Scubacarrot

"Demons, undead, Evil books. The usual. You wouldn't happen to know a way to bring back people from the realm of demons, would you?"

"No sign of them. I have this sneaking suspicion this book is the key to finding them after all. But here's an idea. I am afraid you will accidentally blow up the city, set a horde of demons loose or get posessed, Nerwen. You can call me a fool all you like, but you can't deny the possibility. Handling Demon Relics is hardly an exact science. Presumably for this to happen, there would have to be magic involved. Now hear me out: We let Benji read the book and look for a way to find or free our two lost. He does not possess any magic skill, so he can't accidentally open a portal, I presume. While we do this we keep our weapons trained on him, of course, as soon as he starts talking gibberish or making sudden movements, we stop him. Good plan?"

She'd deserve it! We should form an alliance against smartarses. It needs to be a thing.

I personally like WBD's second version best.

"Thank you, Metasimian. I don't agree with all your viewpoints, and I was no fan of your decision not to help save the Bonapartes, but your words here speak with wisdom, and with more diplomacy than I possess in my whole body. For what it's worth, I'll try to call you, uhm, not Ape or Monkey."

Why would everyone attack me though, Guts' plan is sensible.

> roll Shield. Everyone dies. Guts loots.

Flee.

Very cool, I am going to keep an eye out for that. But I did not want to risk the Demon Wings selling out before that time... So I placed an order now, and will do so again in the beginning of december, it seems.

"No. If we find nothing, we will go up top, and consult with the temples."

With Nerwen out of hearing range, Guts quietly whispered: "Or perhaps you are the person I have to take the burden from."

Guts sighed and said with a tone of sadness in his voice: "You have changed, Nerwen. Any risk is too much. I will not allow it. I don't care about any of that, I am a simple, human man, but I have the common sense to know that you are not only after the release of the Fenarian and the Ranger. I think you are after this power you had in the vision. Who do you think gave you that vision? The Gods? Come on. You should heed the Oracle's words. Do you want to pay that hefty price? Do you want to become what you just destroyed? I am going to search this temple. I suggest you do the same." With that, Guts turned around, going further into the Black Temple.

"You don't know if we find the Ranger and the Fenarian in the book. We haven't explored the temple. They are alive, I'm sure, but I am not about to open a portal to the realms of the nether to get them. What would you tell the remaining people after demons have destroyed the city, raped the women and put the men on pikes? That we did it to possibly find two people? You seem so sure I can't control this book and you can, and let me tell you this: You can't control it. I will find find a way to destroy it, and that will be the end of that."

"If this book is key to finding the Fenarian and the ranger, I'd rather have them gone. I am not going to take the chance to set something greater loose with it." Guts did not do anything with Nerwen's open hands, and instead continued speaking with little emotion: "The book wants to be read. You may not realize, but I have realized a long time ago, whatever a demon wants, you do the opposite. I know demons better than you realize. You weren't there when a young mage opened a portal and demons sacked a small Charis town, you weren't there when demon possessed villagers tried to sacrifice me to 'summon their Lord'. You weren't there when a man that made a deal with the demons burned my wife and child alive. I know more than you think. You've known me long enough, and you know I am keeping up appearances. Is the appearance I am keeping up that of the greedy rogue, or that of the man who tries to do some good where he can. You tell me." Guts, unnoticely had put his hand on his weapon while speaking. Shaking his head, Guts continued: "I am going to keep the book. It can't take my sanity, that was lost a long time ago."

How I see it, It's a: Talking Book - Immune to fire, makes snippy remarks now and then. Artifact, Accessory.

Evil talking book, I want it.

Guts actually has the book. "Nerwen. I heard the words of the oracle to you. I don't know if she's just a damn good guesser or I am really going to require to do some self sacrificing, but she spoke about a black grimoire and a black temple. She also spoke about a heavy price. I am not going to let you turn out like Sycamore Ziegfried." Guts sighed, stashed the book in his pack, and walked forward,. he said one more thing: "I don't care for your insults Nerwen. You know the right thing is not to read or use the book."

It was a joke.

Well then, Guts will take TWO Nostrums! He can afford it and does not actually owe people money.

Bah, 50% chance, and Guts will be lucky... I'll take those odds.

Hmmm. I think we can get some awesome roleplaying out of this. Just remember, Guts can totally take Arthur.

"We continue?"

Guts carefully pokes it out with his sword. and when he's sure it's cooled off, he picks it up again. "Hm, seems useful, I can use it to shield myself from fireballs those pesky mages have a tendency of throwing at me."

Awww. Why, exactly?