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Trip off since they're not as necessary around here. (Hi, I'm MoronSonOfBoron, you may remember me from… nowhere.)
We have two votes to wait for him, and two votes abstaining. Then we wait.
While you're here, you new folks should take a poke around the /q/ section (the General in particular) to see what's up and learn more about MLPFMTORPG. Even if you don't stay, please give any critique or comments about the game that you have. We're working on v1.2 and already have plans for v2.0.
We have two votes to wait for him, and two votes abstaining. Then we wait.
While you're here, you new folks should take a poke around the /q/ section (the General in particular) to see what's up and learn more about MLPFMTORPG. Even if you don't stay, please give any critique or comments about the game that you have. We're working on v1.2 and already have plans for v2.0.
The moment she is distracted, Jones takes a Cheap Shot at the Queen, dashing up the mound to smack her right between the eyes. Lemongrass follows through with a powerful Slam that knocks her all the way out of the chrysalis and tumbling down onto the floor.
She's a lot bigger than she looked, climbing up on her four spindly, spiny legs and extending her vast, lacy wings. The guards throughout the chamber are all on high alert and converging.
Combat begins.
For Klandin:
You tracked these Changelings down from another region but were captured in the wilds. You have been biding your time in your prison cocoon, and the moment this commotion distracts the guards, you are able to break free and retrieve your equipment… save for your book of prayers, which the Queen personally confiscated from you.
The area is dimly lit. The guards seem to be all moving in one direction, likely some great emergency judging by their sound.
She's a lot bigger than she looked, climbing up on her four spindly, spiny legs and extending her vast, lacy wings. The guards throughout the chamber are all on high alert and converging.
Combat begins.
For Klandin:
You tracked these Changelings down from another region but were captured in the wilds. You have been biding your time in your prison cocoon, and the moment this commotion distracts the guards, you are able to break free and retrieve your equipment… save for your book of prayers, which the Queen personally confiscated from you.
The area is dimly lit. The guards seem to be all moving in one direction, likely some great emergency judging by their sound.
>>175779
A veritable horde.
Though they're moving in such a rush you may be able to slip past.
>>175776
The Queen lashes out at you with lightning speed, pushing you off the mound but failing to pierce your armor.
>>175777
Your flighty movements let you land another square hit on her head.
>>175778
And you follow up that with a flash from your blinding pellet.
After this combined assault the Queen is very disoriented, and very annoyed. Her ear-splitting screech summons the guards, and they begin to pour out of the wall sphincters.
>>175780
You fail to create a minion from the Queen's shadow, but you suddenly feel a second weight on your back.
Foxfire's shadow attacks you.
'1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3
A veritable horde.
Though they're moving in such a rush you may be able to slip past.
>>175776
The Queen lashes out at you with lightning speed, pushing you off the mound but failing to pierce your armor.
>>175777
Your flighty movements let you land another square hit on her head.
>>175778
And you follow up that with a flash from your blinding pellet.
After this combined assault the Queen is very disoriented, and very annoyed. Her ear-splitting screech summons the guards, and they begin to pour out of the wall sphincters.
>>175780
You fail to create a minion from the Queen's shadow, but you suddenly feel a second weight on your back.
Foxfire's shadow attacks you.
'1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3
>>175791
You can't spot any weak points in the tunnel as the soldiers start to clump together in a veritable traffic jam.
>>175795
You land your blade deep in the Queen's backside for a critical strike. The spraying ichor looks acidic, though!
>>175792
In a miraculous turn of fortune, you crack the Apprentice's Truncheon against the Queen's carapace, and a thundering boom echoes throughout the chamber. A pale pink light trails your weapon for a moment, leaving heart-shaped glyphs in its wake.
"WHAT MAGIC IS THIS?" The Queen hisses, reeling in pain.
>>175794
In her rage, her feelers wrap around the nearest target—Jones—and she immediately flies up out of your reach. In the air, she quickly spins a sticky web-and-slime cocoon around him.
Jones is currently helpless.
>>175798
Foxfire's shadow has tiny little fangs that leave tiny little teeth marks in your neck, leaving you at a tiny little 2/6 hits remaining. Good thing you're a tough earth pony!
Meanwhile, the real Foxfire begins to stir.
The guards are swarming in the royal chambers now and begin to press the attack.
You can't spot any weak points in the tunnel as the soldiers start to clump together in a veritable traffic jam.
>>175795
You land your blade deep in the Queen's backside for a critical strike. The spraying ichor looks acidic, though!
>>175792
In a miraculous turn of fortune, you crack the Apprentice's Truncheon against the Queen's carapace, and a thundering boom echoes throughout the chamber. A pale pink light trails your weapon for a moment, leaving heart-shaped glyphs in its wake.
"WHAT MAGIC IS THIS?" The Queen hisses, reeling in pain.
>>175794
In her rage, her feelers wrap around the nearest target—Jones—and she immediately flies up out of your reach. In the air, she quickly spins a sticky web-and-slime cocoon around him.
Jones is currently helpless.
>>175798
Foxfire's shadow has tiny little fangs that leave tiny little teeth marks in your neck, leaving you at a tiny little 2/6 hits remaining. Good thing you're a tough earth pony!
Meanwhile, the real Foxfire begins to stir.
The guards are swarming in the royal chambers now and begin to press the attack.
>>175806
Your weapon glows with an awesome power! Celestia's burning will tells you to defeat the Changelings! Your shining strike blows away the guards, causing a domino effect in their ranks as you barrel straight through them, a living explosion of divine energy.
Finally, you explode into upper levels of the royal chambers, where a band of outsiders are fighting the Queen. The soldier Changelings are converging on them from all sides.
>>175807
The Queen evades your grip, the Apprentice's Truncheon glowing dim with its violet light.
>>175808
It's a good thing you have wings, because you'd take a long fall otherwise.
>>175809
Your aim is thrown off by a Changeling guard intercepting you, and you take one hit of damage from the flyby attack.
>>175814
The shadow pushes you to the ground and begins to maul you. You are helpless.
The Changeling swarm is assembled in the royal chambers.
Your weapon glows with an awesome power! Celestia's burning will tells you to defeat the Changelings! Your shining strike blows away the guards, causing a domino effect in their ranks as you barrel straight through them, a living explosion of divine energy.
Finally, you explode into upper levels of the royal chambers, where a band of outsiders are fighting the Queen. The soldier Changelings are converging on them from all sides.
>>175807
The Queen evades your grip, the Apprentice's Truncheon glowing dim with its violet light.
>>175808
It's a good thing you have wings, because you'd take a long fall otherwise.
>>175809
Your aim is thrown off by a Changeling guard intercepting you, and you take one hit of damage from the flyby attack.
>>175814
The shadow pushes you to the ground and begins to maul you. You are helpless.
The Changeling swarm is assembled in the royal chambers.
>>175817
Your panicked flailing lands another solid blow on the Queen. She sputters out of control and loses altitude.
>>175819
But despite her poor positioning, she looses a magical bolt and deflects your attack.
>>175821
As you throw your spear, a Changeling interposes itself right in front of you, and you stab it through the heart. With its dying breath it latches onto your arm, and you are stuck to it as it madly flies about in the air. You are as good as helpless until you free yourself from it.
>>175825
You look into the shadow's eyes and something clicks in its half-formed consciousness. Sensations flood your mind,and you realize you are peering deep into Foxfire's own memories. Her parents were unable to conceive a child, but eventually their prayers were answered, and she was born, her glowing hair a symbol of the divine link that brought her to them. At least, this is what she was told. There is a dark secret lurking beneath it all, but Foxfire does not know it herself.
>>175826
The shadow is stunned by Emerald's black magic whatever she's doing, and you see your opening, stabbing it straight through the core. As the shadow evaporates into nothing, you notice that its silhouette looks too spindly and jointed to be a pegasus.
The guards attack! '1d10'
Roll #1 5 = 5
Your panicked flailing lands another solid blow on the Queen. She sputters out of control and loses altitude.
>>175819
But despite her poor positioning, she looses a magical bolt and deflects your attack.
>>175821
As you throw your spear, a Changeling interposes itself right in front of you, and you stab it through the heart. With its dying breath it latches onto your arm, and you are stuck to it as it madly flies about in the air. You are as good as helpless until you free yourself from it.
>>175825
You look into the shadow's eyes and something clicks in its half-formed consciousness. Sensations flood your mind,and you realize you are peering deep into Foxfire's own memories. Her parents were unable to conceive a child, but eventually their prayers were answered, and she was born, her glowing hair a symbol of the divine link that brought her to them. At least, this is what she was told. There is a dark secret lurking beneath it all, but Foxfire does not know it herself.
>>175826
The shadow is stunned by Emerald's black magic whatever she's doing, and you see your opening, stabbing it straight through the core. As the shadow evaporates into nothing, you notice that its silhouette looks too spindly and jointed to be a pegasus.
The guards attack! '1d10'
Roll #1 5 = 5
>>175832
You're kited around the room like a flailing windsock.
>>175833
>>175834
Your combined attacks throw the Changeling Queen to the ground, and she is helpless! The hive swarm is gunning for you now.
>>175836
You are unable to get up as the Changelings buzz past you, trying to slice you with their claws.
>>175839
Your attempts to cover for Emerald are met by vicious tearing and biting from the Changeling swarm. You have one hit remaining.
The Changeling swarm refocuses its efforts on Lemongrass and Jones! '1d10'
Roll #1 5 = 5
You're kited around the room like a flailing windsock.
>>175833
>>175834
Your combined attacks throw the Changeling Queen to the ground, and she is helpless! The hive swarm is gunning for you now.
>>175836
You are unable to get up as the Changelings buzz past you, trying to slice you with their claws.
>>175839
Your attempts to cover for Emerald are met by vicious tearing and biting from the Changeling swarm. You have one hit remaining.
The Changeling swarm refocuses its efforts on Lemongrass and Jones! '1d10'
Roll #1 5 = 5
>>175840
Though severely weakened, Vargo does not fail to notice the queen's helpless state. Grimacing through the pain, he draws his dagger and moves in for the final blow; however, he stops himself short when he hears his allies' call for surrender.
"Spoilsports, all of you."
He takes up a position nearby.
"Listen to these fools. Your queen is one well-aimed blade away from the grave."
