need to make it so he can't dodge, don't we?"
>_
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> "Hm...that goes back to the trap thing...I dunno, won't his instinct prevent him from being caught?"
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> "Hm...that goes back to the trap thing...I dunno, won't his instinct prevent him from being caught?"
>"What we'll need to do is come at him from a bunch of angles at once, I think," Archer says. "And if we can lure him into a forest, I can give him problems he can't hope to dodge."
>_
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> "How long would you need to set something like that up? I'm wondering if we need to commit to using our camp as a base or if we can scrap something together if we retreat far enough to buy some time."
> Are we able to shape fortifications with our various earth spells in such a way that they'll remain standing if shaped appropriately, or do they always fall apart and turn back to dirt?
-
> "How long would you need to set something like that up? I'm wondering if we need to commit to using our camp as a base or if we can scrap something together if we retreat far enough to buy some time."
> Are we able to shape fortifications with our various earth spells in such a way that they'll remain standing if shaped appropriately, or do they always fall apart and turn back to dirt?
>The ultimately fall apart, but you suppose you could use a wall spell to serve as a scaffolding to make something more permanent? Forbidden Zone's effects are permanent for good or ill. Elemental Conjuration is also permanent, but it's less efficient than just using a shovel.
>_
-
> Add "I can probably help with moving dirt around magically" as Archer considers the question.
-
> Add "I can probably help with moving dirt around magically" as Archer considers the question.
>"Yeah, you do have that one spell you used to mess with Rider," says Archer. "We'll have to take that into account."
>_
-
> "How long would you need to set something like that up?"
(Looking for an answer to this)
-
(Looking for an answer to this)
>"Awhile?" Archer says. "Depends entirely on when and where."
>_
-
> "Hmm...well, it shouldn't be hard to stick close to the forest. Once we go get that plant we won't need to take any more long trips."
> Continue our breakfast.
-
> "Hmm...well, it shouldn't be hard to stick close to the forest. Once we go get that plant we won't need to take any more long trips."
> Continue our breakfast.
>"Personally, I want to find where Lancer is hiding out," says Archer. "But, we may have to keep it close to home until Saber is dealt with."
>_
-
> "I see what you're getting at...it's probably not a good idea to assume he intends to play nice until nobody else is left. If we're the ones fighting all the other masters, it does make me wonder what Kimimela's doing."
> "Also, Lancer probably already knows where our camp is..."
-
> "I see what you're getting at...it's probably not a good idea to assume he intends to play nice until nobody else is left. If we're the ones fighting all the other masters, it does make me wonder what Kimimela's doing."
> "Also, Lancer probably already knows where our camp is..."
>"Wait, how?" Archer says, frowning suddenly.
>_
-
> Hold up our phone.
> "It tracks its own location. I turned that function off, but with Lancer's network hacking abilities I wouldn't be surprised if he managed to get that information somehow."
-
> Hold up our phone.
> "It tracks its own location. I turned that function off, but with Lancer's network hacking abilities I wouldn't be surprised if he managed to get that information somehow."
>"Wait, he can do that?" says Archer. Then she pauses and frowns. "So. Does that mean he could find, say, Saber's master? Or Assassin's? Or even Berserker's?"
>_
-
> "Huh. I'll bet he could, but he would need their names first, and neither of us have seen them."
Actually, this is probably exactly why the masters haven't been introduced, even though I hadn't even considered it. I guess after doing so many games Purvis has hyperawareness of potential cheese strategies.
-
> "Huh. I'll bet he could, but he would need their names first, and neither of us have seen them."
>"I bet we could get Saber to say it, he doesn't seem like he's bothering with any kind of secrecy," Archer says, as she polishes off a sausage patty.
>_
-
> "Oh, that's right, he said her name is Molly. We'd need a last name though."
-
> "Oh, that's right, he said her name is Molly. We'd need a last name though."
>Archer nods. "And there's a whole lot of those. We'll have to keep it in mind."
>_
-
> How much do we know about Major League Baseball?
> Specifically, do we know anything about any association between Theodore Roosevelt and the Washington Nationals (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidents_Race)?
-
> How much do we know about Major League Baseball?
> Specifically, do we know anything about any association between Theodore Roosevelt and the Washington Nationals (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidents_Race)?
>Not a whole lot, but you have heard about that via internet, due to its amusingness.
>_
-
I have no idea where Kilga is going with that but it is hilarious to know.
> Let's check our phone. Any responses yet?
-
I had no particular ideas for how to use that information. But it might be useful in embarrassing or agitating Saber somehow? It's not the most flattering thing, after all. The biggest advantage we have is that we know exactly who he is; might as well dig up whatever we can to see what helps.
-
> Let's check our phone. Any responses yet?
>There is a response from Sister Gibson. "I guess they are? Sorry, the resources I have on this aren't exactly clear. Looking back, apparently sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't? I think the three families who started the original mess probably are the ones who can keep them, most likely? I don't know yet, let me see if I can find more once I get other things cleared up."
>Lancer does not seem to have anything new to say.
>_
-
> "Sister Gibson says we might not have to worry about command seals unless it's a member of one of the big magus families."
-
> "Sister Gibson says we might not have to worry about command seals unless it's a member of one of the big magus families."
>"Worry in what way?" says Archer.
>_
-
> "Oh, I mean about getting the master to surrender their seals after we kill the servant. I guess what happened to Georgia is normal."
> "It's just unusual for a Grail War to have all its participants not come from a big name family. I might have double checked with Eileen, but that's all."
-
> "Oh, I mean about getting the master to surrender their seals after we kill the servant. I guess what happened to Georgia is normal."
> "It's just unusual for a Grail War to have all its participants not come from a big name family. I might have double checked with Eileen, but that's all."
>"Yeah, I bet she knew some stuff," says Archer. "Oh well."
>_
-
> "Well, that's enough shop talk, this is supposed to be our victory breakfast."
> "What do you think? Are you a fan of the buffet concept?"
-
> "Well, that's enough shop talk, this is supposed to be our victory breakfast."
> "What do you think? Are you a fan of the buffet concept?"
>"Why didn't we do this before?" says Archer.
>_
-
> "Oh, since they have to make so much food sometimes the quality can be a little dodgy. It depends on the restaurant. This place is good, though."
-
> "Oh, since they have to make so much food sometimes the quality can be a little dodgy. It depends on the restaurant. This place is good, though."
>"I guess that makes sense," says Archer. "And I guess there's some things they don't have. But still, this place is like a challenge!"
>_
-
> "Oh! If it's a challenge you're after, there are places where you can order an enormous steak or burger or something like that, and if you finish it within a certain amount of time it's free."
-
> "Oh! If it's a challenge you're after, there are places where you can order an enormous steak or burger or something like that, and if you finish it within a certain amount of time it's free."
>"...How enormous?" Archer says.
>_
-
> "Uh, depends on where you go. Big enough that I'd never consider doing it."
> "Think along the lines of a five pound steak."
-
> "Uh, depends on where you go. Big enough that I'd never consider doing it."
> "Think along the lines of a five pound steak."
>She frowns. "Alright, I'm not a Berserker class, I can't pull that off."
>_
-
> "What if we use a command seal?"
-
> "What if we use a command seal?"
>"Then five isn't enough," says Archer.
>_
-
> Finish up our meal by packing away a few pancakes with however many varieties of syrup are available.
-
> Finish up our meal by packing away a few pancakes with however many varieties of syrup are available.
>You decide to finish up with some extra hurt. Archer seems to have taken a liking to sausage patties and biscuits.
>But you finish, you pay it off (25 dollars for the both of you, not too bad), and then you are ready for the road again.
>_
-
> "Uugh, I think I ate too much..."
> Get back on the highway towards the University of Delaware!
-
> "Uugh, I think I ate too much..."
> Get back on the highway towards the University of Delaware!
>"I think that's the point," Archer says. "Definitely can't go there in the evening..."
>You resume your journey. The traffic only gets worse and worse, but this is somewhat temped by the fact this state is so small, you can get to anywhere from about anywhere in no more than a couple hours, tops. In the back of your mind, you're aware that Assassin could be out there somewhere, but you reassure yourself with the knowledge that he seems to not be interested in striking in broad daylight. At least he doesn't seem so brazen as to risk the anger of the Magic Association.
>After perhaps an hour, having left the highway behind a bit ago, you notice the neighborhood taking on a certain character; establishments trying to be more modern and chic, places advertising more avant-garde dishes, and a general younger crowd on the streets. Ahead, you think you can see the main campus...
>_
-
> What's the parking situation? Do it look like we have to pay or have a permit or something?
-
> What's the parking situation? Do it look like we have to pay or have a permit or something?
>It seems like the street parking is all metered, and the parking lots are timed lots where you take a ticket.
>_
-
> Do we have change?
-
> Do we have change?
>There's some change in the ashtray you never use for anything other than the odd loose change.
>_
-
> Let's grab a spot in the street, then. No need to leave a paper trail when we're about to commit larceny!
-
> Let's grab a spot in the street, then. No need to leave a paper trail when we're about to commit larceny!
>The streets are pretty crowded, but you manage to find one about half a block away.
>_
-
> What's the limit on the meter? Put in up to two hours, if we can.
-
> What's the limit on the meter? Put in up to two hours, if we can.
>It empties much of your change, but you put two hours on the meter.
>"What are you doing?" Archer says.
>_
-
> "Parking here isn't free. Putting coins into these machines starts a timer, and when time runs out it'll pop out a little red sign. If the tender sees that, we'll be fined."
-
> "Parking here isn't free. Putting coins into these machines starts a timer, and when time runs out it'll pop out a little red sign. If the tender sees that, we'll be fined."
>"...Wait, we were supposed to pay for all that parking we did?" Archer says. "Were we stealing it?"
>_
-
> "No, no, it's just here specifically."
> "We could also park in that lot over there, but the way it works there is that the machine gives you a card with the time you entered the lot, and when you leave you pay according to how much time has passed. But since we're on our way to steal something, I don't want to leave a record of when we were here. Meanwhile, all this meter cares about is whether there's money in it or not."
-
> "No, no, it's just here specifically."
> "We could also park in that lot over there, but the way it works there is that the machine gives you a card with the time you entered the lot, and when you leave you pay according to how much time has passed. But since we're on our way to steal something, I don't want to leave a record of when we were here. Meanwhile, all this meter cares about is whether there's money in it or not."
>"I don't like whoever came up with this idea," says Archer.
>_
-
> "Nobody does, Archer."
> Let's make our way towards the agriculture department, or whatever it's called.
-
> "Nobody does, Archer."
> Let's make our way towards the agriculture department, or whatever it's called.
>You make your way toward the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, further down the way.
>"So, we just need the plant, right?" Archer says.
>_
-
> "Yeah, I can scrape together everything else I need."
> Judging from the size of it in the picture, can we just chop a piece off the plant or will we need the whole thing?
-
> "Yeah, I can scrape together everything else I need."
> Judging from the size of it in the picture, can we just chop a piece off the plant or will we need the whole thing?
>"Show it to me, in detail," says Archer.
>You're going to need at least a few frond-laden branches. About 25% of the plant you saw.
>_
-
> "Yeah, have a look." Show her on the phone again. "Remember, it'll move if it hears music. I bet whistling would work, but we kinda want to avoid making noise..."
> "We don't need the whole thing, either. If you can just get me a little under half of the branches we'll be good."
-
> "Yeah, have a look." Show her on the phone again. "Remember, it'll move if it hears music. I bet whistling would work, but we kinda want to avoid making noise..."
> "We don't need the whole thing, either. If you can just get me a little under half of the branches we'll be good."
>"Gods, that's hardly even looting," says Archer. "But yeah, I can find it. Just find a good place to wait and I'll be back."
>_
-
> "It's a big building, you don't want me to help look?"
-
> "It's a big building, you don't want me to help look?"
>"Naw, I can move faster on my own," she says.
>_
-
> "Mm, I guess that's true."
> "Okay, have fun. I'll be around."
-
> "Mm, I guess that's true."
> "Okay, have fun. I'll be around."
>She nods. "I'll try to be quick."
>Archer then makes her way toward the campus.
>_
-
> Have a look around.
-
> Have a look around.
>You have a look around! The area, honestly, is kind of bland. It's pretty and well-maintained, and there's some nice trees and gardens, but it's all sort of just there, as if people just threw things around at random rather than plan a way for it all to come together. There are courtyards and open patio-like spots with benches and vending machines, but they seem to be there more to fill the space, or perhaps because you're supposed to have them, than to really make the place look better. It feels like McMansion design philosophy applied to a public space and reigned in from its worst excesses so that the end result is unexciting rather than visually offensive. Students mill about, as they tend to do, some rushing to or from class, others visiting the nearby stores, and others walking or sitting with their phones out. A few groups are gathered here and there, laughing and talking. You don't stand out at all, you think. You might even be able to just go inside and just have a seat in the middle of a class with no one being the wiser.
>However, you don't have long to concentrate before Archer is bombarding you with a variety of mundane questions. You quickly find yourself having to explain about elevators, offices, public computer rooms, and more as she moves from place to place inside.
>_
-
> Have a seat at one of the empty benches and get our phone out, but focus more on keeping track of our surroundings. Don't want any sneaky snipes from Assassin or whatever.
> "No, you don't have to press the Open Door button when it gets to the next floor, it does that automatically."
> "No, I don't know why the button is there...it's probably for some kind of manual control setting..."
-
> Have a seat at one of the empty benches and get our phone out, but focus more on keeping track of our surroundings. Don't want any sneaky snipes from Assassin or whatever.
> "No, you don't have to press the Open Door button when it gets to the next floor, it does that automatically."
> "No, I don't know why the button is there...it's probably for some kind of manual control setting..."
>"This is stupid, they should just use stairs," Archer grumbles.
>Looking over your phone, you see there is a reply from Lancer.
>_
-
> Let's have a look.
-
> Let's have a look.
>You have a look, and oh, Not terribly surprising. (https://pre00.deviantart.net/0305/th/pre/f/2011/053/1/7/teddy_roosevelt_vs__bigfoot_by_sharpwriter-d3a72w4.jpg)
>_
-
> Reply back. "Did Mr. Roosevelt introduce himself to Kimimela too?"
-
> Reply back. "Did Mr. Roosevelt introduce himself to Kimimela too?"
>"Heavens no, we avoided him as thoroughly as we could," Lancer replies. "We know exactly what his thoughts on us are."
>_
-
> "I figured you wouldn't be happy to see him."
> "In my case, I ignored my own advice and went out on the highway for an errand today. He came to our table while we were getting breakfast."
> "I'd take that as a warning that he can suppress his presence if he feels like it, by the way."
-
> "I figured you wouldn't be happy to see him."
> "In my case, I ignored my own advice and went out on the highway for an errand today. He came to our table while we were getting breakfast."
> "I'd take that as a warning that he can suppress his presence if he feels like it, by the way."
>"I don't think he can," Lancer says. "But who's to say?"
>_
-
> "Well, I didn't notice him until he was at the door. Though, to be fair, I may have been too busy inhaling a plate of cheesy scrambled eggs."
-
> "Well, I didn't notice him until he was at the door. Though, to be fair, I may have been too busy inhaling a plate of cheesy scrambled eggs."
>"An adequate distraction," Lancer replies. "It may be he was simply intangible until her came to the door? Regardless, I'm sure you were quite charmed."
>_
-
> "Oh, that's a good explanation...but it also means I probably missed a chance to get a look at the master. Someone named 'Molly', apparently."
> "It was a short exchange. He just asked us to surrender as a formality. I tried to get him to name a time and place but he said he's just going to come after us whenever he's ready."
> "He said he won't attack during the day, if that's worth anything."
-
> "Oh, that's a good explanation...but it also means I probably missed a chance to get a look at the master. Someone named 'Molly', apparently."
> "It was a short exchange. He just asked us to surrender as a formality. I tried to get him to name a time and place but he said he's just going to come after us whenever he's ready."
> "He said he won't attack during the day, if that's worth anything."
>"I'm rather surprised you didn't try to parley with him," Lancer sends.
>_
-
> "Well, I pumped him for info, but he hadn't run into Berserker or anything so no luck there."
> "Otherwise, no. Most of the other servants aren't content to sit back and send me memes."
> "Hey, ask Kimimela if she wants to settle things with a round of 2-on-2 basketball."
-
> "Well, I pumped him for info, but he hadn't run into Berserker or anything so no luck there."
> "Otherwise, no. Most of the other servants aren't content to sit back and send me memes."
> "Hey, ask Kimimela if she wants to settle things with a round of 2-on-2 basketball."
>"Oh, clever!" Lancer says. "I'm sure she would decline, but I'll ask her. Frankly, I'm sure she is more impressed that you didn't try to join up with Saber."
>_
-
> "That's a joke. I don't know how good a magus she is but I'm pretty sure she can dunk on me."
> "Anyway, it's like this. I'm fine with colluding with Kimimela because, one, she's clear about what her motivations are, and two, there's no chance in hell she's got any connection to the big families."
> "Meanwhile, I don't know anything about Saber's master or what she's planning, which makes it way more likely that helping her would come back to bite me in the ass."
-
> "That's a joke. I don't know how good a magus she is but I'm pretty sure she can dunk on me."
> "Anyway, it's like this. I'm fine with colluding with Kimimela because, one, she's clear about what her motivations are, and two, there's no chance in hell she's got any connection to the big families."
> "Meanwhile, I don't know anything about Saber's master or what she's planning, which makes it way more likely that helping her would come back to bite me in the ass."
>"Ah, just as mercenary as I might have expected. It is sound reasoning," Lancer sends.
>_
-
> "Right? I have super objective reasons for playing nice with Kimimela and she should definitely trust me."
-
> "Right? I have super objective reasons for playing nice with Kimimela and she should definitely trust me."
>"She may be impressed," Lancer replies.
>_
-
> We'll leave it at that for now. How's Archer doing?
-
> We'll leave it at that for now. How's Archer doing?
>You haven't heard from her, which is probably a good sign that she's getting along alright.
>Checking in, she responds, "There's a lot of rooms full of plants up here, I think I'm getting close."
>_
-
> "Maybe I should've sent you up with a longer shopping list. Oh well."
-
> "Maybe I should've sent you up with a longer shopping list. Oh well."
>"Well, it'd be hard to make off with a bunch of things unnoticed," says Archer.
>After a couple minutes, she says, "Think I found it."
>_
-
> "Give it a little whistle."
> Suddenly become nervous due to genre savviness.
-
> "Give it a little whistle."
> Suddenly become nervous due to genre savviness.
>"Heehee, it really is kind of twitching around! If we had these kind of things around in my time, I wonder what the druids would have made of it? Probably blame it on faeries or something."
>It's hard not to be nervous, these sorts of things always seem to go wrong at this point. "Alright, got the cutting, I'm on my way out," says Archer. "I don't think anyone saw me, there's not many people in here, and it's pretty spacious. I'll be back out in just a couple minutes."
>_
-
> "Okay, great! Maybe we're catching a break for once."
> Remain alert, regardless.
-
> "Okay, great! Maybe we're catching a break for once."
> Remain alert, regardless.
>You remain alert, but you don't hear any outcries or alarms or anything like that.
>After a few minutes, you see Archer walking down the street toward you, sautering as if nothing were wrong.
>_
-
> Feel a bit giddy at a successful heist with so little effort on our part.
-
> Feel a bit giddy at a successful heist with so little effort on our part.
>Really, this is what being a magus should be all about!
>"Got it," Archer says as she approaches. "They're stuffed in my shirt."
>_
-
> "Great, great! I'm glad that was easy."
> "Oh, there's one more thing I should get while I'm here..."
> Are there any stores near where we're parked that we could potentially buy a notebook from? It IS next to a university.
-
> "Great, great! I'm glad that was easy."
> "Oh, there's one more thing I should get while I'm here..."
> Are there any stores near where we're parked that we could potentially buy a notebook from? It IS next to a university.
>"What's that?" Archer says.
>There are indeed supply stores.
>_
-
> "I just need a notebook. Working out my spells by drawing in the dirt is kind of a drag."
> "Let's see if we can get that stuff out of your shirt first, though."
> Let's go back to the car. Is anyone around to see us open up the car's trunk and dump the branches in there?
-
> "I just need a notebook. Working out my spells by drawing in the dirt is kind of a drag."
> "Let's see if we can get that stuff out of your shirt first, though."
> Let's go back to the car. Is anyone around to see us open up the car's trunk and dump the branches in there?
>Archer nods, as you make your way back to the car.
>There is a fair amount of foot traffic, chances are someone will see something.
>_
-
> Send. "Too many people around. Sorry, can you hang on for five minutes? I'll be right back and you can take it out when we're on the road."
-
> Send. "Too many people around. Sorry, can you hang on for five minutes? I'll be right back and you can take it out when we're on the road."
>"Got it," Archer sends back.
>_
-
> Run over to the nearest supply store to get a cheap notebook. Probably a five-pack of pens, while we're at it.
-
> Run over to the nearest supply store to get a cheap notebook. Probably a five-pack of pens, while we're at it.
>This doesn't take too long, you get a notebook that should should fit into your purse and some pens. You spend more time checking out than actually getting the stuff.
>_
-
> Return to the car.
> "Okay, let's go!"
> Hit the road, successful in our nefarious plot to steal 40% of a fancy houseplant.
