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ZodanTheUnbounceable from Everywhere, Nowhere, Somewhere Since: Jul, 2013 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#3451: Jul 6th 2024 at 8:01:30 PM

Szklana Góra Inn (K Squad)

Bardock barely stirs as Hinata addresses him. He's asleep, though he doesn't seem injured or anything.

"He was renting a small house in town, for a place to stay and study. Good idea, Chief."

"Right, lead the way, Tights."

Tights starts leading the group down the street, talking over her shoulder.

"I put Okuu in charge of cleaning before I left last time, so it should be-"

Szklana Góra Inn —> Stein's Study

   "-a total mess."   

"Okuuuuu!"

Tights practically looks like she's about to explode. The small house she's led them into didn't look very noteworthy on the outside, but the inside looks like a hurricane had been localized exclusively inside a library. Books and papers are strewn about haphazardly over the single desk in the corner, the chair in front of it, the bed, and somehow even the rafters holding the ceiling up.

   "I lived in a crashed boat and this is horrific to me."   

There are piles of letters and research notes on the desk, and a bag of notebooks that of course compliments Tights's outfit perfectly. The presence of a mess of black feathers amidst the absolute mayhem that is this room indicates that this was somehow Okuu's idea of "tidying up."

"I'll ,uh...start in this corner..."

Szklana Góra —> Fortune Teller's Tent (The Fortune 500)

"C.C. and Meta Knight look like they've got whatever that is covered. In the meantime, let's see about getting our fortunes-oof!"

Having been looking over her shoulder at Hinata, Nia and Pyra, Milly was not at all looking when she walked headfirst into someone and fell flat on her rear end.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I wasn't...I...oh."

Milly had specifically walked straight into a tall, horned, blue-skinned demon with large wings, standing arms-folded in front of an ornate tent.

"Looking for Fortuneteller Baba, are we?"

The girl from the sky stands up, dusting herself off.

"Uh...y-yes!"

"Fortunately, we're having a sale. One at a time, please, go on in."

He steps aside, leaving them free to walk into the dark entrance of the tent, where an old woman waits seated on a crystal ball.

This post is sponsored by Amalgam Comics.
LizardOfAus (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#3452: Jul 10th 2024 at 2:33:31 AM

Leo and the Jester

"Okay, uh, I do not like the sound of that! What did they do?!"

"Friends of yours?" asked Krasicki with a cocked eyebrow and a smirk. "Sounds like they have as much talent for stealthy intrusion as yourself." The jester pushed the door open and slipped halfway through. "Shall we investigate? Could be quite the entertaining show."

And a Strange Figure Emerges.
G2BattleConvoy The Hope, The Hero from Installation 07 Since: Mar, 2017 Relationship Status: What is this thing you call love?
The Hope, The Hero
#3453: Jul 10th 2024 at 1:09:53 PM

Szklana Gora - Stein's Study: This Would Disappoint Catherine (Master Chief and Cortana)

"Yeesh, can you even call this cleaning? I think Oku mihgt have made this worse."

(Chief, fully helmeted again, nods to Sage before slowly reorganising one of the piles of letters into decently-sized stacks, thinking that Stein had to have mentioned K's name on them. Of course, that depends if all of them were even opened to begin with.)

"Stein had to have a letter with K's name on it. That's our next big clue."

"You're telling us, big guy. Hey, Tights, how often do you leave Okuu, uhm, unsupervised?"


Sawwar - Palace Side Chamber (Jason, Eve and Fred)

Jason and Eve both share looks while Lord Kiel mentions the Crown Prince's disownment. A castle disappearing like that is also concerning. The Blaster Master steps closer, placing a hand on the pommel of his belted sword. "You don't know what happened? I mean, if the King was forced to disown him, it must be pretty serious."

"And the King never told you?"

"Ribbit."

"You're right, Fred, something's fishy about that."

"We all fail. We all make mistakes. That is what makes us human."
kagescorpionakki Breath of the Sun from Long Ago Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Breath of the Sun
#3454: Jul 10th 2024 at 1:41:09 PM

Sawwar, Throne Room —> Side Chamber

Letting her wings fade, Stocking followed after Kiel, casting only a passing glance towards the doors where some of the others had run out.

Kiel informed them of the missing queen, and at that Stocking had to hide a snort. Of course the queen had run away. Noblemen, she'd found, were very bad at keeping their wives happy.

There was supposedly more to it than mere marital problems, something to do with the crown prince and a vanishing castle, but she wouldn't be surprised if it had started with the king doing something to upset her.

"I'm very good at talking to ladies, so I'm sure I can convince her to come back and try to work things out." By 'talking to' she of course meant seducing, but they didn't need to know that. "I'm assuming we should find the crown prince, as well, and clear up whatever got him disowned, since that seems to have been what made her leave."

What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?
Dezmo Since: Jan, 2011
#3455: Jul 12th 2024 at 11:32:24 AM

Rayman-Szklana Góra

Rayman stuck around for dinner (and wow, food was amazing! He had especially been taken with a dessert made from this tasty fruit called a 'plum') before heading back up the mountain to report what he'd learned to Polokus, Kami and the King. They'd been pleased to hear that Marno was actually friendly, though another problem quickly arose. The Teensies who'd gone into town before him had never come back, and were currently MIA.

