Storythread

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>>53965614
I've been working on my story which is an interactive youtube adventure for a week now.

Feedback appreciated!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMOPI-Cz4c0

>>53970245
I'll say what I said last time: it's a great idea but the computer generated voice really robs it of a lot of its impact. Also, I think you need to pick another name, otherwise the first comment anyone who plays it will make is 'game of thrones rip-off'

I clicked through a few of the videos. The writing is good, if a bit simplistic, but you do make one or two mistakes here and there. For example, 'coronated' is not a word. There are also a few other slips, like in the first video where it says 'Hemmel now sits the throne', rather than 'Hemmel now sits on the throne.'

All in all it's surprisingly compelling, and I enjoyed working my way through the first chapter, but it needs a little polish.

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I'm going to bed. Keep the thread alive.

>>53970245
Just finished the first chapter and gotta say its pretty compelling but the lack of music and robo voice hurts it.

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I've heard a lot of people talk about this site a lot in hushed whispers. Even in a small town like this where everyone knows each other, nobody likes talking about the Cursed Lake very much. Nobody even likes remembering the site much. Of course, this only makes a Paranormal Researcher like me more interested in the place.

My first real clue to the case of the Cursed Lake was when I ran into some schoolkids who were talking about going there on a dare. I stopped to ask them and unlike the adults, they were more than willing to answer, though the answers definitely sounded like the barest clues of an idea. Some of them thought that there was a ghost of a kid who killed herself years ago in that lake. One kid said that it was actually some nymph. Another said that something actually lived in the bottom of the lake and that the girl was actually some sort of lure. What they agreed on was how to find her: Apparently, on the full moon, when the moon was highest in the sky, someone would supposedly sing.

The next question on my mind was why this strange thing lived by the lake. The children had no clue, which meant I had to go do some research. It was curious how the area around the lake was entirely abandoned, like there was a whole bubble that just. All the buildings were in disrepair, and the streets were overgrown with weeds. Even the streetlights barely worked in this area. Put together, this made researching the area alone difficult. The hesitance of any local tour guides I asked only confirmed that this was a matter I could only do alone.

Course, the people of the town weren't going to take kindly to that. After all, I was bugging a lot of them about something they clearly had no interest in talking about and I was meddling in something I had no business in. Were it not for my dedication to finding these sorts of things that defied normal description, I might have taken heed and ran, but there was so much I needed to know about this lake.

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>>53965614

Hello again weekly storythread, I'm here once again to hopefully finish off my story that I was still working on last week:

>>53867176
>>53883044
>>53890607

>pic related

It has been nearly a month since I have travelled from Chimax to a recently discovered land of Yazaki, also known as "The Land of Clouds and Mists." Indeed its true, the land of Yazaki is indeed rich in cloudy and misty weather and in my whole life as a four hundred and seventy-six elf that’s seen and witnessed many things in his life. Never had I seen a land with such cloudy weather and fog. The only country or place outside of Yazaki that I've seen having such a similar signature cloudy climate are the far and high northern provinces of recently assimilated Eustran. Though those places in Eustran are mostly gloomy and dark rainy weather, while here in Yazaki it’s all cool and even cozy cloudy days and fogs.

But Yazaki does have its sunny days and rainy ones too, but because of this foregin land's signature cloudy climate and cool winds. The brightest and usually hot sunny days are crisp and cool, so cool that you wouldn't be sweating while wearing wool layers. I definitely indulged in this land's cool climate, as a matter of fact. My fellow elves who're serving as escort guards, fellow dignitaries and companions thought we mistakenly went to the further top regions of Eustran where it is mostly winter and cold weather but were shocked to realize that we were indeed setting foot in the cloudy and misty lands of Yazaki. Even the Briastrinian Human personnel and soldiers who were coming along with us were unprepared and did not expect the land we were going to have such chilly climate with no snow at all. But we all managed to handle through unexpected coldness since while it was chilly; the coldness was neither that bad nor strong. And the magic users within our group and company helped keep us and themselves warm with little flames they project and emit from their palms.

>>53978041

As we were all closing in to the port of Kurosato, (the capital of the Yahakanai province, I’ll explain that by later) we saw the unique and different architecture of the land of Yazaki. The building’s style and aesthetic definitely would please any aficionado in architecture. Posts and lintels support a large and gently curved roof, while the walls are paper-thin, often movable and never load-bearing. Arches and barrel roofs are completely absent. Inner space divisions are fluid, and room size can be modified through the use of screens or movable paper walls. The large, single space offered by the main hall can therefore be divided according to the need. Such as some walls can be removed and different rooms joined temporarily to make space for some more guests. But enough of that, for I think it’s best to leave the gushing of architecture to an actual architect.

Kurosato, the capital of the Yahakanai Province, ruled by a feudal lord named Nanba Naokiyo and his sister, Lady Kisano. And it appears Yazaki is divided into three different feudal states: First is Yahakanai, primarily ruled by a human majority, though they are tolerant with non-humans so long as they obey and respect the laws of the land. Then there’s the Shakosato State, ruled also by a human majority. Though the Shakosato State is very pro-human and human supremacist and has viewed non-human races with disdain and even hostility, essentially they are racist against those who are not human. Then there is Kurozaki, unlike Shakosato and Yahakanai who’re mostly ruled by humans. Kurozaki is ruled by demi-humans and beings known as “Yokai” but these beings are also known as “Monstergirls.”

>continue to next page

>>53978046

Because while they are demi-humans, they are an all female race who boast monster-like features but are all attractive female humanoids who give birth to the females of their respective race, but they male offspring they give birth to are human males, for some reason we have yet to fully understand. Lord Nanba, the ruler of Yahakanai, advised that if we are to make envoys to the Kurozaki State. We must be prepared to bring along with us young, un-married men. Either human or elven who’ll serve as suitors for the monstergirls as a sign of peace and goodwill… I know it sounds very strange, disturbing and even barbaric to some degree, then again this is recently discovered lands we still know very little of. So different cultures can just take time to get, accustomed with for a lack of better term…

So far what I was able to gather about the lands of Yazaki:

-The nation consists of three archipelagos, the largest is Kurosato, Kurozaki which is ruled by the monstergirls is the second largest and the pro-human Yahakanai is the smallest archipelago of all the three.

-Technology-wise they are still within the 15th century, practically they just hit the renaissance. The fact that places such as Briastrin and Lastreyla (which so far are rivals with Briastrin and the only other nation in this world that is as technologically advanced and sophisticated as Briastrin but not versed in magic like we elves of Chimax) are two advanced nations with similar advancements. There are still lands out there in this world that have yet to be seen and heard, and also prove that the world we live is far bigger and greater than we all expect. Both in a metaphorical sense and literally.

>continue to next page

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>>53970245
I'm agreeing with >>53970591
the title makes it feel like a game of thrones rip off, the grammatical use is sometimes offputting, don't over complicate the writing.
It's a simple follow though with the choices, but I know you can polish the story to have more outcomes and decisions.
For example:
>why can't I plan with Oswald a sneak and grab of his family to get them outside the capital?

I think with more images and music you can make a more immersive story.
I'm curious, have you read sun tzu art of war? I feel like the more you expose yourself to options a general has in battle, the more you can diversify your players options.
Other than that good start and keep writing and editing.

>protip the magic happens in the editing

>>53978161

>continued

-So far we’ve only managed to make communications and talks with the Kurosato leadership and nobility. Trying to establish talks with Yahakanai might prove tricky considering their pro-human stance and that they are implied to be borderline xenophobic. They tend to have hostilities with inhabitants of Kurozaki but have a neutral stance on the Kurosato state and sometimes even do some limited form of trading and bartering with each other. If we are to make a diplomatic envoy to the Yahakanai state and provinces, it is to be done with an all human personnel. Just to be safe and sure at least, so we would probably send Briastrinian or Eustranian diplomats and smooth-talkers who know things other humans can impress and please with one another. Because honestly, when it comes to having to choose the right words to “not offend” racist humans, an elf such as me would not be able to excel at such feat. So again, if we are to send a diplomatic envoy to the Yahakanai state and provinces we must do it with an all human company.

-As I mentioned about the Yokai, or “Monstergirl” state and provinces of Kurozaki. I and my team have been insisted to bring single, young, unmarried human men as an offering of good will to the Monstergirl and pro-monstergirl human inhabitants of kurozaki. So that said single and unmarried men being offered would be married of to Monstergirls with no mates yet.

And there are more details that I have listed within the rest of the typewritten documents that I have included in this package. I hope my reports, along with the reports of my colleagues who have accompanied me in this diplomatic journey in Yazaki is insightful and useful for any potential future travels to this land.

>end of introductory papers that briefly describes the reports of this elven diplomat

There I’m done with the introductory and exposition part(s). Now I can focus on the dialogue, which I’ll continue later on. Keep this thread up guys.

>>53974641
I had already spent more than a week here, and I was just getting more questions to ask about this place. However, without any help, I could tell that my investigation was going to hit a dead end.

My next breakthrough came when I was invited to the house of one of the town elders. He used to work in construction some years ago, and supposedly he knew about some massive scandal. Despite my eagerness for new breakthroughs, I was also skeptical. I decided to ask about why he retired. Turns out that when he was younger, a classmate of his drowned in that lake. He remembered something about how it was a friend's prank gone horribly wrong. Apparently, that was but the latest of several deaths in the area, and the youngest too. Some new laws were passed in her wake to prevent this from happening again.

Some time later, the old man was part of some construction projects. Apparently, a ghost looking just like that girl appearing in some weird areas in the neighborhood. Every time he tried to talk to her though, she just vanished. He wasn't the only one who saw the ghost either. It was something of a local legend among his crew to find that little ghost girl. They tried to ignore it, of course, but then the weird stuff finally happened. Construction vehicles suddenly seized up for no reason. Random wild animals suddenly stole food left out in the open. The old man even recalled a lamp post suddenly collapsing on one of his coworkers. He had to be hospitalized after that incident. Eventually, all these "accidents" began piling up for the company, and they decided to stop their projects. Ever since then, that part of town was considered cursed land, for the Lake held influence to the lands surrounding it. He personally switched jobs because he was afraid of some revenge the ghost would have on him if he had continued in construction.

I decided to ask the old man why he spoke up. Why was everyone else so silent about it?

Hey a bit off-topic, but there was a microfiction magazine that used to shill here a couple months back. What was the name of that? i already asked /sffg/.

>>53983724
Bard Quarterly.

>>53983724
>>53984444
I'm pretty sure it's been defunct for a couple of months. The facebook page is gone, and the twitter hasn't updated since last year. I remember some anons were talking a while back about how the new issue hadn't been released; I think it was only run by one or two guys, and they had to drop it because there was an argument over some of the submissions or something and they just couldn't handle dealing with all that shit.

>>53982921
>weebshit

>>53985296
>I'm pretty sure it's been defunct for a couple of months.
I can tell you almost precisely since when it was defunct. It's since September 2016. They collected the submissions for November issue (the second one), but never released the feedback letters and just went perfectly silent. We never heard what happened after all that time: there were still posting around being all cool in September around here, and then suddenly just went silent.
I had heard a rumor that they got threatened by a lawyer over one of the stories in the first issue, which was allegedly stolen from somebody else, but god knows if that is what really happened: I have never seen a single source, single explanation, nothing. And it's a shame, those guys were pretty cool. I'd expect them to at least a "whelp, this happened, we're done" post. Instead they just went completely silent. Makes me feel like something actually kinda scared the shit out of them.

Is this a thread where I could get advice for storywriting a quest thread? I want to avoid writing boring quests.

>>53986334
sure. What are you writing about?

>>53985729
>I'm pretty sure it was just one guy, maybe one guy and his friend, who set it up. So it's not really surprising that it didn't last.
I'm pretty sure there were at least two in the main organization, and I think maybe two or three more doing the reading, because you'd always get at least two different feedback sets on one story. It was a non-profit project, but they did have some form of funding too. It wasn't a completely unprofessional one-man-show thing.
It is a shame. I'd love to see the guys turn up, at least tell us "we did not die or got sent to prison" or something. They were pretty kind and keep to communicate so the while "playing dead" gig was really rather worrying. Maybe tell us what to watch out in case somebody else decided to do something similar (since I have been thinking about setting up some kind of similar project myself, and I'd love to hear some advice).
But alas, seems like they don't visit these threads, and they don't reply to any emails or anything.

>>53982000
That was when the next big reveal was made: He wasn't the only case involved with that area. He recalled that there were other alumni from that same grade school who had gone here too, and had run across that ghost. The old man recounted a few tales he had heard, about some who walked into the lake but never came out, one person who was being called out by something that just happened to not exist. Supposedly, he claimed, one of the perpetrators even committed suicide the moment they realized who the ghost was when they went to this spot.

Already, I was starting to realize how deep I was getting. This wasn't just some paranormal activity, this was some scandal that had been haunting this town for decades now, and the fact that I was sticking my nose into business that wasn't mine was threatening to upend whatever stability this place had. Though the old man I talked to never really said it, I could get this feeling that he was warning me to back off.

That said however, I never made a living backing away from opportunities. If nobody was going to back me up, I was going to visit that lake myself. To my surprise, as I got to the forest where the lake resided, I found that old man again, holding a lantern with him. Guess he was expecting that I was too curious for my own good.

So it went that two guys walked into a dark spooky forest armed only with a flashlight, a lantern, and my camera. Despite the terrifying feeling of the situation, I felt...excited. This was the payoff of all my research, and I was going to help this guy settle his own debts. As we walked on down, he began asking me why this was so important to me.

See, I guess I was always somebody with the eye for the bizarre. Even as a kid, I was the first person to volunteer to hunt for ghosts or bizarre fairytale creatures among my lot. Sure, none of them showed up, but that never stopped me from looking. Even as an adult, I kept looking.

>>53986550
Summarized at a glance, I'm writing a story about a man from Ancient Baktria who recieves divine blessing from a god or goddess determined by the story. He goes on to do ***something*** that I haven't quite decided yet while fighting with his benefactor as a stand-like projection, much like Achilles and Athena in the Iliad. Others are chosen as divine champions as well. From the OP of the thread I wrote way back when:

"The year is somewhere around 300BC, and the glorious empire of Megas Alexandros is long dead, rotten and decomposed like the body of the great conqueror himself. Men who had once sworn undying loyalty have taken the opportunity to make sweeping claims to authority in his stead, of course meeting opposition from those who would also be king. Petty rulers have sprouted up in all corners, and war ravages half the known world.

The place is the thriving Greek kingdom of Baktria, located in modern-day Afghanistan, on the banks of the river Oxus. It is an ancient place, with ancient peoples, ruled by Greeks who were sent there by force or by the promise of riches beyond their wildest dreams. For some, those promises came true. The native Bactrians have been Hellenized over the many years, but native Greeks, as always, look upon others with suspicion.

Baktria is sandwiched between the massive and powerful Mauryan Empire to the East, in darkest India, the hordes of the great steppes to the North, and the Seleucid Empire to the West, the most powerful of Alexander's successors. They are ruled by a haughty and cruel house that has created a cult around their founder, Seleucus Nikator, who is worshipped as a god.

The land is culturally and religiously mixed, with Greek, Persian, and Indian languages, gods, and ways of warfare all blending to form something not found anywhere else in the world.

Wake up, son of Baktria. Your adventure begins."

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Good night bump.

>>53988353
Firstly, on a simple historical basis I think your campaign is set far too early. In 300BC Alexander had only been dead for 20 years, and Bactria was still just a minor province of the Seleucid Empire. I think setting it sometime around 230BC, a hundred years after Alexander's death would work better.

You've got the outline of a really interesting campaign. I think you should give your players a choice of which paths they take. Bactria was a kingdom of mercantile cities, profiting off the silk road trade. Maybe offer your player the choice of becoming a soldier, a merchant, or an explorer.

The most interesting thing about bactria is the interplay of the different cultures. You have the Greek elite, the afghan-iranian people, a strong Indian presence, and traders and ambassadors from China. I think any campaign should definitely emphasise the interactions between these cultures, and you should offer your player the opportunity to follow different quest-lines relating to these cultures.

In 220BC the Seleucid Empire is was weakened, but it was on the rise again; still, many satraps were semi independent. Likewise, the Maurya were powerful, but on their western border the Rajputs operated more or less independently in their own fiefdoms. There are also the northern barbarians, mongol-like tribes to consider.

In short, your player could be decide to become a mercenary who heads south to serve the Indian princes, fighting Indians, Iranaians, and even his fellow greeks. Or he could choose to become a merchant prince, negotiating in the great bazaars of Bactra or Ai-Khanoum, and dodging the assassins of his rivals as he deals and betrays his way to power. Or he could be an explorer who goes north amongst the northern tribes, makes friends, makes enemies, earns the favour of a khan or falls into slavery, and maybe even eventually finds his way to China. Or any combination of these.