> Are we going to hell for this?
-
> Return to the car.
> "Okay, let's go!"
> Hit the road, successful in our nefarious plot to steal 40% of a fancy houseplant.
> Are we going to hell for this?
>You hit the road again, as Archer withdraws some cuts from the dancing plant from under her shirt and lays them on her lap.
>You may have to explain this to some sort of supernatural authority of ethics one day...
>_
-
> "Alright, now we go back to camp, I put a cover over our little easter egg, and that's one less thing to worry about."
-
> "Alright, now we go back to camp, I put a cover over our little easter egg, and that's one less thing to worry about."
>"Do we have all the stuff you need?" Archer says, as you leave the college behind.
>_
-
> We do, right?
-
> We do, right?
>No. But the rest of it is easily obtainable with some shopping.
>_
-
> As in grocery store shopping, or something more specialized?
-
> As in grocery store shopping, or something more specialized?
>A bit more specialized; if you're lucky a decently stocked Walmart of equivalent would have what you need.
>_
-
> "Oh. Shit, no, that's right, the kit I brought doesn't have that stuff."
> Did we spot any such stores on the way here?
-
> "Oh. Shit, no, that's right, the kit I brought doesn't have that stuff."
> Did we spot any such stores on the way here?
>You're in a middle age tourist trap that most people avoid anyways; there's been a few.
>_
-
> Well, let's hit one up.
> "Huh, you haven't been inside one of these yet, have you Archer?"
-
> Well, let's hit one up.
> "Huh, you haven't been inside one of these yet, have you Archer?"
>"Yeah I was, it's where we got the tent and other stuff," she says. "It was weirdly depressing, though."
>_
-
> "Oh, right, right."
> "You're not wrong. About half the stuff in there ends up going to waste. It's best not to think about it."
-
> "Oh, right, right."
> "You're not wrong. About half the stuff in there ends up going to waste. It's best not to think about it."
>"Ugh."
>Thankfully, the shopping doesn't take you terribly long to get through, if only due to self check-out keeping the lines manageable. You do have to spend a little while going through paint thinners looking for exactly the right one. But after thirty dollars of random junk, you are set to do something about the mana crystal.
>_
-
> "Alright, NOW I have everything."
> Let's drive back to Rehoboth and haul our loot back to camp.
-
> "Alright, NOW I have everything."
> Let's drive back to Rehoboth and haul our loot back to camp.
>It's about 10:45 in the morning when you get back to to Lewes' Beach, and just a quick walk back to camp.
>_
-
> "Back before lunch. We should have a pretty easy day today."
> It's been a while, so...
> Inventory!
-
> "Back before lunch. We should have a pretty easy day today."
> It's been a while, so...
> Inventory!
>"I wouldn't mind an easy day," says Archer.
>Your inventory contains
>Glasses
>You need these to see.
>Dumb Meme Shirt
>No, You're Patrick!
>Smart Phone
>Your friend away from home.
>3DS
>Never hurts to have it onhand, though perhaps not in combat situations.
>Wallet
>Full of valuable cards attached to your ID and bank account!
>Prepared stones x 16
>A vital component to your Wall spell
>Talismans x 5
>A key component to your Freeze Spell
>Sealed vial of Mana-infused water x11
>The work of half a lifetime.
>Enchanted Knife
>It cuts through ice like butter! It cuts through other things like a knife!
>Pepper spray
>You'll need to remove the safety tabs before you use this.
>Gold Crystal
>A length of crystalized gold that is probably too valuable to ever sell, it works as a very large mana battery!
>Vial of Yellow Powder x2
>Taken from Eileen. You don?t know what it is, but it resonates well with you.
>You obtain: A Collection of Expensive Compounds
>A handful of alchemical compounds worth a pretty penny.
>Sister Gibson's Contact Card.
>The phone number and email of the woman nominally overseeing the Grail War.
>Georgia?s Contact Info
>It is a discord handle
>Dancing Plant Cuttings
>Part of a spell.
>A Collection of Innocuous Goods
>This will go toward a spell to shield your mana core
>_
-
Oh, I'm glad I did that, I totally forgot about the shit we swiped from Eileen. Also for some reason I never noticed we had that knife. I can think of a use for it right away!
> Let's take the stuff out of our cooler for a moment, use a Freeze talisman on the water inside, cut the ice back into manageable chunks with our knife, and put our goods back in. No need to buy new ice!
> Once that's done, take our time getting everything ready, and start work on shielding our mana crystal.
-
> Let's take the stuff out of our cooler for a moment, use a Freeze talisman on the water inside, cut the ice back into manageable chunks with our knife, and put our goods back in. No need to buy new ice!
> Once that's done, take our time getting everything ready, and start work on shielding our mana crystal.
>You restore your cooler!
>You then set to work on making the shielding, pulping the dancing plant, mixing in the other ingredients, chanting spells over them over them at proper points. After some tens of minutes, you have a greenish paste. Applying it over the tube, you place a few more incantations over it, drying it like pain and sealing the effect. Now the gold crystal should be shielded from causal detection.
>_
-
> We can tell it's working, right?
-
> We can tell it's working, right?
>You can.
>_
-
> Great! Let's stash it in our dirty laundry or something.
> As long as we have all our wizarding junk out, let's see if we can ID that yellow powder we got off of Eileen.
-
> Great! Let's stash it in our dirty laundry or something.
> As long as we have all our wizarding junk out, let's see if we can ID that yellow powder we got off of Eileen.
>You do what you can to identify the powder, with without your lab there isn't lot you can really do to identify it. You think it is a primed reagent, much as your wall stones and freeze talismans are. What it is primed to do, you cannot tell. There's something of an enchantment to it, but it is unfinished, needing to be filled, and you don't have what you need to determine what would require to activate. This said, you still curiously feel that it resonates well with you.
>_
-
> Oh well. Maybe if we survive this thing and make it home in one piece we'll get to add a new spell to our list.
> What's Archer up to?
-
> Oh well. Maybe if we survive this thing and make it home in one piece we'll get to add a new spell to our list.
> What's Archer up to?
>Archer seems to be just idly keeping watch.
>_
-
> "I guess it's about time for lunch."
> Recall there isn't much in our cooler...
> "Ah, crap. I should've got some groceries while we were out."
> Did that truck stop across the railroad look like it had a decent-sized grocery section?
-
> "I guess it's about time for lunch."
> Recall there isn't much in our cooler...
> "Ah, crap. I should've got some groceries while we were out."
> Did that truck stop across the railroad look like it had a decent-sized grocery section?
>No. It did have a restaurant, but it looked like it was for people who had middle class disposable income.
>_
-
> Shit.
> Get out our phone and attempt to locate a source of cooler-friendly groceries (lunchmeats, etc) that won't take two hours to get there and back.
-
> Shit.
> Get out our phone and attempt to locate a source of cooler-friendly groceries (lunchmeats, etc) that won't take two hours to get there and back.
>You check around, and find there are a lot of groceries around the areas you've been prowling lately. Some major chains and a couple local ones. It should be easy enough to restock.
>_
-
> "Alright Archer, let's go get some provisions."
-
> "Alright Archer, let's go get some provisions."
>"I could probably just trap something," she says. "And didn't that last place we went have them? Why didn't we get them then?"
>_
-
"Sure did. It slipped my mind, mostly. Kind of embarrassing. As for trapping something, I've never really done that before... Guess it's a good thing I have someone so experienced with it here with me, eh?"
-
"Sure did. It slipped my mind, mostly. Kind of embarrassing. As for trapping something, I've never really done that before... Guess it's a good thing I have someone so experienced with it here with me, eh?"
>"We'd need to get our hands on a stew pot," says Archer. "And, well, I'd like to take a closer look at one of spice sections that we passed by before, to be honest."
>_
-
> "I'm not sure if we can get a pot sturdy enough to use over an open flame...spices, though, we can definitely do spices."
> "Let's walk over to one of the bigger stores, then."
-
> "I'm not sure if we can get a pot sturdy enough to use over an open flame...spices, though, we can definitely do spices."
> "Let's walk over to one of the bigger stores, then."
>The two of you sally out.
>As you make your way through the underbrush, Archer easily leading the way, she says, "So, it's nice to take it easy during the day, especially after last night, but what are we planning to do tonight?"
>_
-
> "Well, without a target pegged, I think tonight we should just stay in camp and stand watch. Honestly, it'd be great if a fight happened tonight without us being involved."
> "Tomorrow we can go have a look around town and see if Berserker or Assassin's masters have arrived yet, or we can try to find out who this Molly person is."
> "Unless you have another idea?"
-
> "Well, without a target pegged, I think tonight we should just stay in camp and stand watch. Honestly, it'd be great if a fight happened tonight without us being involved."
> "Tomorrow we can go have a look around town and see if Berserker or Assassin's masters have arrived yet, or we can try to find out who this Molly person is."
> "Unless you have another idea?"
>"I'm not sure what I think," says Archer. "It kind of irks me to just sit here and do nothing, while the enemy can make any number of advances. But maybe it's for the best?"
>_
-
> "Well, consider which opponents we have left. Assassin's not going to show up and I'm not keen on fighting with Kimimela, so that just leaves Berserker and Saber. If we're just randomly looking for a fight with those two, there's a high chance of things going sideways. I'd rather scout during the day and at least try to find out who their masters are."
-
> "Well, consider which opponents we have left. Assassin's not going to show up and I'm not keen on fighting with Kimimela, so that just leaves Berserker and Saber. If we're just randomly looking for a fight with those two, there's a high chance of things going sideways. I'd rather scout during the day and at least try to find out who their masters are."
>"It's been awhile since Berserker has shown up, hasn't it?" says Archer. "I wonder why?"
>_
-
> "Yeah, I think my theory about him showing up whenever two other servants meet is kind of a bust at this point. I think it was just coincidence."
> "...Maybe Assassin isn't laying as low as we thought, and he got to Berserker's master?"
-
> "Yeah, I think my theory about him showing up whenever two other servants meet is kind of a bust at this point. I think it was just coincidence."
> "...Maybe Assassin isn't laying as low as we thought, and he got to Berserker's master?"
>"Maybe it's not just two servants meeting, but there's another element on top of it?" says Archer. "Frankly, I don't think Assassin would be nearly so helpful, even by accident."
>_
-
> "Well, both times the master wanted to negotiate...maybe as a measure to prevent anyone from teaming up? That'd be a really weird thing for a servant to be able to detect, though."
-
> "Well, both times the master wanted to negotiate...maybe as a measure to prevent anyone from teaming up? That'd be a really weird thing for a servant to be able to detect, though."
>"Maybe?" says Archer. "I dunno, I think it's probably less esoteric than that."
>_
-
> "I guess we'd have to see him again to figure it out."
> "Not that it does any good, because we'll probably fight next time that happens."
-
> "I guess we'd have to see him again to figure it out."
> "Not that it does any good, because we'll probably fight next time that happens."
>"Probably so," Archer says.
>_
-
> "Anyway, just because we're spending the night at camp doesn't mean we can't be productive. Now that I don't have to worry about that mana crystal attracting attention, I can start figuring out something to do with it."
> "For instance, you use mana to heal, right? What if I could wire that thing up so that you could heal in the middle of a battle without even using any of my mine?"
-
> "Anyway, just because we're spending the night at camp doesn't mean we can't be productive. Now that I don't have to worry about that mana crystal attracting attention, I can start figuring out something to do with it."
> "For instance, you use mana to heal, right? What if I could wire that thing up so that you could heal in the middle of a battle without even using any of my mine?"
>"I can't deny that would be handy," she says. "Could you do that?"
>_
-
> "Maybe! I'm not really sure what's possible yet. I'll have to experiment a bit."
> "But it sounds straightforward enough. The crystal gives you mana, and you use it for something you already use it for."
-
> "Maybe! I'm not really sure what's possible yet. I'll have to experiment a bit."
> "But it sounds straightforward enough. The crystal gives you mana, and you use it for something you already use it for."
>"I want to think it's more complex than that," says Archer. "Otherwise magic wouldn't be hard. But maybe you're right?"
>_
-
> "Well, yes, I'm sure there'll be some hurdles. It might not work. But I am a magus, figuring this sort of thing out is what I do."
-
> "Well, yes, I'm sure there'll be some hurdles. It might not work. But I am a magus, figuring this sort of thing out is what I do."
>"I should have more faith in you, yeah," says Archer.
>_
-
> "You should!"
> "...But not too much."
> Let's head towards the store. Is there a stream on the way, since I'm actually remembering it this time?
-
> "You should!"
> "...But not too much."
> Let's head towards the store. Is there a stream on the way, since I'm actually remembering it this time?
>There are a couple of streams along the way, you have to hop over them.
>_
-
> "Okay, Archer, check it out. I'm going to try to do the slow thing again."
> Take a moment to relax and focus on the flow of water.
> Toss a Wall in there, and try to maintain our connection to it. See if we can slow the water as it flows around it.
-
> "Okay, Archer, check it out. I'm going to try to do the slow thing again."
> Take a moment to relax and focus on the flow of water.
> Toss a Wall in there, and try to maintain our connection to it. See if we can slow the water as it flows around it.
>You toss in the stone. Little happens at this point, but you haven't really tried to cast the spell.
>_
-
(I would like to cast the spell.)
-
(I would like to cast the spell.)
(You gots to tell me these things. You don't want me inferring actions, it might get you killed in ways you didn't intend. Or just cost you data that you want.)
>You cast the spell, and ir proceeds as normal. But, in the back of your mind, you can feel...something there? Something odd, like before. It's there for a moment or two, not long enough for you to seize on by the time you've confirmed it.
>_
-
> "Mm, wait. I think I almost had it."
> Let's try casting Freeze this time, since we rarely use that.
> Cast it into the water, this time with the intent of slowing the speed at which it freezes. Maybe that will help.
-
> "Mm, wait. I think I almost had it."
> Let's try casting Freeze this time, since we rarely use that.
> Cast it into the water, this time with the intent of slowing the speed at which it freezes. Maybe that will help.
>You cast another spell, and you can feel that sort of oddity again. This time, you grab it. For a moment, the whole stream seems to slow, as if you were watching it in seamless slow motion. Then you lose the feel for it, and the "spell" falls apart.
>_
-
> "Ah! There. Did you see it?"
-
> "Ah! There. Did you see it?"
>Archer nods. "Yeah. It's just like last night."
>_
-
> "It's so weird. It's enough to make me think the Grail really IS playing favorites. Unless I've always been able to do it, and I'm just finding out now."
-
> "It's so weird. It's enough to make me think the Grail really IS playing favorites. Unless I've always been able to do it, and I'm just finding out now."
>"I think only you can answer that," says Archer. "But, what makes you think it's the Grail? Just, no better explanation, or is there something happening?"
>_
-
> "Well, I'll admit it could just be me finding out about it now because I'm pushing my magic a lot farther than I've ever needed to..."
> "But, there's no reason for me to be able to do this. I'm not even sure it's magic, since it has nothing to do with the spell I'm casting. The only explanation I can think of is that the presence of the Grail is allowing access to something that isn't normally there. "
> "Also, the dreams with everything being slow started just after I summoned you."
-
> "Well, I'll admit it could just be me finding out about it now because I'm pushing my magic a lot farther than I've ever needed to..."
> "But, there's no reason for me to be able to do this. I'm not even sure it's magic, since it has nothing to do with the spell I'm casting. The only explanation I can think of is that the presence of the Grail is allowing access to something that isn't normally there. "
> "Also, the dreams with everything being slow started just after I summoned you."
>She nods. "I can't say anything about the dreams, I guess."
>_
-
> Let's continue along our merry way, secure in our knowledge that the universal constant of time bows before our godlike will.
> Actually, the real message of our dream was probably that it won't work on everything.
-
> Let's continue along our merry way, secure in our knowledge that the universal constant of time bows before our godlike will.
> Actually, the real message of our dream was probably that it won't work on everything.
>At the very least, there seems to be a basis for something here. But two unrelated spells causing the same effect when altered in ways that should not be possible? You really aren't sure what to make of it, but you'll definitely need to look more into this.
>You make your way to the store, one Lloyd's Market. It looks like a local place, and disappointingly small on the outside, just an old brick place that probably has been around since before the turn of the 20th century. But inside you find it is quite claustrophobically full of aisles with what looks like a very nice selection indeed.
>_
-
> "Just speak up if you see something you want to try, Archer."
> Let's try to avoid outright junk food this time. Pick out some sandwich stuff and some fruit to snack on, maybe a box of those cheap breakfast pastries if they have any. Get some plastic baggies to preserve any leftovers in the cooler, too.
> Any pots that look like they'd survive a campfire?
-
> "Just speak up if you see something you want to try, Archer."
> Let's try to avoid outright junk food this time. Pick out some sandwich stuff and some fruit to snack on, maybe a box of those cheap breakfast pastries if they have any. Get some plastic baggies to preserve any leftovers in the cooler, too.
> Any pots that look like they'd survive a campfire?
>You pick up a small selection of goodies; some sandwich fixins, a few bananas, apples, and oranges. You do find some cheap breakfast pastries. Glancing at the small selection of cookwares they have off to the side, there are some pots. Would they survive a campfire? Maybe? They do survive burners set on high, at least.
>Archer nods at your statement, and seems content to browse until you pass by the spice section. Her interest definitely seems to be piqued.
>_
-
> Muse cheerily at the situation. "Alright Archer. All the stuff that normally had to be hauled in over two continents before it got to you, now at your fingertips. What do you want to try?"
-
> Muse cheerily at the situation. "Alright Archer. All the stuff that normally had to be hauled in over two continents before it got to you, now at your fingertips. What do you want to try?"
>"I don't know..." she says. "Honestly, I don't even know what a lot of these are. But I know some of them."
>_
-
> "Well, you can try those, or just pick one with a name you like."
> Check the price on the bottles.
-
> "Well, you can try those, or just pick one with a name you like."
> Check the price on the bottles.
>They aren't terribly expensive for what you get, most are a couple dollars each, some of the blends are a bit more.
>Archer nods and considers, then quickly nabs a few bottles. "I know I can use these."
>_
-
> "Alright. I suppose you'll need something to cook with them, so..."
> Do the pots have metal handles, at least? Plastic probably won't cut it.
-
> "Alright. I suppose you'll need something to cook with them, so..."
> Do the pots have metal handles, at least? Plastic probably won't cut it.
>"I can find something," she says.
>Some of them do.
>_
-
> What's the price on one of the bigger ones?
> Actually, did we see a Goodwill anywhere around here? It would be much cheaper to pick up some cookware there.
-
> What's the price on one of the bigger ones?
> Actually, did we see a Goodwill anywhere around here? It would be much cheaper to pick up some cookware there.
>They seem to range from 15-25 dollars.
>You recall a few thrift stores on the main strip in Rehoboth,
>_
-
> Show Archer the $15 pot. "I dunno, do you think this'll cut it? I know where we can get a bigger one but we'll have to walk all the way to the main road."
-
> Show Archer the $15 pot. "I dunno, do you think this'll cut it? I know where we can get a bigger one but we'll have to walk all the way to the main road."
>"For just the two of us?" she says. "That'll be fine."
>_
-
> "Okay, perfect."
> We'll get the pot, and pick out some stew staples like carrots, potatoes, and onions.
> "I think this'll be enough for a few days with us eating out once or twice. Anything you want to add?"
-
> "Okay, perfect."
> We'll get the pot, and pick out some stew staples like carrots, potatoes, and onions.
> "I think this'll be enough for a few days with us eating out once or twice. Anything you want to add?"
>She looks at the ingredients curiously for a moment; you remember suddenly that some of of these are new world crops. Then she nods. "Yes, that'll do just fine."
>_
-
> "Good, I think we're set."
> Ring everything up.
-
> "Good, I think we're set."
> Ring everything up.
>The whole set ends up costing you a good thirty or so dollars.
>While your are checking things out, you note that Archer has gotten absorbed by a collection of various sauces in one aisle.
>_
-
> Send this, as we don't need to explain to the cashier why Archer doesn't know what barbeque sauce is. "Something got your eye?"
-
> Send this, as we don't need to explain to the cashier why Archer doesn't know what barbeque sauce is. "Something got your eye?"
>"Just trying to figure out what all this is," Archer says.
>While you trust her with seasonings, you aren't so sure about sauces. From what you've seen so far, she is definitely the type to mix blue cheese dressing with ketchup and relish...
>_
-
> "If it says 'dressing' it's for salad, most of the rest of it should be sweet or spicy sauce for different kinds of meat."
-
> "If it says 'dressing' it's for salad, most of the rest of it should be sweet or spicy sauce for different kinds of meat."
>"Mmmm." she says, frowning. Her expression suggests she's not wholly convinced.
>_
-
> "Hold on a sec."
> Finish our transaction and go have a look.
-
> "Hold on a sec."
> Finish our transaction and go have a look.
>You get your things and have a closer look. Mmm, yeah, it looks like this place put all the dressings and sauces on the same aisle.
>_
-
> "Oh, some of these are condiments too."
-
> "Oh, some of these are condiments too."
>"What's the difference?" she says.
>_
-
> "Uh...I'll be honest, it's pretty much just splitting hairs, but I guess you could say a sauce is something you can cook the food with, while a condiment is added cold after it's done. Like, ketchup is a condiment."
> "To compare, this here is a marinade, you soak meat in it overnight before cooking it to make it absorb the taste."