After a nice night's sleep (Polokus had insisted, claiming that proper sleep was important for a growing boy), Rayman was sent back into town to look for the errant Teensies.

He'd asked around at the market, and people HAD in fact seen the missing Teensies, but no one could tell him where they'd gone. Rayman was really worried for the little guys.  What if they'd actually been kidnapped? Who would do that such cute little guys like them?

He was walking down the street, considering where he should look next, when a flash of a familiar shade of purple registered out of the corner of his eyes. He quickly turned his head to see one of the tavern patrons from last night holding the crown the Teensie's King had been wearing!  What luck!

(Polokus had shown him what the missing king had looked like through visions in his bubbles. The Teensie's assembled ontop of the mountain all looked pretty similar to one another, so that crown was really the only visual flair that helped the king stand out.).

Running over to the round knight in the mask and his green haired companion, Rayman spoke up. "That's the crown of the Teensie King!...But there's no Teensie King to go with it," he said with a frown. "Excuse me, friend knight, but where did you find this crown? I've been looking all over for the Teensie who's supposed to be wearing it and the other Teensie's with him."

Spyro and Sparx-Sawwar Palace

Yeah, Spyro wasn't going to mention that the Genie's enchantments were in no way infallible, given that he, Jake, Ilulu and Lucoa had totally gotten past them into town and then the palace. Maybe that was the point though. This Genie lady could totally be like Lucoa, one of those coy mentor types who says she does one thing but secretly is manipulating things the other way for a more positive outcome.

Spyro's hoping that's the case. She's been cool so far in helping them find Ilulu, anyways.
"Thanks for the help, ma'am," he says, thanking the Genie. ''And hey, once we make sure our friend is okay, we'll see what we can do to ease tensions around here, get people to settle down about dragons. The King's got some sort of trouble we can probably help with, but first thing's first, y'know?

Turning to Amy, he says. "If we can manage to get close enough to wherever Ilulu's hiding, I should be able to track her down her exact location by scent. That's how I found her the first time, after all. Course, that still means we've gotta search through town."

LilyTheLitten Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️ from The Investigation Institute Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️
#3456: Jul 12th 2024 at 11:45:26 AM

Leo (The Palace)

"Yeah! Yep! Probably a good idea! Let's go!" Leo poked his head out the door to make sure the guards had left the hallway, then dashed out to follow after them.

"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."
darksidevoid Anti-Gnosis Weapon from The Frontiers (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: Robosexual
Anti-Gnosis Weapon
#3457: Jul 14th 2024 at 7:02:05 AM

Team A

Szklana Góra, Street

"I just watched him pick it up from where it was lying on the middle of the street," C.C. explained for the limbless goober's benefit. "Your name was... Rayman, right? I'm C.C., an adventurer, and this is Meta Knight, a questant in search of a stolen, sacred artifact called the Star Rod. We're both traveling with Sagi, Marno, and Milly, those folks you were talking to last night." The verdant-haired woman extended a hand for a shake with the short guy who had only hands and feet rather than arms and legs.

"But Teensies, huh?" she mused afterward, putting a hand to her chin. "Hmmm... it's been a while, but I think I remember what they look like. Funny little fellows, they are. They don't really have a proper King that I recall; they just swap the crown around to whoever's convenient for taking responsibility — or blame, I suppose. I'll tell you what, Rayman: I'm going to what's supposedly a reputable fortune-teller anyway, so if you come with, we can ask her about locating the Teensies you're looking for together. How does that sound?"

GM: AGOG S4 & F/WC RP; Co-GM: TABA, SOTR, UUA RP; Sub-GM: TTS RP. I have brought peace, freedom, justice, and security to my new Empire.
Bored_Man Since: Jun, 2015 Relationship Status: Abstaining
#3458: Jul 14th 2024 at 2:46:33 PM

Szklana Gora - Stein's Study

As someone who wasn't all that fussed about keeping his living quarters organized, preferring to just remember where he placed things and retrieving them later, Banjo was nonetheless appalled by the state of the study he was looking at, with his jaw dropping at just how much of a disaster area it was. Kazooie was similarly staring at it as if she'd seen a train wreck right in front of her eyes.

"For Pete's sake, Grunty kept her room cleaner than this!" The bird shouted, spreading her wings and throwing them up in much the same way as a human would. Still, complaining wasn't going to get them any results, so Banjo tiptoed through the mess to try and find something - anything - useful in all of this mess.

Sawwar Palace

"That's about what I figured. I can't exactly go running full speed outside, so this might take a while...but we're not going to find her standing around here, now are we?" Amy said, and after giving each of her search party members a look, she began walking ever so casually towards the door they'd all come in from, all while trying to piece together a plan to find their lost dragon that wouldn't see all of them kicked out of the city or thrown in prison.

Proud member of the AGOG community.
MinecraftFan11 Arty the Crossover Lunatic from My Insane Imagination Since: Dec, 2016 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Arty the Crossover Lunatic
#3459: Jul 14th 2024 at 9:49:52 PM

Sawwar Palace's Side Chamber (NiGHTS)

To be frank, "Nyx" got too upset, and was too uninterested in the reasons for why everything leading up to this mess happened to give a darn.

