Thread 42455612

In a world of fantasy and magic, all over the land there are ponies skilled in the arts of combat, magic, and everything in between who seek the thrill of adventure. They usually do so by accepting the quests offered by the honest populace that isn't short of issues for aspiring heroes to solve.

You are one of such courageous ponies. You are a plucky earth pony, and a bard whose songs will magically improve the capabilities of your allies. You are a particular one, though, as you've decided to weave your strongest, most lecherous desires in your music. As a result, your powers can only affect mares, and you can reinforce them in more ways than a usual bard can. Unless noted otherwise, all the companions you'll join on your quests are mares as you specifically seek them out.

After starting your adventure in the town of Meadowburg. You then traveled to Starpoint Keep along Brass Compass, an adventuring unicorn you met in your previous adventures.
During your trip, you’ve used you magic on Brass Compass a second time. In addition to towering over most over ponies, she has more luscious lips, is slenderer, and her tunic now hides a pair of sizable teats. The was surprised by the changes. Never thinking herself as a noticeably beautiful mare, she’s been a little wary about the perception of others. Thankfully, the rest of the trip at your side made her a little more comfortable with her new form, and she quickly forgets those concerns when her mind gets invested in studies.

>Previous thread (#1): https://desuarchive.org/mlp/thread/42330176/#42330176

>>42455612 (OP)
After a 5 days trip, you finally arrived at Starpoint Keep.
You know for a fact the grey monolith of a castle isn’t occupied at this point, thanks to the peaceful times. However, there is also many houses built against the huge walls, and also large tents set up all round those. On this city at the edge of the forest, additional fields are also being hoed up on the side of the plains.
Your first stop is the tavern. At Starpoint Keep, this is a gathering of tables under tent clothes mounted to protect patrons from the sun and rain, gently waving under the light wind.

Brass Compass immediately asks about her examiner, Crow Heart, at the zebra barmaid. You friend must take an exam from Crow Heart to become a full-fledged seeker. The veteran seeker left a message for your friend actually. She expects to see her tomorrow morning, but will be unavailable until then. That means you have some time to kill for the rest of today.

You take some time to get some new horseshoes after you ended up hurting your hoof during your long walk to this place. It costs you come coins, but you’re glad to finally alleviate the soreness in your leg.

>>42455621
You come back to the tavern not long after. These are the available contracts for adventurers at the inn.

Poison in the spring
>Client: Dawn Cedrus, town alchemist
>For a few days, one of the springs in the woods has been colored purple and now reeks of rot. Fortunately, this isn’t anywhere close to the town’s water sources, but I fear the phenomenon could spread if left unchecked. I want adventurers to find the cause and get rid of it.
>Reward: 100 xp, 50 coins
>You'd be attempting this quest along 2 other adventurers: Star Flow the disciple and Barkmane the druid
>Expected challenge: medium

Spider extermination
>Client: Intendant Emerald Shine
>A giant spider took residence in one of the abandoned room of the prison under the keep. The pony-sized arachnid isn’t aggressive in itself, but it appears she laid eggs, and now her tarantula-sized offspring is running everywhere around the castle. Kill this creature and her brood. Getting the spiders to relocate outside the castle and city would be acceptable too.
>Reward: 50 xp, 100 coins
>You'd be attempting this quest along 2 other adventurers: Chara the fire scion and Scorpion Sting the huntress
>Expected challenge: medium

Love letter delivery
>Client: Warm Sands, enamored colt
>The other day, while I was picking mushrooms in the forest, I encountered a fae mare. Her beauty and the sound of her laughter has been haunting me ever since. Her name is Chanterelle. I wrote a poem to her and I could learn where I’d have a chance to find her in the woods, but I’m too scared to venture in the forest to find her. Could you deliver my poem to her, please?
>Reward: 40 xp, 50 coins
>You'd be attempting this quest along 2 other adventurers: Palm Oil the merchant, and Knifepoint the rogue
>Expected challenge: easy


Aside from the quests at the inn, there’s a general store where you can find a few things out of the ordinary aside from regular provisions and tools. There’s small trinkets and statuettes made of wood, sandstone or animal horns, jars of exotic spice and pepper preserves, glistening honey-dipped pastries, and colorful shawls and cowls as beautifully decorated as the tents some of the townsfolk live in.
There’s also a merchant that sells items that more aimed at adventurers. Aside from the usual torches and ropes you already have plenty of, there’s a few premiums items you could use.

>>42455624
>Mana potion
>50 coins
You gain one mana that can exceed your normal mana capacity. You have to use this point of mana before going to sleep or it will be lost.

>Return spell scroll (you have 1 one these)
>30 coins
Teleports the party to where they each woke up this day. Usually, this can allow you and your companions to abandon a quest without facing the direst consequences.

>Potion of the master
>120 coins
A potion that makes your words more persuasive, slightly altering the mind of those you talk with in your favor the more you converse with them. Also allows you to briefly hear their surface-level thoughts. Lasts 2 hours.

>Windborne mail
>10 coins
A magical envelope that once sealed will be carried by the wind to whoever is the addressee. This only works if the writer and the recipient know each other personally and that none of them dislikes the other.

>Novice evoker’s runes
>150 coins
A gilded leg wrap that can be used to produce weak elemental effects. It can create some fire, electricity, cold or a burst of air. Simple display of magic can be maintained at will (a flame the size of a candle's or a flow of air to cool oneself off can be maintained indefinitely) but a burst strong enough to hurt or distract another pony depletes the energy of the runes for the day. Such a burst is not enough to knock out a pony-sized opponent.

>Fae’s gamble (pendant)
>600 coins
Whenever you roll 96 or more while you roll against a DC, the previous growth magic you applied on a mare is applied on the largest friendly mare around you without any mana cost. Whenever you roll 5 or less while you roll against a DC, it is applied on the largest hostile mare instead, or on the next hostile mare you’ll encounter if none is around at the moment. Both these effects are applied regardless of whether the DC is passed or not and are triggered by all rolls until the DC is passed or that all available rerolls are used.

>What do?
>Take on a quest?
>But something?
>Chill for the rest of the day?

>You have 1 return spell scroll already
>You have 120 coins (-15 for a horseshoe + hoof care)
>You have 3/4 mana (spent 2 for the Ode to perfection, recovered 1 because you traveled)

>>42455627
Hmm pretty zebra barmaid not sure if we can get a zebra into the bard love triangle but I wouldn't mind trying if we can.

Let's buy two Windborne mail it doesn't cost much and it will allow us to stay in touch with mares that he's growing close with and let's take the Poison in the spring quest we'll get a lot of exp this way faster bring Hearty closer to his next level.

>>42455624
Take the poison in the spring quest and replace the disciple with Brass Compass instead.

>>42455703
I don't think we can replace any party members this time it didn't say we can right here probably because brass need to use her free time to study for her exam so we might have to do one of these quest without her.

>>42455703
>>42455726
>>42455627
Forgot to mention it, but actually you can always swap a party member with a friend unless mentionned otherwise

up

>>42455627
Sweet the bard cyoa continues and it's on my birthday too thanks Growfag. Got to say Brass Compass new hot and beautiful sexy form looks similar to the one the bard tried to imagine when he attempted to sing to the green unicorn mare. The first job is a weird puzzling dilemma, next the second job might be too challenging, and the third job seems simple enough to do so, I'm gonna go with Poison in the Spring it sounds fun.

up

>>42455624
Spider milf and the rogue both sound much more intriguing than some silly panic about sulfur water, but alright, maybe later.
>>42455627
Buy cheese. Ask around about rare and interesting cheese. Do fairies produce cheese? Is spider cheese a thing?

>>42456395
Happy birthday bruh.

woa

>>42457344
up

>>42457344
up

>>42457344
up

9

>>42455675
>>42455703
>>42456395
>>42456823
Before anything, you have to fulfill a promise to a close friend. Unfortunately, cheese doesn't seem to be Starpoint Keep's specialty. But you still find some decent looking portion of soft cheese from Mountain's Door to present to your rogue rodent.
"Mmh…" Hilda ponders as she takes a second voracious bite. "I've had better. It's a shame you ponies are both making the cheese and have a terrible taste for it. Just ask me, and I'll find more coins so we can find better cheese."
The rat still gluttonously devours her present despite her words, and seems satisfied enough to forget the dire retribution she warned you about.

You think about buying some windborne mail, but eventually decide that it can wait until you actually have something to send. You believe you'll find those letters in about any place where there's a shop.
So what's left for you to do today is to take on a quest. While Brass Compass will rest at the inn and study, you sign up for the one about a poisoned spring and meet the other adventurers at the edge of town.

"Greetings." A zebra in exotic attire bows slightly at your approach. "My Name is Star Flow. Let us discover what troubles the forest together."
"Hum. We must understand what's happening with the water." The green mare adds. You assume that she's an elf. "My name is Barkmane by the way."

>You may discuss with your companions to get to know them better as you embark on this adventure.

>>42460106
Wow an elf mare and zebra mare on this quest this should be interesting eager to see how close we can get to both or one of them.
Proper introduction of the bard is order. Next ask Barkmane is her eyes glowing because this is the first time he ever met a elf mare in his life they look so special and unique? Ask Star flow the zebra do all zebras rhyme when they talk? Then mention to the group what skills can each of them provide for this mission. Tell them that we have some ideas to why the spring is foul it could be some kind of fungus or mushroom spores infecting the water cause it's growing nearby? Somepony probably spilled some chemicals on purpose or accident when they were there testing a science or magic experiment? Could it be some kind of animal or magic spell anomaly causing this? Ask them both more about what their two cultures is like and how they came to being here at Starpoint Keep whispering heart is new here and would like to know more about them? Ask why is that the zebras chose to take residence at the old abandoned castle here and conduct their trading goods here does it have a lot space for them to help there community thrive or is it something more meaningful to them?

>>42460106
Briefly introduce ourselves and ask what brought them to Starpoint keep of all places. As for us, we're here to help a certain friend with their exam on becoming a full Seeker. Share each other's skillsets as well to get to know what everyone is capable of.

up

>>42460106
I bet it's completely natural and harmless. An underwater mineral deposit, or a decennial plankton blooming, this kind of thing. Still, better safe than sorry.
Can we be sure that it never happened before? Find out if either of our companions is originally from around here. If both are outsiders like us, maybe we should seek somebody else's opinion before going to the forest.
Star Flow is a disciple of what? Do leaves on Barkmane's dress have a purpose or do they just look pretty?

>>42460106
So, anything happening other than color and smell?

Will have to come back tomorrow

up

up

reading bump

>>42460186
>>42460709
>>42461445
>>42461919
Before anything, you have to fulfill a promise to a close friend. Unfortunately, cheese doesn't seem to be Starpoint Keep's specialty. But you still find some decent looking portion of soft cheese from Mountain's Door to present to your rogue rodent.
"Mmh…" Hilda ponders as she takes a second voracious bite. "I've had better. It's a shame you ponies are both making the cheese and have a terrible taste for it. Just ask me, and I'll find more coins so we can find better cheese."
The rat still gluttonously devours her present despite her words, and seems satisfied enough to forget the dire retribution she warned you about.

You think about buying some windborne mail, but eventually decide that it can wait until you actually have something to send. You believe you'll find those letters in about any place where there's a shop.
So what's left for you to do today is to take on a quest. While Brass Compass will rest at the inn and study, you sign up for the one about a poisoned spring and meet the other adventurers at the edge of town.

"Greetings." A zebra in exotic attire bows slightly at your approach. "My Name is Star Flow. Let us discover what troubles the forest together."
"Hum. We must understand what's happening with the water." The green mare adds. You assume that she's an elf. "My name is Barkmane by the way."

>You may discuss with your companions to get to know them better as you embark on this adventure.

"My name is Whispering Heart, bard at your service. But you can call me Hearty." You introduce yourself. "So! What do we know about this poisoned water? Does it have anything wrong aside from the color and smell?"
"Nopony's given it a taste." Barkmane replies, while the three of you start to walk towards the woods. "But I'd wager you'd be in for at least a very upset tummy for a while if you tried. At least! Thankfully, I don't think we've seen local animals or plants being affected by the water yet."

"I see. Also…" You can't help but to ask the mare about her beautiful eyes. "Forgive me for my ignorance, but is that glow in your eyes because you're an elf? I've never met one before."
"Huh? Well, yeah." The druid mare chuckles. "This is the most common difference between elves and ponies. You must be really new around here."
"I am, and discovering the world is precisely why I am adventuring for." You embrace the accusation of candidness. "I just arrived earlier today in fact. I'm accompanying a friend of mine so she can become a full-fledged Seeker in Starpoint Keep, but I figured I might as well do a quest or two around here too."
"A Seeker you say?" Star Flow perks up. "I hadn't realized this town was so important to them."