> "While this here is barbeque sauce, you just coat the meat in it and then grill it."
> "Dressings are meant to go with vegetables, so that's served cold, usually...I guess you can put ranch on a lot of different things, though."
> "There's exceptions to everything, I guess."
-
> "Uh...I'll be honest, it's pretty much just splitting hairs, but I guess you could say a sauce is something you can cook the food with, while a condiment is added cold after it's done. Like, ketchup is a condiment."
> "To compare, this here is a marinade, you soak meat in it overnight before cooking it to make it absorb the taste."
> "While this here is barbeque sauce, you just coat the meat in it and then grill it."
> "Dressings are meant to go with vegetables, so that's served cold, usually...I guess you can put ranch on a lot of different things, though."
> "There's exceptions to everything, I guess."
>"Sounds like they're all exceptions to me," says Archer. "So which are the good ones?"
>_
-
> "Well, none of them are really bad, it's just a matter of taste. Some are sweet, some are sour, some are peppery or spicy, or all of the above. It's a question of what you want to use it on."
> "Oh, I have an idea."
> Grab a bottle of tabasco. "This is hot sauce, some people put it on everything. Want to try it?"
-
> "Well, none of them are really bad, it's just a matter of taste. Some are sweet, some are sour, some are peppery or spicy, or all of the above. It's a question of what you want to use it on."
> "Oh, I have an idea."
> Grab a bottle of tabasco. "This is hot sauce, some people put it on everything. Want to try it?"
>"Just the one?" she says. "Does it have all the stuff in it?"
>_
-
> "No, this is just one of the more popular ones. If I was rich, I'd let you try them all, but we are on a budget."
-
> "No, this is just one of the more popular ones. If I was rich, I'd let you try them all, but we are on a budget."
>"Well.." she says, her voice contemplative. "...Probably not worth it. Alright, let's try that."
>_
-
She was thinking about stealing the sauce, wasn't she...
> "We do still need to take care of Georgia's synthesizer, so we can think about it after we, uh, make some money later."
> Buy the bottle of tabasco. Hope she likes it!
-
Probably!
> "We do still need to take care of Georgia's synthesizer, so we can think about it after we, uh, make some money later."
> Buy the bottle of tabasco. Hope she likes it!
>Archer nods.
>You get a last minute addition to your purchases. All in all, it comes out to about 30 dollars, but you should be well supplied for awhile.
>_
-
> Let's return to camp with our supplies.
-
> Let's return to camp with our supplies.
>Loaded up with your supplies, you trek back toward your camp. You're starting to get used to the walks, at least.
>_
-
> Hope there's enough room in the cooler!
> Once that's all settled, make a sandwich and plop down for lunch.
> "So, how are you gonna rig up the pot over the fire?"
-
> Hope there's enough room in the cooler!
> Once that's all settled, make a sandwich and plop down for lunch.
> "So, how are you gonna rig up the pot over the fire?"
>"That's easy, I'll just put it up on a few rocks in the fire," says Archer, as she goes into your tent and fetches her basket as you make yourself a nice turkey sandwich.
>_
-
> "Oh, alright."
> Take the moment to relax and let our feet rest.
> Our project for the rest of the day will probably be to experiment with the mana crystal. We talked a big game, but do we even know where to start on how to get Archer to be able to draw from it?
-
> "Oh, alright."
> Take the moment to relax and let our feet rest.
> Our project for the rest of the day will probably be to experiment with the mana crystal. We talked a big game, but do we even know where to start on how to get Archer to be able to draw from it?
>You relax. As you do, Archer starts to tear apart her dirt mound. Inside you find a bunch of burnt up wood chunks. Nt what you expected of charcoal, but as she rakes it all into her basket, it certainly makes the high-pitched sort of noise you'd expect of charcoal. It must be really dried out. She seems pleased with it and fills up the basket. "This should last us for awhile," she says.
>Not really. You're not even really sure it would benefit her all that greatly, what she does doesn't seem to be very mana-intensive.
>_
-
> "Nice."
> What if we know exactly what we want the mana to do? Could we provide something like a passive Staunch effect, in case she gets wounded like during the Explorer battle?
-
> "Nice."
> What if we know exactly what we want the mana to do? Could we provide something like a passive Staunch effect, in case she gets wounded like during the Explorer battle?
>Define passive. If you mean precast and taking effect when she gets hurt, this...may be possible?
>_
-
Well, that's not terrible.
> Let's start with that. Maybe we'll learn something while we work it out.
-
> Let's start with that. Maybe we'll learn something while we work it out.
>The trick is, you'll have to come up with a mechanism for this to work, then see whether or not you can actually do it.
>_
-
> As in, will we need to design a physical component to make the process work?
-
> As in, will we need to design a physical component to make the process work?
>As in, you will need to find a way to use the skills and practical knowledge you have now to create the effect you want.
>_
-
> Once we've finished our lunch, let's break out that notebook and get to work on engineering a way to make it work.
-
Okay, Purvis has requested I actually lay out the groundwork for how this is going to happen.
The end goal of this exercise is to make the mana crystal cast Staunch on Archer automatically if she gets a bleeding wound. The hurdles that must be cleared to make this work are:
1) The crystal can't touch her, obviously, so it needs to be a version of Staunch that works at range.
2) The crystal needs to be able to detect if Archer is wounded. The crystal may need to continuously scry on her (which may actually be feasible because the amount of mana used is a non-issue).
3) The crystal needs to actually cast the spell. We might need an item that can cast a spell, like a wand or something, as a reference.
4) The crystal will have to be in the general vicinity of Archer to actually cast the spell. This is more of a logistics issue, as either we or Archer will probably need to carry it during battle for this to work.
> Let's start with #1. We have spells that work on the body at long range, like Blind, so what aspect of Staunch requires us to cast it near the recipient? Let's assume we at least know where the wound is on their body.
-
> Let's start with #1. We have spells that work on the body at long range, like Blind, so what aspect of Staunch requires us to cast it near the recipient? Let's assume we at least know where the wound is on their body.
>You need to touch the person who is to be affected. It shouldn't be impossible to make it work at range, you've just never really needed it before. Making the alterations will take time, but you have a good affinity with the spell and that should help.
>_
-
> Let's start working on that, then. Given that we know the crystal is designed for more of a steady draw of mana than short bursts, let's make sure the new version of Staunch takes that into account, working slower than usual if necessary.
> If this doesn't work out in the long run, hey! At least we figured out a new spell.
-
> Let's start working on that, then. Given that we know the crystal is designed for more of a steady draw of mana than short bursts, let's make sure the new version of Staunch takes that into account, working slower than usual if necessary.
> If this doesn't work out in the long run, hey! At least we figured out a new spell.
>You set to work on this. It is...slow work, to say the least. Magic tends to be a rigid thing, and not very amenable to being poked and prodded into new shapes. But you largely understand the two concepts you want to merge to get pretty well, and at least one of them seems to agree with you enough that you can trust your instincts from time to time. Ultimately, the hard part isn't grafting in a distance effect, but rather getting it to simulate touch. But after a couple hours, you are reasonably sure that you have something that should work as an independent bodge of a spell. Ultimately you would want to spend more time on it and subject it to a battery of tests in various situations, but it should work.
>_
-
> Is there any way to test it without asking Archer to walk away 50 paces and cut herself?
-
> Is there any way to test it without asking Archer to walk away 50 paces and cut herself?
>At this point, no. You know it'll work, it's under what conditions it'll work that is the question. Or rather, what conditions will make it not work.
>_
-
> Fair enough. This new spell shall be dubbed "STAUNCH 2".
> Let's stand up and stretch for a bit.
-
> Fair enough. This new spell shall be dubbed "STAUNCH 2".
> Let's stand up and stretch for a bit.
>You give it an inappropriately goofy name, and have a stretch.
>Checking your phone, you note a message from Lancer.
>_
-
"Oh, hey, a new message from Lancer, I wonder what it says..."
> Read it.
-
"Oh, hey, a new message from Lancer, I wonder what it says..."
> Read it.
>Checking the message, it just says: "lets talk"
>_
-
> That's Kimimela text! Oh boy!
> Reply: "Alright, I'm not busy now."
-
> That's Kimimela text! Oh boy!
> Reply: "Alright, I'm not busy now."
>It takes a couple of tense minutes before she replies. "where"
>_
-
> "Hey Archer! Kimimela wants to meet up!"
> Type: "Oh, in person? I dunno, are you in Rehoboth's general area?"
-
> "Hey Archer! Kimimela wants to meet up!"
> Type: "Oh, in person? I dunno, are you in Rehoboth's general area?"
>"Watch out for traps like last time!" Archer calls back from the nearby underbrush.
>"i can get there" she sends back.
>_
-
> Call back to Archer. "It sounds like they're not in Rehoboth! She wants to pick a spot to meet her. Any suggestions?"
-
"They" assumes Lancer is still alive, of course.
-
Don't be so ominous! Everything is fine and we're about to
form a best friends alliance agree not to kill each other in our sleep. Maybe.
-
Oh, I'm not at all worried about the LilyMela lovefest devolving into anything other than a "fair" fight. Lancer finds Lily far too amusing to do anything too underhanded, and Kimimela would be beyond stupid to try to do anything without him (and I'm sure she knows it). I just find it weird that it's her contacting us and that she's actively interested in a meetup.
-
> Call back to Archer. "It sounds like they're not in Rehoboth! She wants to pick a spot to meet her. Any suggestions?"
>"Someplace public, but not too public," Archer says. "We don't wanna be overheard, but we want enough people around they can't just lay any trap they please without drawing suspicion."
>_
-
> "Oh, smart. I was about to pick somewhere isolated."
> Consider the area. The east beach will be packed, but the north beach is light residential, except...
> Type. "How about the ferry station at Lewes Beach? North of Rehoboth. There'll be people milling around, but not too many."
-
> "Oh, smart. I was about to pick somewhere isolated."
> Consider the area. The east beach will be packed, but the north beach is light residential, except...
> Type. "How about the ferry station at Lewes Beach? North of Rehoboth. There'll be people milling around, but not too many."
>"ok" she says. "well be there 45 min"
>_
-
> "See you there."
> Stand up. "Oh. I should've asked if you were in the middle of anything. What are you up to, Archer?"
-
> "See you there."
> Stand up. "Oh. I should've asked if you were in the middle of anything. What are you up to, Archer?"
>"ok" Kimimela replies.
>"Setting up some basic snares," Archer calls back. "Nothing big, just enough to catch a rabbit or something."
>_
-
> "I told Kimimela we'd meet her at the ferry station in 45 minutes. I think we have a little time, but we should leave soon."
-
> "I told Kimimela we'd meet her at the ferry station in 45 minutes. I think we have a little time, but we should leave soon."
>"Not too far from where we fought Caster," says Archer.
>_
-
> "Nope, it's on the same beach."
> "Hm. I wonder if Lancer picked out a disguise yet."
-
> "Nope, it's on the same beach."
> "Hm. I wonder if Lancer picked out a disguise yet."
>"I can only imagine," says Archer. "There's no way he'd blend in like he was dressed in...whatever that state was. Indiaona?"
>_
-
> "Indiana."
> "Actually, given his sense of humor, I'm a little wary of what he'd pick out. Probably some kind of..."
> Oh, shit. Will Archer be mad if she finds out her three wolf moon shirt was a joke the entire time?
> "Come to think of it, Archer, you've been stuck with my clothes for a while now. Do you want to get something that fits better?"
-
> "Indiana."
> "Actually, given his sense of humor, I'm a little wary of what he'd pick out. Probably some kind of..."
> Oh, shit. Will Archer be mad if she finds out her three wolf moon shirt was a joke the entire time?
> "Come to think of it, Archer, you've been stuck with my clothes for a while now. Do you want to get something that fits better?"
>...Maybe?
>"Oh, don't worry, these are fine," she says.
>_
-
Crap. Let's hope we can explain the finer points of ironic humor to Archer if it comes up.
> "If you insist. So, want to get going?"
-
> "If you insist. So, want to get going?"
>"Won't hurt to be early," says Archer.
>_
-
> Let's get our things together and walk out to the ferry station.
-
> Let's get our things together and walk out to the ferry station.
>You make your way to the ferry station. It's a leisurely enough walk, the neighborhood is bustling bustling lazily.
>The ferry building itself looks a lot like the service area that you visited in Ohio, Being in the middle of a place with some degree of build-up it looks markedly less depressing, just kind of bland and cheap. Most of the place is given over to waiting areas and vending machines, with paths set up to load the cars onto ferries. You manage to snag a seat near an outlet, giving you time to recharge your phone.
>Minutes pass by as you wait. People of all kinds come and go, locals and tourists who've never experienced a ferry before. It turns out that you're not the only one using this as a meeting place. It's nice to have a good padded seat, though, even if it's just a lousy waiting room seat. "There they are," Archer says, looking ahead. Turning your attention toward that direction, you can see Kimimela, dressed in old blue jeans and faded red t-shirt, her bead choker still visible. As for Lancer, while his hair is still long and unbound with beads woven into it, and he still wears his headband with inverted feathers, he has traded his buckskin pants for a dark blue business suit with bright golden buttons, and a red silken tie with that seems to be a standard collared shirt. He reminds you of some old photos you've seen of native americans in similar garb; frankly he looks almost ready to have a nice leisurely meeting with Saber!
>"How timely!" Lancer says with a smile as he approaches. "I appreciate that you didn't keep us waiting." His master nods. She looks pensive, but not quite so guarded as before.
>_
-
> Greet them with a wave as they approach.
> "That's a nice suit, Lancer. See, Archer, we should've got you something fancy after all."
-
> Greet them with a wave as they approach.
> "That's a nice suit, Lancer. See, Archer, we should've got you something fancy after all."
>"He looks like Saber," Archer says. Lancer cackles in response, as he flops down in a seat nearby.
>"I think he's pretty miserable in it, but won't admit it," says Kimimela.
>"Not at all," says Lancer. "When they are fitted correctly, they're quite comfortable and easy to move in."
>_
-
> Have a seat ourselves.
> "So, what'd you want to come all the way out here to talk about?"
-
> Have a seat ourselves.
> "So, what'd you want to come all the way out here to talk about?"
>"I'll just get to the point," says Kimimela. "I've thought about it a lot, and I'm kind of willing to take up your offer to work together."
>_
-
> "Great! I assume you mean more than just against Berserker, since you wanted to talk in person."
> "I mean, Saber won't like it, but screw him."
-
> "Great! I assume you mean more than just against Berserker, since you wanted to talk in person."
> "I mean, Saber won't like it, but screw him."
>"Screw him," Kimimela echoes. "So, what did you have in mind?"
>_
-
> "Well, let's start by sharing information, I guess, so we know what we're looking at."
> "I'll go first. Caster's already out of the game, Archer beat him last night. So, between the two of us, there's only Berserker, Assassin, and Saber left to deal with."
-
> "Well, let's start by sharing information, I guess, so we know what we're looking at."
> "I'll go first. Caster's already out of the game, Archer beat him last night. So, between the two of us, there's only Berserker, Assassin, and Saber left to deal with."
>Lancer nods. "That's two down, then. We've been hunting for Assassin, but with no luck. I'm sure I've felt him around somewhere, but we haven't been able to find him."
>"He's biding his time," Kimimela says.
>_
-
> "Yeah, the jerk wants his noble phantasm back before he does anything. I'm glad he's around here somewhere, though, I was worried he was still camping out back in Illinois or something."
> "You heard about the korean guy, right?"
-
> "Yeah, the jerk wants his noble phantasm back before he does anything. I'm glad he's around here somewhere, though, I was worried he was still camping out back in Illinois or something."
> "You heard about the korean guy, right?"
>"Huh?" says Kimimela.
>"Oh, certainly," Lancer says, frowning a little.
>_
-
> Explain to Kimimela. "You remember how Assassin's noble phantasm will turn any kill he makes into a world-changing event, right? Well last night they picked up a random guy from North Korea and they're blaming him for Koch's murder, saying he's an agent of the DPRK."
> "It looks really bad. I'm hoping if we kill Assassin quickly enough things will settle down, even if it's just wishful thinking."
> "Did you two ever sense his master, or just the servant?"
-
> Explain to Kimimela. "You remember how Assassin's noble phantasm will turn any kill he makes into a world-changing event, right? Well last night they picked up a random guy from North Korea and they're blaming him for Koch's murder, saying he's an agent of the DPRK."
> "It looks really bad. I'm hoping if we kill Assassin quickly enough things will settle down, even if it's just wishful thinking."
> "Did you two ever sense his master, or just the servant?"
>Kimimela frowns. "But he's clearly innocent, how are they planning to prove he did it?"
>"They find a way, they always do," Lancer says. "I am not sure if Assassin's master is around, it's fuzzier than you may thing. I've found a few magi."
>_
-
> "Huh. You've definitely found more than I have, but I can usually tell right away if I'm looking at a master."
> "I wonder if it's possible to conceal it somehow. It would fit with Assassin's gameplan."
-
> "Huh. You've definitely found more than I have, but I can usually tell right away if I'm looking at a master."
> "I wonder if it's possible to conceal it somehow. It would fit with Assassin's gameplan."
>"It's harder for me to tell," Lancer says. "But I know a magus when they brush against my web, so to speak."
>_
-
> "Huh, okay. I was getting the sense you might have a different way of doing it."
> "Maybe we could spend a day coordinating and doing recon on the magi you're able to sense. It's kind of a pain, but I don't think Assassin's master is going to reveal themselves by choice."
-
> "Huh, okay. I was getting the sense you might have a different way of doing it."
> "Maybe we could spend a day coordinating and doing recon on the magi you're able to sense. It's kind of a pain, but I don't think Assassin's master is going to reveal themselves by choice."
>"That could do," says Lancer, frowning thoughtfully.
>_
-
> "As for Berserker, apparently nobody's seen him since, uh, last time." Twiddle fingers, as we know this is a sore subject.
> "We think there might be some sort of conditions for him showing up. The first time was when Koch approached me, the second was when you did. So I thought he might just be drawn by two masters being in the same place at the same time, but by now it's obvious there's more to it."
-
> "As for Berserker, apparently nobody's seen him since, uh, last time." Twiddle fingers, as we know this is a sore subject.
> "We think there might be some sort of conditions for him showing up. The first time was when Koch approached me, the second was when you did. So I thought he might just be drawn by two masters being in the same place at the same time, but by now it's obvious there's more to it."
>"He came up the river," says Kimimela.
>_
-
> "..."
> "One minute."
> Let's get out our phone, open up Google maps, and see if we can find the spot where we first saw Berserker and encountered Koch.
-
> "..."
> "One minute."
> Let's get out our phone, open up Google maps, and see if we can find the spot where we first saw Berserker and encountered Koch.
>You don't even need to. There was a river just a couple blocks away, you were close to some nature reserves.
>_
-
> "Damn. I NEVER would have figured that out."
> "I think Kimimela's got it. There's no real rivers on this side of the state, so that would explain why he can't do anything."
> "...That also means it'll be incredibly easy to bait him out."
-
> "Damn. I NEVER would have figured that out."
> "I think Kimimela's got it. There's no real rivers on this side of the state, so that would explain why he can't do anything."
> "...That also means it'll be incredibly easy to bait him out."
>"What if it's not just rivers?" Archer says.
>"But yes, I am liking this baiting him out," says Lancer, grinning a little.
>_
-
> "Oh, I guess it could be lakes too. But that's also easy to plan around."
-
> "Oh, I guess it could be lakes too. But that's also easy to plan around."
>"Why not here, though?" says Archer. "There's a bay right over there..."
>_
-
>"Uhhh... My guess is that it might have to be freshwater he needs to get around? The bay would be saltwater, since it's connected to the ocean."
>"So if we wanted to lure him out, we'd have to go to the river, and that's... hang on."
>Check GMaps.
-
>"Uhhh... My guess is that it might have to be freshwater he needs to get around? The bay would be saltwater, since it's connected to the ocean."
>"So if we wanted to lure him out, we'd have to go to the river, and that's... hang on."
>Check GMaps.
>There are a few rivers around. Though it can be hard to tell if any of the them are backwashed.
>_
-
> "The closest big river is the Nanticoke. As far as I can tell, it should be freshwater upstream. We could take a trip down there tomorrow."
> "Of course, if he shows up just by us being in the area, that doesn't give us a lot of time for prep work. We'd have to roll up ready to fight."
-
> "The closest big river is the Nanticoke. As far as I can tell, it should be freshwater upstream. We could take a trip down there tomorrow."
> "Of course, if he shows up just by us being in the area, that doesn't give us a lot of time for prep work. We'd have to roll up ready to fight."
>"If it takes both of us, then surely one can prepare ahead of time?" says Lancer. "But, I do worry about stepping on each other's toes in that case."
>_
-
> "Well, what's your style, Lancer? I was thinking of kiting Berserker and having Archer shoot up his arms to wear him down. We'd need to be able keep ahead of him for a while, though."
-
> "Well, what's your style, Lancer? I was thinking of kiting Berserker and having Archer shoot up his arms to wear him down. We'd need to be able keep ahead of him for a while, though."
>"That's a good question," he says. "I've only started to ponder what we can do together against him. Ideally, you could support us at long range."
>_
-
> "I mean, heck, the guy's a huge target. If Archer could just stand back and shoot him the whole time it'd be a breeze. Right?"