Roll #0 3 = 3
Though severely weakened, Vargo does not fail to notice the queen's helpless state. Grimacing through the pain, he draws his dagger and moves in for the final blow; however, he stops himself short when he hears his allies' call for surrender.
"Spoilsports, all of you."
He takes up a position nearby.
"Listen to these fools. Your queen is one well-aimed blade away from the grave."
Roll #0 3 = 3
>>175843
>>175847
The swarm stops its attack, eyeing you carefully.
>>175849
Yours is the only buzzing Changeling in the chamber, and you crash spectacularly on the ground. You take no damage, thankfully.
>>175852
>>175858
Vargo's spoiled fun is a moment enough for Emerald to apply an herbal remedy to his injuries, restoring him to 3/5 hits remaining.
The Changeling Queen laughs, her voice echoing like shrill thunder throughout the chamber. "When one Queen falls, another rises to take her place! Go ahead, if you dare. My hive will thrive like never before under its new leader…"
>>175847
The swarm stops its attack, eyeing you carefully.
>>175849
Yours is the only buzzing Changeling in the chamber, and you crash spectacularly on the ground. You take no damage, thankfully.
>>175852
>>175858
Vargo's spoiled fun is a moment enough for Emerald to apply an herbal remedy to his injuries, restoring him to 3/5 hits remaining.
The Changeling Queen laughs, her voice echoing like shrill thunder throughout the chamber. "When one Queen falls, another rises to take her place! Go ahead, if you dare. My hive will thrive like never before under its new leader…"
>>175864
"Or, we can let you go, you leave the area, and Foxfire grows up as a normal pegasus mare, never suspecting she is a changeling. Isn't that what you want, Changeling? For your offspring to have a great feast of love? Because you felt the love she received when I hit you with this bludgeon. And You'll feel it again if you don't let us, and her, go."
"Or, we can let you go, you leave the area, and Foxfire grows up as a normal pegasus mare, never suspecting she is a changeling. Isn't that what you want, Changeling? For your offspring to have a great feast of love? Because you felt the love she received when I hit you with this bludgeon. And You'll feel it again if you don't let us, and her, go."
>>175871
You get the mysterious helper back on his feet.
>>175873
>>175875
>>175867
Jones' brave tirade is cut short when his voice gives out, making him sound like a filly with a cold. The cavern air is unkind to his vocal cords.
"So you realize the truth, then, do you? If you've figured it out, then you must know she'll never be normal. She'll never 'suspect' it; when the time is right, she will emerge, and her true origins and instincts will take hold.
>>175881
"Why do you think I created her? Whenever a Queen falls, a nymph rises to replace her. There's no stopping the cycle, unless…" The Queen grins, her vile fangs dripping with acidic blood.
You get the mysterious helper back on his feet.
>>175873
>>175875
>>175867
Jones' brave tirade is cut short when his voice gives out, making him sound like a filly with a cold. The cavern air is unkind to his vocal cords.
"So you realize the truth, then, do you? If you've figured it out, then you must know she'll never be normal. She'll never 'suspect' it; when the time is right, she will emerge, and her true origins and instincts will take hold.
>>175881
"Why do you think I created her? Whenever a Queen falls, a nymph rises to replace her. There's no stopping the cycle, unless…" The Queen grins, her vile fangs dripping with acidic blood.
"My original plan was to incubate her body here, in the hive, and transfer my knowledge and power to her fresh, healthy young body, so when she had grown up she would be nigh unstoppable when she emerged. But she can always start out like most of us do, I suppose…" The Queen idly scratches her neck.
"Ah, yes, your book." She snaps her… claws, and a drone quickly fetches it from one of the tunnels. "It will be returned to you once you have all made your decision."
"What will it be? If you kill both of us, my Swarm will have no queen to control it. They will revert to mindless, savage beasts, and tear you all limb from limb before you can leave this chamber."
"Ah, yes, your book." She snaps her… claws, and a drone quickly fetches it from one of the tunnels. "It will be returned to you once you have all made your decision."
"What will it be? If you kill both of us, my Swarm will have no queen to control it. They will revert to mindless, savage beasts, and tear you all limb from limb before you can leave this chamber."
>>175948
There is an audible hum as you bring the weapon close to Foxfire. The pink glow intensifies, as does her glowing mane, until a loud crack of thunder and lightning throws you back.
The Apprentice's Truncheon crumbles to dust.
Foxfire shivers and quickly opens her eyes, as if waking from a bad dream. "Fio! Wha—" Looking around, she is sad not to find her friends. There is an uncanny lack of fear in her voice when she asks, "Where am I?"
There is an audible hum as you bring the weapon close to Foxfire. The pink glow intensifies, as does her glowing mane, until a loud crack of thunder and lightning throws you back.
The Apprentice's Truncheon crumbles to dust.
Foxfire shivers and quickly opens her eyes, as if waking from a bad dream. "Fio! Wha—" Looking around, she is sad not to find her friends. There is an uncanny lack of fear in her voice when she asks, "Where am I?"
>>175959
"I think the young colt who made that has a crush on our poor darling Foxfire."
>>175961
"Let me tell you now, Foxfire has always been and will be a Changeling. Every nymph is suppressed until her time comes."
"Remember this place well, child, for soon enough it will be your new home. A castle fit for a Queen." The Changeling Queen chuckles, but Foxfire just stares at her in wonder.
"I tire of your threats. I have the advantage in numbers, and I pull all the strings. You would be better off taking that filly back to her village, and we shall agree to leave well enough alone. But you won't have achieved a thing. She'll simply be out of my control, that's all."
"And don't fool yourselves into thinking the village will let her live when they discover her true nature. Why, you're almost ready to kill her yourself, aren't you?"
"I think the young colt who made that has a crush on our poor darling Foxfire."
>>175961
"Let me tell you now, Foxfire has always been and will be a Changeling. Every nymph is suppressed until her time comes."
"Remember this place well, child, for soon enough it will be your new home. A castle fit for a Queen." The Changeling Queen chuckles, but Foxfire just stares at her in wonder.
"I tire of your threats. I have the advantage in numbers, and I pull all the strings. You would be better off taking that filly back to her village, and we shall agree to leave well enough alone. But you won't have achieved a thing. She'll simply be out of my control, that's all."
"And don't fool yourselves into thinking the village will let her live when they discover her true nature. Why, you're almost ready to kill her yourself, aren't you?"
>>175969
"When the time comes, what will be, will be. Until that point, the foal is nothing more than an innocent. I won't stain my hooves with that. Be gone from this area, Changeling, and leave these folk in peace."
>>175973
"That would end in our deaths as well. You may find peace in dying for your God, but I'm still attached to my life."
"Now let's just get out of here while we still can. Your brood had best not interfere with our departure, Changeling, or we will cut them down to a drone."
"When the time comes, what will be, will be. Until that point, the foal is nothing more than an innocent. I won't stain my hooves with that. Be gone from this area, Changeling, and leave these folk in peace."
>>175973
"That would end in our deaths as well. You may find peace in dying for your God, but I'm still attached to my life."
"Now let's just get out of here while we still can. Your brood had best not interfere with our departure, Changeling, or we will cut them down to a drone."
>>175969
"What happens to her after we return her is no concern of mine."
Vargo turns back to the group.
"Stop this foolish quarreling. We've been given safe passage out of here AND we get to take the girl. We won! Let the village figure out what happens next. Any further meddling could endanger our pay."
"What happens to her after we return her is no concern of mine."
Vargo turns back to the group.
"Stop this foolish quarreling. We've been given safe passage out of here AND we get to take the girl. We won! Let the village figure out what happens next. Any further meddling could endanger our pay."
>>175971
"Whether it's another village or another hive, she'll emerge just the same, if they don't kill her first. Queens are not very… accommodating to visiting nymphs. This village, and this hive, are the only homes she can ever know."
"I would certainly have loved to keep Foxfire for a little while longer, but if she must go back to her mortal parents, then what shall be shall be. I will not interfere. You know what will happen if you kill either or both of us."
"Whether it's another village or another hive, she'll emerge just the same, if they don't kill her first. Queens are not very… accommodating to visiting nymphs. This village, and this hive, are the only homes she can ever know."
"I would certainly have loved to keep Foxfire for a little while longer, but if she must go back to her mortal parents, then what shall be shall be. I will not interfere. You know what will happen if you kill either or both of us."
>>175977
"I said nothing of running, zealot. We are simply returning the foal to her home. That's what we were hired to do, not purge a nest of changelings."
>>175981
"As for you, Changeling, if I ever catch wind of you preying upon any of the nearby villages again, I will make this entire hive regret it."
"Let's just leave. Now, Gryphon, if you don't mind. There is more honor in keeping the peace than there is in pointless bloodshed for nothing."
"I said nothing of running, zealot. We are simply returning the foal to her home. That's what we were hired to do, not purge a nest of changelings."
>>175981
"As for you, Changeling, if I ever catch wind of you preying upon any of the nearby villages again, I will make this entire hive regret it."
"Let's just leave. Now, Gryphon, if you don't mind. There is more honor in keeping the peace than there is in pointless bloodshed for nothing."
>>175981
"Very well, we shall go to the surface, and fix this later. We will need back up anyway.."
>>175982
"You haven't seen what I've seen.. the way the land itself rejects them, the way the spirits abandoned this place.. Normally a grave site is crawling with spirits, newly departed, or simply unable to rest, but their grave sites are nearly empty. As soon as we entered this lair, I stated to have trouble communing with the other side, and everything I have heard has been angry and upset. The changelings need to be stopped."
"Very well, we shall go to the surface, and fix this later. We will need back up anyway.."
>>175982
"You haven't seen what I've seen.. the way the land itself rejects them, the way the spirits abandoned this place.. Normally a grave site is crawling with spirits, newly departed, or simply unable to rest, but their grave sites are nearly empty. As soon as we entered this lair, I stated to have trouble communing with the other side, and everything I have heard has been angry and upset. The changelings need to be stopped."
You're in the royal chambers at the center of the hive cluster, an army of guards arrayed about the room as you hold the Queen at knifepoint. She has explained to you that Foxfire is her nymph; taking her back to the town may doom the surface when Foxfire emerges as a new Queen. Killing the Queen will force Foxfire to emerge and take control of the hive in her stead. Killing Foxfire will accomplish… nothing.