"My name is Whispering Heart, bard at your service. But you can call me Hearty." You introduce yourself. "So! What do we know about this poisoned water? Does it have anything wrong aside from the color and smell?"
"Nopony's given it a taste." Barkmane replies, while the three of you start to walk towards the woods. "But I'd wager you'd be in for at least a very upset tummy for a while if you tried. At least! Thankfully, I don't think we've seen local animals or plants being affected by the water yet."

"I see. Also…" You can't help but to ask the mare about her beautiful eyes. "Forgive me for my ignorance, but is that glow in your eyes because you're an elf? I've never met one before."
"Huh? Well, yeah." The druid mare chuckles. "This is the most common difference between elves and ponies. You must be really new around here."
"I am, and discovering the world is precisely why I am adventuring for." You embrace the accusation of candidness. "I just arrived earlier today in fact. I'm accompanying a friend of mine so she can become a full-fledged Seeker in Starpoint Keep, but I figured I might as well do a quest or two around here too."
"A Seeker you say?" Star Flow perks up. "I hadn't realized this town was so important to them."
"I don't think the place itself is. My friend needs to meet a veteran Seeker there." You reply. "Again, forgive my curiosity, but you sound like you've been dealing with seekers."
"I didn't do so myself, but they have business with my order." Star Flow explains. "This mare called Crow Heart is probably the one your friend wants to meet."
"She is, yes." You recall that's the name Brass Compass told you. "And so, it is this order you're a disciple of, right? Would you mind telling me more about it?"
"I see no harm in it." The zebra nods. "I am a disciple of the school of the Flowing Hoof. We are a monastery of warriors that use only our body to fight. Since we had to flee our country and leave behind the temples we maintained, sometimes for centuries, the Seekers want to recover some of the scrolls and artefacts we had to leave behind years ago. It is… a delicate matter. I didn't have a part in these talks."

"Glad to travel along somepony who packs a buck." You nod regardless. "As for myself, I'll use my music to empower the two of you if we face trouble, and I have a little ace up my sleeve if we need to scout ahead or be discreet." You turn towards Barkmane. "And I'm sure a mare in tune with nature like you will help us figure out what's wrong."
"I'll do my best." Barkmane nods. "Hopefully I can understand what is the issue with the water by asking the nearby flora, and maybe purify it with a little luck. Oh, and, I can help in battle too. I'll summon vines and roots to protect us."

"So… this toxic water problem." You ask next. "Do you know if there's ever been something like it in the past?"
"Not that I know of." Star Flow shakes her head. "Well, not ever since the town was rehabilitated."

>>42465395

>>42460186
>>42460709
>>42461445
>>42461919
"That was… sorry again, how long ago?" You ask.
"Four years." Star Flow sighs.
"Only four years?" You react. "The town looks fantastic. You must all have put an incredible amount of work to build it from the ground up. Do you know why your community chose to settle here?"
"We had no choice." Star Flow replies, a hint of melancholy in her voice. "We all had to leave our country with nearly nothing on our back. As for why we chose this place in particular, well, it was far enough from the border for a start, and we were all tired by the long way. At this point we spotted this castle, abandoned, but with a usable well, available roads and some stone and wood ready to be used. The elders decided that it was probably as good of a chance as any to stop running, and start rebuilding."
"The city's still developing fast." Barkmane comments. "I only moved in two years ago from the capital with my family so we could get closer to the forest. It is much better to study the druidic arts here."
"I can imagine becoming a druid in a big city must be frustrating." You comment with a smile. "By the way, are those leaves on your tunic real? Or merely a decoration?"
"Those are just decoration." The elf mare replies with a chuckle. "Nah, I'm not yet the kind of druid to clothe myself in vines and flowers and only plant stuff."

At this point, you've walked for long enough that you're getting close to the stream. As you start to hear the sound of running water, a foul, acid smell gradually settles in the air too. Soon the small river is in view, and indeed the water has an otherworldly purple tinct to it. Despite the smell, you cautiously approach closer. Barkmane stomps lightly in front of her, and the ground glows in reaction before a coat of bark starts to grow from it around the mare's hoof. After that, the elf mare plunges her protected limb in the water, and closes her eyes to focus.

"So what is it?" You ask once Barkmane has opened her eyes again after a minute. "Some fungal infestation? Pony-made chemical spill? A toxic ore deposit that came in contact with the water? A nasty corpse upstream?"
"Hum… Well, the first one you said, sorta." Barkmane concludes, taking her hoof out of the water and shedding the bark from it. "It IS poison in the water. Poison that is both fungal and magical." And there she winces to herself. "I believe this is the work of a fae. The plants around do not take offence of the substance despite its toxicity and magic."
"Are the… plants able to tell us more?" You ask.
"Well, no. Because as far as they're concerned, everything is normal."
"So a fae cursed this stream or something like that?" You ask.
"I doubt this is a single spell, or else it would have stopped a while ago." The druid mare shakes her head. "We should check upstream."

>>42465398
You walk a little longer along the water. At this point you stop talking, as you attempt to remain cautious so you're not caught off guard. After about twenty minutes, in a large ditch in the forest where the water forms a small pond, you find a being that is most likely the culprit, sitting idly in the water. The creature is huge. It must be at least 12' tall standing.
You approach in the bushes, undetected for now.

"Heavens, this creature…" Star Flow whispers. "Is THAT a fae?"
"They sure don't look like the usual pixie, but yes." Barkmane nods silently. "Obviously this one is attuned with mushrooms. Poisonous ones. I don't think we need to look any further for the source of the contamination."
"I suppose this one isn't a friend of yours?" You ask the druid. "Do you think we could talk this out?"
"Hard to say…" Barkmane shrugs. "Fae are very different from ponies, and from one another too. They might not listen to us, or most likely, they're gonna want something in return if we ask them something. That, or they'll impose on us to win a game of some sort. If we're unlucky, this one might just attack us right away."

>A: Fight the mushroom fae while you have the element of surprise.
>DC 85
>Barkmane! Star Flow!

>B: Come out of your hiding place and attempt to talk this out with the big mushroom fae.
>???

>C: Maybe you could make the place less comfortable. Go buy a large amount of salt or repellent of some kind to pour upstream.
>DC 60
> - 20 coins
>Barkmane-

>What do?

>>42465402
A let's fight it

>>42465402
B. May as well try to negotiate, especially with the odds against us.

>>42465402
All three choices sounds good but better analyze them just in case. A we got the advantage a zebra mare with strength, a elf mare who can summon vines to attack, shield, or captured our foe and a bard that can empower a mare's potential so we shouldn't have difficulty dealing with her plus we'll get affection likes for both our teammates and even if the boss poison us Star flow or Barkmane can heal us at the end. B we might be able to talk it out but Barkmane say she may not want to and would rather play a game with us or we have to do something for her in return there's too many unknown variables. C well the salt would weaken it's powers and perhaps drive it away but Barkmane will hate us and the poison spring will turn into a salty pond causing a different problem and nopony wants to drink salt water.

After mulling over the logistics of the options we have right here I think A is the best choice to solve this problem eliminate the source and cut off its connection to the water allowing our new friends to perform a healing remedy to the tainted spring.

>>42465402
B. It seems out of character to not give a giant mare a chance to talk, plus ponies already had one war with the fae and nobody needs a second one. Leave Hilda behind in case negotiations won't work and somebody will have to save our ass.

>>42465402
That mushroom looks horny.

>>42465402
A. I don't trust the face that mushroom fae is making those look like the eyes of someone gone insane

>>42465409
>>42465590
>>42465825
>>42466133
>>42465749
You don't like the idea of letting this toxic mare any chance at poisoning you or your friends through her games. You need to attack and end this quickly.
Though, she isn't going to be an easy opponent either. If you do chose to fight, maybe you should use some mana to grow your companions firt.

>You have 3 mana
>You can spend any amount of mana to grow your companions
>As a reminder, The name of a character with " ! " in an option indicates that that growing this character at this precise moment will trigger a circumstance bonus and make the challenge significantly easier.

>Attack the mushroom mare? You can still chance your mind.

>>42466841
Attack the mushroom fae mare but first Use the Ode to perfection on Barkmane her powers will definitely come in handy to stop the mushroom mare besides the forest is her territory so she needs to be in her element give her a major boost up so her druidic arts can be more effective here and use our last mana on the zebra giving her an extra strength to land the critical blow to put the fae out of commission.

>>42466841
Could we split up and draw it's attention to us by trying to talk to it? Just to see if diplomacy works.

>>42467241
This. Try diplomacy first before resorting to a fight.

>>42466841
Fight kill the towering poison enemy boss

>>42466907
>>42467241
>>42467324
>>42467535
You boldly decide to attack the huge mushroom mare.

>Time to roll
>DC 85

>>42467892
Here's hoping we win or lose by getting sat on.

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>42467892
>>42467897
Fucked up the roll.

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>42467892
Don't forget to use the mana on our friends Ode to perfection on Barkmane and the last one for Star flow. We need the upper hand edge in the battlefield.

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>42467892

>>42467899
>>42467923
>>42467946
Well, looks like trying to hurt the big mare want poorly and now diplomacy is no longer an option.

9

>>42467892
Give two mana to the elf mare and the third mana to the zebra disciple.

>>42468827
There's no reason to use our mana when we already lost the roll. Also, pretty sure we're suppose to call the growth before we roll.

>>42468987
Technically hearty and his team haven't revealed their position to the mushroom fae yet so she doesn't know they are nearby in hiding therefore, the bard still has the opportunity to empower them before attacking the mare turning the tide in their favor.

Being able to grow after the dice results makes the choice on whether to risk growing or not redundant. Think about it from the gameplay side of things instead of trying to be sneaky.

>>42469026
Being able to grow after the dice results makes the choice on whether to risk growing or not redundant. Think about it from the gameplay side of things instead of trying to be sneaky.

>>42467899
>>42467923
>>42467946
"If we're gonna clash with that fae, it's better if we do it on our terms, while we have the upper hoof at least." You whisper to your companions. "The more we interact with her, the more chances we have to get poisoned by her. I say we must fight and end this quickly."
The two mares exchange a worried look, but after the initial hesitation they eventually give a resolute nod to each other and to you.

You get into position, the huge fae still oblivious to your presence. Star Flow strikes first, leaping from behind the bushes to kick your opponent on the back of the neck.
The fae screeches in pain, collapsing into the water from the supernatural strength of the disciple's blow. As she does, Barkmane summons vines to keep the fae down, so Star Flow may strike her in the face.

However, the fighter mare trips as she approaches, and you soon realize one of the fae's head tentacles caught her hind leg. As you're unable to react in time, the big mushroom mare can push herself off the water, breaking the vines snaring her and lifting Star Flow in the air.
Without anything to step on, Star Flow can only flail helplessly, before the fae blows a cloud of spores on her. Seconds later, her eyes close and her body goes limp.

"You two better stay put, or else I'll turn your friend into mush!" The huge fae barks at you and Barkmane. Again, you're too stumped to think of a way to help Star Flow on the spot and have no choice but to comply.
"Much better." The fae shows you a satisfied, sadistic grin. "Well, thanks for the new toy." She glances at Star Flow. "After such a rude aggression, I'm sure you understand I'll keep something for myself. I'm not sure yet what I'll do with her, maybe make her a pet, or maybe turn her into compost, I haven't decided yet. But… Maybe you two could win your friend back… if you're up for a little dare."

>A: This isn't over yet. Use Ode to perfection to wake Star Flow up. Hopefully she'll seize the chance to turn this fight around.
>You MUST spent 2 mana to use Ode of perfection to pick this option.
>DC 60 The effect of using Ode to perfection is applied to this DC already.
>Star Flow!

>B: Beg the fae to take you instead of Star Flow. You swear you'll be a much funnier toy or pet or compost or whatever this big mare wants.
>The mushroom fae!
>DC 50
>???

>C: Listen to what the fae has to say, even though you can surely expect a sadistic kind of game after you attacked her.
>???

>>42470170
A

>>42470170
B

>>42470170
Huh the DC roll is already applied for choice A now that is convenient so we don't have to do another dice roll it's probably from the first failed roll which Growfag places for this new decision making outcome didn't know he could do that hmm doesn't look like it applies to choice B as well only A and I don't see it saying it does so we may have to do a new dice roll if we a majority of us pick that choice. As for C I've get the feeling the mushroom fae might tell us to fight Barkmane or do something embarrassing or dangerous.

So if we're going to have any hope of surviving and savaging this setback alive it makes sense to take the freebie advantage choice A.

>>42470170
>>42470268
Also, nice genned image, Growfag. Clearly, some work went into getting it just right.