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>>53989896
this would actually be an excellent scene-setting picture for this guy's campaign >>53988353

I'll also drop a good night bump with a suitable pic. It's past 1am here and I really ought to get some sleep

>>53979310

Elven Diplomat Sharian Fengolor is just about done writing the introductory papers that he is including in the documents and reports he has about this foreign land of Yakazi. And not he is just writing up the final touches and a final note for his documentary report.

**

The documents and notes in this package is to be viewed by the President of Briastrin; Charlie Raymond, the Vice President of Briastrin; Kelly Slater, Briastrin’s Secretary of National and International Affairs; Anna Barker, Briastrin’s Minister of Defense; Dennis Holloway. And also for the Elven High Council of Chimax, these documents are also reserved for various authorized personnel throughout the government of Briastrin, Chimax and the Cedna Accord’s Chain of Command. These documents concern about the recently discovered lands of Yakazi and possible future operations to be done for improving foreign relations. And under no circumstances are you; the person(s) who’re delivering and holding this package, are to read this without authorization. Any tampering or loss of the documents held within this package will result in punishment including imprisonment under the law of the Briastrinian or Chimax Court of Law.

**

And so Elven Diplomat Sharian Fengolor finished writing the final touch and completing it with his signature and also a government seal.

“Ahh, another cloudy day for Yazaki. With slightly visible sunshine...” Sharian said as looked out from the open sliding door of his balcony and also gathered all the documents and notes he made into one box and sealed it with tape. He got off his chair and walked out to the balcony, with a cool breeze greeting his face.

>to be cont.

You enter a torch-lit tavern. The glow of the flames cast long shadows across the faces of the patrons, however the bard’s music and raucous laughter illuminate the place plenty. You seek lodgings for the night but first join the revelry to ease your aching bones from days on the road. You purchase a drink and sit at a table where people look to a weathered man. With attention on him, he begins to speak:

>>53995459

Horrible, strange, and wondrous things fill our world. Vile beasts, strange mists, and the people who struggle to survive. I have heard many stories, but tales of Lusitania the Grounder seem to find my ears no matter where I travel. Now I have only recently learned how she obtained that title, but I know of a Lusitania that matches your stories of a black haired and sullen eyed warrior. A distant kingdom marks her for death, claiming she murdered Duke Holiander. Although from what I know his death was caused by the return of Alveredo. You see, Alveredo was buried in the village he called home many years ago. Some years after his funeral, that’s when the trouble starts.

>>53995471
As it goes, the town of Holiander took up the name for the duke Holiander that saved the town from bandits and famine. Without requiring they swear fealty, the duke had provided a garrison led by the old warrior Alex Raf. For months the station had been quiet one where Raf could sleep late into the day. However that all ended the morning a young farmer girl slams on his door in those early hours where the sun has yet to rise.

>>53995486
I imagine the old man hobbling to the door, his stride improving by the time he arrives and opens it.
“Please, sir, we need you at Willian’s,” says the child.
The soldier rubs his red eyes. “Unless someone is dead, my men will sort it out.”
“It’s a wizard, sir. He commands the dead to move.”
At the mention of wizard, all exhaustion instantly leaves Raf. As with all of us he has heard of wizards and the despair they bring.
“What do you mean ‘moving dead’?” As he asks Raf has the girl help him don chainmail.
“The bones of men, sir, along with a stitched man tall as a house.”

>>53995497
The old soldier curses his fortune as he grabs his war pick and slides a knife into his belt. Now fully armed and armored, Raf Sets to rallying his troops. He moves through the town, hollering “Come! Brothers and sisters! Time for us to defend our homes!” The people respond quickly. They rally with heavy mallets, pitchforks, and other farmer weapons that have drawn the blood of bandits and arrogant soldiers that stray too far from their banner. Though murmurings of a wizard and the dead brought back to life shakes their resolve, they have courage enough to measure the wizard’s mettle. As they arrive at Willian’s inn at the outskirts of the town the band is forty strong. Ten men that form Duke Holiander’s garrison there and thirty villagers.

>>53995501
With the sun now above the horizon, Raf and the troops see their enemy. The cracked bones of people, bearing the rusted armaments from their kingdom’s battles. One of the villagers falls to his knees in tears when he recognizes a shield his daughter took to war years ago. A shiver runs down Raf’s spine as he locks eyes with one of the creatures. Thoughts of fear invade his mind.
“Surely this wizard must be a master of death to command bones to retake their form!” His hands begin to tremble. “Where is the stitched man? What other horrors can this wizard conjure? Does his magic have no limits?”
A firm grip seizes Raf’s shoulder and pulls him from the terror of his thoughts. A farmer leans close to his ear.

>>53995512
“Ought we tear them asunder?”
Raf does not look at her while breathing in deep and exhaling the madness.
“These are frightful creatures. I know not how we may fight them.”
“Richard, Grey’s son, says they are held together by fine, gold thread. I pray my eyes do not lie for I see them too, faintly glistening.”
Raf looks again with vision unclouded by terror.
“Yes, I see them! They wind around the skeletons and glisten slightly in the sun.”
The farmer nods. “I will trust our six eyes together. A thread is a thread and may be severed. A man who fashions unbreakable thread would attack and be done with it. He fears the quality of his work against our strength.”
Raf traces his tongue between his teeth and gently strokes the hilt of his dagger. He will make that wizard pay for bringing such fear to his mind.

>>53995516
The inn is torn asunder! The old wood shatters as a monstrosity tall as a tree rises from within. Shaped vaguely human, stitches hold flesh like tanned leather together. Bizarre proportions create a horrific visage that repels the defenders. A howl from the breach draws attention away from the creature. A man walks forth wearing a doe’s skull as a mask and a robe coated with bells that do not jingle as he walks.
The man howls again, rearing his head skyward and raising his arms as if to seize the clouds above him. The bells ring in unison, filling the air with jingling. The defenders know not how to react to this man and so stand with weapons at the ready. After a few seconds the howl subsides, his head now turns forward. The bells continue to ring until his arms return to his sides. A few more seconds pass with the only sounds to hear are one’s own heartbeat and the monster’s heavy breaths. The wizard removes his mask to reveal an unremarkable human face of thirty years.

>>53995570
“I am Gigamus, master of undeath. Know that only from the kindness of my heart do I offer you the chance to submit to my demands. Resist and you will all be slaughtered by my invincible warriors. Their ferocity along with my magic will make your deaths as swift as I desire. I do not wish for this. I ask only for your infants no older than a year and your pregnant women. Provide me these things then the rest of you shall keep your lives.”

>>53995591
As you can see, the wizard Gigamus is both cruel and cowardly, much like the knights of the double-eagle kingdom. However their villainy is tempered by interacting with their fellow man. They realize that not all are as cruel and cowardly as they and are all the wiser for it. Gigamus, being a wizard, has little time away from his incantations to find companions. Being vile, he forms no connections with the few he does meet. And being human, he cannot help but see himself in others. Through these things, Gigamus could reach no other conclusion aside from the villagers bowing to his demand when faced with the threat of death. For this reason does he feel comfortable as the old soldier in chainmail steps closer to him and his creations.

>>53995596
“Is that all you want, sir?”
He draws his war pick as he walks closer.
“Sounds like all I need to do is drive my pick through your skill.”
Gigamus laughs as his monstrosity steps forward.
“This child of mine has the strength of ten men. It will kill you and your rabble in an instant.”
When Alveredo had been alive he found himself in a similar position just outside Willian’s barn. He had to face a warrior famed for his spearmanship with only a dagger in his belt. Just as our hero, Raf, slowly approaches his enemy under the guise of conversation, so too did Alveredo. For both face enemies with great reach whether by spear or monstrous arms. Should they charge their opponent from too far away, they would risk being struck down before being close enough to deal a blow. So through words they close the distance. Their body trembles with excitement as they enter their opponent’s reach. Spearman nor monster attack, so confident as they are in their combat prowess. Too confident. And just as Alveredo had plunged his knife into the warrior’s throat, Raf slams his war pick into the monster’s heart.

>>53995605
With the creature’s scream a battle cry the rest of the defenders charge. Many villagers fought bravely that day against the minions of Gigamus. Orwen, son of Orwen, is the first to crash into the skeletons. A giant of a man he brought a wagon wheel into the fray, and with it, topples a third of the enemy in one charge. Shattered skeletons writhe at his feet while he reels back to swing his great weapon. Alas, these foes are not bandits who would be stunned by such a brazen display of strength. Fearless, the creatures set upon Orwen. From below, one of the toppled skeletons runs a rusted blade into his thigh. The hero cries out as blood flows from the wound and he loses balance. With his allies charging to his aide, another skeleton slices the hero’s stomach open and he dies soon after.
The rest of the defenders fill the wake of his charge, smashing the topples bones and trading blows with those that still stand. They fight desperately against merciless opponents. The young farmer Kelvin severs the head of one by slicing the neck as you would a man. The gold threads snap with a sound like metal being struck. He has no time to celebrate for from behind a spear pierces through his back. Grey, a farmer known for her love of music, slays thrice her number with a few swings of a heavy mallet. The first crashes into a skeleton’s chest, shattering the bones and leaving it a writhing mess. While recovering from her swing, another skeleton with a feathered helm raises an exe above its head. Grey quickly charges the creature with her shoulder, knocking it off balance. As she brings her hammer upon the tumbling foe, another skeleton tumbles atop its ally. The two are crushed in the single strike! She charges where the second skeleton fell from and fights side by side with the garrison soldier, Valen.

>>53995616
Amid the chaos of the battle, Gigamus pulls a crystal from his robe and draws rune upon its smooth surface. Hiding behind the body of his abomination he thinks himself safe from the defenders. However, Raf slinks through the battle, dagger in hand. He seeks the wizard who brought him to much strife. The old soldier could not pry his war pick from the monster’s chest and so retreated to his lines so to not face the horde with only a dagger. Now with the skeletons locked in combat, he spies a chance to slay their master. With a keen ear, he hears the wizard’s incantation through the monster’s breathing. Blade in hand he leaps over the massive body and lunges for the wizard’s throat. With a hiss, Gigamus casts burning pestilence from his mouth to the old soldier. Raf howls in pain as scorching miasma melts his flesh. In an instant, his head is reduced to a skull and he dies as such.

>>53995626
Gigamus does not revel in his victory for he hears the golden threads snapping and knows the battle turns against him. Cursing his misfortune, he completes a final rune that blinks him and his monster away. Shortly after this expeditious retreat, the last of the skeletons fall. The villagers lost nine of their number in all: five farmers, a carpenter, a shepherd, a travelling merchant, and a garrison soldier. They briefly celebrate with cheers, then collect the dead. Carrying her husband’s body, a farmer mentions that a wizard may have the power to raise another horde.

>>53995664
That night, some bury the dead, many set to building a wall, and one goes on the week-long journey to Duke Holiander.

>>53978041
>>53978046
>>53978161
>>53979310
>>53994009


Oh shit, it appears I've made a dumbass error by mistaking and mixing up some of the terms in my story... I'm gonna do a little reset for awhile just to fix some of the lil' errors I've noticed, then I can continued my story again with the dialogue parts.

>>53978041
I'll start over again by copy pasta-ing the parts I've done, but this time to fix the errors I've noticed. Here it goes, and again the pic I'm qouting from the post related.

##

It has been nearly a month since I have travelled from Chimax to a recently discovered land of Yazaki, also known as "The Land of Clouds and Mists." Indeed its true, the land of Yazaki is indeed rich in cloudy and misty weather and in my whole life as a four hundred and seventy-six elf that’s seen and witnessed many things in his life. Never had I seen a land with such cloudy weather and fog. The only country or place outside of Yazaki that I've seen having such a similar signature cloudy climate are the far and high northern provinces of recently assimilated Eustran. Though those places in Eustran are mostly gloomy and dark rainy weather, while here in Yazaki it’s all cool and even cozy cloudy days and fogs.

But Yazaki does have its sunny days and rainy ones too, but because of this foregin land's signature cloudy climate and cool winds. The brightest and usually hot sunny days are crisp and cool, so cool that you wouldn't be sweating while wearing wool layers. I definitely indulged in this land's cool climate, as a matter of fact. My fellow elves who're serving as escort guards, fellow dignitaries and companions thought we mistakenly went to the further top regions of Eustran where it is mostly winter and cold weather but were shocked to realize that we were indeed setting foot in the cloudy and misty lands of Yazaki. Even the Briastrinian Human personnel and soldiers who were coming along with us were unprepared and did not expect the land we were going to have such chilly climate with no snow at all. But we all managed to handle through unexpected coldness since while it was chilly; the coldness was neither that bad nor strong. And the magic users within our group and company helped keep us and themselves warm with little flames they project and emit from their palms.

>>53996852
As we were all closing in to the port of Kurosato, (the capital of the Yahakanai province, I’ll explain that by later) we saw the unique and different architecture of the land of Yazaki. The building’s style and aesthetic definitely would please any aficionado in architecture. Posts and lintels support a large and gently curved roof, while the walls are paper-thin, often movable and never load-bearing. Arches and barrel roofs are completely absent. Inner space divisions are fluid, and room size can be modified through the use of screens or movable paper walls. The large, single space offered by the main hall can therefore be divided according to the need. Such as some walls can be removed and different rooms joined temporarily to make space for some more guests. But enough of that, for I think it’s best to leave the gushing of architecture to an actual architect.

Kurosato, the capital of the Yahakanai Province, ruled by a feudal lord named Nanba Naokiyo and his sister, Lady Kisano. And it appears Yazaki is divided into three different feudal states: First is Yahakanai, primarily ruled by a human majority, though they are tolerant with non-humans so long as they obey and respect the laws of the land. Then there’s the Shakosato State, ruled also by a human majority. Though the Shakosato State is very pro-human and human supremacist and has viewed non-human races with disdain and even hostility, essentially they are racist against those who are not human. Then there is Kurozaki, unlike Shakosato and Yahakanai who’re mostly ruled by humans. Kurozaki is ruled by demi-humans and beings known as “Yokai” but these beings are also known as “Monstergirls.”

>continue to next page

>>53996858

Because while they are demi-humans, they are an all female race who boast monster-like features but are all attractive female humanoids who give birth to the females of their respective race, but they male offspring they give birth to are human males, for some reason we have yet to fully understand. Lord Nanba, the ruler of Yahakanai, advised that if we are to make envoys to the Kurozaki State. We must be prepared to bring along with us young, un-married men. Either human or elven who’ll serve as suitors for the monstergirls as a sign of peace and goodwill… I know it sounds very strange, disturbing and even barbaric to some degree, then again this is recently discovered lands we still know very little of. So different cultures can just take time to get, accustomed with for a lack of better term…

So far what I was able to gather about the lands of Yazaki:

-The nation consists of three archipelagos, the largest is Yahakanai state and the archipelago out diplomatic team traveled to and resided for the month. Kurozaki which is ruled by the monstergirls is the second largest and the pro-human Shakosato is the smallest archipelago of all the three.

-Technology-wise they are still within the 15th century, practically they just hit the renaissance. The fact that places such as Briastrin and Lastreyla (which so far are rivals with Briastrin and the only other nation in this world that is as technologically advanced and sophisticated as Briastrin but not versed in magic like we elves of Chimax) are two advanced nations with similar advancements. There are still lands out there in this world that have yet to be seen and heard, and also prove that the world we live is far bigger and greater than we all expect. Both in a metaphorical sense and literally.

>continue to next page

>>53996892
>continued

-So far we’ve only managed to make communications and talks with the leadership and nobility of Yahakanai, Lord Nanba Naokiyo and Lady Kisano and their court. The Shakosato state and archipelago might prove tricky considering their pro-human stance and that they are implied to be borderline xenophobic. They tend to have hostilities with inhabitants of Kurozaki but have a neutral stance on the Yahakanai state and sometimes even do some limited form of trading and bartering with each other. If we are to make a diplomatic envoy to the Shakosato state and archipelago, it is to be done with an all human personnel. Just to be safe and sure at least, so we would probably send Briastrinian or Eustranian diplomats and smooth-talkers who know things other humans can impress and please with one another. Because honestly, when it comes to having to choose the right words to “not offend” racist humans, an elf such as me would not be able to excel at such feat. So again, if we are to send a diplomatic envoy to the Yahakanai state and provinces we must do it with an all human company.

-As I mentioned about the Yokai, or “Monstergirl” state and provinces of Kurozaki. I and my team have been insisted to bring single, young, unmarried human men as an offering of good will to the Monstergirl and pro-monstergirl human inhabitants of kurozaki. So that said single and unmarried men being offered would be married of to Monstergirls with no mates yet.

And there are more details that I have listed within the rest of the typewritten documents that I have included in this package. I hope my reports, along with the reports of my colleagues who have accompanied me in this diplomatic journey in Yazaki is insightful and useful for any potential future travels to this land.