>>177223
We're going to need to have a long talk with her before we just dump her on her parents' doorstep, though. She needs to know what she is, and hopefully we can take steps to prevent the entire town from being eaten by arguing for Nurture over Nature when it comes to how she'll turn out.
We're going to need to have a long talk with her before we just dump her on her parents' doorstep, though. She needs to know what she is, and hopefully we can take steps to prevent the entire town from being eaten by arguing for Nurture over Nature when it comes to how she'll turn out.
The Queen strikes up conversation with Foxfire during your ascent.
"Do you know what I am, child?"
"A… Changeling?"
"Right you are. And do you know what Changelings eat?"
"N-naughty little ponies?"
The Queen laughs heartily. "Goodness me, no. We thrive on love, dearheart. The more love we consume from others around us, the more powerful we become."
"Like when mommy and daddy say they love me?"
"Yes, exactly, that kind of love."
"Don't your mommy and daddy love you?"
The Queen's mouth twists in a way impossible for equinoids, and she decides to address your group. "You know, seeing you all argue amongst yourselves has been most entertaining. I could have plucked her from your bloody corpses, but… I feel a certain joy seeing you wax and whinge like this. Especially knowing how deliciously wrong all of you are."
"Do you know what I am, child?"
"A… Changeling?"
"Right you are. And do you know what Changelings eat?"
"N-naughty little ponies?"
The Queen laughs heartily. "Goodness me, no. We thrive on love, dearheart. The more love we consume from others around us, the more powerful we become."
"Like when mommy and daddy say they love me?"
"Yes, exactly, that kind of love."
"Don't your mommy and daddy love you?"
The Queen's mouth twists in a way impossible for equinoids, and she decides to address your group. "You know, seeing you all argue amongst yourselves has been most entertaining. I could have plucked her from your bloody corpses, but… I feel a certain joy seeing you wax and whinge like this. Especially knowing how deliciously wrong all of you are."
>>177274
>>177276
"You know," the Queen contemplates as her limb sharpens into a blade at her own neck, "I could end my own life prematurely and force her to emerge. The violence of her transformation would wreck her young mind and turn her against each of you. For your own interests, you don't want me out of your sight."
The Queen giggles and puts the morphblade away. "No, no, I won't do that. I should pay my respects to Foxfire's parents, at least."
>>177276
"You know," the Queen contemplates as her limb sharpens into a blade at her own neck, "I could end my own life prematurely and force her to emerge. The violence of her transformation would wreck her young mind and turn her against each of you. For your own interests, you don't want me out of your sight."
The Queen giggles and puts the morphblade away. "No, no, I won't do that. I should pay my respects to Foxfire's parents, at least."
>>177291
"Love misdirected is a pernicious thing. Surely you mortals this." The Queen shakes out her mane as she prepares to transform.
>>177288
>>177290
In a flash of green light, she has shrunken down to a simple unicorn pony with a rosy coat and a poofy blue mane and tail. Even her voice is altered.
>>177305
"As though you serve some higher power! What force will intervene on the behalf of a little hamlet town in the mountains, hm?"
"Lead on, my darlings!" She urges you towards the village.
Where shall you take Foxfire and the disguised Queen?
"Love misdirected is a pernicious thing. Surely you mortals this." The Queen shakes out her mane as she prepares to transform.
>>177288
>>177290
In a flash of green light, she has shrunken down to a simple unicorn pony with a rosy coat and a poofy blue mane and tail. Even her voice is altered.
>>177305
"As though you serve some higher power! What force will intervene on the behalf of a little hamlet town in the mountains, hm?"
"Lead on, my darlings!" She urges you towards the village.
Where shall you take Foxfire and the disguised Queen?
>>177313
>>177323
Foxfire rubs her eyes. Despite having been unconscious for days, she's incredibly tired and her eyes are red. "I just want to go home…"
"You should take her home, she must be worn out by this little trip. Besides, her parents must miss her dearly, it would only be right, wouldn't it?" The Queen intercedes. "I mean, they probably couldn't pay you whatever exceedingly rich bounty this hodunk town scrounged together, but their undying gratitude I'm sure will earn you some karma…"
>>177323
Foxfire rubs her eyes. Despite having been unconscious for days, she's incredibly tired and her eyes are red. "I just want to go home…"
"You should take her home, she must be worn out by this little trip. Besides, her parents must miss her dearly, it would only be right, wouldn't it?" The Queen intercedes. "I mean, they probably couldn't pay you whatever exceedingly rich bounty this hodunk town scrounged together, but their undying gratitude I'm sure will earn you some karma…"
>>177329
"Look, I'd rather not call her bluff and risk…"
>>177330
"Your snark isn't really helping."
"Look, Gryphon, if it'll make you feel better, you get to keep an eye on her so that she stays out of trouble. If, and ONLY IF, she overtly attempts violence in the town, then you can act. Until that moment, you are not, do you hear me, not to incite a panic."
"Look, I'd rather not call her bluff and risk…"
>>177330
"Your snark isn't really helping."
"Look, Gryphon, if it'll make you feel better, you get to keep an eye on her so that she stays out of trouble. If, and ONLY IF, she overtly attempts violence in the town, then you can act. Until that moment, you are not, do you hear me, not to incite a panic."
>>177340
"Aw, what's wrong with being cool under fire? I wouldn't want to get Smashy McFacesmash all riled up, now, would I?" The Queen makes kissy faces at Klandin. "Pally wanna hammer?"
You're at the treeline, and advancing any further will definitely get you spotted by the town watch, committing you to whatever course you have decided to take.
"Aw, what's wrong with being cool under fire? I wouldn't want to get Smashy McFacesmash all riled up, now, would I?" The Queen makes kissy faces at Klandin. "Pally wanna hammer?"
You're at the treeline, and advancing any further will definitely get you spotted by the town watch, committing you to whatever course you have decided to take.
"I did say I wanted to pay my respects to Foxfire's mommy and daddy, didn't I, love?" The Queen reaches a hoof over towards the filly.
"Um…" Foxfire cringes. "How do you know my name? Who are you?"
"You saw the hive back there. I'm the Queen of the castle you were staying in! And you were such a lovely and well-behaved guest. But it's time you went home now, dear."
"Don't touch me!" Foxfire rears up like a cat, back arched as she bites at the Queen's hoof. She immediately jumps off Emerald's back and hides behind her. "D-don't!"
The Queen laughs. "Hah! Her instincts are good and sharp. Nymphs and Queens can never get along."
"Um…" Foxfire cringes. "How do you know my name? Who are you?"
"You saw the hive back there. I'm the Queen of the castle you were staying in! And you were such a lovely and well-behaved guest. But it's time you went home now, dear."
"Don't touch me!" Foxfire rears up like a cat, back arched as she bites at the Queen's hoof. She immediately jumps off Emerald's back and hides behind her. "D-don't!"
The Queen laughs. "Hah! Her instincts are good and sharp. Nymphs and Queens can never get along."
>>177393
"I would prefer she have little-to-no contact with the townsfolk, Gryphon. Why she's playing along with us is anyone's guess, but I'm not risking the town like that. You are are going to watch her like a hawk and, so help me Celestia, if you somehow lose track of her, there is going to be Tartarus to pay."
"I would prefer she have little-to-no contact with the townsfolk, Gryphon. Why she's playing along with us is anyone's guess, but I'm not risking the town like that. You are are going to watch her like a hawk and, so help me Celestia, if you somehow lose track of her, there is going to be Tartarus to pay."
>>177393
"What, you don't want to spend a little more quality time with little old moi? I'm hurt, Sir Robin, really, after all this time spent trying to kill me you don't want to have me all to yourself in the middle of the woods where not a soul would be witness to our dealings… I thought we had something special."
"What, you don't want to spend a little more quality time with little old moi? I'm hurt, Sir Robin, really, after all this time spent trying to kill me you don't want to have me all to yourself in the middle of the woods where not a soul would be witness to our dealings… I thought we had something special."
>>177425
"We kinda fly by ear, if you haven't noticed. Regardless, you and Vargo are going to be watching Queenie over there, who I hope is going to behave herself, while we three return the child, and then we'll return here after explaining to Foxfire's parents what happened. Upon our return, I'll be giving Vargo his share, and you, well, I don't know what to do with you, Gryphon."
"We kinda fly by ear, if you haven't noticed. Regardless, you and Vargo are going to be watching Queenie over there, who I hope is going to behave herself, while we three return the child, and then we'll return here after explaining to Foxfire's parents what happened. Upon our return, I'll be giving Vargo his share, and you, well, I don't know what to do with you, Gryphon."
>>177449
You think to gain a little ground on her by flying up off the ground and smack facefirst into a low branch.
>>177454
You, too, see Foxfire running towards town.
Emerald, please make a roll to catch Foxfire.
The town watch is already hollering, and there are folks gathering at the gate to welcome the filly home.
You think to gain a little ground on her by flying up off the ground and smack facefirst into a low branch.
>>177454
You, too, see Foxfire running towards town.
Emerald, please make a roll to catch Foxfire.
The town watch is already hollering, and there are folks gathering at the gate to welcome the filly home.
>>177458
The Queen leans into your field of view. "Tut tut, pretty bird, I'm over here!" Needless to say you don't spot anything else out of the ordinary…
>>177459
>>177461
You both catch up with Foxfire, whose tiny little legs and wings can carry her only so quickly. You can hear the cheers of the villagers as they come out to greet the filly and her two rescuers.
>>177462
The Queen leans dangerously into your blade. "Oh, now, do you really want to do that? I'd like to stay and watch what's going to happen…"
The Queen leans into your field of view. "Tut tut, pretty bird, I'm over here!" Needless to say you don't spot anything else out of the ordinary…
>>177459
>>177461
You both catch up with Foxfire, whose tiny little legs and wings can carry her only so quickly. You can hear the cheers of the villagers as they come out to greet the filly and her two rescuers.
>>177462
The Queen leans dangerously into your blade. "Oh, now, do you really want to do that? I'd like to stay and watch what's going to happen…"
>>177474
You have the presence of mind to keep a firm lock on the top of her head where her sensitive antennae would be.
"Urgh! So you want to play at that, do you?"