While Kiel explained what happened to the King's family, the (now almost barely disguised) jester just kept on wearing a pout on her face, not even offering a sympathetic look (granted, marriage and having children was still a mostly foreign concept from their view).

"Not interested!" NiGHTS abruptly shouted, turning their back specifically to Kiel, and quickly shifting back to her true form in a finger snap, flying off to another part of the palace. Any part, really. NiGHTS was indirectly telling allies and Kiel alike, that the jester would not care anymore about the diplomacy situation.

"Should've remembered: rulers don't care about anyone beneath them." There was one last quip. One that was pretty cold, and bitter.

Szklana Góra's Streets (Meta Knight)

He was just about to open his mouth to answer C.C's question... until she and the newcomer with no limbs, essentially clarified the whole situation together.

"So, this is a genuine crown." Meta Knight concluded with ease. He made sure to emphasize the "genuine" part. He was quick to toss it for Rayman to catch. Whether or not that worked on Rayman's behalf, he'd add up to the introduction with quite a bit of ham.

Ham delivered seriously, but still...

"I live in and traveled from Dream Land, where the Star Rod belongs. It brings good dreams for its people and prevents restless dreams and nightmares from ruling our sleep. Unlike the first time that it has been stolen, we have no idea who took it. I took upon to explore the world far and wide to find it, while my allies back in Dream Land keep it as stable as safe as they can."

Come with me, and we will fly, to a Castle in the Sky...
ZodanTheUnbounceable from Everywhere, Nowhere, Somewhere Since: Jul, 2013 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#3460: Jul 21st 2024 at 5:56:39 PM

Szklana Gora - Stein's Study

   "I am so glad I don't have a body to trip over anything with right now."   

"Does the ghost ever shut up?"

The letters Chief is organizing have all been opened, revealing that something is a little wrong with them.

"Oh hey!"

Tights holds up a decent-sized bottle, its liquid contents mostly emptied out.

"Knew I left my moisturizer somewhere...around...oops."

"...I'll look for a towel."

It seems that Tights left an open bottle of liquid moisturizer on the desk, which had accidentally spilled over the letters and blurred large sections of text on each.

   "...The God of Luck is laughing at us right now."   

One letter is addressed to "MARTIN SSSTEIN" from "KL"...before the liquid damage renders the name illegible.

DEAR MARTIN,

YOUR HYPOTHESSSSISSSS HASSS POTENTIAL, BUT-

Smudge

-WORRIED ABOUT POTENTIAL SSSSIDE EFFECTSSSS FROM YOUR SSSSOURCE OF-

Stain

-IF YOU WANT TO TESSSST IN A CONTROLLED SSSSPACE, YOU ARE WELCOME IN MY SSSSSECRET LAB LOCATED IN-

Massive Water Damage

-JUST OUTSSSSIDE SSSSZKLANA GORA. I HAVE THE HONOR TO BE YOUR OBEDIENT SSSSSERVANT,

KL-

Sawwar (Marketplace)

Elsewhere, Lucoa and Shouta are still shopping when the ex-goddess looks up at the sun.

"...Huh."

"Is something wrong, Lucoa?"

"...Not like that girl to be late...should be here by now. Her new buddies are gonna need the help, that's for sure."

"...What are you-?"

"Nah, never mind all that, kiddo! C'mon, let's check out those shops over there!"

Edited by ZodanTheUnbounceable on Jul 21st 2024 at 11:21:02 AM

This post is sponsored by Amalgam Comics.
Scipion3 Joueur du Grenier from The Attic Since: May, 2018 Relationship Status: Healthy, deeply-felt respect for this here Shotgun
Joueur du Grenier
#3461: Jul 22nd 2024 at 4:02:07 AM

Sawaar, marketplace

A bit further into the marketplace, Lucoa and Shouta would eventually stumble across a certain person who also seemed to also looking for someone.

She was a tall, beautiful woman with crimson hair dressed in gold and red. She also had four draconic horns on her head and even her clothes seemed to hint at her true nature. Of course, she appeared completely normal to the common people. That wasn't the first time she visited a mortal city incognito. That was even more true for a city she never visited, and even more for one hostile to dragonkind.

Though with the draconic, life essence flowing from her that Lucoa could detect, and seeing how some plants nearby looked more healthy by her very presence, it made it clear who it was.

Alexstrasza. Aspect of Life.

As she was continuing her search, she couldn't help but briefly reminisce about what drove her here in the first place.

Neltharion. Once a fellow Aspect, until his betrayal, corrupted by dark powers that did not belong in this world. They had changed him, his size growing bigger, his blood melting, his eyes distorted by a burning hatred.

   "Look upon me, Life-Binder, and see Death incarnate. You have only delayed the inevitable. This world will burn beneath the shadows of my wings."    he had promised her and her fellow Aspects at the war's end before flying away, never to return.

A bitter promise, from millennia ago, but Alexstrasza knew better. She knew he meant it.

