Well that's interesting news. But it does throw a wrench in our plans just a bit. If we take the order relic than we leave the town open to even more chaos. Which might not be to bad in the short term but is something to consider.

Maybe your friend Mu would like it as a gift.

Anyways I think reuniting with Tulip is a good start. She will have info for us and it would be nice to let her know that any rumors of me are unfounded. Then we need to decide what to do about the dragon situation and find more about these relics.

Honestly it might just be a good idea to throw the bulk of the restitution money at Lady Enlu later tonight and let her deal with the politics and getting the word out about the pathetic dragons story.

Oh this is a chance for Story to write a song about the event. If you tell him your tale he can try to whip up a song that makes the dragon out to be a pathetic wretch snared by cruel necromancy. A few lines about a overbearing mother and how he was forced into a life of crime by his cruel skeleton masters and you might have a hit that would redirect the public's anger. That with some money coming in from the recovered horde and people might quickly forget about hating the dragon.

>>661617
So how'd you get picked up by Enlu anyway? I'm surprised word around town about me and that you were available getting locked up spread so quickly. There was absolutely no paperwork about the whole thing, it honestly surprises me how this society's slave economy doesn't collapse without any deeds or something like that. It seems word of mouth is all that's needed to claim a slave.

I don't even know if any proper paperwork was made about our arrest, even.

Perhaps it would be best if Story Seeker gave us a summary of what's happened to him. Also, what other important things did he hear of, and where did he hear them?

Also tell Story the full background to this current dragon issue, and ask his advice on what we should tell people. He's more socially capable than you, Kex, if you don't mind me saying.

>"Certainly! Say, I learned something interesting - you know that relic of order we're interested in and all? I heard that there was a partner to it, a relic of chaos, used as a counterbalance somehow!"
You do still have the relic from the Dragon, right? That would be something to tell Story Seeker about, as while it is likely unrelated to the two, you never know.
...Of course, it is part of the story of the dragon, so maybe you should locate Tulip and talk about it in the inn.

>>661617
Wait a minute! Back the fuck up! Two relics?!?! Which one did Zirkala want us to take? Or did she want us to bring them both back?

>>661638
She talked about Order, but if the second relic is used to operate the first one in a useful way, she'll want both.

>two relics counterbalancing each other
That has an implied positive. If we remove one, we cause imbalance. But if we took both (whether our mission counts one as extra or not) stability might be maintained.

...I wonder if the opposite could be the undead generating artifact you already got your hands on?

Kexluk 2015/08/11(Tue)15:36 No. 661734 ID: dd338c
File 143933260258.png - (161.40KB , 800x800 , 1-194.png )

>Did you bring the artifact with you?
No, however, I hid it away in a personally inspected position. Perhaps I should have brought it with me, but it would have been difficult to hide its essence from the townsolk's more magically inclined individuals, and I do not know if I want that sort of pressure from the town to surrender it to them. Hindsight, however, is proving that perhaps it was the wrong decision.

"A chaos artifact? You mention the word counterbalancing - this would mean that Zirkala may want both, if they are to operate in conjunction. Or at the very least, prevent the town from plummeting into chaos if that is all we leave them with."
>"That's probably a good idea! Although I am sure you have tales to the contrary, I have actually had pleasant experience with chaos."
"It is not always bad, and order is not always good. It is not a contest of good and evil, and although I fight for order, they each have their place."
>"Well put! And even if taking the chaos artifact was not necessary, I'm sure my slime friend, Muo, would appreciate such a gift."
"Muo? I feel I have heard you mention this one before. A friend, correct?"
>"Yes! A friend, slime, and chaos follower."
"A follower, or a follower with the God's blessing?"
>"The latter!"
"Oof. You certainly have found yourself in the company of the powerful. I am relieved she is your friend, even the most incompetent of chaos blessed are an enormous pain. Then again, I have a feeling it's the most incompetent that are favored. Regardless, enough on that. I have an idea! The dragon I have mentioned, although also incompetent, a coward, and generally pitiful, I don't believe him to be evil, only caught up in disaster without bravery or strength to get out. I would like for Spearstone to, if not forgive him, have him become accepted to the idea that he is not the demon they have thought he was. Is it possible for me to tell my tale to you in greater detail, and have you spread the tale with a twist on the dragon's fate being wrung from his hands?"
>"Haha, Kexluk, that is what I do! I would be honored."
"Excellent! It need not be immediate, however, because for now, I suggest we find Tulip."
>"Understood, but, would it be better if we split up? After all, it seems like the ground to cover is our priority! Where may Tulip be found, anyways?"