>end of introductory briefings that shortly describes the reports of this elven diplomat

>>53996917

Elven Diplomat Sharian Fengolor is just about done writing the introductory papers that he is including in the documents and reports he has about this foreign land of Yakazi. And not he is just writing up the final touches and a final note for his documentary report.

**

The documents and notes in this package is to be viewed by the President of Briastrin; Charlie Raymond, the Vice President of Briastrin; Kelly Slater, Briastrin’s Secretary of National and International Affairs; Anna Barker, Briastrin’s Minister of Defense; Dennis Holloway. And also for the Elven High Council of Chimax, these documents are also reserved for various authorized personnel throughout the government of Briastrin, Chimax and the Cedna Accord’s Chain of Command. These documents concern about the recently discovered lands of Yakazi and possible future operations to be done for improving foreign relations. And under no circumstances are you; the person(s) who’re delivering and holding this package, are to read this without authorization. Any tampering or loss of the documents held within this package will result in punishment including imprisonment under the law of the Briastrinian or Chimax Court of Law.

**

And so Elven Diplomat Sharian Fengolor finished writing the final touch and completing it with his signature and also a government seal.

“Ahh, another cloudy day for Yazaki. With slightly visible sunshine...” Sharian said as looked out from the open sliding door of his balcony and also gathered all the documents and notes he made into one box and sealed it with tape. He got off his chair and walked out to the balcony, with a cool breeze greeting his face.

>to be cont.

File: lawful sacrifice.jpg (41KB, 480x600px) Image search: [Google]

41KB, 480x600px

anyone want to make a story from this?

>>53996921

>mood music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a45EVLh8Ak&list=RDo4H3h2M-tm4&index=9

After gathering his reports and findings of what he can learn of the foreign land of Yazaki in his one month stay, he has compiled them in a package form to be read and reviewed by the Briastrinian Government, the Elven Council and High Council of Chimax and the rest of the Cedna Accord officials. He can spend the last three days of his diplomatic trip with some relaxation by taking in the view and sights of the Bay City of Kurosato, the capital of the Yahakanai state/archipelago. And essentially act like a tourist though some of the Cedna Accord personnel who have joined and accompanied him in this journey have already been like typical tourists.

He smelled the fresh air mixed in with the smell sea salt air of the ocean since the capital city of Kurosato is a bay-like area. He could slightly see many boats that are docked far off in the port area, including the ship he and his crew sailed in. Then looked down at the rest of the city, the sight of the city and all the buildings in it all while up in his temporary guest quarters the hill top palace of Lord Nanba and Lady Kisano. Indeed Diplomat Sharian Fengelor and his fellow Cedna Accord officials and personnel have been granted to stay at the palace of Lord Nanba along with personal quarters for the other human and elven diplomats that accompanied Sharian. While the soldiers who're tasked with escorting and guarding the Cednan Diplomats shared an unused barracks in the lower grounds of the palace.

"I take it you are enjoying your trip so far?" Came the voice of a woman, none other than Lady Kisano herself, the sister and co-ruler of Lord Nanba.

>will cont.

>>53987676
I was just too stubborn to stop, really. It didn't matter to me that Cryptozoology wasn't really a scientific field, just that it was what I wanted to do.

The old man laughed at me, said that young folk had just gotten more impetuous as time passed. Not sure if that was a compliment or mockery. He added that if he were that impetuous as a kid, maybe he could have stopped this all from happening. That made curious though - how did such a terrible thing happen? What was it that made a tragedy drag on for so many decades?

Perhaps the worst part of this was how some of the signs leading up to this were always there, but nobody really seemed to care. Perhaps it was the gift of hindsight, but apparently he always recalled something wrong with the girl in the days leading up to that prank. The perpetrators always felt a bit too much like bullies. Nobody else, not even the class representatives, seemed to care much by the situation and even after the incident, they seemed more worried about keeping things orderly than finding out why someone was in the lake at such a time and why nobody stopped her.

I was expressing my sympathies when we came across the lake, overgrown with weeds all around the coast. On the surface danced fireflies, lazily drifting about. It was all eerily quiet, as if time itself had slowed to a crawl.

It took us a few sweeps before we finally came across it, the thing we were looking for. There was a figure on the edge of the water, similar in appearance to a young girl, but emaciated and with pale eyes as big as dishes. Her hair covered her like this sticky cloak of seaweed. We were immediately frozen in fear, we had no idea how to react to this thing that was the cause of all this. Fortunately for us, the strange childlike being just stared right back at us with an unflinching glare.

The old man eventually muttered the dead girl's name. The thing's head jerks right at him. He goes on, hoping that it would somehow recognize him.

bumo

>>53998352
He asked if the strange figure recognized him at all. All the while, I had my camera trained right at her, recording every instant I could. I had no idea what would come. The old man stepped forward and I noticed the strange girl staying where she was. While he slowly waded through the lake, he confessed a lot of things. He apologized for not reaching out to her, for not stopping her death, from being able to live as he had without being haunted by her face. The old guy didn't seem very sad about it, but I could tell that this was eating him up. Eventually, he asked if the ghost could forgive him. He offered to do anything, which made me suspicious. To a hunter like me, this felt like a trap.

We were both shocked when the ghost finally said something.

>I forgive you. Thank you for apologizing.

The fact that she even said a thing was all it took for that old guy who always looked so serious to smile a little. He then began reminiscing about how he'd been since then, all while I was beginning to worry about my camera's battery since we'd been filming for almost an hour now. I only managed to get noticed when I decided to ask them what's supposed to happen now. Was there some reason that girl was bound here? What was the unfinished business she had? Sadly, the ghost was silent. I guess that she must have forgotten after staying here for so long with nobody to talk to.

Eventually though, the old man had finally started feeling the effects of being up all night as he began drifting in and out of consciousness. As I began carrying him out of the lake, I decided to ask the girl a question of my own, if she was still going to haunt this place. All the ghost responded with was a head leaning to the side and a very wide smile. I wasn't sure what to interpret that as and just thanked her.

The next day, I was invited to talk to the old man again. First thing he asked me was what I was going to do with last night's footage.

>>54009368
Truth be told, I was beginning to feel a bit conflicted. After all, this was a bit of a personal affair that I filmed, and even if he gave me permission to use this for my report, I had a hard time explaining why I felt invasive in doing this. Ironic considering how I got here, I know. Opposing that, however, was my pride as a researcher. This was perhaps one of the first times I ever personally came across the supernatural and I wasn't going to let anyone dismiss it. Sure, the old man tried to say something about how it doesn't matter if nobody believed, but...well, I still had my pride as a researcher.

Ultimately, I decided against sharing what had happened to the public. I felt that it was breaching too much into private matters and I had a bad feeling that the resurgent tourism from people eager to see this ghost would just lead to more "mysterious vanishings". The old man who became my confidant thanked me for helping him confront this mistake and extended an offer to come back again.

Now that I'm back home, I think I've got it pieced together. See, I'm assuming that the only reason she appeared before that man during the construction wasn't because she was trying to prevent anything being made. After all, the place was still running for a while before the construction project was halted. Perhaps it's why she showed up to the other members of her class too -- she wanted to reach out to someone, but being a ghost made it terrifying for anyone to stay as far as I know. I think that night might have been the first serious contact she had, and now I'm wondering more about what she'll do now. Hopefully, she'll still be around to visit next time I visit her town.

>>53997045

Ambassador smiled and turned to see Lady Kisano who just entered his quarters as he took a sip of his tea, walked slightly back in to place his now empty warm cup back on the desk of his quarters and walked back out. And Lady Kisano followed Sharian to the balcony.

Sharian spoke. "Why yes m'lady, in my one month stay in this recently discovered nation I can say it has quickly grown on me. Even with the chilly and cloudy weather that is unique for your nation, I have gotten accustomed to it considering I've been to much colder places."

Lady Kisano stepped closer to Sharian. "I'm glad to hear that Lord Sharian, some of your men and women under your control have made. Honest opinions of my land-"

"Lady Kisano, I've told you I'm not really a lord but just an ambassador, despite a certain degree of power and command I have for the guardsmen in duty of escorting me and my colleagues."

"Ah, of course. I forgot your lands and laws work slightly differently than ours." Kisano said with very light chuckle to herself as Ambassador Sharian continued on.

"As for the men who've expressed their 'opinions.' I assume those were some of the guardsmen? I hope they did not offend you m'lady."

"None taken, just different people with different thoughts and cultural values after all." Lady Kisano now stood beside Sharian.

>>54013241

"So what other results will your findings and reports of Yazaki yield for your leaders? If I may inquire asides from learning about our lands, people and culture?" Lady Kisano asked while facing Sharian upwards due to his height.

"Normally I wouldn't disclose such information to anyone..." Sharian paused then faced Lady Kisano and looked down on her. "...But considering you and I have gotten to be close acquaintances. I can brief you with the short details. But please do not mention this to anyone else, and I know when someone lies to me. Especially when I asked if you find a previous set of silk robes provided to me made me look stout." Sharian said with a smirk while tapping the side of his head and also earned a smile from Kisano.

"Heh, yes I know the fact you do indeed have telepathy. In case anyone lies to you. But rest assured I won't disclose this to anyone."

> to be cont, again.

Dank Heresy: Rogue trader Edition part 2 will be starting soon, for any who care to read

>>53996943


The wyrm came, and the land burned. When it arrived the sky turned black with smoke. Fields were scorched bare of their crops, barns and cottages were torched to the ground. Where livestock had once grazed peacefully, after it had passed by all that was left by its ravening hunger were charred bones. Rivers were choked by ash; streams and springs that had run pure and clear were blackened and spoiled. Everything was polluted by the debris and the death and the decay.

With every shuddering step it took the land blackened and suppurated like a blister. Wingbeats like crashing waves fanned the flames, and its great claws tore and gouged and crushed. A roar like thunder and madness reached down into the hearts of all who heard it, and smothered them in fear as black and dense as the smog that it laid over the land.

It was a wound upon the earth, and the people wailed and tore their hair. They knew it for what it was: the Great Death. Evil itself incarnate.

And the people despaired.


* * *

Mikel walked softly, but even soft footsteps were not silent on the smooth, stone floor of the shrine. The gentle *tap-tap-tap* of his sandals echoed quietly down the silent hallway, seeking out every nook and cranny of the cavernous space, reflecting off pillars and walls until finally getting lost somewhere up in the vaulted ceiling. Mikel's loose fitting robe rustled slightly as he walked; but apart from the sounds he brought with him, the shrine was silent. Peaceful.

There was not a speck of dust to be seen, and the precisely cut grey stones were not blemished by dirt or litter. They looked like they were mopped every day; in fact it was only every other day, for Mikel was only one man and the shrine was large. But it was sufficient. Mikel always did as much as he needed to. No more, and not the slightest bit less.

>>54025015

It was Mikel that changed the candles that burned with soft light in their sconces, wiping away the dripped wax and soot, and melted down the nubs to make new ones. It was Mikel that polished the marble altar, and made sure that the silver offertary plate was always mirror-clean. It was he who carefully dusted the stone statues of the saints; their wings were the hardest, the delicate little lines of their feathers seemed to be magnets for dust. It was Mikel who mopped and wiped and washed, and Mikel who patched the stonework when it needed it, and Mikel who repaired the broken front windows after a storm, and Mikel who changed the sacraments on the tombs, and Mikel who did every other job in the shrine that needed doing.

The shrine was immaculate. Mikel always did as much as he needed to. No less, and no more, for keeping the shrine in good condition was not his calling. It was merely his job, a job he was lucky to have, and he did it happily. It gave him peace. But he couldn't let simple chores get in the way of performing his real task.

Mikel didn't often have occasions to practice his calling, but it seemed like he might soon have the chance. He could hear them, halfway down the mountain still, but making their way up towards him, slowly and laboriously. Not many people made the hike up here; the land contained many shrines, and most of them did not lie halfway up a mountain, cut into the rockface. Whenever someone did, Mikel was there to greet them. Give them refreshment, lead them in their prayers, or simply take their offering. Whatever brought them closer to the God Of All Gods. This was Mikel's calling.

>>54025038

It would call him soon, for no one came this far up the mountain unless they were intending to visit the shrine. There were at least half a dozen of them. Maybe more, Mikel couldn't tell; his hearing was good, but it wasn't that good. But the path was steep, and from the querulous notes he heard among the voices, they didn't seem to be accustomed to the exercise. He still had some time before they arrived.

Mikel entered the main chapel and went to the altar. He knelt, and prayed. By the will of the God Of All Gods, when the pilgrims arrived he would have been granted the strength to give them whatever guidance their spirits required.


* * *

Harolphus Ordonius was bent double, trying to catch his breath. They should have had the sense to buy a donkey back the village; they'd been right to leave the horses behind, for the path was far too narrow and rocky, but they could at least have rented a mule or two. He was too old to go climbing mountains. Too old, and too much of a city man; even getting up the stairs to his bed was a chore at his time of life. But duty was duty, and no one could say that this wasn't a necessary journey.

Saints willing, it wouldn't be for nothing.

And at least they were here now. Harolphus looked back, down the mountain and out over the plain below, and even with his city sensibilities he could appreciate the sheer vast beauty of the scene, endless green fields dotted with villages, framed by the gigantic, snow capped mountains. Except, in the distance, he could see black clouds that he knew weren't clouds. He shuddered, and turned back towards the shrine.

'Right.' he said wheezily. 'Now that we're finally here, let's get on with...'

>>54025098


The door opened before he finished his sentence. Harolphus, and his nine companions, froze. The babble of their conversations stopped abruptly, and for a moment all Harolphus heard was the low, steady murmur of the wind as it swept over the side of the mountain. Then the figure in the doorway stepped out of the shadows into the afternoon sunlight. He wore a simple brown priestly robe, loose fitting, that hung down from his shoulders to his wrists and ankles. But though his dress was plain, there was a nobility to his face. Harolphus saw blond hair that was washed to almost pure white by the sunlight, and the man's features were strong, yet open and kind.

Was this the man they'd come all this way to see? Harolphus wasn't certain, but he supposed they'd soon find out.

The man called out to them cheerfully: 'Hail and well met, pilgrims. Please, enter - the God Of All Gods welcomes you to his shrine. I am the Brother here, and if you need sustenance or guidance you need only ask. May your prayers be fruitful, and may your spirits find peace.' And with that, the man turned and stepped back into the shadows of the shrine. Harolphus looked at his other companions, and shrugged. Together, they headed towards the door of the shrine.

The inside of the shrine was cool, but not cold, and once his eyes had adjusted Harolphus saw that it wasn't as dark as it first seemed. The the windows either side of the door cast beams of soft light into the chapel; the chapel was large, far larger than the exterior indicated, and the light did not reach all the way through the space. Up by the altar, candles burned into their gleaming sconces, and by their flickering flames shadows and glinting reflections played over the smooth stone surfaces and polished brass and silver. Harolphus saw the priest, standing to one side of the altar, head bowed respectfully.

'Well, what do we do now?' someone hissed; Adan, or maybe Luco.

>>54025117

'Maybe we should pray first. We don't want to seem impious.' That was Paulus, sounding nervous as always. Harolphus rolled his eyes, confident that in the dim light of the chapel no one would see.

'How do we do this? Do we just come right out and ask him?'

'Oh for Saints' sake.' grunted Harolphus. 'We came here to do a task. Let's just get on and do it. We don't even know if it's him we want, and we're not going to sort anything out by standing here whispering amongst ourselves.

'Well I don't think we can just...'

'Excuse me, pilgrims.' said the priest from across the chapel. 'If there is anything I can help you with, please, just come and ask. I am here to serve the needs of the faithful' The chapel must have great acoustics, Harolphus thought, for the priest to have heard their bickering from all the way over there.

Oh well, nothing else for it.

'Well, that's the thing of it. We're not really pilgrims, as such.' Harolphus began, before suddenly realising he'd just made himself the group's spokesperson by opening his big mouth before thinking, just like he always did. He ploughed on anyway. 'I mean, we didn't come to the shrine to pray. We're still faithful, don't get me wrong, and we'll leave an offering.' Harolphus was starting to sweat. 'But we have a task, you see. We came to find you. Maybe. Are you Mikel? Mikel of Kydon?'

'I am.' said the priest, inclining his head slightly. Harolphus couldn't read his expression, that blank, vaguely benign and incredibly penetrating look.

Before Harolphus could stop him, Paulus blurted out: 'The same Mikal of Kydon who fought at Sardika and Massalia?'

>>54025135

The priest paused before he answered. 'I was, once. Gentlemen, I do not know what it is you seek from me, but from the questions you ask I am afraid you will likely be disappointed. I am the Brother of this shrine now, and nothing else. If you wish to pay homage to the God Of All Gods then I will be more than pleased to assist you, but offering spiritual guidance is all I can do for you.' His voice was polite, but firm.