>>42470170
A:This isn't over yet. Use Ode to perfection to wake Star Flow up. Hopefully she'll seize the chance to turn this fight around.

>>42470170
A. Evolve Star flow to take on the mushroom fae she may have won the first round but can she handle a round 2 comeback

>>42470248
>>42470268
>>42470347
>>42470646
>>42471057
You're not done yet, and thankfully the mushroom mare soesn't seem to realize what happens when you start playing your luth. Star Flow's body get longer, her muscles expand in the fae's grasp, and the disciple's eyes soon fluter open.

>Time to roll
>DC 60

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>42471172
Now the real battle begins have at thee mushroom fae foe.

>>42471213
Star Flow realizes the position she in, and while the fae's still distracted, her whole body twists violently like a whip to land a powerful kick right in the big mare's eye. The mushroom mare shrieks in pain, letting go of your friend as she recoils.
Meanwhile, Barkmane summons roots from the ground again, tripping the blinded fae who falls on her back. Making sure to not get caught again, Star Flow uses the occasion to land a few more bucks in the mushroom mare's gut, who coughs some nasty-looking green liquid in reaction. Your opponent is in a panic, and despite wildly thrashing around, Star Flow can still lands some blows now and then with Barkmane's help.

Eventually, after enough flailing around the mushroom mare gets back on her hooves, and then starts to clumsily run away.
"You're all insane!" The big mushroom mare bawls. She holds her face with a hoof, but you see a green liquid oozing from her hurt eye. "My friends were right! I'm never getting close to ponies ever again!"

You could probably chase her, but Star Flow seems content to stand her ground and let the injured fae get away in the woods. The sounds of the big mare's cries of pain and her stomps decrease as she gets away from you, until she's presumably too far to be heard.

Now that the source of the toxin has been dealt with, you can do some cleaning up. After Barkmane casts a protection spell on your hooves, you gather the nearby mushrooms with the intent of burning them. Meanwhile, Barkmane uses her magic to purify the water of the remaining poison, and after an hour of work, the pond and its surroundings have returned to an almost normal looking state, only some purple hints of poisons remaining in the humus.
"Nature and time will do the rest." Barkmane states. "And I don’t think this fae will come anywhere close to the town any time soon. Let's go back to the city."

>You completed the quest!
>You gained 100xp and 50 coins!
>You recovered 1 mana (you have 2/4)

"Apologies, but I'll take my leave right away." Star Flow states, once you've pocketed the reward. "I want to rest. Today's situation was a bit too tight for my taste."

>You may spend the evening with Barkmane and/or Brass Compass
>The shops are still open >>42455627
>What do?

>>42470466
Thanks bro.

>>42471711
>"My friends were right! I'm never getting close to ponies ever again!"
Definitely never gonna be repercussions from choosing violence. Nope.

>>42471711
Let's go back and take that lover letter quest considering how close we are to leveling up. Should also be much easier and less harrowing than the quest we just went though.

Replace both mares with Barkmane and especially Brass Compass. If the last quest showed us anything, it's that we need to start going to adventures with mares we've grown in the past to keep up with difficult encounters.

>>42471755
Since you arived in town in the middle of the day, it is too late in the evening to go on another quest.

>>42471711
Whoa she prettier and a very strong pair of big juicy flanks shame she had to leave we coulda spend time making sure she was okay along with bonding and flirting with her guess that will have to wait until later she needs some time to herself to get used to her new body and she probably wants to reflect on what happened considering she was being hold upside down unconscious where her teammates coulda had seen her naked naked body underneath. As for what to do dang it I was hoping we could do another job right now to finish leveling up for today oh well gotta wait for tomorrow. Until then let's see how the elf mare is doing after that fight with the mushroom fae if she feels bad that she couldn't do much or upset for having her druidic arts being weak say we don't hold it against her and would like to spend time with her we can even help her improve her druidic magic by using our magic on her we did towards Star flow we still have enough mana to do the same Ode to perfection spell on her too afterwards go spend the evening with Brass Compass and Barkmane at the tavern.
>>42471745
I saw your post if your worry about how violently we did towards the mushroom fae I want you to know something negotiating with every potential enemy mare isn't possible just think about the last quest we went on with brass searching the hole and we spotted a dead necromancer mare pony guarding a curse locked treasure chest with a wolf spirit in it proves that there are some mares out there we can't reason with some we can while others we have to take a stand and fight show a force of strength we can't be an adventuring bard if we don't fight in a battle sometimes but only talk and bargain our way out of a situation it won't be much fun and will get boring really fast.

>>42471760
In that case, invite Barkmane to hang out with us and Brass Compass. Ask Barkmane of how she's doing. It was a close call, after all.
>>42471807
You speak like that anon doesn't know that we do have to fight sometimes for some really strange reason. Also, talking and negotiating with a unknown fae as a bard is FAR more interesting than just using brute force. Hardly know anyone who wouldn't agree to that statement, and don't know why you chose this quest as an example of why talking is more boring.

>>42471807
The fae's presence was harmful, but there was no evidence that it was hostile or had malicious intentions. For all we knew, it just felt that spot was a nice place to call home.

>>42471954
You do bring up some good points considering we didn't know much about her. Look I'm not against solving matters peacefully I'm just saying we should mix it up a little we already seen how a quest goes when we talk things out with an enemy mare right? But what about finishing a quest fighting an enemy mare how different would the outcome be? And now we know some of us want to see more than one view points on how to handle a problem. Okay how about this as a sign of good faith if we take on another quest and encounter another rare unique 12 foot or taller mare like species like the mushroom fae I'll consider your advice about talking with her first and finding out her true intentions before picking the option to physical assault her next time so she can have a fair chance to explain her actions.

>>42471807
NTA, there was an option to negotiate with the skeleton mare. Bad example.
But I think I get your frustration. So far none of the enemies did anything to deserve getting beaten up. Kelpie, Skelly, Ratchel, mushroom gal, everybody just stood their ground. Even with wolves we kinda deserved it. It's hardly a situation to be fixed by randomly attacking strangers to feel less bored but, no shit, there is a pattern.

>>42471711
Congratulations are in order for a job well done with food and drinks use the Ode to perfection on Barkmane and let's make a quick stop to one of the shops selling those glistening honey-dipped pastries on the way to the bar so our team can try out how they taste it must a local cuisine around this part of town Brass and Barkmane would appreciate hearty getting one for them not sure if Hilda the rat will like it but it wouldn't hurt to see her expand her horizons on eating food other than cheese.

>>42471711
How much are consumables to restore MP?

>>42472578
Actually the MP can only be restored fully if we level up and as an added bonus it's capacity will increase up by 1. And if we travel to another town or complete a quest we'll gain 1 MP back as a result. We can also buy an MP back from a shop but it cost 50 coins to do that and we only get one.

>>42471711
Give our last two mana to Barkmane upgrading her status and creating a brand new makeover of a beauty befitting an elf mare it will be nice for whispering heart to mingle with and have two tall mares who both went through the Ode to perfection right by his side at the Starpoint Keep tavern drinking the best ale they have here. He should be able to get one of them in wanting to go to bed with him in the end.

>>42471807
>>42472544
>>42473005
Hate to be one to bring it up, but is anyone else just flabbergasted and frustrated at this? Three posts asking to us to use all our remaining mana for ode of perfection, which has little benefit to us at all. Each post having the same style of writing and lack of punctuation in them.

>>42472585
I know that, but at this rate we'll be facing our next quest with 0 mp. I'm just a bit annoyed with this exclusively active regeneration system.

>>42471711
DAT ASS

>>42471745
>>42471755
>>42471807
>>42471856
>>42472544
"Wana grab something to eat and spend the evening at the tavern?" You ask Barkmane. "I've heard there's a specialty of honey-dipped pastries in Starpoint Keep and I'd like to try it."
"Oh, I know the kind you mean." Barkmane nods. "I know a great baker for those."
"Sounds great." You nod. "Let me just fetch a friend of mine."

After you're back with Brass Compass that you introduce to Barkmane, the druid mare brings you to her favorite baker. Barkmane explains that honey is used as a preserving substance in zebra cooking once you're out of the shop. Regardless of the history of this process, each sugary bite from the nut cake is delicious and feels like it could keep you fed for a whole day.
You notice Hilda found herself a pastry too. You didn't pay for that one… You should probably enjoy your treats at the tavern, away from the shop…

"Woah, sounds like you got in quite a bit of trouble." Brass Compass reacts after you tell her how the quest went. "I'm glad you made it out ok."
"That was a close one, yes." You nod. "In retrospect, I'm not so sure it was a good call to attack right away after all. Maybe we could have talked this out."
"Eh, don't beat yourself up over it." Barkmane tells you, giving you a pat on the back. "Sometimes, in the moment, you have to pick a choice without having the full picture. Like you argued back then, fighting a poison-attuned fairy isn't less dangerous that trying to parley with them. To be frank, that fae looked like the kind to hurt ponies whether she meant it or not."
"I heard the fae talking about some friends of her when she fled." You remember. "Are you sure this mushroom mare and her kin won't be seeking revenge?"
"I can guarantee this won't happen, but…" The druid mare shrugs. "Fae's grudges and games are very alien anyway. For all we know, this mushroom mare could have forgotten all this already, and it's another fae we didn't even notice that is plotting our demise because we walked on her favorite rock or something."

"Mh. Thanks for the insight." You nod at the druid mare. "I have to admit, I expected that you'd be more shaken than this after this encounter."
"Why? Because I'm not the fighting type?" Barkmane smirks. "Nah, I know what it means to go on adventures. We get to face the unknown and sometimes that involves hardships. Besides, Star Flow is the one that got caught. I understand she needs some time off, but the best we can do in the meantime, well... I say it's drinking in the name. To our brave brawling companion!"
Barkmane lifts her mug, and you toast with her.

>What do?
>Use mana to grow a mare?
>Attempt to seduce a mare? The zebra barmaid you saw earlier is around too.

>>42475687
If Barkmane isn't shaken up that much after the troubling battle with the fae then she probably won't freak out if we use Ode to perfection on her. Give her a double mana power up boost and ask her are fae usually that tall like the mushroom fae we encounter? Mention how brass told us that if a fey-pony hybrid offspring is bound to their physical body needing food, water, and sleep everyday they had to live among the ponies right, so was the mushroom fae trying to do that back at spring or was she just connecting with the natural forest nature of the mushrooms within to ensure her survival? What capital did Barkmane came from? How do elf ponies survive out in the world is there lifestyle similar to fairies? Does she prefer to spend her time more in the forest or with other ponies in villages, towns, and cities?

>>42475687
Attempt to seduce Brass Compass? Be subtle about it by saying her parents went through their own Seeker's test so surely they must've had given her some ideas about what her seeker test will be like and if she wants he could come by to her room doing a late-night pop quiz session with her?

>>42475687
Ask what adventures Barkmane has had. Sounds like she has some experience in comparison our green start.
Lightly flirt with Brass Compass as well. Make sure not to go to far like we did when we first sang, and hopefully she'll respond better.

Bump

Bedtime bump

>>42475810
>>42476037
>>42476040
"You sound less green that I am, Barkmane." You tell the green mare. "I mean, your attitude tells me you've got more experience than what meets the eye."
"You think so?" She chuckles. "Woah, I didn't think I would become a venerable and wise druid after my first quest."
"For real?"
"Yeah!" The nods. "Well, let's say a quest in which I actually had a role. I guess I just took up from my parents. They're both adventurers, and I went with them on quests a number of times, until I was about 12. As this point, we settled in Sky Diamond when my brother was born. My father shared his mastery of the druidic arts with me, and like I told you, we eventually moved here two years ago. Since then, I've been wandering the forest and met some of the fae as I completed my training, but today was the first time I did so for an actual job."

"So you've already shared the life of adventurers, actually." You comment. "I guess that must have been closer to the kind of life a fairy would experience."
"Oh, I don’t know what you've got in mind, but I'm really not any manner of wildling." Barkmane tells you while stifling a chuckle. "Both my parents are elves, and so were their parents. My family didn't even keep track of how far back our fea ancestry is. The point is, I feel at home in cities with ponies like you would. Not that I don't like it in the wilds too. It's a different kind of pleasant, you see? Less exciting, but more contemplative, more… true, for the lack of a better word. But to be honest, I'd have trouble saying how much of that feeling comes from my training as a druid rather than my blood. I don't care much about that question either. I just go with how I feel things."

"Ah, sorry, I still have trouble wrapping my head around the ways elves are different from ponies." You say a little clumsily. Like Brass Compass explained to you, elves are precisely those of faeric descent that live like ponies, and cannot comfortably live among the fae. Aside from her skills as a druid, Brakmane is probably among the most urban elves too.
"And… about that fea we fought." You change the subject. "Do you think settling in the river was part of the way she lives? Do you think that maybe she needed that to rekindle her connection with the nature in some way?"
"Now, we'll never know for sure." Barkmane shakes her head. "But I don’t think we've put her in danger by evicting her from the spring. If she was at a point where she would absolutely need to make herself a home there, we'd have found her in a much worse shape to begin with."