No idea. I was hoping she would find me later.

If you went back to your inn, she might have turned up, so you should check there if you can do so quickly. If she's not, then you have no idea, you just expected her to be able to find you again. If you stay still in the same place for a while, she'll likely turn up, so you should just pick something constructive to do that will have you be visibly in the same location for some time. Interviewing the scouts, for example.

He probably doesn't, but does Story Seeker have any spell to make small, mundane objects? It's a cantrip conjurers often have, I think, but a bard probably not. I ask because some token of your authority for your slaves to carry really would be useful if you're going to send them out on errands. If you don't have such a thing, I would advise you not split up.

Is it possible for Story to use a variant of this anti-eavesdropping spell to enable himself to speak to you clandestinely, without anyone noticing that he's doing so? Once you're in company, there may be things he would like to say to you that the local lizards would not consider it proper for a kobold to say.

>spread the tale with a twist on the dragon's fate being wrung from his hands?

Oh, and if you do this, you'll need to resolve it somehow with you and Nezul letting everyone assume you killed him, you know. If you don't, either the tale will come off as false, or everyone finds out you bent the truth, or you come across as cruel to the dragon.

She was scouting the outer city for me. Did not have any specific meet up location but the general plan was for her to um wander around and we did not have a plan honestly. I mean she is going to find out stuff but we never talked about how she was going to find me.

Maybe if we wander around a bit asking around word will get back to her?

>>661734
>maybe it was a mistake to hide the artifact
You couldn't bring it into the city. With a big enough population there's always someone dying. If you'd brought the relic in with you, undead would be popping up after every natural death (and the unnatural ones too). That wouldn't have been safe, and could have caused a panic.

>Where may Tulip be found, anyways?
I do not know. We split up earlier, to search for information. I was hoping she would find me, but events have moved rather quicker than I expected, even with our deadline. (A lich setting a deadline. Haha).

I have not told her the full truth, yet.

1/3 Kexluk 2015/08/11(Tue)18:14 No. 661767 ID: dd338c
File 143934208507.png - (148.09KB , 800x800 , 1-195.png )

"I do not know! I was hoping to have her find me after a time, but events have progress faster than intended. We may stop by the inn, first if only to check if she has checked in at first. By the way, I have not yet told her the full truth of the matter of our mission."
>"I would imagine not! I will say, inside Enlu's estate? I must say, it seems to be the local pasttime to gossip and pass on rumors. Why, I learned a great deal about the town - only so much useful, mind you - in the last day."
"Which reminds me, how DID you come into Enlu's possession, anyway?"
>"Well! I had gone to a local gathering of kobolds who wanted to, well, gossip, about the world out there! Of course that was pleasant, but before I had a chance to learn more myself, lizard guards apparently caught wind and swarmed us! Now, many kobolds knew the escape routes like the back of their hand, but alas, despite my best efforts to try and keep up, I managed get turned right back around into their grasp! Now, they say that an outsider kobold is valuable, especially one who has kept his health up like I have, and so there were some talks! Perhaps you don't know, but Enlu was not actually personally there, it was merely a spokesperson of hers who was making a whitewind trip, saying that Lady Enlu would be interested in me."
"Hm. Do they know that you know magic?"
>"Ah, yes! I have attempted to keep that on the down-low, but it was not long before magicians could sense it in me. It is always quite hard to know how they do that."
"And unrelatedly, do you know how to make small mundane objects?"
>"I apologize for saying no! It is a cantrip outside of my current abilities."
"No matter. Perhaps more relevantly, a matter of anti-eavedropping you can use in the presense of others, such as ventriloquism for my ears only?"
>"It is on my magical wish list! But alas, no, while I can attempt to do so, I expect it is not worth the risk given my high, high chance of failure."
"Lastly, please put your emblem on, if you still have that?"
>"Ah, I managed to hide my first emblem during a brief town trip when I had a quick chance - hopefully no one has found it, but I believe I hid it well! But! Lady Enlu had her own emblem for me to use, and I don't believe it will cause issue if I simply flip it around to its flat side. Perhaps you could forge your own emblem for me?"
"Hrm, I had thought of that, but neglected to do anything beyond that. I am hoping that by the time a blacksmith could forge such a thing, we shall be on our way and you need not pretend to be my slave."