A murmuring started to spread among the group of visitors, but Harolphus waved his companions to be silent. 'Perhaps we should have introduced ourselves first.' he said, addressing the priest. 'We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot here. My name is Harolphus Ordonius, and I am a citizen of Nikoria. Do you know it?'

'A fine city, renowned for its temples. About two weeks hard ride from here.' replied the priest. 'It has been many years since I last visited it, but I am always pleased to welcome its citizens.'

'Right. Well, with the wyrm approaching the city...'

'I'm sorry, the wyrm?' Mikel's brow furrowed.

This brought Harolphus up short. He hadn't even considered that he might have to explain their plight to the object of their quest. He'd just taken it for granted that divine providence would keep its servants up to date on current events. Oh well, apparently not.

'Yes, the wyrm. The Great Death. A great winged lizard that breathes fire. It has set upon the land and caused great devastation.' Harolphus said, trying to add as much gravitas to his voice as possible. He was completely certain that he didn't have the rhetorical skills to do it justice, but he gave it his best. 'The land is turned to ash where it passes. Everything it cannot eat, it burns, and everything that will not burn it crushes and tears down.'

'You must have seen it.' Luco spoke up. 'You must have seen the smoke on the horizon.'

>>54025151

'I had noticed black clouds on the far horizon.' Mikel began, then he hesitated. He looked away. 'I thought them to be simple storms.' There was something about the way he said it; Harolphus heard in the undertone the word 'hoped'.

'Oh, it's one hell of a storm all right.' spat Harolphus. 'Pardon my words, I shouldn't have spoken so in a shrine. But there's nothing simple about this. We've thrown everything we've got at the beast. Many brave men have tried to slay it, but none have come back. And the wyrm ever advances. We need help, and we need it soon. That's why we came here.'

'You want me to fight this Child of the Betrayer.' Mikel said flatly.

'The wyrm? Right. Yes. To be honest, I thought the last of your kind were long dead, but if you are... well, a Saint, then you might be the only hope we have.' It felt strange saying the word out loud. Saint. Harolphus still couldn't quite reconcile the image he had in his mind with this quiet, unassuming priest. But there was something... something about his manner that made Harolphus suspect that this might just be the man they were looking for. 'Rumour got around that you were out here, and a deputation of Nikoria's leading citizens was put together to come and request your aid.' Fine idea that was, thought Harolphus, sending a bunch of fat old men out on what was probably a wild goose chase. Better to send young men - young men on fast horses. But it had been decided a plea for help would have more weight coming the city's weightiest sons. And Harolphus was never one to fail to answer the call of his beloved Nikoria; although he reserved the right to grumble about it ad infinitum.

'Gentlemen, I am truly sorry, but my days of battle are long behind me.' the priest said, although Harolphus thought he detected a note of uncertainty there, breaking the priest's calm like a pebble being dropped into a still pond. 'My calling is here now.'

>>54025171

'But you can't just...' Paulus began, but Harolphus shushed him into silence.

'Please, at least consider our request. And in the meantime, since we're here we might as well pay our respects at the shrine.'

The priest looked at Harolphus. Harolphus almost felt like he was looking straight through him. Then the priest nodded.


* * *

They had probably been kneeling at the altar for twenty minutes. To Harolphus' knees it felt like several hours, but he was determined not to seem impious in front of the priest. Not while there was still the slightest chance he might help them, at least. So he knelt there and prayed in silence. The others were sitting back in the pews, or leaving an offering at the shrine itself. There was plenty of space up by the altar, but Harolphus was the only one who'd had the guts to take a place at the rail next to the priest. Funny, that. He certainly wasn't the most pious one of the party. Maybe that was the problem - maybe the others wouldn't approach because they only saw a Saint. Harolphus saw a man. Not a man like him, perhaps, but a man nonetheless.

A man who was having doubts.

'What do you pray for?' Mikel asked him, out of nowhere.

Harolphus was taken aback, and it took him a second to answer: 'To be saved from the wyrm, of course.'

'No, I mean, what do you pray for normally. What did you pray for before the wyrm.'

Harolphus shrugged: 'The usual. Good health, for me and my family. Prosperity, for myself and my city. I prayed for my wife to stop nagging me about my wine. I prayed for my children to stop nagging me about their allowances. I prayed for the poor, when I remembered to.' he added, a little guiltily. 'I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't be the one talking to you about this. I'm not a great example of why Nikoria deserves to be saved. I'm a man who likes his comforts, and not much more.'

'And yet you came all the way out here. The journey couldn't have been easy.'

>>54025180

'Well, you know. Duty calls and all that. When there's a wyrm bearing down on your home, what else can you do?'

'Send someone else. Pack your backs get your family on the first ship out of Nikoria, and only come back if the city is saved.'

'There's nowhere near enough ships to save everyone in Nikoria.'

'I didn't say you could save everyone. You could have saved yourself, and your family. I think you may be a better man than you think, Harolphus Ordonius. Do you know what I pray for?'

Harolphus hesitated for a moment, fearing this might be a trick question. After a few seconds, he answered simply: 'No.'

'I pray for peace. I pray that I never have to pick up a sword again. And in my faith, my prayers were answered. I was called here, to tend this shrine. And here, in the presence of the God Of All Gods, I have found peace.'

'I guess I can't argue with a divine calling.' said Harolphus despondently. 'But if the God Of All Gods has any plans to grant my prayers then he'd better act soon. If you're not going to help us then it won't be long before there isn't much left to save.'

'Don't lose faith, for He works in many ways.' Mikel looked up at the statues of the Saints behind the altar. Harolphus felt slightly uncomfortable; the intensity of Mikel's faith was something he wasn't used to. Then Mikel looked back to him and said, more casually: 'By the way, who brought the news that I was here to Nikoria?'

Harolphus shrugged. 'I don't know. How does any rumour start? One day, everyone knew that all the Saints were long gone; all looking down on us from heaven, now, rather than walking among us. The next, everyone was talking about that old shrine up in the mountains, and how someone should really go up there and ask the Saint there for help. Why do you ask?'

'Oh, no reason really. It's just that I am certain that absolutely no one knew I was here.' His eyes flickered upwards. 'Save one, of course.'


* * *

>>54025192


'Hello, old friend.' Mikel pulled the bundle out from under his bed, and began unwrapping the cloth carefully. 'I'd hoped we wouldn't have to leave this shrine. This would have been a far better resting place than some muddy, blood-soaked battlefield.' He sighed. 'But evil does not
care for my hopes.'

The sword lay on the cloth. Mikel's fingers wrapped around the hilt.

'I have heard His call more than most. For this I have suffered much, but I have also been greatly blessed. With wings, with strength and long life. With you, ever sharp and true.' Mikel raised the sword slightly, testing its weight in his hand. 'But still, the God Of All Gods only calls. It is up to us whether we answer.'

Mikel lifted the sword, and held it aloft for the first time in years. Candlelight glinted on the blade. Mikel saw his smile reflected in the blade, a smile with both humour and sadness in it.

'One last time, then?'


* * *

Harolphus heard the footsteps long before he saw him. The metallic echoes clashed around the stone walls, breaking the tranquillity of the shrine. He looked up; he'd been sitting in a pew, praying for all he was worth. It was just starting to hit him that they had run out of options; this had been their last hope to stop the wyrm from reaching the city. Harolphus had never taken this idea very seriously, but, he realised now, it had at least given him one small excuse not to confront what was now inevitable. He imagined the flames, climbing higher than the tallest tower, and the black smoke blotting out the sun. And the terrible sound of his friends, his neighbours, and his family burning alive...

>>54025210

Mikel came striding out of the chancel. He was wearing the same simple brown robe, but Harolphus almost didn't recognise him his manner was so different. Gone was the meek, unobtrusive priest. This man took up every inch of space around him. He was carrying a long, cloth bundle, and as he walked there was a clanking sound that suggested something metallic beneath the robe. Harolphus stood up, but Mikel walked right past him, marching towards the main door.

Harolphus followed behind him, trailing behind him like a dingy caught in the wake of a mighty warship. His companions had also noticed, and followed behind.

Mikel stepped through the door, out onto the mountainside. For a moment Harolphus lost sight of him as he stepped from the shadows of the shrine out onto the sunlit ledge. Then he and his companions got through the door, and his eyes adjusted.

Mikel stood a little way off, at the edge, looking out across the plains towards the dark clouds in the distance. He turned back to the assembled visitors. Harolphus saw both sadness and determination in his eyes.

'Thank you', Harolphus whispered under his breath. He knew Mikel heard it.

Before anyone else could say anything, Mikel reached up and tore aside his robe in one swift motion. Caught by the wind it blew away, out over the edge, along with the cloth he'd been holding in his hand.

The sudden burst of light made Harolphus blink; squinting, he could just see the armour, and the sword. Polished surfaces, gleaming gold and steel, catching the bright sunlight. The shield, as Mikel unhooked it from his back.

Then Mikel spread his wings...

'God in Heaven, he really is...'

... and his halo ignited.

Harolphus heard the wingbeats, and felt them as they crashed against the air, but he didn't see them. It was too bright. By the time the glare faded and the blotches in his vision disappeared, Mikel was already too high up to be seen. Just a speck, far up in the sky.

>>54025227

Heading towards the black clouds.


* * *

The wyrm was vast. It lay there on the ashen ruins of the land, lounging amidst the destruction it had wrought.

It hadn't seen Mikel. He was still too high up, and the black clouds darkened the sky. If he was to have any chance he would have to take it while it was still on the ground. One strike, that was all he would get. And even then, he was unlikely to survive; it was too big, even in its death-throes it could crush him easily.

He looked at his sword. Against the mass of the wyrm, it looked like a mere pinprick.

One strike, right to its heart.

He brought his blade up, and kissed it. He would just have to trust it now; it had never let him down before. Faith, and this steel, would see this evil fall.

He whispered: 'Blade with whom I have lived. Blade with whom I now die. Serve right and justice one last time, seek one last heart of evil. Still one last life of pain, cut well old friend, and then farewell.'

The clouds parted for a brief moment, and he felt the warmth of sunlight on his back. Watch over me now, God Of All Gods,

He dived.


* * *

Mikel, and his sword, rest now in the mountain shrine.

When the citizens of Nikoria pulled him out from under the carcass of the beast, they first carried him to their city. The funeral was held there, and the mourners filled the Great Temple and packed out the surrounding streets and squares.

>>54025242

They wanted to build a tomb for him in the city, and plans for a great marble monument had already been commissioned by the time the delegation that had been sent to the mountains returned.

No, Harolphus Ordonius had said. No monument. We know where to put him.

And no sooner had they returned home, ten tired men set out again. Back across the plains, and up the mountainside. This time, they remembered to hire some donkeys.

The shrine was still much as they had left it, but they made sure it was absolutely immaculate. Then they left. They knew another Brother would be called to tend the shrine. They returned to their homes, exactly where they had left them.

Their families are healthy, their city prospers, and they have - and share - their comforts.

And Mikel rests, at peace.


----- The End -----

Dank Heresy: Rogue Trader Edition
Warp Fuckery has reset the party to after Steve was healed.

Shitposts await.

The players are:
Warp Fuckery resets the party to after Steve is healed.

Characters:
>Fio'El Fal'Shia Or'es Ukos, Earth Caste Combat Engineer. Joined for money.
>Darastrix, 8' red-skined Teralian, strength and slowness embodied. Joined to escape hellhole planet.
>Steve, painfully average guardsman.
>Some Eldar fuck who never introduced himself. Who drinks blood.
>Nemesor SP1 "Prince", Necron assassin, Enmefer dynasty. Joined to study lesser beings.
>Nen the Human Chirurgeon.
>Nicodemus, Other Guardsman

The party's in a field with forest on either side. After discussing, the party decides we need to get the ship working. Spoon spots eight-legged horses. Looking around, the party sees nothing else helpful. There is a hill, which the party decides to check out. The Chirurgeon tries to figure out if the rat things infesting the ship are sentient, but fails. The Eldar tries and fails, resulting in a bunch of plants dying. The party then goes to the hill. The party sees a small village. The party decides to head there. Nicodemus thinks he sees something, and falls down into a pit. Steve and Spoon see what look like greenskins moving towards the village. They look very violent. Nicodemus gets out and sees that the field is filled with pits. Darastrix finally manages to catch up. Spoon counts about 5 or 6 Orks. Steve acquires a Long Las from the other Guardsman. The party debates the next course of action. The Eldar disappears and is replaced by Prince. Steve takes two shots, hitting two in the right arm. The Ork look at each other then continue running. The party notices power-armored figures in the distance. The party determines they're Alpha Legion, accompanied by Lost and Damned. The party debates what to do and the party is noticed by the Alphas. Ten Lost and Damned break off, half move towards the party, the rest move off somewhere else.

>>54025333
The party hunkers down in the holes. The Lost and Damned are talking to each other. Darastrix yells to them, and they point to their ears. Darastrix tries again. Checking the vox, one chanel is full of chatter including "sandwhich manuevre," and "subway," and "Italian."
Darastrix yells into the voxcaster, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
They look up simultaneously. When they ask if they should switch to an encrypted channel, Darastrix shouts "NO."
"How did you get on this channel?"
"Because I am a Teralian"
"Are you one of the people in the holes?"
"I am the giant lizard."
"What are you doing here?"
"Our ship was forced down by annoying rat-things that are now on this planet."
The Lost and Damned moved away and talk amongst themselves. "What are we supposed to do?" is heard.
"OFFER US DINNER" Darastrix says.
The Lost and Damned come back, one visibly holding a book. "We checked protocol, we have no idea what the fuck to do."
Prince pipes up, promting a "Is that a fucking Necron?"
They continue with "It would be easier if you came over hear."
Darastrix and Prince go to talk.
"Aren't we supposed to shoot Necrons on sight?"
"No he's with me. The Imperium blew up his world too."
"No they didn't, that was Chaos."
Spoon shouts "DON'T TELL THEM THAT"
After a long conversation about what to do, in which Darastrix asks for dinner multiple times, the Lost and Damned give a shaky "yes" to dinner. Darastrix offers to help the Alphas fight the Orks. After arranging to go back to their ship, Darastrix asks for drinks. In repayment, Darastrix offers to let the Lost and Damned ride his tail because it's "really fun." The Lost and Damned with the book winks, and Darastrix winks back. The party goes over to the Alpha Legion, but the fight is already over. The Orks came out of the woods and died.
The party is brought to the Legionary in charge. He looks at the party and ignores them, and asks the Lost and Damned with them "what the fuck?"

>>54025404
"They wanted dinner and they're like Rogue Trader or something oh god I'm gonna die," he manages to stutter.
"Yes we want dinner."
After another flirt fest involving Darastrix the Legionary asks why we want dinner with them. The Dark Eldar suddenly reappears, while Darastrix tries to explain what small things are. After explaining the party are not Imperials, the Legionary offers to check out the ship. Darastrix refuses, saying he wants dinner, but Prince agrees. The Legionary accepts, on the condition that we do some jobs for them. Darastrix wants armor, and the Legionary refuses. An argument ensues about something, and Steve tries to assert his authority, threatening to shoot Darastrix in the testicles with a lasgun.
The final deal is we do four jobs for dinner and the repairs to our ship.
Unfortunately repairs will take a few weeks.
Spoon breaks into the conversation with "Alright, let's get to dinner."
Prince asks the Space Marine for help.
The Alpha Legion brings the party to a shoddy landing zone, where they are brought to an underground bunker, where they eat slop for dinner. There are some flies, possibly some eyes in it. The bookman is petting Darastrix's arm, who pets him back softly. He fails, forcefully pushing him back. Despite Darastrix's explanation, the bookman is upset and runs away. Only some of the party eats. Those who eat claim its great, except Spoon, who claims he's had better at a Kabalite Fortress. The give Steve a bowl of human eyes, who distributes them among the crew. The Legionary asks what the party is good at. Most reply killing, Spoon says he knows five languages, and Prince says, "I am the best assassin in my Tomb World, I can make any death look like an accident." The Legionary calls him edgy as fuck. Before the Legionary can give the party jobs, the conversation turns to his eye collection.
The Legionary gives the party their jobs.
The first job is to kill an alien stalking the woods.

>>54025474
This alien has killed multiple legionaries. Darastrix asks for armor again and Spoon asks for a Carp. The Legionary takes off his helmet and downs an entire beer bottle. We have to track the lost Legionaries, and if they are dead Darastrix can keep their armor. The Legionary downs another beer.
The legionary takes out a map. He points to the southern hemisphere, then draws a line across a desert to another forest in the northern hemisphere. He says it's the last place the kill team was seen. He points to a city called Dawnhallow in the middle of the desert and says we need to go there as well. It is a little out of the way and we need to remove unfriendly elements in the city. The Legionary says we'll have food and ten guardsmen. They are not for food, much to Darastrix's chagrin. The last task is in a cove in the west. There is a feral Ork infestation there, and we are to remove them. After requesting a flamer Nicodemus gets one. Steve asks why they didn't attack it with a ship, the Legionary replies, "Because that would ruin the story."
The Legionary warns us that if we find a city called The Vault in the mountains to stay away.