> "If you want to do that, though, Kimimela might want to stay back with us. My main concern is Berserker ignoring you and Archer and just bowling one of us over."
-
> "I mean, heck, the guy's a huge target. If Archer could just stand back and shoot him the whole time it'd be a breeze. Right?"
> "If you want to do that, though, Kimimela might want to stay back with us. My main concern is Berserker ignoring you and Archer and just bowling one of us over."
>Lancer nods. "A good thing to be concerned about. Did I show you what he did to our truck?"
>"You better not've!" Kimimela says.
>_
-
> "Uh, I recall you mentioning it. How bad was it?"
-
> "Uh, I recall you mentioning it. How bad was it?"
>"He took a chunk out of the back," says Lancer.
>_
-
> "Geez. So the tailgate, if not the bumper...have the cops given you any trouble?"
> "...Let me rephrase that. How much trouble have the cops given you?"
-
> "Geez. So the tailgate, if not the bumper...have the cops given you any trouble?"
> "...Let me rephrase that. How much trouble have the cops given you?"
>"None yet," says Lancer.
>"The bumper is still there," says Kimimela, frowning. "So I think it's still street legal. Just...it's not pretty."
>_
-
> "Uh, listen..." Rub our neck uncomfortably.
> "I thought Berserker was headed straight for me because he had appeared near me once before. If I knew he was attacking you and not chasing me I probably would've stayed to help."
> "So I guess I actually am sorry."
-
> "Uh, listen..." Rub our neck uncomfortably.
> "I thought Berserker was headed straight for me because he had appeared near me once before. If I knew he was attacking you and not chasing me I probably would've stayed to help."
> "So I guess I actually am sorry."
>"It's in the past," Kimimela says. Her tone is not exactly blaise, but it does at least sound like she's not upset about it.
>"We'll make up for it by focusing on out next move," Archer says.
>_
-
> "Okay, I'm glad we're past that." Phew.
> "So, with Assassin, it's just a matter of finding the guy. Either of us can probably beat him without much trouble."
> "But with Saber, I can see us having problems with getting in each other's way, like you mentioned. Do we just want to tag team that one?"
-
> "Okay, I'm glad we're past that." Phew.
> "So, with Assassin, it's just a matter of finding the guy. Either of us can probably beat him without much trouble."
> "But with Saber, I can see us having problems with getting in each other's way, like you mentioned. Do we just want to tag team that one?"
>"Do go into detail on what you mean by tag team?" Lancer says, as he idly adjusts a cufflink.
>_
-
> "Archer and you could just take turns going on offense, and switch out when you get tired. Saber would never get a break, so I think he'd get worn down eventually."
> "Or maybe you could do it defensively, and have one set up traps while the other keeps him busy, so he'd be caged in. That'd depend on where the fight happens, though."
-
> "Archer and you could just take turns going on offense, and switch out when you get tired. Saber would never get a break, so I think he'd get worn down eventually."
> "Or maybe you could do it defensively, and have one set up traps while the other keeps him busy, so he'd be caged in. That'd depend on where the fight happens, though."
>Lancer nods. "There is merit to either approach. However, we are dancing around the primary question. What are we going to do next? What should I putting into my scheduler?"
>_
-
> "I was hoping to take tonight off since Caster almost turned me inside out and my gut is still kind of sore. I'm working on some new magic."
> "How about we spend tomorrow looking for Assassin's master, and if we don't succeed, we'll go out to the river and get this whole business with Berserker sorted?"
-
> "I was hoping to take tonight off since Caster almost turned me inside out and my gut is still kind of sore. I'm working on some new magic."
> "How about we spend tomorrow looking for Assassin's master, and if we don't succeed, we'll go out to the river and get this whole business with Berserker sorted?"
>Kimimela nods. "That's fine. We'll probably do some searching on our own tonight, and keep in touch."
>"Have you found anything else?" says Lancer.
>_
-
> "Lemme think."
> "Oh, Caster's master lost her command seals right after Archer finished him off. I talked to Sister Gibson about it and apparently that's normal unless the master is a member of one of the three main families. You can check afterwards to be sure, but Kimimela should be able to tell whether they're still in the game or not."
> Ponder whether we want to let them in on Explorer's crazy moon business. Decide against it for now until we can talk to Mr. Collins again.
-
> "Lemme think."
> "Oh, Caster's master lost her command seals right after Archer finished him off. I talked to Sister Gibson about it and apparently that's normal unless the master is a member of one of the three main families. You can check afterwards to be sure, but Kimimela should be able to tell whether they're still in the game or not."
> Ponder whether we want to let them in on Explorer's crazy moon business. Decide against it for now until we can talk to Mr. Collins again.
>Lancer glances to Kimimela and nods. "There is a lesson in that. Do not guard your seals too strongly, lest you lose them."
>You decide to keep Explorer to yourself.
>_
-
> "So, uh, I guess that just leaves the elephant in the room."
> "When we're the only two masters left, how should we decide the winner? Should we have some other kind of contest?"
-
> "So, uh, I guess that just leaves the elephant in the room."
> "When we're the only two masters left, how should we decide the winner? Should we have some other kind of contest?"
>"Perhaps we'll decide it in a more sportsmanlike manner?" says Lancer. "I think we can put the question aside for now, who knows what things will look like, then?"
>_
-
That response strikes me as a red flag. The fact that Lancer doesn't think that's an important thing to sort out makes me think he doesn't expect the two of us to end up in that situation, i.e. he is probably planning on jumping us when we're vulnerable.
Regardless, his assistance will probably greatly expedite eliminating Assassin and will make fighting Berserker a breeze, so even if I knew for sure that we were going to have to deal with a Lancer ambush later, I'd still think it was worth it overall...
So, for now, I will play along.
> "I guess it's true that there are a lot of unanswered questions about this Grail War. It might not play out normally."
> "I sincerely doubt whoever organized this thing would be happy about the prospect of either of us winning it."
-
> "I guess it's true that there are a lot of unanswered questions about this Grail War. It might not play out normally."
> "I sincerely doubt whoever organized this thing would be happy about the prospect of either of us winning it."
>"What I want to know, then, is who would they want to win?" says Kimimela.
>_
-
> "Well, I was assuming it was someone that was in it themselves, but after seeing Saber...he's tough, but not so overpowering that I think someone tried to rig the game. So now I don't know."
-
> "Well, I was assuming it was someone that was in it themselves, but after seeing Saber...he's tough, but not so overpowering that I think someone tried to rig the game. So now I don't know."
>"If we're thinking like that," says Kimimela, "Then wouldn't Berserker fall under that?"
>_
-
> "Hmm. Well, just how tough is he? Did you manage to land a hit on him, Lancer?"
-
> "Hmm. Well, just how tough is he? Did you manage to land a hit on him, Lancer?"
>"A couple. And, I am not all that convinced he noticed," Lancer says, frowning. "Do keep in mind, we were trying to get away from him more than fight, the circumstances were not ideal with you there to potentially play the vulture."
>_
-
> "Er, I understand."
> "That's distressing though. It sounds like I've been underestimating Berserker. If the guy is an absolute freight train, then yeah, I can see his master banking on him for an easy win."
-
> "Er, I understand."
> "That's distressing though. It sounds like I've been underestimating Berserker. If the guy is an absolute freight train, then yeah, I can see his master banking on him for an easy win."
>"Absolute freight train is a good way to put it," says Kimimela.
>"I wonder if his Master is keeping out of the way for his own safety," says Lancer.
>_
-
> "Okay, I guess we should have a better plan than just rolling up to the river looking for a fight."
> "How about we try to figure out his identity first? Did you have any ideas?"
-
> "Okay, I guess we should have a better plan than just rolling up to the river looking for a fight."
> "How about we try to figure out his identity first? Did you have any ideas?"
>"I didn't see him well enough," says Kimimela. "I was too busy running for the truck once Lancer started shouting."
>"All I can tell you is that he likes to throw axes, and he does not seem to walk but rather drags himself along the ground," says Lancer.
>_
-
> "The axe is a start."
> "Archer, can you remind me what kind of clothes he had?"
-
> "The axe is a start."
> "Archer, can you remind me what kind of clothes he had?"
>"Some kind of breeches," says Archer. "Boots...um, a leather harness across his chest."
>_
-
George Washington maybe? Not sure how the crawling would fit, but everything else would fit to at least some degree.
-
> "Hmm. If he throws axes and likes the water, maybe he's a viking."
> Mutter "viking with bad legs," as we punch it into Google.
> Come up with an answer shortly after. "There's a guy called 'Ivar the Boneless' who had some kind of condition that made it hard for him to walk, but he fought anyway."
> "...Although, if neither me or Kimimela has gotten a good look at him, I don't think we can get his data even if we guess right."
-
> "Hmm. If he throws axes and likes the water, maybe he's a viking."
> Mutter "viking with bad legs," as we punch it into Google.
> Come up with an answer shortly after. "There's a guy called 'Ivar the Boneless' who had some kind of condition that made it hard for him to walk, but he fought anyway."
> "...Although, if neither me or Kimimela has gotten a good look at him, I don't think we can get his data even if we guess right."
>"I'm going to be honest," says Kimimela, shaking her head. "I'm not very good at this history stuff... Schooling on the rez is terrible, and, you know, other concerns."
>Archer has started to frown a little, looking toward the floor. "...Could be."
>_
-
> "It's alright. Between the four of us, we'll figure it out."
> Watch Archer for a sec, and realize, oh shit, of course she knows what vikings are.
> "Have you heard of that guy, Archer?"
-
> "It's alright. Between the four of us, we'll figure it out."
> Watch Archer for a sec, and realize, oh shit, of course she knows what vikings are.
> "Have you heard of that guy, Archer?"
>She nods. "Yeah. Everyone heard about him... He was practically the end of the world, as far as we had heard."
>_
-
> Does anything click for "Ivar the Boneless" as Berserker in our database, or is it still too early to identify him as we suspect?
-
> Does anything click for "Ivar the Boneless" as Berserker in our database, or is it still too early to identify him as we suspect?
>Nothing has clicked yet, but you think it's too early.
>_
-
> "What did they say about him back then?"
-
> "What did they say about him back then?"
>Archer closes her eyes. "Later. I need to collect my thoughts."
>_
-
> ???
> Turn back to Lancer and Kimimela. "Well, let's put aside the idea of baiting out Berserker tomorrow and just focus on hunting down Assassin's master before things get any worse. How does that sound?"
-
> ???
> Turn back to Lancer and Kimimela. "Well, let's put aside the idea of baiting out Berserker tomorrow and just focus on hunting down Assassin's master before things get any worse. How does that sound?"
>You don't think she's done anything like that before...
>Lancer nods, while Kimimela looks at Archer curiously. "I think that sounds good," says Lancer. "With luck, Assassin or Sabre will stumble into him and one will save of the trouble of the other. Shall we meet up, oh, say around nine o'clock? That should be close enough to sunset."
>_
-
>"Sure, if that sounds good to you Archer?"
-
> "Where do you want to meet?"
-
>"Sure, if that sounds good to you Archer?"
>She nods. "Yeah, sounds good."
> "Where do you want to meet?"
>"Hm, how about the storage place where Route 1 and Route 1A split off?" says Lancer.
>_
-
> "I remember seeing it. Yeah, let's do that."
-
> "I remember seeing it. Yeah, let's do that."
>Lancer nods. "So it is agreed. Have we any other business?"
>_
-
> "Hmm...well, we could consider moving our camps closer together, since if one of us gets jumped, it'll be a problem if the other is 45 minutes out."
> "But I've taken some measures to hide ours, so I don't expect it to be a problem. How about you?"
-
> "Hmm...well, we could consider moving our camps closer together, since if one of us gets jumped, it'll be a problem if the other is 45 minutes out."
> "But I've taken some measures to hide ours, so I don't expect it to be a problem. How about you?"
>"We're staying in a motel like normal people," Kimimela says.
>_
-
> (https://i.imgur.com/VmLLBmW.jpg)
> "B-but..."
> "Okay. Never mind."
-
> (https://i.imgur.com/VmLLBmW.jpg)
> "B-but..."
> "Okay. Never mind."
>Did Lancer just smirk for a moment? Maybe. Then he says, "There is wisdom in what you say. I assume you are nearby, perhaps we can find a place here to relocate to?"
>_
-
> "Yeah, it's up to you, but I think it'd be a good idea."
> "I'd stay off the main drag though, it made it really easy for me to find Caster."
-
> "Yeah, it's up to you, but I think it'd be a good idea."
> "I'd stay off the main drag though, it made it really easy for me to find Caster."
>"We'll see what we can do," says Kimimela.
>_
-
> "I guess that's all, then."
> "I'm glad you're up for this, it'll make things a lot easier. Not just in terms of winning, but getting some answers on how it all got started in the first place."
-
> "I guess that's all, then."
> "I'm glad you're up for this, it'll make things a lot easier. Not just in terms of winning, but getting some answers on how it all got started in the first place."
>"Well, you didn't immediately run off an ally with someone more convenient," Kimimela says. "That's worth something."
>_
-
> "You didn't tell me no when we last talked, so I didn't want to do anything to sour that."
> "I didn't even consider it with Saber, though. I can't trust a master that won't meet me face to face."
-
> "You didn't tell me no when we last talked, so I didn't want to do anything to sour that."
> "I didn't even consider it with Saber, though. I can't trust a master that won't meet me face to face."
>Kimimela nods.
>"I would not read anything too sinister into that," says Lancer. "A Servant's job is to protect their Master. I can't imagine he would have wanted his master there."
>_
-
> "Of course. But I still don't have any reason to trust her."
> "Oh, right..."
> "I have a feeling Kimimela's of the same mind, but I'd prefer not to kill the masters unless it's going really badly otherwise."
> "When we find Assassin's master, I'd rather kill the servant and be done with it. Do you have any issue with that?"
-
> "Of course. But I still don't have any reason to trust her."
> "Oh, right..."
> "I have a feeling Kimimela's of the same mind, but I'd prefer not to kill the masters unless it's going really badly otherwise."
> "When we find Assassin's master, I'd rather kill the servant and be done with it. Do you have any issue with that?"
>"Not at the moment, but by the time we've caught them, I'm sure I will," says Lancer.
>_
-
> "Are you expecting the guy to be a douchebag?"
-
> "Are you expecting the guy to be a douchebag?"
>"I wouldn't be surprised by it," Lancer says. "Not after watching the drama unfold from their last stunt."
>_
-
> "...Yeah, the way that noble phantasm was used was very deliberate, considering the target. Assassin could've easily shot him normally."
> "But they might not have thought this was how things would go. Maybe they thought they could start a revolution or something."
> "Well, we'll know when we find them."
-
> "...Yeah, the way that noble phantasm was used was very deliberate, considering the target. Assassin could've easily shot him normally."
> "But they might not have thought this was how things would go. Maybe they thought they could start a revolution or something."
> "Well, we'll know when we find them."
>"Just as I think," says Lancer.
>_
-
> "So I guess it's settled. The storage place at 9 PM tomorrow. We'll see you then."
-
> "So I guess it's settled. The storage place at 9 PM tomorrow. We'll see you then."
>"Just so," says Lancer, as he stands and smooths out his jacket. "We will be there."
>"Call us if you need anything," says Kimimela. "Lancer hogs the phone, so just tell him to hand it over."
>_
-
> "Heh. Okay, I will." Give them a wave as they leave.
> Send to Archer as we get up ourselves. "Everything okay?"
-
> "Heh. Okay, I will." Give them a wave as they leave.
> Send to Archer as we get up ourselves. "Everything okay?"
>The two depart, Lancer giving a lazy wave without looking back.
>"Huh?" Archer says.
>_
-
> "I dunno, when I mentioned that viking guy it seemed like it really bothered you."
-
> "I dunno, when I mentioned that viking guy it seemed like it really bothered you."
>"There's a lot of bad memories," she says, shaking her head. "Honestly, I would have given myself away if I went into it. If I didn't already... I spoke without thinking earlier."
>_
-
> "Oh, I guess I shouldn't have pressed the matter..."
> "But I'm not terribly worried about them figuring it out. Knowing your arrows are poisoned doesn't make them any easier to avoid."
-
> "Oh, I guess I shouldn't have pressed the matter..."
> "But I'm not terribly worried about them figuring it out. Knowing your arrows are poisoned doesn't make them any easier to avoid."
>"Don't worry about it," says Archer. "and, I don't know, it could help them plan around other things,"
>_
-
> "I suppose. But I think I know Lancer's identity too, so at least we won't be uneven on that front. I just have to see him actually do something to confirm it first."
> "So, we're free until tomorrow night..."
OOC: Let's have a look at the list of objectives I drew up last thread!
- #1 goal: go find that dancing plant we need to mask the mana battery and finish it today, now that Saber's on the prowl. Done!
- Talk to Sister Gibson and let her know Georgia's command seals went away on their own. Done!
- Talk to Michael Collins and see if he can clarify Explorer's story or give us any other leads on this moon business. We can do this tonight.
- Get a notebook while we're in town so we can work out our magic bullshit without having to draw it in the dirt. Also acquire munchies. Done and done!
Optional:
- Have Archer get a look at Saber so we can work on IDing him. Thanks for introducing yourself.
- Case the area for rich assholes to rob so we can replace Misty's bike. We have a mark, now we need to scout out the place.
- Look into acquiring another catalyst - this would give us a starting point for looking further into the whole "summoning a second servant" business. I'm putting this on hold, realistically we probably don't have the time to engineer a way to do this. Instead I'll focus on the more practical plan of using the crystal to buff Archer.
- Attempt to win Kimimela's heart. Close enough!
- What the fuck are we going to do about Assassin? Lancer can help us find him!
We did great today!
NEW OBJECTIVES:
- Eliminate Assassin ASAP to stop his noble phantasm. Avoid Saber and Berserker for now.
- Finish designing the crystal-powered Auto-Staunch effect for Archer.
- Look for further leads into Explorer's moon mystery.
- See if we can rob that scientologist's house!
-
> "I suppose. But I think I know Lancer's identity too, so at least we won't be uneven on that front. I just have to see him actually do something to confirm it first."
> "So, we're free until tomorrow night..."
>"That's something," says Archer.
>"You mean until tonight, right?" says Archer.
>_
-
> "Huh? Did they say tonight? I'm sure I mentioned I wanted to take tonight off."
> "But I guess the situation is urgent enough to warrant it. Oh well."
-
> "Huh? Did they say tonight? I'm sure I mentioned I wanted to take tonight off."
> "But I guess the situation is urgent enough to warrant it. Oh well."
>"It was heavily implied, at least," says Archer.
>_
-
> "Well, whatever. I can just take a power nap before we leave."
-
> "Well, whatever. I can just take a power nap before we leave."
>"Sure, if you're tired," says Archer. "I'll have dinner ready for you when you wake up."
>_
-
> "Oh, that sounds great."
> What time is it when we get back to the camp?
-
> "Oh, that sounds great."
> What time is it when we get back to the camp?
>It will be around 5 or so, you think.
>_
-
> "I'm not really that tired, but I will be if we're up all night chasing magi around."
> Return to base.
-
> "I'm not really that tired, but I will be if we're up all night chasing magi around."
> Return to base.
>You return to base. It's a short enough walk, and you're getting used to it. Returning to camp, nothing seems awry.
>_
-
> "Alright, I'm gonna lay down for a bit. Let's eat at 7 and leave at 8."
-
> "Alright, I'm gonna lay down for a bit. Let's eat at 7 and leave at 8."
>Archer nods. "I'll have something ready for you."
>Sleep comes surprisingly easy, you usually aren't the sort to take naps, but the past few days have been a whirlwind, to say the least. While you weren't exactly tired, it takes you only minutes to drift off. You're not sure if you dreamt anything or not, but you wake to find Archer gently nudging your shoulder. "Hey, it's seven," she says. "I got stew ready."
>_
-
> Pop up. "mwafmr Alright!"
> We'll quickly rouse ourselves. We should be feeling pretty good at this point.
> Can we smell what Archer is cooking?
-
> Pop up. "mwafmr Alright!"
> We'll quickly rouse ourselves. We should be feeling pretty good at this point.
> Can we smell what Archer is cooking?
>You feel more sluggish than anything, but you'll probably shake that off.
>Heading outside, you can smell something mutedly meaty. "It was easy enough to track down a rabbit," Archer says. "It's still kind of thin, more brothy than stewy right now, but it should still be pretty good."
>_
-
> Let's do ourselves the favor of not looking in the pot. It probably tastes fine, right?
> "Did you try any of your spices with it?"
-
> Let's do ourselves the favor of not looking in the pot. It probably tastes fine, right?
> "Did you try any of your spices with it?"
>She nods. "Yeah, I think it came out pretty good."
>_
-
> Head over to the fire. Are the bowls out?
-
> Head over to the fire. Are the bowls out?
>There certainly are. Archer gets there first can scoops you some from the pot. It is very souplike, with bits of meat floating in it, and some herbs.
>"So. I've been thinking," Archer says. "I...should probably tell you, about Ivar."
>_
-
> Sit down with the soup.
> It's not easy to choose what to say when someone tells you they're about to talk about something traumatic...
> "Alright. You don't have to, but I'm listening."
-
> Sit down with the soup.
> It's not easy to choose what to say when someone tells you they're about to talk about something traumatic...