2/3 Kexluk 2015/08/11(Tue)18:14 No. 661768 ID: dd338c
File 143934209473.png - (205.05KB , 800x800 , 1-196.png )

I tell Story Seeker the quick summary of the tale, at least, enough to make a story out of perhaps, but all the small details will have to wait some more, as we leave Enlu's gates.

And indeed, Enlu was correct. Some people give me the benefit of the doubt and beg for me to go finish what I started, while others not so pleasant, instead yelling at me to go finish what I started.

I alert them, even raising my voice accompanied with assistance from Story Seeker's magic, that I have no intention of sitting still if there is any chance there is a dragon threat.

3/3 Kexluk 2015/08/11(Tue)18:15 No. 661769 ID: dd338c
File 143934213393.png - (92.78KB , 800x800 , 1-197.png )

Somehow, we make it to the inn.

>"A kobold asking for you?" the innkeep asks. "I'm sorry, but your slave has not been here since you left."

Tulip must still be in the outer walls after all.

"It is no worry. If you have not heard, there are scouts investigating the rumored, persistent dragon threat that I had thought I had squashed. Would you know where the scouts would be at?"
>"Well, sir, normally I would say the guard headquarters, but since it sounds like they are all busy, I may suggest going to the drake den for any scouts who know much."

>>661769
...it's possible that Nezul spilled the beans. Let's go check on him. Hey, when he was talking about what happened on the trip back, what did he say exactly?

It would not take much for Nezul to accidentally let something slip. Everyone would have been clamoring for his story and he might have said to much.

If there is a long route that would let you pass by the outer areas you could take that to let everyone see you and give Tulip a idea of where you are.

I would suspect Nezul, but he has a very simple excuse that he's blind! All he had to do was say he heard the sounds of fighting but was unable to see anything himself. He also has a cantankerous enough personality that he could just tell inquisitive people to bugger off, and no-one would take it too amiss.

Head over there, anyway. I don't think the rumor started with him, but people may have started pressing him for details once it was out. Tell the innkeeper that if your slave does come by, you've gone to the drake den.

I wonder, if this town has such gossips, how easy would it be to plant rumors? Would it be hard to start spreading the idea that there could be another dragon? It is possibly true, after all, so it would prepare people for a potential danger as well as taking some heat off Kexluk.

>>661781

Spreading our own rumor would be as simple as loudly chatting with Story about how the dragon had a bunch of siblings near several groups of people.

Kexluk 2015/08/11(Tue)19:50 No. 661789 ID: dd338c
File 143934780036.png - (179.28KB , 800x800 , 1-198.png )

"Tell my slave, should she return, that I shall be at the drake den."
>"Very well, sir."

I leave, and attempt to use alleyways as best as I can to avoid the public slowing us down.

"How easily do you think it would take to spread a rumor, anyways?"
>"Here? I expect there is a lot of competition to really get a rumor going, but, the rumor mill, as they said at Enlu's, is always in high production!"
>"Hm, is that so. Well, we are nearly at the drake's den."
"Shall I come with, or head off to search for Tulip's whereabouts?"

Yeah, he can move freely while you can't. Tell her to meet up with you back at the inn.

Yeah go look for her and listen for any new rumors. And maybe start some yourself if need be.

If you can't find me before nightfall head back to the inn and stay there for the night. Use your best judgement depending on the situation honestly.