>I was told that I have no life by the players for posting this to 4chan
>one of them told me to tell you all this

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>>54025333
>>54025404
>>54025474
>>54025540
cool story.

btw, here's the first part for anyone who's interested. Yes, I will get around to updating the wiki page soon.


>>53988353
Is this anon still around? I'd love to hear more about his Baktria campaign.

emergency bump, stat!

>>54013412

Sharian nodded to Lady Kisano. "That is good, and I can tell you're being honest to me. So very well... That parcel, or package you see there on my table contains documents and papers which are my reports and findings of your nation. Those reports and findings will be read and reviewed by the president of Briastrin, vice president, secretary of national and international affairs, minster of defense. Including the elven council of Chimax."

Lady Kisano seemed puzzled as she asked. "I know of this person you call a 'president' being spoken of by your companions. But who are these other people you mentioned? A 'vice president?' 'Secretaries,' and a 'Minister of Defense?'"

Sharian answered. "Those people are the members of the Briastrinian Democratic Government and part of Briastrinian President Charlie Raymond's Administration. While you can say the president it 'the ruler' of the nation, the Vice President acts as a back-up leader in case something bad were to happen to the actual president. Briastrin's Secretary of National and International Affairs helps keep track and inform the president of things and events occurring throughout the nation and other events happening around the world. And Briastrin's Minister of Defense that I mentioned is in charge of the nation's military capabilities and national defense against terrorists and foreign invasion. It would be deemed necessary that Briastrin's minister of defense were to review my reports and findings so he may know what type of necessary military force would be sent to protect Cedna Accord officials; such as myself and my colleagues whom you have already been acquainted to, and including other protection and military alliances for diplomatic ties..." Sharian pause for a moment after explaining to Lady Kisano and has now noticed she now looks even more puzzled or confused. "...Oh, I do hope I explained it as best as I can without confusing you as to how different Briastrin's government works, hehe."

>>54029980

Sharian Fengolor smiled embarrassingly while scratching the back of his head. As Lady Kisano look quite dumbfounded by such an explanation, but managed to give off a flummoxed smile and answer optimistically and positively.

"Oh, not at all! Hehehe... Though I'd say the way the land of Briastrin's leadership works seems quite complicated. They already have a ruler yet so much power has to be distributed and shared with some 'senate' and a 'house of congress' where they make laws instead of the ruler of the lands?"

Sharian explained further. "That is how a democratic government such as that of Briastrin essentially works basically. It is to prevent the president and his administration and other close members from having too much power in their hands and becoming tyrannical. The president gets to make or suggest a new law, the Braistrinian Senate and House of Congress review the new law the president tries to pass, the senate will debate; and sometimes even argue, how the new laws and set of rules should work. And then the senate will eventually come to a vote on whether to approve of the new law or not. And when an agreement and vote with the most numbers comes, the law will either be not approved or will be passed. To which the Supreme Court will revise the current standing laws and help implement the newly passed law."

"...Uhhhm... Still confusing if you ask me."

Both Sharian and Lady Kisano giggled at each other.

>to be cont.

>>54025265
I really enjoyed this, thanks man.

>>54010590
>>54009368
>>53998352
>>53987676
>>53982000
>>53974641
This is a good story. I like a good ghost tale. The prose could maybe do with a little spicing up; on a technical basis the writing was mostly good, but I never got a strong sense of fear, or really any strong emotions from it. I'm not sure what you could do to improve on it, but it's just something for you to think about.

>>54035253
Are you the dude who posted the pic? Either way, thanks for reading it, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

>>53995459
>>53995471
>>53995486
>>53995497
>>53995501
>>53995512
>>53995516
>>53995570
>>53995591
>>53995596
>>53995605
>>53995616
>>53995626
>>53995664
>>53995669
Good work, anon. You do a good job of making seem like a bard is telling the story. Although I'm not quite sure why you decided to spread it out over so many posts; it makes it feel a little disjointed in places.

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Well... Mind if i request a lovly married couple story with this pic related?

>>54030189

Lady Kisano spoke. "Well surely asides from how your Cedna Accord's leadership works differently. Surely you have something else interesting or intriguing to say about your homeland of Chimax, or the land of Briastrin?"

Sharian nodded to that. "Well yes, for starters in the land of Briastrin. There are these machines called automobiles but are also called cars which people use to drive and or go to places much farther than walking or by riding horses. There is also the locomotive, which is simply called a train, it travels through constructed railways,or railroads. Which are specially and specifically constructed paths meant for trains to travel on. Despite there being cars that people can own, people in Briastrin use trains as an alternative form of transportation from one point to another point in a different area. And don't get me started on air travel as there-"

Lady Kisano interrupted with surprise. "Wait, people in your lands travel in through air!? As in you have machines or tamed beasts that make you fly???"

"Yes Lady Kisano, but its mostly machines we call aeroplanes, or simply airplanes or aircraft. Which are used to travel from not only different farther places. But from a different country to country as Briastrin has already utilized such technology from transporting people and equipment and other hardware from Briastrin, to Chimax and to recently assimilated Eustran. And perhaps you may see them flying over head in the skies of your lands m'lady."

Lady Kisano looked and seemed awestruck. "...Wow, then those tales, stories and rumors of far distant lands having metal machines that people use to conquer and traverse lands. And those that people use to touch the skies and clouds are no longer fictional nor far fetched as before... Ever since your people, and you. Have visited." Lady Kisano said with genuine amusement and wonder while still looking up to Sharian.

>will cont. please help keep this thread alive people so I's can finish

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From a past thread part 1

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>>54060677
From a past thread part 2

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I would like to read a story about a world where big and little people live together. Please write a story about a little person who does nails at a salon.

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I hope this thread is still active in 8 days. I am about to go on vacation and always enjoy seeing people write about what other people post.

>>54062898
>>54062926
>>54062942
We are already past 150 posts, we don't really need to keep the thread bumped unless it's approaching page 9. I appreciate the enthusiasm, but flooding the thread with images just a few minutes apart is generally contraproductive.

>>54062998
OK. I will stop now.

>>54038654

Mostly because the word count of a given post has screwed me over in the past.

Thanks for the feedback! It's a perspective I was really trying to facilitate with this story.

>>54063004

Hah! I've seen that guy!

He's on the good ol' Phx lightrail.

>>54046769

"...I bet you'd still have many amusing things to say about the land of Briastrin which you work for?" Said Lady Kisano.

"Well yes, the ship we came is not only larger in size and made of metal. It is powered by massive engines just like the same manner as Briastrinian automobiles in which such machines needs petroleum and or fossil fuels."

Lady Kisano also spoke. "To be honest, I doubt my people would be able to ever venture to your lands. So far all of the ships of Yazaki have only reached as far as the Great Dessert Continent, the Grass Lands of West and recently Eustran. Your lands are not only far far away from ours which makes traveling across the great ocean quite dangerous because of the distance. But it shows just how large and greater our world is."

Sharian replied. "Indeed, that ship we used. Me and my colleagues left from a Briastrinian port but stopped by a port in Eustran to refuel from an newly established fuel station and to resupply. And continued almost another month or so till we reached here in Yazaki. But surely a much simpler and less complicated way of traveling and navigating across the world and great ocean will soon be made possible. And speaking of engines and fossil fuels from earlier. I feel like mentioning that both Briastrin's and Chimax's top engineers, scientists and even mages and artificers are researching in making Briastrin's vehicles and other machines powered by soul gems and energy gems. Just for your information you know?" Said Sharian as he shrugged his shoulders a bit.

Live.

Rise, my champion.

Concerned bump

>>54060695

Shelby Stubbes was lucky to be one of the few people to befriend the most intimidating person known throughout all Gainesborough. In the wake of her ill-fated bargain to grow big and respected, the infamous ace detective Raina Harriet had shown an uncharacteristically merciful side of her and rather than force her into a sort of debt to society, she allowed the Lilliputian troublemaker to at least stay within the mansion despite the damages. Once Shelby shrank back to her diminutive size, she was merely let off with a stern warning.

To say that this caused scandal would be an understatement. Various other enemies felled by the ruthless Madam Harriet flocked to figure out what hideous secret this tiny person held against the detective, concerned allies with the detective's safety kept tailing her every move, even the notorious thief/associate of the Harriet Agency Marley Karlsson had attempted to kidnap her in order to learn Shelby's secret to being let off.

Raina Harriet had noticed the issue as well. Cover had to be made. Observations had to be recorded. A Witness had to be Protected, she recalled from a case file her parents made when they were alive. It would take time to create a whole identity, but something had to change. The first thing that came by was to establish a hiding spot that nobody would expect. Being a supposed princess of a faraway island full of people didn't make it easy since a surprising lot of eyes were on her. She needed to find a way to keep low-profile. She had to do one thing a royalty was not meant to do: labor.

Thus it was that Shelby Stubbes found herself seated on the desk of a nail salon. After mentioning a hobby of painting, Raina thought it might do to give her a job painting nails. Of course, it also helped that she had a standing friendship with the owner of the establishment, a skinwalker named Nita.

"So..." The tawny-haired woman eyed the living speck on her desk. "Raina told me you're looking for a job."

>>54078268
"Yes, I would like that very much!" Shelby very eagerly and politely announces her intentions as she doffs her teacup-for-a-hat. "I caused a lot of undue trouble just to fulfill a silly little wish, and I'm awfully sorry about that. I'd like to make amends if that's all possible."

"Shucks, you're real sweet alright," Nita grins, her drawl drawing that last vowel. "Not many who go up against the scowly detective end up like you. Lots of them, they either keep trying to get revenge after the fact or just try hiding in fear of her."

"There are others like me?"

"Have you ever met a detective named Sally Cornelia?" Nita asked. "Caused a bit of trouble too. Once she figured out it was 'cause she was trying to save her gods though...well, old Raina decided to take pity and decided to help out a bit. Nowadays they're a pretty good pair of partners if I do say so myself." The salon owner pushes forward a sheet of paper. "But enough about that. What did the detective tell you about this place?"

"Um, I told Miss Harriet I liked painting things, and she said that you knew stuff that could go with painting." Shelby hustles back to the desk edge to unveil a small set of paintings, none of them bigger than a stamp, but all quite well painted. One looked like a picture of a half-full wineglass, another an attempt to copy the design on a sleeve, the third a self-portrait. "I've done painting before, so she said I should do something that deals with painting."

A few cursory gazes pass over the three assembled paintings. Sure, it's not what she'd normally ask for in regards to samples of work, but Nita could tell that this little plum-looking princess had skill with the brush. What she'd need is training on the manicure side of the business. The friendship between the salon and the Harriet Agency helped too - if it weren't for the young scion of the Agency, Nita probably would never have opened a business like this.

>>54066213
"Hmmm... What else I could enlighten and intrigue you with Briastrin and or Chimax's lifestyles?" Sharian Mused. "...Well Briastrin has these carbonated and fizzy beverages called 'Soft Drinks' or 'Cola' which might not taste as good when warm, but will taste refreshing and even invigorating then chilled. There's radios which- wait, nevermind. Me having to explain such a modern device and how it works would probably complicate you. Oh there's sliced bread, which both Chimax and Briastrin have mastered in the field of cuisine!"

Lady Kisano giggled. "Hahahaha, what's is so 'amazing' about pieces of bread that you cut with a knife?"

"Believe me m'lady, sliced bread has to be one of the most amazing things the modernized world of Briastrin and even Chimax has ever gave birth to. Alongside complex machinery, gunpowder weapons, and technology and other medical achievments such as antibiotics. Well to be honest, sliced bread originated in Briastrin. And the ancient elven lands of Chimax have been the masters of all things magical and arcane, but despite the technological advancements and contributions brought by Briastrin. Many elves of Chimax are still amazed at how ingenius the very thought slicing to pieces of bread just to put food between them and eat it as a 'sandwhich' is."

"Sounds interesting, and I take it with all these amazing things you say about Briastrin. You also have many equally glorious tales and historical facts you'd tell me about Chimax, asides from the elven people being the masters of magic and helping spread such knowledge to otheres?"

"Oh believe me m'lady Kisano. As much as I'd like to and am willing to enlighten you about such things about Chimax, I probably would not want to at the same time. For I could go on and on and on compared to me talking about Briastrin. I could probably bore you to death." Sharian said humorously and cheekily with a grin.

>to be cont

>>54080242
The fact that it served clients of a more monstrous appearance only served to prove that Shelby would never be short of a job.

"So, Shelby," Nita asked, "you think you can learn how to take care of nails and such?"

"Nails?" The small interviewee was almost surprised. "Oh, right. This is a nail salon, isn't it? Well, I'm mighty grateful you're offering me a job doing something like this."

To say that one could sense Shelby's eagerness would be an understatement. Nita could smell her excitement, taste it in the air. As she extends a finger out, she almost feels herself salivating. "Well, hon. I'm always looking for some extra hands no matter the size. Don't worry about training, I can help with that."

Shelby's face brightens up the instant she figures out the intention. She grabs the finger and shakes it very hard. "Thank you! Thank you so much, Miss Nita Boss!"

As predicted, the process of training such a small person in cleaning and painting nails was not something simple. To say nothing of the need to adapt her painting skills, Shelby was also somewhat of a klutz. All of the tools usually needed for the job proved to be all too big for her to use, so she had to use her whole body when filing nails. New tools needed to be made to adapt to her scale, clients had to be compensated for botched jobs by the new employee. To the new hire's credit though, she always showed up to work with a smile on her face and an eagerness to learn everything she needed to decorate all sorts of nails.

Within the span of a month, Shelby Stubbes, princess of a faraway land, gathered a reputation as a nail stylist. Her little tableside workshop became its own landmark in the salon with its own clientele. Her simple demeanor had its own charm to those who came by, and she always strove to make a show out of her work, announcing each color as she chose it and making each stroke like swinging a sword.

If I wrote up something that's 2k words and part of an ongoing story I'm thinking of creating, would it be cool to post here?

>>54060695
For some reason, I find this an interesting proposition. I see somebody else is already tackling it, but I think I'll give it a try myself later. It's been ages since I wrote a pic-related story.

On a somewhat unrelated note: maybe it's just a false impression, but it seems like we actually have more new blood in this tread: more un-named non-regular writers and even some un-named feedback. Neat. Perhaps things aren't as bad for these threads as we speculated last time.

>>54085362
It was not before long that the detective responsible for this whole mess came to this little salon to check up on this new act.

"Well if it isn't Miss Harriet?" Shelby exclaimed upon noticing Raina's trademark greatcoat and cap. "How're you doing? Here for an appointment?"

"Well, word has been coming out of a certain nail salon's new talent making art shows out of people's nails. Thought I'd take a look." The detective hangs her coat and takes a seat on the table with Shelby's workshop. The whole time, her face retains the same deadpan appearance. "How is everything besides that?"

Shelby begins gathering her things with a smile. "Well, all said it's been really calm. It's been nice that I've been able to work here and not get followed around. I've also gotten really good at painting!" Her first step was to clean the detective's nails. "I guess I'm really lucky to be friends with you."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Raina comments. "You're apologetic, and that's something I wish more people would do. But I don't do with friends?"

"Really?" Tiny eyes widen with a wounded expression on her face. "Miss Nita was telling me that you make friends with people you sometimes deal with the same way I did, so I thought... But I guess you're still right mad about what I did to your thing..." The thing being the Harriet Heirloom, an arcane orb empowered by the spirits of her ancestors. When Shelby made her wish to grow big and powerful, it also had an unintended side effect of oversaturating several items with unstable wild magic, the Heirloom and several of Marley's special trinkets among them. Fortunately, the Heirloom managed to survive the experience.

The crestfallen look made Raina hesitate slightly. Though she was never known for having much of a nose for tact, she never intended to actually insult the poor stylist. Her gaze turns away. "Look, I didn't mean it like that. It's just...hard to make friends in my line of work."

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Here's some five-minute stories I kind of did to revive the thread a bit.

>>54031416
Sir Rufas Alexander von Gregmont and his companion Sir Dog, had been the young prince's pseudo-family since the age of four. With the Prince turning 16 this year and thus receiving the Sword of the Heir, both knight and dog were dressed in their finery. While most would believe Sir Rufas's desire to be fully armored in the traditional way to be slightly extravagant, most nodded their heads with acceptance, he was old and not long for this world, let him believe himself to be the knight of his youth.

>>54042101
The knight had long been dead, stabbed in the back by his "friend" with a dagger. With the rising of the full moon and the celestial alignments just right, he felt his soul return to his now desecrated body. Taking up the blade he wandered down the road, seeking not vengeance, but justice.

