Overlord 2, the Other Guild

Game Master BloodWolven

"Don't be like that, Desseer. You can't get rid of me that easily. Even though I was joking, though, I was partly serious. The guild structure is going to need some changes if we're stuck here 24/7 or however many hours and days this world has. It was one thing when I could log out if I was sick of putting up with things. If we're stuck here, we're going to need to find a better way to work together. We don't know if we get second chances, and while my mistakes may have been ..." So'ren seems stuck on the next word. ".... less well received than yours... you have made your share of errors, some of which have resulted in character deaths. I don't intend to find out what happens if we die here."

In the north

Galahad nods approvingly

"That will be useful indeed, specially since we could be going around for hours untill we find some trace of civilization, even flying. It'd be way easier if we could use divination here, but I don't think we got any spells that would work without knowing who to look for..."

He scratches his head, troubled

"Ah well, no use standing around, let's go find this delta then!"

Desseer smirks as he replies, "I'd be disappointed if it was that easy. But seriously, your seeming need to disagree with me is a boon as I see it. It helps ensure that I do not become complacent. It also allows for others to feel more welcome to critique my ideas. Honestly, I really would be disappointed if you left."

"Secondly, we now have that farm. You can explore. There are all kinds of things that you can do to get away. Why don't you just take lead on that farm? Would that help?"

"Lastly, my actions and plans thus far have been cautious. My original words for the scouting groups were to check back after every mile. That would mean that, should someone need help, assistance would be more readily available quicker. I noticed that you didn't check back in every mile. Which of us, thus far, have displayed more caution and care? Heck, you didn't even volunteer to stay behind and be ready as backup. You just left."

"So," he concludes a bit smugly, "While I do appreciate your concerns, they ring a little hollow given your actions thus far."

AAAHH! he thinks to himself with inward panic, Was that too much? The farm thing seemed like a good idea. Should I go easier on So'ren? But in this extreme situation we can't just waffle about and wait for things to happen. Right? I think so...

Fyr manuevered herself inbetween the two and scowled." Dont let this animosity fester. It'll do no one any good." she used this time to scowl at rhe pair a little bit of her fierce face, one many other players saw before they fell to the Mistress of Death!

After a minute she then perks up and smiles cocking her head to the side. She then places two hands to the top of her head and says "Nyah" imitating a cat because Myriana wasnt there.

" Is that better?" she says tryinf not to luagh at her pathetic cat mimicry.

"Nice revisionist history, there, bud. I'm the one who suggested scouting, you're the one who tried to turn it into an order. I told you I was going to check the upper levels and then head out the back way, south. Your reporting in every few kilometers? Cautious, sure. Controlling too. If I had the means to do so, I would have, but I don't think comms are working in this world. So, proceeding out until I found something seemed the wiser course than returning every few thousand feet."

She waves her hand in the air. "Oh, and thank you for giving me permission to do what I was going to anyway. Very patronizing."

Despite herself, she giggles a bit at Fyr's impression. "YOU can come to the farm, luv, if Desseer isn't putting you to work elsewhere."

"I'm sorry that you view organization and efficiency as overbearing and controlling," Desseer says cooly across Fyr. "Regardless, our north team hasn't checked back in, nor has the east. Do with that information whatever your heart desires."

So'ren sighs. "I'll take Breaking Dawn and do a flyover in those areas, see if I can spot them. She's one of the fastest companions we have, so it shouldn't take long, especially if I'm just looking for our friends and not trying to mentally map the area."

You stay here some more Sanders, I'm sure it's the most useful you can be.

as a mythic agile pegasus, Breaking Dawn can fly somewhere around 68 mph at his normal speed (150 ft fly x double move x 2 full turns per round = 600 ft/ round or 100 ft/second)

Fyt smiled at So'ren as she continued to weave a rough silken shirt. When Desser looked at her dhe held up the shirt eyeing the Guildmaster and then her shirt and smiled."A robe would look good, and maybe we can dye it something bold and bright...like Pink! Witj gold of silver embroidery! Yes perfect! Little scorpions" she says ignoring the back and forth her attempt at levity only cracking Sos demeanor.