"That sounds like some information we should all remember. So, Brass." You turn to the other green mare. "Are you feeling ready for tomorrow's test?"
"Well… I worked as hard as I could, so I'm as prepared as possible I guess." The mare fidgets slightly as you bring the exam on the table.

>>42478589
"Come on, I'm sure it won't be that difficult." You attempt to have your friend ease up. "If your parents could pass it, why wouldn't you?"
"They didn't have to take this test." Brass pinches her lips. "They were part of the original Seekers, back when the guild was founded."

"Well… in that case, how about we spent the rest of the evening together?" You offer. "To help you relax a little. Just you and I, for a quiet, late-night pop quiz session, and-"
"Oh, yes, thank you." Brass Compass readily nods. "Actually, that would really help. I still get nervous when I have to describe the key elements of fea spells used during the war and I still mess it up sometimes. If you could give me a last-minute quiz maybe I can finally put those thought in order."
Focused on tomorrow's exam like she is, Brass Compass is completely oblivious to the implications of your offer. In fact, you can tell she'd be very disappointed if you tried to go for anything else than studious behavior tonight.
It's all so obvious you even catch Barkmane having a bit of a giggle at your expanse.

Hopefully, once this exam is out of her mind, Brass Compass will be more open to less scholarly experiences.
Regardless, after parting with Barkmane, you accompany Brass Compass to her room, get on the bed with her and start plunging yourself in some boring tome to produce some questions to ask your unicorn friend. While a bit tense at first and having some trouble remembering some key information, the taller mare eventually relaxes and can more easily and more accurately answer your points. You've come to believe your friend has everything she needs in terms of knowledge, but has some trouble managing her stress.

Still, she thanks you dearly after this session, and goes to sleep at a reasonable hour to be ready for tomorrow. You leave and take a room yourself.
Up at dawn, Brass Compass comes to wake you up the next day, looking again a little tense. As you exit the comfortable tent that you've been given as a room, Brass Compass points at a mare near the counter of the tavern.
"It's her!" She whispers, as though being heard was a danger. "That's Crow Heart. Oh… I guess this is it, right?"

>>42478591
>Here are the available quests.

URGENT: Seeker Certification A quest marked as urgent will only be available the first time you see it, and will disappear if you travel, do another quest or spend a significant amount of time in any other manner. You can still do stuff like talking with your companions or buying equipment before. Not taking an urgent quest may also have other consequences depending on the context.
>Client: Brass Compass, in a way.
>Today's the day. Crow Heart waits for Brass compass at the tavern to give her an exam. You may accompany your friend.
>Reward: 10 xp, 0 coins
>You'd be attempting this quest along 2 other adventurers: Brass Compass the aspiring Seeker and Crow Heart the veteran Seeker
>Expected challenge: ???

Spider extermination
>Client: Intendant Emerald Shine
>A giant spider took residence in one of the abandoned room of the prison under the keep. The pony-sized arachnid isn’t aggressive in itself, but it appears she laid eggs, and now her tarantula-sized offspring is running everywhere around the castle. Kill this creature and her brood. Getting the spiders to relocate outside the castle and city would be acceptable too.
>Reward: 50 xp, 100 coins
>You'd be attempting this quest along 2 other adventurers: Chara the fire scion and Scorpion Sting the huntress
>Expected challenge: medium

Love letter delivery
>Client: Warm Sands, enamored colt
>The other day, while I was picking mushrooms in the forest, I encountered a fae mare. Her beauty and the sound of her laughter has been haunting me ever since. Her name is Chanterelle. I wrote a poem to her and I could learn where I’d have a chance to find her in the woods, but I’m too scared to venture in the forest to find her. Could you deliver my poem to her, please?
>Reward: 40 xp, 50 coins
>You'd be attempting this quest along 2 other adventurers: Palm Oil the merchant, and Knifepoint the rogue
>Expected challenge: easy

>Brass Compass WILL go have her exam with Crow Heart
>What do?

>>42478593
So that's Crow heart whoa she quite the sexy figure being an all black coated mare ask Brass if she wants Hearty to go with her to watch her progress on the test as a spectator while Crow heart is observing her so seeing a friendly face can put her at ease a little unless she wants to deal with this alone and focus without any distractions.

>>42478593
I vote we take the urgent Seeker's quest and give Compass a caring hug. Tell her we believe in her and she will pass thanks to all the preparations that we did together.

>>42478593
Support Brass Compass for her upcoming test, of course.

>>42478593
Lets get to know Crow Heart a bit better before heading out

>>42478761
>>42478969
>>42479621
>>42480021
"Don't worry, you got this!" You tell Brass Compass, and hook your arms around the neck of the taller unicorn. You hear a little sigh of relief come from her, even if she's still apprehensive. "I've seen all the work you've put into this, I know you can do it. By the way, do you want me to come with you, or will it be easier to focus if you go on your own?"
"Erm… Maybe I'll be a little less nervous with you around." Brass Compass giggles uncomfortably. "If you don't mind, I'll appreciate if you tagged along."
"Then let's go." You nod.

You approach the black pegasus mare who perks up in turn.
"Hello." She greets you, and then to your friend. "You must be Brass Compass, right?"
"Greetings." The tall unicorn bows awkwardly. "Yes, that's me, uhm, lady Crow Heart."
"Please, now." The dark mare scoffs with a smile. "You don't need to give me any 'lady'. Just talk to me like you would to any other adventurer. Anyway, I'm glad you showed up early. If you don't mind, we'll be on our way right away so we can begin your test. And…" Crow Heart looks at you. "I guess you want to bring a friend along?"

"Unless that's a problem, of course." You take a little step forward. "My name is Whispering Heart."
"No issue here." Crow Heart shakes her head. "Just remember this is Brass Compass who will have to do everything. No giving her any answer either, okay?"
"Sure." You nod. "I'm just here for… let's say, moral support."
Crow Heart glances at Brass Compass who's stiffly standing at attention, and smirks as she lets out a little scoff.

"Alright, let's get this over with." Crow Heart says to Brass Compass. " I found you a fair, straightforward task, but we have a bit of walking in front of us first. Hopefully once this is done you can take that stick out of your bum."
The green unicorn does a double take at the mare's butt joke, but already Crow Heart has turned heel and stats walking toward the way out of town.

Sounds like you have a bit of time in the woods before you arrive, and even though Brass Compass seems a bit intimidated by the senior Seeker, you believe Crow Heart would be open for discussion.

>What do?
>Chat with the mares?

>>42481324
Not gonna lie the look Crow Heart is giving us from this picture is making her very foxy almost like she flirting with whispering heart wouldn't mind if we managed to somehow spend the night in bed with her. If we're going to flirt with crow heart go for the tactful approach for example:

Tell her he surprised that the black pegasus has the same last name as his explain how he was once a farmer with his mother and father until he wanted to become more than that the moment he discovered his cutie mark talent being a musical bard having a heart outline with a musical note filled with little hearts in the end of it that's how he got heart from. What about her how she get heart for her name? Mention the type of skills he has as an adventuring bard and if she wants he can use his powers on her making the veteran seeker more beautiful and stronger than before should she wish to request that of us he will do no problem without any objections from him. Ask how did she became a veteran seeker what did she do to become the best of the best? Why she retired and what does she do now? What type of adventures have she had taken parts in? Does she work better alone or with others on quests? Was she a part of the original Seeker's? How come the original seekers of the guild didn't had to take a test to become full fledge seekers but after they disbanded aspiring newcomers seekers like Brass Compass here do? What kind of testes do new apprentice seeker do are they dangerous and life threatening? Did she encountered any special side effects occuring in her body from her time as a seeker when she was handling ancient artifacts?

>>42481324
Ask Brass why she still so nervous about taking her test? It's been her life-long dream to become an Adventurer Seeker just like her parents, so she should be thrilled and excited to do it.

>>42481324
Ask Crow Heart what inspired her to become a seeker.
>>42481610
>Tell her he surprised that the black pegasus has the same last name as his explain how he was once a farmer with his mother and father until he wanted to become more than that the moment he discovered his cutie mark talent being a musical bard having a heart outline with a musical note filled with little hearts in the end of it that's how he got heart from. What about her how she get heart for her name? Mention the type of skills he has as an adventuring bard and if she wants he can use his powers on her making the veteran seeker more beautiful and stronger than before should she wish to request that of us he will do no problem without any objections from him.
None of this.

>>42482155
Dude they both have the same last name thats worth asking about plus telling her about our skills shouldn't have to be a problem hearty doesn't have to go deep in the details about how his skills are more than what they seems to be he could just say he has the potential to empower his allies duh like he did telling that to Star flow and Barkmane so unless Crow is interested and wants to know more in depth details about hearty's skills the bard can just give her a simple quick easy answer that paraphrase what he can do.

>>42481324
Ask the Veteran Seeker if she ever had any rivals or challenging competitions during her time as a Seeker? What was her first adventure? Did she met brass compass parents before? And tell her about the Bard's first quest where he came face to face with a water Kelpie on the first try of his journey.

coming back tomorrow

10

>>42481610
>>42482106
>>42482155
>>42482286
>>42483061
"Say, Crow Heart." You prepare to ask the Pegasus. "Do you happen to have any family from Wheatvale?"
"Mmh… sorry, never heard of that place." And then she chuckles. "'Heart' in a pretty common name. We're not distant relatives, if that's your question. You can try working your bardic charms on me if you dare."
"I'd rather get to know you a little better first." You do not openly follow up on her invitation for now. "It's rare enough to get to talk with a veteran adventurer like yourself. What was your first quest like? How did you become a renowned Seeker from here? Did you have to pass a test too?"
"Oooh. You wanna have a whole interview with me I see." Crow Heart snickers. "But why not. So, about my past… well, it's no longer a secret… I started out as a burglar a decade ago. The jobs I did back then definitely wouldn't be called quests, but I was… and still am, very good at that kind of stuff. Still, no matter how cautious you are, when you treat with fences and bandits, you end up having to constantly look over your back, and that got tiresome really quickly for me. Fortunately, since I specialized in the 'recovery' of ancient or historical pieces, I could convince the Seekers to let me in their organization. That's how I reformed, from a scummy rogue to a respectable archeologist. And thanks to some unusual, but precious skills and connections when it comes to recovering lost artefacts, my contribution quickly allowed me to gain some weight among them. I still had to learn the whole magic scrying and counterspell stuff the Seekers are so proud of. The test was more… scholarly a few years back, and you better believe that with scrolls and wands instead of a horn, that wasn't an easy feat for me. The whole mentor and field test stuff is only a few years old, and I guess it's probably better that way."
"Well, better for you I mean." Crow Heart turns to Brass Compass. "It's still a bit of a drag to have to play teacher like that. But, hey, I have the reputation of a sweet, reformed mare to uphold..."

"So that test changed over time?" You comment. "Do you know why was it implemented in the first place? And why didn't the original Seekers have to pass it?"
"The Seekers were founded at the end of a deal with the royal academy. At that point, the Seekers became the partners rather than the hired hooves of the academy. Some of the nobles weren't thrilled with the idea of a now independent adventurer guild having access to royal libraries and laboratories, so the Seekers had to negotiate to keep their perks. Putting new adventurers under a test is part of their deal. The goal is to have some manner of screening before just anypony can work with the academy. Since the original seekers already had access, they didn't have to prove themselves."

>>42488378
But over time, the Seekers could at least spin the tests into something more… adventurer-like, rather than merely a filter to appease some suspicious academicians."

"It doesn't feel like you enjoy theses test." You comment. "I got a hunch you prefer a more… hooves-on approach than the average Seeker."
"That's a way to say it I guess." She smirks. "But I know what I've traded the boring for, so I put up with boring parts."
"Then let's talk about the exciting." You offer "Have you encountered some impromptu physical transformations since you've been working as a Seeker? I've heard that's rather common when you deal with old magic."
"Hm?" Crow Heart seems intrigued by your question, but ends up answering. "A few times, yes. Wizards of old seem to have an endless list of stupid spells to boobytrap their artefacts with, and despite my talent I couldn't avoid them all. I got turned into slime or inflated like a balloon on some bad calls, to name the two most ridiculous endeavors of that type. But I still made it out with my target both times. Anyway, I made sure to get rid of such effects, even smaller ones. My natural form is perfect for the way I like to do my jobs."