> "Alright. You don't have to, but I'm listening."
>She nods.
>"No, it's important, but it's awkward," Archer says. "When the Great Heathen Army came, they overran Nottinghamshire. There was...little I could do. They weren't interested in chasing me into the woods, they were interested in occupying the town for the winter. And, it was toward the last days of my own time. And I had just lost..."
>She pauses, her mouth screwing up.
>_
-
> Frown and wait patiently.
-
> Frown and wait patiently.
>"I've not been completely honest," she says at length. "Rather...I have, but only in a sense. You know that there's been more than one person to bear the name and mantle of Robin, right?"
>_
-
> "Wha...huh? No, I had no idea."
> "Before I met you, I didn't even know if you were real, or just a legend."
-
> "Wha...huh? No, I had no idea."
> "Before I met you, I didn't even know if you were real, or just a legend."
>"There's been a few," she says. Then she sighs. "...I was the first. I'm not Robin, not like you think. I am Marion Wood."
>_
-
> "I see. That's quite something."
> ...
> "W-wait... WHAT?!!! Marion Wood?!"
-
> "I see. That's quite something."
> ...
> "W-wait... WHAT?!!! Marion Wood?!"
>She nods. "Robin didn't have a family name, so she took mine."
>_
-
lmao at it being marion, but robin hood was still a girl regardless
> "Marion...so you're actually Maid Marion! Oh, geez. She's-- well, you're in the stories too."
> Out of curiosity, has this revelation done anything to our data on Archer?
-
> "Marion...so you're actually Maid Marion! Oh, geez. She's-- well, you're in the stories too."
> Out of curiosity, has this revelation done anything to our data on Archer?
>"That's a reason I wasn't exactly forthcoming," says Archer. "But, we both took the name. It made it a little easier for us to be in two places at once."
>It does not seem to have changed anything. At least as far as the Grail system is concerned, she has the right to bear the name Robin.
>_
-
> Frown again.
> "So when the vikings came...I take it Robin was, um..."
-
> Frown again.
> "So when the vikings came...I take it Robin was, um..."
>"Just recently passed," says Archer. "I was still grieving, and on my own."
>_
-
> "What happened?"
-
> "What happened?"
>"I...couldn't do much of anything to stop them," she says. "They had little interest in leaving the town, so I had to go in after them. And, well, I was well out of my element, to say the least. They were battle hardened, they didn't just depend on their numbers... it didn't go well."
>_
-
> Nod, wait for her to continue.
-
> Nod, wait for her to continue.
>"It didn't go well. I never even saw Ivar, I don't think. But I know about him. Everyone knows about him. He killed kings, Lily. I know that doesn't sound like that big a deal in these days, but back then, you just...didn't do that. It was unthinkable."
>_
-
> "I'm glad we figured out it might be him. It sounds like it would've been a disaster if we just went out to pick a fight."
> "How are you feeling about this?"
-
> "I'm glad we figured out it might be him. It sounds like it would've been a disaster if we just went out to pick a fight."
> "How are you feeling about this?"
>"I'll be honest," she says, "I'd rather it be just about anyone else... That whole thing thing was not a good point for me. I was still grieving, and nothing I did seemed to have any effect. I felt like such a fraud, like I was just riding on Robin's coattails the whole time..."
>_
-
> "Well, I'm sure you realize it now, but that's objectively not true, since you couldn't be here otherwise."
-
> "Well, I'm sure you realize it now, but that's objectively not true, since you couldn't be here otherwise."
>"Maybe so," she says. "I'm convinced Robin wouldn't have had nearly as hard a time against Explorer."
>_
-
> "We did win, though. Against Rider and Caster, too. I mean, I don't think it would be unfair to say we're doing better than anyone in this Grail War, so far."
> "That's not to say I don't recognize you have limits...it's just, as long as we know what we're getting into, we can plan around it."
> "This time, we can force him to fight on your terms."
-
> "We did win, though. Against Rider and Caster, too. I mean, I don't think it would be unfair to say we're doing better than anyone in this Grail War, so far."
> "That's not to say I don't recognize you have limits...it's just, as long as we know what we're getting into, we can plan around it."
> "This time, we can force him to fight on your terms."
>She nods, and gives a grin. "That's how I feel. Maybe I don't measure up to her, but I'll get everything done, don't you worry."
>_
-
> "That's the spirit! We'll fight as dirty as we have to to bring that giant bastard down."
> Taste the soup!
-
> "That's the spirit! We'll fight as dirty as we have to to bring that giant bastard down."
> Taste the soup!
>You taste the soup. It's...not too bad. The meat is a little gamey, but it's well seasoned and has the hint of a mild burn. Seems like she found a use for that tabasco.
>"It's a whole lot spicier than I thought would be," she says. "It's not too much, is it?"
>_
-
> "A lot of modern sauces are like that. A little of the stuff goes a long way."
> "It's definitely spicy, but I think it's fine."
> "Actually, the rabbit stands out more for me. I don't think I've had rabbit before."
-
> "A lot of modern sauces are like that. A little of the stuff goes a long way."
> "It's definitely spicy, but I think it's fine."
> "Actually, the rabbit stands out more for me. I don't think I've had rabbit before."
>"You've got a stronger tongue than me," Archer says. "I definitely used too much. And I guess that's not surprising, with all the fields I saw with cows on the way here."
>_
-
> "Want some bread? I think it's supposed to dull the burn."
-
> "Want some bread? I think it's supposed to dull the burn."
>"Yes, please," she says. Is she tearing up a bit from hers?
>_
-
> "Oh dear." Maybe tabasco wasn't such a good recommendation...
> Get her a few slices of bread.
-
> "Oh dear." Maybe tabasco wasn't such a good recommendation...
> Get her a few slices of bread.
>She quickly wolfs them down, And does seem a bit better for it. Still, it's just tabasco, right?
>"Thanks."
>_
-
> "If it's too hot for you, you could make something else and I could eat the stew."
-
> "If it's too hot for you, you could make something else and I could eat the stew."
>"It's fine, it's fine," she says. "We don't really have time."
>"So...now you know my deep dark secret. What's yours?" She grins like a cat.
>_
-
> Pause, then take another bite of the soup before setting it aside. "Okay, Archer."
> "In high school there was a boy in the same grade as me named Barry Macpherson. He was a 6'3" douchebag on the football team with lots of popular friends, and he liked to make fun of anyone that was heavy or looked weird or whatever, myself included. But I didn't get it as bad as some other kids."
> "Now, for the most part, this is part of the normal highschool experience. But in senior year he really cranked up the asshole factor to the max."
> "One time, he started harassing this one girl, showing everyone this weird porn video of a woman fucking Ronald McDonald and insisting it was her because they looked a little similar. It got so bad she had to leave the school."
> "Another time, he and his friends goaded another guy into a fight and beat the crap out of him, and his friends all made up a story to make it look like he attacked Barry. He got sent to juvie."
> "Worst was prom night, when he tried to force himself on his girlfriend. Fortunately he was drunk enough that she was able to lose him. Nobody could convince her to press charges though, so he got away with it."
> "I can't even list all the little terrible things the guy did. Just an absolute scumbag."
> "Anyway, apparently he was on the fast track for a football scholarship and somebody had come out to scout him on one of the final games of the year."
> "In the third quarter, he caught a long pass and only had to dodge one guy to make it a touchdown. But as he turned, he tripped and slammed right into the guy. He was going so fast that he twisted up his leg and messed up his neck. He was injured so bad that he couldn't play football for a year, so he didn't get the scholarship and couldn't get into college without it. The medical bills ruined him. Got what he deserved."
> Lean in. "But he didn't really trip, Archer. Not on his own. I was at that game and I waited for the perfect moment to cast Halt on him."
> Lean back.
> "My only regret is that he didn't break his neck like I intended."
-
> Pause, then take another bite of the soup before setting it aside. "Okay, Archer."
> "In high school there was a boy in the same grade as me named Barry Macpherson. He was a 6'3" douchebag on the football team with lots of popular friends, and he liked to make fun of anyone that was heavy or looked weird or whatever, myself included. But I didn't get it as bad as some other kids."
> "Now, for the most part, this is part of the normal highschool experience. But in senior year he really cranked up the asshole factor to the max."
> "One time, he started harassing this one girl, showing everyone this weird porn video of a woman fucking Ronald McDonald and insisting it was her because they looked a little similar. It got so bad she had to leave the school."
> "Another time, he and his friends goaded another guy into a fight and beat the crap out of him, and his friends all made up a story to make it look like he attacked Barry. He got sent to juvie."
> "Worst was prom night, when he tried to force himself on his girlfriend. Fortunately he was drunk enough that she was able to lose him. Nobody could convince her to press charges though, so he got away with it."
> "I can't even list all the little terrible things the guy did. Just an absolute scumbag."
> "Anyway, apparently he was on the fast track for a football scholarship and somebody had come out to scout him on one of the final games of the year."
> "In the third quarter, he caught a long pass and only had to dodge one guy to make it a touchdown. But as he turned, he tripped and slammed right into the guy. He was going so fast that he twisted up his leg and messed up his neck. He was injured so bad that he couldn't play football for a year, so he didn't get the scholarship and couldn't get into college without it. The medical bills ruined him. Got what he deserved."
> Lean in. "But he didn't really trip, Archer. Not on his own. I was at that game and I waited for the perfect moment to cast Halt on him."
> Lean back.
> "My only regret is that he didn't break his neck like I intended."
>Archer listens, at first clearly a little confused as to why you're talking about some other person. But then understanding dawns and she nods along. As you finish, she is grinning. "Well done," says Archer, as she has some more soup, then quickly has a bit more bread to go with it. "Sounds like it couldn't have happened to a better person. I think I really was summoned by the right person."
>_
-
> Nod solemnly. "It was definitely a formative experience for me."
> Continue eating our stew, while watching Archer struggle with hers.
> "Hm. I should've gotten you some worcestershire sauce instead."
-
> Nod solemnly. "It was definitely a formative experience for me."
> Continue eating our stew, while watching Archer struggle with hers.
> "Hm. I should've gotten you some worcestershire sauce instead."
>"When did they get their own sauce?" Archer says. "Probably tastes like sheep."
>_
-
> "I doubt it was really made in Worcester. It's pretty uncommon for the names of things to--"
> Look it up on our phone.
> "Oh. Huh. It actually was, back in 1837. How about that?"
-
> "I doubt it was really made in Worcester. It's pretty uncommon for the names of things to--"
> Look it up on our phone.
> "Oh. Huh. It actually was, back in 1837. How about that?"
>"See, now I know it's sheep-based," she says. "Is it good?"
>_
-
> "It's a dark red savory sauce. Salty, kind of like vinegar, but it's got a sweet part to it."
> "Come to think of it, it's probably exactly the kind of thing you'd want to put on mutton."
-
> "It's a dark red savory sauce. Salty, kind of like vinegar, but it's got a sweet part to it."
> "Come to think of it, it's probably exactly the kind of thing you'd want to put on mutton."
>She barks out laughing as if you told a good joke. "We'll definitely have to try it."
>_
-
> Let's finish up dinner so we have time to talk to Mr. Collins before we leave.
-
> Let's finish up dinner so we have time to talk to Mr. Collins before we leave.
>It doesn't take you too long, despite Archer's difficulties, it's not actually that spicy. For what it is, it's rather nice. Some vegetables would really give it some extra body, though.
>_
-
> "Thanks for dinner, Archer. At least I enjoyed it more than you did."
-
> "Thanks for dinner, Archer. At least I enjoyed it more than you did."
>"I'm surprised you can just shrug that off so easily," Archer says. "And this stuff is really popular enough they just sell it like that?"
>_
-
> "Yeah, you can buy it pretty much everywhere."
-
> "Yeah, you can buy it pretty much everywhere."
>"...What happened?" she says. "Who make you all love pain so much?"
>_
-
> "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll learn to love it yourself!"
> Pick up our phone again and pull up Michael Collins' number.
> "I'm gonna talk to Mr. Collins again, let's see if he can tell us anything interesting."
-
> "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll learn to love it yourself!"
> Pick up our phone again and pull up Michael Collins' number.
> "I'm gonna talk to Mr. Collins again, let's see if he can tell us anything interesting."
>"I think that's the most ominous thing you've said to me," she says.
>You make a call to your astronaut confidant. Now there's something you didn't expect to ever have... The phone rings about a dozen times before it picks up. "Hello there, miss," comes Collins' familiar voice.
>_
-
> "Hello, Mr. Collins. Are you free to talk?"
-
> "Hello, Mr. Collins. Are you free to talk?"
>"I can spare a few minutes," he says.
>_
-
> "Alright, thanks."
> "Well, I don't really have anything new to share, I got caught up in some unrelated business with some, uh, colleagues..."
> "Anyway, after we talked it occurred to me that when I spoke to Mr. Armstrong, he was short on time, so I may not have gotten all the details. I was wondering if you'd be willing to recount everything he told you and Mr. Aldrin, just in case I missed something."
-
> "Alright, thanks."
> "Well, I don't really have anything new to share, I got caught up in some unrelated business with some, uh, colleagues..."
> "Anyway, after we talked it occurred to me that when I spoke to Mr. Armstrong, he was short on time, so I may not have gotten all the details. I was wondering if you'd be willing to recount everything he told you and Mr. Aldrin, just in case I missed something."
>"Hm, why don't you tell me what he told you, first?" says Collin. "That way, I can understand what you already know."
>_
-
> "Alright, that's a good idea."
> "Let's see..."
> "It was when he stepped out of the lunar module, and started saying that line, 'one small step for man', and there's that little pause in what he said. But for him that pause lasted for hours."
> "He wasn't clear about what exactly he encountered, but It wasn't something he could see with his eyes. He said he could tell it was watching him, watching everything on Earth. And it had always been watching."
> "I couldn't really make sense of the rest of it. He kept saying that whatever was watching had seen humanity's doom, and that it would happen again. He was really upset that we weren't ready for it."
> "But he couldn't tell anyone, because if word got out, somebody would try to go to the moon to exploit whatever's there. He only told me because he was out of time."
> "I don't remember any other details...I think that's all of it."
-
> "Alright, that's a good idea."
> "Let's see..."
> "It was when he stepped out of the lunar module, and started saying that line, 'one small step for man', and there's that little pause in what he said. But for him that pause lasted for hours."
> "He wasn't clear about what exactly he encountered, but It wasn't something he could see with his eyes. He said he could tell it was watching him, watching everything on Earth. And it had always been watching."
> "I couldn't really make sense of the rest of it. He kept saying that whatever was watching had seen humanity's doom, and that it would happen again. He was really upset that we weren't ready for it."
> "But he couldn't tell anyone, because if word got out, somebody would try to go to the moon to exploit whatever's there. He only told me because he was out of time."
> "I don't remember any other details...I think that's all of it."
>"Hmmm, he spared you a few details," says Collins. "He spent the whole trip back, trying to make sense of what happened. He said it was like the most vivid dream in the world, walking through places he knew back on earth, talking with people who were so real that they might as well have been real. He said that he met Vladmir Komarov; ah, he was a cosmonaut who died in a couple years before we reached the moon. Breached the atmosphere, then his capsule parachute malfunctioned. Don't feel too bad if you don't know about him, but to us he's important. Then he says he met a bunch of important people from history, Galileo, George Washington, his great grandfather. The way you heard him tell it, it sounded like he was about to meet St. Peter. But it was all in his head. Or at least that's how it seemed to us. And he knew it too, at least by the time he got back."
>_
-
> "Oh...oh geez, that's a hell of a lead."
> "He might not have imagined it. It's possible he was able to talk to those people the same way I was able to talk to him."
> "How should I put it? When people die, something gets left behind, but what we're able to interact with - at least in the way I'm familiar with - isn't necessarily that person exactly as we knew them. It's colored by people's perception of history or the stories surrounding them. That's why I'm trying to sort out what really happened to Mr. Armstrong."
> "So the missing piece now is finding out why he thought some kind of apocalypse was going to happen. I wonder if someone he communicated with told him that."
-
> "Oh...oh geez, that's a hell of a lead."
> "He might not have imagined it. It's possible he was able to talk to those people the same way I was able to talk to him."
> "How should I put it? When people die, something gets left behind, but what we're able to interact with - at least in the way I'm familiar with - isn't necessarily that person exactly as we knew them. It's colored by people's perception of history or the stories surrounding them. That's why I'm trying to sort out what really happened to Mr. Armstrong."
> "So the missing piece now is finding out why he thought some kind of apocalypse was going to happen. I wonder if someone he communicated with told him that."
>"Well, that comes to the next part of it," Collins says. "You have to understand, just this vision or whatever wasn't what he was really grappling with. Rather, it was the fact he knew there was something behind it. Some kind of incredible power, like you mentioned. Neil was pretty sure he may have been in the presence of God Himself, and instead of love he found a quiet observer. I think in the end, he said that it couldn't have been God, but I don't know if he was convinced. But he knew it was there, some kind of vastly intelligent, vastly patient thing. It probably sounds a lot like a computer to you, but he described it as way more like a person. We came to the conclusion, if it's been watching us the whole time, it was probably very interested in the first people who could physically reach it. Maybe it even did care about us, in the way a park ranger cares about the land."
>_
-
> "Ahh, alright, I get it."
> "I wish I could've put him at ease; whatever it is, it's not what you'd call a god, more of a system. It really is like a computer in how it keeps information, from what little I know of it, but how it works or how much awareness it has is a really fuzzy subject. I never would have guessed it was on the moon, though..."
> "At least it can't be reached easily. This is just a wild guess, but maybe it could become dangerous if a lot of people were able to reach it."
-
> "Ahh, alright, I get it."
> "I wish I could've put him at ease; whatever it is, it's not what you'd call a god, more of a system. It really is like a computer in how it keeps information, from what little I know of it, but how it works or how much awareness it has is a really fuzzy subject. I never would have guessed it was on the moon, though..."
> "At least it can't be reached easily. This is just a wild guess, but maybe it could become dangerous if a lot of people were able to reach it."
>"Now that's a whole lot of assumptions you're making there, young lady," Collins says. "How do you know any of that is true?"
>_
-
> "...You're right, I shouldn't say it as fact, it's really just conjecture, but...uh, it makes sense with what I've been able to find about other interactions with this entity."
> "There are other instances where people have been able to meet important individuals from history - that's what I've been researching, I mean - and it seems like this entity, apparently on the moon, is the source of it."
> "Among people that study this kind of thing, it's incredibly rare to have it happen to yourself, so I'm just...racing to put it all together, I guess. Especially with what Mr. Armstrong had to say."
-
> "...You're right, I shouldn't say it as fact, it's really just conjecture, but...uh, it makes sense with what I've been able to find about other interactions with this entity."
> "There are other instances where people have been able to meet important individuals from history - that's what I've been researching, I mean - and it seems like this entity, apparently on the moon, is the source of it."
> "Among people that study this kind of thing, it's incredibly rare to have it happen to yourself, so I'm just...racing to put it all together, I guess. Especially with what Mr. Armstrong had to say."
>"Other people meeting important figures in history, you say?" Collins says. "Neil was always quiet about it afterward, even when he started looking into mystics and stuff. But I never heard him say anything about that. And I think he would have, if it were a lead."
>_
-
I'm not sure how much more I can give away without getting either us or him in deep shit...
> "I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't able to find anything. There aren't many accounts of it and they aren't very reliable."
> "But since it happened to me and you're saying it seems to have happened to him too, I think that means there's some truth behind it."
-
It's a fine line.
> "I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't able to find anything. There aren't many accounts of it and they aren't very reliable."
> "But since it happened to me and you're saying it seems to have happened to him too, I think that means there's some truth behind it."
>"You seem to be trying to put the subject behind us, young lady," Collins says. "Relating to his experience, though, I wonder about where this thing might be. We've mapped the moon pretty well over the decades, and haven't found anything. So I would imagine it is either small, or well hidden."
>_
-
"As for that, I have no idea. I wouldn't have even guessed it was something physical until now."
-
"As for that, I have no idea. I wouldn't have even guessed it was something physical until now."
>"Well, they talk about cloudy computing these days," he says, "But I reckon that even those things have to be somewhere."
>_
-
> "Well, this information certainly clarifies things, even if I'm not sure what do to with it yet..."
> "I'd still be interested in talking to Miss...Dala, was it? I'm still not clear on what Mr. Armstrong was trying to warn me about. He was very insistent that we needed to be ready for something."
-
> "Well, this information certainly clarifies things, even if I'm not sure what do to with it yet..."
> "I'd still be interested in talking to Miss...Dala, was it? I'm still not clear on what Mr. Armstrong was trying to warn me about. He was very insistent that we needed to be ready for something."
>"Della," Collins says. "I'm still doing some digging there. I have to be a little bit sneaky about it, can't have it getting back to Buzz. As for what that last part, well... Neil also said he saw various eras of history during that vision. Some of those eras, he tells me, were before we had written records. And it seems our ancestors had gotten around to the whole civilization thing a lot sooner than we had thought, until something happened and knocked us back down to the caves again. "
>_
>_
-
> "Della, right."
> "I think that's the kind of catastrophe Mr. Armstrong was afraid would happen again. All of civilization, just burned down without a trace."
> "I've got no idea how anyone could prepare for something like that, but I guess he thought it was possible."
-
> "Della, right."