" We could send some of the gaurdians, especially the undead on a project already. Securing the farm above ground is great, but so movemnet od troops and other cladestine or goretesque things tunnels to the barn or house proper should aid in covert movement. I also think we should look for Rootworld networks. Yggdrasil had lots of old root systems and secret things lay there" the drider hunter said continuing making a robe for Dresser a project to keep her busy as she secretly wanted to go outside and see the new wilds both above ground and below.

Before attempting to procceed Galahad reaches out to the guild

North team reporting, there's a beautiful beach out here! Just like the movies! Though no sign of inteligent life. We're checking for clues that could lead to some civilized city

Galah'ad, what method are you using for communication? The chat boxes from the game are gone. So some possible options are message, sending, and telepathy.

Message and telepathy are too short-ranged for that and sending is too high level, Galahad tells Zhang to use whispering wind to deliver the message, though I just remembered that it has a word limit so the message is changed to

North team, we found a beautiful beach! But no inteligent life... We'll search for signs of civilization or a delta that could lead to villages.

Desseer rushes to catch So'ren before her and Breaking Dawn fly off. Once in sight, he quickly gathers his will and casts the simple spell Message.

"I just got word from the north crew," Desseer's whispered voice sounds in So'ren's ear. "They are fine and exploring a river. Just thought you'd want to know."

"Thanks, Desser. In that case, I will look towards the unexplored East." she whispers in return, in case whatever method he was using could be responded to.

She meets the twins at the stables, brushing Breaking Dawn's mane with a hand before mounting. "I am off to make sure the scouting teams are safe. Gather the necessary supplies for a stay at the farmstead and I will meet you there when my task is completed."

They don't need to know I am scouting.

Desseer enters the dining room with a smile on his face and a little bit of a strut. "Fyr!" he shouts while he is still a ways off, "Things are going to be alright, I think!"

By the time he is near her again, he is just beaming. "I feel like I should be freaking out, given we are stuck in new bodies in an unknown world. But, I feel surprisingly at ease. Being surrounded by grasslands for a few miles means that we should be able to see any potential enemies from a distance off. All things considered, were doing pretty well."

"Oh also," he adds, "yes. I think I also feel a craving because of my...heritage.."

Message and telepathy are too short-ranged for that and sending is too high level, Galahad tells Zhang to use whispering wind to deliver the message, though I just remembered that it has a word limit so the message is changed to

North team, we found a beautiful beach! But no inteligent life... We'll search for signs of civilization or a delta that could lead to villages.

So are you flying up? East or West? Also how high up?

She walks over, lays a comforting hand on his shoulder, and asks, "Desseer, what would you like? I will have it whipped up in a jiffy."

Finally at the fourth check in, they would reveal they had found an obelisk covered in runes which seemed to endlessly pour forth water which fed the streams supporting the meadows.

What do you do Willow? Touch the obelisk? Explore around it?

So'ren knowing the speed of your mount you cover the distance to the 5th mile well under an hour. You would find seven mud huts that have wood walkways between them. The huts are built on stilts. How high are you flying?

Maybe 500-750 feet or so, high enough that she can see a good chunk of the landscape, low enough she wouldn't miss important landmarks unless they were hidden.

So'ren circles the small dwelling/town, looking for any signs of activity. If she sees any movement, she flies off, first north, and then when the village is out of sight, back to the HQ.

If she doesn't see any movement, she has Breaking Dawn continue the flight as if they didn't take note of the village until they can land a safe distance away.

"Right! I want to ses my pret squirming and writhing in my webs! The fear in there eyes, so savory so intoxicating..." Fyt said a bit shocked internally at such a thing. Yet Emilys avatar the Drider named Fyr craved such a meal.

" However any sort of meat would be perferred. I know my grandfather was great at a Pork Bowl! So good." she said as she followed Desseer her spider legs clicking as she seemingly just enjoyed the moment. Her kimono stirred and a tiny scorpion appeared scrabblinf around on her body.