>>661768
You think they'd be more happy to see the first person who even came back from fighting the dragon alive. "We stuck a blow" is a big step up from "all attempts failed!".

>split up
Um, if we're going to do, is there an easy way to find each other? You're both got basic magic- any way you could mark or ping the other so you could find them if you had to?

Hmm. I know you said it's impolite to Detect Evil on someone without good reason, but... if you Detect Evil on someone once, and then cast it on them again later, is the reading you get recognizable as them? Like, if you were worried about shapeshifters or illusions impersonating someone, would you be able to tell whether it's them or not by detecting that they don't give off the same Good/Evil rating?

If Story Seeker leaves to find Tulip, won't that just make two kobolds that you have to go find the location of later?

You really need to plan these things out a bit better methinks.

>>661789
You just barley got him back! Do you really want to go through rescuing him all over again? I think we can find Tulip together!

1/2 Kexluk 2015/08/12(Wed)17:17 No. 661892 ID: dd338c
File 143942502489.png - (125.59KB , 800x800 , 1-199.png )

>You think they'd be more happy to see the first person who even came back from fighting the dragon alive.
Us lizards have a terrible reputation of being awfully hard to please. And, unfortunately, this stereotype was made for a decent reason.

>If you Detect Evil on someone once, and then cast it on them again later, is the reading you get recognizable as them? Like, if you were worried about shapeshifters or illusions impersonating someone, would you be able to tell whether it's them or not by detecting that they don't give off the same Good/Evil rating?
In theory, yes. However, the rating is seldom 'good' or 'evil' and more often in the middle, and this is also tricky to rely upon.

"Very well, Story Seeker, but come back to the inn should we not cross paths again by nightfall! I have already failed to plan sufficiently for sending Tulip off, and I do not care to repeat the same mistake. I will attempt to check the inn periodically as well, if I can."
>"Understood! See you later, then, I'll want to visit the drake den later!"

2/2 Kexluk 2015/08/12(Wed)17:18 No. 661894 ID: dd338c
File 143942511692.png - (162.70KB , 800x800 , 1-200.png )

Story Seeker runs off, and I reach the drake den. It is far, far quieter than I would have expected, although there are a few individuals around.

>"Hey again, paladin! Welcome back. I hope you weren't wishing for another trip. Unfortunately, we cannot allow you to take Nezul again, as the powers above us told us specifically not to. Frankly, we should not have allowed it in the first place, but what's done is done. Furthermore, while there are a few drakes left, there are not enough to lift you even if all of them worked together."

Tell him you're just here to talk to Nezul, not to take him. Wait, they have fewer drakes now? Where are the others?

>>661894
This is acceptable, as I did not wish to set out again so soon.

I heard rumors there might be scouts here, with distressing reports about the dragon I did battle with? (Well, the battle was pretty weak and one wayed).

Wait, what about restoring Nezul's eyesight?

>>661906
I think we'd have to find a skilled healer to pay to do that, first.

1/2 Kexluk 2015/08/12(Wed)18:06 No. 661912 ID: dd338c
File 143942797182.png - (84.95KB , 800x800 , 9-201.png )

>Wait, what about restoring Nezul's eyesight?
I was in such a hurry to bypass the town's public, that I did not get a good chance to settle affairs with healing Nezul.

"Where have the drakes gone?"
>"Scouts. After those rumors about the dragon still being around came up, which I'm sure you've heard by now, our place was bombarded with scouts paying us double fare for every drake in the den. Only the weaker ones are still here."
"I will not take Nezul, as I did not have immediate plans to set out. But! I would like to speak to him! May I do that little?"
>"Oh, sure, sure. That should be okay, but don't mind us if we're present."
"Is that necessary?" I say, walking to where Nezul's stall was.
>"Uhhhrr.... I don't want to insinuate, anything, Kexluk, but you Nezul wasn't supposed to be taken out in the first place. We're afraid you both might insist on doing it again, so we've been told to not let you."
"Hmph. I would dare think that these rumors included an unfair degree of slander."

2/2 Kexluk 2015/08/12(Wed)18:06 No. 661913 ID: dd338c
File 143942798217.png - (205.87KB , 800x800 , 9-202.png )

I find Nezul in his stall, but it does not seem that I can have a private conversation easily.