Even after thousands of years, her flight remained weakened, and fragile. But they had recovered their strength enough to start watching over the mortal world again. Recently, they had received troubling news. There was some unrest among dragonkind while the five flights were at war. Mainly, the appearance of extremists on the Chaos side.

It had been years since she had been in contact with a Chaos dragon, but she knew their kind. Though neutral in the conflict between them and the Harmony Dragons, she had worked harder than any other Aspects to find common ground and hopefully make peace between the two factions. True, she did not share Lord Damoclès and his subjects' views over humanity, despite cases of red dragons suffering at their hands, but that didn't stop the Dragonqueen from having relatively respectful relationships with them.

Of course, Neltharion's betrayal put a stop to these interventions. Worse, some members of her flight raised concerns about Deathwing's possible involvement in the rise of those extremists. The Aspect of Death has caused a lot of destruction, so it was possible they were just paranoid, but he had proven himself hard to predict. Whatever was the truth, she didn't intend to let the situation escalate. The impromptu visit of Lucoa into the Ruby Lifeshrine, asking for her direct aid about a Chaos whelpling only convinced Alexstrasza. She knew of her, even when she was still a deity. Lucoa had already some adventurers on that path, but they still could use some help.

But she still had to fly in order to even find and reach Sawaar, a distant city she never visited yet. And it's not like she could ask help from Malygos's portals or Nozdormu's time powers, the former had grown far more reclusive than any others after the wars and the latter was unfortunately busy with the timeways.

Well, at the very least, she was here, having first landed on the outskirts of the city before entering in her visage form for obvious reasons. And Alexstrasza eventually spotted Lucoa alongside the mage alongside her.

"Ah, Lucoa. It is good to see you again, old friend. I apologize for my late arrival." she said, approaching the duo with a warm smile.

Edited by Scipion3 on Jul 22nd 2024 at 3:57:19 PM

AND I'VE STILL BLOCKED OFF MY BALL!! FUCK!!
ZodanTheUnbounceable from Everywhere, Nowhere, Somewhere Since: Jul, 2013 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#3462: Jul 24th 2024 at 7:10:33 PM

Sawwar Marketplace (Quetzalcoatl)

"Alex, girl, you made it!"

Lucoa practically hugs her fellow ex-deity, leaving a very confused Shouta to look on in bewilderment.

"How many friends does she have...?"

Lucoa lets go, looking Alexstrasza up and down.

"Lookin' good, centuries have been kind. You moisturizing, too? Does wonders for the feathers...well, scales for you, I guess. So, the reason I hit you up. There's an adventuring party in town - y'know the type. 'Ragtag buncha misfits out to save the kingdom with magic and determination, all that stuff. Just had my pal Yuugi - I mighta told you about her, drinking buddy of mine, real nice - head out with 'em but...well, things might get complicated. This city's pretty dragon-phobic and they've got a Chaos Dragon with 'em named 'Ilulu.' Girl's got a reputation, she's an extremist, even I'd heard of her - mean streak a mile long and a battle count even longer. She jumped a friend of mine a few weeks ago, y'know Tohru? From the Chaos Faction? Damocles's daughter?"

She idly hands the young boy a bag of coins, who proceeds to venture off to a nearby stall selling spell ingredients.

"Aaaaaaaaanyways, Tohru's got a life as a maid now, Ilulu took issue with it and tried to beat up Tohru. Big mistake, every dragon on Foteinigi knows that girl's a one-dragon apocalypse if you tick her off. Ilulu disappeared somewhere, now Damocles is out for blood since a Chaos Dragon extremist attacked his daughter, and Telne from the Harmony Faction's up in arms 'cuz a Chaos Dragon picked a fight on neutral turf. So I proposed a compromise - send this young dragon named Spyro - good kid, he's adorable, the 'pinchable face' kind - to look for Ilulu. Best I can tell, he found her, they're traveling with this group I mentioned and she's turning over a new leaf with 'em...buuuuuuuuut I've got a bad feeling. Last I saw of 'em, they were headed to the palace and I just felt some obvious dragon magic from inside. Portal spell, definitely. Short range, so she should be somewhere in the city still."

Lucoa pauses, looking Alex up and down again.

"...Love the outfit, by the way."

Edited by ZodanTheUnbounceable on Jul 24th 2024 at 10:11:46 AM

This post is sponsored by Amalgam Comics.
Bored_Man Since: Jun, 2015 Relationship Status: Abstaining
#3463: Jul 25th 2024 at 4:43:07 AM

Szklana Gora - Stein's Study

Moving to take a look at the letters that had been unearthed, Banjo and Kazooie both take notice of the letter to Martin Stein, and they noticeably pause before sharing a look with one another.

"You don't think...?" Banjo started, scratching his chin.

"Do you know anyone else who talks like... okay, we do, but he's the only one with half a brain kicking around in there." Kazooie replied, correcting herself midway since people talking all snake-like wasn't exactly unique.

"Grunty is not going to be happy if she finds out..." Banjo said, looking at his backpack behind him.

   "If I find out what?"    The backpack, or rather its occupant, replied in a testy tone.

"D'oh!" Banjo responded, smacking his forehead with his palm for his slip-up.