>>54043187
The boy was terrified of everything, every animal, every unfamiliar plant, every slight change in breeze frightened him to some extent. He clung to me, his protector, to make the "Bad Things" stop, to kill small creatures that looked at him oddly, or to simply make things stop. I was created to protect this child, to help him adjust to the world after so many years being hidden away.

This was going to be a very difficult process.

>>54060750
He knew quickly that the words he said aloud in a desperate attempt to sound them out, were words he should not have spoken aloud. She, no it, stood before him, pinning him to the wall. Pink hair, wings, a tail and a distinct lack of clothing had him at its mercy. She spoke with words that relaxed him, he wanted to yell, to run, but he couldn't move. His hand tried to move toward the crucifix he kept in his pocket, he hated wearing it around his neck, the others always made fun of him for it. She batted his hand away from it and moved her own up to his face.

He needed an adult.

>>54087285
"Usually most people I bust hold a grudge on that."

"But you're a nice person!" Shelly protests as she begins filing down the nails. "I understand that sometimes it's hard, but you're worried about a whole lot of people! I know I couldn't try anything like that!"

All to which Raina merely comments, "Stop trying to flatter me."

"Gosh. Sorry about that." Next comes another wash to remove any dust from filing the nails. "I'm sure someone must be thankful."

"Not my business. I solve cases because it's my job, not for any recognition. Though it nice on occasion."

Shelby backs away to grab some paints. "I see, I see. Well, you can think of this here manicure as your appreciation then. I don't mind paying for it!"

Raina balks, "No, I can't do that. It'd be disrespectful."

"Are you sure?" The detective's gaze of seriousness conveys all that she needed to know. "Well, thank you for being polite. I'm ready to start painting, so is there anything you want? Please don't worry about me, I can do whatever you want!"

"Not the sort to usually get fancy with nail designs, but..." Raina glances around the salon, at the other clients and at the posters on the walls. She had to find something among all this mess. Using a detective's wit, she manages to piece bits together - red and blue contrast, arrows from one client's tattoos, outlines. She grabs a pen and a napkin as she begins sketching an idea down. Shelby watches this design with open eyes. Once the pen drops on the table, Shelby's smile already reaches her round cheeks. "I'll make sure this is the best nailjob you ever get!"

The detective scoffs. "I'm holding you to those standards."

Thus inspired, Shelby Stubbes the crack manicurist begins her work. With large brush in hand, she dips in red oil and begins swinging. "I'm not going to back down! My name is Shelby Stubbes, and I am royalty! I'll make these nails great, just you see!"

>>54086094
A lot of us post unfinished stories. They generally tend to get less of a reception because... well they are unfinished, but otherwise, sure. If it's an actual story (as in a piece of actual literary text, not just greentext story or a summary), you are welcome to post it, that is very much what these threads are about.

>>54091908
The loud declaration catches everyone's attention. As she swings her brush across the detectives fingernails, the audience finds itself enraptured by the battle with the hand. Each swing of the brush is followed up by a dab from the towel, cleaning up any residual mess as she lays down the base coat. As she distributed the color, the two of them began having a deeper conversation about the salon, how Nita was treating her new talent. Shelby was predictably excited to have a job, and the other stylists were very helpful in getting her acclimated. She had become close friends with some of her fellows, going out for drinks every Friday even though she couldn't drink much more than a sip. Having a job also meant being able to live in the salon, since she was too tiny rent out a room in the adjoining apartments.

The brush makes one last stroke before Shelby sets it down. Raina takes a precursory look at her nails to admire the clear pale red coat on them. She had skill to put it on so evenly. "Not bad," she remarks. "Now, for the rest of it..."

"Are you sure you want them in blue? It just seems...unusual."

"What's wrong with the color?"

"It's just the contrast. It makes them stand so far apart that they look competing."

"Competing? What about a border? Something to give both colors room from each other."

Shelby thinks about it for a moment, surveying her collection of oils and powders for the nails. She had plenty of blue powders laying around, a result of basic supply and demand - a warm season meant people wanted warmer colors. It was a relief to know that someone was going to use them. She produces a second brush and presents her chosen hue - a light turquoise.

"Looks decent enough. That for the border?" Raina asks.

"What else? I have a royal blue ready for the inside."

The detective smirks. "You've gotten good. You sure this was just a hobby to you?"

"Maybe once," Shelby remarks, "but now I'm making a living from it!"

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>>54093365

>>54093365
A second brush comes out for the next step. The wild swings of the first layer are replaced with more controlled fencing swipes, striking in clear directions rather than where her body took her. The simplistic design took a matter of minute before the preliminary outlines were completed. As Shelby got started on her darker hue, they went on another conversation: Shelby's partner in her mayhem, the Inverse Demon. Shelby confessed before that the Inverse had made up some story about how the world outside her faraway island had marginalized the deeds of her ancestors, all as miniaturized as she was. It was this lie that drove Shelby to her disastrous wish, and by extension the wild magic infusion.

After her defeat, Shelby never saw hide or hair of that Inverse Demon since their plan fell apart. Raina explained that she was on the hunt, though most of the hunting was led to her associate from the Estate Crimsone, a fearsome butler who apparently had to clean up a lot of the mess because of the Inverse's lies. For all they had to worry though, the Inverse would definitely think twice before causing any more trouble under the Harriet Agency's watch. Once things calmed down enough, Shelby would probably be free enough to return back home to her faraway island if she so wished. It hardly surprised the detective, then, that the small princess refused to leave her new place. She had a habit of making contingencies on multiple probabilities.

Eventually, the nails were finished, blue arrows upon red with a light blue border in the middle. All said, they were definitely impressive.

"I say you've earned your keep, Shelby," the Detective mentions as her nails were now drying out. "Not hard to tell you're doing very well here."

"Yeah, thanks for that." As Shelby began to put away her things, she notices her boss coming. "Oh, boss! Just finishing up here!"

Nita smiles. "No need to rush, Shelby, Raina. How are things with the Agency?"

>>54096360
"Can't complain. Occasional troublemaker here and there, but I've been managing them. Good news is that nobody's been bothering her, so I think the whole witness protection thing can wear off now."

"Quite trusting, are you?" Nita grins. "Even though you have someone fitting that criteria right behind you?"

Raina's face slumps into a scowl. "It's Marley, isn't it?"

"You would wish it were." The distinct formal tone proved who it was - Sasha, head butler of the Estate Crimsone and part-time associate of the Harriet Agency. The disappointed scowl on the detective's face turns to one of genuine surprise.

"So, you found the damn blighter?"

"Found, Disciplined, and if I do say so myself," the Head Butler comments as he polishes his prized silver pocket watch, "I did a fine job. You will be hearing nothing further from that particular menace."

At this point, the Detective's face became more concerned. "Sasha, you didn't actually..." She glances at the crowd, "You didn't just get rid of someone, did you?"

Sasha scoffs, "Do not take me for some simple brute, Madam Harriet. That so-called Inverse Demon is still lucky enough to draw breath."

"Oh. Well. Have you met Miss Stubbes yet?" Raina tries to change the topic.

"Ah, yes." He bows. "How do you do, miss? My name is Sasha, Head Butler of the Estate Crimsone." While this was happening, the diminutive manicurist merely laughs and blushes, clearly flattered by the polite gentleman while Nita smirks bemusedly.

"Well, hi. I'm Shelby. Want me to paint your nails?"

Sasha's hands remain at his sides. "Unfortunately, I do not have time to spend on such amenities like thus. However, my Mistress Ramille has been getting rather curious about some decorations on her talons. Something about a ritual mark from the Homeland." Had it been anyone else, the casual mention of being the servant of an infamous vampire would have unsettled more than a few people. It was a good thing, then, that Raina was not most people.

>>54003536
Once there was a city. Now there is a corpse, with killers and parasites cleaning its bones.
And that's all of it, except for the details.
---
"Globalization." It's a simple word. See, things tend to decentralize. As people learn, and trade, and reproduce, they begin to learn from and trade and reproduce with other people from farther and farther away. Eventually, you get something like our world. Like what it was, anyway. All linked together and intertwined, with everyone dependent on everyone else. It's efficient, see. You specialize, you maximize, you capitalize what you do to the utmost extent and then you trade your services for another's. Everyone wins. The rich are secure in their status quo, the poor subsist on the commendable leavings of the capable. The middle class- what's left of it- gets by well, living in their own realistic ideal.
The weakness did not lay in the system. It slept inside of us.
---
Human beings want, in every sense of the word. We desire, we lack, we hunger. It's what drives us to be strong. To both kill and cooperate, to annex and ameliorate. By and large, satiation is the end result. If the meal is less filling for having been attained, oh well. There's always the next serving, if only you strive for it. We had a saying, about the grass being greener on the other side. A short story, with a simple moral: keep jumping fences. Keep going. Don't stop. Don't settle. Never settle. We pushed ourselves too hard, went too far. Forty-hour workweeks became sixty became eighty, ninety.
Go to work. Log on. Log off. Log on your phone. Go home. Log off. Log on your computer. Log off. Sleep. Repeat. It isn't what we were built for. It wasn't sustainable. We were locked in a race against our bodies. How much sleep do you need? How little can you get away with eating? How often do you need to see the kids? Feed the dog? Kiss the wife?
How often do you need to be human?

Short answer? Too often.

>>54097415
I swear I'm going to finish this. Consider what I have so far an introduction to the setting, laying out how the world came to be what it is. Two thousand characters of writing isn't much to critique, but feedback on the general direction it's going in would be greatly appreciated.

Also, Chronicler, many thanks for keeping these threads running and archiving the stories. What you do is nothing short of incredible, and the board would be all the poorer for your absence.

>>54097330
She had already dealt with the Estate and its inhuman inhabitants before, and her fierce expression inspired everyone present to at least hold their ground. Nita in particular comments, "Well, that sounds very nice and all, mister. If your mistress ever decides to get that done, be sure to drop by." She offers a business card, which the butler immediately stashes in his vest.

"My pleasure." He bows, but before anyone could recognize it, he vanishes with the wind, a sudden gust the only sign of the butler's passing.

"So...does that mean...?"

"Your choice."

Shelby smiles. "Then...I'd like to stay here! To learn more about this place and make my own legend for my people!"

Raina smirks as she looks at Nita. "Well?"

"Need you ask? Of course I'm keeping her!"

Shelby Stubbes could hardly recall a happier moment than the one where she found her calling in life as a manicurist. Nobody else could argue with it, and there was no way she would ever let her new friends down. This alone was enough to make her a legend among her people.

>>54084649

"That sounds all interesting Sharian... Makes me wish I could come with you to visit such fascinating places and learn more of the outside world." Lady Kisano said as Sharian's smile disappeared and turned to a more somber expression.

"I wish you could, but that might not be possible, atleast for you and me my lady Kisano." Said Sharian.

"Why would you say that???"

"Because m'lady, as a diplomat and official for the Cedna Accord. I have many diplomatic missions I must attend, duties to fulfill and hectic schedules to attend. And I have only four days left to stay in here before venturing out of here and returning to Chimax for important matters..."

Said Sharian as he looked at the distance contemplatively.

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>>54087249
>>54060695
Ok this one is proving to be more challenging than I initially thought it would be. Day and a half past and I have a whole lot of word mess. But I'm not giving up.
I also realized why the subject matter seems to familiar and interesting to me: I actually kinda already wrote posted a story somewhat related to this subject.
Those who are regular to this thread, feel free to ignore this because you've already read it (it was one of the first things I posted here, actually, and I haven't changed it since), but for those who haven't and are interested in stories about tiny humans (or something like that): it's the second short story in this "set" (don't worry, it's short):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FE2ne1jrvCrKA5oo8vmZNy74Wka7ZzIpjGiNMKR5_jY/edit?usp=sharing
Titled "Megami".

Meanwhile, I try to get my act together and start shaping the story about a tiny girl working in a nail salon tomorrow. I have several ideas, the problem is mostly that I can't decide which one is better - or more precisely which one can I actually make to work.
With that in mind, I haven't slept in well over 30 hours, so see you all tomorrow.

>Ever since I started writing, and begun imagining intense scenes in my mind.
>hypnopompic hallucinations
Past month I've woken up and hallucinated, like huge spider, a moving snake from window to ceiling...
Now I'm afraid of seeing a face or other figure staring at me.
All of them has occured within 2 hours after falling asleep.
And lasting over 5 sec. Wide awake. I throw myself out of bed after first being frozen, I mean it's a fucking snake in the ceiling.

>I've never hallucinated before in my life.

>>54108171
okay, well that's not a normal side effect of writing. My guess is it probably has something to do with medication you're taking.

Cool effect though. It seems like its adjacent to lucid dreaming, in which case you might be able to learn to control the course of the hallucination.

Next time, remember to ask the snake why it's there.

>>54087804
Oooh, das nice fanart.

>>54098918

Sharian then continued. "Time simply is not in our side m'lady-"

"Please Sharian; just call me by my name already." Said Kisano with some enthusiasm and joy as she now got personally close to Sharian and placed a hand on Sharian’s chest, as Sharian also held her hand. "Despite our currently short time of getting to be together and sharing some moments like this. The very thought of venturing out there in rest of the world with you personally just seems rather exiting. And the people of Yazaki would also feel the same of having a glimpse of the rest of the world outside the borders, lands and confines of this Island Nation.”

“But Kisano, don’t you have your own duties to attend to as the Lady and co-ruler of Yahakanai? Surely your brother would have different and conflicting thoughts of you wishing to get out of here… And be with me?”

“Fret not Sharian, for now I am the co-ruler of my brother Naokiyo he understands the very interesting thought and possibility of some people under his rule wishing to set foot outside these lands and explore the greater outside places of this world we live in. It was prophesized by our priests and seers that explorers from the outside world; which is you and your compatriots, will one day arrive here in Yazaki and bring forth further information and knowledge of the outside world beyond the seas of Yazaki. And such knowledge and information brought forth also includes the possibility of setting foot in new lands to call home and to discover and experience new culture, new art, new sights and new people to befriend with. And clearly the predictions from previous seers, priests and theorists came true.”

Said Kisano as she still looked up to Sharian with her hand on her chest and him holding her hand.

>>54109037
I've read about magnesium giving you weirder dreams.
But not dreams where I'm awake and can move, and they just "fade out". There was no moment where I can say the dream ended.
Clearly hallucination.

My dreams are also normally just depicting normal life. Very seldom do I have nightmares.

Maybe should go to /x/.

>>54123762
>>54126514
Nazis are bad, remember that!

>>54114734

Sharian Fengolor now gave a soft smile, admiring what Kisano said about the possibility of simply being together.

"But... You really sure you and I can be one day be united together, as lovers? But what of your nobility? I know you said your brother would be 'understanding,' but would he be really content with the idea of you being with a 'non-royal?' Even if it means you might give up your oble status and face possible exile?" Sharian said worryingly as Kisano simply reassured him.

"My brother already has a possible successor, Advisor Kubo. He is a well trusted man who's not only a respected close friend of me and my brother and the rest of our court. But he is also loved and respected by the people of Yahakanai. If you're concerned that my lands will sorely lack leaders in my absence and or my brother's power will be weakened. You're wrong, out advisors, especially Kubo already have proven to be good in being co-rulers with my brother. Far better than I would to be honest."

Sharian replied "...But even then Kisano. Time can never be truly on our side. I simply fear at the thought of losing you because of my longer life span compared to a human such as your's. And quite frankly, we cannot just be together this easily, atleast not yet."

>>53965614
When I grew up I lived in a poor home, for food I would sneak behind the butchers and pinch offcut to bring home. Heads mostly, we were happy for what was thrown away and the eyes became my favorite. They were my secret, I’d scurry through back alleys for them. I remember waking in the night, dreaming of eyes looking up at starry skies above the butchers shop. One day the eyes were for sale, a delicacy. It was strange, they were mine and now I could see all over town, in every home, they were eating my eyes.


Wrote this for a 100 word story challenge im doing with a freind. Id love to hear any feedback or just share it with anyone that might like it. Ill come back after i make some food and check out other writing in the thread

>>54130007
I'd tweak it just slightly. There are one or two places where you've clearly used a comma instead of the word 'and' in order to keep within the word limit, but I think if you just rearrange things slightly you can make it sound a bit more natural. Here's my suggestion:

Growing up, I lived in a poor home. For food I would sneak behind the butchers and pinch offcuts to bring home. Heads mostly, we were happy for what was thrown away and the eyes became my favorite. They were my secret, I’d scurry through back alleys for them. I remember waking in the night and dreaming of eyes looking up at starry skies above the butchers shop. Then one day the eyes were for sale as delicacies. It was strange, they were mine and now I could see all over town, in every home. They were eating my eyes.


As for the subject matter, for a hundred words its really good. Not sure what it means, but it catches the attention. Kudos, anon.