>>177479
The Queen grins and begins chanting a reversed prayer from your book. A prayer so holy it would smite the evil heart of any who dared profane it in such a manner. In an instant, the Queen's body is filled with sunlight and explodes in a great firestorm, knocking trees over and turning the very soil around her into ash.
Vargo and Klandin, roll to resist.
>>177468
>>177470
"Mommy! Daddy!" Foxfire sounds overjoyed even as you restrain her. She sees her parents galloping towards her, and she feels uncommonly warm…
Jones and Emerald, roll to resist.
You have the presence of mind to keep a firm lock on the top of her head where her sensitive antennae would be.
"Urgh! So you want to play at that, do you?"
>>177479
The Queen grins and begins chanting a reversed prayer from your book. A prayer so holy it would smite the evil heart of any who dared profane it in such a manner. In an instant, the Queen's body is filled with sunlight and explodes in a great firestorm, knocking trees over and turning the very soil around her into ash.
Vargo and Klandin, roll to resist.
>>177468
>>177470
"Mommy! Daddy!" Foxfire sounds overjoyed even as you restrain her. She sees her parents galloping towards her, and she feels uncommonly warm…
Jones and Emerald, roll to resist.
>>177501
>It's been a blast.
>OH YOU.jpeg
>>177497
You are both knocked away with incredible force as a pillar of radiance erupts from where the Queen once stood, and then there is nothing. You both find yourselves helpless on the ground.
Vargo has taken a wound of damage, his evil heart exposed to Celestia's radiance.
>>177498
>>177499
The two of you are forced apart as some eldritch mass suddenly forms between you. You are thrown to either side of the road as a mass of writhing limbs, scything talons, and black tentacles burst forth from Foxfire's body, an impossible mass of flesh and carapace replacing the once-innocent filly. Her screams rend the air and cause the villagers to faint or cower in psychic terror.
M̸̶̧̭̘̣͖̼̹̦̭̖̗̞̬̞͈̜̼̪͙̏ͬͪ́̍̂ͫ̐̓͛ͫ̋̌ͧ̌ͯ͌Ő̵̞̝̖̫͖̙̹͕̖̹̺̒ͤ̀̊̌̅̏̉̒ͧͪͨ͒ͤ͂͘͘͞͡Ṃ̪̖͖͖̟̠͎͈̹̳͔̯̹͉̜̌̇ͧ̎͑̾ͣ͐̋̔̿ͯ̊̂̓̊̚͠͞͝ͅM̶̢͉̤̥̙͍̟͕̰̥̜̝̩͎̲̆̍̊̃̇͂ͤͮ́̚Y̡̳̺̙̪͕̤͕͕͓̞͚̣͖͊̎̽͗̽̋͑͂ͬ̎̂ͤ̔ͤ͋ͦ̏̅͜͡͡ ͖͚͚͎̞̘̄̎̎ͣ͋ͫ́͜͞͝D̽̍̉̓̂ͬ̐̒̂̿͊́̇̊͐͞҉̛͓̳̝̼̱̱̰̙͚̥̦̪̦͙̟ͅÅ̡̰͓̘̖̦̣͖̺͉͉͈̝͓̮̲̩̝̳̳̾̓̽̑ͬ̆̆̆͐̏̅̒̿ͫ̐͂͋̕̕͟D̘͖̜͍͖̬̟̤̬̲̮̙̫̤͔̑́̈͑̐̿͋̃̀ͨͥͩ̓͞͠D̵̡̡̜̻͚̬̗͇ͥ̓̀ͣ̿͒͗͋̀̿̅ͤ̿̾̌̚̚Y̸̷̢̛͖̙͉̳̬͚̻̝͚͚̘̺͚͙̟̟̰̣͕͊̈́ͤ̆ͫ̿͑̕ ̶̧̮̩͎͔̭̥̱̩͎̻̉̓̓̃̌ͣ̒ͧ͗ͪͤ̇͡͝Ḩ͚͇͕̼͇̞̻ͪ̇̇ͦ̿́̾̿Ė̝͉̺̻̼̄̿̒ͭ͒ͣ͒̄̽̏ͮ̒̌͐ͧ͊͢͟ͅL̴̮̠̣̪̦͉̞̮̰̰̞̙̠͎͈̥͎̼͚͊͒̀̓ͬ̐ͭ̈̔ͥͣ̄ͥ̂̀̚͞P̡̧̛͎̰̣̜͚̺̤̠͙͗̓ͨ̆̑̎̃̀͛̒̊ͣ̒͒ͥ̇͐̕͟ ̓̔̀ͧ͆̂ͦͪ̌̓̈́̏́͌҉҉̨̻͎̫̻͔͢M̷̧ͥ̐̿ͪ̀ͥͨ̎ͣͨͤ͘͞͏͈̭͓̮̝̙͇̮͚͚͉̖̬E͋͋͒ͦͧͫͩͮ͢͝͏̨̺̤͇͎͇̼̤̰̙̮̣̱͍̻̕
Combat begins.
>It's been a blast.
>OH YOU.jpeg
>>177497
You are both knocked away with incredible force as a pillar of radiance erupts from where the Queen once stood, and then there is nothing. You both find yourselves helpless on the ground.
Vargo has taken a wound of damage, his evil heart exposed to Celestia's radiance.
>>177498
>>177499
The two of you are forced apart as some eldritch mass suddenly forms between you. You are thrown to either side of the road as a mass of writhing limbs, scything talons, and black tentacles burst forth from Foxfire's body, an impossible mass of flesh and carapace replacing the once-innocent filly. Her screams rend the air and cause the villagers to faint or cower in psychic terror.
M̸̶̧̭̘̣͖̼̹̦̭̖̗̞̬̞͈̜̼̪͙̏ͬͪ́̍̂ͫ̐̓͛ͫ̋̌ͧ̌ͯ͌Ő̵̞̝̖̫͖̙̹͕̖̹̺̒ͤ̀̊̌̅̏̉̒ͧͪͨ͒ͤ͂͘͘͞͡Ṃ̪̖͖͖̟̠͎͈̹̳͔̯̹͉̜̌̇ͧ̎͑̾ͣ͐̋̔̿ͯ̊̂̓̊̚͠͞͝ͅM̶̢͉̤̥̙͍̟͕̰̥̜̝̩͎̲̆̍̊̃̇͂ͤͮ́̚Y̡̳̺̙̪͕̤͕͕͓̞͚̣͖͊̎̽͗̽̋͑͂ͬ̎̂ͤ̔ͤ͋ͦ̏̅͜͡͡ ͖͚͚͎̞̘̄̎̎ͣ͋ͫ́͜͞͝D̽̍̉̓̂ͬ̐̒̂̿͊́̇̊͐͞҉̛͓̳̝̼̱̱̰̙͚̥̦̪̦͙̟ͅÅ̡̰͓̘̖̦̣͖̺͉͉͈̝͓̮̲̩̝̳̳̾̓̽̑ͬ̆̆̆͐̏̅̒̿ͫ̐͂͋̕̕͟D̘͖̜͍͖̬̟̤̬̲̮̙̫̤͔̑́̈͑̐̿͋̃̀ͨͥͩ̓͞͠D̵̡̡̜̻͚̬̗͇ͥ̓̀ͣ̿͒͗͋̀̿̅ͤ̿̾̌̚̚Y̸̷̢̛͖̙͉̳̬͚̻̝͚͚̘̺͚͙̟̟̰̣͕͊̈́ͤ̆ͫ̿͑̕ ̶̧̮̩͎͔̭̥̱̩͎̻̉̓̓̃̌ͣ̒ͧ͗ͪͤ̇͡͝Ḩ͚͇͕̼͇̞̻ͪ̇̇ͦ̿́̾̿Ė̝͉̺̻̼̄̿̒ͭ͒ͣ͒̄̽̏ͮ̒̌͐ͧ͊͢͟ͅL̴̮̠̣̪̦͉̞̮̰̰̞̙̠͎͈̥͎̼͚͊͒̀̓ͬ̐ͭ̈̔ͥͣ̄ͥ̂̀̚͞P̡̧̛͎̰̣̜͚̺̤̠͙͗̓ͨ̆̑̎̃̀͛̒̊ͣ̒͒ͥ̇͐̕͟ ̓̔̀ͧ͆̂ͦͪ̌̓̈́̏́͌҉҉̨̻͎̫̻͔͢M̷̧ͥ̐̿ͪ̀ͥͨ̎ͣͨͤ͘͞͏͈̭͓̮̝̙͇̮͚͚͉̖̬E͋͋͒ͦͧͫͩͮ͢͝͏̨̺̤͇͎͇̼̤̰̙̮̣̱͍̻̕
Combat begins.
>>177517
>>177522
You're back in the fight! Er, well, some distance away from it, anyways.
>>177516
>>177519
The two of you deftly make a concerted strike, weaving between the many alien appendages to cripple the Nymph.
Hapless villagers try to scramble away, but the Nymph seems to be emanating some great aura of fear and terror that holds sway over them, and you can feel it peeling away at your own thoughts.
>>177521
You raise NEGA EMERALD, the embodiment of your dark side and the reflection of all your sins and flaws. That said, she seems more substantial than the usual shadow minion.
>>177522
You're back in the fight! Er, well, some distance away from it, anyways.
>>177516
>>177519
The two of you deftly make a concerted strike, weaving between the many alien appendages to cripple the Nymph.
Hapless villagers try to scramble away, but the Nymph seems to be emanating some great aura of fear and terror that holds sway over them, and you can feel it peeling away at your own thoughts.
>>177521
You raise NEGA EMERALD, the embodiment of your dark side and the reflection of all your sins and flaws. That said, she seems more substantial than the usual shadow minion.
>>177531
My eyes glisten with joy, she is my prefect opposite, together we stand like Celestia and Luna, bringing balance with just our presence. We nod to each other and move to strike the new queen down before she has a chance to raise more chaos. one me '1d10' one for her 'r2 1d10'
Roll #1 4 = 4 / Roll #2 3 = 3
My eyes glisten with joy, she is my prefect opposite, together we stand like Celestia and Luna, bringing balance with just our presence. We nod to each other and move to strike the new queen down before she has a chance to raise more chaos. one me '1d10' one for her 'r2 1d10'
Roll #1 4 = 4 / Roll #2 3 = 3
>>177534
You maintain your hold, but this abomination is much tougher to keep a hold of than the Tank. The Tank didn't have an evergrowing number of appendages! At the very least you buy the villagers time to run away.