> "I think that's the kind of catastrophe Mr. Armstrong was afraid would happen again. All of civilization, just burned down without a trace."
> "I've got no idea how anyone could prepare for something like that, but I guess he thought it was possible."
>"He was never very specific about that," Collins says. "But from what I gathered, there was some force responsible for it."
>_
-
> "Geez, this is a lot to take in...I guess that's enough for now. I'll wait for you to call me when you get ahold of Miss Della."
> "Uh, listen, I think you can tell I'm being a bit cagey about some of the things I know, but it'd really be safer to not get into the specifics yet."
> "But I wanted to at least give you the broad strokes of it since you're also sharing something you were sworn to secrecy on."
-
> "Geez, this is a lot to take in...I guess that's enough for now. I'll wait for you to call me when you get ahold of Miss Della."
> "Uh, listen, I think you can tell I'm being a bit cagey about some of the things I know, but it'd really be safer to not get into the specifics yet."
> "But I wanted to at least give you the broad strokes of it since you're also sharing something you were sworn to secrecy on."
>"I've noticed," he says. "I'm going to assume you have your reasons, and that they're even good ones."
>_
-
> "That's very generous of you, Mr. Collins. I'll make sure your trust isn't misplaced."
-
> "That's very generous of you, Mr. Collins. I'll make sure your trust isn't misplaced."
>"You do that, young lady," he says. "And do your best to make sure Mr Aldrin doesn't hear about this. I don't need a casket just yet."
>_
-
> "In the unlikely event he calls me again, I'll try to play dumb."
> "I'd better get back to work. Goodnight, Mr. Collins."
-
> "In the unlikely event he calls me again, I'll try to play dumb."
> "I'd better get back to work. Goodnight, Mr. Collins."
>"You don't work too hard, young lady," the old man replies, before hanging up.
>"Sounds like you learned a lot," says Archer.
>_
-
> "Archer. The Throne of Heroes is on the fucking moon."
-
> "Archer. The Throne of Heroes is on the fucking moon."
>"...What?" says Archer. "Really?"
>_
-
> "Yeah. That's what Explorer -- er, Neil Armstrong saw on the moon. He talked to a bunch of ancient famous people while time was stopped for him up there."
> "I can't believe I didn't think to ask this sooner, but Archer, have you been in any other Grail Wars? Or do you have any memories of things that've happened between when you were summoned and when you died?"
-
> "Yeah. That's what Explorer -- er, Neil Armstrong saw on the moon. He talked to a bunch of ancient famous people while time was stopped for him up there."
> "I can't believe I didn't think to ask this sooner, but Archer, have you been in any other Grail Wars? Or do you have any memories of things that've happened between when you were summoned and when you died?"
>"I can't say yes or no to that first question," says Archer. "We don't keep our memories between summonings like that. It's part of what the grail does when we're summoned to start with, why I can speak your english and not only my english. As for being there, well, my memories are hazy. I can't even tell you what it looks like, all I know is that it's like being half asleep, in a good way."
>_
-
> "Hmm, that's about what I was expecting."
>"But I guess the Throne of Heroes might be a physical place on the moon. I always imagined it was just some kind of alternate dimension, or something nebulous like that."
> "Man, if the mage's association knew about this, they'd be trying to get to the moon by the busload."
-
> "Hmm, that's about what I was expecting."
>"But I guess the Throne of Heroes might be a physical place on the moon. I always imagined it was just some kind of alternate dimension, or something nebulous like that."
> "Man, if the mage's association knew about this, they'd be trying to get to the moon by the busload."
>"So you're saying Explorer was right," says Archer.
>_
-
> "About the world ending? He was probably told that by someone he met while he was up there. I...I think it's probably true, but I'm not sure in what sense."
> "Like, if it's something that's going to happen in our lifetimes, or how we're supposed to prevent or prepare for it."
> "That's the missing piece right now, I don't know what he was told. I'm going to have to hope he confided in this Della woman and that I can get in touch with her."
-
> "About the world ending? He was probably told that by someone he met while he was up there. I...I think it's probably true, but I'm not sure in what sense."
> "Like, if it's something that's going to happen in our lifetimes, or how we're supposed to prevent or prepare for it."
> "That's the missing piece right now, I don't know what he was told. I'm going to have to hope he confided in this Della woman and that I can get in touch with her."
>Archer nods. "Nothing for that."
>_
-
> Cringe. "If it turns out to be the real deal and we have to blow our wish on preventing some stupid moon apocalypse, are you going to be okay with that?"
-
> Cringe. "If it turns out to be the real deal and we have to blow our wish on preventing some stupid moon apocalypse, are you going to be okay with that?"
>"Why, did you finally figure out something to wish for?" Archer says.
>_
-
> "You mean if I don't have to spend it on that? I know what I want, but not how to word it..."
> "I'm not sure how much of an evil genie the Grail is."
-
> "You mean if I don't have to spend it on that? I know what I want, but not how to word it..."
>She nods. "Well, we'll see what happens."
>_
-
> "Yeah, that's all we can do for now."
> Is it about time to leave and meet up with Kimimela and Lancer?
-
> "Yeah, that's all we can do for now."
> Is it about time to leave and meet up with Kimimela and Lancer?
>Close enough.
>_
-
> "So, ready to go hunt down Assassin?"
-
> "So, ready to go hunt down Assassin?"
>"Let's give him hell," she says.
>_
-
> Let's get our stuff together and head out to our appointment.
> "Hey Archer, just so we're on the same page, I trust Kimimela, but I don't trust Lancer. I'm kind of expecting him to try to kill me after we beat Berserker so Kimimela can win."
-
> Let's get our stuff together and head out to our appointment.
> "Hey Archer, just so we're on the same page, I trust Kimimela, but I don't trust Lancer. I'm kind of expecting him to try to kill me after we beat Berserker so Kimimela can win."
>The two of you break camp, and head toward your car.
>"I'm expecting the same thing," says Archer, "Only I think he'd target me."
>_
-
> "Hum, I might not be giving him enough credit. He could do that, yeah."
> "Well, as long as we're watching him, we'll be ready for it."
> "I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what his powers are, actually."
-
> "Hum, I might not be giving him enough credit. He could do that, yeah."
> "Well, as long as we're watching him, we'll be ready for it."
> "I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what his powers are, actually."
>"All I know is that I stepped on something back around that river, and it wasn't fun," she says.
>_
-
> Let's hit the road.
-
> Let's hit the road.
>You hit the road!
>It is not a difficult drive, but it is kind of long for how little distance is covered, and annoying even with the traffic starting to wane. Eventually, however, you reach the storage facility after having to find your way around a road running alongside the highway to find a place to park. The sun is just about set, and many of the establishments here are closing down for the day. All along the highway are various businesses and the odd house or apartment building, while residential areas stretch to the north and south. There is pretty much no foot traffic, while the vehicle traffic seems to be getting lighter by the minute. Looking around, you see no sign of Lancer, nor any trucks with a large part of the back sheared off.
>_
-
> "Wonder if we're early."
> Check our phone for messages.
-
> "Wonder if we're early."
> Check our phone for messages.
>"Maybe so," she says.
>There are no messages from Lancer. But there does seem to be one from Georgia.
>_
-
> Seems like we have a minute, let's read it.
-
> Seems like we have a minute, let's read it.
>You skim over it. It seems to have come just a couple minutes ago. "So there's some weird guys around my hotel room. I am pretty sure at least one of them was a magus, because they were using a dowsing rod, and what kind of normal person does that? I didn't get too close to them, I just got a glimpse of them and kept my distance. Then I kinda escaped through the back window and ran off. Pretty sure I left them behind, but my car's still there. I don't know what they're up to, but they're really creepy and I thought I should warn you."
>_
-
> "Archer, I just got a message from Georgia, she said some suspicious guys were tracking her down."
> Type: "Are you okay? Also are you still in Delaware?"
-
> "Archer, I just got a message from Georgia, she said some suspicious guys were tracking her down."
> Type: "Are you okay? Also are you still in Delaware?"
>"Was it Assassin?" Archer says. "Or Saber?"
>"I'm fine," Georgia quickly replies. "I don't think they've found me. Not yet, anyways. I'm up the road about half a mile from my hotel now, just waiting for the heat to die down."
>_
-
> "No, it's not a servant, it's some shady guys poking around, at least one of them's a magus."
> "Geez, she's right up the road. Could you scout it out, Archer? She can't even cast anything right now since I wrecked her synth."
-
> "No, it's not a servant, it's some shady guys poking around, at least one of them's a magus."
> "Geez, she's right up the road. Could you scout it out, Archer? She can't even cast anything right now since I wrecked her synth."
>"What is she doing around here?" says Archer.
>_
-
> "Not sure. She says she's up the road from her hotel, lemme make sure it's the same one."
> Type: "Are you talking about the same hotel you were staying at before?"
-
> "Not sure. She says she's up the road from her hotel, lemme make sure it's the same one."
> Type: "Are you talking about the same hotel you were staying at before?"
>"I mean, if she's not close by, I am not about to leave you alone," says Archer. "It would take me at least half an hour to go check on her."
>"Yeah, same one," she says.
>_
-
> "Nngh, right..." It is about three miles up the road. Archer's not THAT fast.
> "Should we go help her? I mean, if somebody's hunting for masters - and I bet the Association is - then this is our problem too."
-
> "Nngh, right..." It is about three miles up the road. Archer's not THAT fast.
> "Should we go help her? I mean, if somebody's hunting for masters - and I bet the Association is - then this is our problem too."
>"Tell Lancer first," says Archer. "Though he's not gonna be happy."
>_
-
Damnit Purvis. You done hornswoggled me.
> "Tch..."
> Send message to Georgia. "If you think you can find your way back to my camp you can stay there tonight. I'd come get you but I have a lead on where Assassin is and I need to track him down before World War 3 starts."
-
> "Tch..."
> Send message to Georgia. "If you think you can find your way back to my camp you can stay there tonight. I'd come get you but I have a lead on where Assassin is and I need to track him down before World War 3 starts."
>"Alright, I'll see about getting there," Georgia says. "Thanks."
>_
-
> Type: "See you when we get back."
> "I told her she can hide out at our camp tonight. I can't give up the chance to hunt down Assassin while the clock is ticking."
> "She said to keep an eye out for a guy with a dowsing rod."
-
> Type: "See you when we get back."
> "I told her she can hide out at our camp tonight. I can't give up the chance to hunt down Assassin while the clock is ticking."
> "She said to keep an eye out for a guy with a dowsing rod."
>"There's really not a lot of things a guy with a dowsing rod could be these days, is there?" says Archer. "So, should we wait around, or get started?"
>_
-
> "I'll message Lancer."
> Do so! "Are you on your way? By the way, I got a tip there might be a magus poking around in town, keep an eye out for a group of shady-looking guys, one has a dowsing rod."
-
> "I'll message Lancer."
> Do so! "Are you on your way? By the way, I got a tip there might be a magus poking around in town, keep an eye out for a group of shady-looking guys, one has a dowsing rod."
>After a minute, you get a reply, "working on radiator trouble"
>_
-
> Reply: "Okay. Let me know when you're rolling again."
> "They've got car trouble, so I guess we should get started."
-
> Reply: "Okay. Let me know when you're rolling again."
> "They've got car trouble, so I guess we should get started."
>Archer nods. "I guess that isn't a surprise, Lancer made it pretty clear when we were talking that pretty much everyone in her area is pretty poor. What's the plan?"
>_
-
> "Until Lancer catches up, we don't really have any way to look for Assassin's master other than to just wander around until we sense something."
> "Let's go see if we can scope out those guys Georgia spotted. It'll be one false positive off the map, at least."
-
> "Until Lancer catches up, we don't really have any way to look for Assassin's master other than to just wander around until we sense something."
> "Let's go see if we can scope out those guys Georgia spotted. It'll be one false positive off the map, at least."
>"I wonder if they'll still be hanging around by the time we get there?" says Archer, as she starts following the road westward.
>_
-
> "Maybe not...but they should be in the area."
> "Any suggestions?"
-
> "Maybe not...but they should be in the area."
> "Any suggestions?"
>"If Georgia's safe, see if you can get some detailed descriptions from her," says Archer.
>_
-
> "Sure."
> Send to Georgia: "When you've got a minute, describe them for me. I'll have Archer snoop on them if I run into them."
-
> "Sure."
> Send to Georgia: "When you've got a minute, describe them for me. I'll have Archer snoop on them if I run into them."
>"Let me think," she replies. "There were three of them; two guys and a girl, or maybe two girls and a guy? It was hard to tell with them. They were white, one guy was pretty buff, the definite woman was mid-sized , the questionable one was kind of short. That last one was the dowser. Dowser really stood out, because they have a coat in June."
>_
-
> Relay this information to Archer.
-
> Relay this information to Archer.
>Archer nods. "Coat, big guy, hard to tell what they are, got it," says Archer. "I think I ought to stay close to you, though."
>_
-
> "Yeah, I wasn't thinking when I suggested that. Let's continue in that direction, though."
-
> "Yeah, I wasn't thinking when I suggested that. Let's continue in that direction, though."
>She nods.
>The two of you proceed up the road, the sun finally sinking below the horizon. It takes a little while, but you soon see the motel, about half a block away.
>_
-
> Send to Archer. "In case they're around, I'll hang behind a little bit, but I'll stay in sight."
-
> Send to Archer. "In case they're around, I'll hang behind a little bit, but I'll stay in sight."
>Archer sends back, "Got it. Anything special you want me to do?"
>_
-
> "Nah, just keep walking and keep an eye out. I'll see if I can sense anything magical."
> Let's do just that. There's not really any cover to use, so just try to keep our head down.
-
> "Nah, just keep walking and keep an eye out. I'll see if I can sense anything magical."
> Let's do just that. There's not really any cover to use, so just try to keep our head down.
>"So you want me to stay out in the open?" she says. "That's an interesting misdirection."
>The two of you proceed. As you pass the hotel and look around the parking lot, you don't see anyone particularly interesting.
>_
-
> "Er, I don't actually have much of an actual plan. I just wanted to make sure I was standing back if you saw them..."
> "If you can find a spot to turn invisible though, it might not be a bad idea to use it to get a wider look around."
-
> "Er, I don't actually have much of an actual plan. I just wanted to make sure I was standing back if you saw them..."
> "If you can find a spot to turn invisible though, it might not be a bad idea to use it to get a wider look around."
>"There's a few places I can duck into," says Archer. "But right now, I don't think there's too many people around."
>_
-
> "Hm...go ahead, if you think you won't be noticed."
-
> "Hm...go ahead, if you think you won't be noticed."
>Archer advances forward, looking around for a moment, then vanishes out of sight.
>A few moments pass, before she sends: "Footprints in this little grass strip on the other side of the hotel. One set from one of the room windows, three more in that general direction, which are fresher.
>_
-
> "Oh geez. They're following her."
> "She probably doesn't know anything about hiding her tracks, I wonder if sending her off into the trees just made her easier to find..."
-
> "Oh geez. They're following her."
> "She probably doesn't know anything about hiding her tracks, I wonder if sending her off into the trees just made her easier to find..."
>"You would definitely want her to stay on the pavement, yeah," Archer sends.
>_
-
> Cringe as we get out our phone and send another message to Georgia.
> "Hey, I fucked up and wasn't thinking, if you go through the woods you'll leave a trail, you need to get back on pavement to lose them!"
-
> Cringe as we get out our phone and send another message to Georgia.
> "Hey, I fucked up and wasn't thinking, if you go through the woods you'll leave a trail, you need to get back on pavement to lose them!"
>"I'm still hanging around this yogurt place," Georgia says. "Though I don't get how I'm supposed to get to your camp without going through a woods."
>_
-
> "Yeah, don't go there, sorry. It was a bad idea."
> "Actually, I'm near your hotel now. Are you talking about that frozen yogurt place across the road? You could run and come get your car now if you want."
-
> "Yeah, don't go there, sorry. It was a bad idea."
> "Actually, I'm near your hotel now. Are you talking about that frozen yogurt place across the road? You could run and come get your car now if you want."
>"It's a bit up the road," she says, "But yeah, on the other side."
>_
-
> "My contact's running late, maybe I can get you out of here..."
> Sent to Archer. "Hey Archer, Georgia didn't go into the woods yet, she's at a frozen yogurt shop up the road, on the other side. Let's move up that way."
> How far is the nearest spot one could cross the highway? Is there a lot of traffic?
-
> "My contact's running late, maybe I can get you out of here..."
> Sent to Archer. "Hey Archer, Georgia didn't go into the woods yet, she's at a frozen yogurt shop up the road, on the other side. Let's move up that way."
> How far is the nearest spot one could cross the highway? Is there a lot of traffic?
>"Got it," Archer sends.
>The Highway is nearly empty by this point, you can cross more or less with impunity.
>_
-
> Let's walk up until we can see it on the other side of the road.
-
> Let's walk up until we can see it on the other side of the road.
>You make your way further westward. It's a little worrisome being alone, even though you know Archer's right there. You cover a few blocks, but don't see anything unusual.
>After about ten minutes or so, you can see a store called Sweet Frog across the highway.
>_
-
> Take a moment to note anything unusual before we cross the highway.
-
> Take a moment to note anything unusual before we cross the highway.
>You look around, and see nothing but street lights and dimly lit, empty businesses, still open long after any kind of evening rush. In the distance there is some light traffic, but you have all the time you want to cross the highway before it arrives; assuming they don't turn off.
>_
-
> Send: "Okay, I'm crossing the road now."
> Run across.
-
> Send: "Okay, I'm crossing the road now."
> Run across.
>You send a message, and note a new one from Lancer and Kimimela
>Getting across the highway is trivial. You can see Georgia inside the shop, sitting at a lone table by the window. ...You hope she must moved there to look for you.
>_
-
> Once we're across the road, check the message from Lancer while walking towards Georgia.
-
> Once we're across the road, check the message from Lancer while walking towards Georgia.
>The message was from about four minutes ago, and reads, "That's been handled. We're on our way now. Apologies; this old thing is fighting planned obsolescence as well as it can."
>You reach the establishment easily. Inside it is a bit chilly. There's no one at the counter; you can vaguely hear someone in the back. Georgia is alone in the establishment, nursing a tiny cup of frozen yogurt. She nods to you as you enter.
>_
-
> "Hey. You alright?"
-
> "Hey. You alright?"
>She nods. "Yeah. They didn't find me or anything. And I figured this was the best I could do without risking getting lost or wandering somewhere not public. You see them at all?"
>_
-
>"Other than their footprints, not yet, no."
-
>"Other than their footprints, not yet, no."
>"What a bunch of idiots," Georgia says. "Went the wrong damned way."
>_
-
> "Well, that's convenient."
> "C'mon, lemme get you out of here before my contact shows up. Why'd you stay in town anyway?"
-
> "Well, that's convenient."
> "C'mon, lemme get you out of here before my contact shows up. Why'd you stay in town anyway?"
>"That's simple, I'm here," she says. "I probably shouldn't waste a vacation while I have it. Especially since I'm waiting on someone to get me a new keyboard."
>_
-
> "I can mail you a check!!"
-
> "I can mail you a check!!"
>"Like hell," she says. "But yeah, it's a good time go somewhere else for a little while."
>_
-
> "Alright, let's go. Archer's keeping an eye out."
-
> "Alright, let's go. Archer's keeping an eye out."
>"Lead the way," Georgia says. "I'll head up to your campsite. Give you a ride, if you want."
>_
-
> She really has no intention of leaving town...
> Okay, whatever. If she drives up to the parking lot at the beach and goes into the woods from there the guys aren't going to find her.
> "Ah, you can drop me off at the storage place down the road, actually."
> Start making our way back to her car.
-
> She really has no intention of leaving town...
> Okay, whatever. If she drives up to the parking lot at the beach and goes into the woods from there the guys aren't going to find her.
> "Ah, you can drop me off at the storage place down the road, actually."
> Start making our way back to her car.
>"That's fine," says Georgia.
>The two of you make your way down the empty main strip. Though it is dark, the light pollution keeps you from seeing the stars at all. But it also means that it is easy to see as you follow the sidewalks. Honestly, it isn't a bad night; the heavy clouds from yesterday are all but gone and what little traffic noise you can hear is in the distance. Maybe you'll be able to see the stars from camp?
>As you pass by a pair of billboards, you can see some motion out of the corner of your eye! Half a heartbeat later and something is passing over your head; reaching down. Then your hand aches fiercely as something lands on the ground, a few yards away!
>_
>_
-
> Resist urge to check hand, watch whatever just went over us.
> "Archer!"
-
> Resist urge to check hand, watch whatever just went over us.
> "Archer!"
>Standing the middle of the road is a short man, heavy-set man clad in black clothing, He wears a black mask over the upper half of his face, while the lower half of his face is quite round. His hair is long and black, stylishly wavy. He wears a doublet coat with wide sleeves, striped black and light gray in a very medieval manner, with a white cravat wrapped around his neck. His wide breeches are equally dark, tuckled into buckled boots as dark as the pavement he stands on. A wide-brimmed hat with a single crimson feather rests on his head, and a simple black cloak on his sholders. Long black gloves adorn his hands, and in his hands rests a crown, a strangely familiar-looking thing of reddish felt and gold arches, covered in gems and fleur-de-lis icons.
>The dark-clad man gives you a cocky grin, then bows in your direction.