"Nezul. How are you doing?"
"Angry. A false rumor apparently is enough to get every scout in town to pull out every goddamn drake, and leave none for you and bar me from the same. I told them, Kexluk! I told them there was no threat! I was there, I saw you vanquish the dragon."
>"Well, yes..." an escort chimes in. "But you're blind. You literally did not see what actually happened."
"You insufferable whelp! You act as though you know better than I what happened, despite that not a single one of your senses were at the scene?!
>"No, I'm telling you that we can't act like you had all yours there."

>>661912
>>661913
I think you should still mention your desire to heal Nezul to that drake renter.

We just want to make sure the powers that be don't mind that their hero isn't blind anymore, or if that would anger them. Like, do they WANT him blind?
What if he flys off on his own because he hates the powers that be? There's tension here. What rights DO drakes have compared to kobolds, especially in this hero's case. It's a perplexing notion, grounding a hero. You don't even have him in chains, if he runs off, are you like, going to shoot and/or kill him for disobeying the nobles?

I seriously want an in-depth discussion with this renter guy over this. All of it is SUPER confusing to me.

Yeah, about that rumor. When did he hear about it? How long after you got back? How could anyone have possibly suspected?

...could it be someone spread the rumor right as you got back, just to get the town on your ass? To pull the rug out from under you so they could try to keep you from getting more influence than the nobles?

This is all extremely suspicious. They think the dragon may be alive after all, so they make sure that the one person they know can fight the dragon is unable to do so?

I'm beginning to suspect someone in this town KNEW the dragon was an incompetent, and that the undead army was the only real threat. Then the rumour of the dragon still being alive would be excuse to mount a full search for the horde and/or artifact. Fortunately, if that's what they want, both are hidden, but the dragon's life is in danger. Ask who these orders came from, and then go ask that person where their orders came from, and so on up the line until you find the source.

Tell the drake attendant to tell any kobolds who come looking for you where you're going.

Kexluk 2015/08/12(Wed)19:13 No. 661925 ID: dd338c
File 143943198183.png - (158.86KB , 800x800 , 9-203.png )

"Tell me of this rumor. When did you hear of it?" I say to the escort.
>"Not too long ago, maybe around 30 minutes?"

30 minutes ago, I was still at Enlu's, it was only around 10 minutes before the guard burst in to tell Enlu herself of the rumor.

I am exceedingly worried for Luzona's well being. Nezul was not a particularly fast flyer. Although he is faster than I could run, I expect the worst case scenario is that I would have to run to the dragon's hideaway, which may take 2-3 hours.

>"We heard it from a small group of scouts at first, but within minutes, we were swamped with scouts. But we got experience with that, so as soon as they came, they were gone. I'll tell you, it's nice having livestock that can think and receive payment for themselves."
"Is that how you see them, livestock?"
>"We don't say that word like we say it in context of goats or sheep. We know how valuable the drakes are to us."
"I find it strange, all the same, that this drake hero is grounded."
>"Don't ask us, you'd have to ask one of our warchiefs about it. And good luck with that."
"Regardless, this rumor spread amazingly quickly upon my return. I have to wonder who started it."
>"Again, I wouldn't know."
"And once I heard, I was immediately detained as usual! This is no place for me!"
"Speaking of which, I intend to have your eyes healed, Nezul."
"Eh?"
"Even if this town does not have healers, there must be one who would be willing to make a trip with recompensation, or even one that someone could fly you to after it is safe. Working, can I set aside funds to do so for him?"
>"Again, we're just tasked with taking care of Nezul, stuff like that is for the palace. Or Mosxa, one of our local nobles who has ownership of personal drakes as well as influence over this drake home."
"Very well. At least, tell me, under who's banner were these scouts working under?"
>"Well... that would be mostly Mosxa and the palace, really. Not sure why Mosxa got involved, probably trying to get in on that dragon hoard. I mean, no one's seen it, but it's a dragon, right? You ever find the hoard?"

There is a brief, but highly, highly noticeable glance at my backpack.