>>177535
You fall over in your armor and are helpless again. On the bright side, a mouthful of earthworms!
>>177539
You and your twin dash into the fray, but the full force of the Nymph's mental anguish causes you to lose focus. You feel a spiking headache, and then an intense burning pain gnawing at your spine. You keel over helpless, but your shadow is completely unharmed: it shunted its injuries onto you. What a dick!
>>177532
You are seized by wriggling limbs and held aloft, but still able to act.
>>177543
You run with preternatural speed and follow through with a salvo of flash pellets, disorienting the monstrosity for a moment and releasing Jones from its grip!
You maintain your hold, but this abomination is much tougher to keep a hold of than the Tank. The Tank didn't have an evergrowing number of appendages! At the very least you buy the villagers time to run away.
>>177535
You fall over in your armor and are helpless again. On the bright side, a mouthful of earthworms!
>>177539
You and your twin dash into the fray, but the full force of the Nymph's mental anguish causes you to lose focus. You feel a spiking headache, and then an intense burning pain gnawing at your spine. You keel over helpless, but your shadow is completely unharmed: it shunted its injuries onto you. What a dick!
>>177532
You are seized by wriggling limbs and held aloft, but still able to act.
>>177543
You run with preternatural speed and follow through with a salvo of flash pellets, disorienting the monstrosity for a moment and releasing Jones from its grip!
>>177558
You swear it rolls its "eyes" at you. You are standing at two hits remaining.
>>177554
You regain composure and head towards glorious battle.
>>177552
You spot a telltale bright aquamarine glow in the center of the growing darkness, though saying you have a clear shot would be a stretch, especially with all the membranes and claws whipping through the air.
>>177563
You deftly cut your way through the mess of tentacles, moving through the melee like a dancer.
>>177553
You are pushed aside, the Nymph breaking free of your grip and lurching towards the town. One of her tentacles shoots forward and snatches her mother up by a leg, holding her up over a maw formed from dripping shadow.
Į̴͍̲͚̻̗̼̣͚̼̱̂͊ͪ͊̐ͨͦ͛ ̛̤̬͍͒́͑̏̓ͬ͗̒͐͊̀ͭW̧̒̾̇͂̆̓̅̋ͨ̈́ͭ̅͏̨̘̘͚͉̠̻̙̘̜͚͕̮̤̣͎̝̼̞Ả̫̲̰̹͍͔͕̩̭̙͈̦̩̭̝̰̬̈̃͑̓̆̄ͫͤ̿̀͜͝S̨̢̝̟̭̦ͤ̋̒̊ͤ̍͌̉ͩ́͘ ̴̡̛̰̙̮̣̦̪̪̖̞̮̤̯̫̦ͪ̽̓̄ͭͥͣ͞S̸̽͌ͣ̉̄̋́҉͍̭̹̼̬̯̲̬O̵̴ͫ̎͛̔̔͑̊̽̊̋̓̈͐̐̑̇͌ͧ̂͏̧̖̯͇͈̫̬ͅ ̢̭̮̞̥͕̩̝͔͉͋́ͤ͆̽̿̋ͬͯ̂ͪ͞Ş̸̦̱̗̗̪̦͕̖̮͉͓̩͈̱͚͕̣̲͍̈́ͪͨ̅ͯ̉̐̇̌̀͠C̶͇͙̦̺̩͈͉̺͕̱͓̫̻̝̝̣̫̓ͩ̉ͬ͌́̌̄̇ͥ͊̽ͮ̏̈͟͡A̸̯͍͓̜͕̪̭̗͑ͩ́̾̐̌͑͌̉̿̓̏̉͂͢͝R̡̗͙̠̗͍̙̺͈̣̹̟̖̘̣̪̳̗̻̹̊̓͐̈́̉̑͛̊ͯ́̕͠͝E̸̔͋̏̒͆̃ͨ̔̎̇̔҉̢̛̪͕̞̘͖̙͈̟̤̲͚D̸̵̨̰͈̳̩̣̯̟͚͖̣̖̠̼̩͕̠͇̋̇̌ͧ̄̈́͋̐͋̌͛́̕͞ ̓͌́ͬ̇̽̃̋ͣ̀͒ͬ̚҉̸̵̼͕̻̫͖̯͈͇̱̜͈̣̯̥̲B̴̗͙̻̯̩͇͑ͬ͑͌͛̾̔ͭ̄ͧ̋͒ͪ͡ͅŮ̶̢̦̟̹̦͈͖̺͇̿ͥ̄̽̾͌ͦͩ̔͌ͯͦ̓T͖̻̟͖̻͇̘̜̟̙̩̙͎̤̤̖̲̻ͩͩ̋ͦͦ͑ͪ̅̈́ͧ̎̀͌̌̀̕ ̷̡̌̊̄̄̉̒ͭ҉̗͉͈̦̺͖̬̲̼̘̪͉͜N̴̶͈̩͔̰̤̱͕̩̗͙̳̤̺̜͓͒̏̍͐̂̏̓͌̐͑̊͑̚͠͝Ö̷̷̱̦͓̩̮̰̤͓̺̻̱͔̤͕̟͉̟́̂͂͒̉̇͘͜͠ͅW̶̦͇̼̖̰̹͖̆̈́ͥ͗͢͠͠ ̛̛̠̫̯͍͎͎͚̙̟͙̫̺̳̞̱̙̮̟̈̈̅͐͌̃ͨͭͧ̃ͥͦ͌̊ͯ̒̕̕͜ͅYͪͨͩͫͭͯ̑͒ͭ̑̔͐̏̿ͭͧ͒̏̚҉̣̘͙̬̪̘̬̦̼̱̭̫̞̣̕͢ͅO͎̩̺͉͎͍̲̥͚̟̘͒̿̓̑̒̾͌̒̍̓̿̉̚͡U̷̴̹̗̯̫ͣ͆̎͒̅͛ͣ̓̔̃̌̚̕͝ͅ ̯̜̼̻̙̳̠̣̙̰̝̝͔̂̔̃̔̅͛̒̈́ͧ́̕͞A͙̼̞͇̞̼̘̼̹̼̻̮̫̥̱̪̮ͤͬ́͆͊͐͆ͥ́̆̀͊̓͗̅̕͘͜͡Ṅ̷͕̳̗̘̱̜͕̟̫̏ͬ͗͌͟͠D̶̨͍̮̙̭̲̠̝͓̝̞̲͕͇͈̩̳̬̩͛ͬ̏̑ͬ͑̍̋̑̂̎ͩ̏ͮ̅̌̚ ̑̉̓̾̏̉҉̸̳̣͈̭͓̤͎͙̹͜D̶̴̋ͬͯ̂ͯ̊̽̆͆͊҉̩͈̦͚̳̰̞̣͉̫̥͕̠͖̜͠A̵̘̩͍͇͎̰͈̲̫͖̠͉̹̫̩ͨ̂͂̒́͜͢ͅḐ̂̊̄̓̀̿͒̈̈́͑́͏͈͙̺͍̭͖̬̻̞̜̳̫̩̭͓D͆̓ͤͯ̔̆̅̚҉҉̛͓̻̹̞̭̟͖̻̲̰̮Y͇͚̯̮̣͚̦̹̦̬̝̼̜̙̯̯̬̖̻͑̈́̃͂̿͆͗͛̋̔͊̀͂̀́̕͠ ̒̉̓̍͏̼̗̫̺̤̲Ç̧̬̹̲̥͕͇̻̝̜̍͊̎̽̇ͦ̈́ͯ̇ͫͩ̃̐̀̚̚͟Ǎ̡̤͎̭͕̫̖̩̰̩͙̳͎̟̖͙̙̄̾͂ͅN̵̶̳͉̦̩͈͙̦̟͎͚̰̊̈̔̽͒ͬ͒͌̈́ͤͮͣͦ̀͡ ͖̹̠̫̟̗̘̼͎̙̯͔̤̺̳͚̞ͦ̓̃͌̄̌̋̊̿ͩͩ͋ͫ̾͘͢͠͠B̵̡̙̬̼̣̭̻̫̳̻̤͔̥͍̳͎ͨ̊̅̾̅̾͋͑̾̈ͯE̷̸͇̝̣̞̣̤̭̦͓͇̣̖̬̯̝̲ͦ̀ͫ̃̉̿́ͭͨ̀ͅ ̧̢̱͎͚̪̫͙̱̩͙̌̆̈́ͧ̓̈T̸̼̘̜̮͂̀͑ͥ̊͊͑̐͟͜ͅO̸̖̹̩͇͓͓̩̼̲̤ͫ̿̿̀̑̍̊̓̌́ͣ́Ģ̸̷̗̦̫̺̗̼̳̻̝̥̺͕̞̪͎̼͙̩ͤͩ̓͋̽ͩ̚E͛ͫ̆̎̏̈ͫ̾ͩͥ̈̄ͨ҉̧̢̦̖̥̹̙̪͚͓͔̻̼̹ͅT̷̸̼̫̮̦̹̭̩̭̱̥̻͔̳͙̅̓͐ͧ̉̿̇̕͢͢H̵̹͙̙̭̀́͒̐̀̔̿̓̀͝͞E̡̒ͦ̑̒ͤ͑̓ͪ̏͂ͭ̊̈҉̴̴͙̖͈͈̭͔̬̜͓͔̖͡ͅRͤ͋ͨ̈̐̂͜͏̷̨͖̖͕̜̲̰̮̼̬͖̰̻̘͝ ̷̳̰̼̼͔̗͐ͧ̐̃̓̽ͮ̿͢ͅF͓͚̬͇ͥ̂͆͐̅̇͊͐ͤ̏̃͘O̴̶̖̰͚̝̤̳͎̲͙͖̔̋ͤͥ̃ͨͤ̋̿̅ͭ̑͛͆ͤ̚Ṛ̶͓̦̫͙̳͕̳̗̳̭̙͙̯̫͇ͫ̃̿͑̎͗̿̋͂ͬ͗ͫ͂ͤ͞͡ͅË̀ͫ͊ͩ̎͞҉̴̝̮̫̬̬̝̬͕̘̙̝̙͎̺͓̯͟͡ͅV̴̥̻̤̺̯͇͈͚̫̙͖̹̖̊́̋͌͗͗̔̔̾ͥ́͘̕E̋͆̃̔͢҉̱̭̪͉̲̲̭͎̗̱̤̺̻͎͖̯͝R̶̢̢͙̞̲̩̱͇̦͚͔̝̼̲̃ͥͨͥ͗̈́̈͛̒̈́ͦ̄͑̆ͬ͆͊̃̕ͅ ̸̧̼̫̥̦̺̜ͤͬͨ͗̂̊ͯ͌ͯ̄͢I̸̧̝̻̜͓͚͚̻͗͐̋̓́ͧͧ̈̓͋ͭ͝Ǹ̷̩̲̺̬͍͉̜̰͕̲̭̥̮̌̃̈̂ͬ̽ͯ̀̍̓̃͊̓ͭͩ̀͜͡ ̷̢͍͎͓͚̖̫̣̣͍͎͙ͨ̎̔͌ͬͥ͋ͨͧ͑ͭ͒ͯ͡͝ͅM̨͕̭̺̻̹͎͖͇̗̹ͪ̂̋̌̇ͮ̾̓͟E̸̵̤͈͖͔̯̜̟̫̞̲̼͐̏̎̓̅ͦ̋̊̚͘͜͞
You swear it rolls its "eyes" at you. You are standing at two hits remaining.