Proud member of the AGOG community.
Scipion3 Joueur du Grenier from The Attic Since: May, 2018 Relationship Status: Healthy, deeply-felt respect for this here Shotgun
Joueur du Grenier
#3464: Jul 28th 2024 at 9:20:48 AM

Sawwar Marketplace

Though she was slightly taken aback by Lucoa practically hugging her, Alexstrasza didn't lose an ounce of her warm smile. She put a hand on her hips, listening attentively.

She hasn't heard of this "Ilulu" before thanks to the previous wars and the recovery she had to deal with on her own. But she was aware of Damocles's daughter, though, and she raised an eyebrow. Attacking her was indeed a bold move, even for extremists, and it could have easily broken the fragile balance between the two factions. It was telling even Lucoa knew of her.

At least, Deathwing and his black flight didn't seem to be involved with this one. But a dragon bold enough to attack Tohru may definitely attract their attention if left unchecked.

While she was happy to learn that she was being taken care of by another dragon and his friends, and on the way to a new better life (and preventing a great deal of fighting hopefully between the Harmony and Chaos dragons), something clearly happened in the castle.

"I understand. You suspect it must be this child, then. The question is why did she suddenly leave her partners..." the Life-Binder mused before nodding. She just briefly smiled at the ex-goddess when the commented on her outfit, her mind already on the problem.

"In that case, I am afraid there is little time to waste. There is no telling what could happen with a former extremist, and a town radically opposed to dragonkin. If she were to be caught, they might light again the flame inside her that you have been trying to put down. If she is still in the city, I could track down her position with my sense of smell and escort her somewhere safe. I assume the adventurers you spoke of are already on their way looking for her?"

AND I'VE STILL BLOCKED OFF MY BALL!! FUCK!!
ZodanTheUnbounceable from Everywhere, Nowhere, Somewhere Since: Jul, 2013 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#3465: Jul 29th 2024 at 4:53:31 PM

Sawwar Marketplace (Lucoa)

"Yup! Knew you were the right dragon for the job. Atlantean Dragon's here, too - another good kid, keeping an eye on this 'Ilulu' girl. Last I saw 'em, they were headed towards the palace with her. You wanna find 'em and join the search, that's where you'd have to go."

Lucoa turns, looking over her shoulder at Alex and opening one eye in a reverse wink.

"Buuuuut ya didn't hear that from me. I'm neutral, remember? Not my place to get involved."

This post is sponsored by Amalgam Comics.
Scipion3 Joueur du Grenier from The Attic Since: May, 2018 Relationship Status: Healthy, deeply-felt respect for this here Shotgun
Joueur du Grenier
#3466: Jul 30th 2024 at 5:22:23 AM

Sawwar

"Naturally. I will see you soon." Alexstrasza said. The Aspect turned toward the castle and after one last look at Lucoa, she disappeared back into the crowd.

A bit later, she approached the castle, studying it from afar and considering her options. She could either go in directly, coming up with an excuse to the soldiers likely guarding it to enter, or just sneak inside, she could turn herself invisible. The latter option was risky, but it was the most practical, given the emergency.

And it was around the same time the search party was about to exit the palace.

AND I'VE STILL BLOCKED OFF MY BALL!! FUCK!!
Dezmo Since: Jan, 2011
#3467: Jul 30th 2024 at 9:54:48 PM

Rayman-Szklana Góra's Streets

"I'm not sure what a Fortune Teller is, but if they can point me to where the Teensies went, then that sounds good to me! Let's go!" Rayman replies chipperly to his new green haired friend, giving them a thumbs up in affirmation.

He then deftly catches that crown that Meta Knight tosses his way, and listens intently to his story

"Gee...that sounds pretty serious," he muses. Restless sleep sounded pretty bad, but Meta Night had used an unfamiliar word. "Nightmares...what're those?"

darksidevoid Anti-Gnosis Weapon from The Frontiers (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: Robosexual
Anti-Gnosis Weapon
#3468: Jul 31st 2024 at 4:34:40 AM

Team A

Szklana Góra, Street -> Baba's Tent

"A nightmare is a term for when someone dreams of something bad; a scary or horrifying dream, for example. And a fortuneteller, if they're legitimate, is someone who can use magical powers to see remote locations, and even observe the future of an individual, so they're often sought out for advice," C.C. explained for Rayman's sake, even as she turned and gestured for the Knight and Guardian to follow, leading the way to the outside of the fortuneteller's tent.

"Oh, it's Spike!" she observed as they got closer, waving to the demon at the entrance. "Hello there; it's been quite a while, hasn't it?"

"Quite so! A decade and change, by my reckoning," the big blue demon replied, offering the green-haired woman a bow. "A pleasure to see you again, Lady C.C.. I am sure Lady Baba will be happy to see you as well. We're having a sale, by the way."

"Splendid! Well, no time like the present!" So saying, C.C. led the way into the tent for the rest of the Party.

The inside of the large structure was dim, lit by candles, and actually quite roomy. In its center was a sizable, circular table covered with a royal purple tablecloth, upon which sat a large, perfectly spherical orb of clear crystal. And on the side of the table opposite the entrance, in a tall chair to compensate for her short stature, was the fortuneteller: Old Baba.