>>54127802

Sharian continued on. "And again, asides from our differing life spans. I can never be sure if we can meet each other again after this stay, and it will be only four more days till I will be on my way back home."

Kisano still stayed positive and said as she now had her other hand touching Sharian's other cheek. "But even then, we managed to get to know each other well enough during the evenings we get to be together don't we? And all within just a month, right?"

Sharian smirked at that. "I know, and that's not to say I did not enjoy them. Becase I sure did appreciated those nights where I asked about the lore and some useful history of your lands. And you told and narrated them with a soothing reading voice."

"Thank you Sharian... Even if our time right now is limited for just a few more days... Let just spend it together. I mean, are you busy? Do you still have things to to do while you're here? Anymore talks and questions you have to ask and do with our diplomats and courtiers?"

Sharian was at a pause for a moment pondering and thinking until he replied. "...Now that you mentioned it, I think I'm done and no longer busy for the rest of these four days... I guess tat means you and I get to spend time together." Sharian said with a smile.

>>54087804
You repeated stop and protect.

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It was rare that Erebus, the first Dark Apostle, had a moment of spare time. The galaxy wasn’t going to conquer itself, now, was it? Neither were all those plots against his former mentor plotting themselves, although some of them seemed surprisingly sentient.

But for once, there was nothing demanding his time, so he settled down in his comfy chair (upholstered with the hair of virgins and covered by the fur of a thousand kittens), with a cup of java (squeezed from genuine martian adepts) and a plate of cookies (double chocolate chip) and a little light reading. Lorgar’s latest epistels, funniest thing he had ever read.

Of course, the moment would not last. The screech of the door announced a visitor. “Come on in”, he sighed. “And if this isn’t important, you’ll find yourself in a front row seat at the 5 o’clock sacrifice”, he added under his breath.

The smell of stale blood, scorched ceramite and freshly flayed skin together with unwashed Space Marine entered in front of one of his younger acolytes. He sniffed. They were always so literal.

“Yes?”
>1of?

The Chaos Warrior hesitantly – at least he appreciated the honour of being allowed into Erebus’s inner sanctum – went around the comfy chair and debased himself. With interest, the Dark Apostle noted he was carrying a book in his hand, a thin, cardboard bound volume that looked entirely incongruous and therefore stood out among the usual “needs to be carried by five slaves, with covers of human skin and Space Marine bones, locked with adamantium chains” variety.

“My Lord... I am very, very sorry to disturb you, but the Dark Gods blessed us and our raid on the Wikiworld of the Inquisition was successful. We found a great many valuable and holy books and tomes of old lore... They are being transported to the holy libraries right now.”

Erebus made an impatient sign for him to continue. He had already seen the success of the attack in the currents of the warp, but it never paid to let the subordinates know how much you know. Like, that you already sent a squad of your own to liberate the Necrodaimonicon that the acolyte had ... forgotten to add to the tributes.

“In the deepest vault, hidden among several very early editions of our glorious Primarch’s writing, we also found this.” The acolyte – Erebus still couldn’t remember his name, but didn’t exactly care – dared to look up and raised the small paperback he was clutching. “And I don’t understand why they would do this. As far as I can tell, it is thoroughly unmagical and while heretical from their and our point of view, it hardly belongs among books that can eat a reader’s eyes or see him possessed.”
>2of?>>54134938

Did those stiffnecked Inquisition fools actually have a copy of Lorgar’s misguided first work that they were still following? The Dark Apostle had to admit to a twinge of curiosity and took the offered book, turning it over in his gauntleted hands. It required some care not to rip it to shreds with his gauntlet spikes... but he had been in the unholy secret trade for quite a while and managed.

No, it wasn’t the Lectitio Divinitatis. It was a simple treatise on the Imperial Truth... A propaganda book, the likes of which had been churned out of billions of printing presses in numbers to blot out several suns during the Great Crusade. He felt a faint stir of nostalgia.

What fools those mortals had been... Believing that something going so contrary to human nature would have a chance to stand in the face of the galaxy and its dark wonders. Thoughtfully, he took a sip from his cup, and opened the book. Quickly, he became engrossed in the simple narrative, penned in a dry, austere style that pleasantly stood out from the sort of melodramatic drivel the Dark Gods and their followers seemed to prefer.

“My Lord?” the acolyte squeaked.

“Ah yes.” Erebus straightened, and put down his feet again, since he had used the kneeling chaos space marine as a footrest. “Did you read it?”

“Yes.” There was a note of... apprehension in his voice. So young and naive, to believe there was anything like forbidden knowledge. He’d have to thank the Ecclesiarchy for raising such gullible fools, who even when they finally decided to embrace the Primordial Truth, never managed to shake the reflex of asking permission for everything. It made for great acolytes, and lousy apostles. But Erebus had never believed in raising your own replacement – timidness was something he valued in his subordinates.
>3of?>>54134974

“And what do you think?” How useful for a teacher to ask more questions than you answer. Keeps the young ones from learning too much. Teach them all they know, sure, but never teach them all YOU know.

“It is a stupid and transparent lie. Not even they believed it, because why else would there be an Ecclesiarchy? This was a ploy doomed to fail from the start. And such a fool is now called God Emperor. Supreme irony, my Lord. He’d have to wipe out his own Imperium now, if he wasn’t dead.”

“Indeed.” Erebus stood up and placed the book on his personal shelf. “Why would their Corpse God ever attempt such stupidity? Shows why he will lose in the end.”

“Oh yes. The Gods will not be denied.” The acolyte’s voice rose in a fervent pitch.

Devotion was another valuable trait in Acolytes. So was stupidity. The Dark Apostle bestowed a cursory blessing and allowed his subordinate to crawl from the room. Sometimes, it was the little touches that where the most important to cement one’s position.

Once he was alone again, Erebus settled back into the comfy chair, but he did not go back to the epistles. Their amusement value was momentarily dulled. Instead, he felt unusually thoughtful. Lies. And truth. Two sides of the same coin. Unlike his naive Primarch with his dreams of saving the universe, and those dull acolytes and their base desires, Erebus understood the fragility of those concepts. Reality itself was a lie. Perception shaped it... And with humans as gullible as they were, it was quite easy to shape their perception, and thus their beliefs. He took a cookie and savoured the taste, bitter and sweet at the same time.

He appreciated the scope of his genegrandfather’s failed game. It was almost as grand as the game the Dark Apostle was playing.

>4of5>>54135029

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>Erebus raised his cup in a toast. “Here’s to ambition, oh vaunted Corpse God. Rest easy.” The grin on his face was nothing short of daemonic, as he snuggled back into the fur covers. “Hope your Throne feels as comfortable as mine.”

>>54131916

"Yes lets do it then, let us spend the next four days just being together. As I definitely do not have anything else to do in my schedule. I've already gathered enough historical information, lore, texts and insights from your libraries and archivists that I've used for my reports on this land of your's. But now that I'm done, I can enjoy these last four days... Relaxing with you." Said Sharian with glee as Lady Kisano was glad about that.

Just then there was a tapping that was heard on the door of Sharian's quarters.

"Excuse me, Ambassador Fengolor are you inside???" A voiced asked loudly from outside Sharian's room. It was a Briastrinian guardsman most likely as Sharian communicated to the guardsman outside, telepathically.

*Yes I am here guardsman. What is it you need of me in this early morning?* Asked Sharian in telepathic communication to the Braistrinian Guardsman's head.

*I have someone from the Elven Council wishing to speak with you about our current trip here in Yazaki. It's Councilor Rexus Morvayn. He's in radio contact right now down in the barracks.* The Guardsman replied through telepathy.

>to be cont

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>>54078268
>>54080242
>>54085362
>>54087285
>>54091908
>>54093365
Thanks.

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>>54146331
The story so far.

So, you may or may not know about the Japanese Army Jerkoff material that is GATE, where a portal to a fantasy world just appears in Japan and the Japanese invade and oh look at how glorious they are. But what I'm more interested in is a military group being transported to a fantasy world without a way back (initially at least). But I've been wondering about what the right size is and what should all come with them in terms of equipment.

Also, ofcourse a plotpoint is that they eventually discover that they weren't the only/first to be transported there. I'm also thinking 1950s/1960s tier technology.

>>54152062
My Dearest Isabelle,

After four long months, we finally approached the Crystalline City. I had told you how the other men had doubted the existence of such a place in my previous letter to you, and I must confess, I had begun to question the reality of such a place myself. But here we are, just outside of the monolithic towers that shine in the sunlight. The others are overwhelmed with joy, chipping off parts of the glass like huts that on the outskirts of the city. Our expedition leader assures us that the deeper we travel, the more honor and wealth we will achieve for the kingdom.

And yet, I am left unnerved. The city is beautiful, undoubtably so, but it is also alien and empty. I am left with a deep sadness as I explore barren buildings. What was this place? What stories have been lost to the ravages of time?

I long to be with you again,

Arthur.

>>54155750
If you're talking about military personnel that can actually function as modern military, then you're going to need quite a sizeable force. An ordinary patrol doesn't carry enough ammunition for more than an hour or two in combat, after which they might as well tie pointy things to sticks. Even a chopper group, of the kind seen in Apocalypse Now, wouldn't carry the fuel and ammunition to last more than a few days of sustained combat, and they certainly wouldn't carry the maintainance guys, or enough spare parts, to operate for more than a month.

Your best bet is probably a supply convoy. A few trucks carrying ammunition, spare parts and food. A truck or two carrying infantry. And maybe one tank, an armoured jeep or two and a few motorcycles as an escort. I don't really have enough knowledge about 1960s military operations to give you a real breakdown of the personnel and equipment, this is just a ballpark estimate.

>>54156267
short but sweet. I like it.

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Does anyone have more of this story? I'm pretty sure I remember a much earlier thread having more to this.

>>54143841
*An elven councilor of Chimax, Rexus Morvayn here? In radio contact? Where is he???* Asked Sharian through telepathy.

*He's actually on board his Zeppelin, his about twenty five kilometers from Yazaki, its estimated he and his Zeppelin would arrive here in Yahakanai about five hours. He is in radio contact range and is really eager to know about this place just as much as the top brass... At least thats what he pretty much said when we picked up his transmission.* The Briastrinian Guardsman replied in Sharian's telepathic communication.\

*Hmm, very well. Come inside for awhile guardsmen I have a favor.*

*Yes ambassador sir.*

Sharian looked at Kisano and signalled to her that she should let him go as Sharian also gently touched her shoulder. Kisano understood as she immediately let go of her elven crush just as the Briastrinian Guardsmen slid the sliding door open.

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Vincent had never believed that the giants were real until he found one collapsed upon the road. His village always told legends about how the giants would come and get the bad kids who stayed out when the night came and ate the kids who wandered out alone. Finding one that looked just like a normal girl, only over four times larger than he and in tattered robes, had shattered every superstition he had.

His first concern was to find a way to make her comfortable. Unfortunately, not only was he but a boy incapable of carrying someone so massive, but he had little he could provide for her save a tarp. Worried, Vincent covered her as well as he could with the tarp and then snuck in under the tarp. He spent most of that night sleepless, worried if the tarp was too small or if the giant was alright.

By the time the sun rose again, the giant was startled at the development before her. After all, all she remembered was falling from her home high in the mountains. She was lucky to have survived the fall, but she was lost after that, finding a way out only by luck and collapsing by the side of the road. She only found her savior after checking her impromptu blanket. She would have picked him up, had she not then remembered that she broke her wrist during the fall.

Vincent woke up to the sight of a nervous and visibly wounded giant girl looking right at him. He remembered what he did quickly enough. "Are you...alright?" asked Vincent.
"You..." she breathed out, "you saved me."
Vincent's face reddened at the mention. "Um, yeah. I did. My name's Vincent. Sorry I couldn't do much. I hope you're okay."
The giant was reminded of her hand. "It's okay. I'm Catalia. Um, would you mind if I followed you? My wrist still hurts..."
"Of course! Follow me!"

Vincent was fortunate that he lived alone. He had no parents to scold him, no siblings asking him to help. All he had waiting for him at home was a small farm and several animals for food and grazing.

>>54160300
As soon as Vincent and Catalia returned, he began to look for things to take care of her. He could ultimately do little aside from mending her various hurts. His tarp had to be cut up to bandage her wrist and other scrapes, and her clothes could only be stitched together by very little. Similarly, Vincent had little to provide for his giant houseguest aside from his small collection of farm animals.

"Thank you for doing everything you can, Vincent," Catalia thanked him later that evening. "I know that I'm...probably very different from you, especially because of how big I am, but it means a lot that you're willing to help me."
Vincent's face blushed at the kind words. "It's nothing, really! Y-you're a cute girl, and..." As soon as he saw her giant hands clasping over her mouth had he realized what he ust said. "Oh! Oh, oh gosh! I am so sorry I said that! I don't know what came over me! I swear, I didn't mean to...!"
Catalia giggled weakly. "It's...it's fine. I'm new to this too. Nobody...nobody's ever called me...c-cute."
"L-look..." Vincent's head hung low. "I...I'm not doing this because I have some ulterior motive. I swear." At this point, the giant's bandaged hand wraps itself gently around her savior. "It won't make me feel any less. Now come here, you must be cold siting so far from me." To this, the boy had no way to refuse. "I'm plenty warm, right?"
"Y-yeah." Even though his eyes never looked at her, she could tell he was thankful.

That second night Vincent spent asleep by Catalia's side. Conveniently enough, having a giant as a comforter was a good way to protect him from the wind, though she no longer had anything to act as a blanket. What did cause an issue, though, was the same issue that befell any boy - embarrassment. Ironically, though he had no qualms sleeping beside her while unconscious, willingly falling asleep with such a giant proved to be a whole other feat of bravery for the boy.

>>54161338
There was eventually compromise: both parties seated with their backs against each other. Though Vincent still felt like he could burn up at any second, at least this way he felt like he wouldn't take advantage of anything.

The next morning, Catalia woke up to see Vincent already carrying some vegetables and meat out in a cart.
"Where are you headed, Vincent?" Asked Catalia.
"I have some food here to sell off at a market."
She stretched her hand out, "Maybe I can..."
"No!" He startled both of them with the response. "I-I'm sorry. I...I just can't ask someone who's hurt to help me out with this. Also, you're a giant. People would be scared of you."
"People are scared of us...?" She muttered, "But...I've never seen anyone else before you."
"We can discuss this later, I have to go!" Vincent left before either of them could even say goodbye.

The entire day at the market, Vincent felt incredibly uneasy. His every thought found themselves focused on that giant. He wasn't one to deny his feelings, especially when it was clear she was a nice person. All the same though, he knew so little about her. He knew nothing about giants aside from the superstitions, and he had no idea how long she'd be here. Maybe he'd scare her off before long. But that in itself was an issue - He'd never dealt with girls before. Not like this. He had no siblings, and as soon as he was of age, he dedicated himself to his farm. Everything about Catalia was new to him, and the way he acted only made him feel more conscious about it.
All the while, he took care of business in an automated fashion. He handed out stuff if someone asked, took what was traded, and little else. Some of the older folk in the market had already asked if he had found a girl. The way he was distracted was unique enough for them to guess.

When Vincent returned home, he noticed Catalia sitting, her head in her arms.
"Catalia," he asked, "is something wrong?"
"Vincent... Am I...a nuisance to you?"

>>54160300
>>54161338
>>54161944
Keep going I really like it. Please give it a happy ending.

>>54161944
"A nuisance...? Catalia, what are you talking about?"
"I've been thinking about it all day..." He could hear sniffling. "I know it's not easy taking care of me, and you've been incredibly nice to me despite that. But I can see that I'm making you uncomfortable. If I'm being a problem... I'll just leave..." Catalia finally looked up. It was clear on her face that she was crying. As she stood up, she continued, "I'm really thankful for everything you've done, Vincent. I'll never forget any of it."

Catalia walking away was a sight Vincent never wanted to see. Even in his scrambled thoughts, he realized that he was making a terrible mistake letting her go. It was his fault that she had this misunderstanding to begin with, and letting it continue this far just made him feel even guiltier. In a way, Vincent realized how much of a child the giant made him feel like. Even though he was already an adult with a job and a house, he found himself falling apart at the first sight of a girl he liked. There was no other way to explain it - he liked this oversized girl.

"Catalia!" he called out. "Catalia! Stop! Please, stop!" It was enough for the giant to pause. "Catalia, please. I'm really sorry. I...I don't understand any of this either. All I know is that I don't want you to leave."
"Vincent..."
"Please, don't stop me," ordered the boy. "It's not your fault. It's mine. Ever since I saved you, I've been feeling all sorts of out of whack and I don't know what it all means. I wanna be nice to you and everything, but I don't want to make it insincere. You're a good person, and I don't ever want to do wrong by you!" Vincent then sputtered a bit before confessing, "I...I'm sorry, I have no idea what else I should say."
"Vincent, you don't need to say anything." She turned around, her crying face now smiling. "I can already tell your feelings from right here!"