>>177554
You regain composure and head towards glorious battle.
>>177552
You spot a telltale bright aquamarine glow in the center of the growing darkness, though saying you have a clear shot would be a stretch, especially with all the membranes and claws whipping through the air.
>>177563
You deftly cut your way through the mess of tentacles, moving through the melee like a dancer.
>>177553
You are pushed aside, the Nymph breaking free of your grip and lurching towards the town. One of her tentacles shoots forward and snatches her mother up by a leg, holding her up over a maw formed from dripping shadow.
Į̴͍̲͚̻̗̼̣͚̼̱̂͊ͪ͊̐ͨͦ͛ ̛̤̬͍͒́͑̏̓ͬ͗̒͐͊̀ͭW̧̒̾̇͂̆̓̅̋ͨ̈́ͭ̅͏̨̘̘͚͉̠̻̙̘̜͚͕̮̤̣͎̝̼̞Ả̫̲̰̹͍͔͕̩̭̙͈̦̩̭̝̰̬̈̃͑̓̆̄ͫͤ̿̀͜͝S̨̢̝̟̭̦ͤ̋̒̊ͤ̍͌̉ͩ́͘ ̴̡̛̰̙̮̣̦̪̪̖̞̮̤̯̫̦ͪ̽̓̄ͭͥͣ͞S̸̽͌ͣ̉̄̋́҉͍̭̹̼̬̯̲̬O̵̴ͫ̎͛̔̔͑̊̽̊̋̓̈͐̐̑̇͌ͧ̂͏̧̖̯͇͈̫̬ͅ ̢̭̮̞̥͕̩̝͔͉͋́ͤ͆̽̿̋ͬͯ̂ͪ͞Ş̸̦̱̗̗̪̦͕̖̮͉͓̩͈̱͚͕̣̲͍̈́ͪͨ̅ͯ̉̐̇̌̀͠C̶͇͙̦̺̩͈͉̺͕̱͓̫̻̝̝̣̫̓ͩ̉ͬ͌́̌̄̇ͥ͊̽ͮ̏̈͟͡A̸̯͍͓̜͕̪̭̗͑ͩ́̾̐̌͑͌̉̿̓̏̉͂͢͝R̡̗͙̠̗͍̙̺͈̣̹̟̖̘̣̪̳̗̻̹̊̓͐̈́̉̑͛̊ͯ́̕͠͝E̸̔͋̏̒͆̃ͨ̔̎̇̔҉̢̛̪͕̞̘͖̙͈̟̤̲͚D̸̵̨̰͈̳̩̣̯̟͚͖̣̖̠̼̩͕̠͇̋̇̌ͧ̄̈́͋̐͋̌͛́̕͞ ̓͌́ͬ̇̽̃̋ͣ̀͒ͬ̚҉̸̵̼͕̻̫͖̯͈͇̱̜͈̣̯̥̲B̴̗͙̻̯̩͇͑ͬ͑͌͛̾̔ͭ̄ͧ̋͒ͪ͡ͅŮ̶̢̦̟̹̦͈͖̺͇̿ͥ̄̽̾͌ͦͩ̔͌ͯͦ̓T͖̻̟͖̻͇̘̜̟̙̩̙͎̤̤̖̲̻ͩͩ̋ͦͦ͑ͪ̅̈́ͧ̎̀͌̌̀̕ ̷̡̌̊̄̄̉̒ͭ҉̗͉͈̦̺͖̬̲̼̘̪͉͜N̴̶͈̩͔̰̤̱͕̩̗͙̳̤̺̜͓͒̏̍͐̂̏̓͌̐͑̊͑̚͠͝Ö̷̷̱̦͓̩̮̰̤͓̺̻̱͔̤͕̟͉̟́̂͂͒̉̇͘͜͠ͅW̶̦͇̼̖̰̹͖̆̈́ͥ͗͢͠͠ ̛̛̠̫̯͍͎͎͚̙̟͙̫̺̳̞̱̙̮̟̈̈̅͐͌̃ͨͭͧ̃ͥͦ͌̊ͯ̒̕̕͜ͅYͪͨͩͫͭͯ̑͒ͭ̑̔͐̏̿ͭͧ͒̏̚҉̣̘͙̬̪̘̬̦̼̱̭̫̞̣̕͢ͅO͎̩̺͉͎͍̲̥͚̟̘͒̿̓̑̒̾͌̒̍̓̿̉̚͡U̷̴̹̗̯̫ͣ͆̎͒̅͛ͣ̓̔̃̌̚̕͝ͅ ̯̜̼̻̙̳̠̣̙̰̝̝͔̂̔̃̔̅͛̒̈́ͧ́̕͞A͙̼̞͇̞̼̘̼̹̼̻̮̫̥̱̪̮ͤͬ́͆͊͐͆ͥ́̆̀͊̓͗̅̕͘͜͡Ṅ̷͕̳̗̘̱̜͕̟̫̏ͬ͗͌͟͠D̶̨͍̮̙̭̲̠̝͓̝̞̲͕͇͈̩̳̬̩͛ͬ̏̑ͬ͑̍̋̑̂̎ͩ̏ͮ̅̌̚ ̑̉̓̾̏̉҉̸̳̣͈̭͓̤͎͙̹͜D̶̴̋ͬͯ̂ͯ̊̽̆͆͊҉̩͈̦͚̳̰̞̣͉̫̥͕̠͖̜͠A̵̘̩͍͇͎̰͈̲̫͖̠͉̹̫̩ͨ̂͂̒́͜͢ͅḐ̂̊̄̓̀̿͒̈̈́͑́͏͈͙̺͍̭͖̬̻̞̜̳̫̩̭͓D͆̓ͤͯ̔̆̅̚҉҉̛͓̻̹̞̭̟͖̻̲̰̮Y͇͚̯̮̣͚̦̹̦̬̝̼̜̙̯̯̬̖̻͑̈́̃͂̿͆͗͛̋̔͊̀͂̀́̕͠ ̒̉̓̍͏̼̗̫̺̤̲Ç̧̬̹̲̥͕͇̻̝̜̍͊̎̽̇ͦ̈́ͯ̇ͫͩ̃̐̀̚̚͟Ǎ̡̤͎̭͕̫̖̩̰̩͙̳͎̟̖͙̙̄̾͂ͅN̵̶̳͉̦̩͈͙̦̟͎͚̰̊̈̔̽͒ͬ͒͌̈́ͤͮͣͦ̀͡ ͖̹̠̫̟̗̘̼͎̙̯͔̤̺̳͚̞ͦ̓̃͌̄̌̋̊̿ͩͩ͋ͫ̾͘͢͠͠B̵̡̙̬̼̣̭̻̫̳̻̤͔̥͍̳͎ͨ̊̅̾̅̾͋͑̾̈ͯE̷̸͇̝̣̞̣̤̭̦͓͇̣̖̬̯̝̲ͦ̀ͫ̃̉̿́ͭͨ̀ͅ ̧̢̱͎͚̪̫͙̱̩͙̌̆̈́ͧ̓̈T̸̼̘̜̮͂̀͑ͥ̊͊͑̐͟͜ͅO̸̖̹̩͇͓͓̩̼̲̤ͫ̿̿̀̑̍̊̓̌́ͣ́Ģ̸̷̗̦̫̺̗̼̳̻̝̥̺͕̞̪͎̼͙̩ͤͩ̓͋̽ͩ̚E͛ͫ̆̎̏̈ͫ̾ͩͥ̈̄ͨ҉̧̢̦̖̥̹̙̪͚͓͔̻̼̹ͅT̷̸̼̫̮̦̹̭̩̭̱̥̻͔̳͙̅̓͐ͧ̉̿̇̕͢͢H̵̹͙̙̭̀́͒̐̀̔̿̓̀͝͞E̡̒ͦ̑̒ͤ͑̓ͪ̏͂ͭ̊̈҉̴̴͙̖͈͈̭͔̬̜͓͔̖͡ͅRͤ͋ͨ̈̐̂͜͏̷̨͖̖͕̜̲̰̮̼̬͖̰̻̘͝ ̷̳̰̼̼͔̗͐ͧ̐̃̓̽ͮ̿͢ͅF͓͚̬͇ͥ̂͆͐̅̇͊͐ͤ̏̃͘O̴̶̖̰͚̝̤̳͎̲͙͖̔̋ͤͥ̃ͨͤ̋̿̅ͭ̑͛͆ͤ̚Ṛ̶͓̦̫͙̳͕̳̗̳̭̙͙̯̫͇ͫ̃̿͑̎͗̿̋͂ͬ͗ͫ͂ͤ͞͡ͅË̀ͫ͊ͩ̎͞҉̴̝̮̫̬̬̝̬͕̘̙̝̙͎̺͓̯͟͡ͅV̴̥̻̤̺̯͇͈͚̫̙͖̹̖̊́̋͌͗͗̔̔̾ͥ́͘̕E̋͆̃̔͢҉̱̭̪͉̲̲̭͎̗̱̤̺̻͎͖̯͝R̶̢̢͙̞̲̩̱͇̦͚͔̝̼̲̃ͥͨͥ͗̈́̈͛̒̈́ͦ̄͑̆ͬ͆͊̃̕ͅ ̸̧̼̫̥̦̺̜ͤͬͨ͗̂̊ͯ͌ͯ̄͢I̸̧̝̻̜͓͚͚̻͗͐̋̓́ͧͧ̈̓͋ͭ͝Ǹ̷̩̲̺̬͍͉̜̰͕̲̭̥̮̌̃̈̂ͬ̽ͯ̀̍̓̃͊̓ͭͩ̀͜͡ ̷̢͍͎͓͚̖̫̣̣͍͎͙ͨ̎̔͌ͬͥ͋ͨͧ͑ͭ͒ͯ͡͝ͅM̨͕̭̺̻̹͎͖͇̗̹ͪ̂̋̌̇ͮ̾̓͟E̸̵̤͈͖͔̯̜̟̫̞̲̼͐̏̎̓̅ͦ̋̊̚͘͜͞
>>177573
Ever the steadfast warrior, you fight your way through the waves of torment and land a powerful square hit against the very center of the aberrant being, releasing Firefox's mother from its grip safely.