"Jimmy is awake! Good Jimmy. Look Desseer its Jimmy" Fyr said excotedly as she cradled the scorpion in one hand and kissed the arthopod before she then showed her Guildmaster and friend.

So'ren you do notice movement after circling a few times. Figures coming out of their huts and looking up plus a lot of bird movement.

Desseer leans away from the presented scorpion slightly. "Oohh..," he says with some hesitant enthusiasm. "Hello Jimmy..what lovely..mandibles you have.."

He turns to Inennarra, thankfully remembering that she had asked him a question. He then quickly also remembers what she had asked him. "I..uhh..," he stumbles, trying to think of a way to change the subject. "No..uhh..it's fine. We can..worry about that later." An idea then occurs to him. "Inennarra! Look at Jimmy! Isn't Jimmy adorable!?" he asks enthusiastically while gesturing at the presented scorpion.

After Inennarra begins giving attention to the Jimmy situation, Desseer is able to collect himself and another thought occurs to him.

"Fyr, I think I have an illusion ability that may be useful. It is up to you." Desseer gives Fyr a warm, charming smile, "That is not to say that you should cover up your radiant beauty. But such extreme beauty is certainly more than some can handle." He places one of his hands gently on his chest, "I can only imagine how lesser men would struggle." He gives a wink and adds, "I mean, legs for days."

So'ren makes note of the location, and then diverts course northward until she is sure there are no followers and course correcting again to return home.

If she feels she is being followed or watched, she will instead divert ot the farmstead.

She pleasantly states, "All of Fyr's babies are adorable, may I pet Jimmy?"

Soon enough So'ren returns to the HQ. If any of the other groups turned back they would be returning at the same time.

"I've found a group of buildings with some activity about five miles out to the east." So'ren announces as she arrives back in the mapping chamber. "About six or seven primitive huts connected by planks in a swamp. I reserved taking a closer look for a larger party."

" Thank you Inennarra, they are arent they!" Fyt saud with a warm smile as she then giggled a firlish giggle.

" Why Desser are you telling jokes and flirting with me, you dog" she says with ansmile before breaking out in laughter. Jimmy danced excitedly the scorpion seemed to mimic Fyrs moves.

"Humor aside will Franklin beable to be ensorcelled too? Though what to make a gaint scorpion be, without being a gaint scorpion?" she pondered as she began to use her legs to climb the wall and walk along side the elf as if it were second nature. She paused and looked at her self and screamed.

"IM CLINGING TO THE WALL!!!" came out and her eyes were wild in shock and her hands failing about.

*****(before So'ren returns******
Desseer laughs with Fyr.

"Well," he begins to answer Fyr's question, "most insects and such are immune to ensorcell-" He is cut off as Fyr freaks out and he dodges, just barely avoiding her flailing. When he dodges, he loses his balance and falls on his back.

He sits dazed for a couple seconds before he bursts out in laughter. He manages to get out, amid the laughter, "Of course you can, you're a drider."

******(after So'ren returns)*****

Desseer gives a contented smile at the news of the huts. "Well, I think that it's time for me to finally be useful. If it's alright, I'll investigate further. "

I wanted to wait for Myriana, but I think she'll be busy for a while. So I'll be taking the lead. Since we're looking for bodies of water I think it'd make sense for us to head east

Galahad flies high into the air, glancing to see if he can find any signs of the sea turning into another body of water.

How about we head east? I think there might be signs of a delta over there

Yes east seems to have more bodies of water. A few miles along you find a delta that is fed by a swamp.

Galahad turns to Myriana, delighted at what he sees

"Turns out you we were right on the money! And just our luck that we can fly, swamps are usually awful to navigate on foot without the right magic or equipment"

He had never traveled through a swamp in real life, but in YGGDRASIL there were certain areas of swamps quite difficult to traverse without magic or proper equipment, but it was no problem for two flying beings

Just be careful, there's no telling if there will be an attempt on an attack from down there

He warned, already thinking about all the kinds of creatures and monsters that could be found in the swamps of YGGDRASIL as they move forward

Galah'ad, most of the critters dive down assuming your aura is active. You don't see anything bigger than large. Mostly animals and vermin. Though it is hard to see considering the murky water.