It's kind of a pity we didn't just take all the drakes and win them over too.

>>661913
You could try trusting experience. Or putting your faith in those you are supposed to respect.

(And then there's the fact that your eyes didn't prevent you from being caught off guard by this, they wouldn't have helped him much either).

Can they tell us anything about this rumor? It's origin, or specifics? If they had contact with the scouts, they heard might have heard the story before it was diluted in the retelling. What raised the alarm?

>>661925
Tell him it is well hidden. (though actually now I suspect the hoard is being stolen by the scouts)

...maybe you can pay the goblins to rent one of their animals and ride most of the way there? With no skeleton army you don't have to worry as much.

The alternative is outright stealing Nezul and bribing this attendant to stay quiet about it.

>There is a brief, but highly, highly noticeable glance at my backpack.
Wryly: No dragon's hoard would fit in a bag as small as this.

...where did we put the rest of the hoard? The leftovers? If it's all still there in the open, they're going to loot it like crazy. Good for the dragon (he can hide while they go gold crazy), but bad for the town (the massive inflation problem again, and one noble is going to get disproportionate power).

>fastest we can get there is 2-3 hr run.
Um. I don't suppose there's a ranged communication spell? (Although communication would be more Story's bailiwick than yours if there is).

Or I don't suppose you could distract the scouts before they got there? Would the drakes turn around if there was a lightshow behind them?

There probably is plenty of scheming going on but I think for most if it is just people trying to benefit from things.

Possibly a drake or two saw the dragon flying off and reported it. They seem rather excitable and enjoy flying so reports were scattered.

Everyone who took a drake out wanted to try and find the horde. When you came back without a giant pile of gold everyone who could went looking for it.

The nobles are all desperate for info and eventually your favor. And if they can't get it they will seek to play friends or discredit you.

Tell him there was indeed a huge horde. You have it stored on the astral plane. Tricky magic but when you do this sort of thing for a living you have to know how to keep things safe.

Then tell Nezul that you will send word once you find a healer and hopefully you will see him again soon. Mention something about being worried about the dragons family coming for revenge and then head out.

>>661925
Yeah, it's there. I looked it over for necromantic instuments for study. I was primarily looking for any phylacteries in case the dragon was about to go lich, but I didn't find anything. I didn't need the hoard, I'm already wealthy from several business ventures. I almost bought a bunch of drakes at once, remember? Don't eye my pack like a thief again, or I poke it out. Don't spread rumors like the rest of the bored fools around here either, there's enough chaos from the dragon one and I don't need kobold's trying to pick-pocket my ass and brigands attacking me from any dark alley.

If I am hassled, I'll hold YOU responsible.

And before you ask where the attitude came from, I don't like being looked at like a common thug or criminal. I took enough stares from Enlu today about the damn dragon and it's hurt my pride enough.

1/2 Kexluk 2015/08/13(Thu)15:32 No. 662059 ID: dd338c
File 143950516226.png - (133.82KB , 800x800 , 9-204.png )

"It is well hidden. I see your glance, but rest assured that the dragon's hoard cannot be held in such a backpack."

While true, a great portion of it was.

Even if I lied, I would be at risk. If I said I hid it in an astral plane, I would be made out to be a liar should scouts be looting the hoard as I say it.

"But, do us both a favor and don't be one of those fools spreading rumors without confirmation."
>"Of course not."
"Nezul, I will send word once I find a healer, and hope to see you again soon."
"Likewise."

>Um. I don't suppose there's a ranged communication spell?
Unfortunately I found no such thing in the market, and do not have the means to set one up.

>Would the drakes turn around if there was a lightshow behind them?
Perhaps - but perhaps not all. From the sounds of things, many of the scouts are only going in the hopes of riches that put a life's honest work to look like a beggar's pocket change. I expect some would keep going even if they thought their town was in danger.

>Where is the rest of the hoard?
Hidden. Luzona was vague about his hiding place, it sounded as though it may be different from where we hid the hoard, but I am unsure. It was an excellent hiding spot, but I also did not expect an entire group of scouts to search like this.