As she spotted C.C., the mystical woman's eyes lit up, and her severe features morphed into a wrinkled smile. "Ah, how good to see you, C.C.! How have you been, old friend?"

"Quite well, thank you!" C.C. replied, returning a surprisingly honest smile to the old lady. "How have you been, Baba?"

"Oh, you know, same old, same old!" Baba replied, chuckling, then looked over the rest of the group. "I see you have quite the crowd with you today, hm? Are you all looking to get your fortunes told?"

"That's right," C.C. quickly affirmed with a nod. "But I'll take mine privately after everyone else's. You all go first." She stepped aside and gestured to the nearest member of the Party to step forward.

"Payment first, fortune second!" Baba demanded, folding her arms into her robes. "I'm having a sale, however, so the rate is only 250 ducats per fortune, instead of the usual 1000. Lucky you!"


Szklana Góra, Stein's Study

   "Hahahahaha!"    Okuu laughed triumphantly with her hand on her hip as the moisturizer mishap with the letter was revealed.    "It wasn't my fault this time!"   

   "What? What is it? What do you guys know?"    the bird-woman insisted at Banjo and Kazooie's hesitance, poking the bear's shoulder.    "'s no fair for you to keep it to yourself now that we've found something that might be a lead! C'mon, spill it!"   


Team B

Sawwar, Palace, Side Chamber (with Leo and Krasicki)

Leo and Krasicki followed the trail of the part of the Party that had stayed with Kiel all the way to the ajar door of the side chamber, and were able to hear the entirety of Kiel's explanation through the crack, until NiGHTS threw open the door as she exited and soared past them to elsewhere in the palace.

Meanwhile, inside the room...


Kiel shakes his head at Jason and Eve's questioning.

"What do you mean, 'the King never told' me?" he asks, sighing. "The Crown Prince's fiance disappeared along with the castle the King had gifted the pair of them, and it was only natural that the Prince was suspected as the culprit. Although we couldn't figure out how it had been done, no-one else could be found who might even have proximity or motive to do anything to the royal bride-to-be. And so, for lack of anyone else to punish or suspect of the crime, the King decided to exile his firstborn son. I do not consider it a wise thing for him to have done, but the Senate writ large insisted that he do something, and he was set on his decision. Until the Queen left with the other children, that is."

At Stocking's suggestions, the aging Lord turns to her and nods.

"Your help in this matter would be most appreciated, High Exorcist," he says with a thoughtful frown. "I suspect that in order to reinstate the Crown Prince, one would need to locate the disappeared castle and rescue his fiance from it, then find the Prince himself. As for the Queen and other children, they would need to be located and informed afterward, of course."

"Well, I can handle the locating part!" I offer again with a nod of my own at Kiel. "Like I said, I'll just need something strongly associated with each person; hair, for example, would be ideal. If they've left any on their hairbrushes, I'd like to make use of that."

"Hmmmm..." Kiel bows his head and hums in thought for a moment, then looks up again and bobs his head once more. "The King has ordered that the chambers of the missing in the palace be untouched while they are gone, so they are likely gathering dust as we speak, but I can have the staff unlock them for you. Just... please try not to disturb things too much, and be quiet and quick about it."

"Of course!" I affirm with a smile; now we're getting somewhere! "Thank you, Lord Kiel. Anyone else have any suggestions, or are we good to get going for now?"


Sawwar, Palace, Halls

NiGHTS' wandering flight through the palace halls eventually took her near to the conversation between the guardian genie, Spyro, Amy, and Mob...

Edited by darksidevoid on Aug 2nd 2024 at 4:19:41 AM

GM: AGOG S4 & F/WC RP; Co-GM: TABA, SOTR, UUA RP; Sub-GM: TTS RP. I have brought peace, freedom, justice, and security to my new Empire.
Bored_Man Since: Jun, 2015 Relationship Status: Abstaining
#3469: Jul 31st 2024 at 5:12:23 AM

Szklana Góra, Stein's Study

"Well..." Banjo said, scratching the back of his head as if knowing this was bound to cause a ruckus. "If this is who I think it is, Kazooie and I have met him before. His name's Klungo, and he used to work for Grunty."

   "What do you mean 'used to'? He wouldn't turn his back on me!"    The head in the backpack insisted.

"It's almost like working for you made his life miserable or something. That and he got tired of us beating him." Kazooie chimed in, knowing she was egging the witch on and not caring in the slightest.

   "...After all I did for him...that WORTHLESS, SPINELESS, HALFWIT SON OF A - "   

It was at that point that Kazooie hopped out of Banjo's backpack so he could properly shut it, with the bird perching on top of the bear's head in the process. Even then, the group could hear some outright sulfurous swearing coming from the head inside. Needless to say, Grunty wasn't happy.

Sawwar, Palace, Halls

"... You guys go on ahead. I'll catch up in a minute." Amy said, opening the nearest door to outside for the rest of the group so they could get started on the search. As for why she was delaying, well, she knew she had a chance to get someone else to help, and she wasn't about to let that chance slip.

"I was starting to wonder where you went." Amy asked once NiGHTS came into view, turning to look at them. "Our friend - my friend - ran off. If you need some alone time, don't let me stop you, but...we could use the help. Last thing I want is to find out someone hurt her and I was too late to stop it from happening."