>>177574
You shoot the core for massive damage!
>>177577
The sudden shift in the creature's stance interferes with your coordination, and a sweep of its vast tentacles trips you up. You are dragged deeper into the mass and for a moment you could swear you are peering into the heart of evil.
>>177579
Just as Lemongrass and Jones make their attacks, you follow up with a powerful Blast loosed from one of your spears. The golden light is just as effective against the Nymph as it was against the Queen, burning through its limbs like so much tissue paper and setting the center of its body ablaze.
>>177584
The final blow is delivered by Emerald Vine and her shadow, as they move in perfect tandem, each one grabbing at Foxfire's body and pulling in opposite directions.
Space itself seems to bend and snap around the Nymph's core, and then Emerald Vine falls backward with Foxfire in her grasp. Nega Emerald rolls away towards the treeline with the dark core of the Queen's will, the black appendages rooted to it and fleansing the minion's body even as it struggles to maintain control over the black magic.
Ever the steadfast warrior, you fight your way through the waves of torment and land a powerful square hit against the very center of the aberrant being, releasing Firefox's mother from its grip safely.
>>177574
You shoot the core for massive damage!
>>177577
The sudden shift in the creature's stance interferes with your coordination, and a sweep of its vast tentacles trips you up. You are dragged deeper into the mass and for a moment you could swear you are peering into the heart of evil.
>>177579
Just as Lemongrass and Jones make their attacks, you follow up with a powerful Blast loosed from one of your spears. The golden light is just as effective against the Nymph as it was against the Queen, burning through its limbs like so much tissue paper and setting the center of its body ablaze.
>>177584
The final blow is delivered by Emerald Vine and her shadow, as they move in perfect tandem, each one grabbing at Foxfire's body and pulling in opposite directions.
Space itself seems to bend and snap around the Nymph's core, and then Emerald Vine falls backward with Foxfire in her grasp. Nega Emerald rolls away towards the treeline with the dark core of the Queen's will, the black appendages rooted to it and fleansing the minion's body even as it struggles to maintain control over the black magic.
>>177590
"There, Gryphon! There is your monster! Kill it to your heart's content! Vines, get Foxfire into the town! And don't forget her mother, either! I'm going to drag Vargo out of there!"
Here I'll draw my sword, and begin cutting my way through the aberration until I can get to where Vargo is.
"You better not be dead, Goat!"
Roll #0 5 = 5
"There, Gryphon! There is your monster! Kill it to your heart's content! Vines, get Foxfire into the town! And don't forget her mother, either! I'm going to drag Vargo out of there!"
Here I'll draw my sword, and begin cutting my way through the aberration until I can get to where Vargo is.
"You better not be dead, Goat!"
Roll #0 5 = 5
>>177590
"The glorious balance of the world shall be restored!"
Seeing that the core is trying to latch on to Nega I have her drop it and move back to my side.
>>177593
"finish off that core for me." I take Foxfire and her mother into town. My double carrying the mother, hopefully the townsponies don't freak out..
"The glorious balance of the world shall be restored!"
Seeing that the core is trying to latch on to Nega I have her drop it and move back to my side.
>>177593
"finish off that core for me." I take Foxfire and her mother into town. My double carrying the mother, hopefully the townsponies don't freak out..
>>177593
>>177596
You are both blasted by a wave of Evil, black tendrils leeching your very thoughts where steel cannot save you.
>>177610
Your aim is true, and you can see blackness seeping out of the Queen's Will from where your first attack gouged its form open.
>>177600
If there is one thing common amongst all Evil, it is that the strong survive. You prove yourself stronger than the Queen's Will, and as you drive your blade ever deeper into the opening in its being, a piercing scream shakes the very mountains
…
You all feel as though a most foul curse has been spat upon your very souls as the Queen's Will explodes, blackening the sky for a full minute as her vile soul leaves this plane of existence.
>>177604
The villagers are still too dazed from the attack to really take notice of you and your shadow. Foxfire is unconscious again.
>>177596
You are both blasted by a wave of Evil, black tendrils leeching your very thoughts where steel cannot save you.
>>177610
Your aim is true, and you can see blackness seeping out of the Queen's Will from where your first attack gouged its form open.
>>177600
If there is one thing common amongst all Evil, it is that the strong survive. You prove yourself stronger than the Queen's Will, and as you drive your blade ever deeper into the opening in its being, a piercing scream shakes the very mountains
…
You all feel as though a most foul curse has been spat upon your very souls as the Queen's Will explodes, blackening the sky for a full minute as her vile soul leaves this plane of existence.
>>177604
The villagers are still too dazed from the attack to really take notice of you and your shadow. Foxfire is unconscious again.
>>177617
As you pray, Celestia's holy sun breaks through the cloud cover, pouring warming golden rays over the land. Whatever corruption that would linger here is long gone.
>>177621
You seem to be the only healer in the vicinity, but surely others deeper in the village have noticed the commotion.
>>177623
Yes, you are alive, despite the slight out-of-body experience you had. Your hoof is blackened and stony, like obsidian, from where you drove the blade into the Queen's heart.
As you pray, Celestia's holy sun breaks through the cloud cover, pouring warming golden rays over the land. Whatever corruption that would linger here is long gone.
>>177621
You seem to be the only healer in the vicinity, but surely others deeper in the village have noticed the commotion.
>>177623
Yes, you are alive, despite the slight out-of-body experience you had. Your hoof is blackened and stony, like obsidian, from where you drove the blade into the Queen's heart.
As the villagers come to, they are shocked to see the blackened craters left by the conflict and look around in a daze for where Foxfire went off to.
>>177628
You see a brilliant aquamarine glow trailing Emerald Vine's steps.
>>177631
As you hold your blackhoof aloft, it suddenly snaps outward, the glassy obsidian portions of it extending by some eldritch force into a bladed apparatus. It spins and rotates in impossible geometries, forming and reforming into various edged weapons: a dagger, a hatchet, a flanged mace…. Your very own Morphblade, an artifact of the Changeling Queen's power.
>>177627
"I'm here! I'm here. Sweet Sun, is she alright? What happened there?" Foxfire's father hobbles toward you, and her mother recovers and thanks your shadow before joining you.
>>177634
"After hearing about the healer that visited poor Dust we prayed for your victory and safe retur—Oh, no…"
Foxfire's signature mane is still glowing bright aquamarine, but her body is visibly blackened, chitinous, and spindly. She has reverted to her true form as a Changeling. You can see the looks of fear and prejudice spreading across the townsfolk.
>>177628
You see a brilliant aquamarine glow trailing Emerald Vine's steps.
>>177631
As you hold your blackhoof aloft, it suddenly snaps outward, the glassy obsidian portions of it extending by some eldritch force into a bladed apparatus. It spins and rotates in impossible geometries, forming and reforming into various edged weapons: a dagger, a hatchet, a flanged mace…. Your very own Morphblade, an artifact of the Changeling Queen's power.
>>177627
"I'm here! I'm here. Sweet Sun, is she alright? What happened there?" Foxfire's father hobbles toward you, and her mother recovers and thanks your shadow before joining you.
>>177634
"After hearing about the healer that visited poor Dust we prayed for your victory and safe retur—Oh, no…"
Foxfire's signature mane is still glowing bright aquamarine, but her body is visibly blackened, chitinous, and spindly. She has reverted to her true form as a Changeling. You can see the looks of fear and prejudice spreading across the townsfolk.
>>177636
I look frustrated, and hand one of my knives to the father. "We separated her from the evil power, but she was never really a pony. She is a creature that causes in balance, a monster.." I look them directly. "I leave it up to you, you could easily strike her down now, but she is your daughter.."
I look frustrated, and hand one of my knives to the father. "We separated her from the evil power, but she was never really a pony. She is a creature that causes in balance, a monster.." I look them directly. "I leave it up to you, you could easily strike her down now, but she is your daughter.."
>>177637
>>177636
Vargo grins wickedly as his hoof changes forms.
"Now THIS. This right here… I don't know what to say. I'm actually giddy."
He shows Lemongrass his new ability. "I almost don't care if I get paid. Almost. Now, let's go console those parents and see how much they're willing to give for a changeling daughter."
>>177636
Vargo grins wickedly as his hoof changes forms.
"Now THIS. This right here… I don't know what to say. I'm actually giddy."
He shows Lemongrass his new ability. "I almost don't care if I get paid. Almost. Now, let's go console those parents and see how much they're willing to give for a changeling daughter."
>>177641
The father asks, "You… separated her? Where is the Queen?"
>>177644
The mother leans in close, brushing aside the mane and examining Foxfire closely. "Just like the day she was given to us."
"She never really knew what she was, such was the nature of the charm. This is our fault, our pride and selfishness, that we struck a bargain with that… thing."
"So that's how you conceived." The Smithy lumbers up. "Always thought that was a bit of dicey business."