>You hand still hurts, but the pain is ebbing away quickly. You aren't sure where Archer is.
>Information Update: Midnighter
>_
-
> Send: "Archer!? Where are you!?"
> Fuck it, check our hand.
-
> Send: "Archer!? Where are you!?"
> Fuck it, check our hand.
>"What the hell?!" Georgia exclaims.
>You try to send to Archer, and nothing happens. You do not feel it work at all.
>Looking down at your hand, you immediately note a distinct lack of command seals.
>_
-
> "AAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
> "What the hell!? There can't be a servant that steals command seals!! That's bullshit!!"
> Check info!
-
> "AAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
> "What the hell!? There can't be a servant that steals command seals!! That's bullshit!!"
> Check info!
>You cry out your sudden panic and frustration. As you do, the servant finishes his bow with a flourish, and leaps aside, moments before an arrow skitters off the pavement.
>Midnighter: ???
>Strength: ???
>Mana: ???
>Endurance: ???
>Luck: ???
>Agility: Exceptional
>N. Phantasm: C
>Class Skills
>>Panache A+
>Personal Skills
>>???
>>Presence Concealment: A+
>>???
>Noble Phantasm
>>???
>Examining this information makes you feel kind of funny, like you're staring at something designed to mess with your eyes. It is not an unfamiliar feeling now.
>_
-
> "Archer!! You gotta get that crown back from him!!"
-
How dare Lucas Trent get involved in your Grail War!
-
> "Archer!! You gotta get that crown back from him!!"
>"I'm on it!" Archer shouts,
>"What the hell?" Georgia says, looking between you and the servant, as he whirls and starts dashing away.
>_
-
> "Shit. Shit. Shit. Georgia, keep an eye out for the master."
> Get our phone out and call Lancer.
-
> "Shit. Shit. Shit. Georgia, keep an eye out for the master."
> Get our phone out and call Lancer.
>"Should we just be standing here, he's getting away!" Georgia says.
>_
-
> "I know, I know, hold on!"
> Start following while still trying to put in the call.
-
> "I know, I know, hold on!"
> Start following while still trying to put in the call.
>You chase after the black-cloaked servant; fumbling with your phone. Behind you, you can hear Archer, who seems to be cursing in what you assume is probably the Anglo-saxon tongue she spoke in her original life. At least you assume she's cursing.
>You get a call through, and hear Lancer reply, "Yes?"
>_
-
>"We've run into trouble. Trouble of the Servant kind; some new class that can swipe command seals! Fucker just took mine." (EDIT: Stuffman has a point. Oops.)
-
I think it would be a good idea to not mention he's got our command seals right now.
> "Just got attacked by a weird servant called Midnighter! Headed southeast towards uhhhhh the Tanger Outlets! Come help if you feel like it, but tell Kimimela to cover her head! Bye!"
> Put the phone away and pick up the pace.
-
> "Just got attacked by a weird servant called Midnighter! Headed southeast towards uhhhhh the Tanger Outlets! Come help if you feel like it, but tell Kimimela to cover her head! Bye!"
> Put the phone away and pick up the pace.
>"That's a new one," you hear Lancer say, before you hang up.
>You pocket your phone and pick up the pace! Archer dashes past you, still cursing, sending arrows toward the retreating Midnighter. The fleeing servant reacts by leading over into the opposing highway.
>_
>_
-
> Are there any incoming cars?
> Get a Wall reagent ready. Not using it yet, just having it onhand.
-
> Are there any incoming cars?
> Get a Wall reagent ready. Not using it yet, just having it onhand.
>None that you can see.
>You prepare a wall spell.
>_
-
> ...Can we hear any incoming cars? Leading us into traffic has obvious potential for a trap.
-
> ...Can we hear any incoming cars? Leading us into traffic has obvious potential for a trap.
>It's a little difficult to hear things like cars over all the excitement, but you don't think you hear any.
>More tellingly, Archer isn't hesitating to veer after him.
>_
-
> In that case, continue pursuit!
-
> In that case, continue pursuit!
>You keep going! Archer and the other servant continue to open more distance; the former occasionally firing on the latter. It is hard to tell who is gaining or falling behind at a glance. Midnighter is drifting toward the far sidewalk now.
>_
-
> It's doubtful it'll slow him down any, but let's at least try to help before he gets too far away for us to do so.
> Try to pitch a Wall in front of Midnighter!
-
> It's doubtful it'll slow him down any, but let's at least try to help before he gets too far away for us to do so.
> Try to pitch a Wall in front of Midnighter!
>You pitch a wall in front of the retreating Servant. It rises up out of the ground, and he easily vaults over it. For a moment, you curse it as a waste, but it has let archer gain a little more ground.
>_
-
> Oh well! Keep up the chase.
-
> Oh well! Keep up the chase.
>You keep up the chase, as Midnighter makes a sudden turn, even flourishing his cape as he does, and darts into a parking lot. Archer sends another arrow at him, but he manages to hop over it.
>_
-
> Can we guess what his avenue of escape might be?
> Is Georgia keeping up?
-
> Can we guess what his avenue of escape might be?
> Is Georgia keeping up?
>Immediately, you think he's either about to go around the shopping center to the north, or he's about to break into it.
>She seems to be.
>_
-
> Is the shopping center closed yet?
-
> Is the shopping center closed yet?
>Much of it seems to be. At this split second, the couple of stores still open are more or less akin to the yogurt place you were just at, where there doesn't seem to be anyone around.
>_
-
Going inside seems like a bad idea, someone will hear us running about and unlike Archer we're not fast enough to run from cops. However, we can't tell Archer anything without yelling at her, so we want to avoid giving Midnighter any ideas he doesn't already have.
> Continue following and see where he's headed.
-
> Continue following and see where he's headed.
>You continuing following, as he darts around the shopping center. Archer follows, not too terribly far behind. As you watch, he hops on top of a dumpster, vaults into the air, and grabs onto a fire escape ladder on the roof, using it to swing himself onto the roof itself. He lands with the the grace of a gymnast, as Archer moves to follow him, only to have to twice in midair and land on the ground as he sends a dagger flying her way! Then he dashes further onto the roof, disappearing from view!
>Information Update: Midnighter
>_
-
> There's no way we or Georgia are getting onto that roof, is there?
> Check information.
-
> There's no way we or Georgia are getting onto that roof, is there?
> Check information.
>You would need someone to lower the fire escape, you think.
>Midnighter: ???
>Strength: ???
>Mana: ???
>Endurance: Decent
>Luck: Hard to read
>Agility: Exceptional
>N. Phantasm: C
>Class Skills
>>Panache A+
>Personal Skills
>>Short Blades: Very good
>>Presence Concealment: A+
>>???
>Noble Phantasm
>>???
>_
-
> "Crap..." Even if we got up there, nothing's stopping him from dropping down again and leaving us stranded.
> Archer can chase him, but once she's out of sight we have no way of communicating with her...wait!
> "Georgia, can I borrow your phone?"
-
> "Crap..." Even if we got up there, nothing's stopping him from dropping down again and leaving us stranded.
> Archer can chase him, but once she's out of sight we have no way of communicating with her...wait!
> "Georgia, can I borrow your phone?"
>Georgia has just caught up to you. "Huh, why?" she says, as Archer hops back into the dumpster.
>_
-
> "Cause I'm giving her mine! Archer, catch!!"
> Hurl our phone at her.
God, I sure hope that Wall tossing skill carries over to this.
-
> "Cause I'm giving her mine! Archer, catch!!"
> Hurl our phone at her.
>You fling your phone at Archer. She turns just in time to catch it out of the air, even scooping it up from behind rather than grabbing it from the air. Good thing you showed her how to treat it before! She deftly pockets it and leads toward the fire escape, grabbing it this time and pulling herself up deftly.
>"Shit, okay," says Georgia, as she pushes a cheap android into your hands. "What is that guy's deal? Is that Assassin?"
>_
-
> "Thanks. And no, it's a stupid fake servant called Midnighter. This is the second one I've run into, I dunno where they're coming from."
> Dial our own number while we move behind some kind of cover to avoid catching a stray dagger.
-
> "Thanks. And no, it's a stupid fake servant called Midnighter. This is the second one I've run into, I dunno where they're coming from."
> Dial our own number while we move behind some kind of cover to avoid catching a stray dagger.
>You take cover near the edge oft he building and start to dial Archer.
>"So what's its deal?" Georgia says.
>_
-
> "I'm guessing that crown he stole from me is some kind of symbolic thing. My command seals are gone and I can't communicate with Archer."
I have a guess as to who this guy is, but it's obscure enough that I think it would be too meta to guess without Lily taking the time to google it.
-
> "I'm guessing that crown he stole from me is some kind of symbolic thing. My command seals are gone and I can't communicate with Archer."
>"So, what's it's role?" says Georgia.
>Archer answers the phone. "He's hiding, I think," she says. "There's a lot of pipes and stuff."
>_
-
> Talk into phone. "I guarantee he's gonna try to hit a pipe and blow steam at you and escape in the mist. It's totally his schtick."
> "You can put the phone in your pocket, just let me know if he leaves the roof so we know where to go."
> Open the browser on the phone while keeping Archer on the line. (Newfangled phones can do that, right? I have a flip phone.)
> @Georgia: "Uh, I think Midnighter is a fancy term for thief? It seems like his power is meant to be used against masters, so maybe it's like an Assassin variant?"
> Does our database give any generic info on the class?
-
> Talk into phone. "I guarantee he's gonna try to hit a pipe and blow steam at you and escape in the mist. It's totally his schtick."
> "You can put the phone in your pocket, just let me know if he leaves the roof so we know where to go."
> Open the browser on the phone while keeping Archer on the line. (Newfangled phones can do that, right? I have a flip phone.)
> @Georgia: "Uh, I think Midnighter is a fancy term for thief? It seems like his power is meant to be used against masters, so maybe it's like an Assassin variant?"
> Does our database give any generic info on the class?
>"Got it," says Archer. "And good, I need both my hands. Give me some extra eyes if you can."
>You open the browser, the call does not drop.
>You check the information on Midnighter.
>Midnighter: "A class that arises from the aspirations of the downtrodden. Midnighter specializes in guerilla tactics and impossible thefts, performing with panache and style. Whereas the basis of most classes lies in defeating powerful opponents and mythical foes, Midnighter's role lies in challenging the powers of society. Often romanticized, Midnighter's role bears the weight of the dreams and aspirations of good and cruel people alike, making it difficult to predict. As well, It is difficult to tell where the Servant ends and the world's influences begin. As a rule, Midnighter has no voice for itself, for its individuality is not nearly so important to this case as its feats and symbolism. Nor does it possess a Master in the traditional sense; it is not possible to summon a Servant of this class typically.
>_
-
> If he had no master, he probably wouldn't have any reason to be here or to start shit with us, so let's assume he's an exception...
> "Okay, 'Midnighter' is supposed to represent, like, romanticized outlaws. Like Zorro, I guess."
> Since he stole a crown we didn't know we had, start googling crown thieves, jewel thieves, combinations of those with "medieval", "famous", etc...
-
> If he had no master, he probably wouldn't have any reason to be here or to start shit with us, so let's assume he's an exception...
> "Okay, 'Midnighter' is supposed to represent, like, romanticized outlaws. Like Zorro, I guess."
> Since he stole a crown we didn't know we had, start googling crown thieves, jewel thieves, combinations of those with "medieval", "famous", etc...
>"Huh," says Georgia.
>You do a quick search, and come up with a handful of names. Richard of Pudlicott, Thomas Blood, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier are suggested. More searching will take time.
>_
-
> Take a closer look at Thomas Blood, because he has a picture that could fit Midnighter and his blurb indicates that he was chaotic neutral as fuck.
-
> Take a closer look at Thomas Blood, because he has a picture that could fit Midnighter and his blurb indicates that he was chaotic neutral as fuck.
>Are you sure you want to do this in the middle of a potential combat situation?
>_
-
> No...yes...nyes? He seems like the type to have stupid tricks that would be great to know about beforehand, but...
> No, better not. Instead, let's see if we can sense any other masters around.
-
> No...yes...nyes? He seems like the type to have stupid tricks that would be great to know about beforehand, but...
> No, better not. Instead, let's see if we can sense any other masters around.
>You don't sense anything yet.
>_
-
> Look around. Where could we move to get at least a partial view of the roof, as Archer requested?
-
> Look around. Where could we move to get at least a partial view of the roof, as Archer requested?
>Close to the building like this, no. If you moved out a bit, you might see something. If you moved out a lot, you could probably see a lot, but you wouldn't have much detail.
>_
-
> Let's back off a little so we can at least see over the edge.
-
> Let's back off a little so we can at least see over the edge.
>You back off a little, enough to see a little bit of the roof. Nothing stands out; Archer seems to be out of view.
>_
-
>"Tch, I don't see anything,"
>Might as well move out a bit more, even with a loss of detail, we might see something new maybe.
>Do so.
-
>"Tch, I don't see anything,"
>Might as well move out a bit more, even with a loss of detail, we might see something new maybe.
>Do so.
>You back away a little more, getting a better view of the roof, but still seeing nothing.
>_
-
> Stay here for a moment to see if something happens.
> "By the way, Georgia, if you happen to see an old truck with the tailgate ripped off, flag them down for me."
-
> Stay here for a moment to see if something happens.
> "By the way, Georgia, if you happen to see an old truck with the tailgate ripped off, flag them down for me."
>"Got it," says Georgia.
>You watch, and you can see Archer prowling around up there.
>"He's up here," Archer says through the phone, "But he's well hidden. Probably moving."
>_
-
> "Okay. I'm watching too, but I don't see anything from this side."
-
> "Okay. I'm watching too, but I don't see anything from this side."
>"If you have any plans, I'm all ears," Archer says.
>_
-
> "Uh...I kinda don't...usually in this situation I'd put pressure on the master but I don't sense one nearby."
-
> "Uh...I kinda don't...usually in this situation I'd put pressure on the master but I don't sense one nearby."
>"Me either," Archer says. Then her voice drops. "Keep an eye open."
>A moment later, there is a flurry of motion above.
>_
-
> Watch closely to try to make out what happens.
-
> Watch closely to try to make out what happens.
>You see a flourish of what is definitely Midnighter's cloak, metal reflecting in the light; the sound of two metallic things hitting each other, and what seems to be a dagger flipping away in a random direction, then more motion.
>_
-
Shit, he got the jump on her.
> Keep watching.
-
> Keep watching.
>You are pretty sure you see Midnighter vault over an air conditioner, and Archer following a moment later.
>"He's running, other side of the building!" comes Archer's voice.
>_
-
> "Okay! I don't know how well I can keep up, but I'll try!"
> Try to judge the shortest route around the building and take off running.
-
> "Okay! I don't know how well I can keep up, but I'll try!"
> Try to judge the shortest route around the building and take off running.
>Being close to one side of the building, you take off running around it, following the road.
>Past the shopping center, you can see a few rows of storage units, fenced off by chain link fences, and a little side ride leading off from the rather small two-lane main road, leading off into what seems like a woodsy neighborhood.
>_
-
> Attempt to visually re-acquire Archer or Midnighter.
-
> Attempt to visually re-acquire Archer or Midnighter.
>You look around, and see motion! There's Archer, hopping atop a line of storage units. No sign of Midnighter, but surely he is closeby.
>_
-
> Does it look difficult to climb the fence?
-
> Does it look difficult to climb the fence?
>It seems about as hard to climb as any chain link fence.
>_
-
> Let's go over it, then. (This is going to be a long night...)
-
> Let's go over it, then. (This is going to be a long night...)
>You approach the fence, just in time to see Archer hop toward another line of storage units, and over the far side of the fence.
>_
-
>Could we use Wall or a similar spell in our repertoire to elevate the ground under our feet and make getting over the fence easier... or just bypass (i.e. rip a hole in the links or pull them up) it altogether?
>Or is it just easier to climb instead of cheat?
-
>Could we use Wall or a similar spell in our repertoire to elevate the ground under our feet and make getting over the fence easier... or just bypass (i.e. rip a hole in the links or pull them up) it altogether?
>Or is it just easier to climb instead of cheat?
>Both of these things are possible.
>It is probably easier for you to cheat. Or go around, given Archer just left.
>_
-
Stylishness or resource saving...? What a choice.
>We'll just save resources for now and go around, since Archer is already out of sight.
-
>We'll just save resources for now and go around, since Archer is already out of sight.
>You dash around the fence as Archer runs off into the distance. Ahead is what you assume is the storage yard office, and some trees, which Archer has just disappeared around.
>"I'm on him!" she says through the phone. "He's slippery, but not slippery enough!"
>_
-
> "Great! I'm catching up now!"
> Not really, but we are trying!
> We're not running into a trap, are we? Do we sense anything weird?
-
> "Great! I'm catching up now!"
> Not really, but we are trying!
> We're not running into a trap, are we? Do we sense anything weird?
>You don't sense anything weird as of yet.
>"I'm heading north, toward-"
>You hear the sound of metal clashing.
>"Northwest now. Lots of woods to the Northeast, I'm certain that's where he's planning to go."
>_
-
> "Okay!"
> Hopefully this will work to Archer's advantage! Keep following.
-
> "Okay!"
> Hopefully this will work to Archer's advantage! Keep following.
>You keep following, so to speak, but by this point you've lost her entirely.
>_
-
> Let's lower the pace a bit then, because we're probably dying at this point.
-
> Let's lower the pace a bit then, because we're probably dying at this point.
>Frankly, you're happy to slow down!
>"You gonna be okay?" Georgia says, as she jogs next to you. "You got a plan?"
>_
-
> "Nope! Even if I could keep up, it's not like I can fight a servant, even if it's a crappy fake servant. It's all up to Archer."
> "If he gets away, Archer can function for a few days without me, but not being able to communicate mentally is a big disadvantage."
-
> "Nope! Even if I could keep up, it's not like I can fight a servant, even if it's a crappy fake servant. It's all up to Archer."
> "If he gets away, Archer can function for a few days without me, but not being able to communicate mentally is a big disadvantage."
>"And you can't even get to the grail without your seals," she says. "But I mean, where are we even going, and why?"
>_
-
> "I don't want to be too far from Archer in case we get jumped."
> "Although, I probably don't even register as a master right now...yeah, I guess we can just hide and wait for her to come back. It was dumb of Midnighter to go into the woods, she'll get him there or not at all."
> Find an out-of-the-way spot to lay low, and let's continue our research on who Midnighter might be.
-
> "I don't want to be too far from Archer in case we get jumped."
> "Although, I probably don't even register as a master right now...yeah, I guess we can just hide and wait for her to come back. It was dumb of Midnighter to go into the woods, she'll get him there or not at all."
> Find an out-of-the-way spot to lay low, and let's continue our research on who Midnighter might be.
>You hunker down by a tree close to the road.
>What will you be researching?
>_
-
> Let's skim over that Thomas Blood guy first. He sure sounds like someone that should be a Midnighter.
-
> Let's skim over that Thomas Blood guy first. He sure sounds like someone that should be a Midnighter.
>You skim over some information of Thomas Blood. And indeed, he does have a roguish backstory, even to the point of doing some rather daring things, getting caught, and managing to get away with it anyways through luck and possibly raw cheek. The sketch of him that you can find definitely reminds you of the face you saw; well, the jawline and such that you saw. If you could see his whole face, or find something else to link with him...
>_
-
> "Tch, I haven't seen him do enough to get his identity."
> "I should've shown Archer how to use the camera. It'd help if I had a better look at him."
-
> "Tch, I haven't seen him do enough to get his identity."
> "I should've shown Archer how to use the camera. It'd help if I had a better look at him."
>"...I never thought of doing that," says Georgia, who has been blatantly reading over your shoulder. "What are you missing?"
>_
-
> "I think this is him, but it's not clicking. It's like, I need another piece of evidence, or a better look at his face."
-
> "I think this is him, but it's not clicking. It's like, I need another piece of evidence, or a better look at his face."
>"Well, what do we have so far?" says Georgia.
>_
-
> "Well, when he stole my seals, it was in the form of a crown, so I searched for people that had stolen crowns or crown jewels or something like that."
> "Out of the guys that came up, I've got the strongest feeling about this one. The stuff he did definitely qualifies him for the class, and the picture kinda fits what little we saw of him."
> "It'd be great if Archer could get him to say something, but apparently Midnighters don't talk."
-
> "Well, when he stole my seals, it was in the form of a crown, so I searched for people that had stolen crowns or crown jewels or something like that."
> "Out of the guys that came up, I've got the strongest feeling about this one. The stuff he did definitely qualifies him for the class, and the picture kinda fits what little we saw of him."
> "It'd be great if Archer could get him to say something, but apparently Midnighters don't talk."
>"Was it like a crown crown, or like a chinese one, or what?" Georgia says.
>_
-
>"It was definitely European-ish."
-
>"It was definitely European-ish."
>"Okay, keep going," she says.
>_
-
> "His clothes fit the time period, too. Definitely late renaissance. And, uh, judging by the quality, he was probably rich."
-
> "His clothes fit the time period, too. Definitely late renaissance. And, uh, judging by the quality, he was probably rich."
>"Okay, what else do we have to go on?" Georgia says.
>It's definitely feels a bit more like it could be him.
>_
-
> "Ermm...lemme think..."