We're trying to be sneaky, so Galahad would have his aura off, I also took a bit of sand from the beach and part of the guts from the deer Myriana killed, that could be useful down the line

Galahad frowns upong seeing the critters in the swamp

"Uhmm, we're not in YGGDRASIL anymore that's for certain, usually the swamps would be populated by far more creatures and at least a little more dangerous than those, let's explore a little more. I doubt there would be humanoids in a swamp like this, but maybe we can find another kind of civilization? Gripplis perhaps?

Galahad wondered outloud, intrigued about how a society of non-humanoids would be in what now seemed to be real life

Fyr got back up to her feet and began to grab her gear. " Its just shockinf You used to have to hit left click now its just natural."

As she got back up and began ro move towards her area. As she does she speaks." We should use your map and try to plan out traps aswell."

As Galah'ad and Myriana head further into the swamp you see your first swamp monster, nothing like you have seen in Yggdrasil. It is about 20 feet tall though it is stooped. You see it's massive wings cover its body like a cloak that skims over the water. It's massive beak suddenly drops into the water and emerges with a young crocodile in its beak. One quick movement and the crocodile body drops into the water cut in half.

Galahad stops for a moment and analyzes the creature, raising an eyebrow as he notices that he cannot recall any monster or beast like it existing in YGGDRASIL

"H-hey Myriana, look at that..." - He whispers to the catgirl, trying not to draw attention

"I don't think there was anything like that in YGGDRASIL, how cool is that?"

He says excitedly, Galahad's inner instinct makes him want to try and straight up kill it to turn it into one of his undead minions, but he remembers that they were trying to be stealthy here. Even though he believed that the creature was unlikely to be as strong as their team (crocodiles were a fairly weak beast, at least in YGGDRASIL) it was unlikely they'd be able to take it down without some fair ammount of noise.

"Damn, I really wanna take that think home to do some examination, but that's not what we are here to do..."

He ponders for a moment, he had the power of Juju, meaning speak to animals was a bonus of his class, but he didn't even knew if it was a beast or a regular monster and regardless of what it was, would there be any benefit to be gained by speaking to it? It just looked like a savage, unlikely to be reasoned with.

Galahad thought about asking Zhang to detect the creature's thoughts, but he didn't want him to waste more mana just to check for such a thing.

"Let's just commit this creature to memory and move forward, shall we?" - He says, flying cautiously as to avoid the creature's attention

Damn it! If I was one level higher it'd be able to cast charm monster on it! Oh well XD

So Galah'ad and Myriana are returning to HQ?

The giant bird like creature continues to cut the body into swallowable size.

Can we continue to explore the swamp? If so then we'll continue. If there was nothing left to explore I'd really want to fight the creature, but I don't wanna drag Myriana into combat without her imput

What you don't want to fight the creepy huge if not gargantuan bird creature on your own? But seriously, yes you may continue exploring the swamp. There are all sorts of critters and locations in those swamps.

Desseer rubs his chin, "I have mixed feelings about traps. On one hand, I totally want them to help defend the Abattoir. On the other, traps, more often than not, indicate that someone doesn't want you to be somewhere." He shrugs, "I just don't know."

******(after So'ren reports on the swamp)******
Desseer turns to Inennarra, "A small number of huts is unlikely to lead to any significant problems, but, I want you to put the Abattoir on heightened defense." He looks into her eyes and places a hand gently on her shoulder. "I need you to focus on this and not on what I'm going to be doing. Now go and do that."

Once Inennarra leaves he turns back to Fyr. "I've got a weird ask. My body is going to be going essentially unconscious while I investigate the swamp huts. Would you be willing to look after my body while I'm 'away'? Inennarra has been displaying a higher level of friendly lately, and I'm a little concerned with what could happen while I'm out and in her care."