The father asks, "You… separated her? Where is the Queen?"
>>177644
The mother leans in close, brushing aside the mane and examining Foxfire closely. "Just like the day she was given to us."
"She never really knew what she was, such was the nature of the charm. This is our fault, our pride and selfishness, that we struck a bargain with that… thing."
"So that's how you conceived." The Smithy lumbers up. "Always thought that was a bit of dicey business."
>>177659
>>177656
Oh, whoops, sorry
>>177658
"Looking at what happened, the Queen probably killed herself to make Foxfire react like this. And.. you… you willingly took in a Changeling just for yourselves, knowing she'd have to get hurt like this?"
>>177661
"Yeah, whatever, stupid! There's nothing good about you at all if you're willing to let something that hasn't willingly harmed anyone yet die!"
>>177656
Oh, whoops, sorry
>>177658
"Looking at what happened, the Queen probably killed herself to make Foxfire react like this. And.. you… you willingly took in a Changeling just for yourselves, knowing she'd have to get hurt like this?"
>>177661
"Yeah, whatever, stupid! There's nothing good about you at all if you're willing to let something that hasn't willingly harmed anyone yet die!"
>>177664
"I know it was foolish of us, but we were so desperate to have a family of our own…"
>>177665
"Look, I know what we've done has put everyone here in danger. If it so please you all, my wife and I will pack up and take our daughter with us, far away, wherever we might live in peace. I'm sorry, old friends."
"Don't leave!" You hear small voice racked by chills and drawing the last of its strength to yell. "Not before we say goodbye."
Gathered nearby you see Foxfire's friends: proud Fio, sickly Dust, and the taciturn Apprentice.
"Why's she all black?"
"Is she sick?"
"What have you done to her? You'll pay!"
"I know it was foolish of us, but we were so desperate to have a family of our own…"
>>177665
"Look, I know what we've done has put everyone here in danger. If it so please you all, my wife and I will pack up and take our daughter with us, far away, wherever we might live in peace. I'm sorry, old friends."
"Don't leave!" You hear small voice racked by chills and drawing the last of its strength to yell. "Not before we say goodbye."
Gathered nearby you see Foxfire's friends: proud Fio, sickly Dust, and the taciturn Apprentice.
"Why's she all black?"
"Is she sick?"
"What have you done to her? You'll pay!"
>>177670
"…No! Leaving with is just as selfish! You're separating her from her friends!"
Turn to the three that just appeared.
"All of you, this is who Foxfire really is. She's still the same Foxfire, just talk to her! If you're really going to make her leave because of that… depending on your answer, I may have to kick your ass!"
"…No! Leaving with is just as selfish! You're separating her from her friends!"
Turn to the three that just appeared.
"All of you, this is who Foxfire really is. She's still the same Foxfire, just talk to her! If you're really going to make her leave because of that… depending on your answer, I may have to kick your ass!"
>>177667
I nod, "Perhaps, we can take her to her own and test her there?"
>>177670
"It might be best for you to start over somewhere new.. but let us make sure she alright, we should start by getting her away from this crowd.."
"Children, please calm down, and hold still a moment.." I try communing with their shadows to see if any of them are changelings. '1d10'
Roll #1 1 = 1
I nod, "Perhaps, we can take her to her own and test her there?"
>>177670
"It might be best for you to start over somewhere new.. but let us make sure she alright, we should start by getting her away from this crowd.."
"Children, please calm down, and hold still a moment.." I try communing with their shadows to see if any of them are changelings. '1d10'
Roll #1 1 = 1
>>177668
>>177670
"Good. Before leaving we will visit the town's temple, if it even has one, and request that any willing followers of the Sun and Moon join us as guards."
>>177676
"I plan to take her to the nearest martial temple and have the more learned members of the faith examine her. If she can, and will, exist without destroying people and bringing more of her kind into the world then I see no problem with her leaving with her life."
>>177670
"Good. Before leaving we will visit the town's temple, if it even has one, and request that any willing followers of the Sun and Moon join us as guards."
>>177676
"I plan to take her to the nearest martial temple and have the more learned members of the faith examine her. If she can, and will, exist without destroying people and bringing more of her kind into the world then I see no problem with her leaving with her life."
>>177680
"Well, her house is that way." Dust lazily points over yonder.
>>177675
"That's not what she means, Dust. But yeah, this IS her home!" The Apprentice steps forward with a freshly crafted maul. "And I'll fight anypony who tries to take her away from us again!"
>>177682
"We have a prayer hall and shrine to the Sisters, but nothing so big as a temple." Foxfire's father takes her onto his back. "I… I do hope we can stay. If this is the only way, then so be it."
>>177686
The large earth stallion in the viking helmet shakes his head and steps aside to make way for an old donkey. "Whaddya need, kid?"
"Well, her house is that way." Dust lazily points over yonder.
>>177675
"That's not what she means, Dust. But yeah, this IS her home!" The Apprentice steps forward with a freshly crafted maul. "And I'll fight anypony who tries to take her away from us again!"
>>177682
"We have a prayer hall and shrine to the Sisters, but nothing so big as a temple." Foxfire's father takes her onto his back. "I… I do hope we can stay. If this is the only way, then so be it."
>>177686
The large earth stallion in the viking helmet shakes his head and steps aside to make way for an old donkey. "Whaddya need, kid?"
>>177689
"The shrine should work fine, Klandin do you want to head over there while I try to get some back up?"
I take the Stallion to the side and explain how large the problem is, describing about how many changelings we saw. "We need you to get the townsponies to safety can call for backup, those changelings aren't going to be satisfied down there for long. "
"The shrine should work fine, Klandin do you want to head over there while I try to get some back up?"
I take the Stallion to the side and explain how large the problem is, describing about how many changelings we saw. "We need you to get the townsponies to safety can call for backup, those changelings aren't going to be satisfied down there for long. "
>>177689
Vargo, finally joining the rest of the group, addresses Foxfire's father. He puts on his best smile.
"Sir, let me just say that it was our distinct pleasure to rescue your daughter, and we all hope that you return from your trip to the temple as soon as possible. I know this has been difficult on you, but I'm sure you'll all be back here living happily ever after in no time.
Before you leave, however, I was wondering who we should see about the reward that was promised."
Vargo, finally joining the rest of the group, addresses Foxfire's father. He puts on his best smile.
"Sir, let me just say that it was our distinct pleasure to rescue your daughter, and we all hope that you return from your trip to the temple as soon as possible. I know this has been difficult on you, but I'm sure you'll all be back here living happily ever after in no time.
Before you leave, however, I was wondering who we should see about the reward that was promised."
>>177692
Somehow, some way, they collectively groan at you.
>>177695
>>177696
They understand and start organizing a dispatch to the nearest city.
>>177693
Meanwhile, you all accompany Foxfire, her parents, and her friends to the shrine to evaluate the situation.
If you don't mind, I'll wrap up the quest here with a bit of an epilogue? After I finish you can each write your own "Where are they now?"s if you like.
Somehow, some way, they collectively groan at you.
>>177695
>>177696
They understand and start organizing a dispatch to the nearest city.
>>177693
Meanwhile, you all accompany Foxfire, her parents, and her friends to the shrine to evaluate the situation.
If you don't mind, I'll wrap up the quest here with a bit of an epilogue? After I finish you can each write your own "Where are they now?"s if you like.
Despite Klandin's misgivings, a short ritual at the shrine showed no sign of Evil in Foxfire's heart. Whatever dark nature that was bred into her was ripped out of her along with the Queen's Will. But still, the would-be princess would not wake up, her mind and soul having been ravaged by the Queen's machinations. She continued to sleep in her parents' home, undisturbed, for a while yet.
Our heroes searched for a cure while clearing the countryside of feral Changelings, but to no avail. Still, they were rewarded in fine steels and craftwork from the Smithy, using the strange bones and ores discovered in the Changeling Hive. And as promised, the cider flowed freely to the adventurer's guild inn once more. Life returned to the mountains, the trees regaining their vigor and the howl of timberwolves echoing in chorus.
And when this band of unlikely allies finally bade each other farewell to seek out their own destinies, the Apprentice, who had poured his heart into the weapon he had hoped would help save his friend, lost all hope. Visiting Foxfire's house one last time, he confessed his feelings and sealed his goodbye with a kiss.
Foxfire opened her eyes, and they lived happily ever after, together.
But hopefully this will not be the last tale bards will sing of these champions?
Our heroes searched for a cure while clearing the countryside of feral Changelings, but to no avail. Still, they were rewarded in fine steels and craftwork from the Smithy, using the strange bones and ores discovered in the Changeling Hive. And as promised, the cider flowed freely to the adventurer's guild inn once more. Life returned to the mountains, the trees regaining their vigor and the howl of timberwolves echoing in chorus.
And when this band of unlikely allies finally bade each other farewell to seek out their own destinies, the Apprentice, who had poured his heart into the weapon he had hoped would help save his friend, lost all hope. Visiting Foxfire's house one last time, he confessed his feelings and sealed his goodbye with a kiss.
Foxfire opened her eyes, and they lived happily ever after, together.
But hopefully this will not be the last tale bards will sing of these champions?
>>177718
Thanks for the run. I should really participate in more of theseexcept I'm afraid then I'd really have no free time.
PERSONAL EPILOGUE:
In the case of Lemongrass, little is spoken of. Fading into obscurity, as most of the credit for Foxfire's "Cure" went to Emerald Vine, he decided to take up traveling, wondering if perhaps the plan he executed on Foxfire could be replicated. Walking to distant countries, little is known whether he succeeded in his search for answers, or if he met his inglorious end along the roadside.
Few remember him as more than a passing knight, seeking to do good in the world, and that was enough for him.
Thanks for the run. I should really participate in more of theseexcept I'm afraid then I'd really have no free time.
PERSONAL EPILOGUE:
In the case of Lemongrass, little is spoken of. Fading into obscurity, as most of the credit for Foxfire's "Cure" went to Emerald Vine, he decided to take up traveling, wondering if perhaps the plan he executed on Foxfire could be replicated. Walking to distant countries, little is known whether he succeeded in his search for answers, or if he met his inglorious end along the roadside.
Few remember him as more than a passing knight, seeking to do good in the world, and that was enough for him.