"Sounds like you might prefer to work alone." You say. "Or did I get it wrong, perhaps?"
"I'm far from knowing it all." The dark mare shakes her head. "Sometimes I need the help of other ponies with different skills for certain parts of a particular job. Sometimes I need muscles. Sometime I need a better magician, and even for my line of work, just having somepony to provide a distraction can work wonders." At that point, you feel like you see a certain glimmer of excitement in Crow Heart's eye as she spells out the next part. "But once in the dark, with nothing but traps or hostiles between just me and my target, that's when I can feel my own brand of thrill of the hunt. I can't imagine getting this feeling while having to look out for any teammates."

"Do you have any rivals?" You ask next. "Or competition perhaps? You sound like you're taking your jobs to heart. I could see you getting competitive over it."
"Well, rather than competition, let's just say a few Seekers weren't exactly happy to let a former burglar into the guild." She replies, but then shakes her head. "But I don't want to stir up anything, so let's keep it at that."

For the rest of the way, you tell Crow Heart about your own adventures. She maintains her titillating smirk while you do, and doesn't seem very phased by the fact you encountered a Kelpie. She praises the way you got the ring back from her, though.
You think about asking Crow Heart whether she knows the parents of Brass Compass, but between the fact your friend is still stressed out at the time, and the fact there's a non-null chance they could be the ponies having beef with Crow Heart, you keep that on hold for now.

>>42488382
At some point while you walk, you start to eventually feel a little odd. Almost like if you were watched in some way, or it could just be that the woods had suddenly become quiet. A little too quiet, with neither the birds chirping, nor the wind rustling the top of the trees anymore. At this place where the forest seems to hold its breath, Crow Heart stop on her tracks.

"There we go. Brass Compass, here's your test!" Crow Heart announces, pointing with a hoof at what's at first glance an unassuming grove. "Imagine you're on a quest from… eh, it doesn't matter… from some traveler that said he felt a disturbance into his magic while he travelled around here, and he wants to know if it's actually safe to travel around here or not."
"Alright." Brass Compass nods a bit stiffly. "So… What do you want me to do exactly…?"
"Come on." Crow Heart rolls her eyes. "Like I said. Imagine it's a quest and you arrive at a suspicious and potentially dangerous place. Do what you've be taught. I'll just ask you a few questions while you're at it. I promise it's straightforward."

"Go for it, Brass!" You encourage her in turn. "This is what you want. This is you dream about to come true! So take the thrill in but leave the stress out!"
You friend clumsily nods again, and after taking a few steps forwards, she closes her eyes to focus while her horn lights up.

"Okay!" Your friend seems to have a little breakthrough after a few seconds. "There's a spell on the area in front of us!"
"What kind of spell, Brass Compass?" Crow Heart asks.
"It's fae magic." Your friend replies. "I'd say it's a trap of some sort. It's gonna activate if somepony walks further that these bushes. Those kinds of traps were used during the fae war, and there's a number of those that still haven't been disarmed in the woods."
"That is all correct." The veteran Seeker nods. "And what is the procedure when you encounter such a situation?"
"Since the hazard is potentially dangerous but isn't active right now or in the way of anything, then as an apprentice Seeker I should report it so it can be treated later." You friend readily replies.
"Technically true…" You perceive a hint of annoyance in Crow Heart's voice. "But we came precisely to see if you have what it takes to be a proper Seeker, so you're going to take care of it yourself. That is your test to become an actual seeker."
"Oh, uhm… yes, of course…"
"Now go on." Crow Heart nods up to the patch of forest ahead. "I'm watching you in case something goes wrong."
After taking a big breath in and out, Brass Compass focusses her magic. Then she opens her reference book for a minute, and seem to find what she was looking for.

>>42488384
"I think I got it." Brass Compass announces. "This spell is maintained on the area by several key points on its outline, and the closest is that cairn over there." She points at a small pile of stones near a tree. "If I physically disturb this key point while using a nullifier spell, the magic on the whole area will dissipate."
"And so?" Crow Heart asks. "Should you do that?"
"Huh? I mean, that is the test, right? So, y-yes?"
"Are you sure, now?" The dark mare presses on. "Have you considered that you could be about to break an important historic piece from the fae war if you dissipated that magic?"
"W-well, uhm…" The objection disturbs your friend, and she has to ponder for some time before shakily presenting some arguments. "F-fae magic is bound to stones… o-or to living wood sometimes. I-I didn't feel any spici…specific artefact that's powering this spell. And those spells are still known by the contemporary fae, I think, so, uhm, there's no…there's no risk of that…?"
"No risk? Really now?" Crow Heart tilts her head at Brass Compass, but then suddenly shows her a smile. "You're right. You can go on."

"Or can you?" Crow Heart stops your friend again a few seconds later before she could even catch her breath, throwing her into disarray.
"Have you considered that you could need to apply the special directives for the treatment of catastrophic spells?" The dark mare interjects. "Isn't this trap potentially fatal?"
This time Brass Compass seems completely at a loss. She opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out as she's got a deep frown on her face. Her eyes flutter as she seems unable to make sense of what Crow Heart is asking.

The points you worked on with Brass Compass were about history and magic, not procedure so you can't know what this is about either.

>What do?
>Vocally encourage Brass Compass?
>Grow her?
>Play some music to help her focus?
>Call out Crow Heart for picking on your friend?
>Say nothing and believe in Brass Compass?

>>42488386
Sweet Crow heart doesn't mind if Hearty use his bardic charms on her can't wait to have the option to do that later on. Crow say we can't give brass any answers but we can support her so Vocally encourage Brass Compass and Play some music to help her focus.

>>42487763
out of 10!

>>42488386
Calm the unicorn's stress with music full of relax serenity.

>>42488386
Music time

>>42488386
Glance at Crow Heart and back to our instrument, to get silent permission.

>>42488386
If the trap is "not in the way of anything", what the traveler who hired Compass was doing here? What did he look like, and what was his name?

You're last on the board, so I'll save you.

>>42488454
>>42489275
>>42489502
>>42490116
>>42490130
Without a word, you start playing your instrument. Both Crow Heart and Brass Compass glance at you as you do, and meeting the dark mare's eyes, you do not think she has any objections.
This little distraction seems to help Brass Compass recompose herself. Again, she takes a big breath in and out, and after a few seconds she can finally muster an answer.
"Wait, the treatment of catastrophic spells…? Do you mean the one about risk of mass destruction?" Brass Compass asks. "This… this a procedure for spells that could wipe cities, like a portal to another dimension, or a huge amount of necrotic energy. We're not gonna ask the king for help for one fae trap. That makes no sense!"
"Oh, you're right." Crow Heart calmly replies. "That was very silly of me to bring that up. You can go on. That was last time I'm interrupting, promised."

This time it's the turn of Brass Compass to have a twinge of annoyance show in her expression. Still, she turns her heel and focuses on her task rather than taking it on the veteran Seeker. As she announced, the unicorn's horn light's up to project a nearly transparent aura around her. She approaches the small pile of stones, and after a slight hesitation, topples in with her hoof.
You hear a slight thrum in the air, as though the stones were grating more than the ground as they roll down. You see the forest distort slightly in the area in front of you, as though the air was suddenly hot enough to create mirages, but moments late, reality snaps back to normality, and you even start to hear leaves rustle above you again.

"Good job." Crow Heart graces Brass Compass with a couple of slow claps. "See? As straightforward as it gets. Now come back here. I've got a few general questions for you before I can give you that certification."
Already Brass Compass looks like a great weight has been lifted from her back. Crow Heart proceeds to ask your friend some generic questions about history and magic theory, which are much less complicated that what you worked on with her. Brass Compass can answer everything without any effort.

"Alright Brass Compass." Crow heart nods to herself after one last question. "I'm done with you, and I have the pleasure to officially welcome you as a Seeker."
"Really?" A huge smile blooms one the unicorn's face. "Just like that? I've really done it?"
"Yep." Crow Heart nods. "As soon we're back to Starpoint Keep, I'll write to the headquarters so you can have full access to all the resources of the guild. And in the meantime, you can have this."

Crow Heart fetches an emblem mounted as a brooch from her bag and gives it to Brass Compass. The iron symbol on a blue background represents an open book on a shield.
"Woah, uhm, thank you very much, Crow Heart."

>>42491756
"No need for thanks, you clearly worked a lot for this." The dark mare says. "However, let me give you a piece of advice. Seeker or not, as an adventurer, you HAVE to work on controlling your stress. With the full access to the Seeker's libraries, you could learn how to disable a whole golem in a couple spells. You're clearly smart enough for that, but that's isn't ever gonna help you if you're too shaky on your hooves to do anything at all once you face danger."

"Uhm… S-sure." Brass Compass bows slightly, but she's too ecstatic right now to truly heed the pagasus's advice. Instead, the tall unicorn prances towards you, and jumps on your neck to take you in a big hug.
"I did it!" The mare nuzzles you excitedly. "Thank you so much. I don't think I could have done it without you. You're amazing Hearty!"

>What do?

>You completed the quest!
>You gained 10xp
>You recovered 1 mana (you have 3/4)

>>42491759
Say we always knew she could do it we believe in her after all and suggest we should celebrate her apprentice seeker graduation with a tall glass of ale later on tonight as a date she said she wanted to get some ale once she became a full fledge Seeker. There still a lot of daylight left so let's head back to the tavern and take on a quest I vote for the love letter job.

>>42491759
Surprise Brass Compass with a kiss and spend the day together.

>>42491759
Congratulate and celebrate with Brass Compass. Hard to not feel her excitement spread through to us. Nuzzle her back as well while we're hugging.

>>42492382
A kiss might be a bit too much, unless we give her one on the forehead. That might be alright.

>>42494430
With the way how the picture show them close like that the bard clearly has the opportunity to make his move so why wait any longer?! He should just go for it show how much he appreciate the tall green mare.

>>42492081
>>42492382
>>42493561
>>42494430
>>42494757
You nuzzle the excited mare back, and in the heat of the moment, you lunge in for a kiss on the cheek. The eyes of Brass Compass flutter in surprise, but she replies to you with a smile while her face gets a tiny bit rosy.
"So what's the plan now that's you're a Seeker proper?" You ask. "I recall you wanted to have a bit of a party, right?"
"Mmh!" She nods. "That's something to celebrate for sure! Maybe we can have Barkmane join us again this evening. In the meantime, I'm gonna write a letter to my parents to tell them the good news, and then to the guild to order some books that I have the access to study now. Or maybe I could travel to the headquarter to meet the librarians in the flesh… Oh! Wait."
You friend breaks the hug and goes back to the dark pegasus.
"I meant to ask, now that I have clearance, do you know of any job that the Seekers could offer me?" She asks. "I'd enjoy discovering what a quest at your side could be like."

"With me?" Crow Heart looks a little surprised, but replies nonetheless. "Well, the Seekers will soon have business in the Zebra republic, far to the southeast. Whether you're interested or not, I'll be on my way today to eventually go there. You can probably ask around for me at New Dawn, their capital, if you make it there. No need to hurry yourself, though. This is a a whole campaign we're gonna have on our hooves with a side of diplomacy."

After that, you walk back to Starpoint Keep along Crow Heart, with Brass Compass nerding out on the way about the inner workings of the banishment and teleportation spells she ought to learn. Crow Heart leaves your side as soon as you're back in town. You probably won't see her in this area anymore.
Bass Compass is going to take care of the letters she wanted to send, but this isn't gonna take all day. You could rest until the evening, or perhaps go on another job.

>>42495016
Here are the available quests.

Thefts at the tavern
>Client: barmaid Moonveil
>There's been accounts of thievery and pickpocketing around the tavern these pasts weeks, with purses and small valuables disappearing from their owner's side. For now the guards haven't been able to get even a lead, so I'd like to have some adventurers take a shot at this case. The tavern's reputation has suffered enough.
>Reward: 30 xp, 60 gold
>You'd be attempting this quest along 2 other adventurers: Wide Swig the tavern dweller and Agate the slinger.
>Expected challenge: easy

Spider extermination
>Client: Intendant Emerald Shine
>A giant spider took residence in one of the abandoned rooms of the prison under the keep. The pony-sized arachnid isn’t aggressive in itself, but it appears she laid eggs, and now her tarantula-sized offspring is running everywhere around the castle. Kill this creature and her brood. Getting the spiders to relocate outside the castle and city would be acceptable too.
>Reward: 50 xp, 100 coins
>You'd be attempting this quest along 2 other adventurers: Chara the fire scion and Scorpion Sting the huntress
>Expected challenge: medium

Love letter delivery
>Client: Warm Sands, enamored colt
>The other day, while I was picking mushrooms in the forest, I encountered a fae mare. Her beauty and the sound of her laughter has been haunting me ever since. Her name is Chanterelle. I wrote a poem to her and I could learn where I’d have a chance to find her in the woods, but I’m too scared to venture in the forest to find her. Could you deliver my poem to her, please?
>Reward: 40 xp, 50 coins
>You'd be attempting this quest along 2 other adventurers: Palm Oil the merchant, and Knifepoint the rogue
>Expected challenge: easy

>Brass Compass appreciates you enough you may ask her to go on a quest with you.
>She would replace any other adventurer partaking in the quest of your choice

>What do?
>Go on a quest?