"Awww does Inennarra love you' giggles Fyr as she then. She looks a bit predatorish for a second the devious smile crossing her face then giggles even more breaking the whole thing.

"Yeah I can do that. Do you want me to have someone fetch a blanket?" she says as she looks around and then leans down.

"You know we may have to find more servants, slaves or allies ro aid us. Espexially in this unknown world! We may even have to do marriage based alliances. Which would be interesring...." she says with a wickes almost hungry grin. It was the drider seeking a mate to breed then eat

What you don't want to fight the creepy huge if not gargantuan bird creature on your own? But seriously, yes you may continue exploring the swamp. There are all sorts of critters and locations in those swamps.

LOL, but yeah, we'll keep exploring then

Galahad looks forward and points

"Let's move further east, following the direction of the river, we might end up finding something there"

"How do you know Fyr won't get friendly while you're gone?" So'ren teases. "After all, you look so yummy now."

Desseer looks down at the floor ashamedly, "Yeah...I kinda programmed her to be. It was a little thing I did back when I was recovering from a particularly bad IRL disappointment."

He raises his head and looks at So'ren with a playful smile and a wink, his platinum hair covering part of his face. His voice emerges low and breathy, "You're not so bad yourself So'ren."

After a few short moments of holding that posture, Desseer kind of minorly spasms into standing up straight and his face begins to flush. "Oh geeze! I'm sorry. I uhh..," he stumbles over his words. "I..that is..I have this urge to do that, now...I think it is because...ya'know...incubus.."

Desseer clears his throat, "Anyways. I'll just be walking outside, looking for a bird, and then I'll essentially possess it. When I do, my body goes limp. So, please don't let me fall and break something. After that, you can bring me inside or enjoy the outside-ish, or whatever."

Just to make sure things move along, that is what Desseer will do. Here is the ability so you can read it. The DC will be 25.

After getting the bird, he'll use it to investigate the little village.

Heading further East, Galah'ad and Myriana begin to see mandrakes. They fill the swamp more and more until all that is before you a Mandrake forest.

☆☆☆

Galahad scratches his head, impressed and confused

Wow, I've never seem so many mandrakes in a single place. Is this a community?

Mandragoras were considered intelligent creatures in YGGDRASIL, but in the sense that they could use logic and spoken language, not in the sense that they were smart, so these creatures never formed actual communities, at most a grove of about a dozen who associated merely to hunt, nothing like the huge horde beneath them. Curiosity overpowering him, Galahad uses his invisibility skill on himself and descends upon the Mandragoras to check for any signs of civilization among these creatures. If beings who were regarded as little more than savage monsters in YGGDRASIL were smart and capable of forming communities in this new world that would mean they couldn't trust their knowledge from YGGDRASIL to be 100% accurate in this world. Or perhaps they were associated like this because someone was controlling them? It was highly unlikely, but also a possibility.

BTW, I would like Galahad to draw a map of the places we've gone to. Can I do that or it takes some skill check?

These mandrakes are large or even huge. They seem to be just plants. 50 feet into the forest a massive claw of some creature cuts through you, the claw comes up again to grasp you but it can't.

In the next moment it sounds like an engine is starting up with lots of trouble. What do you do?

"What the hell?!

Galahad is taken back for a moment, confused as to what could have seem through his invisibility, but relieved that whatever it was it didn't managed to grab or wound him. He looks for what just tried to attack him, confused by the engine noise, but more concerned about what could have seem him.

Well, I tried- He thinks regarding his promise to try and remain incognito.

Might as well bring the guild something interesting then - Galahad wonders, raising his shield and clutching his fists but deciding against attacking yet so as to not cancel his invisibility untill he has a solid grasp in the situation.

Well, I just realized that my fists deal more damage than an axe, guess that's why the archetype is called Steelfist XD. Guess shield and fist will be my go-to for this fight

A few rounds later the engine becomes more smooth. Meanwhile the creature moves among the mandrakes from what you can tell this a colossal crab with a dozen or so of tentacles.