> Thomas Blood apparently held a few different military ranks, did Midnighter have any kind of insignia on him that we could look up?
-
> "Ermm...lemme think..."
> Thomas Blood apparently held a few different military ranks, did Midnighter have any kind of insignia on him that we could look up?
>He did not.
>_
-
>bring the thread back from the grave.
>Do we have any transportation?
>What military branches did Blood serve in?
-
>bring the thread back from the grave.
>Do we have any transportation?
>What military branches did Blood serve in?
>HECK
>You have a car that's parked a few blocks away
>A quick scan does not answer this question, but you get the feeling he was mostly on land-based forces, at least. He seems to have been a Royalist during the English Civil War, then switched sides to the Roundheads.
>_
-
>Check our phone's map app to see the nearest locations by the northeast woods. If archer proves too much for him, and he tries to escape to civilization, that might at least give an idea of where he might head to.
(OOC: updates will be slow at first, gotta re-read to get back up to speed, sorry in advance.
-
(ALRIGHT! I should be good now. Though paradoxially, I'm going to be gone for most of the week. I had to do a lot of catching up and revisualizing things, my notes weren't a thorough as I would have liked for resuming.)
>Check our phone's map app to see the nearest locations by the northeast woods. If archer proves too much for him, and he tries to escape to civilization, that might at least give an idea of where he might head to.
>You're still using Georgia's phone, as Archer has yours. It's easy enough to check a map, and you find that there's a number of places he could go, there's a couple different neighborhoods bordering this area, there's a campground, there's even a farm field that he could escape to; no several farm fields. As well, there are a few creeks her could choose to follow. Going further down the way, it seems there are canals as well.
>_
-
Well, clearly this isn't the option.
>Did we leave our phone silenced?
>Is there any mentions of Blood being known for using knives?
-
>Did we leave our phone silenced?
>Is there any mentions of Blood being known for using knives?
>It is. The call has not been hung up yet, though. At least not on your end.
>Not at a glance.
>"What's going on?" Georgia says.
>_
-
> "I'm still not completely sure if it's Blood, my little info thing still hasn't updated."
> "Archer just be busy if she hasn't called back yet, I can only hope she'll be okay! Midnighter has a lot of options if he needs to escape."
-
> "I'm still not completely sure if it's Blood, my little info thing still hasn't updated."
> "Archer just be busy if she hasn't called back yet, I can only hope she'll be okay! Midnighter has a lot of options if he needs to escape."
>"You could always resume the call," says Georgia. "And okay, um...do you know what crown he has?"
>_
-
Sorry, was having a bad week.
>Did we?
-
>Did we?
>You did not, but you're not crown expert. It was definitely European, and you don't think it was some random one?
>_
-
>What identifying features it had that we could use to find out what it was?
-
>What identifying features it had that we could use to find out what it was?
>That's a good question... Maybe it's best to narrow it down some other way than physical features?
>_
-
> "I'm not sure. Didn't look generic!"
> "Give me a minute or two."
>Look up what the crown of England Thomas tried Stealing looked like.
-
> "I'm not sure. Didn't look generic!"
> "Give me a minute or two."
>Look up what the crown of England Thomas tried Stealing looked like.
>You look up the Crown Jewels of England, and quickly see a picture of Prince Edward's Crown. That's it, that's definitely it!
>Information Update: Midnighter.
>_
-
>Read the new info!
-
>Read the new info!
>Midnighter: Thomas Blood
>Strength: B
>Mana: C
>Endurance: C
>Luck: E
>Agility: A
>N. Phantasm: C
>Class Skills
>>Panache A+
>Personal Skills
>>Short Blades B
>>Presence Concealment: A+
>>Face in the Crowd: A
>Noble Phantasm
>>Crown Jewels C
>_
-
>Can we get anymore info on Presence Concealment or Face in the Crowd?
> "I got it!"
-
>Can we get anymore info on Presence Concealment or Face in the Crowd?
> "I got it!"
>Presence Concealment
>The ability to move without being noticed. A servant with this skill may use it to evade notice, even from other servants. A critical tool for those who do not attack directly.
>Face in the Crowd
>The ability to blend seamlessly into a group of people. The bearer of this talent will not stand out, and will not be remembered even by those who look directly at them. While they are not exactly invisible, they are unremarkable to the point that they simply do not attract notice or recall. Methods that can probe for memories outside of a person's recollection can find these memories still.
>"Good! Then let's make sure Archer learns!" says Georgia.
>_
-
>Panache? Short Blades? Crown Jewels?
>Whisper into the phone connected to Archer's, "Are you there?"
-
>Panache? Short Blades? Crown Jewels?
>Whisper into the phone connected to Archer's, "Are you there?"
>Panache: The ability to act with style and flair, whatever the situation. Panache can impress or distract onlookers, or hide little fatal flaws in ones actions.
>Short Blades: Skill with edged weapons that are too short to be considered a proper sword, employing them in melee and throwing.
>Crown Jewels: An anti-personal noble phantasm, this allows one to steal that which cannot be stolen, changing the concept in question to a physical object. This cannot steal things intrinsic to a person or thing; one cannot steal another's health or a machine's power; rather it steals intangible things gifted from one source to another. Spells placed upon an object, a person's tattoos, or warm one feels from being close to a fire, these things can be stolen. If the victim can reclaim the stolen object and use it, the theft will be ended. Others may not so, only one is worthy of the crown.
>You contact Archer. On the other side of the call, you can hear definite footfalls; she is running. "I'm here!" comes Archer's voice.
>_
-
>"I got a read on his abilities! From worse to easiest to deal with, he can move without being noticed, blend seamlessly into a crowd of people to the point that even if you look directly at his face, you won't remember it! And then there's his Noble Phantasm, it's really confusing, but the short version is he can steal intangible things from physical objects that are gifted from another source, like tattoos for one, when it's stolen he gets it in the form of a crown! Steal that and you get it back! Oh, and he's got this thing called "Panache", which leads him act so stylish that people might not be able to see the little flaws in his actions. And then he's really good at using short blades."
>"Only weakness I can tell is he's really unlucky, maybe we can exploit it."
-
>"I got a read on his abilities! From worse to easiest to deal with, he can move without being noticed, blend seamlessly into a crowd of people to the point that even if you look directly at his face, you won't remember it! And then there's his Noble Phantasm, it's really confusing, but the short version is he can steal intangible things from physical objects that are gifted from another source, like tattoos for one, when it's stolen he gets it in the form of a crown! Steal that and you get it back! Oh, and he's got this thing called "Panache", which leads him act so stylish that people might not be able to see the little flaws in his actions. And then he's really good at using short blades."
>"Only weakness I can tell is he's really unlucky, maybe we can exploit it."
>"I need a name!" Archer says.
>Georgia starts looking around.
>_
-
> "Midnighter is Thomas Blood, and that Noble Phantasm is called Crown Jewels..."
> Notice Georgia looking around "Hm? Something up?"
-
> "Midnighter is Thomas Blood, and that Noble Phantasm is called Crown Jewels..."
> Notice Georgia looking around "Hm? Something up?"
>"Got it," says Archer.
>Georgia is frowning. looking here and there. "You hear that?"
>_
-
> "Hear what?"
> Do a quick assessment of the environs, both visually and aidioably. Are we being watched/is someone/thing coming our way?
-
> "Hear what?"
> Do a quick assessment of the environs, both visually and aidioably. Are we being watched/is someone/thing coming our way?
>Looking around, you think you can hear something that sounds like muffled talking from around the side of a house up the road, about two yard lengths away.
>_
-
>Quietly: "Stay quiet."
>Try to creep up slowly to the source of said conversation.
>Gester towards Georga to follow us.
-
>You make your way up the road, Georgia following behind you without a weird.
>"No, I'm sure it was this way!" you can hear a sort of reedy man's voice say.
>"That is not what you said fa minute ago!" comes a woman's retort.
>_
-
>Try to silently get to a spot that lets us see what the two arguers look like.
-
>Try to silently get to a spot that lets us see what the two arguers look like.
>You move a bit closer, hoping to get a glimpse.
>You can just seen around the house from this spot on the sidewalk, and you can see what looks like a short person with long, blonde hair, wearing a dark overcoat despite the season. You can't immediately tell their gender.
>_
-
> We can't tell the blond(e)'s gender, but can we tell whether they're a Servant or not?
> And by that I mean, try a stat scan.
-
> We can't tell the blond(e)'s gender, but can we tell whether they're a Servant or not?
> And by that I mean, try a stat scan.
>You don't think they are a servant, but that does not forego the possibility that they are hiding something...
>_
-
> Maybe we can identify their partner.
> Have we heard his voice before? If only we could get a closer look!
> But we need to keep from being spotted, hmmm...
-
> Maybe we can identify their partner.
> Have we heard his voice before? If only we could get a closer look!
> But we need to keep from being spotted, hmmm...
>You cannot see their partner right now.
>You have not heard this voice before.
>_
-
> Looks like there's only one thing to do then:
> Continue our eavesdropping.
-
> Looks like there's only one thing to do then:
> Continue our eavesdropping.
>"Look. these things keep moving around, okay?" says the reedy voice. "It's not like they're buried in the ground or anything!"
>You feel Georgia's hand softly touch you shoulder; soft enough that you don't instantly jump! Then more firmly a moment later, trying to tug you back.
>_
-
>Look back towards Georga.
-
>Look back towards Georga.
>She is looking at you very intently, and trying to pull you back.
>_
-
> Step back.
> Whisper while sneaking off from the scene, indicating Georgia to follow. "Mm. Best not to risk getting caught..."
> Once a safe distance... "Didn't get what I needed from dropping some eaves, but they're looking for something. What, I don't know, but whatever it is just keeps eluding them..."
-
> Step back.
> Whisper while sneaking off from the scene, indicating Georgia to follow. "Mm. Best not to risk getting caught..."
> Once a safe distance... "Didn't get what I needed from dropping some eaves, but they're looking for something. What, I don't know, but whatever it is just keeps eluding them..."
>As you start sneaking off, Georgia gives harsh whisper: "That's them!"
>You are also sure you hear them coming closer.
>_
-
>"Those were the two snooping around your hotel room? Great..."
> Keep moving "Not too sure they're looking for us right now, though. Can't let them find us, in either case."
-
>"Those were the two snooping around your hotel room? Great..."
> Keep moving "Not too sure they're looking for us right now, though. Can't let them find us, in either case."
>You keep moving, stepping out of the yard that you were in.
>Then one of the people rounds the corner. Wearing a trenchcoat despite it being june and carrying a dowsing rod, you cannot imagine this person isn't some kind of magus. At a glance, you can't determine their gender, either. Their hair is long and blonde, that doesn't help. Their face is fairly thin, and you thin they're wearing mascara, or they have bags under their eyes. You just don't know.
>They just stare at you for a moment, as a tall woman rounds the corner.
>_
-
> Well, so much for not getting caught. "...Shit."
> Give them a deer in the headlights look as you try to discern their features, and then give up; what they identify as isn't important. What is important that you've been caught by them.
> Speaking of getting caught, glance at the new woman on the block as well.
-
> Well, so much for not getting caught. "...Shit."
> Give them a deer in the headlights look as you try to discern their features, and then give up; what they identify as isn't important. What is important that you've been caught by them.
> Speaking of getting caught, glance at the new woman on the block as well.
>"...Who the hell?" the androgynous person says, their voice reedy and not giving you any clue to a gender.
>The tall woman is a bit order, heavyset with dowdy hair and unkempt brown hair. Her eyes narrow as she observes you. "It's them, isn't it?" she says.
>You are sure there is someone else with them, too.
>_
-
> Well, we've learned whose voice is whose here. Enlightening, but inconsequential considering the circumstances.
> Try to figure out who the third person is while considering our options here.
-
> Well, we've learned whose voice is whose here. Enlightening, but inconsequential considering the circumstances.
> Try to figure out who the third person is while considering our options here.
>The dowser waves their rod toward you. "Maybe?" they say, frowning.
>The third, at a glance as he rounds the corner, is a shortish, plumpish man in suspenders.
>_
-
>Put our arms up to make it seem that we are surrendering.
>"I don't mean you harm."
>Look around the area for an exit.
-
>Put our arms up to make it seem that we are surrendering.
>"I don't mean you harm."
>Look around the area for an exit.
>You could turn toward the street, or toward the yard behind you. And then possibly slip between the houses. But given they are right there...
>"Who the hell are you!?" cries suspenders.
>_
-
>"I get a feeling answering your question would end poorly for me."
-
>"I get a feeling answering your question would end poorly for me."
>"Then you better do it!" suspenders says.
>_
-
>Gotta come up with a good-sounding lie that would fit the situation, and quick! Something that would excuse this snooping around. Hmm, maybe...!
>"I'm... a bounty hunter. I got some info that the guy I'm after was in the area and, well. Ran into you guys instead, was just trying to assess if he was with you guys or not, and it looks like 'not'."
-
>Gotta come up with a good-sounding lie that would fit the situation, and quick! Something that would excuse this snooping around. Hmm, maybe...!
>"I'm... a bounty hunter. I got some info that the guy I'm after was in the area and, well. Ran into you guys instead, was just trying to assess if he was with you guys or not, and it looks like 'not'."
>"Oh, that is the biggest crock of-" Suspenders begins. Then Dowser raises a hand to stop him.
>"No, wait," they say. "This'll be great." They reach into their coat and pull out a phone, tucking their rod under their arm. "Okay, go on," they say to you, as they type in something. "Who's your bountyhead?"
>_
-
>Shit. It was worth a shot.
>"Sigh. Fine, you got me, friend. I'm a Magus. Just like at least one or two of you. But it's true that I'm looking for someone that has something i'm looking for. Thomas Blood, a Midnighter."
-
>Shit. It was worth a shot.
>"Sigh. Fine, you got me, friend. I'm a Magus. Just like at least one or two of you. But it's true that I'm looking for someone that has something i'm looking for. Thomas Blood, a Midnighter."
>You are met with blank looks. You don't think it's that they disbelieve you. But rather than they don't believe you just said all of that.
>_
-
>"...What? Is there something in my teeth?"
>Put hand to mouth to check... but also try to stealthily procure some casting material.
>As they're dumbfounded and possibly distracted, maybe we could make the ground go out from under them and make a break for it while they're dealing with it.
-
>"...What? Is there something in my teeth?"
>Put hand to mouth to check... but also try to stealthily procure some casting material.
>As they're dumbfounded and possibly distracted, maybe we could make the ground go out from under them and make a break for it while they're dealing with it.
>You do not really have a spell to do that instantly.
>_
-
>...Darn.
>"Hmm, nope, don't feel anything. I must look like a real amateur for just blurting that all out or something then, huh..."
-
>...Darn.
>"Hmm, nope, don't feel anything. I must look like a real amateur for just blurting that all out or something then, huh..."
>"Get her," says the woman. "Della's going to have questions."
>"Got it," says Suspenders, starting to advance.
>You hear Georgia running off behind you.
>_
-
>"...Did you just say, 'Della'?"
>Review information on individual: DELLA
-
>"...Did you just say, 'Della'?"
>Review information on individual: DELLA
>They do not response, as suspenders is starting to approach you rather quickly, and it seems like the tall woman is up to something.
>You do recall this name being mentioned as someone that Neil Armstrong dealt with when alive, who may or may not have some connection to the occult underground. Michael Collins seemed to think she did.
>_
-
>Occult underground? So it's probably not a good thing if these guys capture us...
>"It seems negotiating with you folks is a lost cause. I don't really have the time or energy to deal with you guys, so..."
>Turn streetward and try to get the fuck out of there.
>"...Later!"
-
>Occult underground? So it's probably not a good thing if these guys capture us...
>"It seems negotiating with you folks is a lost cause. I don't really have the time or energy to deal with you guys, so..."
>Turn streetward and try to get the fuck out of there.
>"...Later!"
>"You aren't going nowhere!" suspenders shouts, his heavy footsteps right on your heels. You don't see Georgia, she must have gone around the house?
>"Get them both!" the tall woman shouts.
>_
-
>"Kiss my fat ass!"
- Casting materials in inventory?
- What are we capable of without command seals and fleeing?
-
>"Kiss my fat ass!"
- Casting materials in inventory?
- What are we capable of without command seals and fleeing?
>You have a fair amount of materials onhand.
>Your Spells are:
>Wall: Based in Kabbalic Imagery, you inscribe particular Hebrew letters on a stone, and toss it in front of you. It will gather surrounding earth into a wall that lasts for a few seconds. Even if it is composed of nothing but loose dirt, this wall can absorb powerful impacts with ease. With stronger rock and such, you would trust it to absorb gunfire. If you could find a way to extend the duration, you could probably create several of these. This spell comes easily to you, and does not greatly tax your mana.
>Freeze: By tossing a talisman inscribed with particular spiritual edicts into a body of water, you can freeze it. A bathtub's worth of water will freeze solid, while larger bodies of water will freeze over top to varying thicknesses. They will then melt naturally. You don't know the exact parameters, but you can freeze a pond well enough to walk on it safely. If you use it on a body of water that is too large, it simply creates a thin sheet that floats away and melts quickly. This is not terribly difficult, but it does draw strongly on your reserves of mana.
>Elemental Conjuration: You can summon quantities of earth and water; a few gallons of each at once. This tends to drain your mana heavily, as you are not actually making it out of nothing, but rather drawing minute amounts of various places over a radius. This implies that if you are too far from the earth or from water, it would not work. The conjured stuff appears in front of you, you can direct where within a couple feet. You struggle with these spells, more than you feel you should. Being near a body of water only makes it slightly easier to summon water.
>Halt: A single-target Germanic curse, this causes the target's feet to stick to the earth, with respect to their momentum. A person at rest will be unable to take a step, while a person running will stumble and perhaps fall. Their feet must be touching the ground for it to work, and the victim must be within sight. Magi can try to resist this, but it may interfere with their concentration otherwise. It can last up to 20 seconds. This spell comes easily to you, but requires some concentration to use, and does not draw too much mana.
>Blind: A variant of the Gandr curse; this in particular attacks the liquids inside the target's eyes, distorting or shutting down their eyesight. It's hard to measure how reliable it will be, but it tends to last a good half minute. Like with Halt, a skilled magi may try to resist this attack, and the target must be within line of sight. This spell is not the easiest, but you are good at it. It can be taxing on your mana, though. A sufficiently powerful magician can create physical effects with this much like Gandr, but you can't seem to get the hang of it.
>Crash: A spell of your own design, merging sacred numerology with what little air magecraft you can control. By touching a computer and focusing for a few moments, you can cause it to experience a crash. It does not work on analogue objects. Some sufficiently advanced systems have shown an ability to resist and simply slow down briefly, you aren't sure what the criteria of that are, but you think it is probably either part quality or program quality. Maybe both. This consumes a lot of mana, and requires a lot of focus.
>Staunch: A spell of Persian origin, this allows you to seal open wounds. It does not stop the pain or heal them, but the blood will stop flowing out. You've never tested it on serious wounds, but you imagine it should be possible with the proper mana commitment.
>Forbidden Zone: You are not sure of this spell's origins, but it shapes earth to be less smooth and more hostile. This can manifest spikes of rock from the dirt, open difficult to traverse holes, or more. The more time you spend with the spell, the greater the effect. It can cover a small patch of ground, but more time results in a larger range. However, nothing compels anyone to fall prey to introduced hazards, and they can be dodged normally. This spell feels easier than it should be for you.
>_
-
- Most of these spells aren't exactly right for this situation other than Wall, Halt, and Forbidden Zone.
- Forbidden Zone or Wall might prove too easily dodgeable via this escape route; if we'd gone between the houses there'd be less room for him to do so. Also, Wall seems to be more a protective spell.
- Thusly, my conclusion:
>Let's try Halt-ing this guy; even if he's a Magus, it would probably still get us a little distance.
-
- Most of these spells aren't exactly right for this situation other than Wall, Halt, and Forbidden Zone.
- Forbidden Zone or Wall might prove too easily dodgeable via this escape route; if we'd gone between the houses there'd be less room for him to do so. Also, Wall seems to be more a protective spell.
- Thusly, my conclusion:
>Let's try Halt-ing this guy; even if he's a Magus, it would probably still get us a little distance.
>Suspenders is currently chasing you. How do you intend to cast this, as the method is very important given the immediacy of the situation?
>_
-
- If he catches up to us, could we theoretically cast it on him when he touches us?
- Letting him catch up on purpose might be better for our stamina, but it's probably risky. But trying to outrun him is just as risky...
EDIT:
>Keep running, and prepare to cast it directly on him if he catches us! If he grabs us, grab him and cast Halt.
>In that meantime, let's change the course of our escape route a little bit more towards the direction we think Georgia went.
-
- If he catches up to us, could we theoretically cast it on him when he touches us?
- Letting him catch up on purpose might be better for our stamina, but it's probably risky. But trying to outrun him is just as risky...
EDIT:
>Keep running, and prepare to cast it directly on him if he catches us! If he grabs us, grab him and cast Halt.
>In that meantime, let's change the course of our escape route a little bit more towards the direction we think Georgia went.
>You run, trying to curve around, and quickly feel a hand clamp on your shoulder! You try to cast the spell, but cannot see him!
>_
-
>Slam our elbow into him and attempt to turn around to have the visual confirmation to cast, then!
- Hopefully it's Suspenders and not Georgia.