>tbc tomorrow, if this holds.

>>54159960

The thin sliding door slid open and in came the Briastrinian Guardsman. Sharian stepped into the room from the balcony to approach the guardsman. Kisano could see the Briastrinian, dressed in his olive drab olive drab service uniform, being taller than an average Yazaki male, pale and fairer skin complexion and the man's blue eyes and visible blonde hair despite him wearing a combat helmet. The Briastrinian saluted to ambassador Sharian and quickly placed his arm back to his side as Kisano also decided to walk back inside the room and simply looked on and watched Sharian and the Briastrinian converse.

"Guardsman do you see that package there, on my desk?" Sharian said as he pointed to it.

"Yes ambassador sir, what of it?"

"I want you to take a fellow diplomat, Shihon Wynro. Since he is an elf who also works in the elven chancellery back at Chimax, I believe he's the best elf within our company to hold onto those documents. Which are my reports and findings of this land that the Top Brass would like to review. And of course, do not loose them guardsman. Or else you could face serious consequences and I'll have to write those all over again."

"Yes sir." The Briastrinian Guardsman said as he gave another quick salute to Sharian and proceeded to grab hold of the package, which is ambassador Sharian Fengolor's report and findings about their current diplomatic trip to the land of Yazaki.

"I'll be on my way downstairs to speak to Councilor Morvayn in a while, me and Lady Kisano here just have some matters to discuss." Said Sharian.

"Copy that sir. Councilman Rexus Morvayn's still on his way here to Yahakanai through his zeppelin. And his still waitin' for you via radio." As the guardsman got the package with it being held on his side. The Briastrinian glanced to Lady Kisano in the room and simply gave a nod and said, "Mam." Then proceeded to walk out of the room with Sharian Fengolor's reports and documentation.

>>54163200

"Duty calls my dear?" Lady Kisano asked sheepishly.

"Yes, but i swear it should just be for a while. And it seems the Top Brass this invested on a newly discovered land very much."

"And what is to be expected when this Councilor Morvayn of your's arrives in his 'Zeppelin?'"

"I am not eniterly sure my dear Kisano. But surely he is simply curious and wants to have a first look into your country which is newly discovered for us."

"And it looks like my people and my brother's going to be expecting more visitors then." Kisano said with a smile and deceptively closed eyes.

"Likely for a short while as we'll likely be leaving together after four days. And at the very least it would mean someone of the Cedna Accord's Top Brass now gets to see my reports first."

Lady Kisano now looked worried as she looked slightly down. “I guess it is back to work for you then? So much for our time together in your last few days here before you leave…”

Sharain got closer again to Kisano and motioned her head to face upwards to him. “Now don’t say that my dear Kisano. Sure I’ll be speaking with a councilman of Chimax in a while, meet him up, have further talks and discussions with him. But you and I? We’ll still have our time together, even if it means late at night.” Sharian said with a smile as a sign of assurance to her.

“You promise?”

“Yes, and I’ll make sure of it. Just for you.” Sharian said as he lightly touched Kisano’s left cheek and gave a peck on her other cheek. “…Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a job to do. See you later, perhaps tonight.”

“Hehehehe, very well then see you tonight. And like you and some of those Briastrinians say; ‘Pinky Swear?’” She lifted her hand and pointed up her pinky finger.

“Ahehehe, yes-yes. I promise my dear. We’ll have a lovely night together. Lovely last three nights together.”

>>54165842
And then Sharian patted Kisano’s cheek and walked out of the room, most likely to where his compatriots and fellow Cedna Accord officials where. And so Kisano also decided to walk out and attend to her own duties as well. While also wondering what is to come with her limited time with Sharian till he leaves and if they’d both see each other again another time.

>End

###

Finally got it done. Welp that's that for this week and surely Chronicler would be glad to know the storythreads are not truly dead.

>>54162260
"Please forgive me if I screw something else up ," was all he could say, his face now hidden by his hat.

The next day, Vincent was free again. The night was spent with him thinking over everything again, trying to find anything at all to help voice his feelings. Even after everything that happened yesterday, he had no luck. Instead, all he asked of Catalia was if she was willing to walk a bit. She obliged and thus they walked across the fields, Vincent would have wanted to spend this time walking alongside her, possibly even holding her finger with his tiny hands, but instead he found himself carried in her arms, cradled like...well, he had no other way to express it, he felt like a baby.

The whole time, the giant talked all about how she lived, how she spent each day hunting in the forest and how she never really knew there were people in that same forest until she met Vincent. As it was, she was as inexperienced about dealing with people of the opposite gender as he was, it's just that she never had to worry about appearances or what anyone thought. Compared to her rescuer, she felt a lot freer.

It was early in the evening when they decided to turn back.
"Catalia?"
"Yes?"
Vincent ordered, "Please, set me down."
"Eh? Why?"
"Please." The giant eventually acquiesced, but she was just as perplexed. "Catalia, I want to promise you something."
"Vincent?"
"Catalia..." It took a while for the boy to gather his thoughts, all the while repeatedly repeating the giant's name like some sort of prayer. "Catalia, I promise... I promise I'm gonna be a man!" Despite the declaration, all that he was met by was a curious glance. "I... I thought that I was already an adult, but when I'm with you, it feels like I've never grown up at all..."
"I'm sorry, Vincent! I didn't know you were feeling like that!" It was now Catalia's turn to curl up into a ball. "Oh gosh, I didn't meant to treat you like that, honest!"

>>54166846
"It's not your fault," consoled Vincent. "I've been really immature about this as well. I've never really talked to a girl like this. I know you're not much different, but... The thing is, I really want you to see me as someone special. I don't know why, but you being here means a lot more to me than you know."
"I'm glad!" The concern on Catalia's face vanished. "You're really special to me too!"
"What I mean is..." His face reddened up a bit just remembering. "Wh-when I called you cute... I was serious. You're really cute, super cute. You deserve someone really great. When I become a man, a real man...I'd be really happy if you'd become my woman."

Catalia suddenly became a lot more conscious of everything in that moment. She was being confessed to by this boy. They liked each other. Her, a giant, and him, a boy.
"Are you serious?" She asked. He nodded. "But...I'm so much bigger than you. I can't make you happy like this."
"I don't care! I already know you're a giant! I already know I can't make you nice clothes and I can't take care of you like another giant would. But a man doesn't care about that! As a man, I'll make sure you're happy no matter what!"
"Even though I might hurt you? I'm really strong you know."
Vincent grabbed one of her hands, wrapping it in a hug. "You've been nothing but kind to me this entire time. To be honest, I've been more worried about hurting you this entire time. I've already been taking care of you this whole time, so I don't want to trouble you any more."
"Vincent, I'm...feeling really weird right now. I'm really happy, but I still feel so strange right here..." Her free hand moved closer to her heart.
Vincent smiled. "I'm glad. I...I love you too." He pulled on her hand, drawing her closer. Once her head reached level with his, he grabbed her face by the cheeks and pushed their lips together. His eyes were shut tighter than anything as he kissed this giant girl.

>>54168803
Love. Was this perhaps the feeling that she had? Even as she heard this boy spill his feelings out, she felt her heart thumping. As he drew her face closer, her heart was getting faster. By the time they kissed, her heart was not so much beating as it was galloping full pelt. She couldn't make sense of any of it and that frightened her, but then Vincent pulled her head down to his chest. She felt a thumping noise that felt familiar - his heart was beating just as fast!

Eventually, Vincent let go. Catalia raised her head high with a very flustered smile on her face.
"Are you okay?" He asked first.
She giggled. "Yep. You're a man, alright." The response caught Vincent off-guard. "Your heart's just like mine. It's really big enough to wrap me in your feelings, and it beats just as fast as mine. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. You're an adult to me." The fact that he turned away was enough to tell her how he felt. She came a little closer to his level. "Thank you." She kissed his head again before coming back up.
"Jeez..." Vincent was already deflating. "I'm supposed to be the one taking the lead here."
"Then if I asked you to kiss me again, would you?"
It felt like she was teasing him now. "Th-that doesn't change a thing..."
"How about this: Can I please kiss you again?"
"F-Fine!" He stopped and about-faced himself right into the giant's face. Somehow this second kiss felt more awkward than the first, perhaps the result of Vincent's loss of composure. Once they parted again, Vincent marched straight back home. Catalia followed, singing the whole way back.

Vincent was about to go to sleep when he found Catalia waiting outside his window.
"What is it now?" He asked, still grumpy.
"I'm just looking forward to the time we're going to spend together!" Before he could protest again, she kissed him. He merely turned away, muttering about unfair things.

He still had a long way to go before he became a man. At least now he knew she was waiting for him.

>>54170287
That was motivation enough for Vincent to start changing himself.

From that chance meeting, he resolved to be a man for the giant who loved him. Together, they'd build a bigger farm that could serve as a home for the both of them to live in. He began learning more about farming so he could afford more animals and plants. He then began hiring more people to help him manage his farm, and from there he began a business. With this extra capital he'd be able to provide more for Catalia, from new clothes and, eventually, a ring just her size.

Once Vincent felt like he finally became a man years later, he decided that he would take the giant Catalia as his wife. She could never refuse.

>END

Do you accept requests? I had an Idea for a story that would bring old /tg/ characters into 8th Edition, but I'm a shitty writer and don't want to fuck up.

>>54146331
And just when I thought I was done, something like this shows up...

>>54097629
It had been months since Shelby Stubbes became the crack nail stylist at Nita's Salon. The Witness Protection act the Harriet Agency had enacted for her safety was eventually recalled, and even after that, no vengeful pursuers had come to confront her over that silly wish from so long ago.

Truth be told, after all that happened, she found herself understanding what that detective said when she said that the calm periods were probably the most interesting times in Gainesborough. Without some sort of great crisis abound, the various communities of men and monsters had something to talk about, and the lines began drawing themselves in ways slightly different than before. Communities were brought together in the wake of some disaster, divided by some need to place blame, changed by a revelation, and all sorts. All the while, Shelby listened and observed. Funnily, despite being the cause of all this, she couldn't help but feel entirely detached from it all. After all, she knew someone told her to do it, and that someone had since vanished without a trace. She was just led to this path, and she had made her restitution by working here.

It was just another day working at the salon when Shelby came across a familiar figure. Even though she couldn't place her finger on it, she knew she recognized that red streak of hair on black from somewhere.

"Hi there? Been here before?" Welcomes Shelby as she begins gathering her things. "My name's Shelby, and despite my appearance, I can guarantee that I am the best person to do your nails guaranteed!"

"Don't bother yourself. I'm looking for something simple." Something in this guest's voice sounds restrained, as if they were holding something back. "Just want something Orange and Purple."

"Anything in particular?" The client didn't respond. "Do you mind at least telling me how you wanted this done?"

"Impress me," was all the guest said.

>>54178658
With such vague instructions, Shelby had every reason to feel uneasy. Eventually, she managed to put together a half-and-half design using the colors, but the familiarity just made her feel uneasy.

Shelby makes sure, "Hey, are you sure you're okay with this?"

The guest remains as unsocial as always. "I don't care. As long as it looks fine."

"Well...alrighty then..." Shelby begins again with her painting swings, splattering orange pigment across nails. "Say, are you sure we've never met before? Because I swore we might have."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, I once knew this person. She was never really one to say what they really meant, so they always said the opposite of it." She regales, "We'd met out of coincidence, really. She was an ambassador from the world beyond this little island I was from, and we didn't know much about them. When I heard that we were scorned by the world at large I was...well, I was upset. I was raised on tales on how our people were great heroes who helped save the world ages ago and all that."

The guest scoffs. "Some fool to buy into that."

Shelby weakly laughs. "Yeah, I guess I was. As soon as we arrived in Gainesborough, my first plan was to find something that would make me powerful. We did some jobs here and there, saved some farmers from predatory beasts and the like. Didn't really do much for us besides get us hurt." Shelby pauses to take a look at the color, a burnt orange. "Sorry if I'm prattling on. It's a long story, I know." It was at this time that she finally caught sight of the eyes of her client - ruby red, but they felt anything but intimidating despite their looks.

The client turns their head away. "Just get on with it."

"Right." Shelby switches brushes, now going for a plum shade similar to her hair. "So, we learn about this magical mace, supposedly able to grant any wish we want. We find it, and I decided to wish to become big and powerful. It worked...and caused some other problems."

>>54179453
"Now, before I go on, I'm assuming you've heard about the Harriet Agency, right?"

The client's face remained turned away. "What about 'em?"

Shelby's next move is to swing wildly again, covering half of each nail in that purple color. "Well, I met miss Raina, you know! She's actually a lot nicer than everyone says! It's just that she's a bit weird in how she cares for things. After we talked, she explained that I had made some misunderstandings and I was being lied to by a troublemaker. Turns out we were actually heroes to some folk here!"

"Sounds fun, huh?"

"You'd think that, but..." She lowers her brush. "I'm still worried about my friend. Sure, she lied to me just to cause some mayhem, but she's the first friend I ever made. I'd feel terrible knowing that I turned someone away like that while I got to live like this." She finishes her last few strokes in relative silence, trying to understand this client's face. For once, the client's emotions were clear. This one was...nervous. "Are you alright?" She asks.

The client jerks their hands back. "Course I'm fine!"

Shelby chuckles. "You know, my friend said the same thing. She's really stubborn about things once she has an idea. If I ever see her again, maybe I should thank her for leading me here. Even if it didn't work out the way we thought it would, I still got to be someone really special. And also, I'd forgive her. It's the only thing I can do after so long. I'm sure she's just as worried about it too."

And like that, Shelby found yet another familiar thing. She saw an expression that looked like they had been hurt before. Those red eyes looked solemn now, and hands felt shaky.

"You idiot." The client's head finally descended forward, giving Shelby a clearer view, if not by much. On the top of this guest's head were small stubs of horns - and those were uncommon, even for a place with monsters. Shelby found herself unable to turn around with that massive face in the way.

>>54180137
"I'm...not sorry," she heard a whisper before she felt lips upon her hair. Shocked and embarrassed, Shelby hid her face with her teacup hat.

"Oh gosh...!" She could finally mutter. "I...Inverse...? Is that you?"

The guest never humored Shelby as they immediately left to pay the bill. "I'm not that demon. Never was."

The diminutive stylist sat upon her desk, trying to process what just happened. That was the Inverse Demon, the one who told her all those stories. The one who set her up with that mace. The one that butler Raina knew supposedly disciplined. To think that she was waiting all this time just to say sorry made the princess blush even more visibly.

"Shelby!" Her boss shouts over the reverie. "Hey! You got another client!"

"Oh? Um, right! I can take another one!" As she gathers her stuff, she affirms some things to herself. "Alright. That's the last of my problems, so now I've got nothing to hold back for. I'm free to be the most me I can be now!" Another guest comes by, this one a new schoolteacher. As the new client sits down, Shelby shouts at the top of her tiny lungs, "Hi! My name's Shelby Stubbes and I'm gonna make your nails look great!"

>END

Can anyone recommend novels that focus on themes about group dynamics? The only books that come to mind are those Animorphs books I read a decade ago.

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>>54181312
Off the top of my head, maybe try Terry Pratchett's books about the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. It doesn't exactly focus on group dynamics like Animorphs does, but you still get that interplay between characters.

Also, maybe the Gaunt's Ghosts novels (they're set in the Warhammer 40k universe). There isn't the close focus on a couple of characters that animorphs has, but it handles the relationships of a large cast of characters better than any series I've ever seen.

>>54177283
>Do you accept requests?
We accept just about anything here. We're really not picky.

Say what your idea is and we'll see if anyone picks it up. This thread is coming to an end, but there'll be another one up tomorrow so you might want to post then.

>>54097438
Thanks dude.

By the way, for the people wondering when the wiki is going to get updated - I've been really ill for the past week so I haven't been paying as much attention to the thread as I usually do. Nice to see everything ticking along smoothly without me though.

I'll get onto updating the wiki page once I've capped the stories from this thread.

>>54182506
Nice to know that Chronicler. Also just wana inform and clarify you that this here be my story for this week's thread:

>>53996852
>>53996858
>>53996892
>>53996917
>>53996921
>>53997045
>>54013241
>>54013412
>>54029980
>>54030189
>>54046769
>>54066213
>>54084649
>>54098918
>>54114734
>>54127802
>>54131916
>>54143841
>>54159960
>>54163200
>>54165842
>>54165856
And the pic that I used to make this story is the same human femalexmale elf pic you qouted to make a story yourself too last thread: >>53978041

Ignore these though:

>>53978041
>>53978046
>>53978161
>>53979310
>>53994009

Just use the OTHER above qoutes I qouted at the most top. Thank you.

>>54183981
sure, no problem