Already gonna say that I won't be able to post tomorrow. I should be back the day after

>>42495021
Love letter delivery

>>42495021
We should ask Hilda if she's been acquiring things from around the tavern lately

>>42495021
>Chanterelle
I just realized that the fae we're targeting for this quest is mushroom named. Didn't realize that my prediction of repercussions might come so quickly

>>42495297
Whoa hold on there the fae we encounter in the forest is poisonous and is not the same one in the love letter quest it's a different mushroom fae. Chanterelle mushrooms are edible not poisonous.

>>42495319
She had friends that she was going to cry to.

>>42495021
Do the love letter delivery quest, but replace the rogue with Brass Compass instead. Gotta have at least one big mare with us to pass things.

>>42495021
Alright, love letter it is. In the meantime, give Hilda something to work on. Maybe send her to spy on the spider? Or even to investigate the pickpocketing in case it's somebody else.
>>42496383
But rogues are cool. Is there a reason we shouldn't replace the merchant instead? I'm not saying merchants are not cool but, you know.

>>42495021
Okay I got to say part of Brass clothes hugging her butt like that is showing those streak lines of how juicy and plump her flanks hearty almost got her putty in her hooves for him. Soon those two will be ruting each other naked just have a few more tasks to do or shall I say loose ends to tie up.

Next in the agenda a theft happening at the tavern I doubt it was Hilda she may be a thief, but the job says it's been happening for weeks and she was with the witch in Meadowburg the whole time and never came to Starpoint Keep so it's either another animal or probably just a stallion or mare pickpocket maybe it could be a couple of homeless colts and fillies just trying to survive either way; I suggest we send Hilda to look into that matter, while we do the love letter quest with Knifepoint the rogue and Brass compass I don't see how a merchant will be needed for this job we're going to need brains and a speedy fighter for this one. And by the time we get back Hilda will be finish with her scouting finding out who's been robbing the patrons at the bar and we can easily catch the culprit afterwards finishing a total of three job quests for the whole day gaining tons of exp and additional money.

>>42495227
>>42495292
>>42495297
>>42496842
>>42496898
>>42496383
"Say, Hilda." You turn to the rodent in your satchel. "By any chance, you haven't been taking items in the tavern, right?"
"I didn't. Yet." The rat replies. "Whatever acts of thievery described on this paper are not of my doing. Surely you haven't noticed, but the mentioned thefts have been happening way before we arrived in town. Work on your math next time. I won't always be there to help you with it."
Hilda can read it seems.
"Well, I was thinking..." You start. "I am probably going to go on another quest that will be boring for you. Would you like to try figuring who that thief might be instead?"
"Taking out the competition?" Hilda ponders. "Mmh… That'll be one less scapegoat to cover our own acts, but it could be fun. Very well! I will partake in your adventuring gigs!"

Hilda jumps out of your back and climbs down your leg before skittering on the ground, and less than a minute later you've already lost sight of her. You'll have to trust that your rat friend is as cunning as Ratchel told you.
While Hilda will hopefully make that quest to catch a thief easier, you'll take on the one about delivering a letter to a fae. With a big of luck, the fact your target is apparently a mushroom fae doesn't mean she's related to the big one you bucked out of her pond yesterday. There are lots of mushroom in the forest and they aren't all friends with each other, right?
Regardless, once she's done sending her own mail, Brass Compass accepts to go with you, and you can meet the other adventurer that signed up for the job.

"Hey there." The zebra mare greets you with a wave. "I'm Knifepoint. Looks like we're gonna make some easy coins, right? I don’t mind sharing with you this time."

>What do?
>You may discuss with your companions as you embark on this adventure to get to know them better.

>>42501232
Another zebra mare joining on our quest huh what are the odds of that and she looks like hearty should have any easier time to bond and flirt with her maybe we'll be lucky and use some of our mana on her we're going to be fully stocked on mana anyway tomorrow once we're done with this job so might as well use up the rest of our mana on our allies for the day once the situation calls for it of course. Until then Greet yourself to her. Ask what she can do and how she got her name Knifepoint? How fast is her movements? How long has she been an adventurer? Did she receive her training here at the Flowing hoof school in Starpoint Keep?

>>42501232
Compliment the zebra's mane it looks cool. Ask if she ever travel anywhere around the world? When she out on the battlefield does she strike in the shadows before her opponents even has the chance to blink their eyes? Does she enjoy the thrill of adrenaline when she fights?

>>42501232
Does Knife have lots of experience with fae? The way I heard it, nothing is ever easy with them. Or the easier it sounds the harder it turns out to be, and vice versa. Or something.
Does recognize the name Crow Heart?

>>42501232
Is Knife friends with Star Flow the zebra disciple? Are there any dangerous animals or obstacles we need to be on the lookout for in the forest?

>>42501326
>>42501636
>>42501959
>>42502431
"Hey. My name is Whispering Heart." You introduce yourself. "Hearty for short. Pleased to meet you."
"I'm Brass Compass." Your tall friend adds. "Ready to go when you are!"

Before you can depart to the forest, you meet with your client, a young zebra stallion. He entrusts you with a letter to deliver as stipulated, and also and small box of chocolate to offer Chanterelle. He wishes that the fae would accept to meet him in town or close to it.
After that, you can go into the woods. There will be some time before you reach Chanterelle's presumed home.

"Do you know this forest well?" You ask the zebra mare on the way. "Are there any dangerous animals or obstacles we need to be on the lookout for in the forest?"
"Mostly common beasts." Knifepoint replies. "Watch out for wild boars and wolves, but the three could take that on. If we're unlucky we might encounter an angry fae or something. Then our best bet is to hide or run. That probably won't happen, though."

"Sounds like they're always tough to deal with." You comment. "Do you have any experience with them?"
"Not much. Frankly, if it was anything more than delivering a letter, I might not have bothered with this job." Knifepoint says. "But I took some smoke bombs and caltrops in case that Chanterelle gal goes berserk on us or something. That should help us escape if we need to."

"They don't strike as the kind of opponents you'd like, yeah." You say. "I imagine you striking your foe from the shadows before they can even blink. Harder to pull off on the elusive fae, right?"
"Yo, what kind of story is that?" She shakes her head, also emitting a chuckle. "I'm not That kind of rogue."
"Really?" You show the mare a cheeky smile in return. "You're not an adrenaline junkie that'll take 20 foes at once with just a dagger in her mouth?"

"Nah, totally not." She shakes her head again. "Whatever the mean, the feeling I crave is the weight of a fat purse of coins on my belt, that's it. And for that, I prefer a bit of finesse, you know? A little discretion here, a little lie there, and nothing too dirt if I can avoid it. The best jobs are those where I don't even need to draw my weapon."

"Sounds cool. Did you learn that approach with the school of the Flowing Hoof by any chance?"
"Eh? These dudes?" Knifepoint gives you a frown. "Nope. Never had business with any of them. They're really not the type of folks that would appreciate my craft."
"Ah, I guess you don't know Star Flow or Crow Heart, then."
"Nope. Never heard of them." She shakes her head.

>>42504956
"How much have you travelled before?" You ask later. "I arrive from Meadowburg, and as I'm still rather new to adventuring, this place is the furthest I've even traveled in my life."
"Good for you. Me? Well, like many other zebras I was pretty much forced to travel a whole lot four years ago." Knifepoint sulks slightly. "Later, I went to Mountain's Door where I stayed a year to work. That's also where I picked up my… skills. I only came back here recently."

"Is that also where you learned to style your hair that way?" You ask. "Your mane looks really cool! I love the colors."
"Huh?" You have the time to see a little blush on the mare's face before she pulls up her hood and walks further in front of you. "Y-yeah, uh, I mean… thanks."

Eventually, you arrive near the designated spot where you're supposed to meet the object of Warm Sands' affection. The sign of fea presence around are noticeable, with the plants and mushrooms around being more vigorous, and displaying unusually vibrant colors. Despite the sweet flowery scent around being more pleasant that the stench of the mushroom fae of the day prior, the three of you remain on guard and advance cautiously.
Soon enough you start to hear a mare's laughter into the air. One that sounds slightly mischievous, but hopefully not too dangerous.
"Hello?" You call towards the trees. "Ahem. Greetings to you. We are here to deliver a present and a message for the one called Chanterelle."

Soon after your declaration, a winged mare comes out from behind the trees, presumably the recipient of your delivery.
"Hello, traveler." The fae greets you with a smile and a syrupy-sweet voice. "It is me that you seek. I'm Chanterelle."
"Then these pony delicacies are for you." You bow slightly as you present the chocolate. "And there is a poem I must read to you."
"Aw!" The fae mare grins. "Thank you very much! It is such a delicious surprise to receive such marks of admiration, mister…"
"My name is Whispering Heart." You say. "But this isn't from me. I'm giving you these in the name of Warm Sands. He chose and bought the present, and composed the poem himself."
"Warm Sands?" The fae cocks an eyebrow. "Sorry, should I know who you're talking about?"
"He is a zebra from Starpoint Keep." You explain. "He met you while he was picking mushrooms around here a few days ago. He's been love-struck since, your beauty engraved in his mind, and so he entrusted a love poem for me to read to you to declare his love for you."

"Ah… I think I recall the one… Love-struck you say?" The fairy scoffs. "Throw that letter away to rot in the soil, Whispering Heart. If that zebra doesn't have the courage to come in person, I don’t know why should I pay him any attention. You, on the other hoof…" The fae mare flies closer to you, and smiles as she examines your face.

>>42504962
"You… you're cute enough." She grins at you, taking you face between her hooves. "You're one of those adventurers, right? How about you take me on a date, tonight? I've always wanted to see what these pony cities are like. I'm sure the two of us could spend some sweet time together…"

>A: Insist on reading Warm Sands' poem to Chanterelle, and put in all your heart as a bard.
>DC 65
>Chanterelle!

>B: Whether as a trick to bring her to Starpoint Keep or not, accept Chanterelle's offer and organize the date back in Starpoint Keep.
>-20 coins
>Knifepoint-

>C: Say you can't answer favorably to Chanterelle's and enjoin her to accept to meet Warm Sands. Pretend you're already committed to Brass Compass.
>???
>You may pretend you're committed to Knifepoint instead.

>What do?

>>42504967
A

>>42504967
A. Use C with Brass Compass if we manage to somehow fail that DC.

>>42504967
C.
Courting fae is dangerous, whether we succeed or not and regardless of how cute she is, and there is a good chance we won't.

>>42504967
She beautiful I can see why warm sands is enamor with her and look at that she interested in us given the way how quick she flirting and fonding with us on the spot. Plus a syrupy-sweet voice hmm I wonder if this fairy will taste like honey?! Since she all yellow like wrap in green leafy clothing. Not only that her appearance make me think she is a pony version of Tinkerbell.
I want to say take up on her date offer B but it possible the quest will be a failure considering we're going against it and Knifepoint affection will go down probably mad over the fact she won't get any bits, C we'll be turn Chanterelle down and avoid trying to steal Sands crush however hearty isn't committed to having only one mare in his life so this one will bring complications to the bard's love interests, and as for A no pony will lose affection for hearty, the quest will be completed, and Whispering Heart will gain a fairy mare to be in love with him it's a win-win for everyone.

I'm choosing A this fae seems more pleasant to be around with than that poison mushroom fae let's get this pony in our lives and I recommend we should use our mana on her to lower the DC rolling.

9

>>42504967
A

>>42504967
A. And if it doesn't work, point out that we're an adventurer and we won't remain in the area for a long time, so any relationship would be short

>>42505139
>>42505387
>>42505412
>>42505730
>>42506311
"Please, let me at least deliver the words Warm Sands wrote to you." You say as open the envelope with the fairy's arms still around your neck.

>Time to roll
>DC 65

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>42506970

>>42507007
Nice job sir or madam we got the colorful fairy as one of Whispering Heart special someponies.
>>42506970
Once Heart finish confessing his love for her in his own way with the help of using Warm sand letter she'll be so touch Chanterelle may perhaps even kiss the stallion she holding as a result or wait for Whisper to make the first move whoever chooses to act first the colt should also embrace her in a loving hug and ask her if she would like to go on a date with hearty right now or does she want him to come back to get her in a little bit later on tonight because she needs to get herself ready for their special date.