Proud member of the AGOG community.
Dezmo Since: Jan, 2011
#3470: Jul 31st 2024 at 7:55:33 AM

Spyro and Sparx-Exiting Sawwar Palace

"If you say so, Amy. Try not to fall too far behind, Spyro tells her, before exiting through the castle gates

.....and then almost immediately stopped like, 10 feet outside the palace gates as his enhanced draconian senses picked up that there was another dragon in the area. "Hold up a second, guys," he told Sparx and Mob. "We've got company."

Scanning the perimeter around the castle, it didn't take him more than a few seconds to spot the dragon in question-a tall red headed lady in some wicked sharp armor, studying the castle. Spyro could sense the magic she was using to keep herself conceiled from the humans, but there was no hiding from another dragon.

Now, the question is-friendly, or here to cause a scene?

Let's find out.

Approaching her casually, Spyro remarks "Man, that 'no dragons allowed' sign up front really isnt working at all like they intended, huh? At this point, I feel like its having the opposite effect."

Edited by Dezmo on Jul 31st 2024 at 7:56:05 AM

J99908 It’s your BATH time! from A bathtub Since: Jun, 2023 Relationship Status: It's not my fault I'm not popular!
It’s your BATH time!
#3471: Aug 5th 2024 at 12:36:47 PM

Nomi-Nomi, Szklana Góra

This trip may have been the coolest thing that Nomi ever did. Since they left the village and said goodbye to their friends and family, they saw so many cool things, which of course, they just had to draw. Even thinking about it all for them super excited. Their notebook was already filled with all the cool buildings and animals they saw along the way. After a few weeks of traveling, Nomi ended up in Szklana Góra.

This place was even cooler, and the sign made them even more excited. Thoughts racing around their head, Nomi continued down the street, spinning around and taking the sights until they saw a large blue - was that a demon?- in front of a tent. Now Nomi’s interest was peaked. They skipped on over to the front of the tent, and with a wave of their hand, said “Heya! M’names Nomination, but you can call me Nomi-Nomi! Or Nomi. Is this tent a store or somethin’? Looks pretty cool! Can I go in?”

Edited by J99908 on Aug 5th 2024 at 3:43:01 PM

It builds character.
PresidentStalkeyes Eats moldy bread and flies into windows from United Kingdom of England-land Since: Feb, 2016 Relationship Status: Do you like me? (Yes ⎕ Definitely ⎕ Absolutely!!! ⎕)
Eats moldy bread and flies into windows
#3472: Aug 5th 2024 at 7:57:07 PM

In the land of no dragons...

Morning!
The sun, it rises up and over the
Garden!
The air is cool and heals our troubled
Spirits!
The nasties of the night not far be-
-Hind us!
But...
Can you see the work before us?
Where's the sun? In the sky!
How's it float? Not a clue!
What's it do? Powers us!
Will it die? Probably!
Morning!
It goes, it goes, and then you see it's
Midday!
It goes, it goes, oh look, you see it's
Evening!
No more sun now, only the dark of
Midnight!
Time's too fast for us to notice.
Midnight's here? Yes it is!
Moon shines down? On some nights.
Evil lurks? Certainly!
What to do? What we can.
A-doop-doop x4
The sun goes up, the sun goes down, like a beach ball in the sky.
Game played by a world reversed, feels good on the other side.
But don't despair and don't delay, in 12 hours sun returns.
Keep the night buried in your mind, let its haunts wake you up in the
Morning!
The sun, it rises up and over the
Garden!
Doesn't this feel familiar? De-
-Ja Vu!
Do you feel the sense that this is
Futile?
We're not even at the best part!
Light in sky? Dark on high?
Only shades - and colours.
No substance - all surface.
The cycle - moves alone.
The sun goes up, the sun goes down, an endless and pointless game?
Charge yourself up, scare yourself sad, give yourself the energy
Gods and bosses won't help find it, your purpose is yours to find
Better work hard, better work smart, the cycle's about to repeat now!
A doop-doop x10
And here comes midday...

Approaching Sawwar

"Morning... the sun rises up and over the- garden... the air is cool and heals our troubled- spirits..."

Bianca murmured the song under her breath. Helped her focus on the task at hand, so she doesn't get herself sidetracked by some oh-so fascinating plant or animal. It was an old work song the Rhynocs taught her years ago - they weren't exactly known for their brains, and so they needed something to keep them concentrated on their duties. Lyrics were a bit nihilistic for some folks' taste, but eh. She could sorta relate to them.

Ordinarily she'd feel a little embarassed singing to herself out in the open like this, but it's not like anyone could hear her over the hoofbeats of the horse she was riding, going 'clack clack clack' against the cobblestone. Well, 'horse'. Anyone who looked closely could tell it was no ordinary 'horse', with its mangy, fleabitten hair, muscular physique, and of course the green reptilian eyes.

She considered what to do when she arrived at her destination. They'd probably not ask too many questions, especially if she coughed up some gems. That's how it usually is. But just in case, maybe she should correct the eyes. It's just prestigidation, right? How hard could it be? But then again, if they see it's an illusion that'd just draw even more attention... ugh, she didn't have to think about any of this back home, she hates traveling!