2/2 Kexluk 2015/08/13(Thu)15:33 No. 662060 ID: dd338c
File 143950520989.png - (200.23KB , 800x800 , 9-205.png )

I head to the goblin merchants next in hope for a steed.

>"Heyyyyyy Kexluk, how ya doing?" the goblin lady asks, looking at me like my rags were mythril embraced clothing of a king. "I hear you fought a dragon?"
".... yes, you sold me a headband to prevent fire to do so."
>"Right, right. Sorry, there. You got it still?"
"Yes. Here you are."
>"Annnnnnd okay then, I guess I could give you your 29 gold, but you sure you don't need your headband back?"
"I am certain, thank you."
>"Yeah okay, but if it's just pocket change to you, then -
"I am a paladin who does not seek to have great treasure, but I am not running donations, either. Here is your headband."
>"Okay okay! Here's the gold. Now don't be a stranger and look around, we got all kinds of shit."
"Do you have a steed I could borrow?"
>"Son of a fucking bitch you just missed the crowd! We had a couple decent animals, but some scales offered us a premium to rent 'em. I mean, we still got ol' Warty, but shit, the guy's made for endurance, not.... yeah, actually, you were wanting to go to the dragon, right? Sure you could run, or you could save your energy. Warty's not too fast, but he'll get you there! How about, say, 30 gold?"
"How much did the scouts earlier pay?"
>"An appropriate amount considering that back then, I still had a stock of animals."
"And that would be how much?"
>"Less, I admit."
"Never you mind, I apologize for being pointed."

http://strawpoll.me/5204786
Option 1 & 2 will be tallied together as a vote to go take the slow way to the dragon.

>>662060
...yeah, they don't need that many scouts. They're just trying to find whatever portion of the hoard you didn't take with you. The rumor was spread to cover the scouting efforts. Fucking greedy assholes.

You ran for like an entire day before. 2 hours is nothing. Do it the fast way. ...actually, ask if she has any other magic items that would aid in traveling quickly. Speed potions, enchanted gear, anything. Time is of the essence.

Also ask if she knows of any skilled healers in town- anyone that could heal wounds like those on Nezul.

Looks like there is gold fever in the air.

Mention that the idiots are looking for the horde but you want to make sure that there is no truth to the rumors. Incase other dragons are moving in or lich antics.

So the dragon hid his 134k somewhere but did not tell you so its not your problem if it gets stolen. Only time will tell if its hidden well enough.

How much of your half is left in whatever lake you found? That part is the stuff you want brought back safe. If you happen to run into the dragons share you can safeguard it for him.

I would take a risk and leave all but your personal share of the gold you have on hand with Lady Enlu for safekeeping. Will weigh you down if you take it with you and she is at least somewhat trustworthy.

>Hidden
Maybe we should trust a greedy coward to be good at keeping himself and his money out of sight?

The only real problem is he doesn't have any warning they're coming.

Chapter 8 Part 1 END Kexluk 2015/08/13(Thu)17:00 No. 662092 ID: dd338c
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>How much of your half is left in whatever lake you found? That part is the stuff you want brought back safe.
My half? It is with me. Inside of my backpack. I took the condensed portion - the platinum and gold coins - instead of the room occupying silver and gems. It was only possible by means of these strong backpacks, which seemed to be intended to hold such grandiose weights.

To run to Luzona would be tiring - but I can expend more magic to boost myself. Considering that I do not expect to fight any formidable foes upon my arrival, this is acceptable.

"Time is of the essence. I do not need endurance, I need speed. Do you have anything of that sort?"
>"Hell yeah I do - was gonna sell you that next. This boost'll give your legs springs for a good 5 minutes. I got enough of 'em for 30."
"How much?"
>"Well, for a single one, I would ask - "

I have no time for this. I pull my hand up into a backpack sleeve, grab a clump, and slam it down onto the backpack. I do not care who sees it.

"Is this enough?"
>"Holy fuck now we're talking yes that's enough take all these."
"Thank you."

When I return to town, I will have to keep Detect Life on at all times to sense anyone getting too close to me.

But for now, I must run.