>>42507007
>>42507084
You read out loud the poem writen by Warm Sands. The colt is no expert artist, but he clearly gave it his best, and the admiration he feels is genuine. Fortunately, your voice and the over-abundance of compliments on the fae's appearance fits Chanterelle's taste.

"Mmh… alright." Chanterelle twirls her hair around a hoof once you're done, a big smile and a blush on her face. "Maybe I should give a chance to this zebra colt after all. You can go tell him to come here and meet me tonight."

>A: Convince Chanterelle to visit him in Starpoint Keep instead. She said she wanted to explore the city, right?
>DC 60
>Chanterelle!

>B: Go back to the city and convince Warm Sands he has to come see Chanterelle himself. Come back with him if you need.
>DC 65

>C: You've delivered the message. Just inform Warm Sands of Chanterelle's answer and demand your payment.
>Knifepoint+

>>42507241
A. If it doesn't work out, nothing is lost

>>42507241
Aww man I was kinda hoping chanterelle will be head over heels for hearty after this point not for the zebra colt maybe she needs more affection points from him she too cute not to be one of the bard's marefriend. A

>>42507427
She said she'd give him a chance, not that we lost our chance. It's up to the client whether or not he can seal the deal.

>>42507241
Whispering "Professionalism" Heart
Why is his courage so important for her, anyway? Cowards live longer.

>>42507241
C. If things do want to work out between them long term, then the client has to be brave enough to enter the forest to visit her. Also, Knifepoint impression point.

>>42507241
>A: Convinced Chanterelle to visit him in Starpoint Keep instead. She said she wanted to explore the city, right?

>>42508365
>>42507643
>>42507531
>>42507427
>>42507259
A bard has to tend to love, even when it's not his own. Hopefully you can convince Chanterelle to meet with her admirer

>Time to roll
>DC 60

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>42509904

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>42509904

>>42509904
Yes, we manage to convince her to come back with us to Starpoint Keep. On the way, Hearty should tell Chanterelle that in case if his client Warm Sands still doesn't make the effort to try to meet her tonight or back down from proceeding to ask her out? Whispering Heart may consider being there for her and taking her offer up instead as her beloved date for tonight. Giving her another glimmer of hope that a stallion like him isn't going to turn down a mystical majestic rare beautiful unique creature such as her lies before him.

>>42509973
Not this. Just leave it alone, since we clearly already turned down anything to do with Chanterelle at this point by rolling twice to help them get together. No reason to make a specific and autistic backup promise.

>>42509983
We don't know how things will turn out once they meet after all the zebra was scared to venture into the forest to meet her so it make sense to have a backup plan in case things doesn't work out between them it call having a contingency plan in place plus we didn't even lose any affection for the fairy only gaining them up so we still have a chance to be Chanterelle.

>>42510001
Anon, people don't make ordinarily make backup plans to get together with someone, while also playing wingman with them. You sound like someone trying to autistically stake them, when the normal thing to do would be just to see it play out. Just ask the colt if everything is going okay with Chanterelle a few days from now if we're really THAT desperate to get involved, although I guarantee you we'd have forgotten her by now.
On a small side note, you're preemptively shooting yourself in the foot if the goal is also to get with Brass Compass, since flirting with her immediately after just looks bad.

>>42510001
All you're doing is tempting her to give up on him. The idea that we're still an option should only come up IF he fails

>>42510001
Why did you vote A if the goal was to get together with her? Could've both finished the quest and denied the stallion the girl.

>>42510035
I'm a very optimistic person and I didn't see Chanterelle name on choice B it only shows Knifepoint name with her affection going down and 20 coins deducted so I wasn't sure if the affection for Chanterelle will go up so when I saw her name on choice A I thought that one will bring us closer to the fairy fae. Next if you hadn't been noticing none of the other choices show that Brass Compass affection for us will go down for trying to flirt with Chanterelle.

>>42510099
>Next if you hadn't been noticing none of the other choices show that Brass Compass affection for us will go down for trying to flirt with Chanterelle
Anon, you're being slow in the head. Trying to get together with Chanterelle by staking her in front of Brass, then immediately flirting with her afterwards WILL cause issues if Brass is the type of mare to not sleep around casually. Looking like a floozy isn't attractive to some people, believe it or not.

>>42510099
You thought accepting the date option wouldn't increase Chanterelle's affections with us, because it didn't explicitly state it, and instead thought reading the poem of from the stallion would do the trick, because it showed that growing her can lower her DC... The marvels of autism on display is something.

>>42510197
Well yeah exactly it didn't specific state that fairy affection will go up on B so I pick A along with everyone else and for the record I'm not slow I'm thinking ahead of any other possibilities outcomes that can also occur as a result so the bard can be ready to deal with it if it happens.

>>42509911
>>42509961
"Lady Chanterelle, wouldn't you want to come with us? We're going back to Starpoint Keep, and you could meet Warm Sands right away instead." You offer. "You said you'd like to discover the city, the occasion in perfect! Warm Sands may not be a fearless adventurer, but is that really such an important thing for you? He'll probably live longer than us daredevils."
"Oh, but it's so less romantic." The fae mare sighs. "There's some charm to you adventurers, willing to engage with even the most foreign of passion…"
"From the words I read to you, he seems pretty eager for passion alright." You smirk and wink at Chanterelle. "Please. Don't let this one lapse in his courage dismiss his feeling. In his own element, I'm certain Warm Sands will be more than happy to show you his truest colors."

"Mmh…" Chanterelle ponders one last time, but eventually nods in response. "Alright. At this point, I guess I'll spare him the walk to here for our first time."
You make the way back to Starpoint Keep with the bright fae in tow. The sight of faes aren't unheard off fortunately, and she can get in town without too many eyebrows raising on her path.

Wild Sands' eyes go wide when he opens his door and sees Chanterelle accompanying you. He doesn't let apprehension get the better of him fortunately, and immediately gets on his knees to serve the fae a couple more verses to her beauty, as well as promising her a night of delight in town between him and her. Chanterelle seems satisfied with the offer, and graces the stallion with a kiss on the cheek that makes him blush from ear to ear. With an ecstatic smile, he swiftly gives you your pay while muttering a 'thank you', before turning his full attention to the fea again, which he soon happily prances along in the streets of Starpoint Keep.

>You completed the quest!
>You gained 40 xp and 50 coins!
>You recovered 1 mana (you have 4/4)

Before you can figure out how you'll spend your own evening, you first decide to check if you can find Hilda around the tavern where you left her. The crafty rodent is here indeed, lying on a small pile of gold coins on a barrel in fact.

>>42510500
"Haha!" She boasts as she sees you approach. "Hearty, your pony quests are a piece of cake actually! I could do it on my own! I found the thief and brought it to the authorities!"
"Really?" The sight leaves you rather curious. "I mean, I didn't doubt that you could find the culprit, but how did you… like, tell it to the guards? And how did you get that gold?"
"Easy!" The proud rat sounds delighted to tell you about her adventure. "After the culprit committed an act of larceny in front of my eyes, I followed her to her home. There, I cleverly picked what looked like a distinguishable ring from the thief's cache. I then took the quest notice off the board too, and as I showed both of these to the barmaid, thankfully she could put two and two together. She followed me to the thief's place and got her arrested. It took a few bites for her to give me the actual reward instead of just fruits or cheese, but she yielded eventually. I can still hear her. 'What are you gonna do with coins? You're just a rat! You don’t even have pockets!' That's what she said. Well, my favorite pocket bearer just returned from his own job! You'll have the honor of carrying my pay, Hearty. It is My cheese money. But as a generous adventurer, tonight I'll be paying for your drinks and the ones of your friends. You have the right to be grateful to your fellow hero, Hearty!"

The quest about thefts isn't offered on the board anymore, so you can only guess the story Hilda tells you is true. Looking up from the rodent lounged on her loot, you notice the zebra barmaid looking at you quizzically from afar, but then going back to her work as you catch you staring.

>Hilda finished a quest…!
>Hilda gained 60 coins… that are gonna end up in your bag.

>You have enough xp to reach the next level.
>You'll reach the next level the next time you sleep for a full night.

>What do?
>You may invite Knifepoint and/or Brass Compass to spend the evening with you
>You have little choice but to have Hilda spend the evening with you
>You will recover all your mana the next time you sleep. You might want to what you have left tonight.

>>42510504
So thats what Hilda look like she looks funny haha and thanks to her we received the exp and gold from that quest. Now we know we can ask the rat to take part on the other job quests on her own to get more coins and xp points should the need arise. Definitely should use our mana for the reminder of the night but that will have to wait we need to celebrate Brass victory first for becoming a Seeker just like her parents its party time.

Invite Knifepoint, Brass Compass, and see if we can bring Barkmane and Star flow to join us in the festivities too.

>>42510504
Buy some cheese for Hilda. She deserves it by now.
And just enjoy the evening mostly with Brass Compass, and start lightly flirting with her. Maybe even lean on her affectionately. If she still doesn't get the hint, make it clear by speaking with her about it. Point is to make our intentions by tonight and hopefully get a response.

>>42510552
We didn't earn any XP from Hilda's quest. That, and we likely can't invite Barkmane or Star Flow, considering we didn't get the option. Most likely due to the fact that we didn't make a strong enough impression on them.

>>42510504
Cute rat is cute. Get her some good cheese.
Maybe hang out with Brass Compass as well? So long as she's not going to be bothered by us having Hilda around.
Hypothetically, could we use Ode to Perfection on Hilda? It was said that she has too much mare in her, and we do need to use some mana.

Forgot to says you can invite Barkmane of course. Very rude of me. Star Flow will refuse to hang out however
Also, I won't be able to post tomorrow. See you the next day

>>42510504
Those pile of bits sorta resemble cookies. Obtain a cheesy meal for Hilda and ask the rat what drink she wants to enjoy her food with. Invite only Brass Compass to spend the rest of the night with as a date. Ask what are her intentions now? Will she go to the New Dawn The Zebra Republic Capital tomorrow or spend time here in Starpoint Keep at the Seeker's Headquarters first?

>>42511038
Actually, anon we can't use our mana on Hilda the rat. The bard's powers only work on mares at the top of this thread story description it explains it all right there.

>>42510504
Oh, alright. I hoped for a more amicable outcome, but it was Hilda's decision to make. Is she planning to do more quests on her own?

>>42514355
Only if we ask her to.

>>42510552
>>42510641
>>42511038
>>42512821
>>42514355
For tonight, you think you’ll try to get some privacy with Brass Compass. But before that, you have to make sure Hilda gets properly rewarded. Your Seeker friend wasn’t bothered by your rat companion so far, so hopefully she won’t mind the sentient rodent’s presence. This evening will be between the three of you, familiar included.

While Hilda refused cheese as a reward, with her coins you can order her a hearty serving of cheese bread, raisins and honey biscuits as a celebratory meal, with a little mug of ale to wash it all down. When the barmaid brings it all in front of her, your rat-friend seems satisfied with the feast in front of her.
“Say, do you plan to do more quests in the future?” You ask Hilda
“With how easy it was to earn such a lavish pay, of course I will!” The rat replies between two mouthfuls. “At least, I will take on jobs that are suitable for me. Indeed, I very much wouldn’t like to fight against that giant mushroom mare you saw yesterday, or anything like that. You keep those quests to yourself. However, I am not against cooperation should we stumble upon a task where both our talents are needed.”

A thought crosses your mind…
Ratchel told you there was some pony into Hilda. Too much pony in fact. Since she’s a girl-rat, would that mean your abilities could work on her? You’re not sure, but the best way to find out would be to try. If it does nothing, your magic will just not work and you won’t lose any mana.

A question you’ll answer later. For now, as promised you toast with Brass Compass to her new position as a Seeker. The green unicorn seems to be finally free from her worries, and empties her mug in only a couple gulps.

“So what is going to be the next step, Brass Compass the Seeker.” You address your friend. “Are you gonna join Crow Heart at New Dawn? The new zebra republic sounds like one big adventure alright.”
“Well, I’m not sure yet.” Brass Compass starts. “The New Republic is quite far away to the south east, beyond Port Sunrise and over the Rock Needles. It feels like a really daunting trip to make, at least on my own.”
Brass Compass give you a lingering look as she tells you that part.
“Also…” She looks around, and says the following part a little lower. “The reason there’s zebra refugees in Starpoint Keep is because there was a revolution in the Zebra lands. It ended with the old king being put to the blade, and after a bloody siege, all the inhabitants of the capital being indiscriminately condemned to exile. The New Republic is wary of all countries with a king, like ours, and there’s still unrest in the zebra lands I’ve heard.”