It was then, in the corner of her eye, she passed a sign. Oh good, she thought, that must mean she's getting close to the city. She can already see the wall and the guard towers not too far ahead, nestled between the trees. The sign probably wasn't worth stopping for, just some basic decrees for visitors and a warning to keep troublesome species out like demons and dragons and- wait.

"Waitwaitwait, stop!" Bianca frantically commanded her 'horse' to stop, pulling on his reins as hard as she could. Surprised, he bucked up, tail in the air, and sent his rider flying onto the path with a *THUD*.

"OOF!" she grunted in pain, avoiding any serious injury by throwing up her arms as she rolled over on impact, now finding herself lying down face-up. Groaning, she got to her feet, dusting herself off. She seethed through her teeth. "Shhhh, owww, owie owie owie... great work, Bianca, first time away from home and you're already looking like a total fool..."

Walking back towards the sign, she passed her 'horse' on the way, giving it a Look. "You're not exactly helping, Buzz. I know being a horse is weird, but... but er, just, cool it, alright?" she settled on saying, not knowing how to voice her frustrations. Buzz just snorted and walked back with her. Unreadable as ever. Probably sulking.

Bianca read the sign properly this time. Her eyes widened for a moment. She read it again. And again. Each time she could feel her fists balling together tighter. After the fourth read through, her face felt hot from anger. Back in the Forgotten Kingdom, there was occasionally some tension between the beast-kin of the Realms, but since no one species was dominant (and united under the Sorceress' heel), they had to respect each other. Obviously not so here. She heard stories of such intolerance, but this was the first time she'd seen it for herself. And directed at dragons? That was just... just stupid. You'd have to be an idiot not to know the factional divide within them - hell, even then those factions aren't monoliths! Can they not exercise some... some-some common sense?

Bianca closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It wouldn't do her any good to get all mad. She'd spent long enough following this breadcrumb trail, the last thing she needed was to cause a scene and risk upsetting the locals. She was fortunate beast-folk weren't on the list of banned species. That just left the issue of... well.

The rabbit looked back at Buzz in his horse form, twirling one of her lop ears in thought. These guys. These guys are gonna be paranoid about this. But they're too close to the gates to do anything now. She'd just have to hope they don't see his eyes at the door, then find a dark alley or something. Then she could disguise him a little better.

And then... then she had to scour this whole stupid city. If Spyro really is here, no way is he in dragon form. It's just too bad she has no idea what his human form looks like. This is gonna be a long day...

Those sell-by-dates won't stop me because I can't read!
Scipion3 Joueur du Grenier from The Attic Since: May, 2018 Relationship Status: Healthy, deeply-felt respect for this here Shotgun
Joueur du Grenier
#3473: Aug 6th 2024 at 6:33:57 AM

Near Sawwar Palace

Likewise, it didn't take long for Alexstrasza to sense another dragon exiting the palace. And indeed, the first one who exited the castle was one.

A young dragon of course, Alexstrasza didn't even need to look at his "Visage" form to sense it. She gracefully turned toward the approaching dragon.

"That much is true, young one. The irony is not lost on me. And again, I do not know if Lucoa has asked assistance from more of our kind." she said with a warm smile. She then looked at the group overall.

"You must be... Spyro, I presume. The young dragon Lucoa asked to protect young Ilulu. And those must be the adventurers she spoke of? It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Alexstrasza." she greeted. Perhaps the name would bring one or two bells to the draconic members of the group.

The Life-Binder looked at the group again. No trace of the young Chaos Dragon, sadly. Lucoa's fears may be correct.

AND I'VE STILL BLOCKED OFF MY BALL!! FUCK!!
LilyTheLitten Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️ from The Investigation Institute Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️
#3474: Aug 7th 2024 at 8:16:32 PM

Leo (The Palace)

Somehow, Leo had gotten lost on the way to the side chamber, hence why it had taken him so long to get there. Apparently, some wild stuff had happened in this kingdom's past. Good news was, it sounded like resolving it would resolve the issue!

"Hey guys!" Leo said breezily, throwing the doors open and stepping inside. "Sorry it took me so long—I made a new friend and then got lost—so where are we going now?"

"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."
LizardOfAus (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#3475: Aug 17th 2024 at 8:58:15 AM

Team B

As Leo entered the room where the party assembled, the jester Krasicki sauntered in after him. Almost immediately he went into a peculiar gait, his legs going every which way as he walked, and he let out a kooky chuckle as he sauntered about.

"OO-hoo-hoo-hoooo...what a peculiar point of view, Mister Lordship," he said, "Now, the Senate doing something unwise, that I understand. Professional fool though I am, my foolery pales in comparison to any sena-tor! But the King? Being set on a decision? Goodness me. Now, why would anyone suppose that this kingdom was ever ruled by its king?"

The fool chortled, twirled about, and then collapsed against a wall like ragdoll. But even as he leaned there, his arms up at jaunty angles, a knowing smirk lay half-hidden on his face. Maybe this man wasn't as goofy as he was letting on...

And a Strange Figure Emerges.

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