>>42517958
“If that's still too scary, then you also talked about visiting the library of the Seekers.” You recount. “Maybe you’d like to do that first, before embarking on anything too big.”
“Yes, maybe…” Brass Compass ponders out loud. “I’d really like to visit Sky Diamond too, and to enter the royal academy in the flesh… But that can wait too. To be honest, I feel a little overwhelmed right now. I can get the reference I already had my eyes on delivered by mail, so maybe I can do some more low-stake quests before I get to do any of this. You know, despite how she treated me during the test, Crow Heart is probably right about something. I easily get nervous, and I tend to mess things up when I’m too stressed. Now that I’m a certified Seeker, perhaps I should focus on becoming a better adventurer overall. Some more field experience can’t hurt.”

You drink some more with Brass Compass. You didn't take the mare for a heavy drinker, but she's swigged herself tipsy already.
From here, what's you plan for flirting with this mare?

>What do?
>Use any mana?

>You spent 15 coins from Hilda's money for her meal and your drinks.

>>42517960
Use all four of our mana on Brass Compass doubling the Ode to perfection spell on her making her current new form triple the size. The mare's crotchboobs should be lactate with milk as a result unless hearty has to level up tomorrow for that skill to happen either way her appearance, magic, assets, and flanks will be big, radiant, luscious and juicy which whispering heart will enjoy feeling every part of her body, touching, tasting, kissing, and bucking all night in this special occasion celebration.

>>42517960
Reassure Brass Compass that whatever path she takes for self-improvement we'll be there to support her fully. She doesn't have to travel alone to the New Republic either. Hold her hoof and lean on her as well to make the moment romantic.
>>42518051
Not this. Not because I don't want to use ode to perfection twice on her by the end of today, but because we should test out how effective it is by talking to Brass Compass and convincing her what form of beauty she should transform herself into for us. That, and it's doubtful she'd appreciate suddenly using the spell on her just like that. Better to wait until we're both in bed and the mood is just right.

>>42517960
Compliment Brass Compass for her self awareness and reflecting upon Crow Heart's words, and point out that experience will come with time. Confidence will come with acceptance and familiarity, both with herself and others, and we can't wait to see how she grows as a mare. If the time is right, ask if she's interested in getting a little more familiar.
Have we actually seen her new teat size, or is it something we've inferred? And save some mana for experimenting with Hilda.

>>42518084
This, doubly so with talking and some warning before casting. Though I'm still curious to see if Hilda can be effected, and at worst, won't cost anything.

>>42518084
I didn't say he should use all four of his mana in front of her in the tavern with all those ponies around and have sex with her right there thats crazy better to do it when they rent a bedroom in the inn with complete privacy obviously I'm not reckless besides I've merely was stating the fact we have to use all our mp before the next day since Hearty level up again we'll be fully charged, gain additional mana, and a new skill tomorrow.

>>42518195
Fix your grammar then anon. None of your post indicated that it should be withheld till later. When making a response to a post asking what to do NOW, you need to be specific in your wording.

>>42517960
Hold off on Hilda until we have a temporary spell. Even a few inches is a huge change for her after all.

unfortunately, I won't be able to post today either. See you tomorrow

>>42518051
>>42518084
>>42518132
>>42518863
A glance at you rat-friend reveals she's literally diving in her meal right now. You'll set aside your curiosity about how she'd react to your magic for tonight, and focus on the actual mare next to you.

"It's admirable that you could reflect on Crow Heart's advice." You tell the tall unicorn. "Don't worry. Experience will come in time, and along will familiarity and confidence."
"Mmh. There's no reason it won't." Brass Compass drinks some more, then lets out a pleased purr as her mug hits the table. In the meantime, you sit closer to the mare until your forelegs brush with each other. Brass Compass doesn’t push you away, no even acknowledging how close you got.

"Whatever path you choose, I'll be there to support you, Brass Compass." You add, having to crane your neck up to meet her eyes. "Whether traveling to the New Republic or chasing chickens in Meadowburg, you don’t have to go on adventures alone."
"Thank you, Hearty. But… I feel like there's a certain adventure you'd like us to go on this evening." Brass Compass chuckles. "Well, I'm in the mood for a new kind of quest alright. And I have a silly idea to put this whole… confidence stuff to the test. Maybe it's the ale, Hearty, but I feel like I could stomach a song about me right now, perhaps even appreciate it. Would you accept to give it another try, even I wasn't a very nice spectator last time?"

>What do?

>>42523765
Well, if that ain't an invitation, than nothing is.

>>42523765
Nuzzle into the green mare"It will be my honor as a musical bard to sing a serenade song about you Brass Compass. The way how I see it your radiant beautiful in my eyes". Finish our meals and ale at the tavern and request a room in the inn to perform playing music to the unicorn privately about the journey and challenging trials they went through together while using a double does of Ode to perfection on her to give her the extra confidence she really wants to have too not be very nervous anymore all the time.

>>42523765
Tell her we'll gladly play a song in her name. Get out our instrument out and start playing and singing about our perspective as a bard witnessing a beautiful mare growing to reach her dreams and how that bard only grew more interested and awestruck as time went on with the beautiful mare.
>>42523908
Save the ode to perfection until we tell her what we're interested in growing. Both so we can see the limit of the spell when focused on growing a certain part, and to see if words alone can fully convince a mare to change her idea of beauty long enough for the spell to make specific changes.

9

>>42523765
Say its water under the bridge; he forgives her and is not the type of pony to hold a grudge. Whispering Heart didn't know he was making her feel embarrassed, but rather was trying to forge a music connection with her so they can bond more.

In a bit of a low spot these days. I'll postpone tommorrow again, and I'll probably skip friday too. Hopefully I can get myself more motivated by the weekend
Thank you for the bumps and bearing with me

>>42510504
Fuck the rat

>>42527153
It isn't an issue, Growfag. Hope you feel better eventually with whatever is going in RL.

>>42523838
>>42523908
>>42523974
>>42524752
"That's water under the bridge." You're more than happy to take up your instrument for Brass Compass once more. "I'm not gonna hold a grudge when I'm the one that made you feel embarrassed. But if you're ready to give me another chance…"

Without further ado, the strings of your instrument start to accompany your voice to indulge the big mare's request. You sing about a certain mare chasing her dream of reaching for the sky. And as this mare faces hardships, those around her see her progress and get closer to the stars, in your lyrics, metaphorically growing closer to them.
While there's a deep blush on the face of Brass Compass, this time it doesn’t get bad enough she stops your representation. She watches you with a large smile she daintily hides behind a hoof, which could either mean she's moved by your praises, or that your eulogistic hyperboles just sound silly to her. Tipsiness helping, chances are it's a bit of both.

There's no need for you to exaggerate your praises towards Brass Compass. If anything, you've got to refrain from leaning in too much into the physical side of your attraction to her. The last time you grew her, the unicorn's teats grew substantially along her height, now squishy half-moons between her thighs. The green mare has chosen to mostly hide those since then, though. Any bigger, and that would be a lot harder to pull off, which unfortunately probably means she doesn't want to reach a greater size. For now…

You're tempted to weave your magic into your song right away, growing the mare and possibly change her body too. But you aren't sure that the time is right. Also, a lingering though you've had, is that maybe you'd need to influence Brass Compass in some way so she actually desires some truly outrageous curves. In all cases, between celebrating Brass Compass becoming a Seeker and the de-inhibition from alcohol, tonight is certainly the best occasion you can hope for on a short notice.

>What do?
>Ask Brass Compass right away if she'd like to grow further?
>Ask her directly if she'd like to have a body with more curves?
>Along your song, attempt to ease her into the idea of having a more voluptuous form?
>Just let your desire go wild and let it grow the mare along your music?
>Wait to see if you can take this to a room with just the two of you?

>>42530642
>Along your song, attempt to ease her into the idea of having a more voluptuous form?

>>42530642
>Wait to see if you can take this to a room with just the two of you?
Not sure how we'd encourage to gain curves along with a romantic song without it coming off as crass in the first place. Better to save it for the bedroom.

>>42530642
She'd probably be more willing if it's just the two of us

>>42530642
Finally, I can put in my vote whew didn't expect that my boss put me to work overtime today but gotta love that extra pay sometimes. Okay let's see what we got asking her permission to grow her body and/or curves, persuade her or immediately use our powers right now on her, or last offer on the table we finish our song and wait to see if our playing is enough to touch the unicorn's heart where she wants to willingly invite hearty to spend the night together with in the same bedroom.

Honesty we will have better results for Hearty getting Brass Compass if the stallion wait and be a little patience so they can finish their date together in a private room all to themselves hearty can ask Brass permission to enchant her again as a gift thanking her for allowing him to travel with her and congratulating Compass on passing her test he wishes the mare to continue bettering herself and would like to help her be successful in her Seeker career anyway he can. It would be a bad idea to grow her right now we're still at the tavern and lots of eyes will be on Brass since she'll become more sexy and the patrons there might make her uncomfortable which would lead to her feeling embarrassed again due to hearty being insensitive to her emotions.

Welp, looks like I fooled myself today again. I'll try again tomorrow

Bump

bump

Unfortunately, I think I'm at a point where I need to reset my mind completely. Rarely have I experienced such a silly case of writer's block while there's nothing that should remotely justify me not writing according to myself, a feeling that has snowballed to silly levels of furstration for me at this time.

At this point, I'm gonna take a larger break. I'm gonna end this thread on the next post which will be the level up choice. There's a scene of sharing Brass Compass's bed that should come before that, which I'll post on a paste at the beginnig of the next thread, along the next part of the adventure the morning after.

I'm aiming for the 20th for the next thread.

Thank you all for the bumps once more. Hoping to see you later.

>>42530974
>>42531168
>>42532545
>>42532907
>You reached level 3!

You now have 5 maximum mana (+1), and you recovered all your mana
You can use mana to grow mares by 12 inches (instead of 9). This is your Base Growth Value
Your maximum mana and your Base Growth Value increase each time you gain a level.

For this level, you must choose 1 passive ability.

>Toast to reunited friends
If you've travelled at least once AND completed at least 1 quest without a given mare since the last time you met her, the next time you grow her will cost no mana AND be doubled.

>Heroic epics
You recover one more mana after a quest if you passed all the DCs during that quest. You recover one more mana after a quest if you grew at least one hostile mare during that quest. You recover one more mana after a quest for each DC of 80 or more that you passed during that quest.(80 after reductions from growth effects). All effects can apply for the same quest.

>Artistic frenzy
When you spend mana to grow a mare, for the rest of the day there's a 30% chance she'll permanently grow by your base growth amount on each subsequent time you spend mana to grow her. Each growth from spending mana gives an additional, separate 30% chance to grow for all the next ones.

>>42543988
Its okay we all need a break at somepoint enjoy your rest and see you again on the 20 of September. Please don't forget to use up all the bard's mana power to grow Brass Compass it would be a waste to had regain all those mana and not use it to make their night end with something intimacy special for them both to enjoy before they went to sleep for night.

Also I vote we should get Toast to reunited friends we'll be traveling often so with this ability once hearty returns to Meadowburg along with any other places he has been to recently and manage to established a bond with the mares he's been close with for a one on one or multiple reunion at once boom he'll be able to grow them exponentially high free of charge without having to use his mana usage so much having lots of it still reserved in his inventory.

>>42543982
It's fine if you need a break. Writer's block can be a big bitch sometimes.
Interested to see what you write of the scene when it comes to growing her with Ode to Perfection twice.
>>42543988
With Toast to Reunited Friends, does it only count for growing a mare through the normal typical means, or can the free use of growth also be used with an ability like Ode of Perfection to get a free use of it?

>>42544716
>can the free use of growth also be used with an ability like Ode of Perfection to get a free use of it?
yes

>>42543988
I'd go for heroic epics since both perfect runs and growing 'hostiles' aren't unlikely, though that DC one is a longshot. I just hate the current mana economy is all since it incentivizes frugality.

>>42544733
That makes it a difficult toss up between Heroic Epics and Toast then. Heroic Epics increases mana regeneration, which is really needed, but Toast makes it so we can basically get more mana usage by using Ode to Perfection on mares consistently if we play the nomad role strong enough to travel in-between locations.
Very hesitant, but going with Toast to Reunited Friends. We get to cast growth more if we play with right, and there's always a possibilty we can unlock a three mana spell to really make the passive that much more powerful.

>>42546258
Those are only one offs with large gaps between uses. Besides, we're likely level up before we get to even use it once. We also might get another chance at getting it later and will have many more potential targets, and better effects, by then.

>>42546296
>We also might get another chance at getting it later
Don't see anything to indicate this, unlike the first time we chose an active ability where it was said we could have another chance to get those options.

>>42546704
The entire lower portion of the post, which included that, is missing. So QM might've just forgotten it. Also, I see no reason to assume those specific skills were unique in some way that'd allow them to come up multiple times. I bet the QM is just selecting randomly from a pool that shrinks (losing the ability we choose) after every level.